The Bell Tower
March 2015
Euangelion in Unit 3
by Dr. Kate S. Watkins
One question changed everything about my next class at the prison: “Will you teach the workshop in Unit 3?”
“Who is in Unit 3?” I naively asked.
The administration replied: “The loneliest people in the prison.”
I spent the summer of 2014 teaching Biblical Ethics in the Lipscomb LIFE program at the Tennessee Prison for Women. This rich experience opened an
opportunity for me to organize non-credit workshops for the other 700 women incarcerated there, women who yearn to be exposed to critical thinking
and academic opportunities but have few occasions to learn.
My friend, Terra, developed the curriculum for the first workshop. She is a therapist who specializes in helping people identify healthy and harmful patterns in their family story. She uses the genogram to help them see where God has relentlessly pursued them throughout their lives. Terra would teach
psychological concepts and I would weave in the narrative of the biblical story. The prison administration was eager to have the workshop, but with one
unexpected change. They wanted the women in Unit 3 to have the opportunity to take the class.
Unit 3, which includes the state’s death row for women, is TPW’s maximum security unit and is the essence of solitary confinement. Women are locked
in their cells for twenty-three hours a day. Their one-hour of “freedom” is spent in a cage with a concrete floor and razor wire. They never feel grass
under their feet.
Set on a hill apart from the rest of the compound, Unit 3 allows no visitation. The few volunteers allowed access are first screened, searched, and patted
down, then four strong steel doors slam in succession. Volunteers and inmates are isolated together in a room where they are vigilantly watched and
listened to by prison officers.
When Terra and I arrived for the first class we found the women already in the tiny room surrounded by steel tables and unyielding metal chairs. A bold,
graying little woman, doubled over from spending her days working to keep the unit clean, stood and announced with a gruff voice, “I don’t want to be
here. I ain’t coming back next week. I ain’t writing nutin’ down. You can’t make me tell you nutin’.”
I paused and replied, “I haven’t met you. My name is Kate.” And then I asked, “May I hug you?” As she leaned into my hug she muttered, “My name is
Patty.”
Terra followed behind me as we offered hugs and hellos to the other three women, Tonya, Kathy, and Lisa.* We had only four students but the room
could scarcely contain the power of their stories.
Tonya’s mother, for instance, sold her for $500 to a stranger in a bar when she was only twelve. Tonya gave birth to his child at thirteen and has eleven
other children by other men. Patty is in Unit 3 for selling drugs but learned to be fighter at the hands of her abusive father. Lisa shot her husband while
he physically beat her, and on the way to the county jail she had a stroke in the back of the police car and remains partially paralyzed to this day. The
doctors attribute her stroke to the abuse she endured. Warehoused in Unit 3, Lisa makes her way around its lonely halls in a wheelchair.
And then there is Kathy. Kathy was shot in the face during a meth exchange gone wrong. Her appearance is distorted to say the least, for Kathy has no
eyeballs, yet her eye sockets remain open. One of the many things I learned from Kathy is that one can cry without eyeballs—one can cry a lot.
Trauma has forged these four women into a family, and they attend to each other’s needs. Patty is known for creating gourmet meals for the other three
out of Ramen noodles. She delights in feeding her friends. She never came to class after the first night without a hymnal that she found in Unit 3.
When one sees Lisa one also sees Kathy, because Kathy, in her blindness, and Lisa, in her paralysis, function as one person. Lisa can neither walk nor
move her wheelchair. Kathy cannot see or maneuver on her own. Consequently, Kathy holds onto the wheelchair, guiding it to the sounds of Lisa’s
voice. One night I noticed that Lisa’s shoe was untied. When I mentioned it, Kathy felt her way onto the floor, found Lisa’s shoe, and tied it for her before
feeling her way back into her seat.
All the women confirm that Tonya is a constant encouragement. Even when things look hopeless, she is quick to utter kindness when others are spewing curses.
