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Triune Mercy Center Newsletter
August 2011 |
From the pastor:
As you know, lots of groups come to Triune to do service work. We believe it is an important part of our ministry to bring "the least of these" together with "the rest of these."
But another important part of our ministry is drawing the homeless and the impoverished of Greenville into a welcoming and working worship community. We volunteer together around our church because it's just that - our church.
On Martin Luther King Day, a group of Mauldin High students wanted to provide a service day. So we scheduled them to clear out the dead plants from our flower beds and plant spring tulips. But January 17 arrived, and it was freezing cold. I didn't want a bunch of Mauldin mamas coming after me, so we put the students to work inside in a clothes closet.
In mid-morning, I walked outside and found four of our men in the flower beds. They had raked up all the dead flowers, planted the tulip bulbs and covered the whole thing in mulch. When I tried to thank them, a man named Dennis said, "You don't have to thank us, Pastor. This is our church."
When spring arrived, our staff member Don, our seminary intern Kathy, and our parishioners Dennis and James and I went to Lowe's to pick out our summer flowers. We thought some partner churches were going to come and plant, but we got our schedules mixed up.
So I caught Dennis and James in the kitchen, and said, "You know, I think this is better. I'd rather we plant our own flowers anyway. And by 'we,' of course, I mean 'you.' "
They rolled their eyes at me. I get that a lot.
But later that week, they were out there digging and planting and laughing - staff members, a seminary intern, and four homeless men. I hope you are enjoying the dwarf sunflowers, petunias, roses, marigolds and other flowers they put out.
We have found that ministry occurs that way sometimes, not in a straight, quantifiable line but in a meandering, back-door sort of way.
How do you count the pride of a job well done?
How do you measure a work of art?
How do you quantify a healed spirit?
We don't even try anymore. We just throw open the doors and step out of the way so God can do his healing.
Blessings,
Deb Richardson-Moore |
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July at Triune:
Worship and Bible Studies (Average Attendance):
Sun AM .....138 Sun PM ....61 Tues PM......75
Meals and Assistance Programs:
Hot meals .......1663 Adult clothing recipients....309
Groceries..........307 Child clothing recipients.....79
Jobs.........................................................2
People admitted to drug rehabilitation...6
Medical consultations...........................113
Counseling sessions ..............................37
Volunteer hours ...................................628
Back Yard Mission or tour days........... Covenant Presbyterian Church of Powdersville
Simpsonville UMC Bible school
Fourth Presbyterian Bible school
Aldersgate UMC Bible school
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Some exciting worship opportunities at Triune Chapel:
August 7, 11 AM -- Guitarist and singer Muyeria Kimondo and the Voices of Triune will provide music for this communion service. The Rev. Jeff Hayes will preach on "Believing Into Jesus."
6 PM - Rev. Richard Galloway, Episcopal deacon and Triune volunteer, will speak.
August 14, 11 AM -- Singer and flutist Jill Channer and singer Jerri Gray will provide the music, and Deb will preach on "A dirty word."
6 PM - Rev. Toni Pate, pastor of Trinity Church, will speak.
August 21, 11 AM -- Rousing and bluesy singer/guitarist Jacob Johnson will provide music.
6 PM - Rev. Jerry Hill will speak.
August 28, 11 AM -- Otis Snipes and the Voices of Triune will sing.
6 PM -- Rev. Jerry Hill will speak.
City Prayer -- Each Wednesday at noon
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Wish list:
Financial donations
Gas cards
Unusable guitar for decoration
Stretched canvas
Pop-up tent for shade during parking lot events
Men's pants
Men's and women's underwear
Ankle socks - men and women
Razors
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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
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Brookwood Church Mauldin UMC
Buncombe Street UMC Pelham Road Baptist
First Baptist of Mauldin Prince of Peace Catholic
Food for Life Ministries St. Mary Magdalene Catholic
Foothills Friends Fellowship Trinity Church
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Valley Brook Outreach Baptist
Women in Construction
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Special thanks to:
Ben Ramsey for a bike rack and bicycle locks as his project for Emerging Public Leaders at Furman's Riley Institute.
Monetary gifts:
In memory of Nancy Barger - Sarah & Alvin Drake and
In memory of B. H. Powell - Sandra Wallace
In memory of Ryan Hamer - Bill & Pat Traxler
In memory of W. C. (Bill) Harris - Jim Freeman
In memory of K. E. Moody - Bill E. Brown
In memory of Frank Conrad - Margaret Groome, Cecile, Michon, and Debby Hagins
In honor of Paula Wynn's Birthday - Barry Wynn
In honor of Mrs. Thomas Able, Jr. - Mary Frances Willingham
In honor of Betty and the late Rev. T. Edward Giles anniversary - Scott & Lisanne Cisson
Advent UMC
Aldersgate UMC
Joyce & Troy Barton
Thomas Bruce
Jim and Sandra Cain
Darrell & Sandra Corder
Covenant UMC
David & Sandra Crowe
Billy Daniels
Farroll Daniels
Earle Street Baptist Church
Carla Felton
Gleaners Sunday School Class - Covenant UMC
Margaret Heatherly
James & Carolyn Hiers
Holland Park Church
Joint Underwriting Associates
Pamela & Eugene Kenny
Martha Kimmel
Nancy Ledford
Marsh, USA
Laura H. McCotter
Mercer
James H. Price, III
St. Giles Presbyterian Church
Seeker's Sunday School Class - Buncombe Street UMC
Simpsonville UMC
Michael & Cheryl Watson
Wave of Grace - Advent UMC
Hans Wiegert
Plus, thanks to all our faithful worshippers!
And thanks to: Anita Burton, Kathleen Cull, Elizabeth Dees, J.E. Earle, Cicsley Galloway, Donna Groves, Priscilla Hagins, Robin Huff, Bob Lloyd, Jane Lukker, Mary Beth McFadden, Ben Ramsey, Verla Saunders, James & Gwen Seagraves, Seekers SS. Class - Buncombe Street UMC, Dan & Betty Shearer and Jeanette Spoon for donations of clothes, food, and other items.
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