Update for the week of September 6 - 12, 2018
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Our Mission Statement

To Be and Make Disciples of  
Jesus Christ 

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Contact Us?
 
Saint Mark UMC
616 Quincy Road
Seneca, SC  29678

Call us:
9 am - 5 pm (M-Th)
(864) 882-2603
Pastoral Care
Emergencies or after regular office hours

call or text
(864) 888-7072  

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send an email
Saint Mark 2018 Ministry Guidebook 
Click here to view the entire Saint Mark 2018 Ministry Guidebook with information about church structure, leadership, ministries and our 2018 budget. 
Check Out Our Entire Church
 Calendar of Events
Click here to see what is going on at Saint Mark this week and the weeks to come.
 
September 9, 2018
  
Sunday 
Schedule 
  
9:00 am 
Sunday School
     
9:40 am
Fellowship Time in the Atrium
   
10:00 am
Traditional Worship
Sanctuary 
 
10:00 am
Celebration Worship
Saint Mark Center  
 
11:15 am
Mission/Service Team Meeting
 
11:15 am
Church and Society Team Meeting 
 
1:00 pm 
Committee on  
Lay Leadership Meeting
 
4:00 pm 
TREK for Children 
 
4:00 pm
Wings 'N Things  
for Youth
 
5:30 pm
In His Eyes  
for Youth 
 

Quick, easy and available HERE 
Listen to Last Week's Sermon Today 
If you were not able to attend worship on any given Sunday, you can still listen to the sermon.   Click here to select and listen to sermons that you may have missed.
Got Information to Share in Next Week's
Heart Beat
Click here to send your Heart Beat post to us by no later than 12:00 noon next
Thursday.  On the subject line, please type in "Heart Beat" so that we can easily find your article among the other emails.
Got Good News To Share With Your Saint Mark Family?   
Good news lifts our spirits. Share your good news with us. We will publish your good news in our "People 'Neath Our Steeple" feature. Your news will be sent out as an email. Click here to share your good news (achievements, births, awards, etc.). Include pictures if you have them. 
Interested in LGBTQ+ Inclusion?

Click here for more information. 
Prayer Focus for This Week  
 
Pray for the victims of Hurricane Gordon that battered the Gulf Coast over the last couple of days.  Major Hurricane Florence is posing a possible threat to the East Coast of the United States next week. Pray for protection for those facing this first major storm of this hurricane season.  
Submit Your Prayer Requests
Saint Mark is pleased to receive your prayer requests . . . for yourself or for friends or loved ones.   Click here to submit your request to Pastor Todd Davis.
WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY  

Join us this Sunday, September 9 for the third in our 4-week sermon series.

September 9 -
Moving Forward: GPS  
September 16 -
Moving Forward: Keeping Our Eyes on the Road 

Join Us For Worship  
THIS Sunday, September 9  
 
Moving Forward: GPS  
bringing the message
Rev. Todd Davis
  
Traditional Service
10 am in the sanctuary
 
Celebration Service
10 am in the Saint Mark Center
 
THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARK 

Our Next Memory CafΓ© Event 
Come Cruise With Us!
Tomorrow, FRIDAY, September 7
 
Memory CafΓ© participants will be cruising on Lake Keowee on Friday, September 7 at 1:30 pm. If enough people come, we may have a fleet of pontoons. Won't that be fun!
 
Participants should plan to meet at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Seneca at 1:00 pm, to caravan.
 
For more information and to make your reservation, call Bonnie Holmes at (864) 916-9204. 

You Have Been Asking . . .
Yes, Our Youth Will Be Selling Christmas Trees Again This Year!

All you need is a $10 deposit to reserve your tree.  For more information, click here to contact Donna Poston. 

CALLING ALL YOUTH!!
Grades 6 - College
GET PLUGGED IN!!

For more information,  click here to contact Donna Poston, our Minister of Youth and College Discipleship.

