Belle Meade United Methodist Church June 25, 2014The Spire

Movies speak to me. One of the crazy thoughts I have is that if Jesus had come to earth during the current era, his parables would be movies. Because I firmly believe that one of the best ways to share truth in an im-pactful way is through the medium of film. Some of the most profound les-sons I have learned have come from watching a film or television show, even shows and movies that have parts I don’t completely agree with. The teenage hit of the summer so far is the film The Fault in Our Stars. Based on a novel by John Green, the story revolves around two teenag-ers who are dealing with the consequences of having cancer in their lives while they also grow into a deeper friendship and relationship with each other. To say much more would be a spoiler for the book and film, which I am not willing to do. Both are worth the time this summer.

Here are some of the things that have fascinated me about the response to the film and the book.1. The story is ultimately about an attempt to find meaning in the world. It makes sense for that story to resonate with people who are sick. Some of our youth have LOVED the story. One of the things this says to me is our healthy teenagers relate to the story of trying to find and sustain meaning.2. The author John Green conceived of and wrote the book based on his experiences working as a chaplain at a children’s hospital. There are spots and places where his faith impacts the story. I was deeply touched to read that he wrote the book in part because many times the people he worked with in his chaplaincy stated that they weren’t treated as “real” people, just figures of sickness. Green does a wonderful job of showing the humanity of his characters, despite their illness. They are full characters, not just placeholders that are known only by their illness, a reminder to us as we care for those around us who are experiencing illness.3. Love is a sacrifice. While there has been some criticism written about the love story in the book and movie, one of the things that Green imparts is that love is always a sacrifice. It is always a work in progress, of serving the other before our own self and giving over our own wants for the benefit of someone else. So this summer The Fault in Our Stars, has spoken to me (and some of our youth!) and I am grateful to have been able to read the book and seen the movie. I can recommend both to you.

The Fault in Our Stars Jason Sansbury

Loaves and Fishes MondayThis Monday, June 30, we will serve lunch to the homeless and hungry with the Loaves and Fishes Ministry at Holy Name Catholic Church on Woodland Street in East Nashville (9:30 am to prepare- 11:00 am to serve or clean up.) For more infor-mation or to sign up, contact Monk Baird at 269-9519.

Mission MondayMonday, June 30, youth are invited to Mission Monday at the church. We will be working on sets and decorations for our upcoming Vacation Bible School, the Workshop of Wonders. For more information about youth activities, contact Jason Sansbury (jason@bellemeadeumc.org or 352-6210).

Summer Fun Sunday: Potluck Lunch and GamesPlease join us for an all-church potluck following worship on Sunday, July 13. We invite you to dress casually for church this day and stay after worship for a fun-filled afternoon with our church family. The church will supply meat and drinks. Everyone attending is asked to bring a vegetable, salad, or dessert to share. Fol-lowing lunch, we will have fun and games, both indoor and outdoor, for all ages! These will include: parachute games, kickball, a cakewalk, bingo (indoors), corn hole, and more! Invite your friends and family to come along for worship and fun on Summer Fun Sunday July 13.

Vacation Bible School: Let's Make the Ordinary EXTRAORDINARY!Sunday, July 6 at 2:00 pm, come and help Regina and our Children's Ministry Team transform our Children's Wing and Chapel in to The Workshop of Wonders! To donate materials please sign up in The Administrative Lobby and bring supplies to Regina Rigney's office.

We also need SNACKS: Goldfish, apples and peanut butter, bananas, yogurt and more! If you would like to donate snacks for our hungry Visioneers for one of our days together, please email Regina Rigney at regina@bellemeadeumc.org Thank you for helping to make our week EXTRAORDINARY for our children as they explore how the impossible becomes possible with God.

VBS is July 7-11 9:00-2:00 pm

For kids ages 3-entering 6th Grade

Memorials and HonorariaGifts were recently made to: • The Honoraria Fund in honor of the ordination of Rev. Kristin Clark-Banks by Mary Ann Carter• The Memorial Fund in memory of Burton Cloud and Melba Pearce by Dennis Pearce• The Memorial Fund in memory of Anne Sugg Rountree by Linda and Bill Penny

Mark Your Calendar NowIce Cream Social and Silent AuctionSunday, August 174:00-6:00 pmJoin us for a fantastic event for children, youth, and adults. • Sample great ice cream• Sign up to bring ice cream to share• Prizes for best ice creams• Games for children• Silent auction to benefit youth choir

Share the Love mission tour

Continuing Education for OrdinationRev. Danny Rhodes will be participating in part of his requirements for ordination this summer by attending a course called Theological Education in the Parish. The course will be June 29-July 11 at Garrett-Evangelical School of Theology (one of our United Methodist seminaries) in Evanston, IL. Please be in prayer for him as he attends to this mandatory course work and as he moves through the process toward full ordination, which will be at Annual Conference in 2015.

I c e C r e a m SocialAugust 17

Support for Surviving SpousesA new group of surviving spouses will meet next Tuesday, July 8 at 10:00 am in the lounge. Anyone who is dealing with the loss of a loved one is invited to join us and share a time of discussion, encouragement, and relection. For more information, please contact Lem Tanksley (297-7355) or Rev. Kristin Clark-Banks (kristin@bellemeadeumc.org or 352-6210).

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

Communications Administrator, Anna Margaret Miller, at

the church office at 352-6210 or sign up at

the church website, www.bellemeadeumc.org,

under the newsletter and events page.

The Children's Ministry Team spent one of their Meet Me At nights at Barth Vernon UMC, sharing a time of fellowship and fun with the children's ministry of one of our West Nashville Parish churches. The next Meet Me At will be this Sunday at Sweet Cece's near the Publix on the corner of Har-ding and White Bridge Road. Join us at 1:30 for ice cream and fellowship!

Several members from Belle Meade UMC served dinner at a Family Fun Night with Project Transforation at Barth Vernon UMC last week.

Capital Improvements The Trustees continue to be hard at work implementing items of the Capital Campaign. New signage outside and inside the buildings will create a more hospitable environment for visitors and members unfamiliar with our space. All of the windows in the education wing have now been replaced with more energy efficient windows and better blinds for regulating temperatures. They also look much better! Engineering on the porte cochere for the Davidson Rd sanctuary entrance continues as we try to manage reconfiguring the parking lot to accom-modate the new structure. If you joined Belle Meade UMC in the last 18 months or if you haven't made a pledge to this important capital campaign, the Trustees urge you to prayerfully consider supporting the maintenance and updating of this beloved space we call our church home. You support is greatly appreciated. Pledge cards can be obtained in the church business office or by contacting Barbara DeMerritt at 615-352-6210.

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

Place Mailing Label here

Belle Meade United Methodist Church121 Davidson Road, Nashville, TN 37205www.bellemeadeumc.org(615) 352 - 6210

Worship This Sunday• 8:30 am - Worship in the Chapel

Sermon: Rev. Tom GildemeisterMusic by BMUMC acoustic ensemble

• 8:45 am - Holy Communion in the SanctuaryA 15-minute time of communion with prayers and liturgy

• 10:30 am - Worship in the SanctuarySermon: Rev. Tom Gildemeister

Music: Belle Meade Choir and Instrumentalists

• 9:15 am - 10:15 am Sunday School for all ages