In the Spotlight: Erika Hastings

I think there’s no more fitting of a week to put this lady in the spotlight! Once again, I don’t have a picture (I’ll try to get one up soon), but she needs the attention regardless.

You could call Erika our resident artist. She jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the creative team, and there is no doubt that her involvement has benefited us immensely already. For any other church plants out there, you understand the struggle with budgets. Our desire is to always be creative, and Erika has enabled us to do that with set design on a shoe-string budget. If you were at UC this weekend and you admired the set for one second, you should know that was single-handedly done by Erika. All of the banners, the pencils and all. Wow!

Erika, you are an asset to this team, and I can’t say “thank you” enough!

mjd

 

In the Spotlight: Joey Nieman

This guy is great…yeah, I know he’s a drummer, but he’s still pretty cool. Joey and his wife, Jillian visited UC for the first time back in March and have been regular attenders ever since. Joey actually moved to Nashville to launch the School of Fish with some friends. Joey is passionate about music! He’s played with a couple of bands over the years, and I can’t say how awesome it is to have him on the stage at UC. He’s incredibly easy to get along with (and you can’t say that about many musicians – especially drummers) and eager to learn as much as possible.

Joey, it’s great to have you on the stage at UC!

 

In the Spotlight: Robin Goldfedder

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This lady won our hearts the first week she visited – long before she let us know that she could sing, she volunteered to wrap cables – and told us she knew how. I think that’s one of things I appreciate most about Robin, she’s a servant first, musician second. She never tries to get out of the room quick, whether she’s on stage singing or “just” an attender for that weekend – she’s going to stick around to help tear down the room – and doing the easy stuff just won’t work for her – she wants to tackle taking down the stage every week.

Robin typically works well past midnights on Saturdays, sometimes even till 2 or 3AM, but you’ll still find her at rehearsal 15 minutes early, cheery-eyed and ready to worship.

Robin sings alto most of the time. She has a great ear and we have a blast singing together. UC is lucky to have such a jewel to help lead worship each week.

Robin, thank you for your servant’s heart and you upbeat, positive attitude!

mjd

 

In the Spotlight: Scott Stacy

This man has avoided the UC spotlight for entirely too long. I don’t have a picture of him, but I’ll try to find one by the end of the day.

When we moved here almost 9 months ago, we were told that we shouldn’t expect to find a steady bass player. We were told that they just weren’t around. Boy were they wrong. Meet my friend, Scott Stacy.

Scott had just recently moved back to Nash when he started playing for UC in January. Scott’s been with us since the 3rd week we launched. In the middle of his normal job and his family venture of opening a theater house, he’s also taken on the task of playing the bass guitar for UC. His time with us is drawing to a close. Another 6 weeks and he’ll be hitting the road in a Johnny Cash tribute show. Let me say, this guy is talented. He plays acoustic and sings (unfortunately, we’ve never put him on a mic). Scott has been early to every early morning rehearsal we’ve ever had. There’s never been a time that he hasn’t come prepared. He stays until every last piece of setup is put away. I can’t say anything much better than this: he’s a servant.

He’s been the rhythm backbone of the UC worship team for the past 6 months, and we’re sad to see our friend leave, but we’re excited for the opportunities that will soon open up for him and his family.

Thank you Scott!

mjd

 

In the Spotlight: Denys Edmonson

A great big welcome to the newest member of the UC worship team: Denys Edmonson! Denys and I have been talking back and forth about her being a part of the team since January, and I suck! It’s taken me entirely too long to get her on the stage. She opened her mouth and this great big voice came out! I can’t wait to see how we’ll develop into a team with Denys as a part. Denys works as an office manager in Brentwood, but more importantly, she’s a mother and wife with a beautiful girl. Denys lives in Kingston Springs, and I think she’s been at UC since the very first week! Denys – we’re glad to have you! Good time ahead…

mjd

 

In the Spotlight: Dave Sims

I’ve mentioned Dave before, but I figured it was time for the spotlight to fall on him.

Our friend Dave is a good man. He and his wife Bekkah received our first mailer in January, and I can’t tell you how glad we are that they did. Dave has been pivotal in us getting up and going. Dave has a couple of degrees in a couple of things. For UC, he serves wherever he’s needed. That’s one of the best things you can say about anyone. He’s served as our sound engineer on multiple occasions and also has played bass a couple of times. It looks like he’ll be taking over as our bass player in the near future.

Thanks for all you do, Dave!

mjd

 

In the Spotlight: Dave Beigert

This is my ol’ hippy friend Dave! Fitting that he’s wearing a tye-die shirt.

Dave’s not officially one of “ours,” but the day that Chel and I met Dave for coffee, we knew a good thing had begun. This guy is a character…a nonstop bundle of energy, blues, and sarcasm – but he gets my and Chel’s votes for one of our favorite people on the face of the earth. Beigert stepped in as soon as we launched UC to play keys/organ. Now, when you read he plays organ, it’s not the kind you’re thinking about. This guy plays a Leslie/B3 like you’ve rarely heard before – he’s a blues man through and through. That’s why Chel and I knew he’d be a perfect fit for Jesus is Just Alright, but more than an organ player, this guy is a servant. He’ll be the first one there and the last to leave – he’s doesn’t just serve with music, he helps set up, he’s loaned us equipment, he’s given fantastic advice.

Look for him to make regular appearances at UC in the months ahead!

Thanks, Dave!

mjd

 

In the Spotlight: Bill Renfrew

Chelsea and I met with Jarrod (the worship leader at CPCC) and Bill in November of last year and we begged for help. Since that day, Bill has jumped in head first. He has taken us under his wings and connected us with dozens of musicians throughout Nashville. Bill has charted our music, had our rehearsals in his studio/basement. Bill has played electric guitar (and bass a couple of times). He has made himself available to us for anything we need.

Bill recently asked us to join him at a local prison to help lead worship – we had a fantastic time. Bill gave an invitation and over 15 men responded.

I can’t say enough about how pivotal Bill’s help has been in getting the worship ministry up and going at UC. His tireless hours and absolute drive to serve has been pivotal to the dynamic worship you see today.

Thank you Bill!!!!