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When we live together in unity (not uniformity or identicalness), we fulfill God's highest purpose for us.

~ Jens Holley

Aldersgate Special Needs Ministry was born at the 2003 Annual Conference. We are all familiar with Epworth Children’s Home, which has served children in SC for over 100 years. Aldersgate is the new kid on the block serving adults with special needs. Currently there are six homes in operation. Each serve either six men or six women in a supervised group living setting. There are hopes of building more homes around the state. Please keep this important ministry in your prayers. August 16th has been designated as the day when Saint Mark will receive a special offering for Aldersgate Special Needs Ministry. Please plan to give a little extra to support this valuable ministry. To learn more about Aldersgate Special Needs Ministry go to aldersgatesnm.org.

XAVIER HAD A DIFFICULT START IN LIFE

Xavier received limited life skills training that affected his attendance in school, as well as his learning environment. After hearing about his situation, his aunt moved Xavier in with her. With medical concerns of her own, she worried about his future.

By working through the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, she found Xavier a home at Aldersgate Special Needs Ministry. “Since being at Aldersgate, Xavier is more independent,” she said. “He has goals and is learning new skills. Knowing he’s in a loving home while getting the attention he needs brings me comfort.”

Xavier is very polite, respectful and expresses himself through gestures and eye contact. He has great relationships with his housemates and staff. Xavier enjoys all activities and loves to be complimented on his attire. When you ask Xavier if he likes living at Aldersgate, his answer is always, “Yes!”

BARBARA SMITH

A funeral service for Barbara Smith will be held at Saint Mark on Thursday, September 3 at 11:00 am in the sanctuary. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:00 am in the atrium.

PASTOR ON VACATION

Pastor Alex will be on vacation through August 17. If you need a pastor during this time, please call the church office.

Rev. Bill Farley will be on call.

• Golden Corner Food Pantry
• Ann Hope UMC Feeding Ministry
• Collins Children's Home

THE EPISCOPAL FUND

Through apportionments, Saint Mark supports the worldwide ministry of the church. Apportionments are the funds that we give for the ministry of the larger United Methodist Church, and they would make up about 8% of our annual budget, if we included them all. Today we focus on The Episcopal Fund.

The Episcopal Fund pays our bishops’ salaries, covers their office and travel expenses, and provides their pension and health-benefit coverage. Bishops are important spiritual and administrative leaders in the church. They help to keep us connected. In whatever they do, bishops accept what the apostle Paul called “a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1). Jesus told Peter to “feed my lambs,” “tend my sheep.” Bishops carry out this ministry on a regional and world wide scale. This fund dates back to 1939 when the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and the Methodist Protestant Church unified. The bishops of The United Methodist Church are providing spiritual leadership to the United Methodist Church on four continents from Alaska to Zimbabwe. For more information about the Episcopal Fund go to Episcopal Fund Resources | ResourceUMC.

“Our-portion-ment” for the Episcopal Fund this year is $4,569. Only half of that has been included in the budget for 2026. Please give faithfully so that Saint Mark can, hopefully, support all these apportionments in full.

Church Finances through the Month of July 2026

Expected Contributions to Date $ 569,923.85 

Received Contributions to Date $ 585,275.08 

Expenses Paid to Date $ 546,136.16

Uplifting Campaign Status through the Month of

July 2026



Amount Pledged through 5/31/28 $ 364,702.00 

Outstanding Amount to Date $ 152,017.81

A detailed Analysis of Revenues & Expenses is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.



Think of your Planned Gift as planting a tree. You may not enjoy its shade, but others will be blessed by it.

CLICK HERE to email Pastor Alex with your prayer concerns.

PECAN SALES FOR MISSIONS: The United Women in Faith are selling extra large Georgia pecan halves. Each one-pound bag is $15. These will also be sold at the Mission Faire in December, but we are having advanced sales to give a head start to holiday baking!

