Spiritual Gifts & Ministry Strengths class begins Monday, Sept. 9

Whether you’re a new member of Woodmont, a seasoned member, or somewhere in between, we want you to know the joy of serving God through employing your spiritual gifts (the what), augmented by using your ministry strengths (the how). By combining your gifts and strengths (what + how), you can find – and continue to find – deep joy in your discipleship!

The class is led by Beth Pattillo, Jay Hutchens, and Tammy Morgan and starts Monday, Sept. 9, at 5:45 PM, meeting for three weeks in Room 105. Since there are a couple of things to do before class begins, please register at https://tinyurl.com/y2fjukjt so that we can get you all the information you need. Also, dinner is included – your RSVP helps us make sure we have (more than) enough for everyone!

Questions? Let us know. Reach out to Tammy Morgan at tammy@woodmontcc.org, Beth Pattillo at bethpattillo@gmail.com, or Jay Hutchens at jayhutchens@woodmontcc.org.

Pancakes & Pajamas Sept. 8

This Sunday, Sept. 8, kids of all ages are invited to wear their pajamas to church and come ready to eat pancakes to their heart's content for our annual Pancakes & Pajamas breakfast in the gym. No fussing over "church clothes" that morning - let the family roll out of bed and come as they are! The buffet line opens at 8:30 AM and we can't wait to see your fun pajamas! 

Tailgate Sunday is Sept. 15

Everyone is encouraged to wear their favorite NFL, college, or any other team gear to church for “Tailgate Sunday” on Sunday, Sept. 15, as the Titans host the Jets in their home opener! 

My undergraduate course at Vanderbilt this fall is titled “Moral Leadership, Virtue, and Character in American Life.” Human institutions and systems are unable to function effectively without formal leadership. However, if those chosen to lead do not have character and moral authority, then their leadership will prove to be problematic over time. This fall we are exploring the concept of moral leadership in our culture and how it always involves certain core pillars including finding a purpose, the ability to inspire and care for others, claiming personal values, and the willingness to recognize that not every issue is black and white. Nuance is often necessary. Issues are complex. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a big part of the formula. EQ is a skill that can be developed and enhanced. Many leaders lack self-awareness, the ability to self-regulate, listen, show empathy, and make constructive changes based on the feedback of others. One of the primary concerns in American society today is that character formation has been largely neglected and many of our “public servants” only care about holding on to power at all costs. 

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks defined morality in the following way: “a concern for the welfare of others, an active commitment to justice and compassion, a willingness to ask not just what is good for me but what is good for all of us together.” Therefore, moral leadership always involves moving beyond self-interest and making difficult decisions that are in the best interest of the common good. This is a skill set that is developed over time. Sacks is very clear about what happens in the absence of moral leadership: “The market will be merciless. Politics will be deceiving, divisive, confrontational, and extreme. People will feel anxious, uncertain, fearful, aggressive, unstable, unrooted, and unloved. They will focus on promoting themselves instead of the one thing that will give them lasting happiness: making life better for others.” Depression, anxiety, loneliness, and suicidal ideations with remina on the rise. Does this sound familiar when you look at our culture today?

When it comes to exploring the concept of moral leadership, certain core principles must be a part of the discussion. Motive – leaders must have the right motives and not just a desire to hold on to power for power’s sake. Sacrifice – anything in life worth doing requires ongoing sacrifice and delayed gratification. Humility – C.S. Lewis famously said that humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. It is a willingness to be wrong and put the interests of other people first. Resilience – life is full of setbacks and disappointments. Some will get up and try again and others will simply give up. Relationships – the company that you keep will have a direct impact on your values. Your inner circle always matters.  Encouragement – nobody can lead if they don’t encourage those around them to reach their full potential and work as a team. Conscience – moral leaders always try to do the right thing even if it is not the expedient or easy thing. Unfortunately, not everybody is taught right from wrong.

We have evolved into a culture that has become preoccupied with self and self-promotion. Ego becomes a massive challenge. According to David Brooks, “We have an innate tendency toward selfishness and overconfidence. We tend to see ourselves as the center of the universe, as if everything revolves around us.” We can even say that culture is driven by instant gratification and choosing the easy route. Moral leaders exist to push back on that. If we can be more intentional in forming moral leaders in the younger generations, society will be much better off in the long run.

