april 2014 td newsletter reduced - tres dias of southeast ... · palanca couple # #jon &...
TRANSCRIPT
Things seem to be moving at a fast pace and God is really blessing our community. Thank you so much for being a part of TDSETN and for all you do to support our weekends. There are many opportunities to serve and sponsor, whether here, con Dios or Foothills (TDNWGF).
Ray Newby (TDSETN #3) has been elected as the Chairman Elect and will be serving beside me until April of 2015, at which time my tenure as Chairman will end. Everyone who knows Ray knows that he will continue to lead the community in the direction God would have it go. We are blessed to have Ray and Sarah as a part of our Tres Dias family.
With the election of Ray, it creates a vacancy for the ARC Director. We have to give a 30 day notice so anyone who would like to serve in this position, a voting Secretariat position, can submit their name to any Secretariat member for nomination or contact [email protected]. Our next Secretariat meeting will be April 17. Since this is less than 30 days, we will vote on this position at our May 15 meeting.
Wanda and Lamar Orr (TDSETN #7) have been elected to replace Lesley and Deron Austin as our Pre-Weekend Couple. Chas and Paul Barnes (TDSETN #35, #14) have been elected so replace Leslie and Scott Lingerfelt as our Weekend Couple. While we are very excited to have the two new couples join us, I also want to thank both the Austinʼs and the Lingerfeltʼs as they have served unselfishly and have added much to the Secretariat and the community.
I think that we sometimes forget that all of these positions are volunteers and countless hours are spent carrying out the work of the Secretariat. I want to thank each member for all you do to affect the lives of TDSETN, TDSETN con Dios and TDNWGF. You guys are absolutely awesome.
J. Pat Williams
Chairman
TDSETN COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERTRES DIAS OF SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE April 2014
PESCADORE’S PRAISE
Chairman # # # Pat Williams [email protected] Chairman-Elect## # Ray NewbySpiritual Director# # Nathan Fletcher [email protected] Menʼs Leader # # # Derwin Brendle [email protected] Womenʼs Leader # # Pam Hindman [email protected] Secretary # # # Robin Peek [email protected] Treasurer # # # Tim McMahan [email protected] Pre-Weekend Couple # # Deron & Lesley Austin [email protected] Couple-Elect# Lamar & Wanda OrrWeekend Couple # # Scott & Leslie Lingerfelt [email protected] Weekend Couple-Elect# # Paul & Chas BarnesFood Couple # # # David & Karen Smith [email protected] Fourth Day Couple # # Robert & Judy Hays [email protected] ARC Manager # # # Ray Newby [email protected] Palanca Couple # # Jon & Jennifer DeVaul [email protected] Database Manager # # Dennis Matthews [email protected] Newsletter/Communications # Stefanie Oppenheimer-Foster [email protected]
SECRETARIAT
Upcoming TDSETN Secretariat Positions: At our May Secretariat meeting we will vote on ARC Manager. If you are interested in this position please contact [email protected].
GET CONNECTED
www.TDSETN.orgSign up to receive the following
e-communication:Announcements, Newsletters
Prayer Requests
Follow us on Twitter!
Facebook Southeast Tennessee Tres Dias
currently an open group
Stay CurrentDid you change your address, phone number, church? Please
send new information to [email protected]
Title: Oh no! The world has done it again! Now what?By: Nathan Fletcher
“The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.” 2 Corinthians 10: 3-6 MSG
It never seems to stop. Social media is loaded with this, social circles, talk shows, and sometimes it becomes the agenda of discussion for the next small group gathering. What am I referring to? The world - talk of and about what the world has done recently… and sometimes in the past. And it’s really not just the kind of talk that is objective or an understanding discussion, although I have witnessed discussions in the name of understanding that turn out to be more about a battle for agreement. It’s the kind of “bash and trash” comments about the world and to the world that often times leave a black eye for the Christian community, which also does not want to be bashed. It’s like we have this perspective that we cannot escape from the world around us! And we forget that we are really Spirit beings having human experiences while instead living more like human beings with Spiritual experiences.
