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THE ST. MARKER

MAY 2013

St. Mark United Methodist Church 413 Geddes Avenue, Charleston, SC 29407 Church Office Phone: 843-766-5239 Email: mysaintmarkchurch@gmail.com

Rev. Jonathan Holston, Resident Bishop Rev. Patty Parrish, District Superintendent Rev. Scarlett Hester, Pastor Mr. Dale Wilson, Director of Education Ms. Michele Russell, Director of Music Mrs. Libby Massalon, Administrative Assistant

SUNDAY Worship services 9:00 & 11:00

Sunday School 10:00 UMYF 6:30

MISSION STATEMENT

St. Mark United Methodist church seeks to live as a witness to the Kingdom of God through worship, teaching and evangelism. Our purpose is to make disciples for Jesus Christ by reaching up to God in worship, prayer and spiritual disciplines, reaching down into the scriptures and the Christian faith in study and obedience and reaching out to each other and our world in service, witness and friendship. We rely on the guidance, gifts and power of the Holy Spirit as we carry out the mission of this congregation. *********************************************

Our sympathy and prayers are expressed to:

Newell Cummings and family on the death of his father, Newt Cummings. Jacki Ratledge and family on the death of her mother, Amanda McKenzie. James family on the death of their cousin, Brenda Kinard.

Congratulations to: Mark and Susie Seel on the birth of their grandson, Miles Zachary Taylor born March 31. Parents are Jennifer and Zach Taylor. Dot Seel is the proud great grandmother.

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS Home: Bill & Virginia Swintz, Tim & Nancy Strickland, Jack & Barbara Shaw, Ronnie and Betty Knight, Harold & Dawn McMillan, Jackie Donoho, Roy Baker, Bill Smith, Kenneth Gough, Dean & Lora James, Rocky & Jackie Brinson, Joan McCambridge, George and Thelma Muckenfuss, Alva Mims, Nelda Gaines, Amy Hobbs, Barbara Blanton, Bob & Maureen Ratcliff, Robert & Mary Jane Scaffe, Leila Shealy, Bernell & Margie Shuler, Ann Smith, Lib Way, Lisa Lockwood, Susan Porter, Ann Willis, Juanita Maranville, Pat & Rex Connor, Rhonda &

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In our thoughts and prayers – cont. Newell Cummings, Ron Buchheit, Randy & Neva Atkinson, Buddy & Deloris Elsey & family, Tommy Meacher, Stacy Power. In Our Prayers – continued Ashley Park – 1451 Tobias Gadsden, C’ston 29407: Betty Beach (Apt. 307), Dot Connor (Apt. 111), Tommy & Margaret Johnson Ashley River Plantation: Shirley Kaiser (P.O. 81133 C’ston 29416) Life Care: Dot Caulder (2600 Elms Plantation Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29406) Military & their families: Master Sgt. Jay Piersol, SFC Mark Elsey, Sgt. Maj Chris Barnard & Susan Barnard, LTJG Edward Dawson, LCDR Spencer Baker, Betsy Donoho Roush

MAY BIRTHDAYS 1 Steward Weiss 4 Madison Wilcox 5 Maddie Peralta 6 Nikki Cummings Slawson 6 Matthew Warren 7 Grace Johnson 7 Elizabeth Johnson 8 Bennett McMillan 8 Luke Shaw 10 April Smith 11 Joyce Davis 12 Dale Wilson 13 Bill Swintz 13 Alexandra Almers 13 Wyatt McMillan 14 David Belding 15 Georgia Odom 17 Dot Caulder 17 Hope Seel 18 Eloise Wooden 19 David Warren 22 Marilyn Shaw 23 Zachary Davidson 24 Tyler Dawson 25 Haley Shaw 25 Mark Seel 26 Peggy Edgerton 27 Lee Johnson

27 Cathy Power 27 Luke Owen 28 Harold McMillan 29 Stacey Shealy 29 Rusty Pierson 29 Elisabeth Wagenbrenner 30 Bill Harris 30 Parker Capps 31 Melody Fiddler 31 Elliott Peralta

MAY ANNIVERSARIES 4 Raymond & Gina Shaw 4 David & Nelda Gaines 13 Daniel & Vanessa Seel 17 Scott & Lisa Richberg

MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH MANY

MORE Note: If you have a birthday or anniversary and we omitted it, please let us know so that we can correct our records.

