agape kids classic more than just a fundriaser · agape kids classic more than just a fundriaser...
TRANSCRIPT
IN THIS ISSUE:
“Randy The Delivery Guy”
From the Desk of
Chandler Means
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A Different Kind
of Service...
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AGAPE Welcomes
Two New Staff Members
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Memorial and
Living Honor Gifts
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S p r i n g 2 0 1 4
S e r v i n g F a m i l i e s T h r o u g h t h e S e a s o n s o f L i f e
AGAPE KIDS CLASSIC MORE THAN JUST A FUNDRIASER
Since 2001, the AGAPE Kids Classic golf tournament has raised more than two million dollars for
children and families served by AGAPE.
In lieu of an entry fee, each player is asked to raise $1,000. Some golfers have raised $50,000 just by
writing letters to family and friends. According to Butch Stinson, an adoptive parent who has played in
every Kids Classic, “We were the first charity golf tournament in this area that was not ‘pay to play’.” This
concept is one of the things that has contributed to the tournament’s success.
The 14th Annual AGAPE Kids Classic will be held on Monday,
May 19, at Richland Country Club. Our goal this year is to
raise $200,000 which will help provide programs and services
for the children and families we serve.
We are thrilled to announce the grand prize for the top
fundraiser over $25,000, is a three day/three night golf trip to Pebble Beach Resorts in Pebble
Beach, California.
While the AGAPE Kids Classic is a fundraiser, for many of the players it has become much more.
It is an opportunity to celebrate the ministry of AGAPE. Many of the players participate because
their lives are touched by adoption or foster care.
If you are interested in learning more about the 14th Annual AGAPE Kids Classic,
contact Clint Brumit at 615-781-3000 or [email protected].
“Some golfers have raised$50,000 just by writing letters
to family and friends.”
published quarterly byAGAPE, Inc.
4555 Trousdale DriveNashville, TN 37204
615-781-3000fax 615-781-8262
Chandler MeansExecutive Director
Kyle FrederickDirector of Development
Terry A. CaseyDirector of Clinical [email protected]
Judy A. RisterDirector of Social [email protected]
Traci BartonBusiness Director
Check us outon the web at
www.agapenashville.org
THE AGAPEMISSIONTo serve the needs of
families, children and adults
in Middle Tennessee with
an unconditional agape love
through Professional Counseling
and Psychological Services,
Adoption Services,
Crisis Foster Care and
Maternity Counseling.
AinAGAPE CTION
AGAPE IN ACTION
FROM THE BOARDROOM
I was talking with a delivery man this week on his stop by our main
office. As he unloaded our supplies, he noticed our shelves of children’s
clothes, toys, diapers, wipes and formula, so graciously donated to
AGAPE through the years. Randy (that’s what we’ll call him) asked, “Y’all
must do a lot of work with children?” I responded that we did and gave him my 30 second elevator
speech about AGAPE, at which point Randy began to tell me about his life. “Yeah, well you know I
was pretty much raised by the State.” He describe his experiences as a foster kid with the State,
then going into a group home, and eventually being sent to Juvenile Justice and the State Peniten-
tiary. But at thirty-one, Randy finally began to get his life on the right path “living clean and sober.”
I asked him what changed at thirty-one. “Some people took me in,” he said smiling. “Somebody
loved you?” I asked. “Yeah, and that changed me.” I explained to Randy that AGAPE isn’t just foster
care, or adoption or counseling. It’s an agency where love works in the lives of people we serve,
because those who provide these services know the power of being loved unconditionally, because
we have experienced it in the one and only Savior. Sadly, Randy had not experienced that kind of
love in the “system.” We didn’t get to discuss many more details about Randy’s life, although I feel
certain he would have eagerly shared them with me. In our brief conversation, I learned that Randy
has a son, he’s been out of jail six years, and he goes to church somewhere. Our visit was cut short
by both our obligations; there were more deliveries for Randy and I received a phone call. Hope
our paths cross again soon. I think I can learn a lot from Randy.
Thank you for partnering with AGAPE in demonstrating the unconditional love of the Savior
to thousands of “Randys” through the years. I don’t know the person, family or church that came
into Randy’s life but my guess is they were very familiar with Matthew 25:40; “I tell you the truth,
whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
RANDY THE DELIVERY GUY
FROM THE DESK OF
CHANDLER MEANS
Greg Hardeman was recently honoredfor 24 years ofdistinguished and extraordinaryleadership, serving8 terms as an AGAPE Board Director.
