The newsletter for St. Mark's UMC in Murfreesboro, TN
 

"The Messenger" Online Newsletter

November 5, 2025

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From St. Mark's Preschool Ministry Board...


St. Mark's UMC Announces Job Opening:

Preschool Director

  

St. Mark’s Preschool and Parents’ Day Out, a ministry of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, has a long tradition of providing the highest quality, nurturing care available for young children and their families. The Preschool offers licensed two-, three-, and five-day classes for children ages 1–5, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., with morning and afternoon extended care options.


With gratitude for the ongoing leadership already in place during this season of transition through Interim Director Lani Chamberlain, and in accordance with state childcare licensing policies which require that an Interim Director may only serve for 60 days, St. Mark’s is opening a search process to discern the next permanent Preschool Director who will help us build on our strengths. We are also exploring ways to expand our program to better serve our neighborhood and community in the future.


The previous search was conducted in the fall of 2022. Multiple applications were received, and the top three candidates were interviewed, all of which were already employed by the Preschool. Those who served on the search team became St. Mark’s Preschool Ministry Board, including the chairs of St. Mark’s Trustees, Staff Parish, and Finance Teams, two at large lay members of St. Mark’s, two parents of St. Mark’s preschool children, one staff liaison, and one St. Mark’s clergy. That oversight team has met at least quarterly since the beginning of 2023, and members of that Board will conduct this search. We covet the prayers of our congregation throughout this process that we may discern the best candidate to lead our Preschool forward.


Applicants must meet the requirements of the State of Tennessee Licensure Rules for Child Care Agencies. A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field (early childhood education, child development, education, liberal arts, business administration, human ecology, and/or consumer sciences) is preferred. Experience in childcare administration and familiarity with appropriate management software is also preferred.


Application materials and the job description for this position are available at https://www.stmarkstn.org/jobs. Completed applications, resumes, and cover letters should be submitted to jobs@stmarkstn.org by Friday, November 14, 2025.

November 2nd, 2025: WNT Service Projects

This month's communion rail offering supports our Wednesday Night Together Service Projects. In November and December of each year, St. Mark's provides members and friends with opportunities to come together for worship and service. Our mission projects benefit individuals and families in our community.

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, 11/12:

Loaded Baked Potato with Chili, BBQ, and All the Fixins', Salad Bar, and Lemon Bars.

Reservations Due on Monday Prior!

Tonight's Menu is Baked Ham with Baked Sweet Potatoes, Corn, Rolls, and Carrot Cake

November 5 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 #6 will be led by Rev. LeNoir Culbertson in the Banquet Hall.

AMERICA'S FOOTPATH: THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL On the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Appalachian Trail Conference, Greg Denton will share the history of this celebrated trail, a practically unbroken 2100 mile linear stretch of wilderness, arguably the most famous footpath in the world. 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!

Wednesday, November 12th: Mission Project: THANKSGIVING in a Box

Wednesday, November 19th: Thanksgiving Dinner and Stone Soup Worship With St. Mark's Preschool Children and Families

Note: Dinner Reservations Due Wednesday, November 12th!

Wednesday, December 3rd: Merry Mission Marketplace

Wednesday, December 10th: Mission Projects: Reeves Rogers, Begin Again Boxes, and Christmas Cards for Inmates

News!

Gratitude for a Thoughtful 2026 Budget Process

The 2026 Budget for St. Mark’s United Methodist Church was officially approved by the Church Administrative Council last Sunday and will move forward to Charge Conference this Sunday. We are grateful for the Council’s time, flexibility, and willingness to meet on short notice to complete this important step.


Special thanks go to Buddy Howell, Business Administrator, for his steady

leadership and detailed work in gathering the information, data, and projections that form the foundation of our budget.


We also appreciate the effort and insight of the many committees and leaders

who contributed to this process: Dale Slagle, Bethany Cardenas, and the

Trustees for their attention to our facilities and upcoming projects; Sarah Butler and the Staff Parish Relations Committee for their care in reviewing clergy and staff compensation; Dave Roesler and the Missions Team for helping us extend Christ’s love beyond our walls; and Carol McCauley and the Sages for their faithful perspective and input.


