Nashville Religion Communicators Council to Hold 2nd Virtual Meeting to Inspire Leaders

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. The Nashville Chapter meets monthly at rotating locations to learn about other faith traditions, learn from fellow communicators and gain professional development opportunities.

Rolling with the current times, RCC Nashville is holding its second virtual zoom meeting in early May on the topic of “Presentation Skills for Leaders,” with a seasoned professional who has more than twenty years of communications experience in the fields of journalism and public relations. 

The last RCC meeting, in April, took place virtually as well, with nearly a dozen Nashville members discussing the response to COVID-19 for faith leaders and faith communities across Tennessee and what this looks like for both small and large congregations.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development.

The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena. The next Nashville Chapter meeting will be in March at Thistle Farms. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Church of Scientology Nashville Spreads Smiles

The Churches of Scientology Disaster Response are known for helping communities during times of emergency, and this has not stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Church’s Volunteer Minister Corps are usually seen wearing bright yellow shirts sporting the unique Scientology Eight-Pointed Cross. This is a unique time wherein Americans are hunkering down in their homes and only go out for essential needs. Therefore, it was important for the church to do help, but in more of a virtual way to help slow the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to lift people up.

First, the Church of Scientology Nashville shared visual resources created by Scientology Media Productions directly on its Facebook page to help enlighten and inform church parishioners and the general public on How to Keep Yourself and Others Well.  This video has been shared on Scientology.org/StayWell as well as the Scientology YouTube Channel where it now has over 1 million views. It’s been shared on social media, and now the Church of Scientology Nashville has added it as a temporary Page Cover to help bring the message even further.

But that’s not all. Just this week, Scientology Media Productions with the help of church parishioners from around the world created a music video titled “Spread a Smile” featuring Chick Corea, Mark Isham, Stanley Clarke, Kate Ceberano, Kerri Kasem, and even the Jive Aces, among many others, all performing from their homes.

The music video is uplifting and encouraging, shining a light during dark times, according to the feedback of community members and parishioners. “I was literally feeling blue this morning and then I saw this and it changed everything,” said Elisabeth from Nashville.

The video ends with the message and hashtag #StayWell.

“This video was beautifully made and makes me smile every time I watch it,” says Julie Brinker, Director of Community Affairs for the Church of Scientology Nashville. “As soon as I saw it, I made sure to share it directly on our local church Facebook page and send to my friends. We’re all in this together.”

The Church has resources available online at Scientology.org/StayWell with information and tips including how to properly put on a mask and how to properly sanitize. “By following the guidelines and precautions in this booklet, you can help prevent the spread of illness and maintain a healthy environment.”

For more information or to learn more, visit Scientology.org/StayWell.

Scientology Volunteer Minister Delivers Food and Hope During COVID-19 Pandemic

The Churches of Scientology Disaster Response is always active in times of disaster. This has not changed with the unseen enemy of COVID-19.

Jennifer, a Scientology Volunteer Minister in Nashville, is always willing to help people. During times of disaster, she springs into action. Now that COVID-19 has utterly changed the ways of life for people as we know it, she took action when called upon to help with food delivery for those unable to leave their homes during this pandemic.

Jennifer takes the words of L. Ron Hubbard to heart: “A Volunteer Minister is a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others.”

“Every little bit helps,” says Jennifer. “Any help is appreciated and everyone can find some way to help. I consider it an honor to give my time and help to ease another’s load in their time of need.”

Working with the Nashville General Hospital Foundation, Jennifer has been able to deliver groceries to more than 20 families in the Middle Tennessee region, and she’s not stopping there.

“I’ll be out every day that I’m needed,” she said, “I get the call, and I’m there.”

The Volunteer Ministers (VM) program was launched more than thirty years ago, in response to an appeal by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Noting a tremendous downturn in the level of ethics and morality in society, and a consequent increase in drugs and crime, Mr. Hubbard wrote, “If one does not like the crime, cruelty, injustice and violence of this society, he can do something about it. He can become a VOLUNTEER MINISTER and help civilize it, bring it conscience and kindness and love and freedom from travail by instilling into it trust, decency, honesty and tolerance.”

For more information about the Church of Scientology Disaster Response or Volunteer Ministers, visit volunteerministers.org.

Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers Donate Masks to Emergency Responders

The Churches of Scientology Disaster Response is always active in times of disaster. This has not changed with the unseen enemy of COVID-19, or coronavirus.

With the Nashville community under a “Safer at Home” Order since late March, and the Mayor urging residents to wear masks in public settings such as visits to the doctor or grocery store, people are in need of masks. A local Volunteer Minister has stepped up in a big way to get masks to the people while also making donations of masks to emergency responders and nursing staff.