VOLUNTEERS Children’s Church Children’s Sermon

May 5 Lisa Richberg May12 Jacki Ratledge May 19 Melissa Petersen May 26 Abbie O’Toole

Acolyte/Crucifer Schedule May 5 Abigail Brown/Logan Leprettre May 12 Sophie Weiss/Sadie Weiss May 19 Parker Capps/Ryan Capps May 26 Kaitlin Petersen/Cameron Smith

Nursery Volunteers: May 5 9-11:00 Vicki Davidson 11-12:00 Abbie O’Toole May 12 9-11:00 Jandi Withrow 11- 12:00 Vanessa Seel May 19 9-11:00 Meg Capps 11-12:00 Shawn Barfield May 26 9-11:00 Amy Alexander 11-12:00 Jean Brown

Scripture Readers 9:00 11:00 May 5 Mike Gooch Elizabeth Weesner May 12 Matthew Caulder Timothy Linker May 19 TBA TBA May 26 TBA TBA

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UNITED METHODIST MEN NEWS THANK YOU FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE UMM GARAGE SALE/ BOSTON BUTT SALE/BAR-B-QUE

SALE ON APRIL 20. Also, during the month of May, the UMM

will be asking all church members and their friends, email contacts, co-workers, neighbors and family to consider dining at Ruby Tuesday's (on Savannah Highway) on any of the four (4) Sundays during the month of May. It can be after Church or later in the afternoon. I will forward a certificate stating that each family will have a bar code identifying each family as a contributor for our church. We have four Sundays to get a 20% commission on all of our contacts to identify themselves with St. Mark Church. It would be great for you to eat there every Sunday, there is no limit as to your participation. If we forward $1,000 worth of business to them, we receive $200. If we forward $3,000, we receive $600, etc.

Thank all of you for your help in this promotion by The Methodist Men.

Pete Jarvis

IMAGINE NO MALARIA EVENT Our second annual 25 inning softball game

will be held May 5th at 5:00 at St. Andrews Playground. It will once again benefit "Imagine No Malaria" providing mosquito nets for underprivileged countries. Everyone is welcome to play but must fill out a pledge sheet for donations for every inning played. If not, they will not be allowed to play. Younger kids will get to participate when we take a break about halfway through. We had a great time last year and hope to see everyone there! It should last around 2-2 1/2 hours.

There will be a full concession for the game, so plan on eating supper with us. We will have hamburgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken. Also chips and drinks. So not only come out for softball, but have your evening meal with us. Remember, all proceeds go to Imagine No Malaria.

RELAY FOR LIFE MAY 17-18 -Last day to order t-shirts will be this Sunday, April 28th, prices from $12 - $18, short & long sleeves. -We have luminaries and hearts available to place in honor or memory of someone affected by cancer (luminaries $10 each and $1 hearts). -Please plan to come out the evening of Relay to hang out with your St. Mark family and walk the track. Some of us will be there from 7 pm - 6 am and would love to see you at any point during the night/morning. We have a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex so please pick a time and help us keep the night going. -For those that cannot join us, you can still help our evening to be a success. If individuals or groups would like to donate snacks, we will gladly accept! We usually have water, sodas, snacks of all kinds so that anyone walking can keep up their energy throughout the night. -We thank everyone in advance in helping our St. Mark team be a big contributor in the fight against cancer. - You can also go to the website, www.relayforlife.org to donate directly in our team name. Under Home, type in our zip 29407 and team name St. Mark UMC and you should be able to locate our team for your donation. We ask that all survivors please go to the website as soon as possible to register so that you will be sure to get your free survivor t-shirt. Remember there is a fabulous dinner in your honor the night of Relay with great prizes given away. You then kick off the evening with a walk or ride through a cheer tunnel and then go around the track (they have golf carts available for those survivors that cannot walk the track). This really is a fun evening and a great event supporting a wonderful cause. Please plan to participate in whatever way that you can.