The four women are an incarnation of 1 Corinthians 12:12-28. They make up one body, physically and spiritually. Each woman has gifts that she offers
the others. When one suffers, they suffer together. When one is honored, they all rejoice together.
Each Wednesday for two hours Terra and I learned much more from these women than we taught them. We heard what it is like to be forgotten. We
saw the warehousing of humans. We heard what it is like to try to survive in a story that seems hopeless. We saw the byproduct of a system that throws
people away. We also learned to sing hymns in prison, prompted by the songs in Patty’s heart and hymnal. We learned to be stronger encouragers from
Tonya, a woman who had never had encouragement. We learned that a kind voice like Lisa’s can literally guide the blind, and we learned from Kathy
that anyone can get on their knees to serve another.
Unit 3 is a city set on a hill. There we discovered the body of Christ singing and serving behind locked steel doors. There the euangelion is selflessly
lived out in a lonely place. To quote Patty on the last night of class, “The Devil is busy in here . . . but God is busy too.”
We yearn for God’s kingdom, where the blind will see, the lame will walk, and the captive shall be set free. So we pray: O Lord, may your kingdom come
on earth as it is in heaven. Maybe that kingdom is foreshadowed in Unit 3.
Kate S. Watkins is the Academic Program Director for the DMin degree in the College of Bible & Ministry and teaches as an adjunct in the undergraduate program. She holds a DMin from Lipscomb. Kate is the daughter of Lyn and Gale Pewitt, who are members of HFPC.
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Ginny & Brent Andrews enjoyed Mardi Gras in New
Orleans…
Blake O'Donnell has been in London as part of her
college studies at David Lipscomb University…
Mike and Christi Ensch enjoyed their vacation in
Hawaii…
Chesley, Greg, Joel and Charlotte Simpson moved to a
new home in Alexandria, VA…
Morgan Ogilvie had a showing of her paintings at
Harpeth Hall. The paintings were of the Harpeth Halls
students who participated in the George Washington
Celebration, which has taken place since 1922…
Jackie and Frank Pennington have enjoyed their trip to
the Caribbean…
Adelle Walker has moved to Belvedere Commons, on
Royal Oaks Blvd…
Drew and Lee Porter are the very proud grandparents of
Abigail...
Our sympathy and prayers to the family and
friends of Raven Michelle Ormes Robinson
who died Wednesday, February 11, 2015.
“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and
underneath are the everlasting arms.”
The Worship Committee would
like to encourage more members
to sign up for
flowers for our
sanctuary. The
calendar is
hanging in
Fellowship Hall
near the stairs. It
would be
particularly nice
to have flowers
each week during
Lent. Won't you consider
providing them? If you have any
questions about how to do this
please contact the church office.
To keep in our prayers:
March ART CRAWL
HFPC Memorial Hall
Friday, March 6th
6-9 p.m.
HFPC will feature paintings by Coach Jimmy
Gentry. Mr. Gentry has donated 72 of his paintings
to be sold to help raise funds for the Graceworks
building project. You can find
more information about Coach
Gentry and this
project at
http://coachgentryart.weebly.com/
Lois Davis
Carolyn Johnson
Mary Ann Tate
Shirley LaCoste
Brian Lake
Katherine Ryan
George Brubaker
LAST
WEDNESDAY FELLOWSHIP
Last Wednesday fellowship for the month of March
will be on Wednesday, March 25th at 6:30 pm
Sewing Circle
Join us for fun and fellowship while you work
on your current craft or sewing project!
March 6th at 10 am
March 20th at 10 am
We will have a Stuffed Egg Contest! Be on the lookout for additional details!
Sarah Litton will lead a program for the children.
Come join the fun!
HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES
Sunday, March 29th, Palm Sunday
10:00 a.m. Palm Sunday Processional with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church during the
Sunday School hour. Regular worship at 8:30 and 11:00. No Sunday School.