We are pleased to announce Damon Cathey as the newest member of the AGAPE Board of Directors. Mr. Cathey is a Metro Nashville Public Schools principal and shepherd at Woodmont Hills Church of Christ where he attends with his family. He and his wife
Paulette are adoptive parents and have three children: R. Joshua Caleb, Autumn Carol and Halle Faith Canary.
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AGAPE IN ACTION
If you walk into the administrative offices of AGAPE, you will see what you might expect to see in many offices, papers flowing from desk to desk, voices raised and lowered as phones ring and clients want reception and service. Upon casual inspection, this could justas easily be a support crew for a manufacturing business, insuranceoffice, or accounting firm. Yes, from a distance paper is paper, money is green, and phones just need to be answered and forwarded. But, there is more to the daily grind of the office tasks performed in admin at AGAPE than meets the computer-blurry eye. The paper that flows from desk to desk is more than numbers and names to be reconciled and filed away; it represents the passion and purpose of a noble cause. Supporting our social workers and counsel-ing staff, our talented and giving administrative crew plays a part in every life touched by the work of AGAPE. Jean knows a donation from a widow is more than a dollar amount written by a trusting hand; it is fee that will help another widow receive counseling in her time of grief. Mary Ann patiently answers questions from a young mother who is not sure why she called because she really wants to keep her baby. Mary Ann is patient because she knows of a hopeful young couple desperately
Scream Free Parenting ClassWednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30pm in spring and fall, 2014 Woodmont Hills Church of Christ – Room 215WFranklin Pike, Nashville
Cost for series: $100 – individual, $115 – coupleContact Lezlie Owsley to register: [email protected]
awaiting news of the baby God has planned for them to complete their sweet family. Carla and Megan know the insurance claims process is only worth the painstaking and tedious effort because of the healingit affords many who could not seek counseling services otherwise. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 says, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working but in all of
them and in everyone it is the same Godat work.” AGAPE is so fortunate to have sucha capable and hard working office team thatuses its gifts to serve. It is just what theydo every day. In the messy business of touching lives, ouroffice staff is the front line for many who reach out in search of support and healing. Their greeting is the first contact, the beginning of a
journey. Heavy hearts follow this team home at times. It is not always an easy job. Many of the stories are hard to hear and lives can’t be repaired in the time it takes to get to the bottom of the in-basket. Our new AGAPE theme says that “LOVE WORKS.” It certainly works from 7:30 to 4:30 behind the desks in our front office. Thank you, Jean, Carla, Megan, and Mary Ann. You are such a blessing!
“...our talented and givingadministrative crew
plays a part in every lifetouched by the work
of AGAPE.”
A “DIFFERENT KIND OF SERVICE…”A GLIMPSE INTO THE
ADMINISTRATIVE HEART OF AGAPE by Traci Barton
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AGAPE welcomes Stephanie Chadwell, MSSW to the Social Services Staff. She began her work as a Foster Care Case Manager last December. While she is in training, she is preparing to provide services for children and families who may be referred for foster care through our sub-contract with Omni Visions. Stephanie is a graduate of Lipscomb Univer-sity and obtained her Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. Stephanie’s social work experience includes curriculum development for the suicide
awareness grant with Tennessee Lives Count; Therapist and Case Manager for Centerstone; and Resident Case Manager for Oasis Center Emergency Shelter. Stephanie completed internships with Imagine College/Gear Up at W. A. Bass Middle School, Lakeshore Wedgewood, and Youth Encourage-ment Services. Stephanie attends Granny White Church of Christ and is active in the Single Professionals group. Her parents, Steve and Norma Chadwell, serve in the eldership at Rural Hill Church of Christ. Stephanie brings dedication and compassion for children and families to her service with AGAPE. She has a history of service to others through Circle K International, Pi Beta Sigma, and through mission trips in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. She works with the youth group at Granny White and taught English to His-panic adults. AGAPE is fortunate to have Stephanie on our team and looks forward to seeing the good she will offer to hurting children and parents.
