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Hiking at Radnor Lake
- Sunday May 22, a group of active Presbyterians went hiking around the lake at Radnor after worship. Since it was Trinity Sunday which we had learned is about being connected to all living things and that we are never alone in what we do, we found relationships with the trees.
Some of the trees we saw while hiking the lake trail were Ash, Yahoo (shiny oval leaves), PawPaw, Buckeye, Red Maple, Persimmon (bark looks like a checker board), and Locust (bark has very deep vertical ridges). Thank you Mark Provost for being our church horticulturalist and identifying these for us. I, as a “tree hugger”, hugged several trees and thanked them for giving me Oxygen to breathe and for absorbing Carbon Dioxide from cars. (There were a lot of cars there.) We saw a lot of pretty Wildflowers too. One which Mark identified as a Spider-wort I found in Thomas Hemmerly’s Wildflowers book is actually called the Ohio Spiderwort. Its range extents as far south as Florida. Thanks Mark.
Yahoo Tree
PawPaw Tree
Persimmon Tree
Locust Tree
Blue-eyed grass
Ohio Spiderwort
Hairy Reullia
Possibly a Blue-eyed Mary
Dead log with decomposers.
Nancy, Mark and Windell.
We also saw a lot of wildlife: Great Blue Heron, a lizard, Wood Ducks, lots of turtles sunning themselves on logs and a black snake.
Great Blue Heron
Lizard
Black Snake sunning himself.
We also saw lots of family groups out enjoying and sharing nature. It was a great hike. About 2.2 miles.
Join us next month on the 4th Sunday for our next active adventure!
Zero waste: Edible utensils
Here is a recipe for an alternative to using plastic cutlery.
Let’s use these at our next church picnic.
Going Green @Your church by Rachael Shea
This is all about being sustainable and the importance of trees, and listening to the “Lorax” inside of all of us.
Litterati — Helping to take care of God’s creation
Cleaning up our planet one piece of trash at a time. This should be part of any church’s mission. How can a church care for God’s people unless we start by taking care of God’s creation, which is our home. It’s the only one that we have, and we are borrowing it from future generations.
Trash is everywhere. Soda cans, plastic bags, and cigarette butts litter the environment, choke wildlife, and threaten our planet. By combining technology, social awareness and art, the Litterati is tackling this ever-escalating problem one piece of litter at a time.
Let’s see how many photos we can take using Instagram around the Hermitage/Mt. Juliet area, including cigarette butts. After taking the picture and posting it, don’t forget to either recycle it or put it in a landfill trash can.
Post to Litterati on Instagram using #litterati.
Timeline of Presbyterian History
Timeline of Presbyterian History.
Find out about Presbyterian history.
Communion Cups: Glass or Plastic
Glass or plastic that is the question. Glass cups can be used over and over, endless amounts of times. Cleaning them is not hard. You simply wash them in hot soapy water and then boil them in a pot of boiling water for 15 minutes. Drain, and let cool and air dry. The church has a communion glass washing device that allows you to wash a whole tray full at a time.
Plastic communion cups are only used once. They are a petroleum based product which is bad for the health of God’s Earth. It also takes a lot of water to recycle plastic. We must always be thinking about how our actions today will effect to the 7th generation.t It is not our Earth, but God’s. We our borrowing it from out grandchildren.
Souper Bowl of Caring
Jan. 25 – Feb. 1, 2015
Let’s all strive to make a difference and help end hunger.
Communion cups
Title:H1N1 puts cleanliness next to godliness
Author(s):
Source:Anglican Journal. 135.9 (Nov. 2009): p1.
Document Type:Brief article
Library links:
Copyright:COPYRIGHT 2009 General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada
Decisions about how to avoid the potential spread of H1N1 flu are being made diocese-by-diocese across the Anglican Church of Canada.
So far, most Anglican churches in Canada are still offering the common cup at communion while affirming people who decide not to receive the cup.
