Nashville Rescue Mission October 2016 Newsletter

Give thanks

OCTOBER 2016

IT WOULDN’T BE THANKSGIVING WITHOUT YOU

OVERFLOWING WITH GRATITUDE You Are A Blessing REV. GLENN CRANFIELD

President and CEO

… ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN HIM, STRENGTHENED IN THE FAITH AS YOU WERE TAUGHT, AND OVERFLOWING WITH THANKFULNESS.

C OLO S SIAN S 2 : 7 N I V

SAVE THE DATE Up coming Eve nt s

Learn more at nashvillerescuemission.org

NOV. 1

Thanksgiving Volunteer Sign-Up Starting at 8:00 a.m.

2 HEART of the MISSION / October 2016

A

s the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, many of us are pleasantly reminded of the things we feel grateful for and fortunate to have in our lives. Traditionally, the holiday is celebrated with delicious food and the company of family and friends.

Here at Nashville Rescue Mission, we are devoted to bringing the same holiday spirit to the homeless men, women, and children in our care during the upcoming Thanksgiving season and all throughout the year.

Volunteers and the community play an essential role in our efforts to break the cycle of homelessness by helping to provide services and resources at the Mission.

You have faithfully supported this ministry. You have prayed for us. You have given your time, talents, and resources. You have been and continue to be a blessing to us and our ministry. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for all you have done.

All of us here at the Mission, the staff, and those who come to us for help, wish you a bountiful and blessed Thanksgiving as we celebrate the gifts God has bestowed on us all. With your help we are making a meaningful impact in the lives of the homeless in our community.

NOV. 12

NOV. 22

Nashville Praise Symphony Men’s Campus Chapel 7:00 p.m.

Tracy Lawrence Benefit Concert Wildhorse Saloon 6:00 p.m.

NOV. 15 & 16

NOV. 23

Radiothon - 94 FM The Fish (15th) 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

(16th) 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

NOV. 21

Radiothon - SuperTalk 99.7 5:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

NOV. 22

Tracy Lawrence Annual Turkey Fry 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Life Recovery Program Graduation 10:30 a.m.

NOV. 23 & 24

Great Thanksgiving Banquet Noon

NOV. 24

Annual Music City Thanksgiving Day 8/4 Miler Run/Walk Men’s Campus Parking Lot 7:00 a.m.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

BETH HARWELL Mission IN MY WORDS

As long as we’ve lived in Nashville, our family has always been aware of Nashville Rescue Mission. But to understand their true impact on our community—you must see it for yourself.

Two years ago, my family took what the Mission calls their “I Had No Idea” tour. And they are right—at the end of the tour we found ourselves saying, “I had no idea the Mission did this.” Needless to say, their breadth of services blew us away.

The Mission does more than provide a warm bed, or a hot meal, or addiction services. They do all these things, while also sharing the love of Jesus Christ. Each person’s needs are different, and addressing those individually is the way they change lives. I find their approach inspiring. Supporting an organization with that mission is a no-brainer.

“HOPE IS A POWERFUL THING THAT SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED, AND THE MISSION GIVES PEOPLE THAT BLESSING EACH DAY.” Over the years the Mission has helped change my perception of homelessness and addiction, as well as the perception of the community at large. Working with and supporting the Mission changes the way you think about approaching these issues. My involvement with them has made me a better legislator. The state has made big strides in how we address these issues on a state level, committing funding to mental health and addiction treatment services, and implementing specialty drug courts, which have been successful. All of these things, coupled with the work of the Mission, will have a positive and lasting impact on our community.

We are so fortunate to have this unique nonprofit right here in Nashville. It means a lot to me to see the work they do with women, particularly victims of domestic violence.

Providing that safe shelter for a woman in need is crucial.

In addition, the Mission helps each man or woman who walks through their doors by developing a personal plan for them to improve their situation—it might include coaching, employment, addiction treatment, or providing a safe place for their children. No two cases are the same, and they recognize this and work to address each person’s needs.

In a word, Nashville Rescue Mission is—hope. It drives everything they do—and that changes lives. It means hope for people in our community who feel hopeless; it means hope for those who never thought they could break free from addiction; and it means hope for the community that an organization out there is serving this population. Hope is a powerful thing that should not be underestimated, and the Mission gives people that blessing each day.

There are always going to be people out there who are in desperate need of the Mission’s services. It’s been said that a rising tide lifts all boats—so when we support organizations such as Nashville Rescue Mission, we help not only the individuals that walk through the door, but our support also benefits the entire community.