SOCIAL SERVICES AND COUNSELING CORNER
AGAPE WELCOMES TWONEW STAFF MEMBERS
New Case Manager to focus onnew contract with Omni-Visions
New Counselor Serves the Deaf andHard-of-Hearing Population
Eleven years ago, God called Angela Scruggs to serve fifteen months as a missionary working with the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in the Greater Nash-ville area. She has travelled the world working with both hearing and deaf people in 11 countries spanning 5 continents. Angela joined our counseling team last November to extend our mission of unconditional love to the deaf and
hard-of-hearing population. Ms. Scruggs holds a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling (MAMFC) and is a Nationally Certi-fied American Sign Language Interpreter (NIC). This new addition now allows for the deaf and hard-of-hearing to have equal access to counseling services through direct communication. Angela is pursuing licensure as a Professional Counselor with a Mental Health Service Provider designation (LPC/MHSP). She is currently in her Ph.D. Senior Residency in Psychology and Counsel-ing at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS), where she also received her master’s degree in 2010. She enjoys working with people of all ages who have a wide range of clinical problems (children, adolescents, teens, young adults, singles, pre-marital, couples, and families) while also specializing in working with the deaf population.
The Second Time AroundChris and Tisha completed theirsecond adoption through AGAPE in December 2013. Their first adop-tion of their daughter Kylie took place in 2009. Kylie, now 5, loves being big sister to Caden. Chris and Tisha have been great advocates of adoption and have served on our adoption panel numerous times. Thank you Chris and Tisha forallowing us to celebrate with you!
Our latest little“Bundle of Joy”causing quite a buzz.
L-R Adoption counselors, Lovette Gaston and Alisa Pearson; foster mom,Jennifer Nicholson; Case manager, Stephanie Chadwell.
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MEMORIAL AND LIVING HONOR GIFTS(NOVEMBER 18, 2013 – JANUARY 13, 2014)
MEMORIALSHONOREEDonor
DAVID LYNN ALEXANDERMs. Etta WilliamsMR. AND MRS. HARRY ALEXANDERMrs. Joan CollinsKERRY ANDERSONMr. and Mrs. Mike CanterburyMR. AND MRS. W. C. ARNOLDMr. and Mrs. Michael JonesCOPELAND BAKERMr. and Mrs. Gary BakerCHARLIE AND EDITH BILBREYGary and Charlene GrovesJUANITA T. BOYCEWilliam and Helen TottySHIRLEY BREECEDeborah and Bobby ErvinBARRY BREWERBob and Janet EllisMILTON AND WANDA BROWNMrs. Ginger HardisonWILLIAM A. BRUMIT, SR.Mr. and Mrs. Richard FarmerALLEN BUZANDon and Betsye LedfordJACK CASHIONDot and Newsom ReasonoverMACK AND CLARA CHOATEGladys and J. B. WestVIRGINIA “EVELYN” CLARKJackie and Norma AldridgeKEVIN COLEDon and Betsye LedfordJOHN AND SARAH COBBAnonymousLINDA COZINEMichael CozineJIM CRAIGDr. David CraigMIKE DAVISDoug and Evelyn CouchTHOMAS LYNDELL DAVISJackie and Norma AldridgeJIM DECKERJoe and Cornelia BainMRS. PEGGY DILLIONMr. and Mrs. Michael JonesEVERETT DODSONMrs. Julou E. DodsonPAMELA BILLS DUKEDon and Betsye Ledford
