** Update**Opryland Hotel is closed indefinitely, The Pearl Event has been postponed and all tickets have been refunded as of 1:45 p.m. on May 4, 2010.
Good Morning....It has been exactly one week since my last post and I can hardly believe what has happened since then. By now most of you have heard about the complete devastation that has hit the Nashville area. So many precious people have lost everything they own and most did not have flood insurance. And I do mean they have lost everything. It is absolutely heartbreaking. In addition, many schools, churches and businesses are under water and included in this crisis is The Opryland Hotel~ The venue scheduled to host the next Pearl Event. It is safe to say that this is no longer our location and most likely we are going to have to cancel the June 26th event and postpone it until we figure out Plan B~ A new venue and or city, etc.
I do not know Pete Wilson but he is the author of this newly released book which I will be purchasing and is the very loved Pastor to Cross Point Church in Nashville where they already have a tremendous relief effort underway. You can find out more here. We are planning to send and help in every way we can as we have a special connection to that city and the people who call it home. Would you help too?
Thoughts.
I would love to hear yours. Please feel free to leave a comment or you can also e-mail me if you have some ideas, thoughts, advice, etc. Brainstorming is a wonderful thing.
Here are some of my own thoughts....
From what we understand so much of the Nashville area is completely flooded that it would be nearly impossible to find another venue right now. We also do not know that it is possible to host something in Nashville in even 50 or so days from now.
My heart is for the families who are hurting, broken and feeling abandoned by the Father right now...
I would rather help with relief efforts somehow than plan the next Pearl Event. Mr. P and G feels that 50 days from now this would be something people need and it would be welcomed and well received. That during times like this, people more than ever need the reminder that God is for them and that He loves them - no matter what the circumstances.
We hosted the last event in a hotel and were planning to do the same thing with this one so that it is on neutral ground- so to speak. So many have been hurt by the church and many others are afraid to attend an event held at a church for fear of being pulled into whatever that specific denomination is. If that makes sense....so we tried to be sensitive to those things and hosted the event at a hotel instead. T.P.E. is a non-denominational event. I would love to host the event at a church but these things are on my heart.... Thoughts?
We could move the event to Birmingham or Atlanta, but I would most likely not be able to start from scratch and still keep the same date. Does anyone have connections or know of a church or venues in those two cities that would welcome The Pearl Event? Thoughts?
Thinking of postponing the event until Sept. or Oct. ~ but kids are back in school then and so are those busy and full schedules. Thoughts?
My apologies for how "all over the place" this post is but my heart is heavy and I wanted to connect with you all and see if we could brainstorm together.
In addition those of you who have already purchased your tickets we will get a refund to you this week, unless a miracle happens with a new venue for June 26th. I want to thank you all so much for your love, support, encouragement and willingness to help, etc. Thank you sweet friends.
Here is a short video clip of the Hotel damage so you can get an idea. Courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Green
Will write again soon with some new ideas. Blessings sweet readers and please keep all of the Nashville families in your prayers....
24 comments:
I understand it all, I thought of you often yesterday as I was realizing all that had happened and all the decisions you would need to make, I will keep you and the event in my prayer and know that God will provide and open the correct doors. If there is anything I can do to help let me know, I am in the somewhat metro Atlanta area and could go look at venues if you find any possibilities in this area. Until then know that all things will work for His glory, as this will.
Cha Cha
Sibi, How about National Harbor? It is DC's answer to the Opryland Hotel. It is owned by Gaylord so maybe you could call and see if they could move all plans to Washington, DC.
It's really across the river in Maryland and just minutes from the Reagan National Airport.
Due to circumstances I'll bet you they would accomodate you, and transfer everything to National Harbor.
It's just as beautiful and very, very convenient. It's not in the heart of the city so it's very easy to get to.
Plus, I am very selfish. It's right across the river from my house. I would help you in any way I can.
Kathie Truitt
kathietruitt@msn.com
I just wanted to tell you that I have been reading "Plan B" and it is an AMAZING book. I'm only half way through but I love it.
bring it to atlanta!! what about contacting north point church- HUGE CHURCH COMMUNITY HERE WITH LOTS OF LOCATIONS- huge auditoriums is the sanctuary space and would probably be a great location- worth a shot in reaching out, right... www.northpoint.org
I had been hoping to come to your beautiful event!! Just waiting to see on the job situation. What about the Peabody Hotel in Memphis? It is beautiful inside with a lot of history. Also, Hope Presbyterian and Bellevue Baptist are HUGE HUGE churches in the Memphis area that might be worth checking into.
I admire your faith and grace in handling Plan B.
