IF YOU ARE NOT A PREACHER     

I suggest you contact Trisha in the Center office to find out if you can attend the Spring Preaching Workshop on March 1. Her response, I am sure, will be based entirely on space available. At the Fall Workshop there were 180. We were packed. It worked out acoustically but some complained about the awkwardness of eating lunch in the balcony, since we have no balcony. It is understandable that non-preachers would want to attend, given the unusual nature of the program. Our leader for the day, Dr. Eugene Lowry, is not only a proven teacher of preaching, but he is also a gifted jazz pianist. And the unique feature is that he joins the two. He will demonstrate the kinship between improvisation in jazz and in preaching. This is our first opportunity to promote a workshop that has both entertainment and education value. My own estimation of a teacher begins with the matter of whether or not the teacher gives his or her best to every audience. Some teachers give freshmen the same tired old notes and give graduate students their newest and best thoughts. Some preachers save for the tall steeple their best sermon but rush off to the small church with leftovers. Not so, Dr. Lowry. He was recently at Yale University and now he comes to Cherry Log. There will be no drop off in quality of material or in respect for his audience. So … call Trisha.—FBC.

IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T MET DR. HELEN LEWIS     

Let me introduce her. She is a native of Georgia educated at Georgia State College for Women (BA), Duke University, University of Virginia (MA), and University of Kentucky (PhD). After teaching and working in the Central Appalachian coalfields from 1955 to 1990, she chose to come back home to Georgia to live near her family in Fannin County. She was one of the founding members of the Appalachian Studies Association and is a great asset to this area and to The Craddock Center. As a sociologist, anthropologist, and educator she has lit many a fire for justice in both students and community organizations. Her entire life has been dedicated to helping folks help themselves. She has written many articles and books including Mountain Sisters (University of Kentucky Press, 2003). A collection of her writings is currently in process also to be published by the University of Kentucky Press. She continues to teach, write, consult, and is a huge blessing to those of us who are her neighbors! — TLS

LOCAL PAPER HONORS CEP  

Teacher Ms. Kim, front, shown inside a “Boa Constrictor” that CEP children love to climb into, which “eats” them when stories are being told, and Dr. Fred Craddock are shown with, back, from left, Tammy Blair, Trisha Senterfitt, Ms. Amanda, Ms. Connie and Mr. Jose.

HOW DO JAZZ AND PREACHING RELATE?     

Rev. Dr. Eugene L. Lowry, the presenter at the March 1, 2010, Preaching Workshop, will answer this question. The Workshop will begin with a continental breakfast at 9 AM at the Cherry Log Christian Church. Then Dr. Lowry will speak on VARIETIES OF BIBLICAL NARRATIVE PREACHING. He will be exploring several kinds of plotted sermons, including inductive and episodic forms while also considering how to prepare the sermon. After a delicious deli lunch, Dr. Lowry will offer an afternoon session on Engaging the “Aristotle Blues”—a lecture/concert involving jazz improvisation and Aristotle’s narrative plot. The Workshop will conclude at 2 PM.

Dr. Lowry is retired after serving as the William K. McElvaney Professor of Preaching over 30 years at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO. He is a United Methodist minister who currently enjoys his travels as preacher, teacher and pianist. His writings include six books on narrative preaching and many journal articles and book chapters. His keyboard lecture/concerts relating jazz and Christianity have resulted in four recordings in the blues/jazz mode. We are looking forward to seeing you in Cherry Log for a most enlightening workshop. Remember, we need to know who’s coming (email craddockcenter@tds.net) so we can save you a seat and feed you!--TLS 

EARLY SPRING BODES WELL FOR HELEN LEWIS LECTURE    

It has been reported today that General Beauregard, the groundhog in Stone Mountain, Georgia, did not see his shadow. In these parts we pay attention to God’s wise creatures, for sometimes they know more than we do. And you know what happens when the groundhog doesn’t see its shadow on February 2! Hopefully there will be no more icy roads for the Sixth Annual Helen Lewis Lecture. In 2005 The Craddock Center board began an annual lecture to honor Dr. Helen Lewis focusing on some aspect of Appalachian life with the goal of preserving or improving our life together. This year’s presenter is Silas House, a nationally recognized author, musician, and environmental advocate from Eastern Kentucky. We will have some of his books available for purchase or you may bring your copy for an autograph. Please pass along this information to any of your friends who are members of book clubs.

He is a strong advocate for protecting the environment and believes in everybody being good to one another. He has been actively protesting a form of coal mining, known as mountaintop removal, which is devastating the mountains of Appalachia.

“If you happen to come upon a bird’s nest along
the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young
ones or eggs, and the mother sitting on the young
or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with
the young.”—Deuteronomy 22:6

Speaking to the ravages of mountaintop removal, Silas House says,

“I think this verse is saying that we have to be kind to even the smallest creatures. I believe it means that we should be compassionate, and thoughtful, and responsible. And I believe that it means we should not be short-sighted or mean-hearted or greedy. To be good people, the verse says, we must all be protectors of bird’s nests.”

This year’s program will be held in the Bonnie Higdon Reaves Auditorium on the Reinhardt Campus in Epworth. As you come into Blue Ridge on Hwy. 515 turn onto Hwy. 5 at the McDonald’s light and continue 7 miles to Old Hwy 5 at Abernathy Furniture turn left and immediately turn right onto Madola Road. In a little less than a mile turn left to stay on Madola Road and in .1 mile turn right onto Schoolhouse Road. We will have signs out to mark the way.

The program begins at 7 PM with Silas House’s band, Public Outcry, playing until 7:30 when the lecture begins. We promise you a fantastic evening celebrating life in Appalachia.--TLS

SNOW & ICE BROUGHT HALT TO SONGS & STORIES JAN. 30   

There have been many inquiries about rescheduling the event. However, it seems best to put it on the calendar for Jan. 29, 2011. This is only the second time in ten years that the weather has caused cancellation. So Bob and Melody Thomason have agreed to save their songs and stories for us next year. It never hurts to have something wonderful to look forward to.--TLS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, March 1, 2010—Spring Preaching Workshop—9:00 a.m.–2 p.m. at Cherry Log Christian Church with Dr. Gene Lowry presenting—No charge, but reservations required at craddockcenter@tds.net. The program has been extended because Dr. Lowry will be playing the piano after lunch. Friday, March 5, 2010—Sixth Annual Helen Lewis Lecture. Silas House, Appalachian novelist, musician and environmental activist will be the guest lecturer, 7:00 p.m. Free admission at the Bonnie Higdon Reaves Auditorium in Epworth, GA.