Mark your calendars for President’s day weekend, February 15-18, for our winter retreat in beautiful western North Carolina. There will be opportunities to enjoy games, the outdoors, a warm fire and conversations, and the city of Asheville. We’ll honor older traditions like a trip to a local coffee shop and pizza parlor, and maybe even plant seeds for new traditions to grow! The cost will be $65 per person with $185 max per family. This will secure space in a room, three breakfasts, one lunch, one dinner, and snacks at Christmount. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Allison by February 3rd. If cost is an issue, please let Allison know!
Worship workshop
We invite you to join us for a brief workshop on Wednesday, January 30, at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. We will discuss traditions both ancient and more recent that shape how we worship at Vine Street: the liturgical year, the lectionary, and the flow of a typical Sunday service. This workshop serves as a general introduction and a forum to talk about guiding assumptions in our worship planning. Our goal is to answer or discuss as many questions as possible before we go home at 8 p.m. We will have another workshop on February 20 to make plans together for the Sundays of Lent: How can we incorporate movement, touch, small group moments and other less common elements to make our worship a more complete experience for all of us?
Congregational meeting
On December 9, 2018 our congregation adopted a new set of bylaws. Under the new governance structure, regular elections occur at the end of the fiscal year, which is in June, and a special election is needed to complete the Administrative Council for the transition period and create a Board of Trustees. On January 23, the Administrative Council affirmed a slate of nominees presented by the Nominating Committee. The nominees for Administrative Council Members At-Large are Johanna Keith and Stephen Moseley. The nominees for the Board of Trustees are Martha Bishop, Jim Carls, Pat Cole, Jack Wallace, and Reggie Hill. A Congregational Meeting will be held on February 10, immediately following worship, for a special election.
Building update
Members of the Administrative Council will meet with at least two prospective architects (recommended by William Hastings) in the next few weeks for informal interviews and building tours. Leadership will continue to keep the congregation updated about next steps in the renovation process. On a related note, our old chiller has been removed and a new one is being installed on the west side of the chapel. Work on the new MBA parking lot is making good progress and is scheduled to be completed by May.
Staff transitions
We celebrate that Johanna Keith has been nominated for an At-Large position on Administrative Council. Because church staff cannot also hold a voting position, Johanna will transition out of Vine Time leadership after the congregational vote on February 10. We celebrate the dedication to Vine Street’s children Johanna has demonstrated and continue to celebrate her leadership skills in a different role.
Let's tackle hunger
On Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, our youth will again collect a special offering to help tackle hunger in our community. All contributions—cash or check, every dollar counts—will support the work of one of our ministry partners, the Society of St. Andrew. Each year, tens of thousands of volunteers participate in Society of St. Andrew gleaning activities (many of you will remember the truckload of sweet potatoes we bagged last year). Each year, tens of millions of pounds of produce are salvaged and given to the poor at no cost to them or to the food pantry or kitchen that feeds them. Thank you for supporting this great ministry with your special Souper Bowl gift! Our youth will collect the offering in big pots at the doors on Sunday, February 3.
Speaking of tackling hunger...
We can bring grace, respect, hospitality and nutritious meals to Nashville's hungry, homeless and working poor. Vine Street folks serve lunch with Luke 14:12 the fourth Monday of every month. Each time 3-4 volunteers come to the Room in the Inn campus (705 Drexel Street) from 11:15 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Sound like something you’d like to know more about? You can serve one time or on a regular basis. Monday, January 28 is next week. For more information, contact Jeff Miller (615-268-5195).
Oh what a night
Chili Cook-off, Game night, and opening night for Room in the Inn are all happening Feb 3! 5:30-7:30 p.m. will be a time for food and fellowship and offering an extra warm welcome to our guests on their first night here. Folks are invited to bring chili or a dessert, a game, and an extra dose of hospitality. We’ll gather at 5:30 p.m. for food and games (including the “superb owl” on the TV), welcome guests as they arrive around 6:15 p.m., award prizes for the best Chili (Martha Bishop is our reigning champ), and wrap up games around 7:30 p.m. so that our guests can get ready to rest for the evening. If you’re newer to the community, this would be the perfect opportunity to meet other Vine Street folks and experience the important ministry Room in the Inn provides.