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To Be and Make Disciples of
Jesus Christ
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Change of
Contact Information?
Click here to fill out an online form to help us update your information for our records.
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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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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.
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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.
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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
Church and Society Team Meeting
4:00 pm
TREK for Children
4:00 pm
Wings 'N Things
for Youth
5:00 pm
Elderberries:
Dinner at Puerto Nuevo Mexican and Seafood Restaurant
5:30 pm
In His Eyes
for Youth
7:00
Elderberries:
The Lettermen Concert
Walhalla Civic Auditorium
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Quick, easy and available
HERE
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Interested in LGBTQ+ Inclusion?
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Prayer Focus for This Week
Once again, the United States has been hit by a powerful hurricane, (Hurricane Michael) this time battering the Gulf Coast with 145 mph winds.
Pray for everyone in the path of this vicious storm.
Pray for victims of Hurricane Florence who will suffer setbacks in recovery as Hurricane Michael moves through the Carolinas.
Pray for recovery and relief efforts.
Pray for wisdom and guidance as each of us grapples with the effects of climate change and how to reverse this dangerous trend caused by human apathy and carelessness.
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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.
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Join Us For Worship
THIS Sunday, October 14
Celebration Service
10 am in the Saint Mark Center
Traditional Service
10 am in the Sanctuary
The One Who Bounces the Last Check Wins
bringing the message
Rev. Todd Davis
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THREE WAYS YOU CAN HELP WITH HURRICANE FLORENCE RELIEF
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1. Financial Contribution
If you would like to make a donation to hurricane relief efforts through the church, look for the big blue bucket in the atrium again this
Sunday, October 14. We will gather together all the donations Sunday and on Auction day
(November 4th), and then write one check to
UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Because all administrative costs are covered through the One Great Hour of Sharing collection in the spring,
100% of your donation will go directly to helping with relief efforts. For example,
- $25 buys protective gloves and dust masks for cleanup workers;
- $50 buys a tarp to protect a home from further damage;
- $75 buys the supplies for a cleanup bucket; and
- $100 pays for physical and psychological care for a survivor.
Thanks for your support!
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2. Make Hygiene Kits
The Anderson District Lay Servant Ministries is collecting hygiene kits to send to areas that were affected by Hurricane Florence. They would like to send at least 200 kits to the affected areas. Will you help?
Kits can be dropped off at church office thru Sunday, November 11.
Hygiene Kits Materials:
- 1 Hand Towel
- 1 Washcloth
- 1 comb with at least 6 inches of teeth
- 1 toenail or fingernail clipper (no files or emery boards)
- Bath-size bar of soap left in wrapping (no Ivory or Jergen's)
- 1 Adult toothbrush in packaging
- 10 adhesive bandages - ΒΎ by 3 inches
- 1 one-gallon size re-sealable plastic bag
- $2 to go in each bag for shipping
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3. Volunteer Your Time to Help In the Recovery Efforts
South Carolina United Methodist Church Disaster Response Ministries needs volunteers of all ability levels to help clean out homes that have been flooded by Hurricane Florence.
Until this point, conditions have dictated that only specially trained Early Response Teams handle these duties. They now can welcome and utilize all volunteers of any skill level to join them in this important work. Whether you come as a team or on your own, they will put you to work.
These homes require volunteers to do "muck-out," a term used for removing all of the wet and damaged areas of a home. Typically, this includes removing drywall, flooring, furniture, carpet and more. That brings the home to a condition that it can be sprayed for mold and allow it to dry in preparation for any rebuilding efforts in the future.
If you want to form a group, or volunteer as an individual,
click here to begin the process.
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Please pray for our youth (grades 6 - college) as they travel to Look Up Lodge tomorrow, Friday, through Sunday for a spiritual retreat. Their weekend theme for this retreat is "Power of Words." It is a great opportunity for our group of 24 to build community and continue their journey of "being and making disciples". Thank you for your love and support.
Below is the list of youth and adult leaders who will be attending the retreat this weekend. Please pray for each of them by name. Pray for a meaningful retreat - a time of self-discovery and a deepening of faith.
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Madison
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Camille |
| Eva |
Amirea |
| Destiny |
Emma |
| Lacey |
Colleen |
| Caroline |
Amelia |
| Haylinn |
Will |
| Winston |
Adrian |
| Noah |
Dalton |
| Austin |
Ryan |
| Lee Ann |
Faith |
| Shawna |
Mike |
| Curt |
Donna |
For more information,
click here to contact Donna Poston.
