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New City Notes
August 2004
Dear Friends,
Shalom to you and yours from Knoxville’s Old City. Without a whole lot of fanfare, New City entered its seventh season of ministry July 4th. Thanks for supporting us as you do. Please know that we could not do what we do without your involvement.
The Café continues every Thursday-Saturday night with special events occurring somewhat regularly now on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Recently, we hosted a reception for student-workers involved in Operation Backyard.? In June, Doug Floyd facilitated a showing of Andre Rubelev’s Passion, a strange but stirring film by famed Russian director, Nicolae Tarkovsky, concerning war and betrayal, beauty and redemption. In August, over a pot-luck dinner coordinated by our own Sunny Penner (kitchen manager), we viewed Jesus of Montreal (a clever Canadian contemporization of Christ’s life, 1989).? It is especially enjoyable to watch these films on a super large screen through on our newly donated video projector!
The Consortium is developing in a healthy fashion as well. After a hugely successful launch year, RegentCollege (Vancouver) has committed to another year of partnership with us. We are presently assembling a new group of students for our second Marketplace Cohort—and we still have a few seats available in the new group! Father Stephen Freeman, founding priest at St. Anne Orthodox Church (Oak Ridge, TN), will lead a series on the Gospel in Dostoyevsky starting in September. In addition to these on-site initiatives, New City coordinates numerous church and para-church entities under the auspices of the New City Consortium.
While what New City does through the Café and the Consortium is important, who we are is of equal significance. Accordingly, it was with a measure of sadness in July that we said goodbye to Chris Tappan, our manager. Chris came to us just out of UT and, after two years of ministry at New City, is now pursuing an MBA at Eastern Seminary (Philadelphia). In Chris’ departure, however, we see evidence of God’s gracious provision in Mark Vowell’s eagerness to assume a greater level of leadership at the Café. Mark is a long-time friend, long-term board member, and a gifted musician. Helping Mark with the shepherding and cultivation of the singer-songwriter night every Thursday is Rick Huemmer. These men are godly servants, and we are tremendously blessed to have them both at this time. Sunny remains in charge of New City’s kitchen and always seems to invent some incredibly delicious (and affordable!) special each weekend for the many guests who come to us as strangers, guests, and friends.
As the Executive Director, I am quite spoiled with this staff. When I figure in our board of directors and our faithful volunteers, I am deeply humbled by the Lord’s abiding presence in this project. He clearly cares greatly about his people and those that come to the Old City for something real and meaningful. Hope to see you soon.
Kenny Woodhull
http://www.newcitycommunity.org/
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