Monday, March 31, 2014

Drug-Free South to Visit Smith County

The Truth About Drugs materials provide teachers, law enforcement and community groups with effective drug education tools.

Drug-Free South (DFS) is making plans to visit Forks River Elementary School in Smith County to continue in its mission to create drug-free zones across Tennessee.  DFS works with youth, educators, parents, community leaders and law enforcement officers to provide drug education to children and teens by working together with the Foundation for a Drug-Free World. DFS uses a series of drug education resources that work—a multimedia program that speaks to the youth of today, informing them of the truth about drugs and empowering them to make their own decisions to live drug-free.

The cornerstone of the program is a series of booklets that provide the facts about the most commonly abused drugs: marijuana, alcohol, ecstasy, cocaine, crack cocaine, crystal meth, inhalants, heroin, LSD, prescription drugs, painkillers, and Ritalin.

Next is a series of 16 award-winning “They Said, They Lied” public service announcements. They are contemporary, high-impact communications aimed directly at youth.

Finally, the core of the Truth About Drugs educational program is a 100-minute documentary, The Truth About Drugs: Real People, Real Stories. The film is a hard-hitting, no-holds-barred presentation told by former users who themselves survived life-shattering addiction.

Drug-Free South has big plans for 2014. “We have done a lot over the past few years for Tennessee but this year we are taking it to the next level,” says Rev. Brian Fesler who coordinates Drug-Free South. To date, Drug-Free South has visited over 30 counties, delivered over 230 seminars on the program, and distributed more than 50,000 booklets to those in need, but Fesler is still not satisfied. “We need to reach every student in Tennessee –all 95 counties.”

This is the first time DFS is visiting Smith County. 

Drug-Free South is dedicated to handling the drug problem in Tennessee, and wants to encourage all educators to visit drugfreesouth.org to schedule a drug education seminar in their school. “2014 is the year to reverse the demand for drugs in Tennessee,” says Fesler.

Parents and teachers can order Truth About Drugs booklets and DVDs free of charge from the website or download the free Truth About Drugs Education Application onto their iPads or iPhones. For more information on the Truth About Drugs program, or to order materials, visit drugfreesouth.org.


Thursday, March 27, 2014

Religion Communicators Council Marks 85 Years at Annual Convention

The Religion Communicators Council will hold its 85th annual convention in 2014 in Nashville, TN from April 3-5th.

Religion Communicators Council (RCC) members from across the US will be heading for Music City USA April 3rd-5th this year to celebrate communications of many faith traditions at their annual convention. Hosted by the Inn at Opryland, the event will offer exciting plenary speakers, challenging workshops and awards to secular and faith-based organizations for exceptional work communicating faith issues.

RCC will honor members who have created excellent work for their faith group at the DeRose-Hinkhouse Awards Ceremony. At a special dinner event, the Wilbur Awards will honor secular media that have excelled in sharing faith stories in multimedia platforms.

The convention is open to members and others involved in religious communication on a professional or academic level. A full schedule is on the RCC website at religioncommunicators.org/convention and a registration site is open for all who wish to register at rccnashville.org.

The planning for the 85th convention is being led by Rev. Brian Fesler, Nashville chapter president and pastor of the Church of Scientology. Rev. Fesler says, “This year’s convention is shaping up to be one of the best yet.  We’ve got workshops on writing, accreditation, handling crises, social media.  Attendees will leave with new skills and connections.”

The opening session features Remziya Suleyman with American Center for Outreach, who will provide “A Muslim Perspective on Interrelation of Religions and the Role of Religious Communication in Public Advocacy.” Plenary sessions also feature speakers Rev. Larry Hollon of United Methodist Communications, Dr. Sybril Bennett of Belmont University in Nashville, Rev. Michael Waters of Joy Tabernacle AME Church in Dallas, and Sarah Wilke, Publisher of the Upper Room Ministries.

Workshops will feature three key tracks which are professional development, communication in a digital age, and interfaith communication. Some of these workshops include APR: Accreditation in Public Relations, How to Handle a Crisis in Your Congregation, Religion in the Mainstream Media, Turning a Negative Message into a Positive, and much more.

