Drug-Free Tennessee to Hold Event for International Overdose Awareness Day

 

Drug-Free Tennessee has a mission to educate people on the dangers of drug abuse.

 

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in Tennessee, drug overdose deaths involving opioids totaled 1,307 in 2018 (a rate of 19.9). Deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (mainly fentanyl and fentanyl analogs) increased from 590 (a rate of 9.3) in 2017 to 827 (a rate of 12.8) in 2018.

 

Drug-Free Tennessee (DFT) has long warned youth and adults alike on the dangers of drug abuse, and on September 1^st, an event is being held for International Overdose Awareness Day with special guest speaker Michael Deleon, founder of Steered Straight.  

 

International Overdose Awareness Day was initiated in 2001 by Sally J Finn at The Salvation Army in St Kilda, Melbourne. Since 2001, many community members as well as government and non-government organizations have held events to raise awareness and commemorate those who have been lost to drug overdose. According to OverdoseDay.org, “International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.”

 

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, an international non-profit working to help educate people on the dangers of drugs through a multimedia campaign.

 

Resources are available free of charge through drugfreeworld.org, including downloadable Truth About Drugs booklet, which cover all basic side effects of drugs, common street names, and how to recognize when you are being persuaded by a dealer. DFT also has a range of award winning Public Service Announcements and an award winning feature length documentary detailing the dangers of drugs and addiction. To learn more or to order booklets or view the videos, visit drugfreetn.org and drugfreeworld.org.

Scientology Nashville Volunteer Ministers Join Local Flood Relief in Waverly

 

The Churches of Scientology Disaster Response is now active alongside volunteers from churches, neighborhood groups and community organizations to provide help and relief to those affected by the Waverly flood that killed 20 people and destroyed more than 240 homes.

 

Scientology Volunteer Ministers who arrived on the scene described how “…the rains have now been replaced by 90-degree weather as crews work in the heat to remove debris and clean up decimated sites.” Dozens of emergency crews, relief agencies and food trucks were assembled throughout the area to organize and serve volunteers and victims.

 

Compassion Church in Waverly, Tenn., has become a hub for volunteer activity with an abundance of food and supplies, but still needs extra hands to help distribute to those in need. The Scientology Volunteer Ministers were among those able to get right to work, distributing food and supplies to residents who lived near Trace Creek.

 

The Church of Scientology Volunteers Minister program is a religious social service created in the mid-1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities. The Church provides free online training on the Volunteer Ministers website.

 

The Volunteer Minister program was expressly intended for use by Scientologists and non- Scientologists alike. Transcending all ethnic, cultural and religious boundaries, the Volunteer Ministers program is there for anyone in need of help. Volunteer Minister training is available free of charge through the Scientology Volunteer Minister website to anyone who wishes to help others, at www.volunteerministers.org.

Nashville Religion Communicators to Hear about Youth and Faith

 

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.

 

The September meeting will feature a discussion on how young people are called to faith. It will tackle questions like: Are we on the right track with our current work? Are there other struggles young people have regarding calling that we need to address? And Which key phrases, ideas, and concerns shape the way young people think about call?

 

RCC members will hear about recent research among young people 14 to 20 years old and their perspectives on hearing a call from God.

 

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.

 

Church of Scientology Nashville Honors Top Volunteers on World Humanitarian Day

 

The World Humanitarian Day open house at the Nashville Church of Scientology acknowledged volunteers and inspired others to take action, exemplifying the spirit of the day.

 

 

The Nashville Church of Scientology held an open house on World Humanitarian Day to acknowledge volunteers, while also lifting up others to help people in times of need. “Helping others is an incredible virtue, and one that should be recognized more often,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Nashville Church of Scientology.

 

2020 saw a great need from volunteers, and many people delivered to bring help.

 

The Church of Scientology’s Volunteer Ministers took part in an initiative designed to keep communities safe while cities and states reopened. They distributed over 15,000 “Stay Well” booklets to local stores, restaurants, grocery stores, clinics, hospitals and homes in the Nashville area.

 

Other Volunteer Ministers were able to help by delivering groceries each week with the Nashville General Hospital Foundation. One Volunteer Minister took it upon herself to deliver 600 bags of groceries to more than 280 households, traveling more than 3,600 miles. She was specially recognized during the World Humanitarian Day Open House.

 

The Church of Scientology’s Volunteer Minister program is a religious social service created in the mid 1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard who said, "The Volunteer Minister helps 'on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others.'"