RSVP for Sept. 11 event with Jim Nantz

Help us plan by letting us know if you'll be attending our event with Jim Nantz, "Remembering 9/11, What Changed, & How Sports Can Unite Americans” on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 6:15 PM by clicking the first button below.

Please note that this is NOT a dinner registration. To register for dinner, click the second button below.

One of the unique traits of Woodmont is our ability to hold people of differing political views and ideologies together through the love of Christ. This is what the Christian Church has always been about. Rather than seeing political diversity as something to be feared, we embrace it and utilize it as an opportunity for education and open dialogue. This is not always easy but it is worth it. Our nation remains polarized, full of outrage and very strong opinions. We can’t be afraid to discuss the issues that matter as we rapidly approach another presidential election.

• Wednesday, Sept. 11 – Jim Nantz – CBS Broadcaster and Voice of the Masters – “Remembering 9/11, What Changed, & How Sports Can Unite Americans”

• Wednesday, Sept. 18 – Samar Ali, Research Professor at Vanderbilt University – “Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, & America’s Involvement in the World”

• Wednesday, Sept. 25 – Dr. John Sides & Dr. John Geer, Political Science Professors at Vanderbilt University – “Civility, American Politics, & the 2024 Election”

• Wednesday, Oct. 2 – Senator Bill Frist, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader – “Life After the Senate: Priorities that Matter to All Americans”

• Wednesday, Oct. 9 – Rev. Jay Hutchens, Dr. Clay Stauffer, Dr. Rubel Shelly, & Dr. Mike Glenn – "Being Christian in an Election Year"

Pancakes & Pajamas this Sunday, Sept. 8

Clay Stauffer

"How Will You Measure Your Life?"

Luke 12:16-21

Our schedule this Sunday is:

• 8:30 AM – Full breakfast in the gym
• 9:30 AM – Informal service in the sanctuary
• 9:40 AM – The Bridge service in the chapel
• 10:00 AM – Middle School service in the youth lounge
• 11:00 AM – Traditional service in the sanctuary
• 4:00 PM – Youth group in the chapel

Sign up for Habitat build

Our church community will be building together on two consecutive weekends, Sept. 7-8 & Sept. 14-15. Habitat brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. It’ll be up to us to provide the necessary people power to accomplish the build tasks when we come out. This is a great opportunity to put God’s love into action together!

Each build day covers a variety of tasks and there will be types of work for everyone. All you have to do is click the button below to sign up for a build day and show up dressed and ready to work! No experience or tools are necessary.

Welcome, new members!

Gabriel Lane & Mackenzie Loar

“Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting – over and over announcing your place in the family of things.” - Mary Oliver, Wild Geese

Connection. A word that we often use in church, at work, in school, within our family systems. A reminder that we as human beings crave to feel intertwined with other people because we are relational creatures. And yet, we often find ourselves lonely. I think it is because we sometimes will seek busyness rather than substance that helps us dive deeper into simply being. My hope for you all, for all of us, is to remind ourselves that if we want to continue really seeking the Divine in our day to day life, we have to purposefully work ourselves into healthy community. This means more than showing up on Sundays and saying a simple “hello,” even though that is a beautiful place to begin. So what does it look like?

It looks like inviting people into knowing you and opening yourself to knowing them. We may find it harder than we think, to open ourselves enough to let people see our “mess,” but I encourage you to look into scripture if you find yourself worried or nervous about letting people see beyond what you want to show them. The Gospels are full of people having to pour themselves out so that Jesus could see what they needed or wanted. We as a church family have a mutual responsibility to one another to show up and come alongside each other in all that life brings us- this can include the normal moments, but also grief, renewal, sorrow, gratitude, celebrations, and tragedies. But if we don’t allow a Divine connection to really tether us, loneliness can take control once again.

I see you all starting to battle the loneliness each week here in our church. In our small groups where you can really let walls come down. Through Sunday school classes where you can dive deeper into discussions. In events that let us come together in fellowship. It’s God being lived out loud and it is incredible!

