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Nashville
This month we're heading on over to beautiful Nashville!
Be sure to visit our opportunities page for
more information about serving in New York City.
News from the Nashville Director
SPRING IS HERE!!!!! The time when I step away from the background
work of setting up meetings, fixing up the housing site, or doing pre-visits, and
into the world of hosting CSM groups. Seeing firsthand what the groups experience
on a day-to-day basis helps Tawnya and I analyze CSM-Nashville’s program and brainstorm
about ways to improve it.
There is one aspect of our program in which I am always reassured.
As many of you know, CSM focuses on relational ministry. The idea that sitting
down and meeting the people you are serving is the most important aspect. Each
spring, as I host groups, I see youth (and adult leaders) stretching out of their
comfort zones, and conversing with the disenfranchised of Nashville. Even I, after
serving with CSM for four years, am reminded that “getting things done” is not the
main priority.
One of the most challenging sites for me when hosting is Adult
Day Services. ADS is set up to help dependent senior citizens remain in a home
environment rather than going to an assisted living facility. While their caretakers
are at work or running errands, participants do crafts, play bingo, hear concerts,
exercise, etc… Most importantly, it gives the seniors a place to interact with other
people rather than sitting at home alone. CSM groups have only one task……talking with
the seniors.
Typically, when I’m hosting, I get into “go” mode. But for the three
to four hours we are at ADS, I have to relax into chatting with these beautiful
folks about…well, anything they want really.
Sometimes I get so bogged down with the logistics of organizing a
mission trip, I forget to serve. I forget the impact of a simple conversation.
That’s why my time at Adult Day Services is both my most challenging and my most
treasured moments during the spring. They remind me there is nothing more
valuable that giving a minute of my time to another person.
Jes Williams, CSM Nashville City Director
 Joe, one of my favorite
conversationalists at ADS.
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