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Going Deeper 
Triune Mercy Center / March 2014
From the pastor:
  
         My blood nearly froze the first time I heard Rebecca speak. 
         "I was a drug addict for 30 years," she said, "and churches funded my habit." 
         Her impromptu introduction came at the beginning of our Support Circles training last September. After worship a few days later, I pulled her aside and asked her to explain.
        She'd been a prostitute and addict in North Carolina, she said, and she cycled through 17 churches, asking for money. "I was good," she said, tailoring her requests to what each wanted to hear. She had been beaten by her husband, she'd tell one. By her boyfriend, she'd tell another. By her pimp. 
          And they handed over money, never calling to check her story. She'd drive out of their parking lot, in search of her dealer.
           Finally, the churches got together and shared stories. They sent Rebecca to prison for two years for obtaining goods under false pretenses.
          After her release, she remained in addiction for another four years, getting arrested repeatedly on misdemeanor charges.  She went into treatment in 2012 and came to Greenville's Palmetto House in 2013. That transition house required that she come to Triune to volunteer and obtain a food box. 
        "And I fell in love," Rebecca said. "I saw me in everyone I saw."
         Rebecca was one of four women to complete our initial Support Circles training last fall -- out of eight people who started. (That's in line with the national success rate of 42 percent.)
         In January she was assigned a circle of five community volunteers who had been going through simultaneous training.  She got a job, then a better job. She bought a car. When it broke down, she accepted a small loan that came through our Support Circles program. She's repaid two thirds of it, and is working toward the final payments. She is considering a move from Palmetto House to a private apartment.
           The financial advice and training and employment help have been wonderful, she said. But nothing can compare to the encouragement provided by her five new friends.  
             As our first four circles continue on Monday nights -- with volunteers from 12 different churches -- we are ready to launch a second training session on Thursday evenings. The training will run for 12 weeks for Circle leaders, like Rebecca, and for community volunteers. 
          The Circle leaders will then create "My Future Story," which details the direction they want their lives to take.  The community volunteers will assist them in getting there.
          If you want to go deeper with a hurting brother or sister, come to an informational meeting Thursday, March 6, at 6:30 PM in the Triune sanctuary. Attending this meeting does not obligate you.
      For more information, call Triune Associate Pastor Karen Eller at 233-8020, ext. 170, or write karen@triunemercy.org .

       Most assuredly, you'll change the life of someone like Rebecca. But you just might change your life as well.

 

* * * * * * * 

  

        We have some openings to serve a noon lunch on the first Sunday of each month for approximately 150 people. 
       If your Sunday school class or mission circle or business can do this on a regular basis -- or even a few times a year -- please call our volunteer coordinator, Kathy Sharp, at 233-8020, ext. 100. 

                                         

Blessings, 
Deb  
 
February at Triune:     

Worship and Bible Studies (Average Attendance):

Sun AM .....  299                Sun PM ....  38            

 

Meals and Assistance Programs:

Hot meals ................  1,462                          Adult clothing recipients ....... 218  

Grocery boxes............   146 households        Child  clothing recipients........ 70  

Pop-top groceries .....     92 individuals         Laundry loads ......................  105                  

            

            

People placed in rehab .............................................  7

 

Jobs ............................................................................  2 

 

Mental health counseling sessions .............................. 66  

 

Bon Secours St. Francis nursing consultations ............. 51  

 

Bon Secours St. Francis social work consultations ...... 24  

 

Bon Secours St. Francis eye screenings ....................... 12

 

Volunteer hours  ........................................................ 990  

 

  

Worship with us at Triune Chapel: 
 
March 2, 11 AM --  The Voices of Mercy and soloist Denise Smith will sing. Deb will preach on "Little Transfigurations" and we will celebrate communion. 

6 PM -- Owen Robertson, associate pastor at First Baptist Easley, will present dramatic storytelling with masked characters in "The Love of God." 

  

March 5, Noon -- We will have a brief Ash Wednesday service as part of our weekly City Prayer.
 
March 9, 11 AM --  Jen St. Stjarna will perform Kyle Matthews' "We Fall Down," and Voices of Mercy will perform the rousing island gospel song "Shut De Do." Deb will preach on "Fear: The Opposite of Love." 
6 PM -- Robbie Boman will lead a service on "Prayers That Cannot Be Broken." 
 

