Nashville Religion Communicators to Hear about Resilience on July 20

 

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 July meeting has been rescheduled due to the long 4^th of July weekend, to now take place on July 20. The meeting will feature a discussion on resilience, led by a prominent local United Methodist pastor. This is a perfect time for discussing such a topic, as many people return to more in person functions after the lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions.  “As a community, we are recovering, so what more perfect topic could we have for our July meeting than resilience? This will be a great meeting, and at the best time,” says Julie Brinker, communications coordinator for the Nashville RCC chapter and community relations director 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. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Nashville Religion Communicators Learns About the Ministry of Broadcasting

 

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 March meeting will take place virtually, as has been the common meeting ground for nearly all events since April 2020.

 

RCC members will hear from Jeffrey Anderson, who has been in international Christian broadcasting since 1982. He was with The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. for 12 years, including a position as Programming and Operations Manager of Middle East Television for five years. Since 1994, he has had a consulting business - Jeffrey P. Anderson and Associates: International Television Start-Ups, Programming, and Productions. His clients have been worldwide, but especially in Asia. Mr. Anderson, his wife Beverly, and two children, were Presbyterian missionaries to Japan in the latter part of the 1980s. Between 1993 and 2015, the Andersons were involved in a total of 25 summer mission trips among the four of them. Since 2016, Mr. Anderson and his wife have been missionaries with Far East Broadcasting Company.

 

During the RCC meeting, Mr. Anderson will be talking on: Pivoting in a World-Wide Crisis - The Need for Readiness, Yet Expecting the Unexpected.

 

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.

 

In 2019, The Way to Happiness held its inaugural event to observe World Happiness Day. This year, volunteers plan to ring in the occasion with an event to acknowledge the work of a local neighborhood that is working to end violence. The Way to Happiness Association wants this event to bring people together who care about all people, so they can connect and do bigger things. The Way to Happiness Association was formed around the book The Way to Happiness, written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

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.”

World Happiness Day occurs each year on March 20^th and is celebrated by the United Nations. According to un.org, “Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognize the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world…The United Nations invites each person of any age, plus every classroom, business and government to join in celebration of the International Day of Happiness.”

The World Happiness Day in Nashville is set for March 14, at noon, and will take place in the community hall of the Church of Scientology, 1130 8^th Ave South, Nashville, Tenn.

For more information on The Way to Happiness Association, its upcoming events or if you would like to participate, visit twthtn.org. 

Tennessee United for Human Rights Plans Fifth Annual Peace Day Event

The Tennessee chapter of United for Human Rights (TNUHR) will have a large inter-religious, multicultural event for International Peace Day.

Tennessee United for Human Rights in partnership with the Church of Scientology Nashville will hold the fifth annual Nashville Celebration of International Day of Peace on September 19, from 5:00-7:00pm, with a large number of religious and cultural leaders, each bringing words of peace from their respective traditions and backgrounds.

Participating are representatives of the LDS Church, AME Church, Sikh Faith, Baha’i Faith, Scientology and more.

Tennessee United for Human Rights (TUHR) has held an event for International Day of Peace for the past four years, each with a different theme related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. TUHR promotes human rights education as a way to combat ignorance and increase awareness.  During each of the past Peace Day events, a different human right has been the focus.

“Each year we focus on a human rights issue that needs to be brought to light. This year we are proud to bring together a multicultural, multi-faith community of people who can speak to peace on a universal level,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program.

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

The Peace Day event will be held on September 19^th at 5:00 pm in the Nashville Church of Scientology community hall.

TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society. For more information about Peace Day or to register, visit nashvillepeace.eventbrite.com, and to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org. 

Church of Scientology to Host Fifth Annual Peace Day Event

The Tennessee chapter of United for Human Rights (TNUHR) will have a large inter-religious, multicultural event for International Peace Day.

The Church of Scientology in partnership with Tennessee United for Human Rights will hold the fifth annual Nashville Celebration of International Day of Peace on September 19, from 5:00-7:00pm, with a large number of religious and cultural leaders, each bringing words of peace from their respective traditions and backgrounds. The event is being dubbed “Religious Freedom in the Bible Belt.”

Tennessee United for Human Rights (TUHR) has held an event for International Day of Peace for the past four years, each with a different theme related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. TUHR promotes human rights education as a way to combat ignorance and increase awareness.  During each of the past Peace Day events, a different human right has been the focus.

“Each year we focus on a human rights issue that needs to be brought to light. This year we are proud to bring together a multicultural, multi-faith community of people who can speak to peace on a universal level,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program.