NOTHING COULD BE FINER THAN A CURE IN CAROLINA!

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YOUTH NEWS It is that time of the year again. It's time for us to acknowledge our youth who will be graduating from high school. If you have a youth graduating from high school, please either email Dale Wilson at dalewilson77@aol.com or call the church office as soon as possible. We don't want to leave youth out from this exciting event.

Attention Youth!!! Save the Date The UMC Hunger Event Project will be held on June 11th in Florence SC. All youth are invited to spend the day helping the less fortunate and blessing others. If you can help, the youth will be gathering different food items each week to take to the event. Look in the weekly announcements for additional details and the items being gathered for that week.

Some former members of St. Mark Youth Group!

Oh, the memories!!!

UMW NEWS The Susannah Wesley Circle spent a fun day

as they traveled to Hopsewee Plantation and

Tea Room near McClellanville on April 23rd.

Our new member, Karoline Michaelis, was

among the 14 who went. After a delightful

lunch in the Tea Room we had the opportunity

to tour the original plantation (circa 1740),

the slave quarters and the grounds. It was

quite interesting and we learned a lot of

history about Hopsewee. To learn more about

the Susannah Wesley’s missions and

activities, please visit us at our next meeting

on May 14th at the church in the conference

room at 10:00 a.m.

MEN’S SOFTBALL SCHEDULE

April 29 9:15

May 2 8:15

May 9 9:15

May 10 8:15

May 14 8:15

May 21 8:15

May 23 8:15

May 30 9:15

May 31 7:15

June 4 8:15

NEW IN SAINT MARK LIBRARY A Rustle of Angels, by Marilynn Carlson Webber

& William D. Webber

Topics include:

-Exciting true previously unpublished stories of

contemporary "angel encounters"

- Theological consideration of angel stories in

the Bible

- Angels in post biblical history

- Types of Angels

- Angels in art

Angels Angels Angels

Embraced by the Light...or...Embraced by the

Darkness?? by Phil Phillips

- Discovering the Truth About Angels,

- Near Death Experiences and Other Spiritual

Awakenings

We have one copy of each. Both books will be on

the library desk. Please complete the

information sheet to check a book out. If the

library is locked our church secretary will help you.

A mother understands what a

child does not say.

Happy Mothers Day!

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KINGDOM OF GOD MINISTRY The Kingdom of God Ministry invites you to come and learn more about prayer ministry. We will be hosting 6 opportunities to learn how to deepen your prayer life - each lesson builds on the previous lesson. All are welcome. The sessions will include a 45-60 minute video followed by 30 minute discussion. There is a book to accompany the videos at a cost of $15. These will be ordered by May 15. Please contact Susan Caulder at 819-8727 (sec1023@comcast.net) for any questions or any of the KOG ministers (Nancy Strickland, Amy Alexander or Linda Shealy). Planned Dates: June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23, July 7, July 21 (10:45am - 12:15pm meeting place TBA)

WELCOME TO NEW NURSERY

WORKER AMANDA JAMES

We are pleased to announce that Amanda James joined the St. Mark staff as one of our nursery workers Sunday, April 14th. If you don't already know Amanda, she is the wife of Chris James, and daughter-in-law of Lora James. We are very happy that she is working with us, and look forward to more improvements and updates to the nursery. We ask that you stop by and meet her before or after church service but we also ask that you keep the safety of the children in mind and do not enter the nursery. St. Mark is still searching for a second nursery worker. If you have any leads or suggestions, please feel free to share those with Cynthia Sunde, Scarlett or Lisa Richberg.

FROM THE PASTOR At our Church Council meeting on April 23, I reported:

Since our last meeting, we have completed the season of Lent and celebrated Easter. It was a holy season, and our worship lifted my soul to God!