And so, I wonder what it could look like if we allowed our imaginations for what connection to one another should grow into, because I think sacredness would blossom in full. We all have our place in this congregation, and you are invited to come and take your space. Show up in your fullness, like a wild goose - harsh and exciting - to connect in our church and be able to settle in and feel fully seen and known and loved. Just as you are. Here, you are welcomed AND wanted.  

The Life Class begins Sunday, Sept. 8

Offering powerful and practical tools for thriving in today’s chaotic confusing world, we have an important new opportunity for healing and hope called The Life Class starting Sunday, Sept. 8, at 10:45 AM in The Bay Room. 

Nobody disputes the fact that life is super challenging today - that Covid did not leave us reeling with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and fear - that our parent/child, marital, work life, and mental/internal dynamics could not be improved. This is a lecture and educational format, with handouts and videos available. If you are looking for a discussion class, there are other Sunday School classes available. 

You will hear the best of:

• Authors and experts on trauma, both “Big T” and “little t”
• Groundbreaking science explaining our brain function
• Our 12 basic needs and why many may have gone unmet 

You will gain a greater understanding of:

• Who we are as a community
• Who you are as a person
• Why we act and react as we do
• How we can manage and change our thinking and attitudes

Questions? Contact Anne Stauffer at cottageinthewoods@gmail.com

YP Sunday School series starts Sept. 8

The next Sunday School series for our Young Professionals group will be called "The First Five" and takes a look at the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) on Sundays at 10:45 AM at Campbell West, the former parsonage house behind the church.

Running from Sept. 8 to Oct. 6, this will be an overview to give context, appreciation, and a solid launching pad for personal study. Whether it's for the first time or with fresh eyes, this study will definitely stir your heart and curiosity with it's grand stories of God's first relationship with his people. 

DivorceCare begins Sept. 11

Led by Anne Stauffer and a team of highly-trained facilitators, our latest 13-week DivorceCare session begins Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 6:00 PM in The Bay Room. 

Divorce, separation, and relationship crisis bring about a complex set of emotions such as depression, anxiety, fear, anger, grief, loneliness, and more. Our Woodmont DivorceCare team knows firsthand because they’ve been there, and their doors are open to lead you through a 13-week healing process of education, recovery, and peer support.

Questions? Contact Anne Stauffer at cottageinthewoods@gmail.com.

GriefShare begins Sept. 11

A 13-week program designed for anyone who is or has experienced the loss of a loved one, our next GriefShare session begins Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 6:00 PM at Campbell West. 

If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member, or friend, you’ve probably found there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. This can be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before. Join others on this journey of “moving from mourning to joy” for evenings of fellowship. 

Questions? Contact Anne Stauffer at cottageinthewoods@gmail.com.

Somewhere around 25 years ago, Ted Wilson was a vibrant part of the music ministry of Woodmont. He was a tenor soloist in the Chancel Choir, accompanied the youth choir, and arranged music for our Consort and for special orchestral occasions. Fifteen years ago, he took a position at Christ Lutheran Church as its music director.

During that time, Ted directed and accompanied the choir for worship services and started a Saturday jazz jam that will celebrate its 10th anniversary in August. While there, he began a monthly jazz vespers service that ran for five years and an annual Mardi Gras party complete with a 6-piece Dixieland band. He also served on the Southeastern Synod worship planning committee for six years. Ted says that one of the best tools in his toolbox was to remind himself, as Clay recently mentioned in his sermon, that the best leaders are great servants.

Right after Easter of this year, Ted returned to Woodmont and is presently one of our two pianists, sharing that capacity with Sarah Huffman for the 9:30 service. He is the tenor section leader and sings in the Vocal Ensemble led by Tim Cierpke. Outside of Woodmont, he serves as musical director of the Nashville Jazz Orchestra, he is on the executive committee of the Nashville Composers Collective, and is the leader of the Hymntett – a quintet that plays a jazz mass at Christ Church Cathedral on the last Sunday evening of each month. He also plays piano in the Nashville Praise Symphony.