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

The Peace Day event will be held on September 19^th at 5:00 pm in the Nashville Church of Scientology community hall.

TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society. For more information about Peace Day or to register, visit nashvillepeace.eventbrite.com, and to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org. 

Nashville Church of Scientology To Hold Event Commemorating 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.

Last year, volunteers were recognized for their work over the past year, including those who have shown exemplary volunteer spirit and those who contributed to volunteer work in other ways.

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.'"

To make this technology broadly available, the Church has a Volunteer Minister tent that is set up at fairs and other community events to offer help freely to anyone. The Church also provides free online training at the Volunteer Ministers website. Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities.

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.

The Church of Scientology, in partnership with the Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee, observed World Environment Day with an event called Growing Nashville.

​​​According to the Nashville Area Metro Planning Organization, “transportation, and policies that guide the expansion of transportation infrastructure, are increasingly linked to a variety of environmental issues.” It’s no doubt that Nashville has been experiencing unprecedented growth, but what is happening to the natural environment as this growth occurs?

This was the subject of the World Environment Day event “Growing Nashville” at the Church of Scientology, organized in partnership with the Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee.

World Environment Day was established by the United Nations to encourage worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.

The event included a presentation by the Metro Nashville Beautification and Environment Commission’s Horticulturist and other community initiatives to help the city, followed by live music from Jess Lacoy and Kevin Riley Corbo.

Judy Young, Director of The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee presented native Nashville plants to the Beautification Commission’s Horticulturist and Edgehill community leader Brenda Morrow for their work to make Nashville more beautiful and true to its environment.

The Way to Happiness Association, which sponsored the event, was created to promote the book The Way to Happiness, written by humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. The book’s 21 precepts are based on the principle that one’s survival depends on the survival of others. “Your own survival can be threatened by the bad actions of others around you,” he wrote. “You are important to other people. You are listened to. You can influence others.”

One way in which one’s own actions and influence can make a significant impact is closely related to the purpose of World Environment Day.

In the precept “Safeguard and Improve the Environment,” Mr. Hubbard wrote:

“The idea that one has a share in the planet and that one can and should help care for it may seem very large and, to some, quite beyond reality. But today what happens on the other side of the world, even so far away, can effect what happens in your own home….

“One can ask, ‘Even if that were true, what could I do about it?’ Well, even if one were simply to frown when people do things to mess up the planet, one would be doing something about it. Even if one only had the opinion that it was just not a good thing to wreck the planet and mentioned that opinion, one would be doing something…

“There are many things one can do to help take care of the planet. They begin with the idea that one should. They progress with suggesting to others they should.

“Man has gotten up to the potential of destroying the planet. He must be pushed on up to the capability and actions of saving it.

“It is, after all, what we’re standing on.”

World Environment Day was set aside by the UN as “the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.”

The Way to Happiness was written in 1981. Immensely popular since its first publication,

some 115 million copies have been distributed in 115 languages in 186 nations. It holds the Guinness World Record as the single most-translated nonreligious book and fills the moral vacuum in an increasingly materialistic society.

The Church of Scientology and its members are proud to share the tools for happier living contained in The Way to Happiness.

Church of Scientology to Host Growing Nashville Environment Day Festival

The Church of Scientology in partnership with the Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee is observing World Environment Day with a festival for the environment, called Growing Nashville.

According to the Nashville Area Metro Planning Organization, “More and more transportation, and polices that guide the expansion of transportation infrastructure, are increasingly linked to a variety of environmental issues.” It’s no doubt that Nashville has been experiencing unprecedented growth, but what is happening to the natural environment as this growth occurs? That is the subject of the upcoming World Environment Day festival “Growing Nashville” taking place at the Church of Scientology, in partnership with the Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee, on June 1st. 

The festival, which begins at 1:00 pm, will have a presentation by the Metro Nashville Beautification and Environment Commission’s Horticulturist, followed by live music and information from other community initiatives to help the city.

The Way to Happiness Association, which is sponsoring the event, was formed around the book The Way To Happiness, written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The book is filled with twenty-one precepts based on the fact that one’s survival depends on the survival of others. One of these precepts is “Safeguard and Improve the Environment,” which takes to heart care for the planet.

World Environment Day occurs each year on June 5th and is celebrated by the United Nations. According to unep.org, World Environment Day “…has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries. It also serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.”

For more information on Growing Nashville or to register, visit growingnashville.eventbrite.com. 

Church of Scientology Nashville Hosts Disaster Response Conference

Churches of Scientology Disaster Response teams from seven states converged at the Church of Scientology Nashville for an annual conference on disaster response.