Bishops and leaders in the ecclesiastical province of Ontario consulted with medical officials so that they could offer some informed advice to dioceses. Archbishop Caleb Lawrence, then metropolitan of the province, said they concluded that suspending the use of the common cup doesn’t seem to be necessary at this stage. “We’re convinced that with careful use of the chalice by the one administering [communion], there is no danger to health.” He added that, “We may want to revisit that again.”
One of the medical officials consulted for these recommendations was David Gould, the Sault Ste. Marie physician whose 1987 study concluded that the use of the common cup posed no significant health hazard under normal circumstances.
Still, some parishes, are choosing to withdraw the cup from communion.
Dr. Gould’s research, updated and revised in 2000, advised against the use of intinction. The practice of dipping bread into the communion wine, he wrote, does not diminish the threat of infection and may actually increase it because hands are as likely to be a source of infection (and often more so) than the mouth.
Archbishop Lawrence has asked congregants to avoid physical contact when sharing the peace at eucharist, but that advice is unpopular. “They like to shake hands and hug and squeeze and everything else. …”
LEIGH ANNE WILLIAMS
STAFF
Source Citation (MLA 7th Edition)
Williams, Leigh Anne. “H1N1 puts cleanliness next to godliness.” Anglican Journal Nov. 2009: 1+. General OneFile. Web. 22 Jan. 2015.
Chestnut Tree at Hermitage Presbyterian Church
If anyone in the community wants Chestnuts they can be gathered for free.
How long does X take to break down?
This is from the “Green Living Tips” electronic newsletter.
Glass bottle 1 million years
Monofilament fishing line: 600 years
Plastic beverage bottles: 450 years
Disposable diapers: 450 years
Aluminum can: 80-200 years
Boot sole: 50-80 years
Styrofoam cup: 50 years
Tin can: 50 years
Leather: 50 years
Nylon fabric: 30-40 years
Plastic film canister: 20-30 years
Plastic bag: 10-20 years (???)
Cigarette filter: 1-5 years
Wool sock: 1-5 years
Plywood: 1-3 years
Waxed milk carton: 3 months
Apple core: 2 months
Newspaper: 6 weeks
Orange or banana peel : 2-5 weeks
Paper towel: 2-4 weeks
The above information was taken from the Pocket Guide to Marine Debris from Ocean Conservancy. It’s sources were the U.S. National Park Service; Mote Marine Lab, Sarasota, FL and “Garbage In, Garbage Out,” Audubon magazine, Sept/Oct 1998.
Clean Air 5K Run in Shelby Park
This was a rainy day run to raise awareness for clean air.
Labyrinth at Calvary UMC
This Labyrinth is behind the Calvary Church. It was built in 2002 and is modeled after the Chartres Cathedral in France and a cathedral in San Francisco.
Built in 1202
“Keep walking”. Christian Century. April 5, 2005.
From Student Resources in Context in TEL.
A Taize Worship service at Downtown Presbyterian
Yesterday a group of church members attended the Downtown Presbyterian Taize worship service. It was a nice quiet time of reflection and meditation on the day’s activities. Since the service is only 45 minutes long it gives people who work downtown and take the train time to decompress and meditate and still make the last train out of Nashville at 5:45 pm.
“Taize worship is inspired by a monastic order in France, and brings together all forms of Christian worship, including Church of England, Catholic and Methodist. The Taize service is run by musicians and singers.”
(From: “WORSHIP: People will get the chance to try a new form of Christian worship at Glenorchy Church.” Exmouth Journal [Exmouth, England] 30 May 2013. Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 6 Aug. 2014.)
(http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA331837727&v=2.1&u=tel_s_tsla&it=r&p=STND&sw=w&asid=45927375a1a901703ddaeac44b823569)
“Taize worship is very special and involves quiet repetitive songs that the congregation are invited to sing along with. There will also be substantial moments of silence for personal reflection and prayers.”
(From — MLA 7th Edition: “Candle-lit service is time for reflection.” Nottingham Evening Post [Nottingham, England] 23 Jan. 2014: 24. Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 6 Aug. 2014.)
