Dear Table Nation,

Happy New Year! I am amazed that we are in the first weeks of 2012... what a year 2011 was, filled with the greatest contentment as I moved out in a new ministry direction as well as great sadness at saying goodbye to Pastoring at my beloved Christ Community Church.

What I am hoping for all of us in this new year is the chance to grow closer to Jesus by getting to know those in our community who are less fortunate. True relationships that will last a lifetime and eternity!  In 2012... The Franklin Table (TFT) encourages each person in the ministry to Take Someone With You as you engage new ministries and friends.

I recently attended the Jobs for Life graduation in East Nashville at The City Church with Empty Hands Fellowship new member Darrell Darnouer and it stirred us again to find ways to bring life changing opportunities for living wage jobs to Williamson County.

Another important event for me has been observing the finishing touches to Big John Murphy's new house on Ninth Avenue in Hard Bargain. Thank you to everyone who helped, especially the folks at the Hard Bargain Mt. Hope Redevelopment... a great job done by Fourth Avenue Church of Christ as well as Brant, Ashley and 'Santa Joe'.

The Franklin Community Church led by Pastor Kevin Riggs which meets at Johnson Elementary School, has hosted meetings at the American Legion Hall on Eleventh Avenue. Football games, Bible studies and Thursday morning fellowship times have been very effective in moving young community members towards developing and following through with self start-up opportunities and job training.

There is much more to report on including recent food distribution events led by Chris Whitney and the Nashville Family Church on Columbia Avenue. It still amazes me to realize how many of our citizens go hungry throughout the year!

We anticipate some long needed changes at Empty Hands Fellowship and Synago Pastors Fellowship which hopefully will continue those vital ministries in 2012 and on. Keep praying for the unity of Jesus' Church in Franklin and Williamson County!

On the home front many of you have asked where Linda and I are attending church. We continue to meet with our fellowship group on Sunday nights and have recently enjoyed worshiping at St. Augustine's Episcopal on the Vanderbilt campus. The Lord has been so good to us and His provision is always sufficient. We hope to visit more Churches in this New Year.

Thanks as always to each of you for the amazing generosity to TFT ministry... I am having great days doing the work I love with people I love and no one could ask for anything more than that. Lisa Frazier is still working for The Franklin Table and continues to be my eyes and ears in so many ways. Pray for her as she does several jobs at once!

Blessings to all of you and your families as we conclude celebrating our Great Lord's birth and the Epiphany of His love for us. As you ponder His coming... remember He was an Asian born baby who quickly became a refugee in North Africa! Let that soak in and change the way we view those who struggle in different cultures and places across the World.

Scott... for The Franklin Table

P.S. Your contributions make the ministry possible! (note: we have made application for TFT's 501c3 and we have our tax identification number secured. All donations will be tax deductible.) If after praying you are led to give to our work... please make the check out to The Franklin Table and send it to 959 Glass St. Franklin, Tennessee 37064... and thanks to all of you who have already given to the Table.