4:00 p.m. Presentation by joint choirs of HFPC and First Presbyterian of John
Stainer’s Crucifixion in the church sanctuary (nursery provided).
Thursday, April 2nd, Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday and Tenebrae Service in the sanctuary at 7:30 p.m. The Lord’s
Supper will be observed.
Friday, April 3rd, Good Friday
7:00 p.m. Second presentation by joint choirs of HFPC and First Presbyterian of
John Stainer’s Crucifixion .
Sunday, April 5th, Easter Sunday
Easter Sunrise Service will be held at First Presbyterian at 6:00 a.m. This is a joint
service between HFPC and FPC.
Regular worship at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Christian Education at 9:45 a.m.
Each day during Holy Week there will be a service of hymns, scriptures, and
meditations beginning at 12:05 p.m. and ending at 12:30 p.m.
The season of Lent is a good time to reflect on our lives, but not just how we live, but also
how we die. Dr. Atul Gawande has written, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in
the End, in which he describes the medical profession's response to the elderly and
terminally ill, and offers some beautiful insights (and practical wisdom) about how we
should approach our deaths. --Sally Hughes
HOLY WEEK PRESENTATION at HFPC
The chancel choirs of Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church will be
presenting John Stainer's Crucifixion on Palm Sunday, March 29th. This
special musical meditation will be presented at 4:00 p.m. in our sanctuary. We will provide
child care for the occasion and hope that you and your friends can make a special effort to be
present for this important beginning of our Holy Week season. It will be presented again at First
Presbyterian on Good Friday, April 3rd, at 7:00 p.m.
MONTREAT
YOUTH CONFERENCE
JULY 12-18
The Montreat Youth Conference is designed for
high school students, entering freshmen through graduated seniors, and their adult leaders. It is a
unique gathering of young people from all over the country for a week of study,
worship, and recreation.
Activities include morning energizers, music, keynote, small group meetings,
afternoon recreation activities, and evening worship.
All HFPC youth are encouraged to attend.
Contact the church office for more details!
YOUTH NEWS
Singing, Ringing
and Rhythm
Children in Kindergarten through 4th grade
and any interested youth are invited to join us.
March 8th, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
March 22nd, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
They will be singing during worship on Palm
Sunday, March 29th.
Please contact Sarah Litton at 554-1275 or
[email protected] for more information.
BOOK CLUB
Everyone is invited to join us for discussion and
fellowship at 11:30 a.m. on March 24th .
“Defending Jacob”
by William Landay
Meet at the home of
Larry and Virginia Rubin
1401 Blue Springs Rd
371-1888
For more information contact
June Warren
615-794-7453 or [email protected]
HFPC Youth in grades 5-12 enjoyed food, fun,
and fellowship in the month of February.
Special thanks to Kellie Pearson, Kelly Lang,
and Jamie Dreussi for providing dinner for
the youth in February.
Join us in March for more fun!
March 8th, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
March 15th , 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Please contact Brittany Hanlin, our youth
director, at 615-779-2757 or
[email protected] for more
information.
The Presbyterian Women’s Bible Group will meet Tuesday,
March 17, 2015 at 9:45 a.m. in the church parlor.
The Bible Study topic for reflection and discussion will be
“Economy of Grace” and is based on 2 Corinthians 8:1-15. We
welcome Judy Schomber (Sally's sister who is a part of
Presbyterian Women at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Nashville
as our study leader. Study books are available in the parlor.
All ladies of the church are invited to join us for coffee,
refreshments, and fellowship.
2015 HFPC Women’s Retreat
March 20—March 22
Church Women of Franklin &
Williamson County
World Day of Prayer
“Loving One Another Without Losing Yourself”
Friday, March 6
1:00 PM
First United Methodist Church
Fellowship Hall
143 Fifth Avenue South
Do You Understand what I have Done
For You?
