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What is the Kingdom of God worth to you? ~ 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.

DELANE MCALISTER

On Sunday, July 19, we welcomed Delane McAlister into our congregation. She has been active with several United Methodist churches over the years, and we are so glad she has chosen to transfer her membership to Saint Mark. Please make her feel welcome!

ROBERT GRAVES BOYLSTON

Congratulations to Sarah Boylston’s son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Katie Boylston, on the birth their new son, Robert Graves Boylston, born on July 5, 2026.

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.

Consider naming Saint Mark as a beneficiary of your retirement account, investment accounts, or insurance policy. It’s a simple, effective way to make a lasting gift to the Church.

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.

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!! 

ALDERSGATE SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 

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.

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.

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR YOUTH RETREAT! Please contact Josh by Sunday, July 26 if your youth would like to attend the Youth Retreat to Look Up Lodge on

August 15-16. It is $40/person ($30 for sibling). We will leave at 9am on Saturday August 15 and return around

4pm on August 16. Contact Josh with any questions.

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.

Children & Youth Volunteer/Support Needs



Our Wednesday Programs start back up on August 5th! Up to 30 children/youth attend this fun filled faith formation experience throughout the school year. Besides our amazing interns, we need additional volunteers to join us in order to make these programs successful. Please reach out to Julie if you are interested in knowing more.

Spark meets on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30. We have lessons, dinner, music and activities. Spark is for all elementary age kids, and we split into lower and upper grades for our lesson and music time.

Ignite meets from 6-8pm on Sunday AND Wednesday. Middle and High School ages engage in games and special projects like drama on Wednesdays at the ReCharge dinners along with the Spark Kids. On Sundays we worship and build relationships with each other in age-related break out groups to study the Bible and learn more about Jesus!

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?