Poof!

It's official I guess. At midnight a few minutes ago my church membership evaporated. I am no longer a member of any church. I have not moved my membership; I have been kicked out as my church was disbanded.

I received this message, the last I suppose from my church home of over 60n years:

The so-called "disaffiliation team" takes over the multimillion dollar church property for an extremely small percentage of its worth.  They will organize a new group on the site and likely give it a name that will make some folks think it is the same church; it will not be. 

It was the only possible outcome, I have thought, since Bishop Dease made the reverse ruling a couple of weeks ago. And today the bishop made it official. We lost by one vote in the special conference and by ten votes in the church conference in July.  It isn't right in any way except legally, but it is the right thing legally and I believe in following the law. Unless the rump group that is taking over the church property makes some ridiculously careless error (and they won't)  in the next 31 days it is final.

Exclusion is the new organization's only reason for being. The group that will organize in those buildings is founded for one purpose -- and the ballot that accomplished the dissolution made it plain -- and one purpose only: to exclude certain people. Can you imagine belonging to a church that's sole reason for being is that? As I said, they will use a name that will confuse some folks but the church that was on that site from 1875 until tonight is no more. 

Many of those folks are people I love and in other ways admire. I wish those people well. 

The Seven

Today my sister Joan shared this  picture of "The Seven" -- me and my six siblings. This was taken outside Trinity Un ind Methodist Church on the day of my Mother's funeral on August 6, 2021. Our Beth, the youngest of the girls, died one day less than a year later on August 5, 2022. So sadly, this was the last photo ever taken of "The Seven". 

My Mother used t enjoy bragging that seven is the number of completion and perfection. 

Joan's children presented Joan with a framed copy of this picture for her birthday yesterday, as you see with the background obscured to emphasize just us. I thought I'd preserve a copy of it here. Each of these six siblings of mine have had an important influence on my life and I cherish them all. How we miss Beth.

Left to right: Sharlyn Beth Shaw Roszel, Charles Terrell Shaw, Deborah Ruth Shaw Lewis, Janice Dianne Shaw Crouse, Lynda Joan Shaw Turrentine, David Baird Shaw, Mary Carol Shaw Johnston.
I find it interesting that many people make a big deal out of which is the first name. That has never been true in our family. Three (Debi, Jan, & David) go by their first names while four (Beth, Joan, Carol, and myself) go by our middle names. My mother (Sarah RUTH Baird Shaw) and grandfather (Benjamin WILSON "Wilse" Baird went by their middle names, as did my uncles (Wilson GRICE Baird , John THOMAS "Tom" Baird, and James LEON Baird), and aunt Esther LOUISE "Sis" Baird

Fading Away

I just got back from a 20 minute meeting of the Trinity United Methodist Church Council. We turned in our clergy review forms for 2023 and took two required (though absurd) votes to 

(1) approve the 2024 (non-existent) Church Council members. I abstained; I would not give even imaginary support to leaders who would choose to disband the church.)

(2) set a salary for a (non-existent) pastor for 2024. I approved the imaginary salary; I would have approved one-dollar or a million --- in this case identical sums.

Barring some unexpected matter arising that requires a council vote before the church disbands, this was the final meeting of the Trinity United Methodist Church Council. After 148 years of service our congregation will officially disband on November 30, 2023. Each of its remaining 800 plus members will be, at least temporarily, without a church home.

As I waited afterwards for the Turner McCall light to change so I could walk toward home I noticed the sign sadly and appropriately fading away.

Gleaning Facebook: Our Church is Disbanding

Our pastor handled our sorrow beautifully with her sermon today after the heartbreaking vote. Thank you, Nanci.

 

This bouquet of shards was a creative visual representation of the painful brokenness of the congregation.

Comments:

Maria Bowers
Praying for everyone involved.

Joyce Mink
We prayed for your whole church today at CSUMC. That's a hard thing to deal with.

Terrell Shaw
Joyce Mink just heartbreaking... I will lose my home church of 61 years.

Julie Adair
Terrell Shaw What happened???

Terrell Shaw
Trinity UMC voted to disband today (they use the euphemism of "disaffiliation"). I'm sure there will be a new church (independent? GMC? Other?) organized on the property, but we who choose to remain United Methodists will not be a part of that.

Carl Franklin
So sorry. What were the issues? How long have you been a member? Courage on your quest to find a new church home. Hard to believe you won’t be a part of the live nativity now.