TREK Will Meet on Sunday Afternoons!
(for children Kindergarten  
through 5th grade) 
 
For more information, click here to contact Lisa Kiser, our Minister of Children's Discipleship.

Help Us Preserve Our Saint Mark History
 Tuesday, September 11
9:30 am - 12 noon
Saint Mark Center
 
Our country will always remember September 11 and the effect that it had on our history. This September 11, the history of Saint Mark will be remembered. You are invited to come and review Saint Mark's history as we look through the historical documents beginning with the Seneca Methodist Church thru today. There are many boxes and books to go through. Our goal will be to determine the significance of the papers and artifacts, and then decide how to organize, file, and save them for the future.  
 
We invite you to volunteer as much time as you can spare on September 11 from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon.  We will meet and do our work in the Commons Room. Thank you in advance.
 
Joyce Carney, Church Historian
 
For more information, or to volunteer, click here to contact Joyce Carney. 

God Changes the World One Person
and One Family At A Time
 
A little nod to those of us who are still feeling slightly half-baked: those with struggling families, cracked relationships, and a world that's showing a little weary around the seams. When God wants to create the remarkable, He chooses to work with the less-than-perfect.
 
Genesis is a book of beginnings. It is deeply concerned with the origins of things-of the universe, of humankind, of relationships, of sin, of civilization, of families, and of one special family created and chosen by God to be the instrument through which He would bless the world. That family is our family, yours and mine. Like all good family stories, it starts with not just a something or somewhere, but a someone. 
 
For more information, click here to contact Debbie Barton or call her at (513) 659-9913. 

For more information, click here to contact Donna Poston. 

We are excited about the return of our monthly midweek "gatherings" that will provide the opportunity for our church family to enjoy delicious meals and great fellowship.
 
Supper will begin at 5:30 pm
Bingo will begin at 6:00 pm
   
Menu
Baked Chicken
Full Salad Bar
(Garden Salad, Potato Salad, Pasta Salad, etc.)
 
The meal costs are as follows:  
Adults (18 and older)
 $7.00 each
Families (2 adults and 2 children)
 $18.00
 Children/Youth 5 - 18
 $3.00 each
 Children 4 and under
 FREE
Click here to make your meal reservation online, or call the church office at (864) 882-2603.  You can add your name to the "Master List" or make your reservations on a monthly basis.

This activity is for ALL ages - children, youth and adults.  Come join us as together we kick off our new program year!  
LOOKING AHEAD

Don't Forget!!
The Mini Mission Auction Is  
NEXT Sunday! 
 
Mini Auction for Missions is NEXT Sunday, September 16. A big thank you to everyone who donated items for the auction and/or the "Buy It Now" table. Now we need bidders and buyers! Please support the mission work of the church by coming early next Sunday and staying late (we will feed you snacks!). The hours of the auction and sale are 8:30 am -12 noon. We have some great items up for bid-- some familiar from past years, and some lovely new things as well, so please bring your checkbooks (or cash), and join us in the Atrium next Sunday. If you have questions, or would like to volunteer to help on Auction Day, please contact Jane Harlin at (864) 638-2462 or click here to email her for more information.
 
Thanks for your support!

The Commission on a Way Forward is a task force, whose purpose is to do a complete examination and possible revision of every paragraph concerning human sexuality in the Book of Discipline, while exploring options that help to maintain and strengthen the unity of the United Methodist Church. The Commission will make its recommendations at a Special Called Session of the General Conference in February, 2019.

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SAINT MARK?

On Sunday afternoon, September 16, Pastors Todd and Shawna will help us to better understand the structural workings of our denomination. Please make every effort to be present as our pastors lead us toward empathy, understanding, and generative dialogue, as we continue to be the Body of Christ. Childcare will be provided.

