Winter 2005

The INNERLIFE
A Publication of the
Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee, Inc.

Partners in Caring Since 1985

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

by David L. Tuleen, Outgoing President

I shall always be grateful to my good friend, Liston Mills, for inviting me to join the Board of Directors of the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee. Now,
after what seems like a short time since that invitation, I have completed nine years as President of the Board, and have been replaced by Ed Cole, who was our first President. I look forward to the
opportunity to explain to Ed that there still are no levers of power, so he might as well not bother to look for them.

What is the most important characteristic of the PCCT? Healing is happening! I mention this obvious truth because it is one that occasionally seems to get lost amid the concerns for finances, development objectives, reports, etc., that understandably constitute a large portion of our Board meetings. We believe that healing is going on and we know that this is why PCCT exists, but for mighty good reasons we don’t have very many testimonials, and few details.

Instead, we walk by faith. A walk that seems to involve faith in three areas. First, we share the faith that our counselors are, indeed, casting out demons and restoring health to our clients. Second, we share the faith that despite the monthly evidence that we are a non-profit agency, we have made it work for twenty years, and we will continue to do so. And, finally, we share the faith that we will find an Executive Director who will lead PCCT for many years.

It’s a good walk. I’d recommend it to anyone. And, by the way, I have not known a time when the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee was in better shape to face the future.

By Ed Cole, Incoming President

I was in the 7th grade when my father, a Disciples of Christ minister, gathered the family together and told us he had accepted a call to a new congregation in another town many miles away. Each of the children, there were four of us, was then given the opportunity to talk about our reactions. Being the oldest and just entering junior high with a close set of friends, I led off with the obvious question: “Dad, things are going so well here, why are you doing this?” I will never forget his response. In a loving way he said that first, he had been called by God and the leaders of this new congregation.  He then said that change provided an opportunity for even better things to happen…things that often are not understood when abrupt transitions occur. 

When I was approached about rejoining the Board of Directors for the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee (PCCT), I recalled the words of my dad. Since its inception many years ago, PCCT has ministered in ways we did not even dream about when a group of us facilitated its creation. Jim Coffman, PCCT’s only Executive Director, provided stable and firm leadership to enable this growth. A strong Board, led for many years by David Tuleen and others, teamed with Jim and the able staff to constantly seek new dimensions of ministry for the
Center. It could be said that “things are going well.” In the midst of this, change has been imposed. Jim received a call for new ministry in Memphis; David has passed the baton of Board leadership. It is now up to the Board, the staff, supporting congregations, and hopefully, soon, a new Executive Director, to use this time of change as a time to make a good thing even better.

I look forward to working with the Board, the staff and all who are involved in any way with the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee as we review our mission, review our performance and set plans in place for the future. Framing this entire process will be the calling each of us, volunteer and professional, has received to be a part of this crucial ministry. I look forward to joining each of you in listening and then responding. Although I am many, many years beyond junior high, I have never forgotten how change became exciting.

ON OUR WATCH

By Chris O'Rear

Pastoral Counselor & Interim Clinical Services Director

It is probably a sacrilege to compare an Executive Director and the Messiah, but this is exactly how I began thinking towards the end of 2004. In the Christian churches, we have just completed the season of Advent. This is a time that we reflect on and prepare for the coming of the Messiah in our hearts, lives, and our world. For some, the busyness of the season of Christmas keeps us so occupied that we don’t really consider the significance of the season. For others, it is a time to keep vigilant and prepare in our hearts for the wonderful event of God’s breaking into our lives and transforming our reality. There seems to have always been a question in the minds of the expectant believers about how the Messiah will come to us. For some it is as the warrior-king who comes with wrath and judgment to vanquish foes and establish a new order. For others it is benevolent-servant who brings a new order of love and healing that transforms our reality. While we may believe one way or another, when we consider the fact that we really do not know the nature of Messiah, then we may feel anxious about which Messiah we will encounter. That is how many of us feel about the possibility of a new Executive Director of the Pastoral Counseling Center. What kind of leader will he or she be? Will there be a new order? Will there be shift in our priorities? What will he or she require of us? In the meantime, we wait and prepare the best we can.