Go to TEL to find more articles about Taize worship.
There were several articles in the Tennessean recently.
Worship field trips
Monthly trips to visit other worship sites are being organized to experience other forms and communities of worship.
The first will be July 13 to a Vespers and Jazz service at the Scarritt-Bennett Center.
Meet at HPC at 4:15 to carpool to dinner followed by the service at 6:30 pm.
Home Book Club
Wednesday evenings various HPC members open their homes to host a book discussion led by Pastor Jule. The first night was June 25 at 7:00 pm at Pat Gillie’s home. The book is Finding your voice: how to speak your heart’s true faith. Please join us in prayer and reflection on this book. All are welcome.
American Chestnut Trees
Hermitage Presbyterian Church has a great treasure on our property a blight resistant American Chestnut Tree. Check out this article from the April/May 2014 issue of the Tennessee Conservationist magazine: “The return of the American Chestnut”.
April is Earth Day month. We need to plant trees, not cut them down. Let’s not forget what The Lorax said, “Nothing is going to get better, UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” BTW, this Chestnut Tree was planted in the mid-1990’s to celebrate Earth Day.
What do you geek?
GEEK: verb
To love, to enjoy, to celebrate, to have an intense passion for.
To express interest in.
To possess a large amount of knowledge in.
To promote.
Tell tell public library what you geek.
Whatever you geek, the public library supports you. Join Geek the Library in spreading awareness about the value of libraries and the critical funding issues they face.
Cardboard Recycling in Davidson County
As of July 1, 2013, all Nashville residents must recycle their cardboard. (Tennessean, Tues., July 2, 2013)
If you live in the older urban corn neighborhoods it will be free with extras provided. Out of the urban district residents can choose from 13 drop-off sites within the Nashville area.
Bellevue Metro Transit Authority’s Park & Ride
Old Ben West Library Building
Bicentennial Mall State Park
Lakewood City Hall (3401 Old Hickory Blvd.)
Elysian Fields Kroger (3955 Nolensville Pike)
Granbery Elementary School (5501 Hill Rd, Brentwood)
Hermitage Hobby Lobby (4101 Lebanon Rd.) Closest to the church.
Hillsboro High School
Joelton Middle School (3500 Old Clarksville Pike)
McGavock High School
Rivergate Recycling (630 Myatt Dr., Madison)
Whites Creek High School
Youth About Business (3518 West Hamilton Rd.)
Part of being a good caring Christian is caring for God’s Creation.
VBS 2013 — Everywhere Fun Fair
24 children came and had fun learning that neighbors are everywhere: Japan, Zimbabwe, United Kingdom, Australia and Mexico. The phrases were neighbors are friendly, giving, bold, forgiving, and welcoming.
The mission project for the week was Heifer International. They collected money ($40.00) to help buy an animal, honey bees, trees, or vegetables for families that need a way to take care of themselves. It gives the family independence by giving them an income. The church will be having adult and children’s Sunday School class through the rest of the summer about Heifer International.
New books in the library
Now that I’ve been restored.
Nichol’s Pocket Bible Encyclopedia.
A Prayer for the Graduate.
The Kill a Mockingbird. By Harper Lee
A “Down and Dirty” Guide to Theology. By Donald K. McKim.
Storytelling in a Nutshell. By Maxine J. Bersch.
Saddle Sore Spirituality: bike to the Bible. By Bob Blaylock.
Wine to Water: how one man saved himself while trying to save the world. By Doc Hendley
A story about clean water for everyone.
What’s so amazing about grace. By Philip Yancey.
The Year of the Bible. A comprehensive, congregation-wide program of Bible readings. By James E. Davison.
God’s Secretaries: the making of the King James Bible. By Adam Nicolson.
Love God, other others: Matt’s story.
Now that I’m a Christian. By R. B. Sweet.
The Real Master and Commander: this world is not your home.
Children’s Books. (Kept in the young elementary SS classroom.)
