Thursday, February 26, 2015

Ibis Communications Speaks to Religion Communicators Council

The Religion Communicators Council exists to spread the good news to the world. Its members come from all religious groups and work in various public relations arenas.


The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) hears regularly from a variety of organizations and groups which better the community, promote messages of faith or give tips on how to spread the good word. For February, the Nashville chapter visited Ibis Communications and heard from President & CEO MaryAnne Howland about her personal philosophy and the work that Ibis Communications does on a regular basis.

“The Ibis is the bird of wisdom and symbol of knowledge, an omen of good things to come, the mythical scribe of powerful, transformative and beautiful messages. That’s the Ibis specialty, reaching niche markets across a broad spectrum of demographics, with fluent, resonant, and persuasive communications,” according to ibiscommunications.com.

Howland’s personal philosophy is to include all people and help make the world a better place by serving others.

“The work done through Ibis Communications is awe-inspiring and powerful,” says president of the Nashville RCC chapter and pastor of the Church of Scientology, Rev. Brian Fesler, “This ties right in with the purpose of the RCC in spreading positive messages to a world in need.”


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

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Lizzie Kimbrough Presents Tribute to African American Women at Church of Scientology

Fifteen-year-old Elizabeth (“Lizzie”) Kimbrough is behind the event “Ain’t I A Woman: A Tribute to African American Women” which took place Feb. 22nd at the Nashville Church of Scientology. The tribute celebrated the history and lives of African American women, including Sojourner Truth, Maya Angelou and Nikki Giovanni. Kimbrough brought the legacy of these women to life through dance, poetry and recitations.   

Lizzie Kimbrough, a sophomore at St. Cecilia High School, is running for Miss Jabberwock, a program of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority which raises funds for the Minerva Foundation to fund college scholarships.  

According to nashvillealumnae.com, the Minerva Foundation has goals to “engage in public service programs that promote and encourage high intellectual, cultural, and moral standards among residents in the Metro Nashville community; establish, foster and organize educational, historical and cultural programs that will provide meaningful inter-generational activities and improve the quality of life for future generation.”

Lizzie’s sponsor spoke up for her at the event and praised her efforts. This event isn’t the first time Lizzie has performed. She competed with the Malone Dance Academy, has participated in the Nashville Prevent “So You Think You Can Dance” competition, and won four years in a row in the Omega Psi Phi Talent Hunt.     

The Church of Scientology was honored to host the event during Black History Month. Rev. Brian Fesler who pastors the church said, “The event was beautiful and inspiring, and we wish Lizzie all the best in her endeavors.”

For more information about events in the Church, visit scientology-ccnashville.org.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

United for Human Rights Inspires Movement for Peace

Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”


“Scientology: How We Help—United for Human Rights, Making Human Rights a Global Reality,” details how communities are using the Church of Scientology’s United for Human Rights program to fight abuses in this field.

The Nashville Church of Scientology Pastor, Rev. Brian Fesler, who chairs the Human Rights Day celebration in Tennessee, says, “Education is the first step.  People have to learn that ‘human rights’ as a topic even exists and know their rights before they can do anything effective in implementation.”  

The United for Human Rights program is based on the fact that without basic human rights known and understood across the planet, forward progress cannot occur. The campaign is designed to raise awareness and respect for human rights by educating the population and simultaneously persuading governments to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The United for Human Rights program includes education materials with booklets on What Are Human Rights? and the Story of Human Rights, the Story of Human Rights short film and the 30 public service announcements which illustrate each of the points to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Further, the complete education package contains all of these things plus a complete curriculum that educators can use in classrooms. The humanrights.com website is an interactive learning center complete with information including all videos and downloadable materials. Lastly, a virtual education program is available as an app downloadable for iPhones and iPads.

The Church of Scientology supports United for Human Rights, the world’s largest nongovernmental human rights educational campaign. For more information about United for Human Rights, visit humanrights.com.