Live as Spirit filled beings. Live in the truth and live in the freedom of who we really are! 2 Corinthians 10 verses 3 through 6 provide some valuable wisdom on how to approach those challenging, latest and greatest, things that we face in this world. Let’s look at just a few:
• Know and understand that the world is not like us, rather it looks a lot like what we once were prior to our new nature. The world is going to be different than us…for now! And I am not saying that different is not scary, dangerous, or potentially offensive because we all know better…right? But we can choose to not lose our head, we can choose to be a safe place, and we can choose to not live offended…right? Which brings me to …
• Live life on Divine terms. Live in a higher place. Reign from a higher place. Love from a higher place. Think and have thoughts from a higher place. It is the difference between being reactive versus proactive. When we become offended or fear filled, our buttons get pushed, and we live from a place of offense. We then enter this nasty carnage filled cycle that looks like fighting the world. One of the realities of wars is that someone has to die or get deeply wounded. Ok so do you really want to wound that person who doesn’t know Christ? Way too many potential believers get wounded from well meaning people who are trying to take a stand but actually are living from a place of offense. I did mention that it’s a nasty cycle right? It goes on and on and on until you make a choice to end the cycle.
• Tools. Here is a biggie. I could spend lots of time just on this one point but for the sake of time let’s consider these things regarding tools:
a. They are powerful.b. They are used for His agenda, not ours.c. They are for destroying lies.d. They are for building lives.
They are powerful. Of all the tools at our disposal, the greatest is love. Love can build and mend bridges, soften the hardest of hearts, and lead us to a change of mind about Christ. Now that’s a powerful weapon! Love exercised with trust, faith, hope, and with relentless determination looks just like Jesus! Is there anyone that wants to look like Jesus in the house?They are for His agenda. Being Spirit filled and Spirit led is important because the last thing we would want to do is to build something out of our bias or agenda that is really working against what God wants to accomplish. We are co laborers with Him and as a son or daughter of God, this is a sobering and honoring place. Honoring in that He chose us and sobering in that He trusts us to use these tools effectively. They are for destroying lies and building lives. Did you know that you can choose to speak the truth in love? I find the best way to do this is by simple acts of kindness. A world that is looking for answers can often times find them by the way we choose to live for our actions reveal what we truly believe. A life full of grace does not judge or isolate people rather it ministers the oils of healing and mercy to the afflicted, it forgives and loves the captives out of captivity, and uses truth in love to set the prisoners free. We could Bible beat people into a repulsion for Christianity and totally misrepresent the love of Christ…or…we can take a deep breath and love people in spite of where they are because God does love ugly. His wrath was poured out beyond measure upon His Son so that through the love of His Son, He could have a relationship with them.
The world is different than us ….for now. The world is under construction and we are ushering in His kingdom, which is new and different to this world and can be just as scary to them! Construction sites are messy and the lives that we lead clear the ground for new things to be built! There is an honorable and respectful way of bringing a cultural change. Living as a son or daughter of God and doing these simple things can positively influence the world around us…if we will just take our time, breath, relax, and remember who we are – Spiritual beings.
Nathan FletcherTDSETN Spiritual Director
Take a Moment for A Meditation
THE JOYS OF SPONSORSHIPWho Should I Sponsor?
Tres Dias is designed for those who desire to be strengthened in their faith and to be brought closer to Christ in their discipleship. All believers are welcome to attend provided they are sponsored by someone who has attended a Tres Dias, Emmaus, or Cursillo-type weekend. Candidates should not be in the middle of or just coming out of a traumatic, life-changing event (divorce, passing of a close family member, dire health issue, prison, etc.). And lastly, candidates must be demonstrating a lifestyle commensurate with biblical teaching. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pre-Weekend Couple Deron & Lesley Austin at 423-553-0880.
Sponsorship is an opportunity to participate in Christian Community in Action. Having sponsored six couples (one for a Spanish weekend), two singles, and a daughter for a Vida Nueva weekend for teenagers, we are not only vested, but plan to bring more into the fold. Grateful for sponsors who encouraged us when we could not attend as originally planned, we clearly recognized their excitement for the Kingdom. Share the privilege of being a significant part of the church conglomerate (a rock consisting of individual clasts within a finer-grained matrix that have become cemented together) as it will be in heaven. Joe and Stephanie Toombs #14Silverdale Baptist Church
Sponsor a Couple for Weekend #49
In mid-May, sponsors will start receiving phone calls from Pre-Weekend Couple Deron & Lesley Austin to confirm which candidates can attend Tres Dias of Southeast Tennessee Weekend #49. Over the past couple of years, we have seen a decrease in the number of married candidate applications. Wouldn’t it be great if the weekend included a couple that you sponsored? What a blessing that would be to both you and them! This is your opportunity to make a difference in the lives of other Christian couples in your circles. The Tres Dias application can be downloaded from the Tres Dias website. Please complete the form, enclose the $10 per candidate application fee and mail. We will call you to confirm their availability, and e-mail you and the candidate a letter. It’s that simple. Can’t afford the $200 per couple weekend fee? No problem. Financial assistance is now available. If you have any questions, please contact Pre-Weekend Couple Deron & Lesley Austin at (423) 553-0880.