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An Elderberries Event
The Lettermen in Concert
THIS Sunday, October 14
7 pm
Walhalla Civic Auditorium
Supper at Puerto Nuevo Restaurant
in West Union at 5 pm
For more information, click here to contact Marla Fuller.
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We have had our first rehearsal for our Celtic Festival of Lessons and Carols presentation on Sunday, December 16. However, it isn't too late for you to join us on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the choir room.
For more information, click here to contact David Wilcox.
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ATTENTION PARENTS OF
YOUNG CHILDREN!!!
CDC Parents' Night Out
Friday, October 19
5:30 - 9:30 pm
All parents need a break! Our
Saint Mark Child Development Center continues to offer babysitting services one Friday each month (3rd Friday) to any and all parents who want a few hours of respite and enjoyment.
1 child - $10/hour
2 children - $15/hour
3 children - $20/hour
The CDC will provide pizza, if desired.
To make your reservation,
click here to contact Becca Williams.
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For anyone with seafood allergies the shrimp will be cooked separate from the corn, potatoes, and sausage.
Tickets are being sold in the Atrium on Sunday mornings. For more information,
click here to contact Kathy Graves.
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"I was in prison and you visited me." Matthew 25:36
Saint Mark United Methodist Women (UMW) continues to ask all Saint Mark disciples to support the Kairos Prison Ministry. The Women's Weekend at Leath Correctional Institute is October 25-28. Please help by:
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Baking Cookies - Oatmeal, peanut butter, molasses, and chocolate chip cookies that are between 2 inches and 2 1/2 inches in diameter and not more than 1/2 inch thick are needed. It is important not to use icing, sugar, or other coating on the outside of the cookie. Do not add fruit or nuts to the cookies. Wrap thoroughly cooled cookies in packages of one dozen. Bring your cookies to the church office by
noon on Monday, O
ctober 22.
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Pray - Please pray for the team who will share their faith during the weekend as well as for all inmates.
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Write Letters - Please write notes of encouragement to the inmates that will be involved in the weekend. Letter should be written to "Dear Friend" and placed in a blank envelope. Notes with reminders of God's unconditional love and grace are encouraging to the inmates. Bring your letters to the church office by
noon on Monday,
October 22.
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Elderberries
Lunch Bunch Kick-off
Tuesday, October 23
12 noon
Commons Room
Cost: $5
Join us as we kick off our new Lunch Bunch ministry for seniors. The plan is to meet for lunch on a monthly basis - sometimes at the church and, on occasion, at other locations. The purpose is to gather together around tables for food and for fellowship. Pastors and staff plan to join you for Lunch Bunch periodically, so don't be surprised when they show up.
Join us for lunch and conversation on Tuesday, October 23, featuring a variety of homemade soups, bread, desserts and beverages. Click here to make your reservation.
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Saint Mark Fall Festival
Our Fall Festival gives us once again, an exciting opportunity to show the amazing gift of God's love and the amazing hospitality of our Saint Mark family to our entire community.
This church-wide event on Wednesday, October 24 will take place on the front lawn beginning at 5:30pm.
This year our Fall Festival will include TRUNK or TREAT, hotdog dinner, a fire pit with s'mores, games, a hayride, and more!
The hilarious movie Hocus Pocus will be shown on the lawn beginning around 7 pm, so please plan to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Join us in making possible this free event for all ages!
Please consider providing a "trunk" for Trunk or Treat, or click here to contact Pastor Shawna to find out other ways your help is needed.
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It's That Time Again!
The
Seneca Lions Club is serving up BBQ chicken during their annual fundraiser to raise money to provide much needed eye exams and glasses for children in Seneca, Westminster and Walhalla. Over the last 6 years, the Lions Club has provided glasses to approximately 100 children!
The menu includes:
BBQ Chicken
Baked Beans
Cole Slaw
Desserts
Beverages
(Carry-out is available)
Get your tickets from one of our Lions Club members, or
click here to contact Dean Garland.
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Join us for a time of table fellowship!
A light lunch will be served
in the Saint Mark Center
THERE WILL BE NO COST FOR THE LUNCH!
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EMS personnel use these stuffed animals when they encounter children who are sick, hurt, or have experienced trauma or loss. Your donated stuffed animals will provide comfort and love to a child in need. Thanks for your donations!!
For more information,
click here to contact Lisa Kiser.
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For more information,
click here
to contact Donna Poston.
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Bring Your Appetite!!!
Come hungry to the Christian Life Center of Clemson United Methodist Church on Thursday, November 1, and join in the fun of the 16th Annual Clemson Area Ministers' Cook-Off. Ministers from 14 area congregations will be showing off their culinary skills in support of Safe Harbor shelter for victims of domestic violence. Pastor Todd and Pastor Shawna will be serving an appetizer (Crab Bisque) prepared by Cara's Creations. Unless there is adverse weather, WYFF meteorologist John Cessarich will broadcast "John On The Road" live from the Cook-Off.