My husband just told me about the hotel, so I immediately came here to check on the status of the event. So sorry to hear it. I'll be praying, praying, praying about it all...God has a plan, even if we don't, that we know! :o)
I'm in Atlanta...I'll keep my eyes and ears open for things around town.
hey sibi!! I decided over the weekend i would be attending the event, then the flood came.... i was talking to my husband last night wondering what we would do. I know this is not on the city list but here in memphis i am a member of a very large church with several venues throughout the facility i know would be glad to host, i understand what you are saying about being "non-denom" but if you are interested i would gladly contact needed people and we could host. Just let me know if there is anything i can do to assist you in the planning process, i know how upsetting this is for you but a relief effort sounds amazing too.
lifting up prayers for you.
Jenny Beth
Praying for everyone in the Nashville area. We had a similar event take place in Boston this March and saw friends loss everything. I'll pray that everything will work out as He has planned for The Pearl Event. If I can be of any assistance please just ask. Wherever and Whenver TPE happens I will be there. Blessings to you sweet Sibi.
I'm definitely praying for everyone who is affected by this horrible flooding. I just read when I was putting quotes on my blog the following, which seems to fit: "...the good thing about tragedy: the sap of human kindness oozes out of mankind when there is a real need." This will be how God reaches SO many more is when they see strangers offering to help fulfill some of their very basic needs. Until you have nothing but the shirt on your back, and those you love around you safe, you can't know how even the smallest gesture speaks of God's love. God bless in reaching those people for Him through whatever means He guides you to do!
How about Memphis? close enough to Nashville...but not as much damage from the floods...just a thought! I would still love to come in 50 days! I think Mr. P&G is right! It would be such a nice Blessing during these times!
My prayers are with all the families suffering now...
Many Blessings!
Jill
Sibi, I do know that many high schools will rent out their facility for events when school is not in session. You could rent an auditorium or gym. There might be a high school in Nashville that could accommodate our event. There is Belmont University in Nashville that might be able to help? I'm not sure. These are just suggestions. And what about later in June or July or August? xoxo
I saw someone mentioned Belmont University. I attnended Belmont, and just wrote a friend to see what the flooding/damage is like there. I'll let you know when she is gets back to me!!
Sibi, Thank you for being so sensitive to the needs of others. My dear friend, Robin, lives in Nashville. She says there are no words to describe the devastation.
Oh, hang in there in your search for plan B. Will definitely be prayer for those affected.
Oh my, I just sent an email to you about the event a few minutes ago but hadn't read this latest post. I've been out of touch the past week and had *not* read or heard about the flooding! Will have you in prayer.
Hi Sibi,
My vote is for Embassy Suite's Hotel in Murfreesboro, TN www.embassysuites1.hilton.com. It is only 25 minutes from Nashville and the people in Nashville need an encouraging word right now. As you said, lots of people have lost everything. Lets keep it close, so the Nashville ladies can still make it.
lots of love,
Susan
Hi Sibi,
My vote is for Embassy Suite's Hotel in Murfreesboro, TN www.embassysuites1.hilton.com. It is only 25 minutes from Nashville and the people in Nashville need an encouraging word right now. As you said, lots of people have lost everything. Lets keep it close, so the Nashville ladies can still make it.
lots of love,
Susan
Being that I live in Murfreesboro TN I may be a little biased but I think it would be the perfect place to hold this amazing event! The Embassy Suites that Susan mentioned above would be perfect! This way all the people who have been looking forward to this event and had planned on attending in Nasvhille could still make it! I think this area could really use a positive blessing such as this event right now! Sibi, you are such an inspiration and I know that so many women would feel so blessed to be able to attend The Pearl Event and to hear you speak! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help!
Blessings,
Erica
Oh I am so sorry that this happened. So sorry. I selfishly want you to come to Texas!!!!!
I know the Lord will guide you to a place and time. Your work is too important. Blessings.
Kim
Just wanted to tell you thank you for your beautiful comment on my blog. I appreciate you taking the time to send me such a sweet and thoughtful comment. Made my day :) Thank you.
I found this blog post searching for something else. I don't know if this is presumptious of me, but I will go for it anyway...
Nashville would be honored if you would still choose to have your event here. There are many other options, and the city NEEDS these events to go on. The areas devastated are widespread, but you can also find areas that got no flooding at all. Please consider having your event here. Although I doubt Opryland would be an option in the near (or possibly distant) future, I would love to assist you in finding another venue, if you need that help. Nashville is one of the most hospitable and lovely cities. You would not regret it, and you would be helping the city in remarkable ways. What more could you ask for?
My dear Pearl who is totally full of Grace!! What a pleasure meeting you! Thank you for your encouragement, thank you for you insight and being a "blog mentor" You were my very first view!! Love you, love you heart....to God be the Glory my sweet friend!
Hi, wanted to pop over and introduce myself... I'm Brandi, or brandiandboys... and also Pete's wife.
Eliza mentioned you this morning and I couldn't wait to check things out over here. So funny when I click over and see Plan B at the top of your post. The book is very timely isn't it??
Looking forward to reading my way through Pearls and Grace.
Thanks so much for the book mention. Praying it brings you and many others hope in the midst of these difficult days.
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