The Way to Happiness Gives Hope to the Hopeless

The Way to Happiness Campaign is centered around the book of the same name by L. Ron Hubbard, which is comprised of 21 precepts, each one predicated on the fact that one’s survival depends on the survival of others—and that without the survival of others, neither joy nor happiness are attainable. In the two decades since it was authored, some 80 million copies of the book passed hand to hand, thus inspiring an international movement.

In Nashville, the local chapter of The Way To Happiness Foundation is reaching out in 2015 and offering seminars and free copies of the booklet.

To accompany the booklet, there is an entire film which illustrates the book’s concepts. The film is presented in the spirit of the book itself, which is a road map to a happier life through values of compassion and caring.  Additionally there is an educator’s guide book and materials are available to supplement the use of the films in a classroom environment which are available by request.

One volunteer said, “Passing this booklet to people in need has such a great effect. You see whole communities turn around when they learn the values contained within. It is a very powerful tool.”

Chapter members want people to know that teaching positive spiritual values and a moral way of life has been out of vogue -- it’s time for to bring back the higher standards of our grandparents.  For more information, visit thewaytohappiness.org.


Drug-Free South Offers Life Saving Seminars for Teens

Drug-Free South is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World.  It provides real solutions for drug prevention and education appropriate for teens and young adults.


As the local chapter of the international program Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Drug-Free South (DFS) works with community groups, schools, police and others to stop drug abuse before it's started by cutting off the demand side. DFS regularly criss crosses Tennessee visiting schools and talking to kids anywhere from 4th grade through university level. The reason: drug abuse is destroying our culture and is prohibiting mental clarity across the planet.

DFS is taking its message to every community and wants to encourage school teachers, boy & girl scout leaders and anyone else who influences the lives of young people to contact them for more information. "We will talk to anyone," says Ann Vallieres who volunteers regularly for DFS, "When it comes to drug prevention, we say 'Yes, we can!'"

The heart of the program is 14 Truth About Drugs booklets which contain facts on the most commonly abused drugs. Each booklet is designed to educate young people on the dangers and effects of drugs. Next there is The Truth About Drugs: Real People, Real Stories documentary film which expands on each drug of choice featuring survivors of addiction who now describe the unvarnished truth about drug abuse. To top it off, there is a complete educators package which comes with all booklets, film, posters, public service announcements and a complete curriculum of lessons any educator can use with ease.

There is more information at DrugFreeWorld.org, which is a completely interactive drug education resource center, providing extensive information and materials on the program--all of which can be viewed, downloaded or ordered online. The virtual education program is also downloadable as an app for iPhones and iPads.

DFS wants to encourage educators and anyone who knows a young person to visit drugfreesouth.org for more information or to schedule a lecture.


Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Seminar About the Mind Interests Artists at Nashville Church of Scientology

Owen York is an artist with a special mission: “My dream is to bring art back from the dead, by bringing the artist back to life.” This past weekend, he delivered a seminar on the mind to fellow artists. 


The Founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, began his research into the mind when he was in his teen years. Through his travels and discoveries, he compiled the best-selling self-help book, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health and published it in 1950. Since that time, people from all walks of life have discovered the tools within and used them to help better their lives. Owen York is a Nashville fine artist who believes these tools are of great importance to artists and wants to help others improve their lives.


This past weekend, York delivered his seminar “What You Need to Know About the Mind As an Artist” to a crowd at the Nashville Church of Scientology.  “Artists uplift society,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the church. “Our founder knew that artists influence others and that this could be positive or negative. If artists have are doing well spiritually, they can uplift people and the society will flourish.”

York’s artistic style speaks for itself. His originals, commissions and portraitures have sold nationwide and internationally. He specializes in acrylics & watercolors and his influences include Impressionism, Rock & Roll and commercial Illustration. He has a degree in Illustration from the American Academy of Art in Chicago.

At the seminar, York discussed how to reach one's full potential as an artist, why artists are different from other people, and why it is imperative for artists to know how the mind works.