March 16, 11 AM --  Voices of Mercy will perform "He's Able," and Deb will preach.

6 PM --  Playback Cafe. Join us for this monthly improvisational theater offering that "plays back" stories from our homeless parishioners. 

March 23, 11 AM --  Our associate pastor, Karen Eller, will preach on "Testing God."

6 PM --  Elaine Nocks will speak.   

    
March 30, 11 AM -- Voices of Mercy will perform "Learn Your Lessons Well" from Godspell, and Deb will preach. 
6 PM -- Rev. Jerry Hill will speak.
 
Sunday School -- Each Sunday at 10 AM. Right now: "The Life of Jesus." 
City Prayer - Each Wednesday at noon       

Celebrate Recovery -- Each Wednesday at 6:30 PM   

Wish List:   
Peanut butter
Canned meats
Cereal
Canned goods
1989-edition United Methodist hymnals (used are fine) 
Postage stamps
Bus tickets for Greenlink 
Plastic cutlery
Recovery Bibles (A case may be purchased for $135. Call David Gay at 233-8020, ext. 130.) 

Recovery Meetings:

Monday          Noon          Narcotics Anonymous

Tuesday           Noon         Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous  

Wednesday   Noon         Narcotics Anonymous

                          6:30 PM     Celebrate Recovery

                          8 PM           Alcoholics Anonymous

Thursday         Noon          Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous 

                         7 PM            Narcotics Anonymous

Friday              Noon          Narcotics Anonymous

Saturday       9 AM            Alcoholics Anonymous

                       10:30 AM      Women's Recovery  

                         7 PM            Narcotics Anonymous

Serving in March :   

 

Advent UMC                                 Grace Covenant Presbyterian

Buncombe Street UMC                  Holland Park Church of Christ

Earle Street Baptist                        Pelham Road Baptist

First Baptist Mauldin                       Piedmont Park UMC

First Baptist Taylors                         Prince of Peace Catholic

First Presbyterian Greer                  St. Giles Presbyterian

St. Matthew UMC                          Alicia Pflug and Friends

                      Valley Brook Outreach Baptist

Monetary Donations:   

 

In memory of Haskel (Hack) Moore and Sarepta Partee Wilson -
Alvin & Sarah Drake  
 
In honor of Bill Page - Marilyn Vanvick
In honor of Marilyn Vanvick - Bill Page
In honor of Pan Little's birthday - Margaret Coward
In honor of Lynn and Linda Tompkin's children's program -Praise Cathedral Church of God 

 

Mary Carol Abercrombie

Aldersgate UMC

Joyce & Troy Barton

Susan & James Bates

Russell Baxley

Joyce & Joseph Bearden

Robbie Boman

Deborah Bucci

Jim & Sandra Cain

Bruce & Candy Carlson

Christ Church Episcopal

Susan Collins

Robert & Dawn Coyne

MaryBeth & James Endicott

Susan Fender

First Presbyterian Church of Greer

Gleaners Sunday School Class - Covenant UMC

Bonita Gossett

Angela Grell

Tim & Debbie Gresham

James Griffeth

Mike & Trish Harrison

Margaret Heatherly

Lisa Henderson

Betty Herrin

Brian Hersey

HP Company match

John Knox Presbyterian Church

Katherine Johnson

Constance Lacquement

Basil Manly, IV, MD

Jane Ella Matthews

Martha Matthews

Alvin & Wanda McCall Charities

Mike & Elise McCasland 

Don & Cheryl McMahan

Mr. & Mrs. Bruce McPherson

Medtronic corporate match

Kenneth Moody

Jenny Munro

Northside UMC

Beverley Patrick

Pisgah UMC

Praise Cathedral Church of God

James H. Price, III

Questers SS Class - Aldersgate UMC

Resurgent Capital Services, LP

Clayton Rowley

Don Shabkie 

Bernard & Cynthia Showman

Sigma Alpha Iota - Theta Lambda

Simpsonville UMC

Susan & Russell Stall

Rita Szeto

Barry B. Taylor

Turning Point of SC

Mike Twitchell

June & Cooper White

Hans Wiegert

Jane & Michael Wilson

      

Plus, thanks to all our faithful worshippers!

  

And thanks to:  Susan Bates, Crystal Capps, Susan Gioia, Hal & Joy McFeely, Spencer Rush, and Dr. M. H. Vare  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!


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