Nashville Religion Communicators Council Plans Discourse After Election

 

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.

 

Due to the onset of COVID-19, RCC members have been meeting virtually, for the most part, since March.

 

The November meeting will take place one week after election day, and RCC members will gather virtually to discuss it.

 

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. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Tennessee United For Human Rights Shares Online Materials

 

Tennessee United for Human Rights wants to lift up all people to bring about change and justice in the world.

The organization is offering free resources online to educate people on basic human rights using award-winning audio visual messages and downloadable materials.

“During the most difficult of times, we are spreading positive messages to let people know their basic human rights,” says Julie Brinker, a spokesperson for TnUHR. “Human Rights are universal and belong to every human being regardless of religion, race or national origin.”

TnUHR was formed as a nonprofit public benefit corporation in 2015 to educate Tennesseans on the basic principles and foundations of human rights. It is the local chapter of United for Human Rights, an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its membership is comprised of individuals, educators and groups throughout the world who actively forward the knowledge and protection of human rights by and for all mankind.

United for Human Rights was founded on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first such document ever ratified by the community of nations. Then as now, continued worldwide human rights abuses violate the spirit, intent and articles of this charter. United for Human Rights is committed to advancing human rights through education. An understanding of the 30 rights enshrined in the document is the first step to bringing about their broad implementation.

 

For more information on basic human rights, visit TnUHR.org.

Human Rights Day Committee Seeks Nominations Until End of October

 

The Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day will take place on December 10^th at 6pm virtually. The planning committee for the event is now accepting nominations for the prestigious human rights awards.

 

Tennesseans typically gather each year on December 10^th to celebrate International Human Rights Day. This year will of course be quite different, and the committee has decided to hold the event virtually.

 

Even in a virtual setting, many elements will remain the same. During the event, leaders are acknowledged, and awards will go to human rights champions. This year, many are being asked to submit nominations to www.nashvillehumanrights.org/nominations. The categories will be opened to include even more incredible people, as the committee has decided that what is needed more than anything is to celebrate everyday heroes who have done marvelous work during a chaotic year.

 

Nominations will close on October 31 at 11:59 pm.  

 

Past award recipients have included Rev. Bill Barnes, John Seigenthaler, Rosetta Miller Perry, Avi Poster, Remziya Suleyman, Justin Jones and many more. The complete list of honorees can be found at www.nashvillehumanrights.org/past-award-recipients/

 

A committee of human rights organizations, nonprofits, and advocates, including the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Metro Human Relations Commission, Scarritt Bennett Center, Amnesty International, Tennessee United for Human Rights, the Church of Scientology, and others, work together each year to plan the event.

 

“Human Rights Day gives the community a chance to acknowledge advocates and leaders while also learning more about what human rights really mean for all people,” says planning committee chair Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology in Nashville.

 

For more information regarding the event, visit www.nashvillehumanrights.org.  

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Help People Throughout 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. With how 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 every week since March in the Middle Tennessee region, and there’s not sign of stopping. “I’ll be out every day that I’m needed,” she said, “I get the call, and I’m there.”

 

Recently, she’s even recruited other volunteers to help share the load and get more food to those in need.

 

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.

Drug-Free South Says Drugs are a Scary Story

 

To protect youth from the disastrous effects of abusing drugs, Drug-Free South is bringing the truth directly to students and the community during Halloween.

 

The week leading up to Halloween is often filled with children frantically deciding what costume to wear or ensuring they have enough bags to fill with candy, but many don’t know that this week is also a time to fight drug abuse and come together with solutions to end addiction. The week is known across the country as Red Ribbon Week, commemorating DEA agent Kiki Camarena, who died in the line of duty in 1985.

Of course, everything looks different in 2020 than in previous years.

“Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country,” according to imdrugfree.com, and it occurs during the last week of October each year. This is the best time to educate young people and help prevent drug abuse.

As it comes right before Halloween, Drug-Free South organizers encourage parents of young children to participate as well, ensuring their children remain healthy and safe during the holiday.

Many online resources are available to parents and teachers virtually: drugfreeworld.org and drugfreegeneration.org are among those websites with downloadable information and programs.

Drug-Free South began observing Red Ribbon Week in Tennessee in 2009 by distributing copies of The Truth About Drugs booklets, which help young people understand what drugs are and how they affect the user, visiting school classrooms to deliver a seminar to students utilizing the documentary The Truth About Drugs: Real People, Real Stories, and getting the Drug-Free World public service announcements played on television. Drug-Free South has provided seminars to students in over thirty counties in Tennessee.

Drug-Free South is the Tennessee chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, an international non-profit organization. Its materials demonstrate the dangers of drugs through factual information and interviews with former addicts giving personal perspectives on each of the substances covered. For more information, visit drugfreesouth.org.

Scientology Nashville Promotes Religious Freedom Day 2020

 

The Church of Scientology Nashville typically holds a special service to observe Religious Freedom Day and educate all attendees on the importance of the day.

