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Pictured above are quilt squares made by the 2015 TAP participants, representing a piece of themselves. The finished quilt, to be unveiled at the TAP 20th Celebration Oct. 25, is this year’s Unity Piece.
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TIME TO CELEBRATE: 20 YEARS OF TAP
This summer marked the 20th year of one of CVEM’s longest standing program: Thompson-Pound Art Program (TAP).
20 years is no small feat, so it’s time to celebrate! CVEM will hold a celebration Sunday, Oct. 25 from 5-7 p.m. (details below!) Please come!
The TAP is a week-long summer art program for children ages 6-12 aimed at teaching tolerance and peace-making. Participants are recruited from diverse religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
What exactly TAP is, though, is beautifully explained by the program’s beloved Director of 14 years, Debbie Anderson. Below is an article she wrote for the program’s 10th anniversary celebration. Her words remain just as poignant today.
When the Thompson-Pound Art Program was conceived in 1995, organizers thought it would be a one-time experience to celebrate the life and hope of Dr. Tom Thompson. Who would have foreseen that it would grow into a vibrant summer camp that actively teaches--through the arts--about tolerance, diversity and living together peacefully? Both in Columbus and LaGrange, The Thompson-Pound Art Program brings together children from all races, religions and economic backgrounds in the hope that understanding differences will foster a community--and ultimately, a world--that honors their differences, turning fear into an opportunity for peace.
As we look at the root of conflicts in our world today, it is clear that we must overcome the need to always be right, to have the answer, and the inside track to God. If not, we will continue to claim the right to property, people and the dictating of ideas through intimidation, war and violence in the name of God. Through early intervention with positive experiences like TAP, we can teach our children that if conflicts can be peacefully resolved between two people, then it is possible for communities, countries and planets to do the same.
For it is in our differences that we see the true nature of God. Paul said, in his letter to the church at Corinth, “Now there are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
Understanding and embracing differences can help us let go of our fear that there is only one path, one right way to know God and can open the door to that hope of peace in our world. The prophet Kahlil Gibran said it this way: “And if you would know God be not therefore a solver of riddles. Rather look about you and you shall see Him playing with your children. And look into space; you shall see Him walking in the cloud, outstretching His arms in the lightning and descending rain. You shall see Him smiling in flowers, then rising and waving His hands in trees.”
TAP—may it continue to be a place that provides the seed that turns the hope for peaceful co-existence into a reality. Thanks be to God.
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Join CVEM for an evening of “Bluegrass Served Up Family Style” featuring Columbus’ own Debbie Anderson with Family & Friends on Sunday, Oct. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Tickets are $20 per person or $50 for a family. This ministry fundraiser includes a celebration of the 20th anniversary of TAP, the Thompson-Pound Art Program, a week-long summer art program for children ages 6-12 recruited from diverse religious and socio-economic backgrounds that teaches tolerance and peace-making. RSVP & purchase tickets online at HERE or by calling 706.327.0400. Tickets also available at the door.
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TAP'S FOOTPRINT
During TAP week, participants work together to create a unity art piece. These works of art range from sculptures to paintings to wall hangings and are displayed throughout the city of Columbus. Below, find a list of different unity pieces through the years:
• 1996- “Mural on Denim” at Rankin Arts Center
• 1997- “Dream Catchers” at Rankin Arts Center
• 1998- “Wind Chime” at Rankin Arts Center
• 1999- Vinyl Posters at Rankin Arts Center
• 2000- Mobile of Phoenix in Plaza Level of Government Center
• 2001- Quilt at Rankin Arts Center
• 2002- Rising Sun Apparatus at St.Thomas
• 2003- Prayer Flags at CVEM
• 2004- Kite at Columbus Public Library
• 2005- Mobile (formerly hung in Columbus Public Library)
• 2006- Mosaic Turtle-shaped Mandala at Oxbow Meadows
• 2007- Peace Tree Sculpture on Broadway at 12th Street
• 2008- Compost bins and mosaic stepping stones at Oxbow Meadows Learning Center
• 2009- Wall Hanging at Mildred Terry Public Library
• 2010- Peace Pylon
(formerly in median on Broadway)
• 2011- Wall Hanging and Bench at South Columbus Public Library
• 2012- Wall Hanging in North Columbus Public Library
• 2013- Praise Dancing Film
• 2014- Four-Panel Painting at North Columbus Recreation Center
• 2015- 20th Anniversary Quilt (location TBA)
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CVEM PARTICIPATES IN DIOCESAN VIDEO
By: Holli Melancon
CVEM’s Director Martha Robert took part in an interview for a video series the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta is creating.
