The Installation of Rev. Margie Quinn

On Sunday, February 22, 2026, Vine Street Christian Church installed Rev. Margie Quinn as their new Senior Minister. Rev. Margie is the first female senior minister in Vine Streets 205-year history.

Congregational Conversation on March 8

All Vine Street congregants are invited to a congregational conversation directly after worship on March 8.

We will be hosting guests from other congregations in Nashville who have gone through the Open & Affirming process, or similar journey, and are willing to share their experiences and answer our questions.

This will be a great opportunity to hear some real-world experiences of life after becoming officially O&A.

Lunch will be provided by Taziki's. Please RSVP HERE to help us prepare enough seats and food, and email Quentin Flowers if you have any questions.

Book Study Open to All

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In January and February, we'll be reading and discussing Amanda Tyler's book How to End Christian Nationalism. This book study will begin as Legislative Session begins in Tennessee, so I suspect we'll have some real-life, tangible examples of Christian Nationalism to discuss as well as the content of Mrs. Tyler's book. Please fill out the form below so we can send you more details about the book study and similar events! 

Author: Amanda Tyler is executive director of BJC (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty), leading the organization as it upholds the historic Baptist principle of religious liberty: defending the free exercise of religion and protecting against its establishment by government. Read more here!

Book: How to End Christian Nationalism (links to purchase copies below)

Meeting options: (Both meetings will be at Vine Street)

Sunday mornings at 9am: 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22

Wednesday mornings at 10am:  1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25

Open to Vine Street members and friends, members of surrounding churches, and anyone else interested.

The State of American Religious LIfe

Please join us on January 4 at 4:00 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church for an important look at the state of American religious life and how it influences the shape of our society as a whole. This ecumenical event is co-sponsored by The Temple, First Unitarian Church of Nashville, Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Church, Vine Street Christian Church, West End United Methodist Church and Immanuel Baptist Church.

Vine Street Calls New Senior Minister

Rev. Margie Quinn is the first woman to lead the historic 205-year-old congregation.

Vine Street Christian Church has called Rev. Margie Quinn as their new Senior Minister.

Margie joined the staff at Vine Street as Associate Minister in June of 2022 and has served as the Interim Lead Minister since June, following the retirement of long-time Senior Minister Rev. Thomas Kleinert.

“It means a great deal that you are putting your trust in a young woman,” said Quinn to the congregation following its unanimous vote on Sunday, December 14. “With shaking knees, and a trembling voice, I cannot wait to be a church of hope in a world of fear…”

Vine Street Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, is one of the oldest religious communities in Nashville, forming in 1820, and Quinn is the first woman to be called as Senior Minister.

“Margie brings faith, vision, energy and kindness in abundance to the life of our church,” said Ed Cole, long-time member of Vine Street and chair of Vine Street’s Ministerial Formation Committee. “The Vine Street congregation is excited about the new possibilities that lie ahead with the strength of Margie’s leadership.”

Quinn, 35, is a Nashville native, graduating from the University School of Nashville and receiving her bachelor’s degree in Women's Studies from the University of Georgia in 2013. After several years working in affordable housing and homelessness advocacy in Seattle, Quinn attended Duke Divinity School where she received a Master of Divinity in 2019. She then moved home and served at Westminster Presbyterian Church, before getting ordained and joining the Vine Street community. 

Thank you T.J.!

December 1 marks T.J. McLaughlin's 20th year of service to Vine Street Christian Church!

He began working for Vine Street as a section leader and later took over the Chancel Choir as the director. In addition to his service to Vine Street, T.J. has a 20+ year career as a music educator. After a 16-year tenure at Gallatin High School, T.J. was recently named choral director at Mt. Juliet High School, where he conducts four ensembles, teaches piano, and music directs the spring musical. His choirs consistently earn Superior rankings at MTVA and ACDA Choral Festivals and have traveled to festivals throughout the United States, giving especially memorable performances in St. Louis, Atlanta, and at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

He has directed more than 20 musicals, including “Les Miserables,” “The Sound of Music,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” and “Mary Poppins.”

