The "Write" Rev

Do you remember those pokers and prodders I talked about last time? One has been sharing stuff to read every since I came to Clark. She recently gave me a chapter from Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It by Charlamagne tha God. The only Charlemagne I had heard of was a European King during the middle ages. Charlamange Tha God is a New York media personality who does talk radio and lots of stuff. Charlamagne’s idea of Black Privilege, however, is right on target. He argues that the only obstacle to Black progress stares back at us in the mirror every day. Black life is about the privilege of being all God created us to be and all we can be despite the challenges. He’s not some starry-eyed idealist. He came up the rough side of the mountain, but ran into people who helped him learn to be the best person he can be, and to help others be their best selves. Charlamagne speaks the language of hip hop and uses adjectives that might make you uncomfortable, as well as some of his frames of reference. But when all is said and done, the truth shines through.

Peace!

Pastor Herbert

This Issue Paula Holmes...p.1Katherine Chavis...p.1

The "Write" Reverend...p.1 From the Editor... p.2Clark Spotlight ... p.2

Prayer List...p.3COMMUNITY NEWS...p.3B'days SEPTEMBER...p.3

Lectionary/Bible Trivia...p.3September Calendar...p.4

Announcements...p.4Rehearsal Schedule...p.4

In Sympathy... p.4Support Staff...p.4

Happy

Phone: 615-329-4464Fax: 615-321-0975Email:clarkmemunited@gmail.comweb: www.ClarkUMCNashville.org

Clark Memorial Worship Schedule

Many thanks to those who actively participated in the survey that following the temporary summer worship schedule . Following careful consideration to the comments and concerns of those participants and other results of the survey, SPRC and Worship concluded with the following Sunday schedule:

8:30am ... Breakfast8:45-9:45am...Sunday School

10am...Sunday worship12 noon...Fellowship Meal

While the schedule is a little different, we trust that members and f r i ends wi l l t ake the opportunity to participate in the worship services as we "do a new thing," here at Clark Memorial!

Katherine ChavisClark says "goodbye" to long

t i m e d e d i c a t e d m e m b e r , Katherine Chavis. Her beautiful smile and pleasantly sweet demeanor, will certainly be missed. However, it is always a pleasure to see the Chavis children, Kaye, Lynee and Jaye, who a l l exh ib i t the same kindnesses.

As Mrs. Chavis has gone "from labor to refreshment," a

frequent statement made by Pastor Lester, we thank God for her earthly presence and know that heaven has received a special and unique flower to add in its great garden.

THE CONNECTIONTHE CONNECTION

Volume 15Issue #9SEPTEMBER 2017

A community sharing God's love through learning, worship, witness and service

Welcome . . .Paula Holmes, Music Director

Clark's little music corner has a new addition to lead the music ministry. We look forward to great music and fellowship with Ms. Paula Holmes. She comes to Clark with an extensive repertoire in music.

We invite you to read more on the Clark Memorial website and/or upcoming article in the Nashville PRIDE Newspaper. www.pridepublishinggroup.com.

Homecoming October 28, 29

The Connection~SEPTEMBER 2017 p. 2

The Rev. Betty Lewis retires...

EclipsedThe anticipation of waiting on the long awaited TOTAL

ECLIPSE OF THE SUN made for an interesting day. There were people who travelled for miles to get the best view. There were family gatherings, group gatherings, friendly gatherings and spiritual gatherings…all to await the moon to cover the sun for only one minute and some seconds!

The weeks of preparation finally brought a different kind of anticipation on that particular day.

As the moon inched closer to the sun, specially designed glasses were worn to protect the eyes.

Time NEVER stopped. When the sun was covered by the moon it was almost

immediately uncovered. And, things were “back to normal” again?

Isn’t it amazing how we prepare for weddings, graduations, and many other kind of celebrations--the preparation may take days, weeks, months and even years. Yet, the EVENT is over quickly, instantly, in comparison.