God is with you: that’s all you need. by Larry Libby
The Children’s Daily Devotional Bible (Contemporary English Bible)
In the older elementary SS classroom
The One Year Book of Devotions for Kids
Environmental Stewardship — Restoring Eden
Restoring Eden emphasizes three major ways to engage in stewardship of God’s creation:
Love, Serve, and Protect
“We must stop taking too much, too fast, and too often to the point where nature cannot replenish itself.”
New books added to the library Aug. 2012
Children’s books (now shelved in the children’s Sunday School classrooms)
Board books are in the nursery and the preschool classroom.
NIV Adventure Bible New Testament
Moses and the Burning Bush: a story of faith and obeying God. By Mary Manz Simon.
The Lord’s Prayer for Children. Retold by Lois Rock.
Jesus is for me. By Christine Tangvald
Noah’s Ark.
Jonah and the Whale.
My little golden book about God. By Jane Werner Watson
Saint Nicholas: the real story of the Christmas legend. By Julie Stiegemeyer.
Mouse’s first Christmas. By Lauren Thompson.
The first night. By B. G. Hennessy.
In God’s Name. By Sandy Eisenberg.
Adult Non-fiction and Fiction: (Located in the room across from the church parlor, end of the hall in the main church building.)
Selected to Serve. By Earl S. Johnson, Jr. (2000)
Testimony: talking ourselves into being Christian. By Thomas G. Long. (About Christian living.)
Eerdman’s Handbook to the Bible. Edited by David and Pat Alexander. (Given by Margaret Cantrell)
Earth Gospel: a guide to prayer for God’s creation. By Sam Hamilton Poore. (Daily prayer devotional book for the Earth.)
Heaven is for Real: A little boy’s astounding story of his trip to Heaven and back. By Todd Burpo. (Given by Ellen Deathridge)
Presbyterian questions, Presbyterian answers. By Donald K. McKim. (Exploring the Christian faith.)
The word topical Bible of issues and answers. By William Pinson.
32 ways to become a great Sunday School teacher. By Delia Halverson. (Self-directed studies for church leaders.)
Seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church
On Wednesday evening’s there is a group studying the book: A “Down a Dirty” Guide to Theology, by Donald K. Kim. On page 28 it defined sacraments as liturgical practices of churches. Protestants have 2 (baptism and the Lord’s Supper) and Roman Catholics have seven.
(1) baptism, (2) confirmation, (3) Eucharist, (4) penance, (5) holy orders, (6) marriage, and (7) anointing of the sick. This is from a article in the online World Book Encyclopedia, is part of the Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL). Free for all Tennesseans.
Article explaining the 7 sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church.
Southern Festival of Books — Oct. 14-16, 2011
Where the Spirit Moves You — True Stories of Faith in Change
River Jordan She wrote Praying for Strangers
Friday Oct 14, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Room 29, Legislative Plaza
HPC celebrates 10/10/10
The children’s Sunday School class planted a Dogwood Tree. After church the children and youth planted a Nandina Berry Bush. Trees absorb CO2 and give off oxagen
The purpose of 10:10:10 is reduce the CO2 level by 10% each year, starting this year. The CO2 level is currently at 390 PPM, and scientists say that the safe level for humans to live healthy lives is below 350 PPM.
HPC cares about God’s Creation.
Children's Sunday School class -- Creation Care
HPC youth and children plant a Nandina Bush after church.
Low-carbon emissions policy targets 10% reduction
Ride for Reading
Books by bike mobile.
Ride for Reading is an organization, started by a former 4th grade teacher, that gets books into the hands of school children that cannot afford to buy them. At the same time it encourages safe biking for children since the books are delivered to schools by bike. They are delivered by bike because children can relate to bikes, and both books and bikes are a good way to travel without wasting any resources. Reading allows you can go anywhere.
