Belle Meade United Methodist Church October 17, 2012The Spire

By Erin Seay

In June of 2010, Eric Duquette was the Salutatorian of his graduating class. Not only is Eric an honor student and flu-ent in Spanish, he has autism. When he was 5 years old, he still couldn’t speak. His parents were told by experts that he would probably end up in an institution. However, Eric’s parents did not give up hope. They decided to take mat-ters into their own hands by doing research into various intervention options for Eric. Teaching Eric to communi-cate was their main focus. As we all know communication is the window to leading a productive and independent life. In addition to speech therapy, Eric’s mom taught him sign lan-guage and how to use cards with symbols to communicate when he was hungry or wanted to go outside. As time pro-gressed, Eric’s therapy with his mother turned into 8-hour days; where he had to learn 10 new words each day. Fast forward to the bright 18 year old delivering his graduation speech as Smithfield High School 2010 class Salutatorian. Eric had the second-highest grade point average in his class and placed 93rd in the country on the Spanish V exam. He was also accepted into every institution of higher learning to which he applied. Eric said in his speech “I guess they were right about me ending up in an institution!” Eric is now a biology and Spanish major at Rhode Island College. He’s a straight-A student who’s been on the dean’s list every semester.

This story makes me think of my daughter, Lucy, who also has autism and did not speak until she was almost 5 years old. Through all the trials and tribulation, joys and sorrows, accomplishments and failures, she keeps trying.“Persevere!”

says Lucy. She is always eager to try new things, never gives up, and constantly reminds us all that God is right by her side. One of Lucy’s favorite quotes that she reads frequently is from Winnie the Pooh:

“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together…There is some-thing you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart…I’ll always be with you.”

She says it reminds her of God. We would all do well to remember that. Through good and bad, God is there and through God we are braver, stronger and smarter than we ever thought we could be. But most of all we are loved.

Reflection

Check out the Children’s Ministry on our websiteGo to www.bellemeadeumc.org and click on “Children & Youth” to see new pictures, information, a calendar specific to Children’s Ministries which will also list the Wednesday Night Supper menus, volunteer information and online sign-ups!

Annual Charge Conference Meeting Monday, October 22nd

The church’s annual charge conference meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 22nd at 6:00 pm in the Lounge. Anyone is welcome to attend.

New Date and Time for The Edward Barksdale Memorial Golf Tournament

We are looking forward to a great golf tournament and beautiful weather on Monday, October 29th (especially since we were rained out on the September 17th). If you aren’t golfing, you can still spend the day with us. We need people to help with registration, handing out drinks, watching our hole-in-one and putting competitions. If you want to join us for the day or any portion, contact Jeff McCormick at jeff@bellemeadeumc.org or 678-9082. Golfers will tee off at 12:30 and registration and warm-ups begin at 11:30. Brochures for a hole sponsorship or to play golf can be found online at www.bellemeadeumc.org.

Get Ready to Step Up

!

Volunteers Needed for PumpkinfestPumpkinfest is a really fun annual event held Sunday, October 28 from 4-6 pm. We need several volunteers in a number of different roles. To sign up online, or to learn more about volunteer oppor-tunities go to www.bellemeadeumc.org and click on the Pumpkin-fest tab at the top of the page. You can also sign up by calling Erin at 352-6210.

6th Annual Pumpkinfest and Chili Cook-offThe 6th annual Pumpkinfest & Chili Cook-off is almost here and we need your entries! Sign-up to bring a chili, decorate a table/booth for your chili.

Contact Jeff McCormick: jeff@bellemeadeumc.org; Mark Acker: mark@bellemeadeumc.org; or Erin Seay: erin@bellemeadeumc.org or sign-up at the front desk in the administrative lobby.

The booths, chili, music, dining tables, and games for children will all be outside again this year. We are excited about another great year. Each chili competitor will have a tailgating tent, electricity, and a table. All paper products, bowls, plates, and spoons will be provided by the church. After that, let your imagination run wild for decorations. If you want to dress up in your costume, go for it, or dress casually for the evening. There will be plenty of fun for the entire family and church members of all ages. Don’t miss out and don’t forget to sign up today.

November 11 - Concert - 4:00 pmAlana Griffith, Christina Taddonio, and Marsha Hancock

Three outstanding, rising Nashville singer-songwriters present an afternoon of not-to-be missed amazing music.

Help Youth by Working in the Pumpkin PatchYou can help support the youth of the church by signing up to sell pumpkins at our pumpkin patch for a 2 hour shift. Anyone can help - we just ask that at least one adult be there for each shift. It is a fun way to meet people from around the neighborhood. When volunteers sign in to work a shift they can designate their volunteer hours to be contributed to any specific youth or the youth mission fund in general. Questions? Contact Jeff McCormick, 678-9082 or jeff@bellemeadeumc.org.

Young Adult Lunch Outing October 21st

All young adults, please plan on lunch after the 10:30 worship service on Sunday, October 21st. We will meet in the lobby of the administration building and decide where to go.