As we learn our purpose for God’s will in our individual lives, we must also recognize when our eclipse comes. There comes a time when something crosses our path that may change our life. It may be subtle and unassuming (what we know as normal), however, a difference may've taken place.

The sun, the moon, the stars and the water all work together to create difference aspects of weather and the formation of natural landmarks on earth. Those solar and earth elements also create certain attitudes in humans and animals. Do you recall that it was only during that quick moment in time when the sun was completely covered by the moon that you were able to look directly at the sun and during that time of the coverage those protective glasses were absolutely useless?

The eclipse of the sun could have possibly created subtle changes in our planet earth and on our planet earth as well as in us.

Things in your life that may have taken years to develop, may be eclipsed and then uncovered in just a matter of less than 90 seconds!

Are you ready for the change? "You Caught Me At the 'Write' Time!" Wanda Clay

Happy ThanksgivingRemember the Harvest is

Plentiful

From the Editor . . .

Pastor Herbert gets surprise Birthday celebration...Wednesday Mid-week Mid-day 1/2 Hour of Power at 12 noon!

A look back...

Voices of Clark Women on Women's DayFront l-r: Sandra Glenn-Burnett (director), Hadley Pride, Theresa Bledsoe, Wanda Clay, Paula Chavis, 2nd row l-r: Geraldine Heath, Delois Dowell, Ta'Kensnia Dowell, Jojuan Pride, Newtonia Coleman, Queen Douglas; back row l-r: Lori McKinney, Evelynn McKinney and Cynthia Kirk

Zoe JonesZoe was chosen from a pool of 900

applicants to participate in the 2017 Governor's School of the Arts. She received a monetary scholarship and 3 college credit hours.

Pictured to the right is a collage of photos from a closing performance, "Einstein's Dreams" where Zoe portrayed several roles, including Einstein.

Zoe is a student of the Nashville School of the Arts and a participant in their Theater Conservatory.

After graduating, she has plans to study acting. She is currently pursuing scholarships at several universities.

E c l i p s e S u n C h i p s & M o o n P i e s . . . Some of Clark members celebrate Thurman McClenton's surprise Birthday at Cane Ridge Event Center

CLARK SPOTLIGHT

2nd Darlene AndersonPhyllis HildrethSharon Pillow

5th Alfreda Brown6th Kimberly Stewart7th Thurman McClenton9th Jean Howard10th Leonard Morton, Sr.

Andre C. LeeMichelle JohnsonThomasenia WilliamsLailah Stewart

11th Hilda Davis-CarrollCheryl WatkinsMelvin Rice, III

12th Martha Rucker13th Jordan D. Chavis, III

LaTonya Rogers14th Billie J. Westmoreland15th Calvin Atchison, Sr.

Jessica Gray16th Travis Lloyd

Quantin Wade18th Loretta Lang Mason

Tishanna Poulson19th Ethel Tropez

Robert N. Wallace22nd Ruth Gadsden23rd Richard Stewart

Hadley Pride24th Jessie Smith

Mary GandyJulia Johnson

25th LaVera Thompson29th Ebony Harris

Darlene AndersonGrace Brady

James and Birdie BrownThelma ClantonWilliam Douglas Lena Pearl Farrell

Ruth GadsdenSandra Hayden

Michele LeeLeonard MortonLee PenningtonErnestine Potts

David PruittEdward SadlerC. Pat Sharpe

Dorinda SheffieldSorena Street

Willliam ThompsonWilla Taylor

TheConnection.Clark@gmail.com

The Connection~SEPTEMBER 2017 p. 3

September 3-Exodus 3:1-15; Matthew 16:13-20; Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b; Romans 12:9-21September 10-Exodus 12:1-4; Matthew 18:15-20; Psalm 149; Romans 13:8-14September 17-Exodus 14:19-31; Matthew 18:21-35; Psalm 114; Romans 14:1-12September 24-Exodus 16:2-15; Matthew 20:1-6; Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Philippians 1:21-30

September Bible Explorer: Complete the verse—“For where two or three are gathered…” Name the verse you found.

