I've heard it more than once. "Pastor, do you know the worst part of being homeless? It's not being cold or wet or hungry.

       "The worst part of being homeless is being looked right through."

         So at Triune, we try to look.

         Our latest attempt is Playback Cafe, which opened on November 14. Playback Cafe is a method of improvisational theater in which trained community actors "play back" the stories our homeless parishioners tell.

         So not only are they seen, but they are heard. Their stories are honored, respected.

         I figured the opening night would start with some light anecdotes -- and, indeed, one woman told about burning her first Thanksgiving turkey. 

         But then a young veteran who had served in Afghanistan told about his sleepless nights under mortar fire -- and his sleepless nights now on the streets. 

         Another man told a story about the first day and night he was homeless -- walking to Greenville, running afoul of the Highway Patrol, spending a terrifying night under a bridge. The actors took on all the parts -- the man, law officers, kindly drivers, drug dealers, the menacing bridge itself.

       I had thought it might take six months to get there, to reach that depth of experience.

       But I underestimated the worst part of being homeless. 

       Playback Cafe is not really open to the public. But if you are reading this newsletter, we consider you a partner, and you are invited. The next Cafe is December 26 at 7 PM in our dining hall.

                                                                 * * * * * * * 

         Want to Christmas shop and support global and local ministries all in one swoop? Come to 10,000 Villages on December 16, 1 to 5 PM. The non-profit store at Lewis Plaza is giving 

15 percent of the day's sales to Triune. I will be on hand to sign books 1:30 - 3:30.

* * * * * * *

            My memoir, The Weight of Mercy, was scheduled to come out in May, then August. When it finally came out in October, I realized what a blessing the wait was: Many people have bought additional copies to give as Christmas gifts.

            If you'd like copies for your Christmas giving, you'll find them at Triune and at stores around town (Fiction Addiction, 10,000 Villages, Mr. K's, Barnes & Noble, The Cafe at Williams Hardware, the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville bookstore.) Or go online.  

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Worship and Bible Studies (Average Attendance):

Sun AM .....  220            Sun PM .... 51           Tues PM  ....  120           

Meals and Assistance Programs:

Hot meals ............  1,750                                    Adult clothing recipients ...  321                       

Grocery boxes......... 197 households                  Child  clothing recipients...  112               

Pop-top groceries.... 99 individuals                    Coats .................................   44   

Laundry loads ......... 59                                       Blankets ...............................  71  

Space heaters .........  1                                       Bikes ....................................    5                                                                         

People admitted to drug rehabilitation.........  9              

December 2, 11 AM --  HOPE. The Triune Choir will make its debut at this communion service, and Deb will preach on "Discarded."

6 PM --  The children of Woodruff Road Christian Church will present the musical, "The Church Has Left the Building." 

December 9, 11 AM --  PEACE. The Triune Choir will sing and Deb will preach on "Waiting ... and singing."

6 PM --  Robbie Boman will lead a service on Advent prayer.    

December 16, 11 AM -- JOY. Hymns will include "My Soul in Stillness Waits," "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice," "Mary, Did You Know?" and "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear." 

6 PM --  Rev. Jerry Hill will speak. 

December 23, 11 AM -- LOVE. Soloists Dee Dee Geary,  Denise Smith and Taylor Moore will help us celebrate the coming of Christmas.

4:30 PM -- Our guests from Trinity Church will hold an open service.

6 PM -- Rev. Jerry Hill will speak.

December 24, 5 PM -- A candlelight Christmas Eve service of carols and readings, planned by Elaine Nocks and Kathy Sharp.

December 30, 11 AM -- TBA.

City Prayer - Each Wednesday at noon       

Serving in December:  

Advent UMC                                        Pelham Road Baptist

Buncombe Street UMC                        Prince of Peace Catholic

First Baptist Mauldin                             Trinity Church 

Mauldin UMC                                        Women in Construction

Monetary Gifts: 

In memory of Jerry Cook - Sandra Greer

In memory of Lucille Anne Duckett - Lamar & Brian Lehman

In memory of Mel Arledge - Bill Brown

In memory of Michael Miller - Carolyn Monroe

In memory of Walter Mumbauer, Jr. - Norton & Suzanne Cater, Anne Vickers, and Syble Drake

In memory of Marilyn Taylor - Robbie Boman

In memory of Joe Herrin - Betty Herrin

In memory of Ellison Webster - Suzanne Webster 

In honor of Anne Spence - Elizabeth Spence

In honor of Charles Anderson - Marjorie Powell

In honor of David Gay - Nancy E. Minor

In honor of Deb Richardson-Moore - Diane Smock

In honor of Karen Fisher - Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

Aldersgate UMC

Aldersgate UMC Circle

Anonymous

Bob Ariail

Joyce & Troy Barton

Rachel Bell

Caroline Bethel

Harold and Robbie Boman

Janice Bradshaw

Buncombe Street UMC Music Ministry

Jim & Sandra Cain

William Cheek

Church of the Redeemer

City Church

Judith Coe

Ronald & Joan Collins

Darrell & Sandra Corder

Kathleen & David Cull

Robb Ellis

Sallie Eskew

First Presbyterian Church of Greer

Jean Fontaine

Furman University

Gleaners Sunday School Class - Covenant UMC

GRITS Book Club

Mike & Trish Harrison

Margaret Heatherly

Mary Ann Henderson

Gordon & Sarah Herring

Marcus & Teresa Huffman

Kristy & Bradley Ikenberry

Carolyn Laws Irwin

Lisa C. Johnson

Jason & Amy Johnston

Jim & Andrea League

Lamar Lehman

Han & Jane Lukker

Mechelle Luster

Jane Ella Matthews

Bruce McPherson

Kenneth Moody

Dianne Moreno

Jennifer & John Neff

North American Rescue, LLC

Nyla Beans Gift Shop

William H. Orders

Michael & Dianne Pass

Sally Reid

Nell Rice

David & Rhonda Shephard

Bernard & Cynthia Showman

Alex Smith

Ellen Stevenson

Steve Sulligan

Margaret Utley

Hans Wiegert

Mary Frances Willingham

Jane & Michael Wilson