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC), founded in 1929, is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and in public relations. Members of the RCC come from many different religions and backgrounds including Baptist, Jewish, Baha’i, Scientology, Muslim and Methodist among others.

For more information, visit religioncommunicators.org.


Thursday, March 20, 2014

Church of Scientology Hosted Seminar to Help Nashville Artists with “Vision”

The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville had the pleasure of hosting David Robert Farmerie for a seminar titled “Vision,” on March 15th. Those attending learned the importance of staying true to one’s artistic vision.   


It is important to stay true to one’s artistic vision, according to David Robert Farmerie, who recently gave a seminar on “Vision” at the Nashville Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre. The seminar gave an in-depth understanding of the creative process and the importance of personal vision as an artist. Those attending gained knowledge of how to get a message across using various artistic tools, as well as the ability to look at a piece of art in different ways in order to convey different messages.

“What I most enjoyed was how Mr. Farmerie showed how to maintain artistic integrity. This is very important for all artists, so their original intention and message can get across to their audience,” says Corinne Sullivan, president of the Nashville Church of Scientology. “Our founder, L. Ron Hubbard, very much supported artists, knowing that they wield a mighty paintbrush which shapes and colors the future.”

The Church of Scientology hosts seminars where successful artists can share what has made them successful in order to help others. Those attending gain wisdom and tools, those delivering the seminar feel the sense of accomplishment that they are helping the next generation of artists. Farmerie’s seminar was part of this series. The next seminar of this nature will be delivered by legendary musician Regi Wooten on April 5th.  To find out more about the Church of Scientology’s upcoming seminars, call 615-687-4600.


Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Muslim Women’s Council Hosts Monthly Meeting of Religion Communicators Council

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to network and learn from each other. This month, members heard from the Muslim Women’s Council of Tennessee.


The Religion Communicators Council was happy to visit with and hear from the Muslim Women’s Council at its March meeting. Chapter president Rev. Brian Fesler was happy that this organization came to the table, “It’s important to foster understanding and tolerance for all religions, and I’m glad to see that Muslim women are reaching out in this manner.”

Aisha Lbhalla founded the Muslim Women’s Council of Tennessee, first with the purpose of getting Muslim women active and contributing to worthy causes, and now to bring them closer to those of other faith traditions. She, along with the rest of the Muslim Women’s Council, are reaching out to other like-minded organizations to get more involved in the community.

The Muslim Women’s Council was warmly welcomed to the RCC and encouraged to join and take part in the annual convention which is scheduled to take place in Nashville April 3-5th this year.


The Religion Communicators Council (RCC), founded in 1929, is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. Members of the RCC come from many different religions and backgrounds including Christianity, Judaism, the Baha’i Faith, Islam and Scientology, among others. For more information, visit religioncommunicators.org. 

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Church of Scientology to Host Regi Wooten’s “My Approach to Music” seminar

The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville will host Regi Wooten for his “My Approach to Music” seminar on April 5th at 1:00 pm.


“Less than a mile from Music Row, we provide for a growing congregation from all walks of life and offer a spiritual haven for Nashville's artists,” says Corinne Sullivan, president of the Nashville Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre, “in that regard, we fulfill our unique purpose to help those who entertain, fashion and take care of the world.”

That is why the church will host a seminar by the oldest of the Wooten Brothers, Regi, on his approach to delivering a great performance. He says, “The key is to have fun. So keep your music fun-key.”

Regi Wooten’s signature guitar style of chording, slapping, tapping and frenzied strumming has earned him world-wide notoriety and comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa and Chuck Berry, according to jeffcenter.org. In recent years, Wooten has performed with many artists including the legendary Ginger Baker. He is known worldwide as “The Teacher,” and currently teaches music in Nashville, TN.  He was teaching his little brothers Joseph and Victor when he was only 9 years old. 