Tasting tickets are $1.00 each at the door or you can buy tickets in groups of 10 ($10) prior to the event so you won't have to stand in line for tickets the night of the event. Advance tickets are available at the church office or by calling Debbie DuBose at (864) 247-0189.
Please come out and show your support for Todd and Shawna, who were winners last year! It's a great evening of fun, great food and fellowship plus you will know you are supporting a very worthy cause. South Carolina continues to have one of the highest rates of criminal domestic violence in the country. Safe Harbor provides a continuum of services for adult and child victims of domestic violence in the Upstate. Services include emergency housing, meals, counseling, clothing, parenting classes and referrals to other support services. ALL PROCEEDS from the Cook-Off will be divided between the Oconee and Anderson County shelters.
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The
Auction and Sale for Missions has been rescheduled for Sunday morning, November 4. We will have some great items for you to bid on, including Christmas decor items, 2 tickets to the Clemson vs. Duke game on November 17 (complete with tailgating fun with the Dobsons!), other Clemson goodies, and even a football signed by your favorite Clemson coaches! The "Buy It Now" table will feature a variety of handmade crafts and home made food items, and remember . . . all proceeds will be used to support local, state and global missions.
Stop by the atrium anytime between 8:30 am and 12 noon to have some snacks, place your bids, and buy a few nice things to take home with you.
Thank you in advance for your support of the outreach work done by Saint Mark UMC! For more information,
click here to contact Jane Harlin.
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All Saints Sunday is a little over 3 weeks away. It is time to order your rose(s) to commemorate the life of your loved ones who have entered the Church Triumphant.
- Complete and submit your reservation by no later than Sunday, October 21
- The cost is $3.00 per rose - one rose per person memorialized. (Make checks payable to "Saint Mark UMC" for Rose Memorial)
- The name of the deceased person may be from any past year
- Our Worship Ministry Team will purchase and arrange the roses
- You may take your rose(s) home after worship on November 5
- Please indicate on the form where you want your rose(s) to be placed: Traditional Service (Sanctuary) or Celebration Service (Saint Mark Center)
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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, November 4, 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.
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Memory Cafe
November Activity
Memory Cafe is a place where family caregivers and their loved ones with beginning to intermediate stages of dementia can come together to learn, laugh, cry and meet others in a similar circumstance. It is a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where acceptance and friendships develop. It meets the first Monday of each month.
On
Monday, November 5, from 1 - 3 pm, participants will meet in the Saint Mark Commons Room. They will start off with an ice breaker to know each other better and have a chance to talk openly about concerns. Next, they will participate in fun and easy chair aerobics taught by a professional aerobic teacher. Later, they will enjoy a snack together, followed by making simple decorations for a 7' Christmas tree that will be provided by and displayed at Duke Power in December.
Come join in on the fun! Please pass this information along to persons who are family caregivers for loved ones with mild to moderate dementia.
PLEASE NOTE: 7 -10 volunteers are needed at 10 am on November 5 to get a head start on making the decorations for the Christmas tree. The decorations will be tissue paper flowers. EASY!! Would you be willing to come and help? Lunch will be provided.
For more information,
click here to contact Bonnie Holmes.
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Women's Day Apart
Holy Friendships
with Rev. Alice MacKeil
Saturday, November 10
10 am - 2 pm
Commons Room
Cost: $10
Including Brunch
We all need friends... people to do life with... other women who love and support us... who help to divide our burdens and multiply our joys.
Let's spend a day together, deepening friendship with our loving God, and deepening friendship with one another!
Rev. Alice MacKeil is a retired Elder in the South Carolina Annual Conference. Her passion is leading women's retreats, and she has led 35 retreats for groups of ladies. Rev. MacKeil continues to serve on the Greenville District Committee of Ordained Ministry, the South Carolina Annual Conference Committee, the South Carolina Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and as a clergy mentor.
Pastor Alice was born and raised in Ohio and moved to South Carolina in 1985. She is married to John MacKeil and has two grown children; Daniel Dickinson, 37, who is an Emergency Room Nurse at a hospital in Portland, Maine and Dr. Amy Dickinson, 39, an Emergency/ Critical Care Veterinarian in Pittsburgh, PA, who is married to Iain and has Alice's grandchildren: 5 year old Addison and 8 month old Cameron.