 

“Without freedom of religion, or freedom of thought, freedom itself cannot exist,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Nashville Church of Scientology. When the year does not involve a global pandemic, Rev. Fesler is out in the Nashville community, involved in interfaith services and activities.

 

“We’ve always opened our doors to anyone who is curious about us to help them understand. That is truly what Scientology is all about: understanding,” says Rev. Fesler.

 

International Religious Freedom Day (October 27) recognizes the passing of the Religious Freedom Act of 1998, which established the office of the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and highlighted America’s responsibility to the world in guaranteeing Human Right #18, Freedom of Thought and Belief.

 

To observe the day, all are welcome to visit scientology.org where visitors are welcome to take virtual tours of churches across the globe, get answers to their questions, and learn about the various social betterment activities the church has continued to be able to do during this time of staying home to stay well.

 

The Nashville Church of Scientology has opened its doors to curious visitors since it opened in the historic Fall School in 2009. Built in 1898 in a similar style to the city’s iconic Ryman Auditorium, the 36,000-square-foot Church served the area as a public school until 1970. Many original features were preserved, including the hardwood floors, doors and stairwells and eight solid wood pillars capped with iron that support a central three-story atrium.

 

For more information on the Church of Scientology, its programs and community involvement, visit scientology-ccnashville.org.

 

Nashville Religion Communicators Council Inspired by Religion Media Expert

 

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.

 

Due to the onset of COVID-19, RCC members have been meeting virtually, for the most part, since March.

 

The October meeting took place over Zoom with special guest David Crumm, the Co-Founder and Editor of ReadtheSpirit.com. Crumm is known nationwide to journalists and authors who cover the impact of religion and cross-cultural issues on our world today. He has nearly 40 years as a journalist, during which he has won top awards and is a senior fellow with several universities and nonprofits, including the University of Michigan Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship and the Washington DC-based East West Center.

 

“Mr. Crumm spoke passionately about story telling, its history and purpose and how it relates back to faith,” says Julie Brinker, RCC Communications Coordinator and Community Affairs Director of the Church of Scientology, “He was incredibly inspirational and we were so glad to have him present to RCC.”  

 

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. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Drug-Free Tennessee Celebrates National Night Out Virtually

 

Drug-Free Tennessee participates every year in National Night Out Against Crime by distributing the Truth About Drugs and giving lecture presentations to the community.

 

National Night Out (NNO) is geared to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community relationships in the fight for a safer nation. A main objective of NNO is to send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

 

Keeping Youth off Drugs has long been the message of Drug-Free Tennessee (DFT), which is the local chapter of the international non-profit The Foundation for a Drug-Free World. The group has promoted a drug-free life with education and prevention materials for young people.

 

The cornerstone of the Foundation’s educational program is the Truth About Drugs booklets, which enlighten all ages on the dangers of common street drugs. These booklets are available for download or to order for free online.

 

As well, the international website for the Foundation has a plethora of educational tools including award-winning public service announcements on every drug of choice, educator’s kits, as well as posters and other visual assistants.

 

The booklets can be passed out in volume, presented during lectures and seminars with adults and youth alike, or shared one on one to pass along the message. Volunteers are working in schools and communities continuously throughout Tennessee and the South to ensure young people can lead better lives without the grip of addiction or substance abuse.

 

Drug-Free Tennessee ambassadors are often hard at work during Fall, and especially promote drug-free living during the last week of October, Red Ribbon Week, a national drug prevention and awareness week, as well as National Night Out Against Crime.

 

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World is a secular nonprofit corporation that empowers youth and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions to live drug-free. The Foundation’s Truth About Drugs campaign is the world’s largest nongovernmental drug education and prevention initiative. For more information, visit drugfreetn.org or drugfreeworld.org.

 

For more information on how to organize a National Night Out event in your community visit: www.nationalnightout.org.

The Way to Happiness Association Promotes Positivity and Kindness

 

The Way to Happiness Association reminds all of Tennessee to spread kindness to one another through virtual resources.

 

The Way to Happiness Association wants to remind people that we are all in this together, no matter what. The Way to Happiness Association was formed around the book The Way to Happiness, written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. Since that time, the organization has produced many audio-visual messages to help people understand the precepts written in the book and has shared these online.   

 

The Way to Happiness is filled with twenty-one precepts based on the fact that one’s survival depends on the survival of others. The book begins with a message under the heading Why I Gave You This Book: “Your survival is important to me.”

 

When copies of this book are widely distributed in communities, crime rates plummet. According to TheWaytoHappiness.org, “We live in a world of increasing immorality and rising criminality. Anyone who has had to rely upon the good will and honesty of others—police, insurance companies, merchants or banks, in particular—have experienced the harm resulting from the lowering levels of morality. The Way to Happiness was written to fill this moral vacuum in society.”

 

The Way to Happiness has many online resources for educators as well as the general public including award winning public services messages, downloadable materials, and other short videos with positive messages. Free materials are also available to order. For more information on The Way to Happiness Association, visit twthtn.org or thewaytohappiness.org.