SpireTheBelle Meade United Methodist Church

121 Davidson Road . Nashville, TN 37205(615) 352-6210

www.bellemeadeumc.org

October 26, 2011

Reflections...I continue to be amazed with the ancient footprints found in the Rift Valley of Kenya. How ancient? Would 1.51 million years old impress you? It sure impresses me. They are the footprints of a member of the Homo erectus species, one of our early ancestors. I know that this is a pretty random topic, but hang in there with me.

Homo erectus walked fully upright with very modern looking feet, but we have no evidence that they wore flip flops or played golf. They probably had the vocal capabilities that we have, but we can have some confidence that they didn’t produce even one Elvis impersonator. Ah, the good old days…the good, really, really old days.

They used sophisticated tools to hunt, skin and clean animals, sew clothing, and pulverize grain. They did not have iPods, iPads, or GPS—which makes them as pre-historic as I am. Paleontologists tell us that they had the “controlled” use of fire. Apparently, Homo erectuss discovered that cooking rhinoceros ribs or wildebeest burgers on an uncontrolled wild-fire was a little tricky. The fossil record also portrays Homo erectus as compassionate. They cared for the weak and the injured.

Notwithstanding their feet, vocal chords, tools, and use of fire, I am most impressed with the footprints them-selves. They were caused by a male Homo erectus walking along the damp mud of a lake shore. That lake is long gone and so is Homo erectus—the species is, of course, extinct. I’ve seen pre-human tools, pre-human skeletal remains, and the hearths of pre-human families. For reasons that I can’t explain, they may speak of the existence of Homo erectus, but not his life. For me, those footprints are the evidence of his life. Where was he going? Did he try to imagine what was beyond the horizon, beyond the line where sky met water? Did he imagine anything at all? Did he dream? Did the lake represent danger or was it a source of sustenance? Why was he walking alone? Where was his family? They lived in families. What was his emotional range? Did he ever feel lonely or grief?

I’ll bet that it never occurred to this Homo erectus that he would have an impact on someone living 1,500 centuries later. But he did. And he does.

So now I want you to think about the impact you are having on a whole lot of someone’s lives. Don’t fool yourself. You are having an impact whether you know it or not. You’re making a difference. Don’t believe me? If you’re reading this column, then you are supporting this church. If you are supporting this church, then you’re helping to pay for Belle Meade’s ministries and programs. And if you’re helping to pay for our programs and ministries, then you are, ipso facto, making a difference—having an impact—changing lives.

Because you give, you are leaving your footprints in the damp mud of human souls. See you at the House come Sunday.

Sunday Morning Worship Schedule8:30 am - Praise Service in the Chapel

8:45 am - Holy Communion in the Sanctuary9:15 am - 10:15 am Sunday School for all ages

10:30 am - Traditional Worship Service in the Sanctuary

Attendance for October 238:45 Communion -9

8:30 Praise Service -3110:30 Traditional Worship -325

Total: 365

Four-Week Inquirer’s Class ExtendedHave you been visiting Belle Meade or are you new to the church? We invite you to a class designed for people interested in learning more about Belle Meade UMC, its programs, ministries, and membership. This class meets each Sunday at 9:15 am in the library through November 6th. The class will be led by Associate Pastor, Rev. Kristin Clark-Banks. For more informa-tion, contact Kristin at Kristin@bellemeadeumc.org or 352-6210.

Recap & Winners of the 5th Annual Pumpkin Festival & Chili Cook-offThis past Sunday, the entire church had a great time at our annual Pumpkin Festival & Chili Cookoff! Congratulations to all our winners! The winners were: 1) best chili by the Children’s Ministry made by the Corbins, 2) best decorated booth was by the Women of the Word Sunday school class, 3) and the fan favorite chili was made by the Upper Room Sunday School class.

We raised almost $400 that we are donating to the Nashville Food Project, a nonprofit dedicated to providing healthy food for homeless and working poor in Nashville. The Volunteer String Band played some amazing music and everyone had a great time. If you missed it, we hope you can join us next year because it’s never too early to start thinking about your best chili recipe.

Clare Harney, youth, painting the face of Kensie Corbin.

College Care Packages We love and care for all our students away at college and this is the time of year that we show them by sending care pack-ages! Some of our UMW (United Methodist Women) circles have already sent several packages and now the youth of the church are about to make some college care packages for all our students away at college. If you have a student in college, please make sure we have their correct address. Please email Jeff McCormick, jeff@bellmeadeumc.org, and tell him your student’s names, their schools and year in school, their correct mailing addresses, and their current email addresses.