Mentor Oconee
with Dr. Dena Rapp
Tuesday, September 18
6 pm
Commons Room 
 
Saint Mark disciples, do you have 30 minutes a week to make a difference in a child's life? Over 50 percent of the school age children in Oconee County live in poverty.  Many lack a responsible, caring adult just to listen, encourage, and cheer them on, someone who expects nothing in return.  Are you curious about this form of discipleship and the positive way an adult mentor can impact a young child?  
 
Come and learn about Mentor Oconee on Tuesday September 18.  Dr. Dena Rapp, founder of the Seneca nonprofit Rivers of Justice will conduct a free training session for anyone interested in mentoring in one of our local elementary schools. 
 
Questions?  Click here to contact Becky Hazelwood.

Set Apart:
Holy Habits of Prophets and Kings

Set Apart is a dynamic six-week study of 1 and 2 Kings that examines the holy habits of the prophets and kings who were set apart by their close walk with God. Each week we will explore the central story of one of these intriguing men of God and the specific practice each observed, as well as what the Bible teaches about this practice.

Each of these characters was trying to follow God while carrying out his calling on earth. As we consider their example, we will discover that even prophets and kings struggled and grew in their faith through spiritual practices, and we will learn how to follow God's unique purposes for us in His Kingdom.
 
For more information, click here to contact Sandy James.

Are you 50+? 
Another Elderberries Event!!!  
 
Join us for a relaxing evening of fun, food and fellowship at beautiful Biggerstaff Retreat Center, right here in Seneca. The evening will begin at 5 pm with conversation and hors d'oeuvres, followed by our meal at 6:30 pm.   
 
Plan to bring a dish to share (hors d'oeuvres, salad, side dish, dessert), plus $5 to cover meat, beverages and paper products.    
 
Transportation is available, if you prefer not to drive there.   
 
LET'S HAVE A GREAT TURNOUT!!!    
 
Click here to RSVP and to indicate that you would like to reserve transportation for that evening.    

Are you managing your estate, as well as considering "end of life" financial arrangements??? For most of us, this is daunting work and we need the experience and advice of other disciples who have worked or are working their way through these decisions. What options exist to protect our estates from probate and taxes and the will of our government? How can I be a responsible disciple in this area of my life? Can I live on my assets and provide for my children, grandchildren, church and its good works in the future? How?
 
Raymond Lanham, SMUMC member, who is retired from the American Cancer Society as the Estate and Asset Services Manager, will speak at an educational seminar luncheon in the Commons Room on Sunday, October 7, 2018 following the 10:00 AM Services.  If you've "got it all together," come and share your expertise with our group! However, if you still have more questions than answers, then please join us for a bit of lunch and an informative discussion of the "perils of procrastination" when it comes to end of life planning. No reservation is required to attend the event, however if you would like a bag lunch (turkey and cheese sandwich, chips, cookie, fruit, and drink is $8 per person - cash or check made out to Donna Jaynes on day of event), please click here to place your food order with Donna Jaynes.    
 
Randy Collins, Church Treasurer

For more information, click here to contact Donna Poston.

An Elderberries Event 
The Lettermen in Concert
Sunday, October 14
7 pm
Walhalla Civic Auditorium
Tickets are available now: $37 per person
 
Join us for supper at Puerto Nuevo Restaurant  
in West Union at 5 pm
Click here to make your meal reservation  
with Marla Fuller 
 
Only 3 of 35 tickets are left . . . Reserve your tickets today!   
 
Click here to reserve your ticket(s) now!     

Watch for more details!
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS 


Fall Festival for Children
Wednesday, October 24
5:00 pm
Contact: Lisa Kiser 

 
16th Annual Minister's Cook-off 
Thursday, November 1
5:30 - 7 pm
Clemson United Methodist Church
Contact: Todd Davis  
 
Annual Charge Conference
Wednesday, November 7
6:30 pm
Commons Room 
Contact: Todd Davis 

ELDERBERRIES EVENTS (FOR 50+)   

ARE YOU 50+?
Here are some
Elderberries Events
that might interest you.  Save the date(s) on your calendar. 
 