Financial Assistance Now Available for Candidate Sponsorship
Have you ever wanted to sponsor someone but just couldn’t afford the $100 per candidate weekend fee? Based upon responses received from the 2013 survey, the cost of sponsorship is the #2 reason for not sponsoring. At the March meeting, the Secretariat voted and approved a new process that provides financial assistance to sponsors for candidate sponsorship.
As a result, the following question has been added to the candidate application: “I request financial assistance from Tres Dias to pay the weekend fees for my candidate(s): Yes/No”. If the sponsor selects “Yes” on their completed candidate application, the Pre-Weekend Couple emails a financial assistance request form to the sponsor. The form asks the sponsor to answer the following questions:
• Have you discussed the $100 weekend fee with your candidate?• Do you know someone that would help you co-sponsor the candidate(s)?• Would you be able to pay half of the weekend fee per candidate?• Please describe your current financial situation.
If the financial assistance request form is completed and the Pre-Weekend Couple determines the request has been properly justified, the request is approved unless the sponsor has received financial assistance within the last 12 months or the sponsor has not discussed the weekend fee with the candidate. All information provided remains in strict confidence. If you have any questions about the process, please contact Pre-Weekend Couple Deron & Lesley Austin at (423) 553-0880.
TDSETN Candidate Application
MEET YOUR SECRETARIAT
PalancaCOUPLE
Name: Jon & Jennifer DeVaul
Weekend: #34
Church: Christway Church
City: Ooltewah, TN
Family: 5 year old son Taylor
Occupation: Jon: Doctor of Physical Therapy, Jen: CEO of DeVaul Enterprise.
Hobbies: Jon: eating Jen’s cooking, hiking, camping, canoeing, home projects, collecting WW2 militaria Jen: cooking, reading, loves outdoors, family time and hanging out with friends
Palanca Couple Duties: Enlarging 24hr prayer poster for weekend, collecting palanca letters from other communities around the world, sending palanca letters to other communities, prayer for all communities.
What Tres Dias means to them: For us, our TD wknd was the pivotal point in the restoration of our marriage, and our real relationship with Jesus. We have grown to know Him in so much more depth than we ever thought. As a result, we have been very active in the lives of our reunion group brothers and sisters, more involved in service to our church, our neighborhood, our families, and the mission field. As our fourth day progresses, we are seeing how much God truly has us in His hands and how we can trust Him with our lives and depend on Him to guide our paths.
ARC NEWS
Tax Deductible Contributions can be made to:Tres Dias of Southeast Tennessee (ARC)P O Box 22781Chattanooga, TN 37422
The bunk bed ladders are finished and installed. (Photo below) The ARC is being utilized just about every week for either a retreat function or team meetings preparing for the event. We will also open the ARC as a voting Precinct for Apison on May 6, August 7, and November 4 this year. There are only 4 Saturdays between now and Thanksgiving that are not reserved. In April, the Tres Dias Con Dios Men's and Women's #4 will be April 3rd and 10th respectively, a Redemption Point ministry retreat on the 18 & 19th, and Kairos Outside team meeting on April 26th, with their weekend May 2-4.
Are you interested in serving on the Secretariat as the Arc Manager? For interest or more information please contact Ray Newby [email protected]. Qualifications: A single or married person with administrative skills and knowledge of facilities management, who has served on at least three TDSETN weekends. The ARC Manager is responsible for the oversight and management of the Apison Retreat Center. Other responsibilities include:• Propose and maintain budget for operation of the facility• Propose and implement facility improvements• Handle promotion and booking of events• Prepare and maintain an Operation Manual for the facility• Meet with prospective facility users and provide an orientation to the facility• Stock necessary consumables• Arrange for upkeep of the grounds and buildings, • Provide report of facility status at Secretariat Meetings, and• Participate in overall guidance and planning of Tres Dias activities.