The Church of Scientology Nashville hosted a Disaster Response Conference in early May for its national disaster response team. Led by Sue Taylor and Joava Good, Director and Deputy Director for the National Churches of Scientology Disaster Response, the conference was an all-weekend affair to update response teams from seven states on the latest in disaster response and cover all kinds of ground.

The conference was held in anticipation of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Conference, also held in Nashville this year. VOAD  is an “association of organizations that mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters, provides a forum promoting cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration; and fosters more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster,” according to its website. The National VOAD coalition includes more than 100 member organizations, which represent national members, State VOADs, Local/Regional VOADs and hundreds of other member organizations throughout the country.

The Churches of Scientology Disaster Response is part of National VOAD and its teams are comprised of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers.

Whether serving in their communities or on the other side of the world, the motto of the Scientology Volunteer Minister is “Something can be done about it.” The program, created in the mid 1970s by L. Ron Hubbard and sponsored by the Church of Scientology International as a religious social service, constitutes one of the world’s largest and most visible international independent relief forces.

The Volunteer Minister “helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others.”

A global network of Volunteer Ministers mobilizes in times of manmade and natural disasters, answering the call wherever needed. Collaborating with some 1,000 organizations and agencies, they have utilized their skill and experience in providing physical support and spiritual aid at hundreds of disaster sites. For more information, visit volunteerministers.org.

Church of Scientology Nashville Recognizes Top Volunteers

Volunteer Recognition Day at the Church of Scientology Nashville acknowledged volunteers and inspired others to take action, exemplifying the spirit of the day.

The Church of Scientology Nashville held an open house for International Volunteer Recognition Day in April 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.

Volunteers recognized for their work over the past year included those who have shown exemplary volunteer spirit and those who contributed to volunteer work in other ways.

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.'"

To make this technology broadly available, the Church has a Volunteer Minister tent that is set up at fairs and other community events to offer help freely to anyone. The Church also provides free online training at the Volunteer Ministers website. Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities.

###

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.

Citizens Commission on Human Rights to Hold Benefit Concert in May

Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Nashville (CCHR Nashville) is holding a benefit concert in May to help those abused in the field of mental health.

The Nashville Chapter of Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR Nashville) is planning a benefit concert in May to help those who have been abused in the mental health field.    

CCHR is known as an advocate for human rights, especially as relates to patients’ rights. Per the international CCHR website, cchr.org, “CCHR has long fought to restore basic inalienable human rights to the field of mental health, including, but not limited to, full informed consent regarding the medical legitimacy of psychiatric diagnosis, the risks of psychiatric treatments, the right to all available medical alternatives and the right to refuse any treatment considered harmful.”

“CCHR is committed to helping people learn their rights, especially as relates to freedom of conscience,” says CCHR Nashville Board Member, Brian Fesler. CCHR Nashville regularly hosts events and meetings with local leaders who give insight into patients’ rights, parents’ rights and more.

CCHR is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious mental health watchdog. Its mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. CCHR receives reports about abuses in the field of mental health and is especially interested in situations where persons experienced abuse or damage due to a false diagnosis or unwanted and harmful psychiatric treatments, such as psychiatric drugs, electroshock (ECT) and electronic or magnetic brain stimulation (TMS). CCHR is often able to assist with filing complaints, and can work with a person’s attorney to further investigate the case. To contact CCHR Nashville for more information, visit cchrnashville.org.  

Nashville Church of Scientology Recognizes Top Volunteers and Community Advocates

Volunteer Recognition Day 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 Volunteer Recognition Day in April 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.

Volunteers will be recognized for their work over the past year, those who have shown exemplary volunteer spirit and those who contributed to volunteer work in other ways.

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.'"

To make this technology broadly available, the Church has a Volunteer Minister tent that is set up at fairs and other community events to offer help freely to anyone. The Church also provides free online training at the Volunteer Ministers website. Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities. During the open house, everyone was invited outside to see the tent where they could learn practical skills to help 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.

Youth Voices Create a Brighter Future at Church of Scientology Nashville

The Church of Scientology Nashville with The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee observed World Happiness Day with a special youth presentation from a diverse group of Nashville children.

“Youth Voices: Creating a Brighter Future” was the program title for the inaugural event to observe World Happiness Day at the Church of Scientology Nashville. Sponsored by The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee and The Way to Happiness Kids Club of Nashville, the program included words from young people, ages ranging from five to thirteen years old, who spoke about how to make a brighter future.

Anna B., who is just five years old, opened the program by welcoming all attendees and said, “I’m glad you all are here.” This was followed by two six year old speakers, the first thanking the church for welcoming everyone, and the second speaking about how all people should work together for a better future. Jazzy L., 11 years old, invited all children to join The Way to Happiness Kids Club. Then it came time for the panel discussion with thirteen year old, Yusuf L., 9 year old Omaran L., and 10 year old Celia S. They each answered questions posed to them about how to set a good example and remain true to themselves despite those who may try to suppress them. The event was concluded with an group photo of all children present that afternoon.

The Way to Happiness Association was formed around the book The Way To Happiness, written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The Way to Happiness is filled with twenty-one precepts based on the fact that one’s survival depends on the survival of others. One of these precepts is “Love and Help Children,” which showcases how children are the future. Each child attending the event was given a poster with each precept drawn out; and the parents were each given their own copy of The Way to Happiness booklet.

World Happiness Day occurs each year on March 20^th and is celebrated by the United Nations. According to un.org, “Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognize the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world…The United Nations invites each person of any age, plus every classroom, business and government to join in celebration of the International Day of Happiness.”

For more information on The Way to Happiness Association, visit twthtn.org.

Citizens Commission on Human Rights to Hold Forum on the Cause of Racism

Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Nashville (CCHR Nashville) is holding a special forum at the end of January 2018.

The Nashville Chapter of Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR Nashville) is planning a special forum in late January to follow up on the holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr., where they will discuss the cause of racism and strategies to combat this in observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.   

CCHR is known as an advocate for human rights, especially as relates to patients’ rights in the field of mental health. Per the international CCHR website, cchr.org, “CCHR has long fought to restore basic inalienable human rights to the field of mental health, including, but not limited to, full informed consent regarding the medical legitimacy of psychiatric diagnosis, the risks of psychiatric treatments, the right to all available medical alternatives and the right to refuse any treatment considered harmful.”

“CCHR is committed to helping people learn their rights, especially as relates to freedom of conscience,” says CCHR Nashville Board Member, Brian Fesler. CCHR Nashville regularly hosts events and meetings with local leaders who give insight into patients’ rights, parents’ rights and more.

CCHR is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious mental health watchdog. Its mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. CCHR receives reports about abuses in the field of mental health and is especially interested in situations where persons experienced abuse or damage due to a false diagnosis or unwanted and harmful psychiatric treatments, such as psychiatric drugs, electroshock (ECT) and electronic or magnetic brain stimulation (TMS). CCHR is often able to assist with filing complaints, and can work with a person’s attorney to further investigate the case. To contact CCHR Nashville for more information, visit cchrnashville.org.  

Church of Scientology Asks Religious Leaders to ‘Speak Your Peace’

The Church of Scientology with the Tennessee chapter of United for Human Rights (TNUHR) held a large inter-religious, multicultural event for International Peace Day.

The Church of Scientology, in partnership with Tennessee United for Human Rights, held its fourth annual Celebration of International Day of Peace, with a large number of religious and cultural leaders, each bringing words of peace from their respective traditions and backgrounds for an event dubbed “Speak Your Peace.”

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

In Nashville, International Day of Peace has been observed over the past three years, each year with a different theme related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. TUHR promotes human rights education as a way to combat ignorance and increase awareness.   This year is the 70^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, since it was signed in 1948, so TUHR wanted to do something on a large scale involving all people. Thus, an event that would tie together people of all faiths in unity through words of peace.

“I’m proud that we were able to bring together a multicultural, multi-faith community of people who could speak about peace on a universal level,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program.

Participants represented a myriad of faith traditions and religions including Baha'i, Baptist, Jewish, LDS Church (Mormon), Sikh, Unity and Scientology. A common theme among all of the religious messages was that in unity, there is peace.

TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society. For more information about Peace Day or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org. 

Nashville Church of Scientology Honors 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 for World Humanitarian Day to acknowledge volunteers, while also lifting up others to help people in times of need.

Three volunteers were recognized for their work over the past year. The first awarded was in the youth category and had clocked the most volunteer service hours among her peers. The second awarded had been active volunteering week in and week out on programs to rehabilitate and help those who have been released from jail and are looking to turn their life around. The third awardee spent the better part of a month full time helping in the recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey which devastated Texas last year.

“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.

The Church of Scientology 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.'"

To make this technology broadly available, the Church has a Volunteer Minister tent that is set up at fairs and other community events to offer help freely to anyone. The Church also provides free online training at the Volunteer Ministers website. Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities.