Covered Dish Supper at Biggerstaff Retreat
Friday, September 28
5 pm - hors d'oeuvres
6:30 pm - supper
Transportation will be available 
 
The Lettermen in Concert
Sunday, October 14
7 pm
Cost: $37 per ticket
3 TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE NOW!
Transportation will be available
We will gather for supper at  
Puerto Nuevo Mexican and Seafood Restaurant at 5 pm before the concert. 
  
Monthly "Lunch Bunch" Gathering
beginning on Tuesday, October 23
(4th Tuesday of each month) 
12 noon
Commons Room  
 
Turkey in the Hole
Wilderness Way Girls' Camp
Church-wide Event Sponsored by the Elderberries
Saturday, November 17
Campsite Tours 10:45 - 11:15 am
Dinner - 12:30 pm
Bring sides and desserts
Transportation will be available  
 
Monthly "Lunch Bunch" Gathering
Tuesday, November 27
12 noon
Dienner's Restaurant
 
PLEASE NOTE:
We could use a few more 50+ people to serve on our planning team.  We meet once a month to plan our activities and trips.   
 
We also need another bus driver or two to provide transportation to some of our social and educational events.  You would drive one of our church buses. You do not need a special type of license to drive.   
 
If you are interested in getting involved in this popular ministry for seniors at Saint Mark, please click here to contact Marla Fuller or call her at the church office Monday - Thursday from 10 am - 5 pm. 
THE "E" WORD  
Are You Contagious?

One of our areas of focus on the Evangelism Team is to find opportunities for our church family to reach out to our neighborhood school, Blue Ridge Elementary. We started last spring with personal notes to the teachers as the school year closed. As this year began, our team sent personal notes to all the staff along with a prayer to begin the school year. As we continue to look for opportunities for our church to be a part of Blue Ridge Elementary, I am reminded of a recent article on The United Methodist Church website by Reverend Kimberly D. Reisman. In her commentary, "Faith is Caught Not Taught", she states, "while there is a place for sound teaching, when it comes to evangelism, 'people come to faith because of the contagious way others live.'" This poses a question for each of us, "Am I living contagiously when it comes to my faith?"
Don't Throw Away Your Upper Room!!!

Just a reminder that the Evangelism Team is collecting outdated copies of the Upper Room, so please recycle your Upper Room devotion booklets by bringing them to the church office.  They are then placed into the food boxes that we give out to people in need. 

CHURCH AND SOCIETY  
Labor Day Reminds Us of Worker Rights
 
The United Methodist Church supports worker's rights: fair wages, safe workplaces, reasonable hours of work, and decent living standards.

Throughout scripture, God orders life together based on right relationships, shared resources and economic justice. Just as the Hebrew prophets decried poverty and growing wealth disparity, so too we are called to speak out and work to build an economy that values work and honors the dignity of all workers.
Every person has the right to a job at a living wage.
United Methodist Social Principles, ΒΆ163.C
 
There are 800 million people around the world who live on less than $2 per day. The federal minimum wage in the United States has been frozen since 2009. Accounting for inflation, this is lower today than it was in 1968, even as the gap between the pay of company executives and their average workers continues to increase.
 
We recognize the particular vulnerabilities of migrant workers - often not afforded legal protections or unable to access legal recourse because of their immigration status. Despite the success of farm-worker-led campaigns, too often farm workers in the United States remain vulnerable to wage theft and oppressive conditions.
 
As a church we remain committed to advocating alongside workers and to addressing the unconscionable persistence of child and forced labor. And as participants in the economy, we seek to understand our connection, our complicity and our power to challenge and transform these realities.
 
Click here to read more.  
IN OUR COMMUNITY . . .  

Charity Golf Tournament
Oconee Presbyterian Service Fund
 
The 3rd annual "Our Brother's Keeper" charity golf tournament will be held on Friday, September 28 to benefit the Oconee Presbyterian Service Fund. The OPSF, a partner of United Way, was founded in 1981 to help needy persons of Oconee County who have fallen through the cracks of community assistance and need emergency financial aid for rent, utilities, medical & dental, prescription drugs, GED fees and transportation.
 