Claudia Kennedy
Terrell Shaw I have recently joined the UMC of Carrollton. I felt so welcomed by the congregants. Our ministers are awesome! Even Tootsie, my support canine is welcomed! At seven years old in a tiny country church in Emmanuel County, I asked to be “Methodized,” saying my cousins were Baptized. Rev. Sanford Brown said, “Huh? Okay, with your mother’s permission we can do that.” After my husband, an Episcopalian, died last Feb., I came back home. The warm welcome was a balm to my wounded spirit. I pray for the best for everyone concerned. I am very thankful to Rev. John Simmons and Rev. Ken Stephens for their support.

Howard Smith
Terrell Shaw this vote is just another example of why I place so little “faith” in organized religion.

Terrell Shaw
Carl Franklin here's the ballot (I took a picture of mine) that states the issues pretty plainly. Those who voted yes are, in my opinion, primarily fearful of possible coming changes to the Book of Discipline regarding same-sex marriage and LGBT ordination. Interesting that actually those changes have not happened yet and are much more likely with the exit of the groups that are leaving.

Carl Franklin
Terrell Shaw Thanks for the info. This is a national issue for all major denominations. I know this is a sad day for you. Hope you can quickly regain you positive mindset. This country can’t afford to lose too many optimists.

Jamie Fergerson
I’m so sorry. There’s nothing anyone can say to make it better, but I will hold hope that this season has ended only so that something more Godly and loving can bloom. A church who is determined not welcome all of God’s people fully cannot be the best we can do. I hope another UMC welcomes you and my parents and appreciates the gifts/legacy you bring.

Cathy McDaniel Hart
I am so sorry

Christy Davis
I'm so sorry. That's a long time to have a church home, and to feel no choice but to walk away is painful. It's like a death.

Terrell Shaw
Christy Davis Yes. Thank you.

Rhonda Ingram Bramlette
I’m so very sorry for this loss. I don’t know why it’s so hard to follow Jesus teachings but I grew up Baptist and had to leave because my understanding of being like Christ doesn’t fit with many of the leaders of the faith anymore. It’s heartbreaking.

Bob Doster
So sorry. Go see the grands, they'll fix your broken heart.

Terrell Shaw
Good idea, Bob Doster.

Bob Doster
it always worked for me. Hope it will work for you and Shelia

Paula Barkley Fensom
As someone whose mother’s family attended Trinity UMC as a child, I am disappointed in all the people who call themselves Christians and Methodists without apparently understanding what both of those things mean.

Voting to leave the UMC over including ALL children of the Creator in ALL parts of the UMC is blasphemous.

And this argument amongst so called Christians and Methodists is why I haven’t returned to the UMC in 9 years.

Following the supposedly correctly translated words of Leviticus is NOT following the teachings of Christ.

Ann Gore
Terrell Shaw, I am sure that you are grieving. It is so sad. Sending our love to you and Sheila!

George Dean
Praying that you will get through this and find peace in spite of the circumstances..

Nancy Hunter
I know you’re heartbroken.

Marsha Yancey Atkins
I’m so sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to you and Shelia. You two are Christians that I respectand admire for the way you live your faith. I wish the vote had gone differently.

Gretchen Dodson
A church split hurts like cutting off a limb. Knowing you are on the right side of history is little comfort. I pray for peace and guidance.

Jamie Fergerson
I appreciate you sharing so much of the news for those of us who are not there. I’m at Disney World and have shed more tears over this loss today than I imagined I would. While my faith in the institution of the UMC has long been shaky, I’d held on to faith in the goodness of the people who raised me. But it seems that many of the adults who taught me and welcomed me into their homes as a child voted to disband a whole church over the question of welcoming LGBTQ people - supposedly some while loudly speaking lies about us.

My parents shouldn’t have to find a new church after almost 50 years. Your family should not be the ones leaving what your family built. People like me don’t deserve to be furthered harmed and hurt by the church. But this is what is. Christ is betrayed again and again by faith leaders and politicians because of His love and welcome, not in spite of it.

Jamie Fergerson
The lyrics here seem appropriate.

<>

Leanne Hand Cook
Jamie Fergerson amazing song!

Nick Douglas
So sorry. So sad.

Martha Jane Montgomery
I’m so sad for you all

David Matheny
Wish I could have heard it.