Program written by the Women of South Africa
Save the date: HFPC Men’s Retreat May 1-3
Please note time change to 1:00 pm and bring
a light refreshment.
Turn into parking lot off Church Street.
Proceed toward alley and enter doors at
spaces marked for Meals on Wheels.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Hello, all. Here’s a current status on HFPC’s finances as we head into March.
Our capital account currently has $31,000. This balance has been relatively steady for over 12 months, as we now receive regular
contributions from those who pledged to the 2014 capital campaign. As I’ve mentioned before, we continue to make $1,150 weekly
payments against the debt we owe on our re-structured construction loan. These weekly payments reduce the principal on our loan
by over $700 a week. Our earlier monthly payment, divided by 4, lowered the principal by only $550 a week. And next week’s
payment will reduce our overall loan to under $500,000! That’s outstanding, since you will recall that when we began the Capital
Campaign last January, our principal balance was $619,000.
This week our operating account balance is $72,000. We have already paid the roofing contractor just over $162,000 for work on
the roof and in the sanctuary, and, when they finish placement of the cross over the steeple in the next week or so, we will complete
our payments to them of $19,900. Once that payment is complete, I will work hard to maintain a healthy balance in the operating
account. Two very optimistic notes regarding the roof are: (1) that we should receive approximately $15,000 in one final payment
from the insurance company to settle the depreciation due on the overall work completed (this was part of the initial settlement);
and, (2) we have received $18,125 in donations from the congregation in support of this very high-profile job that, with a little help
from the weather, will be completed very soon.
Thanks all. If you have questions about the information contained in this note, please feel free to contact [email protected].
We’d be glad to have your input.
Kindest regards,
Mike Ensch
A Special Thank You…
Dear Members and Friends of HFPC,
I want to thank everyone for the prayers, cards, and wonderful food. I am recovering at home and feeling better. I am looking forward to coming back to church. Again, please know how much I appreciate your prayers and kindness. Also, I want
to extend a special thanks to Lynne Welch.
Mary Ann Tate
Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church
Fifth Avenue and Main Street
P.O. Box 323
Franklin Tennessee 37065-0323
Return Service Requested
Serving Christ and neighbor at the crossroads!
March 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1 First Sunday Fellowship
8:30/11 Worship
9:45 Sunday School
12:30 Session Meeting
2
3
4
5
6 Sewing 10-1
1:00 World Day of Prayer
ART CRAWL/Memorial Hall
6-9
7
8 Daylight Savings Time
8:30/11 Worship
9:45 Sunday School
4-5 Youth Choir
5-7 Youth Group
9
10
11
12:30 Art Class
6pm Bells
7:15 pm Choir
12
12:30 Art Class
13
14
15 8:30/11 Worship
9:45 Sunday School
5-7 Youth Group
16
17 St. Patrick’s Day
18
12:30 Art Class
6pm Bells
7:15 pm Choir
19
12:30 Art Class
20 Sewing 10-1
Women’s Retreat
21 Women’s Retreat
27
28
3 Good Friday
12:05 Holy Week service
4:30 Good Friday Processional
7:00 Joint Choir Concert
4
5-8 Bridges
9:45 PW Bible Study
5-8 Bridges
22
8:30/11 Worship
4-5 Youth Choir
9:45 Sunday School
Women’s Retreat
23
24
11;30 Book Club
25
12:30 Art Class
6:30 LWF
6:00 pm Bells
7:15 pm Choir
26
12:30 Art Class
29 Palm Sunday
8:30/11 Worship
10:00 Processional
4:00 Joint Choir Concert
30
12:05 Holy Week service
31
12:05 Holy Week service
1
12:05 Holy Week service
12:30 Art Class
6pm Bells
7:30 pm Choir
2
12:05 Holy Week service
12:30 Art Class
5-8 Bridges
7:30 Tenebrae Service
5 Easter Sunday
Worship—6:00 a.m. FPC,
8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:45
5-8 Bridges