Our ministry leaders also played a vital role in shaping the budget through their vision and thoughtful planning: HyeLan Pearce (Music), Hannah Underwood (Children & Family), David Cowan (Youth & Recreation), and Rev Martha Touchton (Adult & Missions). Their creative ideas and attention to detail help ensure that every area of ministry is supported to thrive in the coming year.


And finally, a heartfelt thank-you to Becky Waldrop and the Stewardship

Team for their inspiring work throughout the year, reminding us what it means

to live The Generous Life…embracing gratitude, faith, and generosity in all that we do.


Together, this collaborative effort reflects the best of St. Mark’s: thoughtful

stewardship, shared purpose, and a joyful commitment to ministry. Thank you

for sharing your time and talents!


Skip Ruzicka

Finance Team leader
 

Word of Thanks from the Worship Committee

The Worship Committee would like to express appreciation to Karen Colvert and Mary Wallace for their dedicated service to constructing and displaying the Advent and Christmas decorations in the sanctuary over the past 12 years or so, and to Bill Brison for his dedicated service to the Altar Guild as co-chair over the past 4-5 years, as well as his dedicated service to the altar flowers, Thanksgiving, Advent, and Easter preparations. 

Flying Solo Pizza & Game Night

You are invited to join the fun as we create a new space for community at St. Mark's UMC for Young Singles, Ages 21-40.


Upcoming Events:

PIZZA AND GAME NIGHT

Friday, November 14, 6-10pm

Pizza and Soft Drinks Provided

Jack Box Games & BYO Favorite Board Game, Door Prizes! Friends Welcome!

RSVP to Mark at (615) 691-1760

St. Mark's UMC, 1267 N Rutherford Blvd.

Park in the Playground Circle, Enter Door #9 or #10


SUNDAY LUNCH OUT

November 30, 12:00 Noon

at Mi Patria Mexican Restaurant

2896 S. Rutherford Blvd.
Text Mark to RSVP!

Thank you to Our Incredible Volunteers!

To all our amazing volunteers, thank you for the time, love, and support you invested into this year’s Fall Festival. The Children’s and Family Ministry teams and I are so grateful.

Your servant hearts are a gift to this ministry, and we appreciate each one of you.



Thank you for the ways you faithfully serve God and others!


Grace,


Hannah Underwood

Service Opportunities

Just one more pair of volunteers needed!

We are in need of some members to help make and clean up the coffee we all enjoy on Sunday mornings. It would involve being at church around 8:30 a.m. to get it ready and cleaning up after Sunday school. Ideally, we need 4 Sundays covered each month so you would only have to be available 1 time a month. If you have any questions or interest, please call Kathy Edwards at 6154787859.

Charge Conference

Our Annual Charge Conference with District Superintendent Rev. Ryan Bennett is scheduled for this Sunday, November 9 at 2:30 pm in the Banquet Hall. Church Council members are expected to attend, but anyone is invited.

Adult Discipleship Special Event 9:15am Nov. 16

Cultivating a Theology and Life of Generosity, with Rev. Dr. David Comperry, 9:15-10:15 a.m. Sunday November 16 in the Sanctuary. All St. Mark's Adults and Adult Christian Education Classes are invited and encouraged to attend!
More about it!

St. Mark's UMC & Preschool Thanksgiving Dinner & Worship

On Wednesday, November 19th, we'll have a Thanksgiving dinner at 5 p.m. in the Banquet Hall. Turkey with Dressing and Gravy, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans, Cranberry Sauce, Rolls, Pumpkin Pie. $10 per Adult. Children, Youth, & College FREE. Reservations due Wednesday, November 12th.


Following at 6 p.m. will be Stone Soup Worship, featuring music sung by the children of St. Mark's Preschool and St. Mark's Chancel Choir.

College Ministry

All college students and friends are invited to be part of the College group, meeting Sundays, 9:15-10:15 a.m. in Room 502 across from the church office. A light breakfast is served, everyone is welcome, bring a friend!
 

