Welcome New Members...

We welcome Ayn Burrus (left) and James William Atkins (right) from Clarksville, TN who were "called" to serve.

The "Write" Rev

The maintenance of community with integrity demands that Nashville Mayor Megan Berry be held accountable for her actions. Our Mayor’s recent moral failings demand our forgiveness, grace, love and mercy. Her public confession and acts of contrition deserve our respect. Forgiveness, grace, love and mercy, however, do not excuse us from accountability. Forgiveness is not forgetting; it is refusing to allow injury to destroy relationship. Grace is love undeserved. Love is unconditional acceptance of another person for what and who they are while mercy allows us to see ourselves in each other. With or without confession and repentance, forgiveness, grace, love and mercy have the potential to restore right relationship and make staying in community possible. Without accountability, however, we reduce forgiveness, grace, love and mercy to no th ing more than anemic sentimentality and political theatre while fostering the kind of attitude that allows public figures to boast: "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any voters" as #45 did at a campaign rally in January, 2016.

Pastor Herbert

This Issue Ash Wednesday ...p.1

Let Freedom Ring ...p.1 Welcome ...p.1

From the Editor... p.2Clark Spotlight... p.2

Prayer List...p.3Community News...p.3

B'days February...p.3 Lectionary/Bible Trivia...p.3

February Calendar...p.4Announcements...p.4

Rehearsal Schedule...p.4In Sympathy... p.4Support Staff...p.4

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

Volume 16Issue #2FEBRUARY 2018

THE CONNECTIONTHE CONNECTIONA community sharing God's love through learning, worship, witness and service

Let Freedom RingJessie Smith, a representative of History &

Archives, will present the congregation with a historical presentation each Sunday to give a lesson about an historical figure in our ethnic community. As we watch and review, we should be inspired to continue to do what we can, while we can, for as long a we can in making things better for the next generation.

Welcome new members! We welcome Ann Burrus (left) and James William Atkins

(right) from Clarksville, TN who were "called" to serve here at Clark.

BLACK HISTORY MONTHCelebrate!

Ash Wednesday & Valentines Day!What a great time to show our love for the one who

loved us best! This year Ash Wednesday falls on February 14th, also the date that celebrates Valentines Day, the day of "love."

Clark will maintain the celebration of Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Lenten season, with two worship services. The 12:00 noon worship service with fellowship and hospitality following and 7:00 p.m. with Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church.

LentLent is a solemn religious observance in the liturgical

calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, before Easter Sunday. As witnesses, we are inclined to provide a daily read for the 40 days of the Lenten season. "40 Days" will be available this year as a revised reprint.

UMW will host the Wednesday Lenten 12 noon meditation meals beginning Feb. 21st

The Connection~FEBRUARY 2018 p. 2

The Rev. Betty Lewis retires...

When All Hope is GoneSometimes life put us in situations that

have us feeling anxious, frustrated, aggravated, irritated and discombobulated, regardless of how we got in the situation!

At those times, we have to step back, take a look at our circumstances and REGROUP.

While we may not know which way to go, be completely clear about what is happening and what direction to take, we know that we need to make a move; hopefully it will be the right one and take us forward.

That’s what our ancestors had to do; that’s what we celebrate each year with Black History Month. We celebrate our history as we make our history. We live black history! The sacrifices that were made, the tears that were shed, the boundaries that were crossed and the feelings that were all over the place back then are still with us. But our people moved forward and prepared the way for us to make great strides and to accomplish great things.

During Black

History Month we pause to publicly remind ourselves and the world of those accomplishments.

When you’re in crisis mode and feel like “all hope is gone,” reflect back on those individuals who “changed things” and made things better! It may not always be the answer you want, but, it may be the answer that will change things for the better.

Happy Black History Month

Happy Valentines DayThere is no greater love than God’s love!

Wanda Clay"You caught me at the 'Write' time!"

Happy ThanksgivingRemember the Harvest is

Plentiful

From the Editor . . . 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

CLARK SPOTLIGHT

NOTES from the Choir Loft

As our nation celebrates the achievements and contributions of black Americans during the month

of February, we focus on the song, “Lift Every Voice and Sing." The words were written by James Weldon Johnson, noted educator, playwright and author, and the music by his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson. It was written for a celebration of President Lincoln’s birthday in Jacksonville, FL in 1900. First sung by a chorus of 500 Negro children who continued to sing it in other places and teach it to others, it was later designated as the Negro National Anthem.

The words capture the memories of a people fewer than 50 years from slavery – the unimaginable horrors as well as the hope that comes from knowing and leaning on the love of God. To this day, they inspire us to never forget our past, build on the strength of our ancestors, and strive for greatness in service to God and His people. Let’s sing it with fervor!

We’ve done “a new thing” in the ministry of music: blended the voices of Agape and Imani, two choruses singing the same genre of music – contemporary and traditional gospel – into the Unity Chorus!

God be Praised! Congratulations!

Suzanne Tropez's grandson, special Concerto performance debut in NOLA at the Orpheum Theater in New York received a standing ovation!

