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.

Menu, 11/6:

Poppy Seed Chicken with Rice, Green Beans, Southern Fried Cabbage, Honey Molasses Brown Bread, Mixed Berry Trifle

November 6 Adult Classes and Groups,

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.:

Romans 8 – 16 Join in this short-term Bible study based on commentary by the late contemporary theologian, Timothy Keller. Led by Josh Brown, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 in Room 402/404.  

Chair Volleyball Ever try to stay in a chair while also trying to get a ball across a net? Well, come try Chair Volleyball! It is not your typical volleyball game. Both young and old love the challenge and have fun doing it! Led by Pam Sites, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 in the gymnasium.

Sewing 101 with Trish For those new to sewing, you can learn:

-        How to thread, operate and repair a sewing machine

-        Basic skills – sewing, mending, buttons, patches

-        How to use a pattern and select fabric, and more

You can bring your own machine or several will be available to use!

Led by Trish Clark, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 & 13, in Room 503/505.

The Grand Sweep Large group discussion on the scripture readings from Week #45 led by Rev. Barry Culbertson.

Rev. Neelley Hicks to Introduce

Triumph Over Trauma

at Wednesday Night Together

Trauma comes in many forms and can have severe, long-lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities. Identifying trauma, learning to deal with it, healing from it, and moving forward can help you and those around you.



Triumph over Trauma is a focused on helping people discuss trauma in group settings and develop coping mechanisms. It pulls from the national trauma recovery program Trauma Addictions Mental Health and Recovery (TAMAR), a 30-week-long curriculum from the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, and includes supplemental material for participants from Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and Native American backgrounds. It’s not meant to replace other forms of mental health care, such as therapy, but is intended to aid it.

Rev. Hicks is passionate about providing equitable, knowledgeable, and compassionate community care models that are available to all persons, and training that helps people understand the connection between trauma and the body. Rev. Hicks’ non-profit, Harper Hill Global, provides training for persons who want to become facilitators so they can learn and share with others. A 4-session group based on Triumph Over Trauma begins online Monday, December 2^nd at noon, lasts through Monday, December 23, and is called "Healing through the Holidays." You can register at https://HarperHill.Global/courses.  

Rev. Hicks, an ordained Deacon in the Tennessee/Western Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church, will be our guest at Wednesday Night Together on November 13^th, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., and will give an overview and invitation to persons who might like to participate in a Triumph Over Trauma group or become a trained facilitator. 

When We Give the Gift of Presence

by Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship and Connectional Ministries at Discipleship Ministries

 When I joined the United Methodist Church, I promised to support the church with my prayers, presence, gifts, and service. In recent years, the church has added the pledge of witness as well. I remember this promise often (especially when I renew my vows), and I think I live up to them -- although I know there is always room for improvement. Most of us can pray more. Most of us could probably give more sacrificially. There are always more places we could serve -- although I'm aware many of you reading this probably feel you spend more time serving in your local church than you do at home! How are we at witnessing? I'm sure almost all of us could find more opportunities to share and live out our faith, to be not only a witness for Christ, but a witness for justice and compassion.

The vow of presence, I thought, was always the easiest. You just must show up, right? OK, no problem -- once a week I can make an appearance: potluck suppers, good people doing good things, worship, fun times and fellowship -- presence is a breeze! I don't have to worry about living up to that promise.

As the years have progressed, I've realized that my promise of supporting the church with my presence is about more than showing up. The main question asked is if you will "faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness." While potluck supper and fun activities fall in that category, there are times when offering presence is more challenging. When someone has lost a loved one (a parent, a spouse, child, or sibling), words seem so inadequate; but we can give the gift of presence. When violence or dishonesty has shattered a family, we can give the gift of presence. When natural disasters have ripped through a community, whether it is a flood 10 miles away, or a tornado 1000 miles away, or a typhoon 5000 miles away; we can give the gift of presence.

Our gift of presence can be through a personal, one-on-one visit. Presence can also be offered to the broader world through the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). When we support the offering during the One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday, we are able to give the gift of presence to people who find themselves in turmoil due to the various storms of life.

By responding in love to those we don't know and may never meet, we experience a different kind generosity – a way for us to make real the love of the Savior we profess as Lord of our lives. Yes, we offer the gift of presence!