Prayer Concerns

The church prayer list cannot be included on our website due to privacy issues.

You can find the list in the church bulletin

or in the e-mail newsletter.If you would like

to receive the newsletter by e-mail please contact

the church office at 352-6210 or sign up at the church website,

www.bellemeadeumc.org, under the newsletter and events page.

Wednesday Night TogetherNext Wednesday the menu is Chicken jambalaya; spinach casserole; chopped green salad; sweet potato biscuits; and chocolate chess pie. Supper is served beginning at 5:00 pm and programming begins at 6:00 pm. To make a reservation for dinner call the church at 352-6210 or sign up at the front desk.

Programming includes: Prayer Time 5:45 to 6:15 pm in the chapel; Men’s Bible Study; DISCIPLE Bible Study; Prayer Shawl/Knitting Group; Pastor’s Bible Study; Painting Prayer the first Wednesday of each month; Youth Bible Study; and Children’s Choirs.

No Wednesday Night Supper October 31st

There will be no Wednesday Night Supper or programming October 31st (Halloween.) We will resume November 7th.

Submit Information to the SpireIf you have church-related information you would like published in The Spire, we would love to publish it for you! Send your details and all related contact information to Lou Morrow (lou@bellemeadeumc.org) each Thursday of the week by noon, and your information will be published in the next available Spire.

Operation Christmas Child: The Power of a Simple GiftTouch the heart of a needy child this Christmas with a gift-filled shoe box and the Good News of Jesus Christ. It’s time to start collecting small trinkets to pack your Operation Christmas Child gift boxes! Each year BMUMC packs and ships 100 gift boxes to children ages 2 - 14 years old in need all over the world. We will pack our boxes on Friday, November 16 and the children are invited to stay afterward for a movie and popcorn. Suggested gifts: School supplies, small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, musical instruments, yo-yos, jump ropes, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), tooth-brushes and toothpaste, bar soap, combs, washcloths, t-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, flashlights (with extra bat-teries), and also include a note to the child if you would like. Please do not bring food, liquids or lotions, war-related toys or weapons, or breakable items. If you would like to donate items, but can’t come to pack a box, items can be left at the Children’s Ministry office in the Administrative Building.

Loaves and Fishes Is Monday, October 29th

Loaves and Fishes is an ecumenical charity service for individuals who are homeless and near homeless. Cooks, servers, and especially clean-up helpers are needed. Monday, October 29th, is our turn to help. To prepare the meal, please arrive by 9:30 am and to serve and clean up, arrive by 11:00 am. Holy Name is located at 521 Woodland Street, 37206. Please contact Monk Baird at 269-9519 to volunteer or for any questions.

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. Postage PAIDNashville, TNPermit No. 1002

{121 Davidson Road, Nashville, TN 37205}www.bellemeadeumc.org(615) 352 - 6210

Belle Meade United Methodist Church

Worship This Sunday

8:30 am - Worship in the ChapelSermon: Tom Gildemeister

Music by BMUMC acoustic ensemble 8:45 am - Holy Communion in the Sanctuary

A 15-minute time of communion with prayers and liturgy.

10:30 am - Worship in the SanctuarySermon: Tom Gildemeister

Music: Belle Meade Choir and Instrumentalists9:15 am - 10:15 am Sunday School for all ages

Room in the Inn Program Begins 19th Season at Belle Meade United Methodist ChurchEach Saturday evening beginning November 3rd, we’ll use the church bus to pick up ten men from the Room in the Inn facility off 8th Avenue. Dinner will be provided to these men in our Fellowship Hall. After dinner our guests can take a shower, wash their clothes, watch TV and then sleep in the Moore Building. Sunday morning, the men will have break-fast, be given a sack lunch and then returned to Room in the Inn facility.

We hope you will help us with this outreach program that runs through March 30th. Each week we need cook(s), a driver, and 2 hosts to stay for the night. There is a sign-up board located in the lobby of the administrative wing. Ev-eryone including: couples, families, singles, Sunday school classes, and other small groups within the church are invited to help. Contact John Williamson (352-5867)or Ron Butler (352-9709) if you’d like more information.

No Doze: Youth Lock-OutOur youth will join up with youth from Belmont UMC, West End UMC, and Calvary UMC on Friday November 2nd for a fun night all over Nashville! Movies, bowling, inflatables, pizza in the middle of the night, and breakfast in the morning. We will meet at 8:00 pm and return to the church at 8:00 am on Saturday morning. $40 pays for all the evening’s activities and scholarships are available. All youth are invited and encouraged to bring a friend. Forms can be found outside Jeff McCormick’s office or email him at jeff@bellemeadeumc.org. Turn in forms and money to Jeff by this Sunday October 21st.

Children’s Ministry at Parmer SchoolLast Sunday after church, a group gathered at Parmer Park for lunch and a time of fellowship. Pictured to the left on the steps are those who attended. Parmer School was the place our church held it’s first service.