Yesterday, Tuesday Sept. 28, I was off campus to help deliver books to the children at Warner Elementary School in East Nashville. As we rode up to the school the children and their teachers were outside cheering us on. It was very exciting! There were about 15 riders and we were carrying around 1000 books. Five of us were pulling bike trailers loaded with books the others had backpacks containing more books.
Before taking the bikes and the trailers into the building, Matt the founder of RfR, made the children pledge to read their books at least twice and to take care of them and share them with family and friends, and also to ride their bikes safely and always try to wear a bike helmet. Once the books were unloaded and placed on tables the children got to pick out 2 books each to take home. The really rewarding part was seeing their smiles, and how excited they were about getting books their very own books.
Check out Ride for Reading for more information.
Bike to church Sunday — 10/10/10
If you can, ride your bicycle to church on Sunday, Oct. 10. Bring a picnic lunch and we will go on a leisurely ride/picnic on the greenways after church. Let’s help the world reduce the CO2 level down below 350 PPM. It is currently at 390. The goal is a 10% reduction each year starting with 2010. This is a worldwide event.
Let’s show the community that HPC cares about taking care of God’s Earth.
Biking for Nashville — Flood relief
Join Jesse Murphy, Daniel Finney, and Ryan Pierce as they bike across the United States for Nashville flood relief!
Eco-Journal: Oil spill
Eco-Journey is the blog of the Environmental Ministries Office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It will include a wide array of environmental topics: upcoming environmental events, links to interesting articles and studies, information on environmental advocacy, eco-theology topics, and success stories from churches that are going “green.”
Creation Care for Children
Free downloadable coloring book, flash cards and activity books for teaching children about taking care of God’s creation.
Care of Creation
Pursueing a God-centered approach to the environmental crisis.
Tulip Poplar Tree planted by Riley
This tree was planted by Riley (age 7) on April 18, 2010.
Riley's Tree -- May 15, 2010
Blessed Earth Curriculum and Prayer Day
Hope for Creation: Blessed Earth serving God, saving the planet. This is very inspiring. Churches need to lead the way.
National Day of Prayer for Creation Care — May 25, 2010.
The Creation Care Walk is hosted by the Evangelical Environmental Network with additional sponsors including the National Association of Evangelicals, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Food for the Hungry, Christians for the Mountains, Renewal: Students Caring for Creation, and many others.
For a full list visit http://prayerforcreationcare.org
“Blessed Earth is an educational nonprofit that inspires and equips Christian communities to become better stewards of the earth. Through outreach to churches, campuses and media we build bridges that promote measurable environmental change and meaningful spiritual growth.” — Website.
Joseph: a study in assimilation and power.
A full text article from TEL about Joseph, the dreamer, in Genesis.
“The story of Joseph, the dreamer, in the Book of Genesis depicts the Jewish view of power and assimilation. Although Joseph assimilated to Egyptian culture, he has mantained the true virtues of a Jew. He remained righteous despite his ascendancy to power.” — abstract
Check out the full article.
Genesis 45:1-15
Full text article from TEL:
In solidarity with his brothers. (the story of Joseph in the Bible)(Genesis 45:1-15). The Christian Century. 113(23) (July 31, 1996): pp745(1).
“The story of Joseph and his betrayal by his brothers illustrates the meaning of life, and how intentions that stem from bad can end up causing good. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, but was able to forgive his family later because he was able to help others after becoming a slave.” — abstract
Check out the full article
Genesis 38: its contribution to the Jacob story.
This article is only an abstract in TEL, but it sounds like a good article to try and get through Interlibrary Loan.
The Catholic Biblical Quarterly ; Oct, 2004 ; 519-532; 66 (4)
“The chapter is indispensable for a proper understanding of the larger story; for Judah was the first of Jacob’s sons to recognize how god brought good out of evil in guiding the family (38:26), enabling him to give the speech (44:18-34) that led his brother Joseph to a similar recognition. Reexamine some common assumptions about the chapter–its literary context, theme, and plot, and the matter of the sins of Judah–and retrieve a traditional view about its chronology.” — abstract
