Last winter, the Open Study Group (LL2) read and discussed Brian D. McLaren’s book Everything Must Change. Since then they have been meeting to discuss how, as a group, they can join together to help be a part of that change. After much discussion it was decided that their primary focus would be to work on issues dealing with food (hunger, nutrition, access, budgeting/shopping, etc.). The class is ‘partnering’ with 61st United Methodist Church in West Nashville and will be working within their existing far-reaching structure to help the people in the neighborhood surrounding that church.

Their first project will be to expand 61st UMC’s small, unstructured food pantry into something that they church can use to effectively respond to the needs within the neighborhood. Also on October 10th they will be providing the pre-worship meal for the congregation (about 100 people) and joining them for Saturday evening worship.

Other projects that are in the planning stages are constructing a community garden, teaching short classes on nutrition and cooking, investigating the need for a mobile food pantry for seniors whose SSA checks might have run out before the end of the month, looking for a group of farmers to set up a neighborhood farmer’s market for a few hours each week, etc. As they have learned more about the church and the community, their focus has understandably begun to spread to areas beyond food where their resources (time, money, connections, and/or experience) can be of great assistance: but more on that later.

If you would like to contribute to the Food Pantry project, labeled collection boxes will be placed on the first floor beside the door to the gym. All non-perishable foods as well as personal hygiene items will be accepted and greatly appreciated. Foods containing protein (soups with meat, canned tuna, chicken, peanut butter, etc) are especially needed.

If you would like to learn more about the work the group is doing send an email, subject line: ‘Everything Must Change’, to deedee.brickner@gmail.com and she will add you to the email list.

The Open Study Group class meets in room LL2

61st United Methodist Church is located at 6018 New York Avenue, in the heart of “The Nations”. Paul Slentz is the pastor. See the United Methodist Church site for a video story about them.