VBS at Vine Street
By Reagan Freeman
This was our first week at Vacation Bible School's Camp E.D.G.E.! We trekked to the Promised Land and learned that there is no reason to fear when God is here. All campers took a pledge and promised to "stay close to God." Blaze and Sparx opened the morning with a fun assembly. Mountain climbers and mountaineers enjoyed activities such as science experiments, the Rex Plex, art, music and even snacks! All the campers are off to a great start in Experiencing and Discovering God Everywhere!
Getting to Know the Vine Street Staff
The Personnel Committee and Vine Street want to recognize members of our staff and we are starting off with Andra Moran, since she is “instrumental” in the upcoming General Assembly. Andra is our part-time Director of the Children’s Choir and Youth Choir and is a well-known recording artist. She will serve as youth choir director at the 2009 General Assembly, being held in Indianapolis, Ind., on July 29 through August 2. The choir will sing during the Friday night worship service at General Assembly, when General Minister and President Sharon Watkins preaches on "Wholeness in a Fragmented World."
The daughter of two Disciples ministers, Andra's faith plays a central role in her song writing. Her range of experiences living all over the world as part of an Army chaplain's family has also impacted her songwriting.
Andra’s songs reflect a freshness and an honesty about the complex nature of living in a wide and wild world. Her conversational approach to lyrics and her accessible, memorable melodies have won many loyal and vocal fans: "The best part about being on the road is hearing the crowd sing along. Realizing that strangers have internalized words that are so intimately me is a very powerful thing." Singing and writing are undeniable for Andra. She owns each moment of each song in a way that can't help but capture your ear and your heart.
Currently, Andra is touring nationally in support of her latest Insta-Rock Records release, "Listening." The liner notes boast the names of some of Nashville's most accomplished musicians, whose skills shine brightly on this lush and quiet record. "Listening" is the follow-up to Andra's two previous recordings: 2003's acoustic EP, "The Someday Sessions" and 2001's "If Not for This," with another Disciple, Josh Elson, produced by Dexter Green.
In addition to her recordings, Andra's songs have also been published in a collection of print music entitled Chalice Praise through the Christian Board of Publication.
Find out more about Andra and her music at www.andramoran.com. For more about the 2009 General Assembly, visit: www.disciples.org/ga
A Very Pleasant Surprise for Rooftop
Yesterday, I was asked to come to the Vine Street Christian church to meet with Rev. Thomas Kleinert, Rev. Hope Hodnett, and their Administrative Assistant, Denise Mistich to receive a check from the church. They presented Rooftop a check for $10,000!
Let me quote from the letter accompanying the check: " Vine Street Christian Church has been given a substantial monetary gift, willed from a personal estate as a ministry tool to assist the needy elderly. After thoughtful conversation, our Board has elected to share $10,000 of this fund with your agency. The intention of this donation is to assist the needy elderly in Nashville. We are so grateful for the incredible work your organization does to help this group, and hope that you will find appropriate means to use our donation."
We will be setting up a separate line item specifically for rental assistance help to the elderly. Rooftop has been blessed by this wonderful gift from Vine Street Christian Church.
Bill Coke
