www.foresthillsumc.org

Jim's Place
I write this article on the heels of our Missions Council meeting.  I’m struck by the various ministries we support in our congregation.  They are many and varied and there are a lot of very committed people dedicated to helping those ministries happen.   Here is a sampling:
1) Our support for a missionary in Kazakhstan, Victoria Bowman
2) Our UMW support for The Bethlehem Center
3) Collection of about 100 bears for the children of 61st Ave. UMC
4) Hearing from Meeli Tankler about the work of the UMC in Estonia
5) Support for Project Cure, where hundreds of emergency kits have been sent to Haiti
6) Sending persons to help with Community Care Fellowship where the hungry are fed
7) Winding up another season of Room In The Inn where the homeless are welcomed
8) Plans for another Habitat For Humanity House in September

Those are just some of the ministries that we are working on right now.  At various other times of the year, there are many others. Read more >>

Room in the Inn Recognition
This Sunday, April 25, churches across Nashville will recognize all of the volunteers who have made Room in the Inn possible.  Our church is one of the 170 congregations who have provided hospitality as well as overnight shelter and nourishing meals to the homeless on the coldest nights of the year.  Under the leadership of Juanita Green our church became involved when only 6 churches were participating.  The Room in the Inn organization furnished comments made by our guests about Forest Hills: "The hospitality is good.  They make sure that we have everything we need.  They always have open arms for us and the food is good too!  I wish I could go there every time." Thanks so much to each of you who have helped share God’s love with those less fortunate.

Rev. Nancy Neelley to Speak at Forest Hills
Join us on Sunday, May 2, to hear Rev. Nancy Neelley.  She is a deacon in the Tennessee Annual Conference and works full time at the United Methodist Communications with Rethink Church - a movement to embrace church as a way of life rather than just a place to go.  Through her work at UMCom and as a personal mission, Nancy has traveled to Africa several times and hopes to go back to Zimbabwe this year where she will serve Project Tariro - a clinic for those living with HIV/AIDS.  Nancy worships and serves at 61st Avenue United Methodist Church with Rev. Paul Slentz.  She has a daughter, Marissa, who is twenty and is a social work major at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Nancy is engaged to be married later this summer to Robby Hicks.

Victoria Bowman, Missionary - Luncheon/Fundraiser
Save the Date! May 2 - after 11:00 worship service until about 2 p.m.  The Missions Committee will be hosting a church-wide luncheon/fundraiser for Victoria Bowman - our FHUMC missionary to Kazakhstan.  Please come and learn more about God's call to the mission field and exactly what that means.  A light lunch will be served and stations will be set up so all ages may have a peek into what a day in Kazakhstan would be.  Special children's games and activities are being planned.

Meet Our Confirmands and Mentors
Meet David Ferguson and John Dickson
This week, get to know David and John a little bit more. Please continue in your prayers and support of these confirmands and their mentors as they grow together in faith.

Meet David Ferguson
David and his family have been members of Forest Hills for about three years. David likes it very much here at Forest Hills and is a member of the youth group. David’s family lives in the Brentwood area and includes his mother Tina, his father, Gary and his sister Blair. David is 13, in the 7th grade and attends Brentwood Middle school. Blair, 16, attends Brentwood High School. When questioned about his favorite studies, David admitted to a love for Science and Geography. Wow!! He really likes learning about the land and the unique places he encounters in his studies. The Ferguson family also provides a home for two dogs, Rudy and Nick, two horses Shiloh and Shorty, and a Leopard Gecko who is named “Little Dude”. David says that when he first got Little Dude that is what he called him and the name just stuck. David loves to spend time playing tag, chasing and being chased by the Rudy and Nick. Baseball season is underway and David plays second base and pitches for the “Tennessee Dores” (Coaches all went to Vandy.) David looks forward to the season getting underway as practice has just started for this season. David also plays football but more about that in future episodes.

Meet John Dickson
David’s mentor, John Dickson also lives in the Brentwood area and has been a member of Forest Hills since 1986. John has one son, Grant, an attorney in Washington, D.C. and a daughter, Marty, who is a nanny.  John has served on several committees, and chaired the Administrative Board and also served as Lay Leader for several years. He currently serves as one of two Lay Members of the Annual Conference from FHUMC along with Jo Doris Anderson. Also, he teaches the Good News Sunday School Class, and serves on the Outreach and Lay Leadership Committees. John likes to play golf and is slowly working on two books, one for over ten years with one of his work friends, Charlie. John, a registered engineer, co-founded his company Dickson/Pearson Associates in 1984 with partner Rick Pearson as a sales and marketing agency for the Water and Wastewater treatment market working with engineers, contractors and utilities to help them develop and maintain their infrastructure in those arenas. He recently sold his interest to his partner and is in the start-up phase of a new venture, yet to be named, but working in the same industry as previous. John is amazed and impressed with David’s insight and understanding of the Bible and his keen insights into every day living of his faith. David exhibits the ability to lead and shows his faith in a quiet yet most knowledgeable fashion. Not seeking to lead, he steps up to the plate when asked, an admirable quality. David and John find the faith building journey they share to be both fun and rewarding.

Recognition for Amity Marsh
Last Sunday, Amity, our church organist and pianist, was surprised and honored for her devotion and commitment to the success of our music ministry.  Recognition was presented by co-lay leader C. Don Ladd on behalf of Staff-Parrish Committee and the entire congregation.

Trevecca Madrigalians this Sunday
Make your plans to be here at one of the worship services this Sunday.  The Trevecca Madrigalians will be performing for us at both worship services led by Timothy Cierpke.