BOB DUNBARMr. and Mrs. Leland GlasscockMRS. BLANCHE KEITH DYCUSGary and Carolyn GillGERRY EZELLDr. and Mrs. Joshua O. YoungNATHAN FARRARMr. and Mrs. Jerry StubblefieldCONNOR FINNEYW. MurrayDR. DEAN FREETLYHutch and JonLOUISE GARNERMr. and Mrs. Rod BoehmJACK GAW, SR.Mrs. Nancy GawALINE GEORGEDon and Betsye LedfordEVELYN GILLIAMBob and Lovada BurklowMARTHA GOWERJoe and Cornelia BainBIRTIE GRIMESMr. and Mrs. Rick GrimesRODNEY GROCEVern and Faye TimbermanJIMMY HARDISONDon and Betsye LedfordRICHARD HARDYMrs. Barbara Ann WrightBARBARA GRAHAM HARLINMr. and Mrs. Van MontagueLARRY HARVILLRosemary FoxDonna SmithJARRETT KYLE HENDERSONAnn L. HendersonMRS. W. T. (LOIS) HICKMANMr. and Mrs. Bobby ErvinJOHN HUBBARDBob and Janet EllisKATHRYN HYNEJerry and Sandra CollinsMr. and Mrs. Timothy WebbELIJAH JORDANMr. and Mrs. David BoydHOWARD AND ZONA JUSTISSBill and Susan LassiterJudith RoneyCHRIS KEENMrs. Vickie KeenJACK KENYDon and Betsye LedfordBOBBIE LILESDoug and Evelyn CouchBOBBY LOGGINSWilson Hill Church of Christ
CHARLES LYNDAL MILLERJackie and Norma AldridgeHORTENSE H. MONTOYEMrs. Patsy WeatherfordFLORENCE NELMSDon and Betsye LedfordSCOTT AND CHUCK PARRISHMrs. Margaret ParrishROY PETTYDon and Betsye LedfordROLAND PINKSTONMr. and Mrs. Garth PinkstonBOYCE PITTMANMrs. Sharon PowellWILLIAM ALVIS PRESTON, JR.Jackie and Norma AldridgeMRS. FANNYE PRITCHARDStephen and Mary CarawayGENEVA AND BYRL ROBERTSDon and Betsye LedfordNANE ROBERTSDoug RobertsHAROLD NELSON RONEYJudith RoneyNELLIE GOLDEN ROSEJudith RoneyJILENE ROSE SMITHJudith RoneyRONNIE SNELLGROVELinda and Milton SlausonMRS. JANICE SWEENEYMr. and Mrs. Sid SmithMARGARET MOSS TARPLEYDon and Betsye LedfordANNA ELIZABETH WALKERSam and Brenda EzellSARAH THOMAS WALLSJackie and Norma AldridgeSHERRY G. WARDENGary and Carolyne GillADA MAE WEBBMr. and Mrs. Larry HastingsANN WILEEMrs. Virginia MitchemDEWMONT HOUSTON WILLIAMSJackie and Norma AldridgeDON BRUCE WINTERSJerry and Loretta WintersMYRTLE QUALLS WOLFEDr. David Darrah
LIVING HONOR GIFTSJIM AND ANNE BOWLESBob and Erin BowlesREBECCA, NAOMI AND NOAH BROWNMr. and Mrs. Roger Anderson
CHRIS BURTONDon and Betsye LedfordTOM BURTONBill and Susan LassiterTOM AND CHRIS BURTONJamie and Lauren BurtonChandler and Sheri MeansFORREST AND VALERIE BUSLERElynor G. BuslerRANDY AND NANCY CORNWELLMr. Kelly G. HoggLILLIANNE COVERTThe Daniel Green FamilyDIANA CRAWFORDMr. and Mrs. Aaron B. HerrenBOB AND JANET ELLISMargie TaylorBRIAN FANNMiss Aliene FannDON AND BETSYE LEDFORD, LEE, RACHEL,MASON AND MAGGIERachel CarawanWILLIAM F. LEE, JR.Ms. Anne LeeKEN MALONEBenjamin Bohannon and Team at MTEMCED MATLOCKRonald HearnMR. AND MRS. CLIFTON McPHERSON, JR.Jean Walker and MaleyBETTYE MOSSACKRob MossackOUR CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN ANDGREAT GRANDCHILDRENMr. and Mrs. Donald BurkeOUR CHILDREN’S TEACHERS AT LIPSCOMB ACADEMY AND BRENTWOOD HILLS CHURCH OF CHRISTDr. and Mrs. Perry MooreMARY LOUISE PUGHGrant and Jan DillardBILLY AND RUTH RINGOLDLeonard and Betty BrownJUDITH RONEYJerry and Brenda StubblefieldKEN RUCKERThomason, Hendrix, Harvey, Johnson & Mitchell, PLLCRYAN, BROOKE, LAURYN, SYDNEY AND STEWART SEMANCHIKMr. and Mrs. Bobby Singleton
50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARYTIPTON AND JOYCE CURDBobby and Alice Green
60th WEDDING ANNIVERSARYCURTIS AND PAT VANDIVERDon and Betsye Ledford
PLEASE REMEMBER AGAPE IN YOUR
DONATETO AGAPEONLINE
www.agapenashville.org
DONATE YOURUSED CAR OR TRUCK
TO AGAPE
Contact Ken Neil@ 615-376-8020For more information:
WILL ORESTATE PLAN.
4555 Trousdale DriveNashville, TN 37204-4513
615-781-3000
www.agapenashville.org
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