T.J. is a sought-after clinician and has had the privilege of directing the Middle Tennessee Middle School Honors Choir, Middle Tennessee Middle School Mass Choir, and Sumner County Honors Choir.

We are so proud of and grateful for the work and service that T.J. has given to Vine Street. Thank you, T.J., for your many gifts and service to our Church, to your neighbors, and to our God.

How You Can Help

There are many ways to help our neighbors who have lost SNAP benefits due to the Federal Government shutdown. 

1. Donate items. Bring one of the following items to church on or before November 23rd. You can drop them off in front of Pastor Wesley's office. We will give these items to our most immediate neighbors, including West End Middle School. Any other items left over will be given to Second Harvest Food Bank. Consistently, the most needed items are:

  • Peanut Butter

  • Canned Meat (Chicken or Tuna)

  • Canned Vegetables

  • Canned Fruit

  • Pasta

  • Cereal

(We may get some specific needs from West End, and will share those when we receive them.)

2. Donate Funds. If you can't bring items, donating funds to the food bank is a great way to help. Help Middle and West Tennessee Neighbors in Need - Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee

3. Contact. Call, email, or write your representatives, urging them to do what they can to help protect Tennesseans! (click for the contact sheet and script) Many think that these things "don't work," but in just the last few days, Gov. Lee has begun allocating funds towards SNAP due to public pressure.  It works, I'm telling you! 

4. Pray. Pray that those with power will use it to help the least of these. We all have a responsibility to our neighbors, and Christ has called us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and free the oppressed. 

However you decide to help is appreciated and helps us live into our mission to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God." 

Community Ministry Grant Applications Opening Soon — Apply by September 30!

Introduction

We’re excited to announce that the Community Ministry Grant application window will open on August 25 and run through September 30. This year, we’re expanding our commitment to service by increasing the total funds available to up to $30,000.

A Look Back at 2024–2025 Recipients

Last year, Vine Street Christian Church received 28 applications and, thanks to the discernment of our Grants Team and Administrative Council, awarded grants to 22 of them, fulfilling each at the full requested amount. In total, we mailed out $20,200 in grants, made possible through contributions from members and friends, as well as support from the Hallie Warner Needy Elderly Fund.

Spotlight Recipients

Here are a few inspiring examples from last year’s recipients:

  • Harvest Hands CDC — Supported after-school programs across three South Nashville locations, providing meals and snacks to children.

  • Heartbound Ministries — Funded the creation of reading tapes recorded by incarcerated parents for their children.

  • Pawsters — Provided veterinary care, vaccinations, microchipping, and spay/neuter services for pets of the homeless or domestic violence survivors.

These are just a few of the many creative and impactful ministries we were privileged to support – see the full list here.

What’s New This Year

With an increased pool of up to $30,000, we are eager to receive a new wave of applications that empower community-driven initiatives across Nashville. We welcome proposals that demonstrate clear impact, sustainability, and alignment with our mission.

How to Apply

Let’s continue making a difference—together.

Update to the Vine Street Congregation regarding the Ministerial Transition Process

Update to the Vine Street Congregation regarding the Ministerial Transition Process

This update to the Vine Street congregation about our Ministerial Transition process contains continuing good news!  Since the previous report earlier in April from the Ministerial Transition Team, important progress has been made as we make plans to put in place our ministerial leadership team that will assume their responsibilities when Thomas retires at the end of May. 

Transition Team Update

Transition Team Update

There is very good news to report to the Vine Street congregation regarding the Ministerial Transition process. Since Thomas Kleinert announced his plan to retire at the end of May, the Ministerial Transition Team, appointed by the Administrative Council, has been preparing recommendations for ministerial staffing to be in place upon Thomas’ departure.

4101 Harding PIKE, Nashville, TN 37205 | (615) 269-5614

Sundays: Traditional Worship at 10:00 a.m. in person & ONLINE

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