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We humans are such creatures of habit. We love our traditions and celebrate them proudly. That can be a very good thing, but sometimes, that can be a bad thing too. If anything gets in the way of “how we’ve always done it,” then we end up being frustrated and challenged to control a situation – a situation that just might be out of our control. Have you felt that way about Christmas being on a Sunday this year? Hope to see you in worship!  ~ Pastor Todd

South Carolina Annual Conference Leaders have adopted a process through which SCUMC churches can discern their future in mission and ministry.

Please click here to read Pastor Todd's letter in its entirety.

RESHAPE UPDATE –

Modified Sunday Morning Schedule coming in 2023

During our congregation’s participation in the Reshape Initiative, the Sunday morning schedule was identified as an area to be further studied and addressed. It was designated as Reshape Pathway #28. A multifunctional group was formed from members of the following ministries: Tech Team, Hospitality, Faith Formation, Worship, Family Ministries, the Pastor, and Reshape Support Team. 

This group began meeting in June, reviewed feedback from the original Reshape groups, developed and discussed thirteen options for the sequence of Sunday School and the two worship services, surveyed young families for input, reviewed the sequences with the teams represented and heard their feedback, heard from SPRC Chair Debbie DuBose about the possibilities and issues surrounding returning to a two-pastor church, and received input from Laura Ritter and John Glenn from the Worship Staff. 

After narrowing the options down to three, the team decided to survey the congregation to get input to help formulate a recommendation. One hundred eighty-three responses to the survey were received and were helpful in reaching a conclusion. 

The team’s conclusion was that we should keep the same sequence of the Sunday morning schedule but “tweak” the times, especially to include more time for fellowship. That led to the following proposed Sunday morning schedule:

9:00 – 10:00 Celebrate! Contemporary Worship

10:00 – 10:15 Fellowship

10:15 – 11:00 Sunday School

11:00 -- 11:15 Fellowship

11:15 – 12:15 Traditional Worship



This proposal was presented to the Council of Stewards on October 27th and was approved. This schedule is planned to begin on January 8, 2023. Other improvements to enhance our Sunday morning time together are also being discussed. 

Sally Boggs, Worship Committee Chairperson

The Saint Mark UMC staff would like to say THANK YOU to the congregation and the SPRC for your generous love offering this holiday season. We are blessed to serve here and look forward to another year of spreading God's love through the ministries of Saint Mark.

May God bless you in the new year with happiness and good health.  

Love, Pastor Todd and the Saint Mark UMC staff

• Drivers Needed for Golden Corner Food Pantry
• Advent Giving Project: Flood Buckets for UMCOR

Saint Mark disciples, our prayers have been answered. In week seven of our 2023 Pledge Campaign, we received 14 pledges, bringing our total received so far to 172 totaling $860,000, surpassing last year’s total of $848,000. Thank you all! This will be our last update, but there is still time for you to pledge by putting your pledge card in the offering basket on Sunday at church, or mailing your pledge card to the church, or filling out the pledge card online at the Saint Mark UMC website.

I will give you our final update when I present the results to you in church in January. I would like to leave you with a couple of Proverbs that I feel are appropriate.

Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. 

Proverbs 22:9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. 

Merry Christmas 

Peter Salis, Stewardship Team Leader

Pastor Todd and wife Cara help at the Marvin's Kids Santa's Shop on Saturday, December 17th. More news about Marvin's Kids 2022 will be forthcoming.

2023 LEADERSHIP ORIENTATION

As we begin a new year of ministry at Saint Mark UMC, to help all ministry teams and leaders to feel unified in our efforts to fulfill our church’s mission – To Be and Make Disciples of Jesus Christ – we will have a Leadership Orientation in the Commons Room on Sunday, January 8, 2023 (5:30 pm Supper; Orientation 6:00-7:15 pm).  

All returning and new ministry team leaders will receive an invitation to this training from Pastor Todd. Questions? Contact Rev. Todd Davis at 864-882-2603 or [email protected]

• December Birthdays
• Pickle Ball Mondays
• Opt-In for Texting

ELDERBERRIES AT FLAT ROCK, NC

On Thursday, December 15, fifteen Elderberries enjoyed a fabulous matinee showing of the Flat Rock Play House Christmas revue. It was worth the price of admission just to hear soprano Claire Griffin sing. After the show, we dined at Mezzaluna restaurant in Hendersonville. Also excellent!

Art and Diane Hirt, Linda and Rodger Chapman, Susan and Peter Salis.

Kathy and Bob Graves, Tom and Ilene Lund, Edna and Bob Rider.

Ken and Becky Minton couldn't join us for dinner.

Events for 2023 are being planned. Stay tuned!

JOIN OUR TEAM!

We need new members on our Church and Society Ministry Team! If you are interested in living your faith in Jesus through:

~ compassion for those in poverty, 

~ pursuing peace in our church and community, 

~ advocating environmental stewardship and 

~ practicing empathy in civil and human rights; 

then there is a space for you and your faith on the

Saint Mark Church and Society Team!

Please reach out to Bob Stillwell, Church and Society staff liaison, or to the 2023 Church and Society Chairperson,

Pat Herrick, if you have questions or want to serve.