July Newsletter from Triune Mercy Center

Triune Mercy Center Newsletter

July 2011

From the pastor:

Sometimes we have to muffle our laughter when the phone rings:

"May I speak to Pastor David?"

"... to David Gray?"

"... to David Gates?"

"....to that man who talks funny?"

And my personal favorite: "May I speak to Bill Gates?"

Our rehab counselor -- for the record, David Gay who talks funny because he's from England -- receives more mail and more phone calls than the rest of the staff combined. No wonder. He has placed 498 people into drug treatment during his five and a half years at Triune.

When board member Gail DePriest and I lead worship services in the women's jail, we have credibility not because we know the Lord, but because we know ... David Gay. We come out of there with verbal messages and written notes, with pleas for visits, for Recovery Bibles, for court date company.

Every once in awhile, David will pass a letter to me. Here's one from a woman in a rehab program: Wow! First of all I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the hard work you put into getting me here at Renewal. For the first time in my life, I can actually see past my circumstances, and I have hope that I will one day be a TRUE woman of God.

And another: Mr. Gay, this program is all that and some. I feel God's presence more than I ever have. Again I want to say THANK YOU.

But the ones that get David excited are the ones that express a hunger for God. Here's one from a woman in the Greenville County Detention Center:

I seen a female with a big, thick Bible about being free. I would like any and everything about God I can get! I am thirsting for all information I can get! ... I hate to ask for help from anybody, but I am wanting to learn so much about God! I am ready to be baptized when I get out of here. ... Please forgive me if you can't help me. I completely understand....

He passes those letters along so I don't choke on his bills for Recovery Bibles and mileage each month.

It's a good strategy.

Blessings,

Deb Richardson-Moore

deb@triunemercy.org

June at Triune:

Worship and Bible Studies (Average Attendance):

Sun AM .....155 Sun PM ....39 Tues PM......76

Meals and Assistance Programs:

Hot meals .......1,398 Adult clothing recipients..... 336

Groceries...........271 Child clothing recipients......156

Laundry loads......66

Jobs.........................................................3

People admitted to drug rehabilitation..17

Medical consultations...........................100

Counseling sessions ..............................78

Volunteer hours ...................................712

Back Yard Mission or service days........... Furman University's Summer Connections

First Presbyterian Church of Greer

John Knox Presbyterian Bible school

Furman University's Emerging Leaders

Furman University's Bridges to a Brighter Future

CrossRoads Community Church pastoral staff

CrossRoads Community Church youth

Some exciting worship opportunities at Triune Chapel:

July 3, 11 AM -- Flutist Debra Gibbs, singer Ira Kinard and the Voices of Triune will provide music for this communion and baptism service. Deb will preach on "Eat. Pray. Welcome."

6 PM - Rev. Jerry Hill will speak.

July 10, 11 AM -- Furman student Lauren Anderson will sing, and Deb will preach on "Stand (on water) by me."

6 PM - Rev. Jerry Hill will speak.

July 17, 11 AM -- Emma Faye Pruitt will sing.

6 PM - Rev. Jerry Hill will speak.

July 24, 11 AM -- Our own Otis Snipes and the Voices of Triune will sing.

6 PM -- Our seminary intern Kathy Sharp will speak.

July 31, 11 AM -- Scott and Liz Smith, guests from Buncombe Street UMC, will sing.

6 PM -- Calvary's Call will present an all-music service.

City Prayer -- Each Wednesday at noon

Wish list:

CD player

Throw pillows to recover

Strings of white lights

Unusable guitar for decoration

Square of new linoleum, at least 3 x 4 feet

Stretched canvas

Single mattress and box springs (Call Diane at 233-8020, ext. 12)

Volunteer opportunity:

We are looking for a group of handymen to renovate a bathroom -- retiling, replacing a toilet and sink, and repairing a tub/shower area. If you can help with this, please call Deb at 233-3402.

Recovery Meetings:

Sunday,   2:30 PM -   Narcotics Anonymous

Tuesday, Noon     -   Alcoholics Anonymous

Thursday, Noon     -   Alcoholics Anonymous

               7 PM     -   Narcotics Anonymous

Saturday, 9 AM      -  Alcoholics Anonymous

               10:30AM - Women's Recovery

                7 PM     -   Narcotics Anonymous

Serving in July:

Advent UMC Foothills Friends Fellowship

Aldersgate UMC Fourth Presbyterian

Buncombe Street UMC Grace Covenant Presbyterian

Earle Street Baptist Holland Park Church of Christ

Edwards Road Baptist Pelham Road Baptist

First Baptist of Mauldin Prince of Peach Catholic

Food for Life Ministries St. Matthew UMC

Special thanks to:

F.W. Symmes Foundation for a grant of $35,000 for our new front entrance.

W.W. Burgiss Charities, Inc. for a grant of $10,000 for heat pump ductless units that will allow us to begin using three upstairs rooms.

Community Foundation of Greenville for a grant of $8,100 to revamp our computer system.

Monetary gifts:

In memory of Esther Collins - Alvin Drake

In memory of Billy Dalton, Sr. and Allen Thompson, Jr. - Darrell & Sandra Corder

In memory of Agnes Branch Robinson - Jim Freeman

In memory of Joel Eidson - Resurgent Capital Services

In honor of Scott & Shelley Kester - Resurgent Capital Services

In honor of Dr. Douglas Kennemore's birthday - Ann F. Croxton

In honor of Jay & Lieshe Grady's anniversary - Susan Grady

In honor of Paula J. Wynn's birthday - Bob & Carolyn Wynn

Virginia Able

Aldersgate UMC

Harold and Robbie Boman

Jim and Sandra Cain

J. Collins

Billy Daniels

Patrick and Beverly Duncan

Pam and Doug Evans

Fluor Foundation Matching Funds

Francis Asbury UMC

GE Foundation Matching Gifts

Amber Galea

Louis Garmendia

Gleaners Sunday school class - Covenant UMC

Golden Circle Sunday school class -- Brushy Creek Baptist Church

Lillian Graham

Margaret Heatherly

James and Carolyn Hiers

Holland Park Church

Lorraine Griffin Sunday school class - First Baptist Church of Mauldin

John and Carolyn Lucas

Jane and Johannes Lukker

Mauldin UMC

Wanda and Rex Meade

Kenneth Moody

Betty M. Morin

Northside UMC

Janice Peele

Resurgent Capital Services

St. Giles Presbyterian Church

Simpsonville UMC

Starting Point Sunday school class - St. Giles Presbyterian Church

Today's Antioch Fellowship

Lynn and Linda Tompkins

Trinity Lutheran Church

Trinity UMC

Mark and Beth Vanostenbridge

Donna and David Watt

Hans Wiegert

Plus, thanks to all our faithful worshippers!

And thanks to: Sam Barton, Jeremy Black, Laurie Brown, Pam Bruce, Lavona Center, Charles Douglas, Pat and Beverly Duncan, Donna Eichor, Pam and Doug Evans, Charles and Lucy Foster, Gleaners Sunday school class - Advent UMC, Jim League, Sheely Miller, Nate Newsome, Cheryl Parales, Kevan Revis, Simpsonville UMC, Taylors First Baptist, Carolyn Tomlinson, Douglas Tyner, Nancy Windborn, Michelle and Jamie Yarbrough for donations of clothes, food, and other items.

Quick Links...

Go to Triune Mercy Website to learn more about us -- our ministries, outreach and services!