"A big thanks to the crew that worked on the bunk bed rails and ladders - David Dawes (TDSETN #16), Pete Mealus (TDSETN #5), Roger Taylor (TDSETN #45), Ken Crider (TDSETN #44), and Ray Newby (TDSETN #3). A special thanks to Lamar and Wanda Orr (TDSETN #7) for the obtaining the materials for us and allowing us to use their shop and equipment for fabrication."
Ray Newby,ARC Manager
TDSETN WEEKENDS
MENS WKND #49
July17-20Rector: Wilfred Blowe
WOMENS WKND #49
July 24-27Rector: Leslie Lingerfelt
Mens Wknd #50 - Nov 6-9
Womens Wknd #50 - Nov 13-16
PRAYER REQUESTSYou can submit prayer requests on our website at www.TDSETN.ORG
City Church Chicks began in 2006We try to meet at least once a month but if personal meetings arenʼt possible, we stay in touch with emails and text messages. The most enjoyable meeting times are when we all gather at a home to make palanca!We make Palanca for every weekend and find that creating Palanca is such a fun way to socialize! Our signature menʼs palanca is chocolate covered strawberries delivered fresh at Serenade! For the women, we usually make ceramic coasters stamped with the weekend scripture and we also love to make custom pens for the Rollo Room.Over the years, our reunion group has celebrated together at the weddings of our children, rejoiced at the birth of grandchildren and cried with each other as one grieved the loss of a parent. Supporting each other through lifeʼs ups and downs have bonded us together forever!~Pam Newberry
CCIACHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN ACTION
Reunion Groups
City Church Chicks: Amie Landrus #13, Gwen Moon #21, Pam Newberry #21, Pam Hindman #9, Karen Reno GMTD #9
Grab your reunion groups, church friends and Tres Dias family and start working on palanca for weekends #49. You can drop off at send off or serenade but we are not able to store it at the camp prior to the weekend.
Kitchen - 112 items
Rollo Room - 7 containers
Dorm - 36 items
SAVE THE DATE:
SecuelaAugust 9, 2014
Had someone told me a year ago that I would be going to Russia I would have thought they had lost their mind and probably told them just that. Lots of people have asked about our time there and it is still hard to express. I’m normally great with words but this time it’s different. It’s weird to say this but it felt like home. Not the country so much but the people. Talking to strangers is something I’ve done since I was a toddler and was the main reason I was a “leash kid.” Who knew that years later God would be using that to reach out to other people and let them know they are valued, loved and pursued by the Creator of the universe? My family and friends have been beyond encouraging with this whole process and have been telling me for years that connecting with people is one thing I do exceptionally well. It just felt normal to go up and talk to people to find out who they were and what they do in hopes of engaging them to be connected to a body of believers. Our team was orchestrated by the hand of God. Yes, I know that sounds cliché but it’s true. We meshed together better than we ever could have imagined or dreamed. The amount of laughter was insane and the closeness was evident. I didn’t know what to expect going into such a broad spectrum of experiences but I have to admit that it was incredible and surpassed anything I could have hoped for. I honestly think that part of why we were able to stay so fluid was because of the multitude of prayers that had been going on (and were continuing) and the understanding we had of one another. So many people have said, “You looked like you were all having such a great time!” Truth be told, we were. God was so faithful and showed such favor on our team while we were traveling to and from Russia. Did unexpected or unfortunate things happen? Yes, that’s life and those parts were difficult for those directly impacted but their attitudes were phenomenal. Bea Brackin is such a strong young woman and walked in grace while dealing with lost luggage that still hasn’t been returned to her. I have said before that she can make any outfit look cute and it’s true. No one else could totally rock a cat shirt or a moose sweater! At the end of the day, God was still faithful. Even when security tried to take our make up as we were boarding the plane to return to the states. J I’ll admit that I had to repent for my attitude in that moment… Why was it home? Because we were all walking out in our God given giftings. Whether it was playing an instrument incredibly well, singing like an angel or loving people where they were, we each had a role to play and each one was blessed. Watching the band was a true joy because they were playing for Jesus. Seeing them in their element was overwhelming sometimes because they were so happy and loved interacting with the crowds. From the time the first note was played, crowds flocked to listen and see what they were about. This gave instant opportunities to ask engage people and I’ll never forget the grace that we saw the entire time. Typing this makes me teary because of the joy God gave while we were there. I was so happy to be home and reunited with those that I love dearly but life now feels a little unfulfilling at times. God has convicted me of the fact that being in another country doesn’t make me a missionary and those places aren’t the only mission fields. We have them here, in our backyard, at our office, in our community. Let’s go!