Beth Harwell currently serves as Speaker of the House, a position to which she was elected by her House colleagues. She is the first female Speaker in both Tennessee and the entire Southeast. Harwell represents State House District 56, which includes a part of Davidson County.

October 2016 / HEART of the MISSION 3

Give thanks IT WOULDN’T BE THANKSGIVING WITHOUT YOU

As you gather around your table this Thanksgiving, what will you be most thankful for? Family? Friends?

Your health?

As the Mission prepares its tables to feed over 800 people this Thanksgiving, all will be giving thanks for YOU. Because without you, there would be no Thanksgiving.

Each year, the Mission hosts the annual Great Thanksgiving Banquet—a two-day celebration that includes 500 turkeys, nearly 800 volunteers, donating over 2,000 hours of time, to prepare and serve 6,000 meals to the hungry and homeless in the community.

500 800 2,000 6,000

TURKEYS VOLUN T EER S HOURS ME A LS SERV ED

“GOD CALLS US TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS as

ourselves,” said Rev. Glenn Cranfield, the Mission’s president and CEO. “How can we do that if we don’t feed, clothe, and shelter those in need? We want those who have no where to go, to turn to the Mission, where they will find more than just a filling Thanksgiving meal … they’ll find hope.”

“A banquet of this size requires time, effort, and planning,” said Billy Eldridge, senior director of operations for the Mission. “Our team starts weeks in advance planning and preparing for this holiday. It also takes a lot of food, most of which is donated. And last, but not least—volunteers. We are blessed to have so many faithful volunteers who come year after year to serve our guests.”

4 HEART of the MISSION / October 2016

JUST ASK JOY PLANK, who recently joined the Mission team as the director of volunteer services. “My family and I have an annual tradition of serving meals to the men and women at the Mission over Thanksgiving. My extended family knows not to even expect us for dinner until after we’ve served meals here at the Mission. Now I get to do this every day, not just on Thanksgiving. I can think of no greater calling than to serve the least of these.”

It’s not uncommon to see several generations of families join in the excitement of the holiday by volunteering at the Mission, especially during the Thanksgiving season. “It’s been my experience that volunteering strengthens the bond of family and friendship, while teaching children about charity,” said Plank. “It is a richly rewarding experience with an eternal impact.”

“Regardless if it’s your first time serving or your hundredth time, volunteering at the Mission is an experience you won’t soon forget,” said Cranfield. “The people you will meet are just like you and me. The difference is many of them have experienced hard times that led to losing their job, or their home, become separated from their family … and now they have no place to go and have given up hope. More than anything, we want to meet these individuals right where they are and show them there is hope and God does indeed have a plan and a purpose for their life. Sometimes the first step is serving them a meal.” Whether you volunteer your time, donate canned goods, pray, or support the Mission with a financial gift … YOU are what makes Thanksgiving great at Nashville Rescue Mission.

Sandi, who has brought her two children the past few years said, “I want my kids to understand the value in serving others. Teaching them to be charitable isn’t about telling them there are people in the world who have less; it’s about giving them concrete ways to help others on a regular basis. Serving isn’t just something we do on holidays. It’s something we should be doing every day.”

GE T INVOLVED Volunteer sign-ups for the Thanksgiving holiday open on November 1st and are filled on a first come, first serve basis by calling 615-312-1544. Learn more about ways to get involved at nashvillerescuemission.org.

“It is a richly rewarding experience with an eternal impact.”

BEYOND SERVING MEALS and carrying trays, volunteers help in a multitude of ways. Even before a meal is served, a volunteer might be found peeling potatoes, slicing pies, cracking eggs, pouring drinks, even decorating tables. Some volunteers who come on a regular basis have established themselves by the act of the service they provide, like the dumpling lady, or the gravy man. Whether the task is big or small, if you have a heart to serve, there is always something you can do to help.

October 2016 / HEART of the MISSION 5

Spreading THANKFULNESS Why Serving Means So Much To This Mom

It started with an envelope. “My momma only gave to two organizations—one of them was Nashville Rescue Mission,” said Kristy. “Growing up, I remember seeing the envelopes. I asked her about them a couple of times … but she never said much about what they were.”

Kristy’s mom took Matthew 6:1-4 to heart. “She was never one to brag or tell others about who she gave to or how much she gave. My mom was faithful and loyal in giving.

For years, her act of service was supporting the Mission by faithfully mailing in checks.”