We have begun our confirmation classes, with 5 young people: Sadie Weiss, Lydia Capps, Ryan Capps, Logan Leprettre and Katie Canfield. We have discussed creation, sin and redemption, and next week will meet at Grace UMC. These are remarkable young people, and it is exciting to hear their questions. Often, we do not have the answers… but we try to help them reason, think, and most of all, trust. Truly none of us knows where God came from, how dinosaurs fit into creation and so forth.

Within all areas of program ministry there are exciting events on the horizon for late spring and summer: recognition of seniors, VBS, talent show, and a water carnival. In a week or so, we will call for summer Sunday School teachers. Later this summer we plan a Sunday school teacher training for teachers of children and youth. All of these need volunteers and leaders, and I pray God will cause the right people to be in the right place at the right time.

Within the more administrative/ brick and mortar areas of the church, we have plenty on our plates as well: a new nursery person, new carpet in the nursery, a playground upgrade,

Financially, we are stable. This does not mean we should withhold our gifts, tithes and offerings, only that God has seen to it we have enough for what we are doing in the moment. During the first quarter, we paid 25% of our apportionments and are on track to pay 100% again this year. I count seeing the generous outpouring of your gifts in response to a need as one of the greatest blessings of my life. At St. Mark I have seen the Holy Spirit open purses as well as hearts.

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Right now, I am excited about the things we are doing that reach beyond our doors into the larger world. The Imagine No Malaria ballgame sponsored by the UMM is May 5. When I think of how many lives are saved by such a simple and fun event, I am humbled.

From www.imaginenomalaria.org : Every 60 seconds, malaria claims a life in Africa. Millions of lives are lost needlessly each year. Entire nations are slipping away. “Imagine No Malaria” is an extraordinary effort of the people of The United Methodist Church by putting our faith into action to end preventable deaths by malaria in Africa. Achieving this goal requires an integrated strategy against the disease. As a life-saving ministry, Imagine No Malaria aims to empower the people of Africa to overcome malaria’s burden. We fight malaria with a comprehensive model. (including mosquito nets and education)

Our youth plan to be a part of the South Carolina Annual Conference’s Hunger Relief Effort during Annual Conference on June 11. The South Carolina United Methodist Conference in coordination with Stop Hunger Now, are hosting the SC Hunger Project event. There are plans to package over 285,000 meals that are scheduled to be delivered to Haiti. The day is divided into 3 shifts and the third shift (2-4:30) has been set aside for youth. After they work, they will have a pizza dinner and then worship with the Annual Conference. Interestingly, delegates to Annual Conference ARE NOT to participate. Our Bishop wants any and all South Carolina United Methodists to serve. See www.umcsc.org for more information.

I am thrilled by our missional endeavors. Susan Brooks’ trip to Haiti has inspired us all, and we look forward to hearing more about it.

Next month, 11 people from St. Mark will make the journey to Kentucky to work at the Red Bird Mission. I am excited and apprehensive all at once. But I know that we are stepping out in faith to do God’s work.

Last week, we read that Tabitha was celebrated as a disciple as she overflowed with

good works and compassion. I see people here are stepping up and trying new things.

Just FYI: every few years all active clergy in the Annual Conference are required to participate in a Sexual Ethics Training Seminar. It is an all day event that makes us aware of dangers, traps and how to avoid those. Since I will be in Kentucky that week, I will attend the make up session on June 1.

On May 19, from 4-6:30 PM, Bishop Holston will host a District Listening Session at North Charleston UMC. Scarlett Hester

THANK YOU With much deep appreciation and humble thankfulness to all of our church family, we thank you for all of your thoughts, calls, visits, cards and gifts of financial support you have shared with our family during this time. Most of all I appreciate the continued prayers for wellness. Susan Porter, Savannah and Miles Thank you for all of the cards, calls, memorials and prayers sent at the passing of my mother. They were each very much appreciated! Jacki Ratledge

EPWORTH IS OUR MINISTRY!

