Plans are unfolding for our support of Room in the Inn and for Harvest Sunday, plus we meet our newest nursery worker. Discover Vine Street Christian Church this week!
Neighborhood Choir Concert Set for Nov. 19
Vine Street’s Chancel Choir will unite with neighborhood choirs to present “Together in Gratitude, Together in Song: An Interfaith Thanksgiving Concert” on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at The Temple (5015 Harding Pike). This free event features choral and liturgical music showcasing the shared ideologies of thanksgiving and gratitude. And it will be a lot of fun! Make plans! A festive reception follows the concert.
Harvest Sunday Features Two Ways to Participate
Harvest Sunday arrives Nov. 19 featuring two wonderful opportunities to share—and we want to experience them with you! First, the Elders invite you to support our food drive to benefit the Little Pantry That Could, a local ministry enabling neighbors to select grocery items they particularly need. Donate canned food, including vegetables, fruits and tuna, and other nonperishable goods. We will dedicate these life-giving gifts to God’s work during the 10 a.m. worship service.
Next, our annual Harvest Luncheon kicks off in Fellowship Hall right after worship! A thanksgiving-style meal, catered by Copper Kettle, will call us together in gratitude for another year. We’ll take up a love offering to help defray costs (suggested donation: $10 per adult). The church will provide dessert and beverages, courtesy of the Membership Committee. So mark your calendar, share a few groceries and let’s give thanks to God for a grand ministry together!
In the News
• Senior Minister Thomas Kleinert and the Monday Men will meet for beer, food and banter on Nov. 6 at M.L. Rose (4408 Charlotte Ave.). This monthly, casual gathering stands as a helpful way to connect and have fun. Contact Thomas Kleinert to be on the email reminder list (thomas@vinestreet.org).
• The Elders will have their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Next Week: Adult Christian Education
We continue our Lutheran deep-dive Nov. 12 with Thomas Kleinert as we explore one of Luther’s key treatises, The Babylonian Captivity of the Church. It’s part of our study marking the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Glenn Sunshine’s book, The Reformation for Armchair Theologians, is our guide. Join us at 9 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
More than Meals and Space
We are grateful for all the warm beds, plates of fresh food and Blessing Bags stuffed with goodies to be shared this week, thanks to you! Together, we are helping to convey a sense of dignity to our guests through hospitality. Father Charles Strobel, founding director of Room in the Inn, says, “When someone experiences hospitality and safety and a feeling of belonging, they experience sanctuary. Sanctuary is defined by the people, not the space. Everyone can become an expression of sanctuary.” Thank YOU for participating!
Nursery Gains New Caregiver
You’re probably seen her around, but do you know the important role she is playing? Ashley Halstead is Vine Street’s newest staff member. She will compliment the care and faith nurturing Johanna Keith is offering our children.
Ashley is the youngest daughter of Randy and Jackie Halstead. She started college in Texas, but finished with a degree in corporate management from Lipscomb University. She’s been living in Nashville for the past six years, working primarily at Starbucks. Ashley has always loved babies and the little ones tend to gravitate toward her. She does not have any of her own yet, so she spends her energies training the Halstead family dogs. Texas is considered home for Ashley and she hopes to move back one day. She enjoys reading, video games and has an uncanny ability with all things IT related. She’s excited to be working with Vine Street Christian Church!
Brown Bags and Bibles
As we say good-bye to Daylight Saving Time, we say hello to our winter devotional, Brown Bags and Bibles. On Nov. 12, we’ll begin our study with prophecies about Christ and rotten branches in our family trees. It’ll be packed with fun facts, great stories, and lively discussion. All 7th-12th graders are invited to be a part of this mildly wacky brown bag lunch from 11:30-1 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Don’t forget your Bible or your lunch.