I give thanks to Saint John's because ...

... when I need a safe place to talk, I have friends who listen.

 

On the second Tuesday of every month, veterans gather at Saint John's to share coffee, cookies and stories about their time in the service. Though they served in different decades in different branches in various parts of the world, they also share something more - a bond, says Gary Flemmons.

 

"When we hear each other's stories and what each of us did in the service, we can all relate to one another," says Gary, who served two tours with the Navy during the Vietnam War. "It's a safe place where we can talk. It's so important for veterans to be able to do that."

 

The group was started in 2012 through the Risk Taking Mission and Service Committee at Saint John's. The committee recognized a need in our congregation related to our younger service members. Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and Vietnam are regularly in attendance. There were older service members, too, who needed the camraderie - World War II veteran James Chandler also attends when he can. 

 

"This group offers us a way to talk about our experience," Gary says. "It's nice to be around others who can relate to what you went through."

 

The veterans group's regular monthly meeting will be Tuesday November 11 at 6:30 p.m. at 5904 Wynona. The speaker will be a representative from the Senior Resource Center. The group meets monthly at 5904 Wynona. For information contact Gary Flemmons at 512-565-2340 or Al Lindsey at 512-923-1687. 

 


This Thanksgiving, we will have plenty to say grace over. For that reason, you are invited to share in offering a special financial gift to Saint John's for its ongoing work in mission and ministry. You can share your offering securly online or place it in a specially marked envelope found in the pew back and drop it in the offering plate this Sunday.


 Saint John's United Methodist Church | 512-452-5737 | stjohnsaustin.org