Volume 14, Issue 1 January 2013 Monteagle Sunday School Assembly

The mission

of the Monteagle

Sunday School

Assembly Is . . .

. . . the advancement of

science, literary

attainment, Sunday School

interests, and the

promotion of the broadest

popular culture in the

interest of Christianity

without regard to sect or

denomination...and to hold

stated public meeting from

year to year upon the

grounds of the Assembly.

All of the work done in the MSSA office is accomplished by a team of people to whom we owe a debt of sincere gratitude. The Assembly never stays the same, but at the same time relies on history and tradition. There is a dynamic of change encompassing a variety of personalities, geographies and desires, and our office staff stands ready for the excitements and challenges that go along with all that.

As we begin a new year, I would like to make sure you are familiar with these enthusiastic and smart folks and thank them for their service. Watch for other staff profiles in upcoming editions of Mountain Voices and be sure to say hello and thank these folks for their hard work!

Pat Wildman, President Diane Cruise, Office Assistant. Diane has worked at the Assembly since 2007 when she was (continued on page 2)

From the President: Meet Our Able Staff

2013

MSSA

Calendar

Feb 23 Board Meeting Apr 12-14 Trails & Trilliums May 6-13 Sewanee Graduation May 25 Board Meeting June 9 131st Assembly Opens

Dining Hall

Renovation

Plans Underway

Using the Dining Hall renovation survey as our guide, the renovation committee recommended the first area of concern to be addressed is that rehab of the Dining Hall's outside eating area on the north side of the building. This year's annual fund will be used to complete this. We will continue to assess the other wishes and needs for this center of community at the Assembly. If you have questions

feel free to contact a member of the committee.

Ann Worthen, chairman Committee Members: Kent Ballow Irene Wills Joel McAlister Pat Wildman John Sisson Scott Parrish Anne Worthen (Chr)

PAGE 2 Volume 14, Issue 1

From the President (continued from page 1)

hired by Ron Buffington. Before that, she was in management at Walmart for 20 years (Arlene worked for her several times!) and owned a Hallmark and gift store in Winchester for 15 years. She enjoys the variety of her job in the office and the gate and likes training the part-time workers. She was born in Rockwood, Tenn., and raised in Tullahoma, Estelle Springs and Decherd. She still lives in Decherd (about 30 minutes from the Assembly). In addition to one dog, she has 2 cats, one of which was a rescue from the Assembly this year.

Arlean Bean, Bookkeeper. Arlene was hired by Buddy van Dyke in 1998, while she was going to school at Motlow College taking computer classes toward an Associate’s Degree. Initially her job was part-time, but she was soon part of our full-time staff. Some of her training came from Mary Ellen Haley who came in to help answer the phones. Ed Pratt helped fold the invoices, and Lethia Watson helped with the endowment funds, so Arlene has a long history of working side by side with Assembly members. She says it is never boring in the Assembly because each day is unpredictable. Arlene was born, raised and still lives in Pelham, Tenn. Her sister Maxine, a son and niece live in Pelham too, and her granddaughter and 3 great grand children live in Lewisburg, Tenn.

what makes MSSA so unique and special and what values we hold close. I not only urge you to thoughtfully respond, but also to forward the survey to your children, your grandchildren, friends -- anyone who enjoys Assembly life! We want to hear from everyone! The survey will begin the six-month study and will be used for the next phases of the process. This summer, two forums will be scheduled so that you can personally respond to the survey results. Additionally, a group of 20-25 members will be working closely with Ann to help use your responses to develop our goals and action steps for the future. The Assembly belongs to all of us, and we hold its future in our hands. We want every voice to be heard in this very important study! Watch for more information on the strategic planning process in upcoming editions of Mountain Voices. We plan to keep you informed every step of the way.

Kent Ballow Chair, Long Range Planning

What do you envision for the future of our dear Assembly? How can we ensure that it will thrive for the next generation - our children and grandchildren? In the next few months, you will be asked to voice what you believe to be integral to our continued success. What are our strengths? Where are we vulnerable?

With the approval of the board of trustees, the Assembly has engaged Ann Coulter from Chattanooga to lead us in a strategic planning process. Ann has extensive experience leading non-profits through the self-examination process that will produce a clear outcome-oriented map for the future. She will build on work prepared by the 2008 Long Range Planning Committee under the thoughtful leadership of Virginia Uden. All of you will receive a survey in February asking for your thoughts about

Planning Our Future

with Care and Strategy

Cottages Available

for Transfer:

#67 Wayside $769,000

#92 The Moorings $385,000

#98 Idlehour $390,000

#129 Hallelujah $450,000

#136 Endevor $625,000

#156 Robin Hill $295,000

#165 Once Upon A time

$850,000

PAGE 3 Volume 14, Issue 1

Bits and Pieces

Volume 14, Issue 1

Prayers Our sympathies go out to the family of Virginia Parker Donelson, 83, of Memphis, Tennessee. Virginia died on December 27, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Taylor Donelson, Jr., and is survived by her three daughters, Helen Johnson Donelson, Mildred Donelson Huffman (Gary), Virginia Donelson Curry (Edward), her sister-in-law, Julia Donelson Ehrhardt, seven granddaughters and four great grandchildren. Memorials may be sent to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Church Health Center, Ceter, Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, Alzheimer’s Foundation, or Crossroads Hospice.

Monteagle Sunday School Assembly PO Box 307 Monteagle, TN 37356 www.monteaglesundayschoolassembly.org

General Manager - W. Scott Parrish

scott.parrish@mssa1882.org

931-924-2286 phone, 931-924-2346 fax

President—Pat Wildman,

patwildman22@gmail.com

Mountain Voices Ann Ewing, Editor Martha Ann Pilcher, Layout design

Deadline to submit items for next issue is

Jan. 27. Send articles to Ann Ewing at

aewing62@gmail.com

PAGE 4

Acheivements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners. Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one: 1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school. 2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time. 3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile. 4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special. 5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with. Easier? The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the

MSSA Alcohol Policy

Security Update

If you need our security guard at night, please call 931-607-8615. Please call for any disturbance or anything that seems odd or out of the ordinary.

The possession or use of alcohol or

controlled substances on public grounds,

in public places, or at public functions

on the Assembly grounds is prohibited

and subjects the offender to

disciplinary action

by the board of trustees.

Charles Schultz Philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator

of the "Peanuts" comic strip. 1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world. 2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners. 3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant. 4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize. 5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress. 6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners. How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish.

To contact the office staff:

Bookkeeping-Arlene Bean

arlene@mssa1882.org 931-924-2286

Office Assistant-Diane Cruise

diane@mssa1882.org 931-924-2286

Housing Coordinator-Myra Reilly

myra@mssa1882.org 931-924-9000

Housing Reservationist-Debra Brown

debra@mssa.1882.org 931-924-9000