Regi has played alongside his brothers since they were young, and for over four decades the Wooten Brothers have been recognized as some of the most innovative musicians in existence. The brothers have been a musical tour-de-force redefining the limits of jazz, funk, soul, R&B, rock and bluegrass. Their early years were spent living in different states including Hawaii, California, and Virginia where they shared stages with the likes of Curtis Mayfield, The Temptations, Ramsey Lewis, Stephanie Mills, War and other artists. In the mid 1980s, the brothers released an album as The Wootens for Clive Davis’ Arista Records. 

Wooten’s seminar will be April 5th at 1:00 pm in the community room of the Nashville Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre. There is no cost to the seminar, but reservations are requested. Call the church at 615-687-4600 for more information. 


Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Religion Communicators Council Hears from Muslim Women’s Council

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to network and learn from each other. This month, members will visit with the Muslim Women’s Council of Tennessee.


The Muslim Women's Council was formed in 2009 after a study identified the need to establish a Muslim Women-led regional structure, according to muslimswomencouncil.org.uk. 

The council in Tennessee seeks to have meaningful engagement, build long term relationships and collaborate with those outside the Muslim community in order to make a healthy, vibrant, inclusive community for all, according to Aisha Lbhalla.

So in accordance with its mission, the Muslim Women’s Council will present to the Nashville Religion Communicators Council (RCC) at its March meeting.  Chapter president Rev. Brian Fesler is happy that this organization is coming to the table, “It’s important to foster understanding and tolerance for all religions, and I’m glad to see that Muslim women are reaching out in this manner.”

The Muslim Women’s Council will host the RCC at the Islamic Center of Nashville on March 18th for a lunch meeting.


The Religion Communicators Council (RCC), founded in 1929, is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. Members of the RCC come from many different religions and backgrounds including Christianity, Judaism, the Baha’i Faith, Islam and Scientology, among others. For more information, visit religioncommunicators.org. 

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville Books Musical Theatre Writers’ Night Evening

The Church of Scientology opens its doors to artistic expression as a public service. This April, the church will host a musical theatre evening on April 7th.


Recently the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville hosted a musical theatre which fused a Nashville-style writers’ night with New York City-style cabaret, including songs from new musicals as well as Broadway classics and standards.

Corinne Sullivan, president of the church, says, “We offer our space as a service to the community for meetings, musicals, writers’ nights, seminars and more.” Sullivan went on to say, “We have a special interest in the arts. [Founder of the Church of Scientology] L. Ron Hubbard cared deeply about the artists in society as they are the ones who will uplift the culture.”

Arranged by The Actors Reading Room, the April 7 event will feature guest artist Mallory Gleason Mundy, a veteran Broadway actress, choreographer and dance instructor.


“We are happy to host this night of theatre, music and fun,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the church.  “We have a commitment to the artists and creative people of Nashville.”  For more information on the church, visit www.scientology.org. 

Special Hotel Rate Extended Through Friday for Religion Communicators Council 85th Convention

The Religion Communicators Council will hold its 85th annual convention in 2014 in Nashville, TN and has just announced that the special hotel rate for those attending the convention has been extended through Friday.


The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is in the throes of planning its 85th annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The hotel rate of just $125 per night was set to expire Monday, but has been extended through Friday for any late comers who would still like to get their rooms at a more cost effective price.  

The convention is scheduled for April 3-5, 2014 at the Inn at Opryland, and will celebrate the 85th anniversary of the RCC.  It is open to members and others involved in religious communication on a professional or academic level. According to the RCC website, “Nationally, RCC offers a yearly convention, complete with exciting keynote speakers and challenging workshops. Highlights of the annual convention are the awards ceremonies where work within religious organizations and in secular media is honored.”

A full schedule is on the RCC website at religioncommunicators.org/convention and a registration site is open for all who wish to register at rccnashville.org.

The planning for the 85th convention is being led by Rev. Brian Fesler, Nashville chapter president and pastor of the Church of Scientology. Rev. Fesler says, “this year’s convention is shaping up to be one of the best yet.  We’ve got workshops on writing, accreditation, handling crises, social media.  Attendees will leave with new skills and connections.”

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC), founded in 1929, is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and in public relations. Members of the RCC come from many different religions and backgrounds including Baptist, Jewish, Baha’i, Scientology, Muslim and Methodist among others.

For more information, visit religioncommunicators.org.