According to his website, owenyork.com, he has been involved in the arts “literally since Day 1.” As a child, he was recognized for his visual arts abilities, but was also a skilled writer & musician, playing the piano & saxophone and winning contests for young authors. At a young age, he was invited into a special program for the gifted, limited to a handful of those who excelled in the arts. He has also worked as an actor for TV, commercial, film & radio for stations including The History Channel, HSN and The Weather Channel. Despite these adventures in the various arts, York is a fine artist at heart.

To find out more about the Church of Scientology’s seminars, call 615-687-4600. For more information about Owen York or his artwork, visit owenyork.com.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Church of Scientology Celebrates Three Decades of Service to Nashville

As the Nashville Church of Scientology begins preparations for its 30th anniversary celebration, leaders say this milestone won’t just be a celebration of the past, but will look to the future.

The Reverend Brian Fesler, senior pastor of the Nashville Church of Scientology, wants to remind his parishioners that the best times are ahead. “Our church in Nashville as well as Scientology internationally are experiencing exponential expansion,” he says, “We are growing and will continue helping citizens of Nashville and all of Tennessee through our church’s programs.”

The Nashville Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre was established in April of 1985, and Fesler says his congregation will be celebrating all year long. “The Church of Scientology is all-denominational. A win for us is a win for all the good and decent people of our area, of every faith.  We welcome partnerships with anyone who is working to do the right thing.”

The Church of Scientology is located in the historic Fall School Building. Less than a mile from Music Row, the Church provides for a growing congregation from all walks of life and offers a spiritual haven for Nashville’s artists. “We have a special mission to help artists, and do so in very practical ways,” says Fesler. The Church provides seminars year-round to provide tools to help artists prosper.


To learn more about the Church of Scientology, its programs and courses, visit www.scientology-ccnashville.org.  

Church of Scientology Opens its Doors to Basketball Legends During Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, the Church of Scientology Nashville hosted a program on the roll of Black athletes from the early years of basketball.


The Church of Scientology of Nashville and the Black Legends of Professional Basketball Foundation co-organized a Black History Month program to honor African American athletes of the 1950s. The exhibit consisted of a collection of early-20th-century sports memorabilia in the Church’s atrium and opened on Feb. 7th with a reception and meet-and-greet. It will be on display for one week in the church.  

The exhibit includes pamphlets, posters and photos from the early years of basketball (1900-1960), featuring the Harlem Globetrotters and the New York Rens.  The Black Legends of Professional Basketball Foundation was founded by Dr. John “Jumpin’ Johnny” Kline who played with the Harlem Globetrotters from 1953-1959.

Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology, says, “It is important to recognize the struggle and courage these early Globetrotters had. They were pioneers, and deserve to be honored for their place in the history of human rights as much as basketball.” 

The exhibit is displayed in the atrium of the Nashville Church of Scientology, 1130 8th Avenue South until Feb. 15th. For more information, call Julie Brinker at 615-687-4600.


Hubbard Dianetics Foundation Helps to Clear Up Past Trauma for the Individual

The Hubbard Dianetics Foundation offers a weekly seminar to help people resolve problems, discover the source of unreasonable fears and insecurities, and overcome barriers in life.


Building on a long history of helping individuals find answers, the Church of Scientology is proud to offer a weekly Dianetics Seminar. Dianetics means “what the soul is doing to the body through the mind,” and carries with it a series of techniques to help people clear up past painful experiences or experiences with painful emotion. The best part: participants not only gain personally, but also learn to help others.

The Hubbard Dianetics Foundation is a department within the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville, and this is where the Dianetics Seminar takes place each weekend.

The Seminar is based on the bestselling self-help book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health and takes just a weekend to complete.  The techniques of Dianetics were developed by L. Ron Hubbard in the 1930s and ‘40s, and first broadly issued with the publication of Dianetics in 1950.