 

The Volunteer Minister program was expressly intended for use by Scientologists and non- Scientologists alike. Transcending all ethnic, cultural and religious boundaries, the Volunteer Ministers program is there for anyone in need of help. Volunteer Minister training is available free of charge through the Scientology Volunteer Minister website to anyone who wishes to help others, at www.volunteerministers.org.

 

Church of Scientology Nashville to Acknowledge Volunteers on World Humanitarian Day

 

The World Humanitarian Day open house at the Nashville Church of Scientology will acknowledge volunteers and inspire others to take action, exemplifying the spirit of the day.

 

 

The Nashville Church of Scientology will host an open house on World Humanitarian Day to acknowledge volunteers, while also lifting up others to help people in times of need. “Helping others is an incredible virtue, and one that should be recognized more often,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Nashville Church of Scientology.

 

2020 saw a great need from volunteers, and many people delivered to bring help.

 

The Church of Scientology’s Volunteer Ministers took part in an initiative designed to keep communities safe while cities and states reopened. They distributed over 15,000 “Stay Well” booklets to local stores, restaurants, grocery stores, clinics, hospitals and homes in the Nashville area.

 

Other Volunteer Ministers were able to help by delivering groceries each week with the Nashville General Hospital Foundation. One Volunteer Minister took it upon herself to deliver 500 bags of groceries to more than 230 households, traveling more than 3,000 miles. She will be specially recognized during the World Humanitarian Day Open House.

 

The Church of Scientology’s Volunteer Minister program is a religious social service created in the mid 1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard who said, "The Volunteer Minister helps 'on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others.'"

 

The Volunteer Minister program was expressly intended for use by Scientologists and non- Scientologists alike. Transcending all ethnic, cultural and religious boundaries, the Volunteer Ministers program is there for anyone in need of help. Volunteer Minister training is available free of charge through the Scientology Volunteer Minister website to anyone who wishes to help others, at www.volunteerministers.org.

Drug-Free Tennessee Enjoys Community Partnerships at National Night Out Against Crime

 

Helping rid Nashville neighborhoods of drugs and crime, Drug-Free Tennessee distributes Truth About Drugs booklets at neighborhood events on National Night Out Against Crime.

 

As part of their commitment to make Nashville neighborhoods drug- and crime-free, Drug-Free Tennessee volunteers joined community partners, neighbors and police for National Night Out Against Crime.

 

National Night Out aims to stop crime before it starts by heightening awareness and generating support and participation in local anti-crime programs. It also strengthens neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and sends a message to criminals and gangs that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

 

Neighborhoods frequently celebrate with a mix of food, dancing, information booths and anti-crime forums to help promote safer living. This year marks the 38^th annual National Night Out to combat drug use and prevent crime.

 

"Youth today are having to make decisions about drugs at younger and younger ages," said Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator for Drug-Free Tennessee and pastor of the Church of Scientology Nashville. "We need to get them reliable information so they can make educated choices."

 

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of Foundation for a Drug-Free World. It provides booklets that help youth understand how drugs affect the body and mind and alert them to what a dealer might say in an attempt to convince them to experiment with drugs. It also includes the street names of the most commonly abused substances.

 

For more information on Drug-Free Tennessee or to order materials, visit drugfreetn.org.

 

The Church of Scientology and its members support the Truth About Drugs campaign, one of the world's largest nongovernmental drug education and prevention initiatives. Thanks to this support, the Foundation for a Drug-Free World provides these drug education booklets, videos and educator guides free of charge to teachers, mentors and civic and community leaders.

 

According to the United Nations Office on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, "Every dollar spent on prevention can save governments up to ten dollars in later costs."

The Way to Happiness Sees Smiles Abounding During Friendship Day

 

The Church of Scientology Nashville and The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee held the annual Friendship Day Celebration for 2021.

 

The Church of Scientology again opened its doors to the diverse community of Nashville for Friendship Day at the church’s sixth celebration of the day.  This year, the church featured youth voices with a panel discussion, and other activities for young people.

 

Children and parents alike enjoyed a fresh-faced panel discussion of 7-9 year olds discussing important topics on how to be a good friend, and how this leads to a happier life.

 

The International Day of Friendship was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011 in the belief that “friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.”

 

The Church of Scientology partners in this effort with The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee, which provides a community betterment program based on the book The Way to Happiness by L. Ron Hubbard. The initiative is 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 is attainable. Several precepts in the book promote dialogue and friendship, among them “Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others,” “Be Worthy of Trust,” and “Try to Treat Others As You Would Want Them to Treat You.”

 

For more information on the Church of Scientology, its programs or upcoming events, visit scientology-ccnashville.org. For more information on The Way to Happiness, visit twthtn.org.