We are pleased to welcome the Rev. Dr. Michael Williams on board as then new Senior Pastor of West End United Methodist Church as of February 1, 2010. Michael, as he prefers to be called, was appointed to this mid-year moved by Bishop Richard Wills and the Cabinet of the Tennessee Conference of The United Methodist Church, and follows Rev. Dr. David Lowes Watson, who served us faithfully for thirty full, transitional months.

The Cokesbury Class met at the home of Fern and Bob Richie recently to assemble more than 40 health kits for Haiti. Healthy Sunday classes not only take care of themselves through study, acts of devotion and fellowship, but by taking care of others through Christian action.

Sunday March 28th 8:45 am -12:45 pm
McWhirter Hall

Register at www.redcrossblood.org. Enter sponsor code: WEUMC19.

OR

Call member Missy Wallace at 202-8350 to get an appointment.

WHY GIVE BLOOD?
- One donation can be used to save three lives.
- The Nashville supply has recently lost over 1,000 units due to snow days.
- A member of this church regularly receives infusions and is called to help replenish the supply.

Anyone over 16 can give. No upper age limit. Many medicines are OK. For questions about eligibility go to redcrossblood.org.

2010-2011 West End Scholarship Applications Now Available

The West End Scholarship Committee is now accepting applications for the 2010-2011 academic year. Deadline for receipt of all application materials is April 9, 2010

Even though I have worked with teenagers many times before, I am always amazed by how much I am able to learn from students, even though it should be me teaching them. “Teaching is learning” is the Peabody School of Education motto. It never rang more true than this weekend. If I had never talked to our Youth Minister, Sean P. Williams, about helping him with the Youth Winter Retreat, I would not have had the opportunity to learn something entirely new to me.

To Members and Friends of West End

It is difficult to find words that can adequately express the gratitude of Gayle and myself for the wonderful Sunday morning on February 7. As you know, the snow and ice caused the Farewell planned for January 31 to be rescheduled for the following Sunday, when Michael Williams preached his first sermon and the congregation welcomed him, his wife Margaret, and their daughters Sarah and Elizabeth. This made for a full morning, but one that was rich in grace.

Our beautiful Cloister Garden will undergo a much needed renovation and redesign. The Board of Trustees approved this project at their February Board meeting. Several trees, that have caused some damage to our flagstone patio due to shallow root systems, will have to be removed. As part of the renovation the flagstone will be repaired and a complete redesign of the garden will be installed including new varieties of plantings. The goal is to have a more sustainable “green” garden requiring less water and maintenance. At the end of the renovation we will have the joy of a quiet and more peaceful resting place to enjoy. A very special thank you to Francis Rodenhauser, Betsy Lindseth and Michael Lindseth for making this very important renovation possible.

WOMEN ON THE WAY (W.O.W.) BIBLE STUDY

Women on the Way Bible Study will be joining the church-wide emphasis on 40 Days of Living The Jesus Creed, beginning Tuesday, February 23rd. This intergenerational group invites you to bring your lunch and join us for prayer, study and fellowship each Tuesday in Room 312.

LENTEN STUDIES BEGIN MARCH 3
Julie Halstead will lead a Lenten Study based on Scot McKnight's bestselling book, "40 Days of Living The Jesus Creed," focusing on Matthew 22:34-39, Jesus' great commandments as amended from the Jewish Shema, love of God and love of others. Books are available in Julie's office for $15, or bring your own copy, OR read the scripture daily for the 40 days of Lent and join us for discussion! Classes will be held in Room 315 from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., promptl

COME MEET MICHAEL..AND WELCOME MARTHA STAMPS TO OUR KITCHEN!
CHAT 'n CHEW
February 24th at the Solid Rock Cafe, as we celebrate Martha Stamps in our West End kitchen and official caterer of our Wednesday evening community meals, we'll have an informal opportunity to meet, greet and chat with new Senior Pastor Michael Williams.