On Thursday, December 21st, the longest time of darkness during the year, the winter solstice, we will share a Longest Night service at Brookmeade. At 6:30 pm we will gather in the sanctuary for a service of reflection and contemplation. In a season where the focus is joy and celebration (even as we wait), most of us struggle this time of year with something. This is the service where we acknowledge that we are not alone in our need for some relief from the peer pressure to “rejoice” and instead have some time just to be, to feel, to lament. Come, join us as we experience the darkness and find that hope exists there too. All are encouraged to attend, and anyone is welcome.
Tues. Dec. 12th: Nashville Unlimited Christmas Concert benefiting Room in the Inn
This wonderful concert on Tues. 12/12 at 7 pm benefits the Room In The Inn ministry. The concert is held at Christ Church Cathedral. It is always a joyous celebration with Nashville’s best musicians and singers and this year will remember Father Charles Strobel, founder of RITI. Show is free but donations are suggested! Donate at www.nashvilleunlimitedchristmas.org
Sat. Dec. 16th: 2023 Annual Homeless Memorial
Open Table Nashville: The 2023 Annual Homeless Memorial will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 16 at Riverfront Park by the Tara Cole Memorial bench on 1st Ave. and Broadway. They are also planning to live-stream this memorial on the event page. They will read the names of people who have died this year, as well as share poetry, prayer and remarks. At the closing of the ceremony there will be time to walk along the river and place flowers in the water. Light breakfast and coffee will be served. All are invited to join. More information.
Sun. Dec. 17th: Howard Congregational Christmas Concert
You are Invited! Howard Congregational UCC Presents: “What a Wonderful Child!” A Christmas Concert. Sunday, December 17th at 5 pm, then stay for refreshments and fellowship following the concert. Howard is located at 2802 Buchanan St. Nashville, TN 37208.
This year we continue our tradition of supporting the Last Minute Toy Store which provides Christmas gifts for families in need. We are currently accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys, and other age-appropriate gifts in the $10 – $25 price range for newborn to 18 yrs of age (please avoid toys that require batteries). Guidelines for Teen Gifts (ages 12-18): Gift cards, valued between $15 – $20, are a great idea! Here are a few stores that are a hit: Bath & Body Works, Walmart, Old Navy, Target, Game Stop, Books-A-Million, Amazon. If you prefer to buy specific items, here are some ideas: remote control drones, blue tooth speakers, karaoke machines, headphones, tool kits, make-up kits, shavers or trimmers, make up mirrors, purses, shoulder bags, curling irons or journals. Please bring donations to the church by Friday, December 15th. The Mission & Outreach Team is also accepting donations of Gift cards this Holiday season to help folks in our community afford gas and groceries. We will be accepting donations of gift cards to stores like Kroger and Walmart for that purpose. Thank you for your generosity this holiday season! – The M&O Team
This winter season Brookmeade is happy to provide beds, meals and warm place for folks in need! Our next date for Room in the Inn will be Friday, December 15th. Here is a list of ways you can help!
Set Up of Cots in Hallway Drivers–2 to 3 Pick Up at RITI Campus on Friday at 5-5:30 PM 2 Overnight Hosts Dinner (A team Coordinator and a team) 7-8 Sack Lunches Breakfast Drivers–2 to 3 (6 am pick up at Brookmeade to take the participants back to RITI Campus) Laundry Pick Up Cot Breakdown
Our upcoming dates to host will be on Friday evenings for the next several months. Please put these dates on the calendar and decide how you and your family and friends can help: January 19, February 16. Contact the church office to learn more. We have sign up sheets in the church office or check your weekly email for a link to sign up online!
First Sundays of the month we collect our COW (“Contribute Our Wealth”) Offering. Monetary donations are split between Second Harvest of Middle TN and Heifer International. You can also bring canned goods on Sunday morning to donate to Second Harvest. Please designate your check for COW Offering or if you give online you can choose COW offering on the drop-down menu on Tithe.ly. Thank you for supporting these important organizations and helping Brookmeade fight hunger!
Our next trip to the Project CURE Warehouse (2300 Clifton Ave.) is scheduled for Saturday, December 2nd from 9:30 am – 12 pm. We will be sorting medical supplies. Newcomers are very welcome! For planning reasons we need a head count for our group prior to volunteering. Please RSVP to the church office ASAP if you plan to attend. Thanks and see you there!
This Advent season Brookmeade is excited to be bringing you Advent liturgy, artwork and resources from “A Sanctified Art”! The theme this year is: “How does a weary world rejoice?” Advent Calendars and Daily Devotionals are available for pickup in the front foyer of the church building. For those who prefer digital access, we will be posting daily Advent Calendar prompts on our social media (Facebook and Instagram) starting 12/1. You can also contact the church office (or check your weekly email) to receive digital access to the daily devotional. We can’t wait to share this unique resource with you all as we enter the season of Advent.
From the Sanctified Art website:
“We are a team of artists in ministry who create multimedia resources for worshiping communities of all shapes and sizes. We work collaboratively to bring scripture and theological themes to life through visual art, poetry, liturgy, curriculum, worship installation art, coloring pages, graphic design, and more.
We founded A Sanctified Art with dreams to fill the Church with more art, inspiration, creativity, and God-breathed mystery. Our mission is to provide spiritual nourishment for church leaders and the communities they serve. We’re committed to expanding imagination around the divine image and providing resources with inclusive and affirming theology.”
Fresh Greens Needed! PINE BRANCHES – FERN BRANCHES – MAGNOLIA BRANCHES – HOLLY BRANCHES AND MORE! Anything we can wire to grapevine wreaths to decorate for advent. Please bring cuttings to the church by 9:00 AM on Saturday, November 25th, 2023.
Then stay, for the annual Hanging of the Green! WE WILL DECORATE OUR BUILDING FOR THE ADVENT SEASON! Fun will be had as we make wreaths with fresh greens. We will laugh, sing Christmas carols and have snacks as we decorate the sanctuary, fellowship hall and the halls with our creations. We can’t wait to see you there!
This year Brookmeade resumes a long tradition of having a Thanksgiving Day Potluck Luncheon for those who can come to the church @ 2:00 PM. For those who can come, a sign-up sheet will be in the long hallway of the church, or call the church office to join the fellowship of that day. Marylou & Bert will be supplying the turkey, and so sides & desserts are needed. Sponsored by Brookmeade’s Fellowship Team.
Friday, Oct 27th, Halloween-Fall Fest Party Excitement is building for this Friday’s Halloween-Fall Fest Party at Brookmeade @ 5:30 PM! Our first since the pandemic! The Fellowship Hall will be transformed into a magical place with a decor of illuminated Halloween pumpkins, ghosts & goblins! We’ll start off with pizza, including a gluten-free, vegan option. Lisa & Jerry K. will be bringing homemade chili and a Fall Corn Casserole. Marylou K. will be providing homemade pumpkin pie, and Adora R. will be bringing a homemade CokeCola cake. During the fellowship & feasting, we will have pumpkin carving by those who want to participate in that. We’ll then take the nearly-created Jack-O-Lanterns outside to illuminate the night around a fire pit to roast wieners & marshmallows and to make S’mores. An apple-bobbing contest will also occur for the adventurous who don’t mind getting wet! Costumes welcomed. Everyone is invited to bring family, friends, and neighbors!
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