August Bible Explorer: What was Joseph’s skill that helped his family to persevere through a famine in their land? (His ability to interpret dreams brought him to Pharaoh’s attention and he provided the organizational plan that carried Egypt through seven years of famine. Genesis 37, 40-41)

PROCRASTINATION...The ultimate dream killer!

Community

Please consult the church office to add names to the prayer list.

See article from Nurture & Membership Care in The Connection--March 2017.

Lectionary Scriptures Pentecost II

Happy Birthday SEPTEMBERCommunity Ministries sponsors fellowship

Clark's Community Ministries is noted for free clothing give aways, an every other year Tea, Mardi Gras, neighborhood BINGO and other community activities.

On October 6th, the pubic is invited to gather for great fun and fellowship, wearing attire from their favorite era.

It is always a good idea to have a balance in life that is suitable for dealing with the everyday woes as well as celebrations of life. We won't be dancing like "David" but we are expecting a lot of fun, including some great entertainment!

Good music, good food and great fellowship... join us for our way of celebrating "Oh happy days!"

Announcements for Sunday bulletin and overhead projector are due prior to 12 noon on Wednesdays!

Deadline for OCTOBER newsletter is SEPTEMBER 15th! Don't see your submission this month? ...read next month.

Submissions must be under 200 words.Connection submissions:

Clark Nursery

Care is available during worship services

Ages 6 weeks - 4 years old

8:45 am Closes 15 minutes after

each worship serviceLocated on the 2nd floor

Non ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PaidNashville,TN

PERMIT#1765

THE CONNECTIONClark Memorial United Methodist Church1014 14th Ave. N.Nashville, TN 37208-3099

2017 SEPTEMBER CALENDAR

4th LABOR DAY (Church office closed)12th Stewardship mtg @ 4:30 pm16th Nurture & Membership Care @ 11am

Health & Wellness @ 6 pm18th Committee on Finance mtg @ 5:30 pm21st Board of Trustees mtg @ 5:30 pm23rd UMM General Mtg @ 10am

Aging Gracefully Workshop 12n-2pm28th Staff Parish Relations 5:30pm-6:30pm

3,10,17,24 Sunday worship @ 9 am5,12,19,26 Prayer Support Group mtg @ 5:00 pm6,13,20,27 Mid day/Mid week Service @ 12 noon

ANNOUNCEMENTS Homecoming Weekend

Heritage Saturday Oct. 28 @ 10am-2pm Homecoming Sunday @ 10am

IN SYMPATHYThe Clark family extends deepest condolences tomembers in the loss of their loved ones... Saxton family, Chavis family, Morton family, Jason Greenfield and family

Choir/Music RehearsalsMale Ensemble Wednesdays @ 6 pmSanctuary Choir Wednesdays @ 7 pmAgape Singers Thursdays @ 6:30 pmHand Bells Saturdays @ 10 amYouth Choir Saturdays @ 11:30 amImani Choir Saturdays @ 1 pm

It's Newsworthy!We want to highlight

Clark's youth, adults,

ministries and businesses.

Submit information to the

editor if someone is having

a dance/music recital,

receives an award of

recognition, a new

position, etc.

Note:

Meet

ing da

tes an

d time

s are

some

times

subje

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Pastoral TeamRev. Dr. Herbert L. Lester, Jr., Senior PastorRev. Dr. Elizabeth Williams, Assoc. PastorRev. Richard Stewart, Pastoral Care

Support TeamGrace Brady, Council ChairMarilyn M. Talbert, Spiritual Formation Coordinator, Staff ParishRebecca Lytle Hall, Lay Leader

"The Connection"Wanda Clay, EditorHelen Houston Carrell HortonVivian Fielder Rosie PhelpsJanice Johnson, Adm. and Pastor's Asst.Edna McDaniel, Church Secretary

SAVE THE DATEHeritage Saturday Oct 28Homecoming Sunday Oct 29

"A New Thing, Everyday, Each Generation-Blessed"