Youth Fall Retreat On November 11-13, the youth will be on their annual fall retreat. This year they will be traveling to Deer Run Retreat in Thompsons Station, TN. It will be a weekend of rest, relaxation, worship, study, and play. All youth 6th – 12th grades are invited to come. Sign up to attend the retreat this week. Permission and medical forms will be attached to this week’s youth email, as well as all the details you need. If you do not receive the weekly youth email, please let Jeff know by emailing him, jeff@bellemeadeumc.org. If you are a parent or adult who wants to invest in our youth by sharing your time and talents by going on this retreat, please talk to Jeff McCormick, 931-206-6873 or 352-6210.

The Upper Room Sunday School class’ spooky Grand Ole Opry booth.

Fran Stannard clapping to the wonderful bluegrass music.

Mark Acker and familyBelle Meade UMCThe family of Mike Bush - Peggy Hammond’s friendBetty and Bill BrusterLynn Crowson Ferris - the Crowson’s daughterEmma FieldsMike GallagherKaren GoldMorgan Steel Gracey - the Hinton’s great niece George GriggJim HardinHank Foffman

Emily Little and familyDot Ramsay and familyDoris SolesbyTyler and Emily Stokes - Lynn and Bruce Kauffman’s grandchildrenThe men and women of our military around the worldChristina TaddonioAnn TannerMary Gibson Van ZandtLisa Von HaegerSteve WalkerNorman and Estelle Worrell

Our Missionaries David and Lori PersonsIn the military: Taylor Shope, Ben Derry, Chris Payne, Shane Slack, Daniel R. Thornton

Expectant Parents: Cara and Patrick Howerter, Brady and Kristin Clark-Banks, Celia and Patrick Miller, Ginger and Aaron Lawyer, Ben and Sarah Princehorn, Trip and Maribeth Nicholson, Martha Brook and Jeffrey Martin, Brian and Alissa Sipple* Prayer requests will remain on the list for 4 weeks unless otherwise requested.

Remember in Prayer

Thank YouA heartfelt thank you to all the people who helped with the pledge campaign mailing and the quarterly statement mailing. Your help was invaluable and so appreciated. Barbara

MemorialsGiven for: James H. Acker by Georgia Hobb, Lem and Marge Tanksley, Durand and Evelyn Hite, Peggy and Bill Ham-mond, Bill and Linda Penny, Laura Zabaski, and Betty Butler for the Music Fund and by Shan Bacon for the Benevolent Fund.Given for: Sean Stokes by the Fidelis Class for the Music Fund.Given for Sally Stach by Jane and Steven Marsh for the Music Fund.Given for: E. Jane Hazlewood by Georgia Hobb for the Davidson Road Entrance Furnishings.

Church-Wide Baby Shower for the BanksEveryone is invited to a church-wide baby shower for Brady and Kristin Clark Banks on Thursday, November 10th in Fel-lowship Hall. The Banks are registered at the following stores: Babies R Us, Pottery Barn Kids, and Little Star Kids Gear : Web Store. Here’s the link address and password to enter the Little Star Kids Gear Web Store. http://shop.littlestarkidsgear.com/index.php?xlspg=gift_search_detail&gift_token=b544cde865183f2eaaad9e642171b53cWish List Password: littlestar. Gift cards are appropriate, as well.

Drop by any time between 5:30 - 7:30 pm and help celebrate the upcoming arrival of Thaddeus Clark Banks.

Thank YouDear Belle Meade UMC,Thank you for your contribution to Luke 14:12’s Challenge Grant! We are thrilled that we succeeded in making our goal - this would not have been possible without your help! With gratitude, Amy Dodson-Watts, Ex. Director

The Spire Belle Meade United Methodist Church121 Davidson Road, Nashville, TN 37205(615) 352-6210 www.bellemeadeumc.org

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. Postage PAIDNashville, TNPermit No. 1002

Place Mailing Label here

SAVE THESE DATES

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH AT 5:00 pmHenri Nouwen, Words and Music Concert in the Sanctuary

NOVEMBER 20TH at 11:45 am Church-wide Lunch in the Fellowship Hall

LOAVES AND FISHES IS THIS MONDAY, OCTOBER 31ST

Loaves and Fishes is an ecumenical charity service for individuals who are homeless and near homeless. Cooks, servers, and especially clean-up helpers are needed. This Monday, October 31st, is our turn to help. To prepare the meal, please arrive by 9:30 am and to serve and clean up, arrive by 11:00 am. Holy Name is located at 521 Woodland Street, 37206. Please contact Monk Baird at 269-9519 to volunteer or for any questions.

2012 Pledge Cards MailedBy now you should have received your 2012 pledge campaign mailing.

Should you have any questions, please call the church office at 352-6210.

2011 Pumpkin Festival and Chili Cook-Off