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When you think you are between a rock and a hard place, maybe you need a new perspective. ~ Pastor Alex

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

SUMMER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

AT THE FOOD PANTRY

Summer is always a challenging time at the food pantry. Kids are out of school eating three meals a day at home instead of just one or two, so the number of local residents visiting the pantry can spike at this time of year. Plus, many of our volunteers are taking trips or hosting extended family from out of town. On any given day, we might find ourselves missing 5-10 of our regular volunteers. Can you help?

People are needed on weekdays from 8:30 am -12:30 pm

to help sort food and stock the shelves, help clients shop for their food in the "grocery store" part of the pantry, or load cars once the clients are finished shopping. We can also use help on the first Saturday of every month.

If you can help out this summer, whether for one day a week, or one day a month, please visit our website at goldencornerpantry.org and click on "Volunteer" for more information or to sign up as a volunteer. Our clients are all low-income residents of Oconee County, and they are very appreciative of the volunteers who help them feed their families when they can't make ends meet. 

LAY LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Every Christian has a calling. God calls each of us to serve

in one way or another. In the coming months, the Lay

Leadership Committee will be seeking out the people God

has called to serve in various ministries in this church. We

need your help.

You can fill out the insert included in the church bulletin, or you can CLICK HERE to link to the online form. You may also contact Lay Leader Peter Salis or Pastor Alex Stevenson. We appreciate your participation.

ELIJAH'S BAPTISM

(Above) Just a few members of Elijah Daniel Mack's family turned out on Sunday, July 12 to witness his baptism! (Below) Parents Samantha and Casey with Elijah after the ceremony.

Church Finances through the Month of June 2026

Expected Contributions to Date $ 488,506.16 

Received Contributions to Date $ 514,613.34 

Expenses Paid to Date $ 452,214.28

Uplifting Campaign Status through the Month of

June 2026



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

Outstanding Amount to Date $ 158,472.81

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

2ND QUARTER

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS EMAILED

Second Quarter Contribution Statements have been sent via email. If you did not receive an email, please contact Deborah Herrick at dherrick@smumcsc.org.

BLACK COLLEGE 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 Black College Fund.

In 1972, The United Methodist Church established the Black College Fund to reliably offer opportunities to committed students regardless of race, class, gender, or ethnic heritage. The Black College Fund is our share of support for eleven historically black United Methodist colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. This is the largest number of Black colleges and universities funded by any church body in the United States. Claflin University in Orangeburg is one of these institutions. The Black College Innovation Fund builds on this legacy by supporting forward-thinking initiatives that enhance and sustain these institutions.

"Our-portion-ment” for the Black College Fund is $1,279 this year. 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.

Through Planned Giving, you can support ministries you care about long after you’re gone.

CLICK HERE to email Pastor Alex with your prayer concerns.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY has become a part of the Marvin’s Kids tradition of helping to make Christmas brighter for families in our community. 2026 will be the eighth year the Marvin’s Kids team has signed up toy shoppers in the height of summer, giving us a head start on building the inventory of toys required to stock Santa’s Secret Shop in December.

Typically, 140+ children, from infants to age eighteen,

receive the gifts their parents or guardians choose from the

wonderful selection provided by Saint Mark disciples.

Sign-ups will continue through the month of July.

CLICK HERE for details.

Our second Intergenerational Ministry Lunch & Learn is coming up Sunday, July 19. We invite anyone interested in learning more about this endeavor, whether you attended the last one or not. We will be covering new material that focuses on storytelling and connection. Please RSVP

to Julie by Thursday, July 16. 

The Faith Formation Committee and the CDC are seeking donations of school supplies for our CDC children. There will be baskets at both atrium entrances for donations to be placed. We are asking for all donations to be brought in by Friday, July 31st. The donations will be given to the CDC and blessed by Pastor Alex on Sunday, August 2nd at the Faith Formation Service.

CLICK HERE for a list of supplies needed.

Contact Lisa Simmons or Margaret Axson with questions.

Get WACKE at Faith Formation Sunday while we bless backpacks and acknowledge rising K, 3rd and 6th graders! There will be a special performance from our WACKE campers and worship led by the WACKE band. All are especially invited for this special service in the gym! Let’s start the school year with a show of support for all our children and youth!! 

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. Four sessions will be offered in September to introduce the practice of being fully present. You are encouraged to attend all four sessions in September with a day or evening option.

Wednesdays: September 2, 9, 16 & 30 @ 1:00 pm

Thursdays: September 3, 10, 17 & October 1 @ 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.

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.

Family Ministry is seeking volunteers to help with set up and decorating for our upcoming WACKE Camp. We will set up the gym and other stations on Sunday July 26 at 4pm. We need all abilities, and especially a couple of men to help with some tables. Please contact Julie.

CLICK HERE for the Family Ministry newsletter

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

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