Seen Around Church – Week of July 16, 2023

Shelter Ministry Fills Over 760 Bottles with Body Wash for Roof Above

The Shelter Ministry met on Thursday, July 13. Fifteen volunteers filled 763 medicine bottles with body wash for our friends at Roof Above. Each day, Roof Above serves more than 1,200 people experiencing homelessness.  Their Day Services Center in Uptown Charlotte offers basic services including showers, laundry, restrooms, device charging, phone, fax and mail every day.

Church member Terry Gaines gave a blessing over the products, workers and benefactors before work got started. Krista Casey was kind enough to deliver the bottles to Roof Above!

The Shelter Ministry meets again on Thursday, August 10 at 9:00 a.m. in Mecklenburg Hall. All are invited to attend!

It’s S’More Fun Together! Moms’ Groups Come Together for Fellowship

The Rain or Shine and Making Space Moms’ Groups came together last Thursday night, July 13,for conversation around the fire pit and S’mores! It was a lovely night with great fellowship and lots of laughs. If you are interested in joining a moms’ group, please contact Director of Spiritual Formation Rebecca Guzman, rebecca@smpchome.org. All are welcome!

SMPC Youth ‘Heroes’ Prep for VBS

Several of our SMPC youth and children volunteered Thursday morning, July 19, to help us set up for Vacation Bible School. This year’s theme is “Hero’s Hotline,” and we can’t thank these teen and kid volunteers enough! They are real heroes in our book!

SMPC Volunteers ‘Drop Everything And Read’ at Freedom School

SMPC volunteers spent the morning at the Freedom School on July 19 during the group’s “Drop Everything and Read” (DEAR) day. We have been blessed as a church community this summer with the opportunity to serve these Freedom School students!

SMPC High Schoolers Reflect on 2023 Montreat Retreat

What JOY! Our SMPC high schoolers spent last week at Montreat Conference Center for the 2023 Montreat Youth Conference, “In Joy” in Montreat, NC. They were kind enough to write short reflections on how the time they spent at Montreat impacted their faith and friendships. These are a must-read! Also, check out all of the great photos from the week.

We pray that after spending a radiant week, our high schoolers are ready to spread God’s joy to everyone they encounter! A big thank you to our parent chaperones and Director of Youth Ministry Lindsey Odom!

Signups Still Open for Summer Organ Sidekick (S.O.S.)

Best news! There are a few slots open to be a Summer Organ Sidekick (S.O.S.) with Director of Music and Organist Zach Bowyer. Children ages rising 2nd grade to rising 6th grade are invited to sit next to Zach at the organ during Sunday worship to experience the organ and what it’s like to lead congregational song.

Faces of Faith: Heather Carpenter

SMPC Note: This summer we’ve launched a weekly series called “Faces of Faith” where we spotlight SMPC members and learn about how their faith and involvement in the church have impacted their lives. This week’s spotlight is on SMPC member Heather Carpenter!

Name: Heather Carpenter

Family: My husband, Rich, and our sons, Tyler, Jackson and Grayson

Years at SMPC: 15 years

What makes SMPC unique?  SMPC truly is a place that glorifies God!  We have been with SMPC through happy as well as trying times and the church leadership and our family of friends there have been with us every step of the way.  I have always felt at home at SMPC since the very beginning.  It is a place where I feel safe, loved, appreciated and energized.  I sometimes feel as if the sermon was written for and directed to me at that moment in time, no matter the struggle or difficulty I may be dealing with at the time.   I am sure it is not just me, as they just have a God-given gift to deliver the message in a way that we can all relate to and appreciate.  The entire staff and congregation is just amazing, and I love that they are my neighbors, colleagues and fellow running friends who I see out and about around the church on a regular basis.  Not everyone can say they see their pastor out logging miles, but I can.  And it makes my day every single time I do.