It's wintry outside, but the ministries of Vine Street Christian Church are warming hearts and minds. Here's what's coming up this week around the life of our church.
Celebrating David Johnson
For his more than 20 years of service to the Tennessee Region, Disciples are honoring David Johnson with a reception Sunday, Jan. 21 from 3-5 p.m. at Bethany Hills Camp & Conference Center (1080 Bethany Hills Road). David, who grew up in this church and remains a dear friend to us, retired from his role as Bethany Hills camp manager late last year. If you can attend, please RSVP at the Regional website (www.tndisciples.org). Or, if you would like to send a card, write to: CC (DOC) TN Regional Office, Attn: David Johnson, 7980 Coley Davis Road, Suite 102, Nashville, TN 37221.
Prayer Group Gathering Wednesdays
This new year we’re expanding a ministry of our church. Wednesday Prayers meets at noon weekly in the Chapel (on Wednesdays, of course) and the entire congregation and its friends are invited. Julia Keith started this group a couple years ago as a way for Vine Street’s elders to pray in a particular pattern for our congregation and the world. Now the circle expands. Will you join us from time to time? We follow a printed liturgy for about 20-25 minutes. Contact Julia for more information (worldconvjulia@gmail.com).
In the News
• The church office will be closed Monday, Jan. 15, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
• The Official Board will meet Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Remember, Board meetings are open to Vine Street participants.
• Women’s Night Out will meet at Coco’s Italian Market at 6:00 pm on Thursday, Jan. 25 (411 51st Avenue North). This group meets monthly, offering fun and fellowship for the women and friends of Vine Street. Contact Kathy Zamata for details (k.zamata@comcast.net).
Trouble Within the Bible
Adult Christian education is studying Encountering God in Tyrannical Texts, by Frances Gench. Although the author focuses on the treatment of women in Paul’s letters, Gench takes on the much larger discussion of how we deal with troubling passages in the Bible, whether on slavery, sexuality or the place and treatment of women. Here’s what’s on tap for the next few weeks:
1/21 Women and Worship Wars (1): 1 Cor. 11: 2-16 (TBD)
1/28 Women and Worship Wars (2): 1 Cor. 14: 33b-36—presented by Erica Hayden
2/4 Reining in Rambunctious Widows: 1 Tim. 5: 3-16—presented by Becky Frazier
2/11 Women in Ministry: Rom. 16: 1-16—presented by Claire Frederick
Becky and Claire are Lipscomb University students who are active in All Saints Church of Christ. Jim Zamata has a couple paperback copies of the book for $15.66. It is also available on Kindle for $9.99. Make plans to join adult Christian education Sundays at 9 a.m. in Fellowship Hall!
Summer Camp Dates 2018
Church camp at nearby Bethany Hills remains a tremendous way for our children and youth to connect with God, the church and one another. Dates for next summer’s programs are as follows:
June 3-9: CYF (completed grades 9, 10, 11 or 12)
July 1-7: Eighters (completed grade 8)
July 8-11: Junior (completed grades 4 or 5)
July 15-21: Chi Rho (completed grades 6 or 7)
July 12-14: Discovery (completed grades 2 or 3)
Please contact a minister if you have questions about attending these summer programs.
Ministry Opportunity Around the Corner
Our longtime partnership with Luke 14:12 kicks off another new year on Monday, Jan. 22 at 11 a.m.! That’s when we’ll meet on the Room in the Inn campus to serve lunch to some of our city’s working poor and individuals who are experiencing homelessness (705 Drexel Street). Typically we’re finished by 1 p.m. Can you share in this ministry? Contact Jeff Miller to sign up (jeff.miller@img.com).