Ted is very grateful to be back at Woodmont and serving in the above musical capacities. We at Woodmont are delighted that God has allowed Ted to once more bless us with his many talents. Thanks be to God.

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” - Matthew 20:26

TN Regional Assembly Oct. 11-12

You are invited to the biannual regional conference of the Christian Church in Tennessee. It is scheduled for the second weekend in October at the Anointed Temple of Praise in Memphis, one of Woodmont’s sister churches. The theme is Our World: The Way, The Truth, The Light.

Why should you attend?

• Meet fellow Christians from across the state
• Hear dynamic preaching and amazing music
• Represent one of the larger congregations in our region
• Learn what’s going on in the denomination

Want to know more? Reach out to some other Woodmont members who will be there: Cathy Williams, Regional Board Member at Large for the Middle Area, or Richmond and Christi Williams.

To register, visit tndisciples.org/regional-assembly-2024

Woodmont Men's Retreat at Rockmont

Attention Woodmont men!

Need a break from this crazy world to strengthen yourself as a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, friend, boss, co-worker... man?

Join us for Woodmont Christian Men’s Retreat at Rockmont… A 4-DAY, 3-NIGHT MID-WEEK RETREAT FOR MEN TO DISCONNECT FROM THE DEMANDS OF LIFE AND RECONNECT WITH WHAT MATTERS TO YOU.

We live in one of the most connected yet disconnected cultures in human history. We experience challenges in balancing relationships, marriages, parenting, friendships, work, and our sense of purpose. We often forget to take the necessary time to rest, reflect, have fun, and nurture our heart and soul. This is an invitation for that time. Are you feeling the call to rest and adventure?

Retreat Rockmont is a place where, instead of you serving others, we are serving you, free of expectations or rigid schedules. A place where you can take a breath and be, enjoy the freedom to design your day your way.

There are a limited number of spots available each session. We are looking to get 6-24 men for each session from Woodmont to go…. If you co-host a group of 6 you get half price. A host of 12 men gets their retreat free.

For information, please click this link: https://www.retreatrockmont.com

Available dates are:

• September 30 - October 3
• November 4 - November 7

For more details or to register, call or text Tom Woodard at (615) 598-1797.

Church calendar

Sunday, Sept. 8

Pancakes & Pajamas

9:00 AM Grace Notes Rehearsal, Kids' Commons

9:30 AM 21st Century Class, Boardroom

9:30 AM Disciples Class, Room 105

10:30 AM Young Professionals Sunday School, Campbell West

10:45 AM Reflections Class, Room 200

10:45 AM Connection Class, Room 100

11:00 AM Points of View Class, Room 105

3:00 PM Pickleball, Drowota Hall

4:00 PM Youth Group, Carpenter Chapel

Monday, Sept. 9

3:00 PM "Geezers" Group, Boardroom

6:30 PM Leadership Woodmont, Campbell West

Tuesday, Sept. 10

6:30 PM Alateen (ages 12-19), South Hall

6:30 PM Parents Al-Anon Group, Room 105

8:00 PM AA Meeting, South Hall 

Wednesday, Sept. 11

6:00 AM Roy Stauffer’s Men’s Group, Room 105

7:00 AM Clay Stauffer’s Men’s Group, Boardroom

8:00 AM Men’s Bible Study, Room 105

5:30 PM Wednesday Fellowship Dinner, Drowota Hall

6:00 PM GriefShare, Campbell West

6:00 PM DivorceCare, The Bary Room

6:15 PM Jim Nantz "Faith, Values, & the Public Square," Carpenter Chapel

6:15 PM Disciples Women's Bible Study, Room 200

6:30 PM Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday, Sept. 12

10:00 AM Sit & Stitch, Gathering Hall

1:00 PM Mahjong Group, Gathering Hall

5:30 PM Handbells Rehearsal, Choir Room

6:30 PM Andra Moran Virtual Vespers, Zoom

6:30 PM Nar-Anon, Room 105

8:00 PM AA Meeting, South Hall 

Friday, Sept. 13

3:00 PM Pickleball, Drowota Hall

Saturday, Sept. 14

10:00 AM Al-Anon, Drowota Hall