John Wesley on Giving

"Stewardship is at the heart of the Wesleyan revival, and John Wesley considered it an integral component of Christian discipleship. It was a consistent theme of his preaching and personal practice. Giving of financial resources was a necessary spiritual discipline of every member of the Wesleyan classes and societies. For Wesley, no one was exempt from the commandment to love God and neighbor, and giving was an expression of that love."
Read the Full Article

SAGES News

The Sages had a wonderful outing to The Muddy Pond near Clarkrange, Tennessee last Tuesday. Thanks to everyone who went.

 

The Sages took a trip to the Top of the Rock in Jasper, TN this morning, Wednesday, November 5. They took the opportunity on this beautiful day to take a group picture (pictured above).


The next meeting of the Sages Ministry Team is Monday, November 10 at 9:30 AM in Room 503-505.

 

Following the November meeting at 10:45 there will be a meeting of all those who are interested in serving communion to our homebound and those in the nursing homes and other facilities. Please let others who may be interested know about this meeting. 

 

The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group will meet Thursday, November 20 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!

Music Ministry Updates

Missions Updates

Thank you for your incredible generosity toward the children of Reeves Rogers Elementary School, especially those individuals, classes, and groups who donated sweatpants these past weeks. This past Thursday, 200 pairs of sweatpants were delivered to Reeves Rogers. Thanks be to God!

Food Bank Amazon List

As approximately 22,000 residents in Rutherford County experience a pause in SNAP benefits, St. Mark’s Food Bank ministry team is anticipating a significant increase in food insecurity across our community. Being people of faith, our calling is clear: to feed, to welcome, to care, to share. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 25, “For I was hungry, and you gave me food…” — an invitation to love our neighbors in real and tangible ways.


At St. Mark's, we have already been faithfully feeding our neighbors through our Food Bank ministry, through supplemental food bags given to Reeves Rogers children in preparation for school breaks, and thru bulk food deliveries to Red Bird Mission in Beverly, KY. This month, we are also planning to give Thanksgiving food boxes to 40 new homeowners in Habitat for Humanity's new Legacy Pointe subdivision.


To better facilitate this important work and keep our Food Bank well-stocked and able to meet increased need, we have set up a simplified way of donating to our Food Bank that can be widely shared with our community through a Food Bank Grocery Shopping List on Amazon.com. This list contains items regularly included in our food boxes and distributed Monday - Friday during office hours.


To use the list, simply click on the items you would like to purchase and add them to your own Amazon Shopping Cart. Then, when checking out, you can either have the food shipped to you and bring it to church yourself, or have your order shipped directly to St. Mark's UMC by changing the shipping address to "1267 N. Rutherford Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN 37130." 


Or, if you prefer to give cash to help purchase bulk food at a lower cost, you can donate securely through our stmarkstn.org website and mark your donation for “Food Bank.”

God has already been at work among us as we have been providing food to our neighbors. May we continue to join together in fulfilling our call, so that we are ready to respond to our neighbors in need with generosity, hope, and the deep love of Christ. 


Peace,


Martha Touchton
Contribute with the Amazon Shopping List

Preschool Updates

Winter Flower Fundraiser

Get excited for our fundraiser, a Winter Flower sale! Open now through November 21. Thank you for your continued support of our preschool.
See more info and buy a Christmas Cactus or Poinsettia!
St. Mark's Preschool Brochure
 

Flower Dates Available


The flowers on the altar each Sunday are available to be sponsored in honor of in memory of loved ones. To reserve a date, please call the church office or sign up on the Flower Calendar at the receptionist desk in the church office.


Each bouquet (there are two per Sunday) is $30 which can be paid by placing a check in the offering plate with "Flowers" on the memo line or contacting the church office for other arrangements.


The next available Sundays are:

December 14 (one or both bouquets)

December 21 (one bouquet)

December 28 (one bouquet)

January 4 (one or both bouquets)


Several more 2025 dates are available. Call the church office at 615-893-3455 for more information.
 

