"War with Iran: What Comes Next?" next Wednesday, March 11

We are welcoming Samar Ali back to Woodmont for a dialogue with Clay called "War with Iran: What Comes Next?” on Wednesday, March 11, at 6:15 PM in the chapel with dinner at 5:30 PM.

Israel and the U.S. have attacked Iran. Iran’s Supreme Leader has been killed. Many are celebrating the end of an evil regime. Others are worried about ongoing wars and what comes next. Clay & Samar will discuss the situation.

Samar Ali is Research Professor of Political Science and Law at Vanderbilt University. Her research initiatives focus on positive compromise through promoting conflict-resolution best practices among people, communities, and nations experiencing polarization due to the connection between violence and labeling. Ali joined Vanderbilt’s faculty after fourteen years of experience in international relations and legal practice.

Click the button below to RSVP!

One night only: "Growing Deeper" is March 23

With Jay Hutchens and Tammy Morgan

Monday, March 23, 5:45 PM to 7:30 PM in Room 200

Life comes at us fast.  

No matter what stage of life you're in, you have discovered that change is the only constant. How we stand firm in the midst of change matters. How we adapt and grow in times of change also matters.

GROWING DEEPER is a one-night invitation to explore ancient and modern spiritual practices that help us do both - to STAND and to GROW in faith!

Building off the work of John Mark Comer, Dorthy Bass, Richard Foster, N.T. Wright, and others, we will look at practices the church has turned to to GROW DEEPER in its awareness of and confidence in God's calling, leading, presence, and spiritual empowerment.

We will touch on different ways of reading scripture, praying and meditating, journaling, listening to God, practicing "letting go" (fasting), as well as what John Mark Comer calls the intentional "elimination of hurry."

Participants will receive a workbook designed by Woodmont leaders with exercises, resources, and suggestions for next steps.

For more information, contact Jay Hutchens (jayhutchens@woodmontcc.org) or Tammy Morgan (tammy@woodmontcc.org)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER! https://forms.gle/KoTF2fyb1CWMf71WA

Lent classes continue tomorrow

The season of Lent traditionally has been a time for reflection on the disciplines of living the Spirit-filled life. Week two is Wednesday, March 4, and it's not too late to join!

Please pre-register at https://tinyurl.com/4rc3sh2p 

• “Christian Character & Moral Leadership” with Dr. Clay Stauffer • March 4 & March 11 – 6:15 PM in the Boardroom

• "Finding the Sacred in Everyday Life" with Vicki Askew and Dr. Christy Ridings • March 4 & March 11 – 6:15 PM in the Bay Room

• “In the Beginning” with Rev. Justin Gung • March 4 – 6:15 PM in Room 105

• "Meeting Jesus at the Table" with Tammy Morgan • March 4, March 11, & March 18 - 6:15 PM in Room 200

The Journey of Lent continues. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Middle East with what is taking place in Iran and the surrounding regions. We pray for a future of peace in that war-torn part of the world. These situations do not have easy answers and bring out many emotions. We pray for all of those affected and for innocent lives that are lost during war.  

In light of all that is unfolding, we will have a forum on the Iran situation with Samar Ali called "War with Iran: What Comes Next?” next Wednesday, March 11, at 6:15 PM in Carpenter Chapel. Click here to RSVP.

In a world of never-ending distractions, focusing on personal growth can become a superpower, yet it is challenging work. Pointing out the flaws and shortcomings in others is easier to do but it is often a convenient way to avoid examining our own hearts and lives. Judgment and blame have become far too common in this culture. 

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a profound yet difficult question: “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but fail to recognize the log in your own eye. First, remove the log from your own eye and then you can see clearly the speck in your neighbor’s eye.” Often, we need help identifying our own flaws. Hemingway famously said, “The goal in life is not to be superior to your fellow man. The goal is to be superior to your former self.” That is worthy advice.  

How can we seek to live a moral life, be a good person, tell the truth, and treat others with civility and respect? Does this still matter to most people? Morality is defined as “Principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.” Ethics is defined as “moral principles that govern a person’s behavior.” Most people would say that living a moral life and making ethical decisions is very important, yet many fall short on a regular basis. The Judeo-Christian tradition has established a basic framework for morality. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Help the poor and marginalized. Avoid idolatry. Respect the Lord’s name. Keep the Sabbath. Honor your father and mother. Don’t murder, commit adultery, steal, or lie. Don’t covet the things that other people have. Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly. All of this sounds simple and straightforward. But why is it so hard? Why do we fail to do these things time and time again, at every age and stage of life? A few answers: selfishness, pride, envy, ambition, arrogance, competition, and fear seem to get in the way.  

The word “sin” is biblical and gets thrown around in all Christian traditions. But what exactly is sin? Is it true, as St. Augustine once argued, that we are born with original sin, the universal result of the fall? Or is Adam a metaphor for the fact that we all develop a sinful nature over time in our attempt to struggle, grow, compete, and survive? Paul writes these words about our inner conflict: “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want but I do the very thing that I hate.” Profound, perplexing, yet real for all humans. If we know what to do but still fail to do it, then how do we explain it?  

Living a moral life takes work. A solid foundation put in place when we are young is certainly helpful but does not ensure that we will stay on the right path forever. Life is a series of decisions and opportunities, some big and some small. Every day we get to choose whether or not to do what’s right. Every day we choose how to treat and talk to others, even when we are tired, stressed, and anxious. Thankfully, there is grace and forgiveness when we fall short, but we must keep trying. 