Karyn Page-Davies
Oh, Terrell. How have actions and beliefs taken this unbelievable turn? Sad times. Love one another.

Holly S Kelly
I am so very sorry for your loss.

Bonnie Gardner
So sorry, Terrell. Wishing you peace

Terri Morgan
I’m so sorry.

Vincent Mendes
Sorry Terrell 

Mary Caldwell
I know what a loss that is for you and Shelia, Terrell Shaw. It is such a shame. Trinity has been a foundation of community for so many. I am sorry.

Amber Clark Ware
I'm so sorry Mr. Shaw. I lost my faith in the church where I was raised (Southern Baptist) many years ago; Jim and I visited StPeters RomeGeorgia a few years ago and both quickly found our faith again. It hurts my heart that the church I loved for so many years as a child doesn't love so many of the people that need that love and compassion the most. We don't attend regularly (I could make excuses for being busy/work but none of them truly matter or are sufficient) but I feel certain that you would love The Episcopal Church and the hearts of the people there. It is so very true what they say about TEC....everyone is welcome.

Emily Robinson
Amber Clark Ware yes. This

Clayton Hensley
I had two childhood churches disaffiliate so I understand your grief. Luckily the church where I am a member and the church where I work have remained UMC. In the long run I believe the denomination will actually be stronger. Still those shards of glass really illustrate what's happening.

Lynne Crothers Williams
Prayers for your church.

Paula Graves
I’m so sorry to read this. I don’t understand how anyone can have hate in their heart for anyone. Why can’t we mind our own beeswax and just let people live? Again, I’m so sorry for you and Sheila.

Cindy Smith
Just too sad, Terrell Shaw.

Ann Pullen
Terrell, I am so sorry to learn about Trinity's vote. I know it is devastating for you, Sheila, and so many others in the congregation

Charlene Payne
John’s mother would be so saddened to see this happening. She loved Trinity-we all had a special place in our hearts for that sweet church.
I feel your pain-our church will vote in August to determine disaffiliation or not.
We are looking for a new UM church , just in case. I can’t support Global Methodist. This movement will be regrettable .

Terrell Shaw
Charlene Payne our mistake was allowing those who want to leave to go unchallenged. It is harder to get the folks who are happy with things as they are pretty much, and who are less likely to be paying close attention to the controversy to come to a meeting and vote. so the stay UMC  group must be organized and must give lots of reminders and phone calls and work to get out their vote.

Lanette Adams Greene
I am so sorry. I believe God has a call for you. Just listen.

Fred Gould
I attended this wonderful church early in my career. Now may you have success in your endeavor to find a new church home.

Terrell Shaw
Thanks Fred— we still miss y’all.

Today is the Day: Please Stay UMC!

Another of my mentors at Trinity UMC was Burnita Burton (on the right).  This picture is from 1969.

To my fellow members of Trinity United Methodist Church:

Today is the day.

Will Trinity United Methodist Church be voted out of existence today?

Please no! We can continue to have a "big umbrella" church, where we all accept the fact that no two of us will ever agree on every single thing. But if we can agree on the basics: God is love and we are called by the Great Commandment to love God and each other, then we can find ways to work together and accomplish good things. We don't have to agree on everything else.

So I am simply begging my friends, please don't disband Trinity United Methodist Church. Yes, it will be a smaller congregation no matter which way the vote goes, but if we stay UMC no one is forced out.

On the other hand if we vote to disband (with hopes to later attract part of the current Trinity UMC to form a new independent church) then all those who remain United Methodist will in actual undeniable fact lose their church home and be forced to find a new UMC congregation or be churchless. And those who choose to join the new as yet undefined church will have to start from scratch to do everything from apply for 501-c3 status to finding a pastor, creating a governing structure, and do without or gradually build some sort of denomination programs, missions, youth programs/camps, etc. etc  etc. I truly do not believe that those who say they want to leave the UMC realize that what would be left will be a very different church. All of the resources, programs, missions, support we are used to from our wonderful Methodist connectional system will be gone from the newly organized group.

Please don't do that. Please vote NO. Please vote to allow Trinity United Methodist Church to continue to serve God and our neighbors here in Rome, in Georgia, and in the world through the worldwide United Methodist Church with all its resources and programs and missions and seminaries and children homes and camps and retreat centers and relief committee and so much more.

If my membership in Trinity UMC is voted out of existence, I will try to be kind. I will still be a United Methodist even though my congregation is gone. I would have no local church when Trinity UMC disbands. I would be be forced to find a new church home. 