Upcoming Calendar


Wednesday, November 5

9:00 a.m. Top of the Rock SAGES trip - Van 2018

3:30 p.m. Chair Yoga - RM 1203

5:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Together Dinner - Banquet Hall

6:00 p.m. WNT Classes, Kids Connections, Youth Bible Study, College Study Sesh

6:00 p.m. The Books of Faith: John - Banquet Hall

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - RM 1119


Thursday, November 6

9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study - RM 1203

10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505

6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505


Friday, November 7

Wesley in the Woods @ Cedar Crest Camp - Van 2018

The Sweet Addiction - Kitchen

10:00 a.m. The Books of Faith: John - RM 503/505


Saturday, November 8

Wesley in the Woods @ Cedar Crest Camp - Van 2018

8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

10:00 a.m. Dr. Alvin Singh Visitation - Sanctuary, Banquet Hall

12:00 p.m. Dr. Alvin Singh Celebration of Life - Sanctuary, Banquet Hall

2:00 p.m. Private Birthday Party - Gym/Banquet Room B


Sunday, November 9

Wesley in the Woods @ Cedar Crest Camp - Van 2018

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

9:15 a.m. The Books of Faith: John - RM 504

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Children's Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary

2:30 p.m. Charge Conference - Banquet Hall/Narthex

4:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

4:00 p.m. GriefShare - RM 405

4:00 p.m. Little Lights Packing Food Boxes - RM 407/409

4:00 p.m. SONlight Youth Choir - RM 1119

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - RM 1117

5:00 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center/Banquet Hall


Monday, November 10

9:30 a.m. SAGES Meeting - RM 503/505

9:40 a.m. Preschool Chapel - Sanctuary

10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Hall/Rec Center/Youth Center/Kitchen/Select Classrooms

5:30 p.m. Big Book Group - RM 503/505

6:00 p.m. Sanctuary Ringers - RM 1117


Tuesday, November 11

Office Closed - Veterans Day

9:30 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506

9:40 a.m. Preschool Chapel - Sanctuary

10:00 a.m. Mary Martha Circle - Chapel/RM 502

5:00 p.m. Girl Scout Troop #2408 - RM 212

6:00 p.m. Trustees Meeting - RM 503/505

7:00 p.m. SPRC Meeting - RM 504


Wednesday, November 12

3:30 p.m. Chair Yoga - RM 1203

5:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Together Dinner - Banquet Hall

6:00 p.m. WNT Classes, Kids Connections, Youth Bible Study, College Study Sesh

6:00 p.m. The Books of Faith: John - Banquet Hall

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Choir Room 1119


Thursday, November 13

9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study - RM 1203

10:00 a.m. Quilting Bee - Banquet Room/Kitchen

10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505

5:00 p.m. Delta Kappa Gamma Meeting - RM 402/404

6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505


Friday, November 14

10:00 a.m. The Books of Faith: John - RM 503/505

6:00 p.m. Flying Solo Pizza and Game Night - Banquet Room B


Saturday, November 15

Youth Fall Retreat - Van 2018

8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

2:00 p.m. Mary Leigh 90th Birthday Party - Narthex/Kitchen/Banquet Hall A

6:00 p.m. Private Birthday Party - Playground circle


Sunday, November 16

Youth Fall Retreat - Van 2018

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

9:15 a.m. The Books of Faith: John - RM 504

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Children's Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Brave Women of Faith - Meet at Brunch & Brew Cafe on Northfield

12:00 p.m. Children's Ministry Team Meeting - Library

4:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

4:00 p.m. SONlight Youth Choir - RM 1119

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - Music Room 1117

5:00 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center/Banquet Hall


Monday, November 17

9:40 a.m. Preschool Chapel - Sanctuary

10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room B

5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Hall/Rec Center/Youth Center/Kitchen/Select Classrooms

5:30 p.m. Big Book Group - RM 503/505

6:00 p.m. Sanctuary Ringers - RM 1117


Tuesday, November 18

9:30 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506

9:40 a.m. Preschool Chapel - Sanctuary

10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting - RM 503/505
 
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St. Mark's UMC | 615-893-3455 | www.stmarkstn.org
 

St. Mark's UMC | 1267 N. Rutherford Blvd. | Murfreesboro, TN 37130 US

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