Dear Friends in Christ,
Dr. Davis Chappell
I want to thank all of our volunteers and staff for their work in hosting the 47th session of the Tennessee Annual Conference! What a special week it was! Special thanks to our lay delegates who represented us so well! They are: Tom Blose, Rachel Cotham, Susan Graham, Jim Perkins, Connor Williams, Sandy Williams and Leslie Hotzfeld (alternate).
There was a deep sense of unity among us these last few days. Bishop McAlilly helped to set the tone with his strong leadership. God is using him to draw us together around the theme of:"Expecting Greater Things." He reminded us that the mission of the Tennessee Conference is to "Discover, Equip, Connect and Send Lay and Clergy Leaders - who shape congregations that offer Jesus Christ to a hurting world, one neighborhood at a time." To effectively do this we must do 3 things: 1. Shift from an internal focus to an external focus. 2. Shift from running programs and ministries to developing people. 3. Shift from church-based leadership to community-engaged leadership. I believe these 3 things express the heart of Brentwood UMC's vision for the future as well. You are a leader church in this conference and indeed, in our denomination. Many of you took time out of your busy schedules this week to volunteer. God used your efforts in a unique way. So many commented on your hospitality!
As I left the conference I was given a list of the appointments. I was glad to see my name under Brentwood UMC. I am also grateful that we are going to keep our ministry team together for another year. Sherre and I are nearing the completion of our first year here. It has flown by! I visited with an old friend from Martin College on Tuesday at lunch. He asked, "How does it feel to be the senior pastor of the Brentwood UMC?" I said, "It's challenging. It's non-stop. It's bigger than my capacity. But the people are what make Brentwood UMC so special! It really feels like coming home." Finally, it was good to welcome new members Tom Wiese, Kris Powell, and Jeffrey and Beth Wilson at our Brentwood campus. We would also like to welcome Alys Olivia Christian to our Trinity campus. Welcome to our church community. I am grateful to be in ministry with each of you. Peace & Grace,
Davis PS I am sending you a link to one of the resolutions concerning the death penalty that will be sent to the Governor's office. Resolution #4