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.

Artlightenment Festival Announces 2016 Theme

Artlightenment takes place in November at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Nashville and organizers have just announced theme for the 2016 event.

Nashville is a city for the arts. While it goes by the name Music City, there is a wide variety of art beyond music that residents partake in: theatre, dance, design, fashion, sculpting, painting, and more. And for the past seven years, these art forms have all come to light in one explosive event: the annual Artlightenment film and art festival.

Artlightenment 2016 will see its eighth year of the festival which continues to grow and change while inviting even greater participation from the community. Organizers of the event have just announced the theme for this year, “America: Its Cultures and Influences.” It will take place from the art opening on November 5th through the awards ceremony and fashion show on November 12th.  The film festival will be Nov 10-12th, and the complete schedule can be seen at www.artlightenment.com.

According to the Artlightenment website, the festival was created from founder Robyn Morshead’s dream to help artists by giving them a festival dedicated to no other cause than the art itself. “This is a festival about them, the artists, and what they have to say,” says Morshead.

The Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre Nashville is the festival host each year, in accordance with Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard’s vision to help all artists. All are invited. For more information, visit artlightenment.com. 

Nashville Church of Scientology Celebrates the New Year

Nashville’s Church of Scientology saw a whirlwind of activity throughout 2013. Parishioners gathered on New Year’s Eve to celebrate a year of accomplishments and look forward to the year ahead.

Internationally, the Church of Scientology had much to celebrate from 2013. The highlight of the year was the November 17th opening of the Church's new cathedral - the 377,000 square foot architectural masterpiece in Clearwater, Florida known as The Flag Building, an achievement that crowns a year of the Church's most expansive growth to date.

Locally, the Nashville Church of Scientology had its best year to date as well. Scientologists looked back on the time spent on programs aimed at drug and human rights education, and other activities aimed at improving their community, schools and neighborhoods.

The Church began the year by opening its doors to community events. During Black History Month, the church hosted a presentation for the Black Legends of Basketball. Legends were honored with a special display and there was a panel discussion about the history and future of basketball.

Throughout the year, church members visited 14 counties in Tennessee to deliver information on the Truth About Drugs. Working with the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, they were able to enlighten thousands of students who are now certain they will never fall victim to a dealer’s lies. One school to receive a visit was Smyrna West Alternative where a teacher expressed his gratitude by writing a letter to the volunteers.  He noted the program “is a highly informative, mind-grasping look at the dangers and horrible realities that addiction creates.”

In the summer months, Scientologists went out into the community to distribute copies of The Way to Happiness. This booklet written by L. Ron Hubbard is a common sense guide to better living that anyone can use. The entire neighborhood surrounding the church received copies of the booklet. 

In November, the Church hosted the annual Artlightenment art and film festival, which is themed “Art, Artists and the Art of Existence.” In its fifth year, this was the most successful to date in terms of the attendance and number of artists participating.  The festival has added film and fashion and become one of the go-to events of the year for area fine artists.

In December 2013, the Church worked with local and state government agencies and non-profit organizations to plan the Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day. During the  December 10^th celebration, human rights advocates were awarded for their service to the community, there was a panel discussion on Human Rights Issues Today, and a special speaker who served the United Nations for nearly 30 years gave an overview of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Church pastor Rev. Brian Fesler said, "2013 has been an exciting year, our best yet. We are thankful for all our friends in the community who are working to make Nashville a better place, and we look forward to collaboration and a 2014 where everyone wins." 

For more information about Scientology, visit www.scientology.org.

Church of Scientology Community News: Independence Day Celebrations Across Nashville

The Nashville Church of Scientology supports the good works of others. Today’s highlight: Nashville celebrates Independence Day.

It is the 4^th of July. Google has done up a doodle to showcase the day, with a series of family photos at historic sites around the country. Businesses are closed and families are getting together to celebrate the holiday. And, in Nashville, the Church of Scientology is opening up a gathering to the community of potluck and fireworks show.

“Today is a special day for the nation. We are celebrating freedom,” says Rev. Brian Fesler of the Church of Scientology, “This day can bring the entire community together in solidarity.”

And so it does with celebrations popping up all across the Nashville area. The downtown fireworks display in the city promises to be a grand show with celebrity performers including the likes of The Band Perry, Keb’ Mo’ and the Nashville Symphony.

The Adventure Science Center will feature a rooftop view of the downtown fireworks. Lipscomb University is offering a Free Independence Day festival featuring fireworks, musical entertainment, food and games for the entire family.

As newspaper columnist Erma Bombeck said, “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness.  You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.”

For more information about 4^th of July celebrations, go to nashville.about.com.