Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church

The Beacon No. 34 Shining Christ’s light in the community September 25, 2010

The Honor Guard of the Hinds County Sheriff's Department,

Police Department and Fire Department and a nurse

performed a special duty at the funeral of church member and

retired law enforcement officer, Charlie Crisco, on Tuesday,

September 14. Two at a time they stood at attention beside his

casket, changing guard every 15 minutes, and giving a slow,

respectful salute. This is done at all of these special funerals.

Johnny Davis, guard on the right, says they have attended

about 100 in the past three years. The group also followed the

funeral procession to the burial site near Mendenhall and gave

a 21-gun salute. Rev. Rob Gill officiated at the funeral held at

Saint Mark's.

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Growing Deep ---- Reaching Out

A Message from Stewardship

Each of us upon joining Saint Mark's promised to

support the Church with our Prayers, our Presence,

our Gifts, our Service and our Witness. Over the next

eight weeks as we move toward Commitment Sunday,

(November 14th

) I hope that we will reflect on how well we

have fulfilled that promise.

In the 25th

chapter of Matthew, we are all familiar with

the Parable of the Talents. In the Parable, the Master upon

going away to a far off country, entrusts talents to three of

his servants. When the Master returns, he asked to see how

they have managed his money. Two of the servants report

they have doubled the master’s money as they took action

and risk to increase the amount entrusted. The third

servant, afraid to take either a risk or too lazy to take

action, had simply buried the one talent entrusted to him

and returned the same to the master. The Master responds

by scolding the servant who would take no risk or action

and praises the other two. Vs—21 –―Well done good and

faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I

will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of

thy Lord.‖

Over the past few months Rob has challenged us to

Grow Deeper in our faith and to bring that faith to life by

Reaching Out to others. This was illustrated via a very

inspiring account of the dedicated lay missionaries to

Honduras along with stories about how our 2nd

Saturday

local mission outreach is making a real difference in

people’s lives.

Over the past few months I have felt the Holy Spirit’s

presence in our Church. There is an air of excitement that I

believe is God’s way of awakening us to the opportunity

we have as a congregation to further the Kingdom through

the collective talents and resources of Saint Mark's. Just as

the Master entrusted his talents with his servants, all of our

resources have been provided to us by God.

How well have we managed God’s resources? Over

the next eight weeks we will highlight ministries, hear

personal testimonies from several members, discuss future

possibilities, and reflect on a deeper faith.

Please pray for our church and that we as a

congregation may have the faith to take risks and take

action to further the Kingdom. -- Chuck Nicholson,

Stewardship Chairman

The worship

schedule is Rob

preaching at the

8:20 and 10:45

Sanctuary services

and Keith at The

11th Hour

Contemporary

Service - except on

the third Sunday

of the month when

they will switch

places.

Abigail Circle will host

Bethlehem Center Director in October

Theresa King, Executive Director, of Bethlehem Center, will be

the guest speaker at Abigail Circle, Thursday, October 14. The meeting

begins at 9:30 and she will speak at 10:00.

Bethlehem Center, Inc., is a United Methodist National Institution

serving the Jackson, MS metropolitan area. It provides educational,

health, and community programs and services for children and families

within a spiritual environment. Our Church family members interested

in hearing about Bethlehem Center at this meeting are welcomed to

come.

by June Bragg

Sub-District 2 of the East Jackson District of United Methodist

Women met on Saturday, September 18, at Saint Mark’s. Bobbie Roe

of McLaurin Heights UMW serves as president and Jeanne Gray of

Fannin UMW is the secretary-treasurer. Members from Brandon First,

Fannin, Evergreen, Trinity and Saint Mark’s attended. Also present

were Conference officers, Mary Beth Bounds and June Bragg, and

East Jackson District officers, Mary Ellen Stanley and Leslie Bounds.

Brandon First was in charge of the program. Theresa King, director

of Bethlehem Center, gave a very interesting overview of the services

the center provides as well as needs and a wish list of supplies. One

large need is a commercial freezer. If more information is desired about

Bethlehem Center, please see a member of Saint Mark’s UMW. The

center operates on such a limited budget that all gifts are very much

appreciated.. They also need tutors for one-on-one with students and

sponsors for monthly birthday parties.

The next meeting of Sub-District 2 will be in March at Brandon

First UMC. Information about that meeting will be available in late

February. New officers will be elected at that time.

The four circles of UMW at Saint Mark’s served delicious

refreshments both prior to the meeting and at lunch.

Senior Day at the Mississippi State Fair

Wednesday, October 6 Leave at 9:00 a.m. and Return at 2:00 p.m. No cost

Enjoy a day of activities at the Mississippi State Fair.

Entertainment, information on health and hospital issues,

door prizes, and the midway filled with a variety of

favorite foods. Stroll through the fair activities at your

own pace. A day for fun.