January 2018 services began with a special oil anointing to all who desired from Pastor Herbert and Justin Baptiste Jones

Proud grandmother, Suzanne Tropez Sims (right) and great grandmother, Ethel Tropez (left)

"Fantastic job Maxwell!"

Darlene AndersonGrace Brady

James and Birdie BrownThelma ClantonWilliam Douglas Lena Pearl Farrell

Fred FielderVivian FielderRuth GadsdenSandra HaydenGeraldine Heath

Sam HoustonMichele Lee

Edna McDanielLeonard MortonKimberly MurrayLee PenningtonErnestyne Potts

David PruittEdward SadlerC. Pat SharpeLinda StarlingSorena StreetIra Thompson

Willliam ThompsonWilla Taylor

Billie J. Westmoreland

TheConnection.Clark@gmail.com

The Connection~FEBRUARY 2018 p. 3

BE ENCOURAGED

When love calls...answer?You never know where your blessing

will come from...how it is packaged...what God has for you...

if it is love sent from God...you will know!

Be blessed! Happy Valentines Day!

C ommu n i t y Ne ws

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

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

Happy Birthday

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

Deadline for MARCH newsletter is FEBRUARY 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 service

Ages 6 weeks - 4 years old

Closes 15 minutes after worship service

Located on the 2nd floor

Lectionary Scriptures(Epiphany)

February 4-Mark 1:29-39; Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23February 11-Mark 9:2-9; 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6February 18—(Lent)-Mark 1:9-15; Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22February 25-Mark 8:31-28 (or 9:2-9); Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25

BIBLE TRIVIA

February Bible Explorer: What was Elisha’s request of Elijah before Elijah was taken away? What did he see?January Bible Explorer: What was Nathaniel’s confession after Jesus confirmed knowing him? (How could Jesus know him so well? Mark 1:43)

Submitted by Grace Brady

Voter Registration!In an effort to maintain our civic duties, Clark Memorial invites any individual who is NOT registered to vote to complete a Voter Registration form. We will accept signed registrations and turn them in to the Election Commission. If you are a registered voter and know of someone who is not, we ask that you encourage those individuals and inform them of the importance of making their voice be heard through voting.

4th Jordan KirkMatthew White

5th Queen Douglas6th Taylor Jones7th Ajene Goodin8th Ronnie Johnson,Sr.9th James Chavis

Erin GrimesRichmond Jackson

13th A'merie Johnson14th Maurico Croom 15th Michael Wade17th Carolyn Dangerfield

Permilla HippsWanda Benford

19th LaShon ChandlerErin Seay

24th Kimberly Jones 26th Aideyn Ferrell28th Gladys Foreman

David PruittSophia Stewart

Mardi GrasMardi Gras also known as Fat

Tuesday, refers to events of the carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Epiphany or King's Day and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday," reflecting the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting during the Lenten season.Lent is a special season in the church when Christians get ready to celebrate Easter. It consists of forty days of preparation before Easter. During this time, Christians are urged to study the Bible and pray. They are also to think about their lives and share their belongings, gifts and skills.

Many years ago when Christians did not consume meat, milk or eggs during Lent, bakers would bake bread that did not include those ingredients. It was a bread dough made of flour, salt and water. They rolled the dough out into long strips and shaped them like arms crossed in prayer.

In Europe the bread was called “brezel.” The word was translated from Latin to mean, “little arms.” The word “brezel” became Pretzel in English.

Eating pretzels during Lent reminds Christians to pray. The three sections formed by the “crossed arms” represent the Trinity: God as Creator, God through Jesus and God the Holy Spirit.

2018 FEBRUARY CALENDAR

5th Church Council @ 5:30 pm12th Music Ministry team mtg @ 6 pm13th Mardi Gras @ 6 pm14th Ash Wednesday Noon Day Service at 12 noon

Ash Wednesday Night Service @ 7 pm15th Board of Trustees17th Nurture & Membership Care @ 11 am19th COF mtg @ 5:30 pm22nd Staff Parish @ 5:30 pm

4,11,18,25 Sunday worship @ 10 am6,13,20,27 Prayer Support Group mtg @ 5 pm7,14,21,28 Mid-day/Mid week Service @ 12 noon

Bible Study @ 6 pm

Non ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PaidNashville,TN

PERMIT#1765

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

ANNOUNCEMENTSLEAF meeting Feb. 11th following service in the Learning Center

VBS Planning team meeting on March 10thCheck and share our website

www.ClarkUMCNashville.org

IN SYMPATHYThe Clark family extends deepest condolences to members in the loss of their loved ones...

Burnice Brunson familyHogg familyDorinda Sheffield family

Note:

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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 Rebecca 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

Choir/Music Rehearsals Male Chorus Wednesdays @ 6:30-8 pmSanctuary Choir Wednesdays @ 7-8:30 pm"New Choir" Thursdays @ 7-8:30 pmVoices of Clark Wed. before 1st Sunday 7-8:30 pmHand Bells Saturdays @ 10 amYouth Choir Saturdays @ 11:30 am

Questions contact Paula Holmes615-496-3903/pyholmes@aol.com

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.