Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Drug-Free South Distributes Booklets at Bike Show

Drug-Free South is working to eradicate the demand for drugs in Tennessee and so establish health and happiness for all citizens. This past week, they took their message to a motorcycle show in Rutherford County.


Drug-Free South is known for spreading its message on the Truth About Drugs to students across Tennessee by delivering lectures in schools, but this past week members were invited to a motorcycle show where over a hundred riders were able to receive, and benefit from, the information.

“We will go to anyone, anywhere in the state with our message,” says Marc Vallieres who volunteers for Drug-Free South, “everyone deserves to receive the truth about drugs, and it’s never too late to reach out to someone – they can always benefit from knowing.”

Drug-Free South volunteers distributed dozens of booklets to those attending.

Vallieres went on to say, “It is important to realize that each person who receives the truth could be another life saved. That is why we do what we do.”

Drug-Free South is a chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, based in Los Angeles, California, which provides educational tools to help students learn the truth about drugs. The Foundation provides a booklet which covers common street names of drugs, short and long term effects as well as myths that a dealer might say to make the sale. It also provides an in-depth documentary of former users telling their story and an entire educational curriculum to help students understand what drugs really are.

For more information, visit www.drugfreesouth.org.


Thursday, October 24, 2013

Religion Communicators Council Hears About Good Works By Good People

The Religion Communicators Council is an interfaith communications organization which meets monthly to learn from one another and explore new ways to promulgate religious messages.


In October, the Nashville Religion Communicators Council (RCC) heard from the Nashville Rescue Mission and Salvation Army.  Topic of the day was “Putting Faith Into Action.” Both ministries shared the values of bringing the faith to the people in such a way that makes lives better each day.

Lynn Bogle, with Nashville Rescue Mission, stressed the importance of reconnecting people with God. The Nashville Rescue Mission serves the homeless, addicts and broken families by serving meals, providing shelter, restoring life and helping people get back on their feet. Bogle made it clear that anyone can end up at the Mission after just a couple of bad choices in life.

Gerald Brown, with Salvation Army, presented a video about the Salvation Army which demonstrated the motto: Doing the Most Good. The army "provides soup, soap and salvation," but truly encompasses a myriad of activities to the benefit of children, men and women.

President of the Nashville chapter and pastor of the Church of Scientology, Rev. Brian Fesler said, “I’m always encouraging my parishioners to get out and be active in the community... and people like this just prove it’s all worthwhile.”

Both organizations provide shelter for those without homes, and both give out meals to the hungry.

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) hears regularly from such organizations to learn how they act out their faith. Fesler went on to say, “We will continue to bring these important topics to the forefront at coming meetings. This is the kind of good news that we share as religious communicators.”

The RCC is open to members from all denominations, and the Nashville group includes Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, and more.  For further information about the RCC or their next meeting, visit www.religioncommunicators.org.



Thursday, October 17, 2013

Church of Scientology Community News: Religious People Working for a Better Nashville

The Nashville Church of Scientology supports the good works of others. Today’s highlight: People of faith working together to improve conditions.


If you’re a person of faith and looking for a way to get involved in the community, Nashville, Tennessee is calling your name.  Many men and women of God live in and around Nashville and are working every day to improve the lives of the people in the city.

Most of these go unnoticed but by the people directly involved.  For example, a group of religious people from different faiths gather monthly to make the city greener, more beautiful, healthier and more energy efficient.  Under the name “Interfaith Earth Care Network” they are making a difference.

Then, there is a group of pastors who meet weekly to discuss the many problems and destructive influences at work in society and how to bring about social justice.  The Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship has worked on these issues for five decades.

The Religion Communicators Council, a national organization going on its 85th anniversary, has a chapter in Nashville, an interfaith group composed of media professionals and communicators who work day in and day out to spread the good news.   

There are many others who take part in active work to help the city. Residents volunteer with the group Hands On Nashville, while others volunteer at local soup kitchens or facilities for the homeless, such as the Room in the Inn, Safe Haven and the Nashville Rescue Mission.


Nashville is a hub for religious and spiritually rewarding work and is growing. There are many ways to get involved; it’s just a matter of knowing where to look.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Church of Scientology Hosts Film Screening for World War II Inspired Documentary

The Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre Nashville will host a film screening on Saturday for a documentary inspired by life during World War II.

“Love Letters: A Legacy of Tormented Addiction” is the award winning documentary inspired by the story of Roswell Joseph Weil and the letters he wrote during World War II to his parents every day for three and a half years while he was stationed in Europe. The documentary describes his meeting with his future wife, their marriage during the war and her addiction to pharmaceutical drugs.

“I hate what our servicemen and women have to go through,” says pastor of the church, Rev. Brian Fesler, “There is a huge disconnect between life at home and life in the military and people need to see this, understand it. We’re honored to host Mr. Weil’s documentary.”

The film screening will take place October 5th at 7pm in the community room of the church. It is being presented by filmmaker Richard Lyons Weil. Weil is a New Orleans native who came to Nashville in 2004 to pursue his career as an artist.

Contact The Actors' Reading Room at 615-915-0891 for further information about the screening. For more information about the church, visit scientology.org.

Drug-Free South Celebrates Red Ribbon Week All Month Long

“A Healthy Me is Drug Free” is the campaign this year for Red Ribbon Week, a week-long celebration to promote a drug-free lifestyle. The Red Ribbon has been worn as a symbol since 1985 when DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was murdered. Angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons to show their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America.

In Tennessee, the group Drug-Free South plans to take its message further this year by promoting awareness all month long. They plan to visit schools across Tennessee giving lectures and handing out information to students on the truth about drugs.

Anne Vallieres with Drug-Free South said, “We will see students in Murfressboro, Clarksville, Smyrna, Fairview, Watertown, Lake County and Crockett County. It is important to reach as many people as possible with these messages—before it is too late.”

