"The Messenger"
Online Newsletter
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Late last week, Bishop Bill McAlilly released an
update
on when United Methodist Churches in our area might begin gathering for worship again, with the earliest possible date being Sunday, June 21. Bishop McAlilly also shared
guidelines
to assist churches in reopening. These guidelines were created by a team of clergy, laity, district/conference staff, and healthcare professionals from across the state.
On Sunday afternoon, a small group of church council leaders convened to review these guidelines and discern the best course of action for St. Mark's moving forward. Those conversations continue as of this writing. You can expect more information on our plan of action in the days ahead.
In the meantime, I invite you to pray for our church leadership and the decisions that they are charged with making. And when those decisions are made, may the words of Father John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, guide our response to those decisions:
“Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may."
I am so grateful to serve as one of your clergy and so grateful for the way you have supported our church and our church staff during these difficult days.
God bless you all.
Tommy
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SAGES News
In the past our Sages have participated in many groups and studies such as “Growing Older Without Fear.” One of
the authors we studied was Gary G. Kindley. In his book with the same title as above, he gave nine qualities of
successful aging. These are listed in this week’s newsletter as a kind of review:
1.
Claim the gift of well-being.
2.
Maintain a grasp of stewardship
3.
Choose to focus on others’ needs
4.
Keep an attitude of optimism
5.
Enjoy a sense of humor
6.
Nurture a spiritual perspective
7.
Make a plan of self-care
8.
Develop a supportive network
9.
Hold a vision for the future
Kindley adds: “The more of these qualities you possess, the more likely you are to cope with growing older.” (Page 56)
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ST. MARK’S CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES TEAM
helps children grow as disciples of Jesus Christ in fellowship with one another and their families! Stay connected with our private Facebook page, St. Mark’s UMC Children’s Ministries.
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St. Mark’s Deep Blue GOES LIVE
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Sundays, 10:45 – 11:15 am!
St. Mark’s offers live Sunday school for children Age 4 – Grade 4 Sundays, 10:45 – 11:15 a.m. via Zoom!
This gathering includes our weekly Bible story and Deep Blue video, an interactive activity, a closing time to share and pray together, and lots of silly faces! This is a wonderful opportunity for our children to interact with one another and with important adults in their spiritual lives. Parents, grandparents and other friends are encouraged to participate!
All children continue to receive their weekly activity sheets for Sunday mornings by mail so they will be available during our weekly gatherings. You will also need simple supplies and a Bible. Please check our Facebook page for weekly updates!
This is a team effort! Several people are involved in leading small parts of each gathering. If you are willing to help provide leadership for Live Sunday school, please contact Rev. Touchton (
martha@stmarkstn.org
).
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Now faith, hope, and love remain – these three things –
and the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
This month, we focus on how we are called to live together in loving community. First, we learn about Golden Rule, which sums up many of Jesus’ teachings about how we are to treat one another. Then we learn about a two parables— stories Jesus told to teach a lesson. The first is about two builders—one builds his house on a firm foundation and one builds his house on shifty sand. The second is The Good Samaritan. The people who lived in Samaria worshipped God but did not follow all of the Jewish religious laws. Jews and Samaritans didn’t like each other and did not speak to each other, but when a Jew was hurt traveling, a Samaritan is the only one who helps. Finally, we learn that faith, hope, and love are very important, but love is the greatest act we can do.
6/7 - Communities Live Together (Matthew 7:12) Focus: Treat people the same way you want to be treated.
6/14 - Communities Need Foundations (Matthew 7:24-27) Focus: Jesus’ teachings provide a good foundation for us to build our lives on.
6/21 - Who Is Our Community? (Luke 10:25-37) Focus: We are to treat all people as if they were our neighbors. Wonder Together: Who is your neighbor?
6/28 - Communities Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) Focus: Love is the most important thing. Wonder Together: How do you show love?
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Announcing Compassion Camp:
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Summer 2020 Children’s Ministry
St. Mark’s & Trinity UMCs
St. Mark’s Children’s Ministries is excited to offer “Compassion Camp” this summer for children Age 4 – Grade 5! We will partner with Trinity UMC for this summer ministry, exploring what it means to live as a compassionate disciple of Jesus Christ.
This at-home, hands-on experience for children and families is geared toward K-5th graders, and also includes activities specifically for preschool-age children.
Six Sessions: June 10, 17, 24, July 8, 15, & 22
Each week will include a special Compassion Challenge!
This is not a video-based program but there will be a 30-minute Zoom each Wednesday
Compassion Camp T-shirts will be available to order in all sizes for a small fee.
You are welcome to invite your friends and neighbors to participate!
To register your children and order t-shirts, click
here!
.
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Many of St. Mark’s Sunday school teachers and children’s ministries leaders are making videos of themselves and/or their families reading stories that are then posted on St. Mark’s Children’s Ministries Facebook page. If you would like information about how to video and send a story for posting via DropBox, please email Rev. Touchton (
martha@stmarkstn.org).