DAY AT THE PINES - Thursday, October 7 Leave at 8:15 a.m. and Return at 3:30 p.m.

Camp Wesley Pines is hosting a senior day for adults 50+.

Devotional times, great entertainment, fun, food,

fellowship throughout the day. It's an opportunity for us to

gather with Christian friends throughout Central

Mississippi and learn and grow together as Christians.

Cost is $10 and reservations will be accepted through

September 26.

Branson Trip - November 3-5, 2010 2 spots available

Great three-day excursion of shows, fellowship,

food and fun.

Christmas shows include the

Gatlin Brothers, Debby Boone, Tony Orlando,

The Lennon Sisters and Andy Williams, and

The Spirit of Christmas Show, plus sight-seeing and

shopping time, great accommodations and meals.

Cost is $450 per person. Contact Sandra at

601-992-2131 or sandra@saintmarksum.org

Asher Colt Harris was baptized Sunday,

September 12, by Rev. Rob Gill.

Asher's parents are Jessica and Robbie Harris. Photo by Barbara Jackson

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Time to start planning for the COAT DRIVE With a temperature of 97 degrees,it is hard to believe it is time for the Saint Mark's coat drive.

It will begin October 3 and continue until the 31st. You are asked to donate new or slightly used coats

for residents of Rankin County. In October of 2009, more than 200 coats were donated to the Rankin

County Human Resource Agency with the help of Kelly Livingston. Remember how cold it was

this past winter? Think of how many peole you helped.

If you are not a shopper or do not have the time, shoppers are available. Please take your coats to

the office or to the Women With Faith Classroom in the Wesley Center. The coats will be delivered

during the month.

Please help those who are in need. If you have questions, call the church office, 601-992-2131 or

Sharon Clark at 601-918-2496. 2

Coats of all kinds are

needed

Saint Mark's Circle members: Theresa Shields, June

Bragg, Sandra Bates, Laurie Estep from Fannin UMC,

Dana Grant, Hazel Townsend, Pam Jeffcoat.

Photo by Linda Bane

Preschool is selling Gold Canyon

Candles for their fundraiser

Saint Mark's UMC Preschool is nearing the end

of their fundraiser of selling Gold Canyon

Candles. They offer 15 scents and 3 different

sizes. They are:

Apple Spice, Autumn Walk, Christmas

Presence, Cinnamon Vanilla, Clean Sheets,

Cozy Christmas, Cranberry Orange, Days of

Christmas, Holiday Wreath, Mulled Cider,

Pomegranate, Pumpkin Pie, Sugar Cookie,

Sweet Pea, Vanilla.

The sizes are: 8 oz.- $17

16 oz.- $22

26 oz.- $25 Tax is included in the price.

They are selling these until

Tuesday, September 28, and

orders are being taken in the church office.

District wide youth event

Our youth will join with other youth groups from all over the East

Jackson District for a bowling session at Fannin Lanes on Sunday,

September 26, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Cost is $10.00 for unlimited

bowling. Our youth will meet at Fannin Lanes.

Wednesday night Bible studies are back

There is a study opportunity for everyone each week from 6:00-

6:45 p.m. in the Youth building.

Sunday nights offer a challenge from

God's word plus food and fun

Youth are back on track for Sunday night sessions. They will meet

in two groups until the end of the school year. Middle school

students (grades 6-8) will meet from 5:00-6:00 p.m. and should be

picked up by 6:30 p.m. High School students (grades 9-12) will

meet from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Food for everyone is from 6:00-6:30

p.m. Both times will include a game or two, music and a challenge

from God's word. Friends are always welcomed.

(See Page 7 for photos of youth at tailgating party September 10)

What happened this past week.... See you at the Pole 2010 was September 22.

This was a prayer rally where students met at the school flagpole before

school to lift up their friends, families, teachers, school and nation to God.

It is a student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event.

Warning signs of suicide were discussed

Sunday night, September 19, Frank invited parents and students to come

to the Youth Room to hear Josh Squires from Christian Counseling

Services Network talking about warning signs and prevention of suicide.

This was because of the suicide of a 10th grade student at NWR and we

wanted to do something to prevent another suicide from taking place or

even being attempted.

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Dinner & Movie time

for K5, 1st & 2nd graders

on Sunday, September 26

CARS

Genre: Family; Length: 116 minutes G

Quick plot: A race car living in the fast lane

gets stranded in Radiator Springs-a quiet town

from days gone by-and learns what's truly

valuable in life.

MENU

Checkered flagwiches Lightning Lemonade

Tow Mater's Tractor Tippin' Taters

Race Car Cake

The fun starts at noon in the Parlor and ends at

3:00 p.m. Sign up is in the church office and

tickets can be picked up there.