"Preparation,” in this way, is being mindful of how we relate to one another and how we work together for our common purposes. Our staff is great at doing this. There is marvelous openness and cooperation among the staff and, while there may be some anxiety about what is to come, in the meantime, we wait and prepare the best we can. The work of our common purposes continues. Most of our centers finished 2004 on par with last year’s number of counseling hours. We have experienced growth in all of our centers and especially in our Business Resource Center. I am encouraged by the spirit of support and cooperation in our staff and feel that 2005 promises to be a strong year of growth for all of the sites that make up the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee. We are grateful for you all and your support of our ministry through your prayers, referrals, and financial gifts. We look forward to our continued opportunity to serve you in any way we can during this year.

By Chrissa Jennings Walsh

Development Director & Interim CFO

Generosity, Benevolence, Munificence, Compassion, Good Will ... just words?

Absolutely not. They are VALUES. In response to devastation from terrorist attacks and tsunamis, these values emerge in global proportions. These same values resonate in the benefactors of the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee, Inc.
Each location has seen growth in the number of referrals and gifts. Each of us in the PCCT family prefers to call these benefactors FRIENDS; not just acquaintances but lifelong friends. Because friendships must be nurtured, we stay in touch. We update you on situations, triumphs, struggles and changes. We inform you when there is a need. We reach out to you if there is a crisis. We relax with you when there is a calm. We are accountable for our services and good stewardship of your gifts. But most of all, we are thankful. Never let us be remiss in telling you so. We speak for those we serve as we express our gratitude. They found hope and healing because you responded to God’s call to share with those in need.

Thank you. And again, thank you. It just bears repeating.

CLELLA DAVIS CELEBRATES 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

Clella Davis joined the PCCT team, January 9, 1995.
She proved herself indispensable within the first month of employment! Now she is in line for sainthood in the eyes of her co-workers!

Clella is the Bookkeeper/Office Manager. She keeps all statistics, maintains all billings, handles all banking transactions, assists with the annual budget, and is the most popular person around on paydays! She does all these things with a smile on her face and an attitude for doing her best. Is she perfect? NO! But pretty darn close!

Clella has been married to her husband, James A. Davis (Jim), a retired Marine 1st Sergeant for almost 45 years. They have 2 daughters, 1 son, 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Clella was born in Washington but is “a Nashvillian by choice”. She graduated from USC in 1972 with a B.A. in Business Administration and added a second
degree from Memphis State University in accounting in 1981. She is even a single-engine airplane pilot!

Whatever Clella does, she does well and we are inspired by her every day! Thank you Clella, for your immense dedication and wonderful service to PCCT since 1995.

PCC NORTH CHANGE OF ADDRESS

The Pastoral Counseling Center North has a new temporary location. The new address is 394 W. Main Street, Main Street Plaza, Hendersonville, TN 37075. The phone number will remain the same, 615-338-4171. This is a temporary move as we anticipate our move to a permanent home in Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Hendersonville by late summer. We have been graciously hosted by John Evans and Next Generation Underwriters, Inc. for the past 2 years. The words thank you seem inadequate to express gratitude for such a generous gift from Mr. Evans. We are grateful to the Louie M. and Betty M. Phillips Foundation for the grant to sustain us in our temporary location and to Reverend Allen Weller
and Good Shepherd United Methodist Church for the preparations they are making to move us into their facility. Dr. Gilbert Roth and Ms. Lee Miller serve as pastoral counselors in the North Center. For an appointment or further information, call

615-338-4171.

WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLED GIFTS FROM THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS

PATRONS’ FELLOWSHIP
Martha & Bronson Ingram Foundation
Bess W. Henderson

FOUNDERS’ FELLOWSHIP
Westminster Presbyterian Church
St. George’s Episcopal Church

ADVOCATES’ FELLOWSHIP
Abner Overdeer Foundation
Reverend and Mrs. James Alexander
Charity Circle~Murfreesboro
Holy Family Catholic Church
Dr. and Mrs. Frank Jones
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Parker
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shampain
St. Henry’s Catholic Church
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
St. Philip Catholic Church
Dr. and Mrs. David Tuleen

SUSTAINERS’ FELLOWSHIP
Mrs. Mary Rebecca Cherry
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cole
Mr. Steve Gillespie
Ms. Elizabeth R. Lacock
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Manning
Mr. Dan Prince & Mrs. Barbara Lesch
Mr. Christopher D. O’Rear
Prince Market Research
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Scott
Church of St. Matthew
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Walsh
Dr. Craig Wascovich

A complete listing of all donors will be printed in our
2004 Annual Report available on our website February, 2005.
www.PastoralCounselingCtrs.org.

