Eastwood Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Vacation Bible School—Lights, Camera, Action!

Welcome To Eastwood Christian Church

Eastwood Christian Church is a community of people brought together and transformed by God's love. In remembrance of Christ Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we seek to respond to Christ's call to discipleship. Currently, the church is joyfully growing and enjoying the resurgence of community life in East Nashville. We are enjoying wonderful music, growing fellowship, and a vibrant children's ministry (including a wonderful nursery). We continue to be committed to outreach ministries to serve our neighbors.

We'd love to have you join us on our mission. At Eastwood Christian Church, our congregational vision is to be:

• A gathering that welcomes and values all people.
• A fellowship whose life and witness express true community.
• A community that is faithful and growing.
• A congregation challenging one another to learn and grow in Christian discipleship.
• A body where everyone uses their gifts for God's ministry.
• An assembly grounded in a rich history and Disciples tradition.
• A church with a passion for justice.
• A people of joy, love, hope and peace.

Thoughts From Jay - June 17, 2009

I think I'm going through Vacation Bible School withdrawal, or VBSW Syndrome. I had so much fun last week—it's hard to know what to do next! Most of the time, when I've been planning a big event for a long time, it's kind of a relief when it's over. But on the last day of VBS I looked around the thought, "I wish this could keep going."

I am so proud of our congregation. A few months ago I said I wanted this to be an all-church project. Over 50 people ended up involved in some way or another—children attending, adults teaching and leading, people helping behind the scenes to make things happen. Already people are asking, "Can we do this again next year?"

More News About Vacation Bible School

We continue to plan for Vacation Bible School which is scheduled for June 7-10. We are looking for people to help in the following areas:

• Someone to run the video camera during VBS 
• Help set up technology BEFORE VBS 
• Help decorate on Saturday, June 6 at 9:00 a.m. 
• Help with cookout on June 7 (5:00 p.m. eating time) 
• A number of other smaller jobs. 

If you are able and interested, please let Pastor Jay know. We are also looking for cool props that have to do with LIGHTS and with MOVIE THEMES—posters, movie studio stuff, etc. Please let Pastor Jay know if you have something you could loan to us, and bring it in anytime in the next week or so.

Orientation For Death Row Visitors

The following is a letter from Susan McBride with information for those who would like to participate in visitation to death row inmates. If you are interested, please contact Susan ASAP.

There will be a visitor on death row orientation June 20, 2009 at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution from 9-12 that morning. This will include a tour of the living quarters inside death row.

If you are interested in being a visitor to someone in Tennessee

who is death sentenced this is a good time to ask questions and visit the prison before making the decision. You are by no means obligated should you attend the orientation.

If you are interested you must contact me quickly. Names must be handed in a week prior to the orientation. I need the legal name that matches your photo ID (driver’s license or other valid identifier) you will need to have with you to get inside the prison.   You must be at least 21 and have no felony convictions.

Details regarding how to get to the prison, what to wear, and what to bring, will be sent in a later message. To be added to the list of those interested send your contact information to mcbrides(at)tnpcdo.net. Include your legal name, email address and phone number.    

Susan H. McBride

Mitigation Director

Office of Post Conviction Defender

Vacation Bible School Starts Soon - Volunteers Needed

Vacation Bible School 2009 is just around the corner: June 7-10. To date we have 29 children pre-registered.

Songs, curriculum, crafts, decorations, registration plans, meals are all well underway. Please contact Pastor Jay, Elizabeth Brown, Julie Duemler or Gina Waters if you would like to help in any way. We will need extra bodies June 6 to help set up and June 7-10 to welcome and host.

Congregational Meeting - June 7

Members are asked to remain following morning worship service on June 7th for a brief congregational meeting to approve officers for the 2009-2010. 

Thoughts From Jay - May 25, 2009

O sing to the LORD a new song, for God has done marvelous things. - Psalm 98:1

Greetings my friends:

Our ancestors have written songs and told stories about ways God worked in the lives—stories of hope, stories of triumph, stories of salvation. But the words of Psalm 98 remind us that God is not all about what happened in the past. God continues to do marvelous things, and so we are encouraged to sing NEW songs, to tell NEW stories, about how God is working in our lives.

What makes you feel like singing? Perhaps being in the sanctuary as our young people led worship Sunda Perhaps reflectin on the many deeds of helpful service performed by our graduating senior that were shared Sunday at the graduation banquet. Perhaps miracles that are going on in your own personal lives. Sing to the LORD a new song—for God is still doing marvelous things.

Soon we'll be singing some new songs around here, as Caston Countz & Scott Hallgren in the studio writing music for Vacation Bible School. We hope you'll sing with us as we sing about God's goodness continuing to bless the world.

Peace & Blessings to you all.

Pastor Jay

Room In The Inn Ground Breaking Ceremony May 21

We are embarking on The Journey Home " to complete the Campus"   Groundbreaking Ceremony   Come Celebrate with Us   Thursday, May 21st   10AM at our Campus   532 Eighth Avenue South Nashville, TN   37203   Room In The Inn's Board of Directors Charles Strobel, Founding Director Rachel Hester, Executive Director Room In The Inn Community Room In The Inn Staff       532 8th Avenue South P.O. 25309 Nashville, TN 37202-5309 info@chd-nashville.org • 615-251-9791 • www.chd-nashville.org

Disciples Help Murfreesboro Tornado Victims

The Murfreesboro Daily News Journal published an article on Saturday about help extended to tornado victims in Murfreesboro made possible by a grant to the Central Christian Church in Murfreesboro from Week of Compassion, the relief arm of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The article provides general information about the relief work carried out by Week of Compassion, and Eastwood members may be interested to learn how their contributions to the Week of Compassion fund come back to help our Tennessee neighbors in time of crisis.

Thoughts From Jay - April 23, 2009

"Then God said: "Let there be light!"; and there was light. And God saw that light was good. - Genesis 1:3-4b

Greetings my friends:

As announced on Sunday morning, ECC is creating our very own Vacation Bible School this year. "Lights, Camera, Action!" We will once again partner with East End UMC, St. Ann's Episcopal and Woodland Presyterian, but we are hosting VBS at ECC and are creating our own curriculum. Our goal is to get EVERYONE in the congregaion involved in some way or another—helping with food, creating props, teaching, writing songs, leading games, creating cool art projects, helping with registration... the possibilities are numerous.

Our basic message is:

Day 1: God created a world filled with goodness.

Day 2: Jesus is an embodiment of God's goodness.

Day 3: We can ALSO be embodiments of God's goodness.

Day 4: Let's go spread God's goodness.

"Light" will be our key scriptural theme as we attempt to shine God's light here in East Nashville. Hope you can all join us for a wonderful VBS!!!

Peace & Blessings to you all.

Pastor Jay

75 Year Celebration & Capital Campaign

For over 75 years the Eastwood Christian Church Education Building has been a central hub of activity for the congregation and the East Nashville community. Groups such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Eastwood Neighbors, Narcotics Anonymous, and various other organizations have made the Education Building a vital part of their programs. The Eastwood Christian (Disciples of Christ) congregation uses the facilities for church offices, fellowship dinners and as home to the Eastwood Christian Children's Center. (continued below photo.)

We are asking for your help. There are a number of improvements that have been identified as important for the continued maintenance of our building. Please make a financial contribution to our capital campaign. The needed improvements are:

Energy Efficient Windows
Floor Restoration
Electrical Work
Painting
Sanctuary Organ Repair
Sanctuary A.C. Unit

Green Fact: Eastwood would save an estimated 40% annually on healing and cooling by replacing the windows in the Education Building.