The Children's Choir sang "Shout to the North" at Sunday services

September 19. They are: Front row: Mallory Taylor, Ben Curry,

Mason Brown, Meghan Murphey, Mattie Ross, Elizabeth Hailey,

Sarah Grace Broocks, Addie Bell, Rooks Russell. Back row:

Savannah Taylor, Addison Russell, Sydney Bell, Emily Chippendale,

Carley Morgan, Bowen Rowzee, Will Broocks, Cason Gill,

Pamela Chippendale.

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Abigail Circle members were taken on a tour of several Stewpot facilities on September 9. All brought snacks for the

After School Care children. From left: June Miracle, Linda Bane, Anne Reed, Lisa Nicholson, Brenda Roberts, Kathy

Godfrey, Carolyn Ponder, Dawn Price, Pam Jeffcoat; Sims House director, Yvette Ford; and Donna Bishop. The Circle

members saw the Food Pantry that our church helps stock, the dining room where the people are served, the library, art

room, clothing closet, Sims House for women and children needing temporary housing, the activity and study center for

teenagers. Yet to be seen are Matt's House, Flower's House, Billy Brumfield House and the After School Care Children.

This photo was taken by our guide and the Executive Administrative Coordinator, Michelle Bingham.

Left: This is only a portion of the shelves

stocked with beans, corn, canned meat, flour,

sugar, and many other kinds of food. About 25

families a day are given a 4-day supply.

Right: Abigail member Dawn Price arranged

the Stewpot tour with Michelle Bingham. Last

week, September 13-17, is the most recent week

that Saint Mark's members helped stock the

Food Pantry shelves. We give donations of

money as well as a generous amount of food.

Even the staff serves one morning to stock the

shelves and so does the Serendipity Sunday

School class and many other groups and

individuals. (Stewpot photos by Linda Bane)

About 150 people are served in this area

every day. There is chapel time at 11:30

every day and worship is available.

Volunteers in the Community Kitchen work as a team to make

the plates for the Meals on Wheels program as well as the plates

for everyone in the dining room. Volunteers serve the plates and

drinks to everyone who has come to Stewpot for the noon meal.

Pictured is Sandra Robinson who plans the meals.

Art work fills the walls. September 20-24 was the Project Homeless Connect Week

with an Art Show featuring photos at the Eudora Welty Library by local homeless

people; a service fair bringing homeless service providers and support services

together in Smith Park to assist the homeless; a concert featuring local homeless and

formerly homeless musicians in Smith Park; a conference on homelessness at Galloway

UMC with the Executive Director Rex Baker of Gateway Rescue Mission speaking. It

was designed to educate, empower, and connect everyone impacted by homelessness in

the Metro area.

Abigail Circle

of UMW

got an up-close

and personal

look at many of

the facilities

available at

Stewpot in

downtown

Jackson.

They toured

on

September 9,

2010.

4

Left: The library is filled with books donated by people in the commuity.

When Sims House was opened in

the mid-1980's, members of Saint

Mark's took bed linens and other

household necessities to

help make the house more of a

home for the homeless women and

children who would stay there.

Other women's shelters are Matt's

House for single women age 18 and

above with no children who can

stay 14-28 days.

Another is Flowe's Emergency

Shelter for Women and Children

for single women age 18 and above

with children.

They may stay 30 days.

Men are cared for at the

Billy Brumfield house.

After School Care takes in 60

6th-12th graders four days a week.

There is a waiting list.

College students often help.

The Worship Room. A group painted the walls making it look much more attractive.

Chapel is available before lunch each day. It is not mandatory but is offered and a minister

(right) is there for each service.

Another facility is Virginia's Playhouse that offers a variety of enriching morning activities for

the elderly and mentally disabled. The participants engage in art therapy, creative writing

classes, bingo games and field trips. They also stock and operate the Clothing Closet.

5

Yvette Ford explained that homeless women and children may

stay in one of the 6 Sims House rooms for 90 days until they can

transition from shelter life back to independent living. They

learn how to budget, balance a checkbook, and groups come in

at night to share poetry, writing and Bible studies.

Right: Photo shows a small portion of the clothes closet where

people may choose nice donated clothing.

Below left: Community Center has computers so students can

do their homework plus there is also an activity center.

Stewpot provides so much for so many and Saint Mark's helps

provide funds, time, food and clothing to help many through

difficult times.

The story of

Robert Muse

appeared in the

Clarion-Ledger

in June. This is

one of his

paintings. He'll

also be in a play

at Jackson State

Nov. 4-7.

The library is filled with books donated by people in the community.