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

January
25 Nashville CPE Partnership Board of Directors meeting
February
24 Board of Directors meeting-5:00 pm
“Gathering of the People” All are invited to attend.
Please RSVP to Chrissa Walsh 615-383-2115 x 27
*Note change of date from Feb. 17, 2005 to Feb 24, 2005

March
22 Nashville CPE Partnership Board of Directors meeting
April
21 Board of Directors meeting -5:00 pm

2005 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President
Mr. Ed Cole, Asst Commissioner, TN Dept. of Transportation,
Vine St. Christian Church

V.P.-Personnel
The Reverend Margaret Howell, Retired,
West End United Methodist Church

V.P.-Development
Mrs. Margot Deschenes, Volunteer,
St. Henry Catholic Church

Secretary
Mrs. Maggie Tarpley, Volunteer,
Belmont United Methodist Church

Treasurer
Mr. Ken Williams, Prudential Securities,
First Presbyterian Church

The Reverend Jim Alexander, Pastor,
Baptist Collegiate Ministry, First Baptist Church
Mr. John Brandon, Retired, Immanuel Baptist Church
Mrs. Ann Birthright, Realtor, St. Henry Catholic Church
Mrs. Patricia Cole, Vine Street Christian Church
Dr. Bryce Dixon, Physician, Vine Street Christian Church

Ms. Carol Doidge, Teacher, Vine Street Christian Church
Mrs. Linda Freemon, Brentwood First Presbyterian Church
Mr. Russell Gannon, Marketing/HCA, Church of Christ
Mrs. Lynn Gregory, CPA, St. Ann’s Catholic Church
Mrs. Bess Henderson, Retired, Vine Street Christian Church
Mr. Albert W. Johnson, II, Mortgage Banker, Johnson & Co., First Presbyterian Church
The Reverend Thomas Kleinert, Pastor,
Vine Street Christian Church
The Reverend Lewis Lamberth, Director, Pastoral Care, Baptist Hospital
Dr. A.-J. Levine, Professor/Vanderbilt Divinity School, Shesith Israel Synagogue
The Reverend Thomas McCracken, Pastor,
Central Christian Church, Murfreesboro
Mrs. Jennie Mills, Volunteer, Immanuel Baptist Church
Mr. Daniel B. Prince, President, Prince Marketing Research
Mrs. Ellie Weiss Rosenbloom, Program Coord. Vanderbilt, West End Synagogue
Dr. Robert Russell, Veterinarian, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Mr. Paul Scott, Marketing at WSMV, St. Henry Catholic Church
Mr. Mike Shampain, Financial Planner, First Presbyterian Church
Mr. Jack Smithwick, Human Resources Consultant,
Christ the King Catholic Church
The Reverend Richard Stewart, Retired,
Clark United Methodist Church
Dr. David L. Tuleen, Associate Provost, Vanderbilt University, First Lutheran Church
The Reverend Ann VanDervoort, Associate Priest,
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
The Reverend Allen Weller, Pastor,
Good Shepherd UM Church, Hendersonville
Mr. John Younger, Retired, Christ Church Episcopal

Archived Issues:

Summer 2004
Winter 2003: Nuturing the Institution
Fall 2002
Summer 2002
Spring 2002
Winter 2002: Ethics In The Workplace
Fall 2001: Room for Laughter
Spring 2001: Suicide - A Loss of Hope
Winter 2001: Helping a Child Through Loss
Fall 2000: Adolescence and Substance Abuse
Summer 2000: Hospitality, A Context for Care and Healing
Spring 2000: The Cry of Anguish