Pre-orders will be taken via email by Ilene Lund (click on the blue link) now until October 20. Pick up will be on Sunday, November 1 and Sunday, November 8 in the atrium after the Celebrate! service and in the narthex before and after traditional service.

We prefer cash or check, but credit cards will also be accepted.

Join the Berries for food and fellowship at G3B Cafe, a new restaurant across from Papa Julio's in downtown Seneca. RSVP to Karen Saurez or Marjorie Bridges.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30

ONE COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE

10:30 AM IN THE SANCTUARY

On Sunday, August 30^th we will celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday during one combined worship service at 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary. This will be a “blended” intergenerational experience focused on strategies for us all to respond to Jesus’ call to become peacemakers. Our youth and our Church and Society Ministry Team have worked together to plan the teaching, dialog and reflections on the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace. Please pray for this hour together to make a real difference in all our faith journeys and relationships. Sunday School classes will meet at 9:30 am.

What is Peace with Justice Sunday?

Peace with Justice Sunday is one of six church-wide Special Sundays designated to support ministries and causes important to the entire United Methodist Church. On this day we come together to support ministries that work for peace and fairness around the world. It’s a day when the church speaks out against violence and inequality and renews its commitment to be peacemakers—just as Jesus taught. CLICK HERE for details from UMC.org.

NEW FALL OFFERING BY FAITH FORMATION COUNCIL

The practice of holy listening has roots in the Bible: Moses and Jesus often asked how the Holy Spirit figures in one's life. This was done in small groups, sharing stories and listening for God's response.

This fall the opportunity to become a part of a Belong Group will begin. Two sessions will be offered in September to introduce the practice of being fully present. You are encouraged to attend one of these sessions in September with a day or evening option:

Wednesday, September 2, @ 1:00 pm

Thursday, September 3, @ 7:00 pm

With prayerful discernment, small groups of 4-8 participants will then form in October. Each group will determine when and how often they meet (in person or ZOOM). You do not have to attend the intro session to sign up for a Belong Group.

Contact Lynn Dobson at lynndobson64@gmail.com or 864-247-1320.

In the Bible, we have four books that tell the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These gospels offer us four different perspectives on the meaning and importance of Jesus and his ministry and miracles. Beginning on Monday, September 14th, and hopefully finishing before Thanksgiving, we will look at these gospels in parallel, looking at how they are similar and different in the way they tell the same basic story.

Come join us on Mondays at 11 am in the Table Talk Classroom for these studies. Contact Pastor Alex with questions.

 DucksRow is a 6-session course designed to support you as you tackle the immense task of organizing the life you’ve spent decades building in order to ease the administrative and emotional burden on loved ones when your time comes. Classes will meet at 10:00 am every other Tuesday, beginning 9/15. 

CLICK HERE for details about the course.

RSVP to Kam Flynn at DucksRow@outlook.com

Join Sandy James and Linny Ledbetter as they lead a

10-week Women’s Bible Study of God of Covenant: A Study of Genesis 12-50, by Jen Wilkin. Classes will begin Thursday, September 17 at 10:00 am.

With school starting, all our youth will be doing all their great extracurricular things! Show your support by signing up and being made aware of school events that our amazing Saint Mark youth are involved in. You can email or text Julie and let her know how you prefer to be contacted each week with that week's events. Please make an effort to greet the youth or their family if you attend an event so they know you were there. It means a lot to them when they see familiar faces supporting them! Thank you in advance for this special care!

CLICK HERE for the Family Ministry newsletter 

to see all that's happening with children and youth!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR

CIRCLE OF GRACE AT MT. ZION

Volunteer Training will be offered Saturday, August 15 from 10:00 am to 12 noon at Mt. Zion UMC in Central. Circle of Grace will be held on the third Wednesday of each month. The cost is $45 per participant and includes lunch. Financial assistance is available via Appalachian Council of Governments.

• August Birthdays
• Pickle Ball Mondays
• Church Directory on Your Mobile Device
• Need a Replacement Name Tag?