Belmont is a place for everyone. A place to call home. A place to think, grow, serve, and belong. But none of this happens on its own. Our community is shaped by the people who choose to be part of it, care for it, serve through it, and give to sustain it. Over the next several weeks, we’ll share some of their stories and invite each of us to consider how we can support Belmont UMC’s ministry in 2027.
Together, We Grow.
November 8 Stewardship Moment from Ethan Bagwell
For those who don’t know me, my name is Ethan Bagwell. And for those who’ve known me a long time, you may remember a kid who doodled on the bulletin or flipped through Lego magazines during worship. Unfortunately, my Lego subscription expired a while ago, but I still draw on my bulletin every week. I tell people it helps me focus on the sermon.
Obviously, there are some interests we grow out of, while others continue to grow with us. That kid who loved to draw eventually became a graphic design student and was asked to redesign the directional signs and maps you see around this building. I realized this was a way I could use my creativity to give back to Belmont while I was away at college.
After graduating and moving back to Nashville, I joined the choir for Gayle’s last hurrah and discovered that my love for youth choir had grown into a love for singing in the Sanctuary Choir. Becoming a regular attendee again led to opportunities to design Belmont’s 2026 Pride logo, join the Communications Committee and create banners, and most recently, serve on the Centennial Campaign Communications Team. Through that work, I’ve had the opportunity to design the campaign logo, campaign book, and historical timeline banner.
That’s a fair amount of work, but I owe all of that and more to Belmont. This community helped me grow, not just creatively, but as a person. It shaped who I am, how I treat others, and how I give back.
Now that I’m one of the adults, I see the potential in our children and youth ministries. I understand why those who came before me believed so deeply in Belmont’s future. And I see that pledge cards are more than just pieces of paper to doodle on. They’re our way of promising that Belmont will continue to grow, together.
As we prepare our pledge cards for the 2027 budget, I invite you to think about what Belmont means to you and consider who will benefit from your generosity. I feel called to make sure future generations have the same opportunity I had to grow up in the best Belmont possible, and I hope you feel the same.
Thank you for sharing your talents, your time, and your financial gifts to make Belmont such a special community to be part of.
Together, We Belong.
November 1 Stewardship Moment from Susan Bradford
I want to share with you some thoughts about family and Belmont.
I was a spiritual heir of Belmont before I was born. Jim and I moved to Nashville and joined Belmont over twenty years ago, but my spiritual roots here go back more than one hundred years.
My grandparents were married in Thomasson Hall in 1919, and they raised their family here. My parents were married in this sanctuary in 1944. My grandmother’s funeral was here in 1971, as was Jim’s memorial service three years ago. My mother’s faith was first nurtured here in Belmont’s Sunday school classes and youth and college programs. Our daughter worked with Jessie, Ruby, and Jennifer at Homeplace when she was in graduate school.
So many ties.
Last weekend, as I looked around a room filled with almost thirty of my children, grandchildren, and their spouses, I was struck by the diversity gathered there. Young and old, male and female, pastors, evangelicals, Anabaptist, mainline Protestants, seekers, teachers, professors, students, Black, white, brown, gay, straight, and trans. All so beloved.
Belmont is my family, too. It, too, is diverse, and each and every person is so very loved.
I am gratified by the overwhelming generosity of our congregation, demonstrated by the support of our recent capital campaign. The funds we’ve raised will ensure that this beautiful building continues to house our ministries for many years to come.
But we all know that a house is not a home. It’s what goes on inside a house that counts.
It is fitting that on this All Saints Day, we remember those who prepared the way for us and pledge to continue their good work.
As we prepare to fill out our pledge cards, let us recommit ourselves to the task of filling Belmont so full of the love of God that it continues to spill generously out into the neighborhood, into the city, and into the broader world.
Together, We Shine.
October 25 Stewardship Moment from Pam Auble
The talent show at the All-Church Retreat was spectacular! Our youth, Dayton and Molly, were the emcees, and they did a wonderful job of whipping up excitement. Six-year-old Elijah showed us his karate skills, while four-year-old Arnaud and his mom, Katie, played the keyboard. Jon and Erin, who arrived at their first All-Church Retreat on Saturday morning, showed us their ballroom dancing skills just hours after getting there. Miriam sang “Let It Go” in Japanese. Mary Kaye showed us her unusual talent for cracking her nose. And Mike told some pretty lame jokes, but every time he came up to the stage, he was greeted with enthusiastic chants of “Mike! Mike! Mike!”
As someone said afterward, “This is what a church should be.”
And that is what we are. We are a family. A healing family. A family that gives people the strength to go out into the world.
This year, our beloved Heather was appointed to another church. During our search for a new associate pastor, we discovered that many applicants had a previous connection with Belmont and wanted to come back. We’ve seen that same connection with many of our former pastors, who have chosen to continue worshiping with us.
We had written a job description for our associate pastor position that we thought accurately reflected what we needed. But during the interviews, applicants often asked some version of the same question: “You know, that job description? It sounds like more than one person’s job. What are you really expecting?”
And we would say, “Well, it’s OK. During your first year, we really just want you to get to know us.”
But those questions were telling. Belmont is at a tipping point. We are growing, and there is so much love to share with the world.
And our staff is already doing so much. They’re not just completing tasks or leading ministries. They’re spending time caring for and supporting our growing church family. And all of our staff members are doing more than one person can reasonably be expected to do.
They’re writing emails at 10:00pm. Paul mentioned last week that he had visited a family several days in a row because they were going through a difficult time. And he needed to do that. But he also needs to have enough space in his schedule to respond when those needs arise.
All of the work of our church is important, but I keep coming back to something Kat Armas said at the All-Church Retreat: If you’re juggling too much and multitasking too often, those are the demands of the empire, not the way of Jesus.
Our church needs more staff resources so that we can share the work and share the love.
Your pledges support our operating budget, and that’s where the funding for our staff comes from. Our staff must be paid every month, and we need to increase our operating budget so we can invest in the people who serve our church family. That investment will help all of us live into our calling to grow in love of God and neighbor.
This past year, we did an incredible job of committing to the work of repairing and preserving our church home. This next year, we need to focus on caring for the people who make it a home.
You’ll be receiving pledge cards in the next week or so. If you’re able, we ask that you prayerfully consider increasing your pledge to help provide the support our staff needs to carry out this work and care for our community and the world. If possible, we hope you’ll consider an increase that goes beyond simply keeping up with the cost of living.
And if you’ve never made a pledge before, please consider doing so this year. Every pledge helps us plan responsibly and understand what resources we can count on as we prepare our 2027 budget.
Thank you for all the ways you help make Belmont the loving, welcoming, and healing community that it is. Click here to pledge online.