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Wear Red for Pentecost Sunday!
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We cannot see the Holy Spirit, but we can see how it moves among us! This Sunday, May 31st, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit fifty days after Easter. Some symbols for the Holy Spirit include the color red, flames of fire, wind, and the dove. To celebrate the Holy Spirit, you might:
- make the sound of the wind; can you do that now?
- Go outside and feel the wind on your face
- Play with the pinwheel you were given by St. Mark’s.
- Blow bubbles and watch them float away
- Fly a kite
You are invited to wear red this Sunday as a way of welcoming the Holy Spirit into our midst and displaying your love for the Holy Spirit!
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Project Transformation 2020 is in the bag! Help fill the bags now!
This year, more than ever, children need help to bridge the summer learning gap. We at St. Mark’s UMC are especially prepared to help through
Project Transformation
(PT). Though unable to safely operate as summer day camps due to COVID-19, PT instead will be offered in bags to go!
Families with children ages 18 and younger may drive through the campus of First UMC in Lavergne or First Cumberland Presbyterian Church (new site!) in Murfreesboro to take Project Transformation home with them.
On Monday – Thursdays, June 1 – July 23, a packed lunch will be provided.
And, on Thursdays, a book, snacks, and a week’s worth of supplies for reading, physical exercise, social-emotional learning and art activities will also be provided in bags to go!
These items will help address the top concerns expressed by the parents of the children PT serves and help us be salt and light in our community.
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St. Mark’s is responsible for distributing packed lunches and Project Transformation bags in person June 1 – 4 at First UMC LaVergne and July 20 – 24 at Cumberland Presbyterian Church Murfreesboro. If you are between the ages of 18 – 64, then please consider serving. Recipient families will not leave their cars; you will wear a mask and gloves, and will operate with social distancing. Click
SERVE
above to email a coordinator with your name, cell phone number, and which week or days you will serve.
One more special opportunity to serve:
Pen pals, age 16 or older, are needed for children who show interest in writing to someone over the summer.
Click
SERVE
above to email a coordinator with your name and cell phone number to be contacted with more details.
You may also contact PT coordinator Jennifer Hall (615-477-2811) or Dorothy Murphy (615-519-0669) to serve or ask any questions.
Thank you
for helping to share Christ with children in Rutherford County through Project Transformation.
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Ways to Be in Mission during this Pandemic
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Food Bank
St. Mark’s Food Bank has been very active in the past few weeks, preparing food boxes and distributing them to individuals and agencies. This coming Saturday, May 16, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. St. Mark’s Food Bank will be distributing 200 food boxes to the families of Reeves Rogers school.
The Food Bank welcomes your monetary gifts or food donations to meet the needs of our greater community. To drop off a donation of food at church, please call 615-893-3455 to arrange a time.
Cards and Calls
We would like to be able to reach out to persons who are alone with weekly cards or calls. If you are willing to reach out to persons in this way, email
martha@stmarkstn.org
for more information.
Daily Tasks
If you are willing to help a neighbor with day-to-day tasks or errands, please call the church office and leave a message or email one of the clergy.
Journey Home
It’s hard to stay safer at home when you have no home! The Journey Home is in need of volunteers who are willing to prepare and serve meals for homeless persons at their facility during this pandemic. Email
sfoster@LoveGodServePeople.org
for more information.
If You Are In Need
If you need help with day-to-day tasks, such as obtaining groceries or supplies, picking up a prescription, getting a ride to a medical appointment, have a pet that needs to be walked, or if you have other needs due to unemployment, sickness or isolation, contact the church office for assistance.
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How to Stay Connected to St. Mark’s Activities
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Much of St. Mark’s weekly ministry is being communicated via social media and email, so be sure you are connected:
- St. Mark’s UMC – Murfreesboro, TN is our church’s public facebook presence where daily postings, updates and resources are provided. Be sure you are a member of this page.
- St. Mark’s UMC Children’s Ministries is a private facebook group for families with children where daily postings include stories, resources for children, Virtual Sunday school and at home Sunday school lesson plans.
- Find us on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube at stmarkstn
- If you are not receiving regular emails from St. Mark’s, sign up today in one of these ways:
- Visit St. Mark’s website (
www.stmarkstn.org) and click on the link at the bottom of the home page inviting you to join our email list
- leave a message at church office, (615) 893-3455.
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In Other News:
Mask Makers Needed
- As St. Mark's UMC looks to resume in-person worship, there may be those who need masks. If you love to sew and would be willing to make masks for church members and friends, please email us at
stmarks@stmarkstn.org
to let us know.
Do You Need a Mask?
- If you need a mask made for you, please make your request known
here
. We will make every effort possible to fill your requests.
Drop Box Now Available - There is now a drop box available at Door 1 of the church (Under the portico by the church offices) where you can safely and secure leave offerings and non-stamped letters/notes for the church.
Missed a Sermon? Click
HERE to go to our sermons media page.
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