Â
Â
Dear Church Family, This week's e-note is actually three mini e-notes from me, from our Executive Director, and from a youth choir volunteer. A Note from Our Senior Pastor: Last week our Lead Team engaged in our monthly all day session. We made good progress on further developing our Ministry Action Plan (MAP). If you would like more information about the session, click here. In preparation for the meeting, all team members read "The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict" published by the Arbinger Institute. Although it's a secular book, it contains a profound spiritual message. The thesis is quite simple-we are called to treat fellow human begins as people and not as objects. In a nutshell, the book affirms the "Golden Rule" to treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. If I were king of BUMC (and I know that I am not!), I would mandate that every member of BUMC read and follow the teachings of "The Anatomy of Peace." If so, it would transform our marriage, our family, our work relationships, and our church. In fact, if we lived this book out at BUMC, God's Kingdom would dramatically advance in our church. Since I can't mandate that you read and follow this book, I highly recommend that you do so, along with your spouse, family, friends, co-workers, Sunday school class, Bible study group, etc. This week marks the 20th anniversary of Stephen Ministry at Brentwood UMC. Congratulations and thank you, Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers, for the many hours of caring support the ministry has provided over the years.
A Note from Our Executive Director: I am excited to announce that Rev. Travis Garner will be moving into the role of Pastor of Discipleship for Brentwood UMC. In this new role, Travis will bring strong leadership and vision to our children, youth and adult ministries. Travis has been a part of our Student Ministry leadership for the past eight and a half years, and in that time we have seen the ministry grow numerically and in disciple-making, as his leadership has impacted several generations of youth in our congregation in such transformative ways. Travis completed a Master of Divinity degree last May at Vanderbilt Divinity School and is moving toward ordination as an Elder in the United Methodist Church. Travis' passion for being a follower of Jesus is evident in his life and work, and will enable him to bring great things to our Discipleship ministries at BUMC. As a result of Travis' transition, Lindsay Brooks will move into the role of Director of Student Ministry. Lindsay has been serving on our Student Ministry staff for 4.5 years, that last 2.5 years in the role of Associate Director of Youth Ministry. Lindsay has recently graduated from Memphis Theological Seminary in conjunction with CYMT with a Masters in Religion with a focus in Youth Ministry. Her training and her gifts of administration and leadership have been well-placed as she has led our Sunday morning programming, mission trips, and special events for Student Ministry. This is a natural transition for Lindsay, and we are so pleased she has agreed to take on this role. We will be hiring a Director of High School Ministry to complete our Student Ministry staff at this time. Please join me in praying for Travis and Lindsay as they continue to follow God's call upon their life, as they step into new roles of leadership here at BUMC. (Leslie Hotzfeld, Executive Director) A Note from our Youth Ministry: It is almost time for BUMC's annual youth event, SHARE THE SPIRIT 2013. But this year's celebration will be a little bit different from years past. On Sunday night March 3, at 5 p.m., the youth will continue their tradition of dinner and a fund-raising auction, but with a live auction only. Afterward at 7 p.m., we hope that you will join a church-wide celebration as our youth lead us in a time of worship and celebration for all that God is doing in their lives through choir tours and mission trips near and far. Auction tickets will be limited and will be on sale Feb. 10, 17, and 24 in the breezeways and Turner Center. Please invite your family, friends and neighbors. The goal is to fill the sanctuary with congregation and community! A love offering will be collected during the worship celebration service to
supplement the cost of sending 250 youth on Choir Tours and Mission Trips. Please prayerfully consider how God is calling you to contribute to this year's "Share the Spirit." (Jill Burgin, Communications Coordinator for Share the Spirit) Finally, it was good to receive the follow eleven new members: Mark Pritchett; Shannon Van Curen; Andrew (A.J.) Panagiotis; Clayton, Carol, Chandler, Clay and Carrington Washburn; Joanna Long; and Mary and Tyler Cline. Welcome to our church family. In Christ's Love and Service,
Martin