Bonhoeffer once warned of “cheap grace”, the basic assumption that we can do whatever we want because God will forgive. That doesn’t cut it. Character is formed by trying to do the right thing over and over again. Trust and a good reputation are built over time. When we fall short, we need to own it, not deny it or run away from it. Spiritual growth in life only happens when we have enough humility to admit our mistakes, learn from them, and then make a concerted effort to do better. Nobody is perfect. But there is a big difference between those who continue to try and those who do not.   

Midweek Worship tomorrow

Our next midweek worship service is tomorrow at 6:15 PM with dinner at 5:30 PM. This is a full-band, casual service meant to give you a midweek uplift and reset. Come for some encouragement, music, and fellowship! Click the button below to RSVP for dinner.

This Sunday, March 8: "Abiding in Christ"

During Lent, we are exploring the part of John’s gospel known as “The Farewell Address” – these are the words of Jesus at The Last Supper found in John 13-17.

Clay Stauffer • Lenten series "Jesus’ Farewell Address" • John 15:1-17 & Galatians 5:22 

Our schedule for this Sunday is:

• 8:00 AM – Continental breakfast in the gym
• 9:30 AM – Informal service in the sanctuary
• 9:30 AM – Middle school service in the youth lounge
• 9:40 AM – The Bridge service in the chapel
• 11:00 AM – Traditional service in the sanctuary
• 4:00 PM – Youth group in the young wing

Welcome, new members!

Courtney & John Bolton

Dylan & Mara Mayorquin

Campbell Mobley

Lynn & Charles Moll

Where do I begin? 2025 had been one humbling year. I approached 2026 with my arms and heart wide open. I even had a double helping of my father's traditional New Year's Day meal, hoping for extra blessings in 2026. And then the epic ice storm arrived to Nashville, leaving so many of us without heat, water, and home for days, some weeks. We hotel-hopped with our kids and dogs for a week until we could move in with my in-laws. After fixing the two pipes that burst, we turned to the heartbreaking loss of trees. I will never forget the frightening sound of two-hundred-year-old trees plummeting to the ground under the insurmountable weight of ice. It's unsettling to see the stacks and stacks of dead trunks and branches like tombstones alongside Nashville's roads — a graveyard of lost green. A local ecologist predicts my beloved Percy Warner Park lost over 2,000 trees in two days.

A week after the storm, I fell and dislocated my left shoulder, fractured my arm, and tore my labrum. That might have been the straw that broke the camel's back. I would be lying if I said there have been no tears or unholy words spoken. Humbling has been the unfathomable kindness of family, friends and strangers. I will never forget the medic/angel who prayed the most beautiful prayer over me in the back of the ambulance.

I am leaning on the words of Nelson Mandela for inspiration: “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

Who doesn’t love a comeback story? We will all face setbacks and impossible losses. God built us to come back to life. God cheers the underdog in each of us. In a routine post-game interview, a quarterback with a resume of losses finally achieved a win. The reporter asked what had made the difference. He said, “Once you get comfortable with the uncomfortable, then you can rise.”  

We will never live in perfection here. The beginning of 2026 certainly did not go as I had planned or hoped. Yet, God did not disappoint with grace and silver linings to keep me pressing forward. Who knew my husband could do my hair!

Flannery O’Connor’s prayer is one of my favorites: “Give me the courage to stand the pain to get the grace, Oh Lord.” 

Grateful to have my right hand to peck on the computer and return finally to you.

Live in hope,

High school retreat at Bethany Hills, Feb. 27 - March 1

Calling all high school seniors!

If you are or have a graduating senior, Woodmont would like to celebrate them! Please email Katie Gossage, our Director of Senior High Youth, to learn more.

Intro to Mah Jongg clinic March 5

Jane McCracken and Mary Welsh Owen are offering a three-week Mah Jongg Clinic for beginners in the Gathering Hall, continuing on Thursdays from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM on March 5 and March 11. There is no charge for lessons, but a 2025 Mah Jongg card is needed to participate. Let Jane or Mary know if you need to borrow a card when you register and they'll try to borrow one for you for each clinic. 2026 Mah Jongg cards will be coming in April. They are available from the nationalmahjonggleague.org

Space is limited for the clinic, but they do need a minimum of four to hold the clinic, so please register by reaching out to Mary (mwowen1123@gmail.com) or Jane (jane@janemccrackenhomes.com). All questions are welcome!

Our regular Mah Jongg group will be playing at other tables during the clinic. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, they'd love to have you join!

Thank you!

Last week, Woodmont volunteers Tracy Crawford, Laura Dovan, Amanda Moody, and Jan Wall helped organize the emergency food pantry and clothes closet at our adopted school, Fall-Hamilton Elementary.

If anyone would like to donate to the pantry/closet, they're in need of the following and can contact Denise Sesler (615-480 9085 or mdsesler10@gmail.com) or Sarah Drury (615-812-6096 or sarahcampbelldrury@gmail.com) to arrange a donation. 

Here are a few needs our volunteers identified for the food pantry/snack support for students:

• Bottled water
• Juice boxes/pouches
• Granola/breakfast bars
• Peanut butter and crackers or cheese and crackers (our nut/peanut allergies are low in the building, thankfully)
• Fruit "squeezies"

"Wish list' for our closet/pantry organization:



• Can racks
• Small/medium-sized storage bins (clear is ideal; some with lids would be great)
• Childrens' belts 

Save the date!

The second annual George Keith Youth and Adult Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser, benefitting Woodmont's youth scholarship fund, is coming soon!

Saturday, April 18, from 4 PM to 8 PM at Sequoia Swim and Tennis Club.

Fun, food, and prizes!

For more information on how you can sponsor this amazing intergenerational event, contact Allen McDonald at allen@bsmproperties.com

Our G.E.M.S. group celebrated "Music from the '60s" on Feb. 24

Church calendar

For a full list of everything happening at Woodmont, click the button below to view our church calendar.