Registration forms are available in the atrium, and the deadline for players to register is next Friday, September 14.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION   

Make a Difference!
Join the Dementia Concerns  
Advisory Group 
 
Are you someone who has had experience with either a member of your family or a friend or neighbor who has had some form of dementia such as Parkinson's disease, vascular dementia or Alzheimer's disease?  This may be a perfect ministry for you.  The group meets once a month to answer questions from people in Pickens and Oconee Counties.  Your answers to their questions are published in the Seneca Journal once a month. The group has received great feedback from the community.  The answers they have written have been very helpful to families and caregivers. You may also elect to be involved in Memory Cafe, helping to plan activities or even participate in some.  There is a lot of laughter and fun.  They would love to have you join them and be part of this ministry.
 
A description of Memory Cafe:
 
Memory Cafe is a ministry at Saint Mark United Methodist Church for family caregivers and their loved ones with dementia who live in Pickens or Oconee Counties.  Some are members of St. Mark and many are not.  Memory Cafe is a special place where they can laugh, learn, cry, share concerns, stay socially engaged with others experiencing similar life challenges.  They believe in taking field trips such as boat rides, visits to farms, picnicking in the park, etc.  Memory Cafe meets the first Monday of every month. 

If you would like to get involved, click here to contact Bonnie Holmes.

Do You Recognize This Smiling Face? 
 
On Monday, September 17, Eugene "Gene" Snyder, former member of Saint Mark, will celebrate his 90th Birthday!!!! His wife, Fran (our former chancel choir accompanist), daughters, grandchildren, and great grand children invite you to join in celebrating this milestone.  A reception is being held on Saturday, September 15 at Greensburg United Methodist Church, North Canton, Ohio between 3 and 5 pm.  Please join the celebration through cards, emails, and texts to wish Gene a Happy Birthday. If you have the urge to visit Ohio they sure would love your presence too! Send cards to:  
 
574 Saguaro Pl.
Barberton, OH 44203. 
E mail: ewsnyd@gmail.com and
Text (864) 784 0055

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GENE!!!

Spiritual Gifts Survey Results
 
Remember way back in June we had the opportunity to assess our spiritual gifts (and use the results to indicate areas of discipleship we were interested in)?  We promised to share some results with you and we are finally doing so!  
 
Click here to see some pie charts of the results from 144 disciples who took the survey (unfortunately, the answer choices were so long that they could not totally be shown on the graphs).  If you took the survey either electronically or on paper, you should have received an email with the results.
 
It's not too late to do this if you would still like to - just go to these links and go through the surveys:
 
Spiritual Gifts: https://tinyurl.com/smumcgifts
 
 
Your Stewardship Team

DREAM Campaign Update
 
THANK YOU for helping us move along in our endeavors to reduce our debt and provide funds for the Trustee's 5-year plan for repair and replacement of some major items (some funds have already been used for that purpose - HVAC last year).  As of last week, a total of $469,981.27 had been given to the DREAM fund - that's more than 70% of the total pledged amount of $668,617 - just a bit more than a year after the campaign ended. Our mortgage balance has been reduced to $656,568.42 and should be well under $600,000 by year end.   THANK YOU for your support of this endeavor!!  Note that additional donations to the DREAM fund are welcome at any time, with completion of pledges by December 31, 2019.
 
Your Stewardship Team
SAINTS IN SERVICE
HELPING YOU PLUG IN . . . 

LET US KNOW HOW YOU WANT TO PLUG IN!
Click here to discover the many ways to serve at Saint Mark. Fill out the form and return it to Marla Fuller in the church office. We will get you plugged in!    
 
 

Saint Mark United Methodist Church

616 Quincy Road
Seneca, South Carolina 29678-3820
mfuller@smumcsc.org
 

864-882-2603
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors