Lent Begins Feb. 14
For the first time since 1945, this year Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day will fall on the same date. Vine Street will observe Ash Wednesday Feb. 14 during a special Taize´ -inspired worship service at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Wrapped in dim candle light, we’ll contemplate again the traditional words, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” No doubt our hearts will be stirred to wonder what a strange love it is God offers us through Jesus. “Strange,” because our cultural assumptions are flipped in light of the life of Jesus. “Love,” because the heart of God is embodied for us in Jesus. Sacrifice renders hope, and hope reveals love. Reminded of our baptism, we will hear an invitation to discover again the implications of such love for our lives and for our community across the six weeks and four days to follow—when Lent gives way to Easter… landing this time on April 1. Join us for the journey.
TNT Dance Party Feb. 11
There’s still time to volunteer with the TNT Club Valentine’s Day dance party! The event runs from 2-3:30 p.m., and we’ll need assistance before (at 1 p.m.), during and after (until 4 p.m.) the fun. Folks of all ages and dancing abilities are welcome! And don’t miss the cake and photo booth. We HEART you! TNT Club is a community ministry for adults with developmental disabilities. Contact Hope Hodnett to help (hope@vinestreet.org).
Meeting About Baptism Today
Are you contemplating baptism this Easter? Perhaps you were baptized as an infant or at a very young age—this event is also for you. Let’s gather this afternoon to share plans as we travel together through Lent on the path toward baptism and/or a reaffirmation of faith. We will meet in Fellowship Hall from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Let us know if you plan on attending (hope @vinestreet.org). Young people, bring your parents.
Anne Blackwell Memorial Monday
Family and friends of Anne will give thanks to God and celebrate her life at a memorial service Monday, Feb. 12 at Vine Street. Visitation with the family begins at 1 p.m. in the Sanctuary with the service at 2 p.m. A reception will be held in Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.
In the News
• Touchdown! Last Sunday’s Souper Bowl of Caring, sponsored by the youth group, scored more than $539 to defeat hunger. Thank you!
• Please note, the office will be closed Monday, Feb. 19 for Presidents Day.
• Elders, celebrate the holiday early—we will, indeed, meet Monday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
• Women’s Night Out—a festive, monthly evening of fun for the ladies of the church—is slated for Thursday, Feb. 22. Details coming soon. Kathy Zamata is a contact person for the group (k.zamata@comcast.net).
• The Official Board will gather Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
New Event Around the Corner
The Membership Committee invites everyone to Chili & Game Night, Sunday, Feb. 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. With tasty food, board games, ping-pong and more, this gathering will help you shake off some of the winter blahs! Join us… because frivolity is fun!
More Than We Can Imagine
It is easy to feel overwhelmed when we look at all the areas of need in God’s world: there is hunger, sickness, and injustice in so many communities. It is easy to feel that we are too small, too insignificant to make a difference, to believe that nothing we can help. We can feel trapped by hopelessness and fear that there is little we can do to truly make an impact.
But there is hope! Better yet: We are that hope! Feb. 18-25, please consider making a gift to Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.
Inspired by the call and faithfulness of God and a legacy of ministry in Nashville and beyond, we have completed important work leading to the sale of a portion of our property to our neighbors at MBA last year, and we have done additional work since
then. As we are about to enter into a crucial phase of our ongoing transformation and restructure, we invite you to join us for study, worship and lunch, to receive updates
about the progress of various task forces, and to ask questions and discuss next steps, particularly in the areas of ministerial staffing and governance, areas that are crucial to our ability to build on Vine Street’s legacy of almost 200 years of ministry and to be the church God needs us to be in this time and place. —Thomas Kleinert