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| 451 Hogan Road, Nashville TN 37220 phone: 615-832-2897 website: www.crievewoodumc.org |
 Sunday, August 8th During worship we will haveBible Presentation to our three rising third graders! And in the same servicethere will be Blessing of the Backpacks. Please bring your backpack or briefcase and receive a blessing for the upcoming school year. We particularly encourage our students and teachers to participate! Following worship, we will have fun kids’ activities. Come to worship in picnic clothes. Then stay for our Back to School Bash at 11:00 a.m. And following worship, stay for a Church-wide Lunch. We will dine inside, outside, or both, depending on weather. Contact Leigh Ann Cate with questions.Pastor’s Pen COVID cases are sadly on the rise again nationwide and in our area. The CDC released new guidance last week to state that all people – vaccinated and unvaccinated – should wear masks indoors in areas where COVID transmission is substantial or high. Unfortunately, the transmission rate in Nashville is currently in that high category. Our COVID Task Force, who has done good and thoughtful work throughout the pandemic, met on Sunday afternoon to discuss these recent developments and what they mean for Crievewood. As always, our discussion was guided by the most updated science and data as well as a deep concern for the holistic health and wellbeing of our congregation and community. The COVID Task Force is reinstating a masking requirement – regardless of vaccine status – within Crievewood’s building. Like most if not all of you, I wish we weren’t in this place, but it is our present reality. I dislike wearing a mask. At the same time, I also think that enduring the inconvenience and discomfort of a mask is worth it to keep others and myself safe and healthy. It’s a tangible way to embody Christ’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. Exceptions to the masking requirement are for children ages 2 and under, for people with medical exemptions that indicate they should not wear masks, and for people who are seated to eat (similar to how it has been at times in restaurants). We are also maintaining our social distancing requirements and room capacities. It felt like we had turned a corner with the pandemic and were heading for brighter days. Now, things have taken a turn for the worse. Two steps forward; one step back. I know this can all be frustrating, disappointing, confusing, and exhausting. I feel it. It’s hard to know the best course of action to take – individually and especially communally. We plan to continue to offer worship in-person in the sanctuary at 9:30 am and online on Facebook Live so that people can participate based on their different comfort levels and preferences. I long for the day when we can all be physically together again in one place, but we are not there yet. For those interested in the science, this new surge is being driven by the Delta variant of the coronavirus. This mutation is both more dangerous and more contagious than the original version of the virus. Those who have received the vaccine are still well protected against serious illness, but breakthrough cases are happening, often resulting in the person being highly contagious while only having mild or even no symptoms. This phenomenon of being highly contagious with little or no symptoms carries the risk of easily passing the disease on to others, which is the main driver for the call to wear masks. If you have any questions, please reach out to me. Immunization remains our best defense against the disease, so I urge you to get vaccinated if you are eligible and have not yet received the vaccine. Masking and social distancing along with handwashing are also important tools as we try to keep everyone healthy and make progress toward life getting back to normal. Grace and peace, John Hill  9:30 am – CUMC Worship in person in the sanctuary and online Access the online service at https://www.facebook.com/CrievewoodUMC/  Starting August 15Kids’ Worship for ages 3 years through 2nd grade will resume weekly. Sign-ins will happen upon entering the narthex (9:20 or after), and kids’ worship leaders will return to sanctuary and help children find their big people at 10:20 so families can end the worship service together. We will continue our tradition of worshiping as families and participating in communion together on the first Sunday of every month. Our kids’ team is excited to get back in a routine with our Crievewood Kids! And if you are interested in joining our Crievewood Kids’ Team as a volunteer, please contact Leigh Ann for ideas on ways to be involved!More Activities Tuesday Bible Study Tuesday Bible Study continues to meet weekly in person at 9:30 in the morning in the Builders classroom. The group is discussing the book The Wesleyan Wayby Scott J. Jones. Class materials are available for anyone who would like to join the study. Farmers’ MarketThe farmers’ market energetically assembles each Thursday at 4:30 pm in the Crievewood upper parking lot throughout the summer. The market offers fresh produce, meats, hand made crafts, delicious snacks, and baked goods, all from local vendors, as well as fun, fellowship, and song. Come check it out! South End UMC Food Program South End UMC food program continues on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Volunteers are needed to unload and organize the food in the Fellowship Hall at South End UMC. All you have to do is show up at about 9:45 a.m., and someone from South End UMC will guide you on what to do.  Aug. 4 – Louie ZeiAug. 5 – Ellie Buffler, Blake Edwards, Tracey Lee, Luke Lindholm, Nina Tucker Aug. 9 – David Roos Aug. 11 – Mary Curry Aug. 12 – Kevin Cortner and Sharon Little Aug. 15 – Samuel Hayes and Anne Ratcliffe Aug.16 – Joyce Swinney Aug. 17 – Keith Head If you have a birthday between August 4 and August 17 and it does not appear in the list above, then it is not in our database. We would like to celebrate with you. If your birthday does not appear, please notify the church office at 615-832-2897.More Notes Charge Conference: Crievewood’s 2021 Charge Conference has been scheduled for Sunday, October 10, 2021, right after the worship service. Nominations for the New Tennessee-Western Kentucky Annual Conference: As plans continue to move forward for the creation of a new annual conference that unites the current Tennessee and Memphis Conferences, our bishop is looking for people to be nominated to serve on the various boards, agencies, and committees that will be part of the new annual conference. To learn more, you can visit the new conference’s Nominations website . If you have questions or might like to be nominated, please reach out to Rev. John Hill. Creation Justice Tips: The August United Methodist Creation Justice Tips can be accessed at the following link: https://mailchi.mp/b7610d5e22ab/10-quick-tips-for-bulletin-newsletter-and-more-to-help-people-in-the-pews-take-action-and-protect-gods-creation-10387504?e=2a35636864Still looking for more information? Below are links that may help. UM NewsCUMC COVID PolicyCUMC Online GivingLink to the Prayer ListLive Stream Worship Sundays @ 9:30 a.m. Most gracious God, thank you for all the gifts you have bestowed on Crievewood United Methodist Church over the generations. By your Holy Spirit, grant us the grace that welcomes all of your children. Make us a community that reflects the full diversity of Christ’s body. Help us grow to love one another as You love us. Empower us to reveal Christ through worship and service. In your holy name we pray. Amen. |