Drug-Free South is a chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World which is operated out of Los Angeles, California. It is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that provides youth and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and live drug-free. The organization gives away a “Truth About Drugs” booklet, an informational pamphlet that details short- and long-term effects of drugs, common street names and myths that a dealer might use to make a sale.

Since its inception, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World has promoted drug-free living and celebrated Red Ribbon Week.

According to Vallieres, “Red Ribbon Week is a time for us all to come together to end the drug crises in our country. Everyone should participate.”

For more information or to schedule a seminar on the truth about drugs, visit www.drugfreesouth.org.

Religion Communicators Council Puts Faith Into Action

The Religion Communicators Council meets each month to hear about a topic of interest. This month, the Nashville Chapter will hear from two organizations about how to put faith into action.





Religion Communicators are welcomed and invited to a meeting with a representative from the Nashville Rescue Mission, and one from the Salvation Army.  Topic of the day: Putting Faith Into Action.



Both organizations began with a mission from a higher power. According to nashvillerescuemission.org, “Following God’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves, the Nashville Rescue Mission seeks to help the hurting of Middle Tennessee by offering food, clothing and shelter to the homeless and recovery programs to those enslaved in life degrading problems,” and according to salvationarmyusa.org, “The Salvation Army, an internal movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God.”



The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) hears regularly from such organizations to learn how they act out their faith. President of the Nashville chapter and pastor of the Church of Scientology, Rev. Brian Fesler says, “I’m always encouraging my parishioners to get out and be active in the community… and people like this just prove it’s all worthwhile.”



The RCC meeting will be held on October 16th over lunch at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.



The RCC is open to members from all denominations, and the Nashville group includes Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, and more.  For further information about the RCC or their next meeting, visit www.religioncommunicators.org.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Artlightenment 5th Annual Festival to Take Place this Fall

Visual artist Robyn Morshead decided to create an art show in 2009 with a special purpose: elevate the artist to elevate the culture.

She has continued moving visual art to the foreground in the city of music through the Artlightenment festival, now in its fifth consecutive year. It was expanded in 2011 to include film about art, artists and the art of existence, which encouraged further collaboration between the worlds of filmmakers and visual artists of all kinds.

The festival will take place November 14-16 at the Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre in Nashville. Rev. Brian Fesler who pastors the church says, “It’s part of our mission to assist the artists in society. Artists have the power to uplift the culture, and society depends on their creativity.”

In 2012 the film “Miracles on Honey Bee Hill” by Bob Pondillo won the Artlightenment award for Best Film. Pondillo won many other awards of the evening including Best Sound Design, Costume and Editing. “Molly and the Kids” by Raeanne Rubenstein won the overall Audience Choice award and was a resounding favorite. Carla Christina Contreras won the Audience Award for Best Actor or Actress. Holly Carmichael won the Best of Show Art prize.

The Artlightenment show also featured special presentations by successful artists. Filmmakers Daniel Lir and Bayou Bennett traveled from Los Angeles to give a talk called “The Art of Making a Successful Film.” Marlene Rose, an internationally known glass artist, spoke about and showed her documentary film “From Fire.”

Morshead could hardly contain her excitement, “I really want all filmmakers and artists to learn and advance their careers and connections and to gain a new audience for their films and art.” Acceptable art submissions include paintings, mixed-media, photographs, sculptures and film. All submissions should be suitable for general audiences. Prospective participants may submit their film or artwork online at www.artlightenment.com.

Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville Announces Sunday Tea

The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville announced a new weekly activity for both parishioners and guests on Sunday afternoons – tea time with a twist. Guests will be able to relax and chat with one another, but will also be able to learn something to help them in life.

“Scientology means ‘knowing how to know,’” according to the church’s website. “Scientology is all about learning to do things to improve conditions in your own life and in particular in the lives of others. An active Scientologist is not only considered to be someone who attends a Scientology church or studies Scientology, but rather someone who actively uses the insights and knowledge that Scientology gives them to make a real, positive difference in the lives of others.”

Thus when the church began offering a tea time, it not only would provide tea, but tools.
“We’ve had two Sunday Teas and both have been a great success,” says President of the Church, Corinne Sullivan, “our church is all about sharing knowledge and that is exactly what we did at the tea.”

The first tea was centered around the topic “The Joy Of Creating” inspired by an article by founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard; the second tea was about “Life As A Game,” which is how Scientologists view life.

“I like to talk about tools for life, and the Church of Scientology is the perfect place for that,” says parishioner Betsy Brubaker. Sullivan encouraged all to attend.

For more information about Scientology, visit the website, scientology.org. For more information about events and happenings, call the church and ask for Julie at 615-687-4600.

Roots of Country Music Concert Series Hosted By Nashville Church of Scientology

The Nashville Church of Scientology celebrates and uplifts the artists in society. That is why the church has opened its doors to a new concert series celebrating the roots of country music. 

“Our church has a special mission to help artists and creative people because they are the ones who shape the culture,” says church pastor Rev. Brian Fesler. Fesler referred to a quote from L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology: “Hubbard said, ‘A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists.’ We live that every day, hosting events for artists all year round. We’re excited about this new concert series.” 

The concert series is being organized by a group called The Country Club, and kicked off September 26th with Sherry Carlisle and friends from the artistic community at Miller Piano. Eric Bikales was on piano; Larry Knight on lead guitar; Boyd LaFan, bass and Robert Bond, drums. Carlisle, Rachel Rodriguez and Karen Dee all sang leads as well as back up. 

Singers and musicians with an interest in performing classic country please contact The Country Club at localtalentndp@gmail.com. For more information about the upcoming events at the church, call Julie at 615-687-4600.