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Special Children's Event
J*A*M* (Jesus and Me)
Saturday, November 10
10 am - 2 pm
All God's children can enjoy a special day just to celebrate being kids. Saint Mark UMC invites you to bring your children to a spirit-filled morning, discovering God's Holy Friendship with pizza, a movie, crafts and more.
For questions
click here to contact our children's minister Lisa Kiser. Parents should check your child in at the nursery, behind the atrium steps.
RSVP by Saturday, November 3.
Click here to fill out the registration form.
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What a GREAT opportunity to learn more about the Wilderness Way Girls' Camp, a faith-based program designed to bring help and hope to hurting girls and their families!
Everyone is invited to attend!!!
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Everyone is invited to sing! For more information, click here to contact David Wilcox
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Annual Charge Conference
Wednesday, November 7
6:30 pm
Commons Room
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ELDERBERRIES EVENTS (FOR 50+)
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ARE YOU 50+?
Here are some
Elderberries Events
that might interest you. Save the date(s) on your calendar.
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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
Ye Olde Sandwich Shop
A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas
Flat Rock, NC
Thursday, December 13
2 pm matinee
Cost of Tickets: $40 per person
Tickets will go on sale next week!
For more information about our Elderberries ministry or any of these events, click here to contact Marla Fuller
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October is
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
The United Methodist Church is committed to ending the horror of domestic violence.
We recognize that family violence and abuse in all its forms-verbal, psychological, physical, sexual - is detrimental to the covenant of the human community. We encourage the Church to provide a safe environment, counsel, and support for the victim. While we deplore the actions of the abuser, we affirm that person to be in need of God's redeeming love (2012 Book of Discipline ΒΆ161.G).
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Essentrics Classes are Back!!
with Susan Ross
Starting THIS Sunday, October 14
5 - 6 pm
Clemson United Methodist Church
Room 308 (Overflow Worship Room)
Fee/Donation: $10
Essentrics is a unique, full-body program for women and men 18 years+ that uses therapeutic stretching to unlock what is tight; strengthen what is weak; rebalance and tone what needs shaping; help reverse the aging process through stretches that develop flexible muscles, improve posture, relieve pain, aid weight loss and increase range of motion.
Wear comfortable clothes, bring a mat and water.
For more information please contact:
Susan Ross, Level 3 Certified
Mobile: (864) 247-8318
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Marvin's Kids 2018
Marvin's Kids has been a flagship ministry of Saint Mark for almost 50 years!
Getting clothes, shoes, toys and food to more than 40 families and about 150 children annually for five decades has taken many hands, hearts, and hours of loving support from Saint Mark disciples and the larger Oconee community.
With Christmas less than three months away, the Marvin's Kids team has kicked into full gear and wants you to know of the many ways you can help make this another successful MK year! Look for a flyer in the coming weeks where you can sign up to participate. In the meantime, here are some opportunities to consider:
- Visit a family in their home to meet the children, explain the program and schedule to parents, extending Christian love and care
- Take a family Walmart shopping for winter clothing and shoes for each child (Marvin's Kids covers the cost)
- Provide inventory for "Santa's Secret Shop" by signing up to purchase toys
- Volunteer to sort toys, stock or staff "Santa's Secret" toy shop, assist parents with 'shopping' for toys
- Donate wrapping supplies or assist parents in wrapping toys they select for their children on the day of secret shopping
- Make cookies for refreshments on toy shopping day
- Pack food boxes (non-perishable items are purchased by our Marvin's Kids team)
- Make a monetary donation to Marvin's Kids
- And as always, pray for the families touched through this wonderful ministry!
If you have questions, please click here to contact Sandy James.
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Will You Help??
Nothing says "Christmas is coming" like those little red buckets guarded by smiling people ringing bells and wishing folks a Merry Christmas. But who stands there and rings the bell? It could be
you!
The Acts Sunday School class has been providing bell ringers for the Salvation Army during the Christmas season for a while now, but it takes 3000 volunteer hours to cover all the shifts at all the locations during the Christmas season.
Could Saint Mark provide disciples to handle 2-4 hour shifts at one of 12 different locations throughout Oconee County? The bell ringing season is from
November 9 - December 24, Monday - Saturday, 10am - 8pm, so there are shifts to suit almost every schedule. You could ring alone or with a partner. Maybe a Sunday School class or other group could take a whole day at one location and work all the shifts.
But first, we need a disciple willing to help sign up volunteers and coordinate the scheduling of Saint Mark ringers with the Salvation Army. If you feel called to help in this way, or if you want to sign up as a ringer, or if you just want more information,
click here to contact Jane Harlin, or call her at (864) 638-2462.
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SAINTS IN SERVICE
HELPING YOU PLUG IN . . .
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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!
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