Where do children go when DSS has taken them from their families because of abuse or neglect? What about when a mother is struggling with addiction and is neglecting her children? Last year more than 152 of these children found a home through the ministry we share as United Methodists in SC. Epworth Children's Home has been welcoming children in Christ's name for 117 years through the generous support of churches like ours! We will participate in the annual Mother's Day Offering on Sunday, May 12th, 2013, to benefit the children who call Epworth home. Please be in prayerful consideration of what God is calling you to give to this valuable and life changing ministry. For more information about Epworth Children's Home, you can visit them on the web at www.epworthchildrenshome,org or find them on Facebook.

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SAINT MARK 2013 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

Congratulations also to: Angela Shaw Vaughn, graduating from Lipscomb University (Nashville, Tennessee) with a Masters of Education in Special Education. Angela specialized in Autism and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She is the daughter of Mark and Teresa Shaw and the granddaughter of Jack and Barbara Shaw. Eric Persons, son of Sally Duncan, will graduated from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia with a BS degree in Risk Management and Insurance. Paige Persons, granddaughter of Bob and Sally Duncan, will graduate from Rockwall High School in Rockwall, Texas and will attend the University of Oklahoma.

Sarah Louise Moore will be

graduating from West Ashley

High School. During high school

Sarah was a member of Interact

Club, and played volleyball and

LaCrosse. After a trip to Europe

Sarah will be taking some time

off before she continues her

education.

Sarah is the daughter of Kim

and Annette Moore.

CONGRATULATIONS, SARAH!

GOD BLESS YOU!

Kali Danielle Sunde is graduating

from West Ashley High School.

Kali has received the Teaching

Fellows Scholarship and plans to

attend Charleston Southern

University, majoring in

Elementary Eduxcation and

Studio Art. During high school

she has been involved with

Interact, holding the secretary

position; the Teacher Cadet

Class; the Lacrosse team where

she was the goalie for three

years; and school yearbook. She

volunteers at Learn (a horse and

livestock rescue) and CATR

(Charleston Area Theraputic

Riding.)

Kali is the daughter of Cynthia

Sunde and the niece of Timmy

and Ricky Linker.

CONGRATULATIONS, KALI!

Rebecca Jasmine Todd is

graduating from James Island

Christian School on May 19.

During her entire school career,

Rebecca was consistently on

Principal’s List. She is a member

of Beta Club, and volunteers in

the community picking up trash.

Rebecca will be attending

College of Charleston and plans

to attend The College of

Charleston, majoring in biology.

Rebecca is the daughter of Mike

Todd and the late Yasmin Todd.

Her grandparents are Robert and

Maureen Ratcliff.

CONGRATULATIONS, REBECCA!

GOD BLESS YOU!

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May 2013

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 3 4

Girl Scouts

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 UMM Breakfast

Imagine No Malaria Softball

Confirmation

10:00 Prayer Group

10:00 Louise Massalon Circle

7:30 Shawn Ramsey Circle

9:30 Connie Wieck Circle

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 MOTHERS DAY

Confirmation

10:00 Susannah Wesley Circle

12:00 Good Neighbors

Girl Scouts

Relay for Life

Relay for Life

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 ---------------------DISTRICT MISSION TRIP TO REDBIRD-------------------------------------------- Senior Recog-

nition & lunch 10:00 Prayer Group

Confirmation

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LOOKING AHEAD: Vacation Bible School - June 23 – 28 Salkehatachie Summer Service – July 12-20 Church Family Rafting Trip - July 26 – 28 St. Mark UMC has a new email address! Prayer requests and other shared information (including the St. Marker) will now be sent out using mysaintmarkchurch@gmail.com. Watch for it and check spam filters, etc.!

The St. Marker is published each month and is distributed primarily by email and our website (www.stmarkchurch.info). We mail copies to our shut-ins and provide copies in the Narthex to those who do not have Internet access. Please give us your email address if you have one and are reading a hard copy of this. You may do this by sending your email address to Jacki at jsratledge@comcast.net . Also, if you have any information, pictures or praises to share in our newsletter, please email them to Jacki Ratledge or call her at 843-571-0054.