“I guess that’s why it meant so much when she started going with me to serve at the Mission many years later,” recalled Kristy. “I wasn’t used to seeing her on the front lines. I heard a lot of talk about giving and tithing as a kid, but I never saw it lived out. As an adult, I felt it was important to put my faith in action and instill this same value of serving in my kids.”

6 HEART of the MISSION / October 2016

As a mom of five, Kristy worked hard to remind them that “to have a friend is to be a friend” and to follow the Golden Rule of treating people the way you would want to be treated. An opportunity to put her faith into action came during her first time volunteering at the Mission. “I served dinner with my church. That experience changed me—I just had to share it with my family and my friends.

It was all I could talk about.”

“I’LL NEVER FORGET the first time my momma went with me,” said Kristy. “It was hard on her seeing so many people in need. They moved her to the end of the serving line because all she could do was cry. Then she met Miss Maple. Once these two ladies started serving alongside each other, my momma didn’t just shine Jesus … she ignited Jesus. Now that she’s gone, this is a memory I will treasure forever.”

Kristy’s mom passed away two years ago following complications from a surgery to remove a tumor.

“Volunteering during Thanksgiving last year was hard, but I did it to honor her memory. We had some wonderful times serving together.”

Honoring her mom meant carrying on the tradition of ‘shining Jesus.’ “There are so many broken people in this world,” said Kristy. “Many of them are staying at the Mission. I suspect they don’t hear loving words very often.

God put it on my heart to be a friend to those in need. If I can bring someone hope or love for even five seconds, five minutes, or an hour … count me in.”

“I’M IN AWE WATCHING KRISTY serve our guests,” said Joy Plank, director of volunteer services. “She makes eye contact with each person. She flashes them a huge smile. She gives them a gentle touch—either by placing her hand on their shoulder or shaking their hand. She makes a genuine effort to connect with each guest and to treat him or her with respect and dignity. The value of that is priceless.”

tablecloth she would place on the table,” recalled Kristy.

“Then during dinner we’d go around the table and read what each person wrote. It was a great reminder of our many blessings.”

“This year we are going to have some new traditions,” shared Kristy. “One is going to the Mission to spread thankfulness. Last year was the first Thanksgiving without my mom. It was tough … but being at the Mission helped me through it. I also think this year we’ll bring back the tablecloth—but instead of paper, we’ll write it on a cloth we can keep to remind us of all our blessings.”

“GOD PUT IT ON MY HEART TO BE A FRIEND TO THOSE IN NEED.” Thanksgiving has always been a favorite holiday for Kristy and her family. It is the one time of year when her entire family comes together. It is a day filled with love, laughter, and thankfulness. “Each year my momma would ask us to write down what we were thankful for on a paper

On this day three of Kristy’s daughters joined her in serving.

ADD OUR SHOPPING LIST to yours

Thanksgiving Wish List 1,000 Turkeys Stuffing Cranberry Sauce Potatoes Green Beans Canned Vegetables (#10 Cans) Lettuce/Salad Mix Tomatoes Shredded Carrots Salad Dressing

DONATION DROP-OFFS

Dinner Rolls Butter Patties Eggs Onions Bell Peppers Cheddar Cheese Sausage Biscuits Coffee Creamer MISSION DONATION CENTER

616 7th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203

Sugar Pies/Pastries Aluminum Foil Foil Turkey Pans Styrofoam Cups Styrofoam Bowls Plastic Flatware Divided Plates Napkins Salt & Pepper

OPEN

Mon. - Sat. 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

October 2016 / HEART of the MISSION 7

LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED

August 2016

T ra c y

AND

FRIENDS

will be frying over 500 turkeys to help feed Nashville’s homeless a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Please stop by, drop off a turkey, purchase a fried turkey for your Thanksgiving meal with a donation of $50, and see which of Tracy’s celebrity friends show up to help.

T U E S DAY, N OV E M B E R 22, 2016

TURKEY FRY Nashville Rescue Mission : Men’s Campus Parking Lot

Daily Avg.

Monthly

Meals Served

1,750

54,249

Nights of Lodging

849

26,329

Chapel Attendance

594

18,403

Education Hours

103

3,201

Bible Class Attendance

31

972

Decisions & Prayers

42

1,305

Volunteer Hours

125

3,868

Travel n/a Assistance Program n/a Graduates

100 9

8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

BENEFIT CONCERT Wildhorse Saloon

Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. | Concert Starts at 8:00 p.m.

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639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203 615-255-2475 | nashvillerescuemission.org