Each year the women and men of Clark Memorial United Methodist Church celebrate their members by setting aside a special day to honor the men and women of the church. As the church continues to experience new things, this year the United Methodist Women and the United Methodist Men are joining in an effort to celebrate the day together.
“We are excited to have Dr. Kevin D. Rome, Sr. president of Fisk University as the guest speaker for the morning worship service,” said Melvin Kirk, UM Men’s president. The celebration of Men & Women’s Day will begin with a Prayer Brunch on Saturday, June 22, at 10 am. Because of this new venture, Dr. Rome’s wife, Mrs. Stefanie Rome, will be the guest speaker for the brunch. “We are very supportive of the United Methodist Women and they are supportive of different events that we sponsor. Therefore, it is a pleasure to have a joint celebration for both ministries.”
The Men & Women’s Day worship service will take place on Sunday, June 23, at the 10 am.
Dr. Rome served as the 19th president of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri from June 2013 to June 2017 and then became the 16th president of Fisk University in Nashville. Rome has made a tremendous impact at Fisk University since his first year. The university has doubled its incoming first year class and increased overall fundraising totals by 13% as well as experiencing a three percent increase in alumni giving.
Rome earned his Bachelor of Art’s degree in English from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga. in 1989. He then received the Master of Education in ‘college student personnel’ with an emphasis in counseling from the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga. in 1991, and a Ph.D. in ‘higher education administration’ from the University of Texas at Austin in Austin, Texas in 2001.
Dr. and Mrs. Rome have two children, Kevin Jr. and Kendel.
Men & Women’s Day’s chosen theme is ‘Men and Women Together Trusting God’s Promise’ from Ephesians 4:1-6.
For more information, call the church at 615-329-4464.
Clark Memorial is located at 1014 14th Ave. N. where Rev. Dr. Herbert L. Lester is the senior pastor.
Austin Venzen hosts Classical Recital for Calvin O. Atchison Academy
by Wanda Clay
Clark Memorial United Methodist Church has begun its second-year six-week summer academy: the Dr. Calvin O. Atchison Summer Academy.
It is a reading-based academy with an outstanding reading curriculum taught by professional teachers for students in grades Pre-K-4th grade.
On Sunday, June 23, at 4 pm, Clark Memorial members, family, friends and the community are invited to continue the celebration of Men & Women’s Day with a first time Classical Recital presented by Flutist, Austin Venzen in support of the Calvin O. Atchison Academy.
Special guest artists to perform will include Hadley Pride, Tracy Hardin and Mercedes Lytle.
While this is a first-time concert held at Clark Memorial, Venzen has been hosting these classical recitals for many years.
Austin A. Venzen is a retired Associate Professor of Music (Woodwinds) from the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. He is also a graduate of Tennessee State University where he received a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Education.
Returning to the Virgin Islands to carry out his 37 year teaching career, he performed extensively throughout the Caribbean as a solo flutist and conducted many church choirs.
“It is my pleasure to do this flute concert in order to support the Calvin O. Atchison Summer Academy,” said, Venzen. I love working with kids and will do whatever I can to continue to teach music, not only from the flute, but with other instruments as well.”
The public is invited to attend the 1st Flute Concert at Clark Memorial UMC, 1014 14th Ave. N. where the senior pastor is Rev. Dr. Herbert L. Lester, Jr.
For more information, call 615-329-4464.