Rev. Don London

Clyde

Annual choir picnic was held at the

Meeks' home on September 12, 2010

Sandra Thomas, Currie Gill, Sara Meeks Rodney Meeks, Myrna Myrick

Becky Hall June Bragg Virginia Wallace

Nancy and Kevin Keeton Donna Strickland, Hazel Townsend

holding the Keeton's baby, John Wesley

Jo-Anna Ray, Carolyn Ponder, Jeannie Melton

Cali May, Teresa Humphrey and

son, Mac May

Clyde and Christa

Payne

Linda Kennedy and

Mart ha Hand

Edith and Henry Laird

Devon Townsend, Ed and Jean Lancaster. Below: view of

the Reservoir from the home of Rodney and Sara Meeks.

Matt Raines

Jason Boyd,

Ben Thomas,

Jessie Hinton

Martha

and

Robbie

Toombs

Rev. Gill praised

the choir for its

talent and service

to the church.

After gathering

everyone

together, he told

them of the plans

for the funeral of

choir member,

Charlie Crisco,

who died early in

the morning of

Sunday,

September 12.

Children had fun in the pool.

6

Tailgate party held with First UMC Brandon

before the NWR-Brandon game September 10

Back row: Allie Achord, Sarah-Kelly McGinnis, Paige

Hollingsworth, Taylor Butts, Jordan Colbert, Andrew

Clements, Abbey Dennis. Front: Jennifer Montgomery and

Cindy Puckett.

Hunter

Bailey

Jacob

Thomas

Jack

Hinton

Sarah-Kelly McGinnis and

Abbey Dennis

Olivia Ladd on the right.

Our youth are

Jordan Smith, Hailey Sinyard, and Olivia Ladd.

Graham Gill,

Charlie Ladd,

Sam McDevitt,

Cason Gill

Paige Hollingsworth and Allie Achord.

Allen LaCour, Jacob Schmitz,

Taylor Boland, Cooper Little

Northwest Rankin won the football game.

Photos by Leslie McGinnis 7

Several

other

students are

pictured

with our

youth.

Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church Dated Material NONPROFIT

400 Grant’s Ferry Road 9/25/010 ORGANIZATION

Brandon, MS U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Phone: 601-992-2131 Parsonage: 601-919-9770 PERMIT 27

Website: www.saintmarksum.org

to see the Beacon in color

CHURCH STAFF

Rob Gill, Senior Pastor……….....................…....x103 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Keith Keeton, Teaching Pastor………….…........x105

Sandra Thomas, Minister of Worship & Music..x104

Frank Porter, Minister to Students....... 601-992-9554

Amie Cain, Children's Ministry Associate…......x109

Delores Seward, Administrative Assistant...…...x101

Martha Toombs, Business Office………….…....x106

Preschool Office…..………………………….......x110

Darlene Baker…………………………….....…Pianist

Jason Boyd……………………………….......Organist

Check the church website or Sunday bulletin for times of events and further information. See the bulletin for all

on the caring list. Worship is each Sunday at 8:20, 10:45 and 11::00 a.m.; Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m.

ANNUAL

CHICKEN BAR-B-QUE Saint Mark’s United Methodist Men

$7.00 per dinner plate donation

Large Breast & Wing, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw

Dinner Roll

Saturday, October 16, 2010

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Tickets are available from a UMM member

Proceeds benefit UMM Missions

RECENTLY HOSPITALIZED Mary Joyce Jones St. Dominic

Mary Jo Antee UMC

Robert Brasfield VA Hospital

Virginia McKie Baptist

Abby Murphey Tonsillectomy

We extend our sympathy to

Nancy Crisco at the death of her husband,

Charlie Crisco, September 12, 2010

to

Debbie Hartung at the death of her sister,

Cindy Tuneberg, September 9, 2010

to

Betty Jones at the death of her father,

Clay Aaron, September 9, 2010

to

Cynthia Smith and Lisa Iannelli at the death of their

sister and aunt, Carol Wright, on September 9, 2010.

THE STEWARDSHIP REPORT

FOR PERIOD ENDING 8/31/10

Total Operating Budget $ 1,147,165.00

Amount Received Year-to-Date $ 758,884.00

Amount Expended Year-to-Date $ 741,383.00

Offering For The Month of August $ 107,770.00

Amount Given for Debt Reduction $ 1,349.00

Total for Debt Reduction since 1/1/02 $ 141,988.00

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We need a few more coffee orders

For those who placed a September order, that order will be placed

October 1. There are order forms in the office and in the narthex.

Remember purchasing coffee through the UMCOR coffee project

benefits both the small farmers in South American countries and

the local mission work of Saint Mark's.

--Thank you for your support.

Attendance in all three services for September 12 - 545

Attendance in all three services for September 19 - 562

Burn Center children need games The Joseph M. Still Burn and Reconstructive Centers, Inc. located

in Brandon, needs games for the pediatric playroom. Children who

are being treated in this facility need something to occupy their

time. The games will help keep their minds off their pain as well as

help them redevelop skills that were damaged by their severe

burns.

Saint Mark's will collect games through October 4 in an

area in the Narthex. The Burn Center thanks Saint Mark's

for its support and generosity in the past.