New Start with Weight Watchers
The Forest Hills Weight Watchers group have now lost over 4,000 pounds.  The group meets at FHUMC at 5:30 every Monday.  Call Patty Faught at 497-3635 or Trish or CB Waldo at 377-6067.  The next 10-week session starts Monday, April 26.  The door is always open for you to join on any Monday evening.

Prayer Shawl Ministry - Friday, April 23
This Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until noon, we will meet in the church Library.  If you like to knit or crochet, please join us to work on our prayer shawls for this meaningful ministry.  If you have any questions, please call Becky Jensen at 371-1677.

T-Group Mystery Day Planned – Sunday, April 25
This Sunday, the T-Group will be boarding our vans right after church, and heading to our fun-filled day,including lunch and a great time together. 

The Pastor's Class -- New Study 
The Pastor's Class has started on a new book written by C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity."  If you are not participating in a Sunday School class, you are invited to join this class that meets on the Veranda at 9:45 a.m.

Blood Drive at Forest Hills- Cancelled
The Blood Drive that was schedules for May 16 has been cancelled.  Another time will be scheduled for another date.  Sorry for any inconvenience.  

Spring Work Day -- this Saturday 8-12
The Trustees Committee has planned a Spring Work Day on Saturday, April 24.  We will be cleaning at the church.  We need volunteers to join the "cleaning party."  Bring your work gloves and wear your work clothes.  We will be cleaning out closets and classrooms, removing small shrubs from drainage areas, and just general cleaning inside and outside the church.  Help us make Forest Hills UMC a wonderful place to worship.

Attention Committee Chairs!
We need a copy of your monthly meeting "Minutes" to record in the church office.  Please be sure to send a copy of your minutes to Linda.  Thanks.  
 
CarFit - A Program for Senion Citizens
There is a program that offers older adults the opportunity to check how their personal cars "fit" them. This program was developed through collaboration among the Amrican Society on Aging, AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association.  Trained Occupational Therapy Assistant students and their instructors will take older drivers through a 12-point checklist with their vehicle, recommend car adjustments and adaptations and offer community specific resources and activities that could make their cars "fit" better or enhance their safety. Come to the Fifty Forward Martin Center, 960 Heritage Way, Brentwood, on this Friday, April 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  If you have any questions, contact Donna Whitehouse at 353-3382 or Sherry Coss at 376-0102.

Vacation Bible School- June 21-25
It is time to register for VBS.  Register today at:  www.foresthillsumc.org.  If you are interested in helping with VBS, you can also register here as well or contact Joanna Cummings at 373-3131, ext. 208.

 

Music & Arts Camp - June 7-11
Arkeology, Remembering God's Plan and Promise -- This camp is for all completed 1st graders through completed 6th graders. Register online now at www.foresthillsumc.org, or complete a registration form in the church office.  For more information, contact Bob McLeary, Director of Music at 373-3131.

T.O.W.N. at 5:15 p.m.
Meal:  Spaghetti & Salad, dessert, and drink

Lost & Found
We have approximately a dozen of eye glasses, some are prescriptions, that have been left at the church during the past year.  If you have lost a pair, come and check our Lost & Found box to see if perhaps one of these pairs are yours.  We will be donating these glasses to a civic organization.  So, if you think you have lost a pair here at the church, please come by soon to check our box.

Easter Breakfast Proceeds!
The Easter breakfast proceeds of $167 have been donated to the FHUMC Benevolence Fund.  Thank you to all the Christian Forum members who prepared and served this meal on a very busy Easter morning.  "HE IS RISEN!"

Facts & Figures
8:30 Worship - 65
11:00 Worship - 132
Sunday School - 166

YTD Received:  170,227.75
YTD Budgeted:  178,160.00
Difference:    (7,932.00)

Memorials 4/11/10
Given for:  Logan Bostian (Youth) by Janet Baggett
Given for:  Logan Bostian by Tom & Janet Staley
Given for:  Dorothy Hughes by Tom & Janet Staley

Memorials 4/18/10
Given for:  Ole Mae Lewis by Diane & Myers Jones
Given for:  Logan Bostian (Victoria Bowman) by Bob & Bonita Cox
Given for:  Charles Badgett (Youth) by Mary Lou Farinaro
Given for:  Clyde Francis (MPRRSEF) by Jo & Bob Anderson

Calendar for this Week
- Wed., Apr. 21 - 9:00 a.m. Christian Believer
- Wed., Apr. 21 - 12:00 Project C.U.R.E.
- Wed., Apr. 21 - 5:15 p.m. T.O.W.N.
- Wed., Apr. 21 - 6:00 p.m. Youth Choir
- Wed., Apr. 21 - 6:00 p.m. Youth Activities
- Wed., Apr. 21 - 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

- Thurs.,Apr.22 - 10:00 a.m Helping Hands Ministry (Petie Heard Hall)
- Thurs.,Apr.22 - 6:00 p.m. Wesley Bells
- Thurs.,Apr.22 - 6:00 p.m. Jazzercise (Gym)

- Fri., Apr. 23 - 10:00 a.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry

- Sat., Apr. 24 - 8:00 a.m. Spring Work Day
- Sat., Apr. 24 - 8:15 a.m. Jazzercise (Gym)
- Sat., Apr. 24 - 9:00 a.m. Confirmation Day of Service

- Sun., Apr. 25 - Room in the Inn Recognition
- Sun., Apr. 25 - Trevecca Madrigalians both services
- sun., Apr. 25 - T-Group Mystery Trip

- Mon., Apr. 26 - 5:30 p.m. Weight Watcher (Good News)
- Mon., Apr. 26 - 6:00 p.m. Jazzercise (Gym)
- Mon., Apr. 26 - 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts (Youth Area)

- Tues.,Apr. 27 - 7:00 p.m. Church Council