"The Messenger"
Online Newsletter
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While the state of Tennessee begins to reopen, our episcopal leader, Bishop Bill McAlilly, has advised all United Methodist Churches to remain closed until at least the end of May. He has not ruled out the possibility of extending this advisement into June.
Our church staff has been in weekly conversation about what to do with some of the large group programming plans for the summer. And while it grieves us to do so, we have unanimously agreed to cancel some of these events. Our decision is rooted in our understanding of Christian hospitality, for the safety of our church family and for our larger community. This was not a decision made out of fear; it was made out of love and with the health and wellbeing of others in mind.
In place of these large group events, we are planning to offer smaller events with similar objectives: creating community and opportunities to serve and grow in our faith. Stay tuned for more information about these opportunities.
The following large group events have been cancelled:
* Vacation Bible School
* SONlight Youth Choir Tour
* All youth trips
* Face to Face Encounters ("Walk to Emmaus" for older adults)
* Church-wide Picnic
Additionally, the conference has cancelled all Cedar Crest and Beersheba Springs camps this summer.
A conference task force has been created to provide us with guidelines for re-opening our churches, whenever the bishop gives the all-clear. These guidelines will be shared soon and our church leadership will begin taking the necessary steps to reopen while mitigating the spread of COVID-19. We are mindful that there are many in our congregation who remain vulnerable to this disease and who are apprehensive about returning to church.
Please know that I miss you. I love you. I'm grateful for you. We will get through this, with God's help and each other's.
It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.
Tommy
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A Message from Buddy Howell
Every church in the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church
recently received news about their pastoral appointments.
Senior pastors and other clergy in our church serve at the discretion of the
Bishop. The Nashville Area Cabinet makes appointments with the mission of
the church as their first priority.
I am happy to share that Rev. Tommy Ward will be returning as our senior
pastor for the upcoming conference year. Dr. Jim Clardy and Rev. Martha
Touchton will also be continuing their pastoral appointments to St. Mark’s.
Please join me in expressing profound gratitude for the ministry of Tommy, Jim
and Martha.
Our church staff has done an outstanding job during these unprecedented
times. Let’s keep all members of the staff in our prayers, and let’s pray for
God’s continued blessings on St. Mark’s.
Buddy Howell, Chair
Staff-Parish Relations Committee
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Thank You
Just because it's been said and written often, we hope our appreciation for all the ways you continue to support our church doesn't sound or seem hollow. Your unwavering support during this pandemic has been nothing short of amazing. Thank you, St. Mark's family!
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Room for the Preacher?
Pastor Tommy needs a room.
As you know, Pastor Tommy is getting married in August. His fiancee, Hillary, has already sold her home in Nashville. Tommy is planning to put his condo on the market soon.
Hillary and Tommy have already purchased a home here in Murfreesboro; Hillary will be moving into that home this Friday. Tommy will move in after their marriage in August.
In the meantime, should Tommy be able to sell his condo, he'd need a place (or places) to stay until August. If you or someone you know has a room for Tommy to rent or use, please email him at
tommy@stmarkstn.org
.
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SAGES News
This is a second article written by Dr. Richard Gentzler, Encore Ministry, Tennessee Conference, to and for older adults. We hope you find it to be helpful and meaningful.
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Dear Colleagues and Friends,
I pray you and your families (both biological and faith communities) are keeping safe and staying healthy. These really are challenging days. Since I am not old enough to remember the rationing during WWII, grocery shopping these days is perplexing to me. I am not accustomed to going to the grocery store (early during senior hours) and finding shelves completely bare of toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and soup! I do remember the gasoline shortage and long lines at gas stations back in the early 1970s. I was living in Northern Virginia at the time, teaching high school students and coaching football & wrestling, prior to my seminary days. I also lived in the shadow of Three-Mile Island in 1979 when we were forced to evacuate the area for several days due to fears of a nuclear meltdown. Perhaps some of you remember other energy shortages, war situations, or crises you experienced, but this pandemic, and the fear that it is generating, is something else entirely new for me.
Yesterday, I read an interesting article in my latest issue of Bostonia, a magazine of Boston University. The article describes a new study based on decades of research indicating that optimism, "positive thinking," could boost our chances of living 85 or more years by over 50 percent. Despite this good news about the power of positive thinking, the research is unclear how optimism helps people attain a longer life!
I have always believed that I am a pretty positive, optimistic fellow. So maybe I still have at least another 14 years of this life. But, I do hope that in the meantime, grocery stores are able to restock necessities such as toilet paper. I am keeping positive, nevertheless, that this will happen soon.