“This seminar is life changing,” says the Hubbard Dianetics Seminar Director, “Everyone who has been to the seminar leaves feeling better and with the knowledge that they can continue to improve their lives.”

The two-day Dianetics seminar is offered every weekend at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville at 1130 8th Avenue South. For more information, visit www.dianetics.org or call the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation at 615-687-4600.


Art Gilliam Discusses ‘One America’ During Black History Month

Art Gilliam shared his experience of growing up in the Deep South during the 1950s in his new book ‘One America,’ and will host a talk and book signing in February.


A Nashville native, Art Gilliam is excited to return to his birth city to deliver a talk on his book ‘One America,’ which discusses his personal story of growing up in a segregated South during the 1950s.

According to thehistorymakers.com, Art Gilliam became the first African-American radio station owner in Memphis when he bought WLOK Radio in 1977. He started his work in the media writing a regular weekly op-ed column for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper as the first African-American to write for the paper before he became the first African-American television newscaster in Memphis as news anchor at WMC-TV (the NBC affiliate) in Memphis. He left Memphis for a time to serve in the Washington congressional office of Congressman Harold Ford, Sr., the first African-American to be elected to Congress from Tennessee.

Gilliam’s book signing and talk will take place on Feb 28 at 1pm in the community hall of the Nashville Church of Scientology, as part of the church’s month-long celebration of Black History Month.

In ‘One America,’ Gilliam shares his experiences as a young black child growing up in the segregated South in the 1950s, a time when racism was overt and pervasive. His story takes a turn when his education at a New England prep school and then Yale University as a young teenager led to a compelling change in his perspective.

Gilliam has been a front row witness to a dramatic change in race relations in the United States but knows that we have not yet healed the wounds of the past. “I believe that the future greatness of our nation depends on our ability to move beyond our racial history and truly become One America,” says Gilliam. “This book reflects my hope and vision for America.”

Art Gilliam’s talk and book signing at the Nashville Church of Scientology, 1130 8th Ave S, will take place Feb 28, 2015 at 1pm.  The event is open to the public.  For more information and to obtain free tickets visit http://www.nashvillehumanrights.org/one-america/


Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Church of Scientology Presents Seminar for Artists on the Mind

Owen York is an artist with a special mission: “My dream is to bring art back from the dead, by bringing the artist back to life.”


The Church of Scientology has a unique mission in Nashville – help aspiring artists learn the basics of life and living so they can be successful in their art.  “Artists uplift society,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the church. “Our founder, L. Ron Hubbard, knew that artists influence others and that this could be positive or negative. If artists have are doing well spiritually, they can uplift people and the society will flourish.”

This is why Owen York, an accomplished and successful fine artist, will be giving a seminar titled “What You Need to Know About the Mind as an Artist” at the Church of Scientology in Nashville on February 15, 2015.

York’s artistic style speaks for itself. His originals, commissions and portraitures have sold nationwide and internationally. He specializes in acrylics & watercolors and his influences include Impressionism, Rock & Roll and commercial Illustration. He has a degree in Illustration from the American Academy of Art in Chicago.

At the seminar, York plans to discuss how to reach full potential as an artist, why artists are different from other people, and why it is imperative for artists to know how the mind works.

According to his website, owenyork.com, he has been involved in the arts “literally since Day 1.” As a child, he was recognized for his visual arts abilities, but was also a skilled writer & musician, playing the piano & saxophone and winning contests for young authors. At a young age, he was invited into a special program for the gifted, limited to a handful of those who excelled in the arts. He has also worked as an actor for TV, commercial, film & radio for stations including The History Channel, HSN and The Weather Channel.  Despite these adventures in the various arts, York is a fine artist at heart.


The seminar will be Sunday, Feb 15, at 2pm. There is no cost to attend the lecture.  To find out more about the Church of Scientology’s upcoming seminars, call 615-687-4600. For more information about Owen York or his artwork, visit owenyork.com.  

