Food, Fellowship, Faith, and Fun for All Ages!

Featuring food preparation and service by

THE SWEET ADDICTION catering and

St. Mark’s United Methodist Men.

Next Week’s Menu, 10/15:

Pot Roast with Carrots, Mashed Potatoes, Corn Bread, Salad Bar, and Chess Bars

Reservations Due on Monday Prior!

October 15 Adult Classes and Groups, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

BOOKS OF FAITH: The Gospel of John focusing on the theological discourses, prayers, and conversations of Jesus, God’s eternal Word made flesh. Study books, $10 each. This week’s discussion of Lesson #3 will be led by Rev. LeNoir Culbertson in the Banquet Hall.

KNITTING 101 St. Mark’s Knitters make hats, scarves, prayers shawls, baby blankets, and other items that are shared with our church family and neighbors in need. Join us for a hands-on introduction with Claudia Hunter in Room 405.

LET IT GO! Many of us are past the stage of life where we are purchasing new items for our homes or adding to our collections and beginning the stage where we need to think about letting go of our belongings and “right-sizing” for a smaller home. But how do we let go of those treasures we love?  Join aging expert Becci Bookner, author of Gifts from Grace, as she helps us consider that less is more as we begin the process of letting go. Room 402/404.  

SAVING GRACE: A GUIDE TO FINANCIAL WELL-BEING helps people of faith create healthy relationships with money and bring their financial lives in line with their faith values. Six Sessions, October 1 – November 12. Led by Rev. Mike Waldrop in Room 503/505.  Note: This Class is Full!

COLLEGE STUDY SESH: Enjoy a little peace and quiet among friends every Wednesday, Room 502.

Coming Up at WNT on October 22nd!

CRUISE CONNOISSEURS

Whether you love to cruise or are just curious about cruising, come share your experiences and learn about the best options for your next cruise! Led by Kelly Wiley, Owner/Agent of Castle and Crown Travel Boutique.

SAGES News

The Sages enjoyed a wonderful outing last week to Emma’s Restaurant in Manchester followed by a trip to the Russell-Stover Store. Thanks to all who went.

The next outing of the Sages will be to The Muddy Pond near Clarkrange, Tennessee. This is a Mennonite Community with several stores leather mills, and sorghum-making facilities. Lunch will be taken in one of the general stores. Please make your reservation in the Narthex or the church office. Look for the book!

The next meeting of the Sages Ministry Team is Monday, October 13 at 9:30 AM in Room 503-505.

The Alzheimers/Dementia Support Group will meet Thursday, October 23, in Room 503-505. If you are caring for someone for who has dementia, or if you just want to learn more about the disease, or to be supportive, you’re invited.

Please check out all our Wednesday evening programming. The Study of the Book of John is now on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

And remember, each Monday SAGES deliver the Sunday altar flowers to our homebound and nursing home residents.

Thank you, Sages!

Missions Updates

Red Bird Christmas Kids

ATTENTION ALL SANTA’S ELVES!!!  Mrs. Claus has already started shopping for our Red Bird students for Christmas (due to upcoming shoulder surgery in October).  Thanks to these elves who packed the students’ school supplies/hygiene items in their boxes on 8/27/2025!!

If you or your Sunday School Class are interested in adopting Red Bird kid(s) for Christmas, please contact Karen Alexander at (615)477-4244 and/or send check for $125 per student to the church office (check to St. Mark’s UMC with a designation “Red Bird Christmas”) at your earliest convenience.  We will be needing several elves to wrap in November, so please let Karen know if you want to help!

Preschool Updates

St. Mark's Preschool Welcomes New Interim Director

Lani Chamberlain, who has served as Assistant Director for the past year, has been hired as the Interim Director of St. Mark’s Preschool. In addition to being highly qualified with a bachelor’s degree in child development and family relations and a master’s degree in Elementary Education, Lani brings her many years as a preschool teacher to this position, as well as her experience as a licensing counselor and Early Childhood Quality coach with Child Care Resource and Referral. Lani has grown to love St. Mark’s Preschool and has a creative vision for its future. We look forward to her capable and creative leadership.

Behind the scenes, St. Mark’s Preschool Ministry Board, which includes representatives of our Staff/Parish Relations, Finance, and Trustees teams as well as preschool parents, laity, and church staff, is joining in the development of that vision, exploring how we can better serve our neighbors with the highest quality play-based childcare. Once a new structure is fully outlined, we will begin the process of hiring a permanent director to implement this plan.

Fundraiser alert!

St. Mark's Annual Trike-a-Thon Fundraiser

Now Thru October 22

Support your preschooler with a contribution in their name! Or, if you just want to contribute to the total, you can do that, too. We appreciate your support!

From the Office...

Printed Directories

There are copies in the office ready for pick up for those who reserved a copy of the printed directory. They are free; however, a small donation of $5 from each person would cover the costs involved with printing.

You can still request to join the online directory. Please email directory@stmarkstn.org if you need assistance getting plugged in to the online directory. If there are updates to your contact information, or if you would like to opt in or out of the directory, please send those requests to directory@stmarkstn.org before next year's printing in July 2026.

What's Next?

• In the coming months, we will send more information on how to use the online directory to those who opt in.
• Email any questions or concerns to directory@stmarkstn.org.