How terribly sad that would be for me and those others who remain United Methodists.

BUT if we stay UMC, even though some will choose to move to one of the many other protestant churches in Rome, our congregation will already have its structure, its membership roll, its UMCOR resources in emergencies, its youth programs and camps, its itinerancy, just all those programs missions and resources we are used to in our United Methodist connectional system. We will be able to move on and begin to rebuild. 

Please vote no. Please do not dissolve our Trinity United Methodist Church.

Happy Birthday, Debra!

Debra Malone is our accompanist at Trinity United Methodist Church. Her husband Kam is our long-time choir director. Today Kam was out of town and Debra filled in, on her birthday, not only playing beautifully but also mouthing the words or nodding her head or freeing one hand for a cut-off to direct our singing.

We started our choir time a few minutes early this morning so we could celebrate Debra's birthday with a delightfully moist and deliciously tasty apple cake still warm from her sister Sandy's oven! Sandy and another "Wager" sister,  Sharon, also sing in our choir. 

Debra with the cake and four of our altos: Stacey Harris, Sheila Shaw, Holly Bettler, and Sharon.

Debra with her cake.

 

Flowers for Mother's 100th

Sheila and I put flowers in the church on Sunday in memory of my Mother, Ruth Baird Shaw, on her 100th birthday. I'd like to save the pictures here.  

I also cut a bunch of daffodils from my yard for a small bouquet 
which was placed in the narthex of the church. The primary reason I have planted so many daffodils in my yard was to have a good supply to cut for my Mother during the late winter and spring.
How I miss seeing her face brighten when I walk in with jonquils.

Have You Ever Sung In a Choir?

No experience required

Sheila and I joined the choir at Trinity United Methodist Church in 1982. We look forward to Wednesday nights from 6:30 till 7:30 -- our choir practice time. The choir sings, of course, on Sunday mornings and for special programs at Easter and Christmas, and very occasionally at other special services. I really enjoy it.

Right now we have one of our strongest choirs. We are all amateurs and few of us have significant musical training outside of choir. But we have two absolutely wonderful leaders. Kam Malone is a talented director and Debra Malone is our accompanist. Having a married couple leading our choir has turned out to =be a big advantage. Kam chooses great music and teaches the music with great skill and patience. Debra has a marvelous feel for dynamics. Before she became our primary accompanist I knew her mostly for her gospel music, which I love. But, wow, her preludes, offertories, and other special playing is so nuanced and beautiful. Sometimes so quietly worshipful it brings tears and sometimes swells to such a crescendo that you want to stand and shout. Debra and Kam are a true team.

All of that to say, I really enjoy our choir. We have fun. We are friends. We worship together and support each other and lead the congregational music. And we always welcome new folks. If you are missing your days in high school or college chorus, or if you just enjoy singing, come join us! I think you will be glad you did.

Now would be a great time; we have just finished our Christmas season and are now beginning to rehearse our Easter music. All you have to do is show up at Trinity on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm for the weekly one-hour rehearsal. On Sunday mornings we warm-up our voices and run over the morning anthem at 10:30 for the 11 a.m. service. 

We'd love to have you in Trinity choir and next Wednesday would be a great time to join us! Y'all come.

Call or text me if you'd like more info.

New Years Day 2023

Every News Day since 1984 I am gobsmacked by the science fiction feel of the new number I need to write or type. We are 39 years past Orwell's dystopian vision and even 22 years past terror of Kubricks soft-spoken HAL.

The year started with a missed field goal in the Peach Bowl. Georgia's football team is far from my favorite team, but when it gets down to a team from our state against one from Ohio, well I gotta cheer for the home folks. I doubt if I slept till two or later.

If the choir had sung at today's service, I'm not sure I would have made it in time. As it was, we could slip in just before eleven and no one knows how recently we were abed. I'm glad we made it. It was a beautiful service of new beginnings. The congregation, as one might expect, was small, and there were no musicians except our pastor (who has a beautiful voice). She led us in singing the first hymn a cappella, interspersing each verse with her quiet prayer. Her elegant pastoral prayer included a beautiful poem. I consulted Mr. Google when I got home and found the poem attributed to in one place to Michael Dougherty and in another to Howard Thurman:

When the carols have been stilled, 
When the star-topped tree is taken down, 
When family and friends are gone home, 
When we are back to our schedules 
THE WORK OF CHRISTMAS BEGINS 
To welcome the refugee, 
To heal a broken planet, 
To feed the hungry, 
To build bridges of trust, not walls of fear, 
To share our gifts, 
To seek justice and peace for all people, 
To bring Christ’s light to the world.

Her sermon is one that I wish more could have heard.

After church we drove through McDonald's for our first meal of the day, Egg McMuffins, and ate them as we drove toward the Lock and Dam Park for the annual First Day Hike. The McMuffins made us late so we had our own own walk along the river to the upstream nature preserve. It was a beautiful day and as always I enjoyed this winter hike --- despite the lack of wildflowers and greenery --- for the clear view of the lay of the land.

We started the path behind campsite 9.

The trail follows the river upstream.

I remember this huge multiple trunked Tulip Poplar from previous walks here. Alas it is much smaller since two of its trunks have fallen.

The trail ends at this wetland.

A observation shelter at the wetland.

Despite the recent wet weather the mass of Resurrection Fern on this tree is already mostly brown.

Not a lot left of the dam.

The mighty Coosa below the dam flows on toward Alabama.

I was pleased that the fencing around the lock is pretty sturdy. I think we could safely bring the grandgirls here next time they come.

At home again it was time soon for the annual New Year meal of Hopping John and such. It was absolutely delicious!

Left: Hopping John (black-eyed peas, tomatoes, rice, turkey sausage) with a splash of hot sauce and a dollop of plain greek yogurt. Right: A couple of cornbread sticks (made in cast iron inherited from my Mother) and some mixed stir fried veggies. The greens and the black-eyed peas are required for good fortune in the coming year. 

Now we are off one one more walk before the sun goes down. 

The skyline of our downtown from beneath the Turner-McCall bridge.

Another skyline from the levee.

Another skyline from the levee.

The Oostanaula in sunset from the Fifth Avenue
 bridge.

The Oostanaula in sunset from the Fifth Avenue bridge.

The City Clock through the branches of a tree at the old courthouse.

Two great Rome landmarks: the City Clock and Schroeder's New Deli.

I this was the first season for the green and red decorations... the one in blue has been around only a little longer.

A window at Schroeders.

Christmas Eve 2022

A few notes on the Christmas card above:

• center picture at the top - Ruth & Clem and their paper chain representing the days left till the arrival of "GrandShaw and Granny" last September. This was taken when they had to add seven links because GrandShaw had come down with Covid.
• center pic at the bottom - the girls loved visiting with their Aunt Lil at her home in Decatur. Here they roll around the front lawn.
• center pic at left the three sisters sit on a mossy bank of the trail at Sloppy Floyd State Park.
• center pic at the right - Aunt Lil & Jordan sport their Chip & Dale hats.
• bottom left - the girls loved playing on the Little Tikes playlet on our big side porch - one of the best 15 bucks I ever spent.
• bottom right - Clem agrees to pose with the Courtin' Frog in our Backyard Football
• center - Ruth climbing on a playground. These girls explore multiple playgrounds wherever they travel.
• top right - the girls welcome their Dad to Georgia in our Atlanta AirBNB

-------------------------

Brannon & John and the girls called us on Christmas Eve to 

let us share with them as the girls opened one present early.

Suzie is into throwing kisses and waving.

She offered us a bite of a "cookie".

The girls carefully tend to a sheet of "cookies" with dad's help.

The kit comes with cookie sheet, cookie "dough" to "slice" and "cut'

These girls have gotten much more than their parents' money's worth from their "nugget" set of construction cushions. (Stay tuned for Christmas morning's surprises for them@!)

Sisters

Excited over the new cookie toys

Ruthie offers a bite of "cookie"

Joseph (Jordan Friedman), Mary (Lillian Shaw) Angels (R-L Sheila Shaw, Holly Bettler, Stacy Harris, Caroline) Shepherds (Don Bettler, ??) Wise Men (Tom Brown, Tom Harris, ?? Harris,  Harris SIL)

"Mary & Joseph" Lillian & Jordan. ...

The live nativity scene has been a tradition at Trinity United Church since 1957. I first stood it it during the 1962 Christmas season.

After we got home we lit a menorah and Jordan, who has a very nice voice, sang a couple of Hanukkah blessings for us.

We used a smaller tree this year. The carol era are from mama Shaw's collection of forties and fifties decorations.