During this pandemic, I am reminded of the words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt who said in a speech in 1933, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." But, as a Christian, I am also reminded of the word of God in scripture which says: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (Proverbs 9:10) I'll place my fear in God.
So, I write to encourage you, if you needing any encouraging this day, to stay positive, "keep a stiff upper lip" as they say, and know that we are all in this together. Trust in God and place any fear you might have in the right place. We will get through it, together, and be much better for having experienced this time in our lives. Or, so I believe!
What about you? How are you managing your days in new ways as we experience this pandemic? What are you reading? What are your thoughts, actions, and interactions that keep you learning, growing, and staying positive during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Be safe and stay healthy.
Grace and peace,
Rick
Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr.
ENCORE Ministry
Golden Cross Foundation, TN Conference - UMC
Read Dr. Gentzler's latest book, ”An Age of Opportunity: Intentional Ministry By, With, and For Older Adults” (published by Discipleship Resources, Nashville).
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ST. MARK’S CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES TEAM continues to help your children grow as disciples of Jesus Christ in fellowship with one another! Stay connected with our private Facebook page, St. Mark’s UMC Children’s Ministries.
STORIES FOR OUR CHILDREN
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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St. Mark’s Deep Blue GOES LIVE
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This Sunday, May 17
th
, 10:30 – 11:00 am!
St. Mark’s is transitioning to live Sunday school for children this coming Sunday, May 17th, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. via Zoom and our St. Mark’s UMC Children’s Ministries Facebook page!
This 30-minute gathering will include music and singing, our weekly Bible story and Deep Blue video, an interactive activity, and a closing time to share and pray together. This will be 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 will 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 a few simple supplies and a Bible. We will keep our Facebook page updated weekly to keep you informed.
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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Deep Blue Virtual Sunday School
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“As for us, we can’t stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20)
This month your children are hearing stories about the ministries of Peter, John, and Paul after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. These disciples lead the spread of the good news with bravery despite the worries about being imprisoned for sharing their faith in Jesus. In the coming weeks, your children will experience the story of Paul’s transformation and his escape from harm by the help of his friends. The month ends with the celebration of Pentecost—the time when the Holy Spirit was given to the followers of Jesus. The Church still celebrates this day as the birthday of the Church.
5/17 Paul is Changed (Acts 9:1-19). Jesus can change anyone’s life! Following Jesus changes the way we act. How have you been changing?
5/24 Paul Escapes (Acts 9:20-25). It is good to have friends to help us. When has a friend helped you?
5/31 Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41). The gift of Holy Spirit is for all of Jesus’ followers, including us!
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Children’s Pentecost Pinwheel Parade
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Starting next week, the Children’s Ministry Team will be delivering pinwheels to the homes of St. Mark’s children. You are invited to take a 30-second landscape (horizontal) video of your child(ren) holding their spinning pinwheel. For best results, send it via
www.WeTransfer.com to
mike@stmarkstn.org for inclusion in the worship service on Pentecost Sunday. All videos must be received by Monday, May 25th.
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Announcing Compassion Camp:
Coming Summer 2020
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We will explore what it means to live as a compassionate disciple of Jesus Christ and learn to love as God loves! This will be an at-home, weekly experience for all ages.
We want COMPASSiON CAMP to be as user-friendly and adaptable for your children and your family as possible! Please help us in this endeavor by responding to any surveys you see on our Children’s Facebook page.
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On Sunday, May 3
rd, ten persons from St. Mark’s UMC and the MTSU Wesley Foundation completed 34 weeks of Disciple: Becoming Disciples through Bible Study led by Beth Morris. This course covered more than 75% of the Old and New Testaments, with students completing daily readings during the week and meeting together for two hours each Sunday evening. Graduation included a time of affirming one another spiritual gifts and Holy Communion led by Rev. John Weaver and Martha Touchton. Congratulations to these graduates:
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Connie King
Sandeep Kuntam
Jennifer Marlatt
Christine Tennyson
Eddie Tennyson
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Andi Barker
Mark Foley
Savannah Head
Kayli Jones
Daniel Phebus
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Disciple is one of the most challenging and rewarding studies available today, giving equal time to the Old and New Testaments and emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as a revelation from God while nurturing a covenant relationship among its students. More than 300 persons have completed the Disciple I class at St. Mark’s, but this was the first joint lass between St. Mark’s and Wesley! For information about participating in the next Disciple Bible Study, email Rev. Martha Touchton at
martha@stmarkstn.org.
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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.
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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 and Twitter 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
- send an email with your preferred email address to mike@stmarkstn.org
- leave a message at church office, (615) 893-3455.
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In Other News:
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.
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.
Missed a Sermon? Click
HERE to go to our sermons media page.
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