This video, “Living Into Our Purpose” explores “how God’s love connects us in a shared purpose across diverse ministries, geographies, generations, people, spiritual experiences and faith perspectives.” The other videos that will be part of this package are: “Find Your Place,” “Find Your Path” and “Find Your Purpose.”
The first video will be shown at the Annual Diocesan Council Nov. 13-14.
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The 2015-2016 Infusion class kicked off its year with an opening retreat in August. The group, pictured above, spent time team-building and introducing their topic for the year: Homelessness. The next day (pictured bottom left), students served breakfast at Trinity Episcopal Church’s weekly Prayer Breakfast for the homeless and volunteered in the church’s Clothing Closet. They are: TK Thomas, Dona-Lucia, Matthew Taich, Talon Gamble and Kevin Taich. Also last month, TK Thomas, Brett Coleman, Dylan Rice and Infusion Director Monica Cobis attended the Profiles on Poverty Exhibit at the Columbus Public Library.
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GA GIVES DAY NOV. 12: HELP PEOPLE LIKE KIM
Meet Kim Bronson-Bennett, a CVEM client since 2011. At her first appointment we discussed her efforts to return to school at Columbus Tech to earn her Medical Coding Certificate. Over the past 4 years we have assisted Kim in textbook purchases and provided ongoing encouragement and support as she has plugged away at her courses while working. Last week she came by to share her accomplishment: Her Medical Coding Certificate!
Your support of CVEM makes stories like Kim’s--stories that don’t just happen once but forever change a person’s future--possible.
That’s why we are asking for your support on Georgia Gives Day Nov. 12. Georgia Gives Day is a statewide day of online giving to nonprofits. The best part of giving on that day is that your donation has the potential to earn prizes, potentially multiplying your gift to CVEM.
Visit gagivesday.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ChattahoocheeValleyEpiscopalMinistry for links on how to give a tax deductible donation on Nov. 12.
We are thankful for you. Kim is thankful for you.
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DIRECT SERVICE REPORT: PRAYER FOR THE POOR
By: Diane Hinnant
Recently, while in the offices of St. Anne’s Outreach, I came across a beautiful prayer written by Mother Theresa. Entitled “Prayer for the Poor,” it reads …
Make us worthy, Lord,
to serve those people throughout the world
who live and die in poverty and hunger.
Give them, through our hands,
this day, their daily bread,
and by our understanding love,
give them peace and joy.
Amen
Though simple in its words, it is profound in its message. At a very early age, most of us were taught The Lord’s Prayer, in which we ask our Heavenly Father to “give us this day our daily bread.” In this prayer, written by someone who stands out as one of the greatest humanitarians of the 20th century, we pray that through our hands the poor receive their daily bread.
Those of us involved in outreach work have unceasing opportunities to touch the lives of the needy as we help them with food, shelter and clothing; advocate for them; encourage and support them as they seek a better life.
For those who do not have the opportunity to help bless the lives of others in ways such as these, know that you can do something … you can pray for them. Not only will they be blessed but you will be too, as you speak the words of this beautifully simple prayer, written by someone who lived a beautifully simple life.
Direct Service Report; August & September 2015:
August Assistance: $2,279.91
September Assistance: $3,892
YTD Assistance: $27,257
Assistance categories: Rent, mortgage, medical, scholarship, transportation, car payment, car insurance, gasoline to travel to doctor’s appointment, utilities
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Shedding Our Secrets members joined a Walk & Candlelight Vigil in support of victims and survivors of domestic violence. Pictured are Vicky & John Partin, Agnes Shelton and Martha Robert. The events were sponsored by Hope Harbour and Domestic Violence Roundtable, Inc.
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JACKETS NEEDED
Outreach programs for children in the Boxwood Community in Columbus, are collecting gently used jackets and sweaters for winter. They are in need of child sizes 6/7 up to adult medium. If you are able to donate please bring donations to CVEM located at 1120 Lockwood Avenue, on Monday-Thursday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
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