This Volunteer Minister turned her home “into a tiny cloth mask factory,” and announced this to her Instagram following on April 2^nd. She has received hundreds of orders for masks since that first announcement. But she’s most proud of how she’s been able to get masks to those who most need it on the front lines – first responders.

Posting a picture of two first responders wearing the masks on her Instagram on April 3^rd, she wrote “Seeing these donated masks out in the field makes my heart sooo incredibly happy. Thank you to these amazing workers at the Salvation Army for the amazing and brave work they do.”

The Volunteer Ministers (VM) program was launched more than thirty years ago, in response to an appeal by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Noting a tremendous downturn in the level of ethics and morality in society, and a consequent increase in drugs and crime, Mr. Hubbard wrote, “If one does not like the crime, cruelty, injustice and violence of this society, he can do something about it. He can become a VOLUNTEER MINISTER and help civilize it, bring it conscience and kindness and love and freedom from travail by instilling into it trust, decency, honesty and tolerance.”

For more information about the Church of Scientology Disaster Response or Volunteer Ministers, visit volunteerministers.org.

Nashville Religion Communicators Council Virtually Meets, Discusses Impact of COVID-19

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. The Nashville Chapter meets monthly at rotating locations to learn about other faith traditions, learn from fellow communicators and gain professional development opportunities.

Rolling with the times, RCC Nashville held its first virtual zoom meeting this month on the topic of “keeping people informed during global pandemics,” and had almost a dozen religious communicators join in the conversation. Together, the shared challenges they have faced and overcome and the many resources they’ve found that are invaluable during these unprecedented times.   

“We are thankful that we have so many resources available and can still connect virtually, even while staying apart,” says Julie Brinker, Communications Coordinator for the RCC Nashville Chapter who also handles Community Affairs for the Church of Scientology Nashville.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development.

The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena. The next Nashville Chapter meeting will be in March at Thistle Farms. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Nashville Religion Communicators Council to Hold Virtual Meeting

The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. The Nashville Chapter meets monthly at rotating locations to learn about other faith traditions, learn from fellow communicators and gain professional development opportunities.

Rolling with the current times, RCC Nashville will be holding its first virtual zoom meeting this month on the topic of “keeping people informed during global pandemics,” and will be inviting all religious communicators to join in the conversation which will be next week.  

The last RCC meeting took place at United Methodist Communications in February, and RCC members heard from Jamie Dunham, Chief Brand Strategist at Brand Wise, on the topic Podcasting for Your Brand. Dunham is a blogger, brand strategist and cultural curator. Her focus is building cultural relevancy for brands that lead to stronger and more profitable consumer relationships. She has provided counsel to a wide variety of consumer sectors – the arts, faith-based communities, grocery, healthcare, hospitality, restaurants, travel and package goods.  She is particularly passionate about The Lipstick Economy – the 108 million women that account for 85% of all consumer purchases. That is also the name of her podcast, which comes out every two weeks.

RCC members were able to learn how important podcasts are today, especially being a relatively non-crowded market to send out a message, as well as successful ways to go about starting a great podcast.

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development.

The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena. The next Nashville Chapter meeting will be in March at Thistle Farms. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Church of Scientology Nashville Shares Resources Online Amid COVID-19

The Churches of Scientology Disaster Response are known for helping communities during times of emergency. The Church’s Volunteer Minister Corps are usually seen wearing bright yellow shirts sporting the unique Scientology Eight-Pointed Cross. This is a unique time wherein most cities and states are encouraging people to stay safer inside their homes and only go out for essential needs. Therefore, it was important for the church to do help, but in more of a virtual way to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

During the global pandemic that is the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), Scientology Media Productions has created a helpful video to enlighten and inform church parishioners and the general public on How to Keep Yourself and Others Well.  This video has been shared on Scientology.org/StayWell as well as the Scientology YouTube Channel where it has over 22,000 views. It’s been shared on social media, and now the Church of Scientology Nashville has added it as a temporary Page Cover to help bring the message even further.

The video includes many helpful common sense guidelines including washing hands, avoiding hand-to-face contact, limiting the sharing of personal items, avoiding ill individuals and more.

On the Scientology.org/StayWell page, a booklet is available for digital download, and there are many more tips including how to properly put on a mask and how to properly sanitize. “By following the guidelines and precautions in this booklet, you can help prevent the spread of illness and maintain a healthy environment.”

“These tips are very helpful to the community right now,” says Julie Brinker who oversees Community Affairs for the Church of Scientology Nashville, “By using this information we can slow the spread of COVID-19 and help many people stay healthy.”

For more information or to learn more, visit Scientology.org/StayWell.