Peace Through Music

By Kirsten Browning


Dictionary.com says that peace is the normal lack of conflict between people or groups (nations); a state of mutual harmony; silence; tranquility. It also says that music is organized tones; an art form in time that expresses ideas and emotions through form, rhythm, melody, harmony and color.

The word “harmony” comes up in both definitions, so focusing on harmony might be most useful to understanding the concept of peace through music. The dictionary says that harmony is agreement and a consistent, orderly or pleasing arrangement.

Obviously, music can be produced with only one person; however, we often think more of groups of musicians. Playing in ensembles like duets, quartets, or orchestras allows us to be part of something that’s bigger than just you or me. Playing music together is what it’s all about. Musical training teaches you to listen – to yourself, to others playing with you, to how your part fits into the whole. If a musical group is playing together but they’re not listening, the piece is ruined.

Don't Rock the Boat?

Check out lay leader Dan Browning's latest column in Decatur News Online about congregations taking a stand on issues of LGBTQ inclusion.

DHUMC Considers Next Steps in LGBTQ Outreach

On July 14, 2010, DHUMC Pride coordinator Michael Vaughan and Beatitudes Society fellow Emily McNeill led a Wednesday evening program to share information about Reconciling Ministries Network, an organization of congregations, individuals and other church groups working for the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the United Methodist Church. Twenty-one people met in the Fellowship Hall to learn about RMN and discuss the possibility of Druid Hills affiliating with the organization.

Discussion about joining RMN is the latest initiative in Druid Hills’s ongoing outreach and ministry to the LGBTQ community. For the past 5 years, DHUMC has had a presence at the Atlanta Pride Festival and parade. In recent months, leaders of the church’s LGBTQ outreach have been considering how to expand and deepen this area of the church’s ministry. To affiliate with RMN, Druid Hills would need to adopt a “reconciling statement” that explicitly affirms and includes people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life and ministries of the church.

ICM Food Pantry needs your donations!

Laura Cushing stocks the food pantry

Since March, DHUMC has been hosting a food pantry through In-Town Collaborative Ministries. To date, the pantry has provided over 500 people with emergency food, as well as information and connections to other social services.

While the pantry always needs donations, the fourth Sunday of each month (this Sunday!) is when DHUMC has committed to collecting food (or money). As the pantry distributes food to more and more people, we need our donations to keep up with their growing impact. This week the pantry is out of cold cereal, powdered milk, canned fruits and vegetables, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, granola & fruit bars, and juice. They are running low on canned chicken and crackers. Bring your donations with you to church or, better yet, drop them off during business hours Friday or before 10:30 am Saturday so they'll be available for Saturday's distribution. And while the food pantry is on your mind, take a moment to sign up to volunteer.

A Radical Librarian for Peace and Justice

By Pat Ziebart
 
Our volunteer work is important but usually doesn’t approach the number of hours we spend at our day jobs. I’m convinced that Druid Hills UMC is a force for peace and justice in the Christian vocations (any vocation to which a Christian is called) of our members. So when Emily asked me to write my vocational story, I was happy to share.  (I hope many of you will, also.)
 
For over twenty years, my work as an education director in the local church was to connect people to the liberating Word of the Gospel.  I once heard a preacher describe Christianity as a bird with two wings:  one representing the spiritual dimensions of faith and one the social dimensions of service. Both are needed for that bird to fly!  (That’s certainly preaching to the choir to those of you reading this blog.)

Responding to the Call

By Cliff Richards

I am currently in my second career.  I enjoyed a 15 year stint as a retail store manager of several clothing stores.  I thoroughly enjoyed going to work every day.  As someone who lives with Attention Deficit Disorder, working in a clothing store was exciting because you had to constantly shift from sales to merchandising to managing staff.  It kept me on my toes.  However, as I became more involved at Druid Hills UMC, my devotion to my retail job began to change.  Selling sweaters to people who have a closet full of sweaters became less fulfilling for me.

Several years into my membership at the church, I was asked to serve on the Outreach Team.  It was through that team, I became involved at Intown Community Assistance Center.  It was there I started to see gifts start to emerge as I assisted clients who were looking for clothes, needing a sack lunch or advice about how to receive needed services.  I saw myself connecting with the clients I served.  I was intrigued by their daily challenges of food, clothing and shelter, something I often take for granted.  I also saw myself becoming more impressed with the director of the center, Judy Powell.  I would watch her enormous heart at work in serving our neighbors in need. 

Community of Hospitality

By Brad Schweers

My main peacemaking and social justice work these days is through the Community of Hospitality (COH). The COH is an intentional-living community, with shared values of spirituality, simple living, and social change. I lived in the house as a full-time volunteer from 1997-2000 while working for Café 458, a non-profit restaurant for homeless people on Edgewood here in Atlanta. I served as a case manager for homeless guests at Café 458 and have stayed connected with the COH group, worshipping with the interfaith Worship Circle weekly. I now have the pleasure to serve as Chair of the Board for the organization, which is a 501-c-3 non-profit.