"The Messenger"
Online Newsletter
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From the Pastor
On March 17, Church Council Chair Sean Gilliland shared with the worshiping congregation that our Church Council recently adopted a Statement of Inclusivity. The rationale for this statement as well as information about how the stated was crafted is explained
HERE
.
Below you will find the Statement of Inclusivity that was unanimously adopted by the Church Council:
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church affirms all persons are of sacred worth and we are called to extend God’s love and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the whole world.
We welcome everyone at every stage of their faith journey, regardless of race or ethnicity, age, religious background, physical or mental ability, income or family status, sexual orientation or gender identity.
We value diversity of thought and expression of faith, for we are all one in Christ.
It is a privilege to serve as one of your clergy.
Tommy
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SAGES News
Thanks to all the SAGES who attended The Older Adult Committee of the Tennessee Conference on Thursday, March 14, 2019, at Franklin First United Methodist Church.
SAGES attended ״Noises” at the Cumberland County Playhouse on Tuesday. Thanks to everyone who went.
The Alzheimer/Dementia Support Group will meet in Room 504 on March 28.
SAGES will be going to the Dutch Bakery and Restaurant on April 11. Please make your reservation in the office.
Several other trips and activities are planned. These include another trip to the Cumberland County Playhouse, a visit to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, the Loveless Café and Chaffins’ Barn, Granny Fishes, and the Midway Diner. Please watch this newsletter for lots of other information regarding our SAGES’ activities.
The SAGES will have an extended trip to the Ark and the Shaker Village in Kentucky. The date for this trip is May 20-22. The cost is about $250. Please sign up in the church office. Look for the book!!
The SAGES have been invited to provide a monthly worship service at Adams’ Place. Rev. Linda Tunnell and her team got started with that earlier this month. She is organizing two teams to rotate with each other to share with our friends and neighbors at Adams’ Place. If you would like to be a part of the team, please contact Linda.
We also offer services the second Tuesday of each month at Boulevard Terrace Rehab and Nursing each month at 2:00 P.M. If you would like to participate, please be there at 1530 Middle Tennessee Boulevard at that time.
We also are continue our services at the Rutherford Memory Care on Wednesdays at 11:00 A.M. Everyone is welcome to participate in these programs.
The Festival of Wisdom of Grace for older adults will be August 5-8 at Luke Junaluska, North Carolina. You can make your reservations now by calling Lake Junaluska at 800-222-4930.
The SAGES Ministry Team will meet on Monday, April 8 at 9:30 AM in Room 503.
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Youth News
Praying that everyone has a safe and fun spring break this week. Normal youth programming will start back on this Sunday, March 31st we hope to see everyone there! We are also planning to set up some extra events in the next month or so, starting with a hiking day.
Looking ahead to the summer, we will have sign-ups for our mission trip available starting this Sunday. This year, we will be doing a combined middle school and high school trip to wonderful Denver, Colorado. The dates are July 6-13. This promises to be a unique and fulfilling experience for all those who attend. Feel free to ask an adult leader if there are any questions. In conjunction with the mission trip sign-ups, we will also be selling mission trip stock as a way to help individuals pay for mission trip.
Finally, we NEED volunteers to sign up for providing dinner on Sunday nights. Thank you to all who have done so in the past - this is a tremendous help to our ministry. Checkout the youth website (
fusionumyf.org
) to sign up or talk to one of the adult leaders.
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT TOGETHER!
Family, Food, Fellowship, Faith, and Fun for the whole Family!
Wednesday Night Together offers a full menu of
delicious food, warm table fellowship, and
fun and formative weekly classes, groups and events for all ages!
5:15 - 6:00 p.m. Church Family Dinner
Reservations due by 12:00 p.m. Monday
$6.00/Adult, $2.00/Children and MTSU Students, $20.00/Family Max
If you need financial assistance to help pay for the WNT meal,
please contact Rev. Martha Touchton.
Wednesday Night Together and Wednesday Night Praise
are on Spring Break Wednesday, March 27th.
Programs return April 3rd.
6:00 – 7:15 p.m. WEDNESDAY NIGHT PRAISE for Children
6:15 – 7:15 p.m. CLASSES AND GROUPS for Youth and Adults
Adult Classes in March:
Podcasts as Spiritual Practice – Led by Julie King
Forgiveness – Led by Rev. Tommy Ward
Exercising Your Gift of Leadership in Service to God – Dr. Jim Clardy
For more information,
CLICK HERE
to view the March 2019 WNT BROCHURE and Menus
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Deep Blue Kids Observe Lent with Their Families
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“Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!”
Mark 1:15
This month we observe the season of Lent, a time for preparing for the resurrection of Jesus on Easter. As we lead up to the holiest of days, your children will hear about the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. This month we begin with parables: the three “lost” parables (lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son), and the parable about the two debtors. All of these parables demonstrate God’s love and remind us that it is never too late to change our hearts and lives. Your children will then hear the stories of the Last Supper and of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane; both of these stories take place on the night of Jesus’ arrest. We take comfort in the knowledge that this is not the end of Jesus‘ story!
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Friday – Sunday, April 5–7 - 6th Grade Confirmation Retreat at Cedar Crest; Registration Due!
Saturday, April 20
th – St. Mark’s Easter Egg Hunt, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Sunday – Thursday, June 23 -27: St. Mark’s
“TO MARS AND BEYOND!” Vacation Bible School
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The Gift of New Creation invites us to explore God’s saving and redeeming love through a study of the lectionary Bible readings for Lent and Easter. Key Scriptures call us to prepare and contemplate God’s restoration and new creation through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Through the readings, we hear the invitation to embrace God’s salvation and the new life offered to us through Christ.
Join us in Adult Christian education March 10 – April 21 as we explore these scriptures, seeking opportunities to reflect on God’s redemptive action and to explore means of grace that help us move into new life in Christ. If you need a study book, see Rev. Martha Touchton.
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St. Mark’s Bunny Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt
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St. Mark’s Bunny Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt
For Children and Families
Saturday, April 20th
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Bring a Friend and a Brunch Food to Share!
Message and Music by
Rev. Tommy Ward & Mr. Sean Gilliland
Donations of Small, Individually Wrapped
Candy and Prizes are Needed!
Suggestions: Sweethearts, Stickers, Starbursts, Skittles, Jolly Ranchers, Fireballs, Gobstoppers, Bubble Gum.
No Peanuts or Chocolate, Please!
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Register Now for Summer Camp!
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St. Mark's Kids love Cedar Crest Camp! Sunday, April 14th, Tennessee Conference Director of Camping and Retreats, Russell Casteel, will be present at St. Mark’s to share more information about this summer’s camps! Plan to stop in the Narthex, greet Russell, and register for camp! You can also register online at
www.cedarcrestcamp.org
.
St. Mark's will be coordinating shared transportation the weeks of June 16 - 21 and July 7 - 12. All St. Mark’s campers receive a generous scholarship.
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Lionheart Orchestra will hold its inaugural concert at St. Mark's on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
READ MORE
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HERE
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