~Jenny Godwin #26Church on the Hill
palanca!
We just completed TDCD weekends #4. Thank you for serving!
4th Day SpotlightI attended TDSETN #1. At that time, I had no clue what TD was about. I just went, because I trusted a friend. I had a close relationship with Jesus and TD was a tool that God used to deepen that relationship even further. On that weekend I was reminded how much my Father loved me through the beautiful ladies that served us. I was also reminded that I was His bride! In my fourth day, I have worked several weekends, which helped me to understand more fully the importance of community and serving others. I have used what I learned to love people and to be Jesus in a tangible way. I serve in my church by leading worship and by doing outreach. I desire to draw others to Jesus by how I live my life and serve Him.
~Gina McNelly #1River Church
4th Day SpotlightMy fourth day experiences have been nothing less than exciting. My attitude toward God and people has changed. The bitterness that once plagued me has been replaced with love and compassion. The challenges of life that have risen up do not provoke me to retaliate, but to pray. Our ministry that we have tried so hard to start, in our own strength and kept hitting a brick wall, has taken root and is now starting to grow. Thank you Jesus for my Tres Dias Weekend.
~Lee Mercer #48Kingdom Harvest Church
4th Day SpotlightThe Lord continues to show me He hears my voice on my 4th day (Psalm 55:17)! I am in awe of His faithfulness. Most recently He showed me abundant grace by answering a prayer I prayed at 13 years old ...I am now 41 and generational sins are being broken in my family, just like He promised! My three young boys are learning the power of prayer first hand as they see Him work miracles in our lives. Life can be scary, but witnessing Him answer our prayers has given us courage to continue living by faith, not sight.
~ Steffanie Green #43Silverdale Baptist Church
03-Apr-14 Central Savannah River Area TD Women's # 2103-APR-15 Susquehanna Valley Tres Dias Women's #5903-Apr-14 Maine Tres Dias Men's #93 03-Apr-14 Mid Carolinas Tres Dias Women's #4703-Apr-14 Minnesota Tres Dias Women's #1603-Apr-14 Northern Virginia Tres Dias Women's #26 03-Apr-14 South Hudson Tres Dias Women's # 7403-Apr-14 St. Louis Tres Dias Men's # 2503-April-14 Tampa Bay Tres Dias Men's #3309-Apr-14 New York TD Men's #52 (Korean Speaking)10-Apr-14 Mid-Hudson Tres Dias Women's #166 10-Apr-14 St. Louis Tres Dias Women's # 2510-April-14 Tampa Bay Tres Dias Women's #3310-April14 Treasure Valley Tres Dias Men's #514-Apr-14 Tri-State Tres Dias Women's # 7323-Apr-14 New York TD Women's #52 (Korean Speaking)24-Apr-13 Cumberland Valley Tres Dias Men's # 1924-Apr-14 TD of Northern New Jersey Women's #11124-Apr-14 Sabine Creek Tres Dias Men's #14
Pray for upcoming Tres Dias Weekends
Opportunities to serve
Kairos #22 weekend is May 2-4 at the ARC. Kairos is a ministry to women that have a loved one in prison, or someone that has been incarcerated at one time. Contact Kathy Collins (TDSETN #13) at [email protected] if you would like to serve or sponsor a guest.Kairos #22 Prayer Coverage - sign up to pray
Birmingham Vida Nueva BVN - May 2-4, young men; and May 16-18, young women. Interested in serving contact Barry Eaton (TDSETN #4) [email protected].
TDCD con Dios, our Latino community needs volunteers for upcoming weekends
You do not have to speak spanish to serve
TDCD #5 Menʼs October 2-5 TDCD #5 Womenʼs October 9-12.
TDCD con Dios Candidate Application
Opportunities to serve
NWGFTD (Foothills) based in Calhoun, GA.Men’s weekend August 14-17 Women's weekend August 21-24 Bernie Martin and Don Vanlandingham have been called and have accepted to be the rectors for our first NWGFTD (Foothills) weekends. You can sponsor someone for these weekends, serve on the weekends, pray for the weekends, make palanca or all of the above.
Want to share in the 4th Day Spotlight Section?Contact [email protected]
TDCD con Dios