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 to Hold 10 Days of Peace in September

The Nashville Church of Scientology will be doing a series of events for “10 Days of Peace,” ending with a large event on September 21^st for International Day of Peace.

The Nashville Church of Scientology works with Tennessee United for Human Rights to hold events that promote human rights education for everyone. The church has held an event for International Day of Peace for the past three years and will be holding an event again this year on September 21. Leading up to this, the church is having “10 Days of Peace” which launches on September 11, the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York City.

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. To launch the 10 Days of Peace, the church will hold a special event each day, culminating in the large event for Sept 21.

This is the fourth annual observance of Peace Day by TNUHR, and promises to be bigger than ever. In 2015, the group organized an eye-opening panel discussion on “Exposing the Hidden World of Human Trafficking,” and in 2016, TNUHR held an event under the theme “Know Your Rights and Survive: Overcoming Domestic Violence.” Last year the group held a panel discussion on “Religious Freedom and What This Means Today.”

“We are excited to hold ’10 Days of Peace’ this year and make these events larger than ever before,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, Pastor of the Nashville Church of Scientology.

’10 Days of Peace’ launches on September 11 at the Church of Scientology, and all are welcome.

TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society. For more information about the events on Peace Day or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org.

Tennessee United for Human Rights to Hold Panel Discussion for Fourth Annual Peace Day Event

The Tennessee chapter of United for Human Rights (TNUHR) is making plans for International Peace Day on September 21st.

Tennessee United for Human Rights has a mission to bring human rights education to everyone. And what better way to do this than through discussing these rights at public events? The group has held an event for International Day of Peace for the past three years and will be holding an event again this year on September 21.

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. This is more relevant than ever, and TNUHR is planning an event to focus on issues of domestic violence.

This is the fourth annual observance of Peace Day by TNUHR. In 2015, the group organized an eye-opening panel discussion on “Exposing the Hidden World of Human Trafficking,” and in 2016, TNUHR held an event under the theme “Know Your Rights and Survive: Overcoming Domestic Violence.” Last year the group held a panel discussion on “Religious Freedom and What This Means Today.”

“Each year we focus on a human rights issue that needs to be brought to light. We are returning to the issue of domestic violence this year, as this is something that seriously needs to be addressed,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “…nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.”

The Peace Day event will be held on September 21^st at 4pm in the Nashville Church of Scientology community hall.

TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society. For more information about the events on Peace Day or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org. 

Nashville Church of Scientology To Honor 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.

Volunteers will be recognized for their work over the past year, those who have shown exemplary volunteer spirit and those who contributed to volunteer work in other ways.

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.'"

To make this technology broadly available, the Church has a Volunteer Minister tent that is set up at fairs and other community events to offer help freely to anyone. The Church also provides free online training at the Volunteer Ministers website. Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities. During the open house, everyone was invited outside to see the tent where they could learn practical skills to help 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 Showcases Best Practices for Sustainability

The Church of Scientology in partnership with the Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee observed World Environment Day with a Sustainable Living Conference.

According to Global News, “The fashion industry is the world’s second-largest polluter, after oil. That means even if you’re diligent about correctly separating your recycling, put solar panels on your roof and collect rainwater, and strictly buy local, organic produce, you’re inherently implicit in fashion’s shameful truth just by getting dressed every morning.” To combat pollution and enlighten people on the best sustainable living practices, the Nashville Church of Scientology, in partnership with the Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee, just held a Sustainable Living Conference on World Environment Day. 

The conference began with a keynote speech on sustainable fashion by Elisabeth Donaldson of 365 Days of Thrift. She covered why thrifting is important for sustainability and the facts of how the fashion industry harms the environment. This was followed by an Eco Conscious Panel discussion with Homesteading Hero Janelle Hillman, high style thrift blogger Audrey Rhodes, and CEO of New Frontier Tiny Homes David Lattimer. Following the panel discussion was a fashion show featuring all thrifted clothing, arranged by stylist and thrift blogger Tori Beth.

World Environment Day occurs each year on June 5th and is celebrated by the United Nations. According to unep.org, World Environment Day “…has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries. It also serves as the ‘people’s day’ for doing something positive for the environment, galvanizing individual actions into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet.”

The Way to Happiness Association was formed around the book The Way To Happiness, written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The book is filled with twenty-one precepts based on the fact that one’s survival depends on the survival of others. One of these precepts is “Safeguard and Improve the Environment,” which takes to heart care for the planet. Donaldson pointed out other precepts that also encourage good behavior such as “Set a Good Example,” and “Take Care of Yourself.”

For more information about the Church of Scientology or its programs, visit scientology-ccnashville.org.