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Dynamic Teen Lizzie Kimbrough Holds Special Event at Church of Scientology

Fifteen-year-old Elizabeth (“Lizzie”) Kimbrough is behind the upcoming event “Ain’t I A Woman: A Tribute to African American Women” which will take place Feb. 22nd at 2pm at the Nashville Church of Scientology. The tribute will celebrate the history and lives of African American women, including Sojourner Truth, Maya Angelou and Nikki Giovanni. Kimbrough will bring to life the legacy of these women through dance, poetry and recitations.  

Lizzie Kimbrough, a sophomore at St. Cecilia High School, is running for Miss Jabberwock, a program of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority which raises funds for the Minerva Foundation to fund college scholarships. 

According to nashvillealumnae.com, the Minerva Foundation has goals to “engage in public service programs that promote and encourage high intellectual, cultural, and moral standards among residents in the Metro Nashville community; establish, foster and organize educational, historical and cultural programs that will provide meaningful inter-generational activities and improve the quality of life for future generation.”

The event “Ain't I A Woman” is a one-woman show in which Kimbrough will dance and recite poetry in tribute to African American women.  Far from her first event, she has performed and competed with the Malone Dance Academy, has participated in the Nashville Prevent “So You Think You Can Dance” competition, and won four years in a row in the Omega Psi Phi Talent Hunt.    

Kimbrough took first place in the 2012/2013 Vanderbilt Poetry and Essay Contest (middle school category) for her speech “Elizabeth’s Dream” which went on to be published on Vanderbilt University’s website. She then recited her speech at Vanderbilt’s Martin Luther King, Jr. annual lecture series and spoke at the Nashville City-Wide Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.      

“Ain’t I A Woman: A Tribute to African American Women” will take place Feb. 22nd at 2pm in the Nashville Church of Scientology Community Hall. For more information, contact Julie Brinker at 615-687-4600.



Church of Scientology Hosts Week-Long Exhibit of Basketball Legends

The Black Legends of Professional Basketball Foundation will be exhibiting memorabilia during Black History Month at the Nashville Church of Scientology. The exhibit is set to open on Feb. 7th with a reception and meet-and-greet at 12:00pm and will be on display for one week.

The exhibit will include pamphlets, posters and photos from the early years of basketball (1900-1960), featuring the Harlem Globetrotters and the New York Rens.  There will be a special section dedicated to Tennessee State University graduates who went on to play with the Harlem Globetrotters.

The Black Legends of Professional Basketball Foundation was founded by former Globetrotter, Dr. John “Jumpin’ Johnny” Kline.

Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology, says, “It is important to recognize the struggle and courage these early Globetrotters had. They were pioneers, and deserve to be honored for their place in the history of human rights as much as basketball.” 

The exhibit will be displayed in the atrium of the Nashville Church of Scientology, 1130 8th Avenue South. The exhibit will open on Feb. 7th and will remain open to the public for one week. For more information, call Julie Brinker at 615-687-4600.


Church of Scientology Hosts Songwriters’ Night for Valentine’s Day

The Nashville Church of Scientology will host a special songwriters’ night for Valentine’s Day on Feb 14, 2015.


The Nashville Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre has a special mission to help artists. So on Valentine’s Day, the Church will host a special songwriters’ night. “Songwriters in Nashville can always find a home here,” says president of the church Corinne Sullivan, “we open our hall for music seminars and workshops, talent showcases and jam sessions.”

The songwriters’ night will begin at 7 pm. There will be four rounds with 12-16 artists performing original love songs.

Songwriters’ night occurs monthly in the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville’s community hall. Sullivan points out that Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard, an artist himself and once wrote: “The artist has an enormous role in the enhancement of today’s and the creation of tomorrow’s reality.”

Writers’ night is free and open to the public, and all musicians and artists are welcome to perform on Valentine’s Day, Feb 14, at 7pm. For more information, call Julie Brinker at 615-687-4600.