Seen Around Church: Week of August 17, 2025

SMPC Serves Breakfast at Center of Hope

We served a hot breakfast of fresh eggs, pancakes, bacon, turkey bacon, grits, fruit, and Tang to guests at Center of Hope on Saturday, August 16. This service opportunity is available monthly and is open to all! Yes, it’s an early start to a Saturday morning (volunteers meet at the church at 5:15 a.m.), but oh, what a beautiful impact you can make. If you’ve been feeling the Spirit move you toward service this fall, we highly recommend giving Center of Hope Breakfast a try—you might even be done by your little one’s first soccer game of the weekend! The next opportunity to serve is Saturday, September 20. Sign up to serve or donate here.

Photo credit: Donna Podgorny

We Welcome the Newest Class of Confirmands!

Before worship on Sunday, our 2025-2026 Confirmands enjoyed breakfast with their mentors and parents! After breakfast, we commissioned them in worship. We are SO proud of this class of 17 young people who have chosen to further their journey of faith this year with us. We pray that as they learn, serve and grow together, they will feel God’s presence guiding them and the love of this congregation surrounding them.

Photo credit: Rev. Lindsey Odom

Smile! It’s Sunday!

After a summer of travel and different schedules, we love reuniting on Sundays! All are welcome to join us in Coffee Grounds before and after worship. Meet new people and catch up with old friends!

Families Meet Up for Playground Fun

Our families with small children met up on the SMPC Preschool playground on Sunday after worship! We love seeing these sweet faces having fun and getting to know one another. Be on the lookout for more Preschool Playdates on the Playground!

Photo credit: Kaitlin Gaul

Church Leadership and Staff Enjoy Fruitful Brainstorming Session

We are HOPEFUL and CALLED to COMMUNITY at SMPC! Session, staff, Committee Chairs, the Visioning Team and Missions/Outreach met on Sunday evening in Mecklenburg Hall for a roundtable brainstorming session as we open our hearts and minds to the possibilities that are ahead at SMPC. We are energized, hopeful and inspired by our leadership and look forward to sharing their ideas on ACTION as we move forward to make a big impact in our church and community near and far.

Thank you, Harambee Readers

Last but not least, while we don’t have many photographs from our members serving Freedom School this summer as Harambee Readers, we do want to give them a shoutout! Longtime SMPC friend Doris Boyd, C.N. Jenkins Presbyterian Church, reported that volunteers Mrna Dibble, Ruby Robinson, and her granddaughter Gracen read a book of their choice to students and participated in fun morning games and songs this summer. Thank you to everyone who supports this important ministry!

Smithfield Supply Sorting Commences!

On Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Lindsey Odom and SMPC members Julie and Greg Hobby counted and sorted the school supplies and backpack donations we’ve received so far for Sunday’s All Church Serves (9:00–10:00 a.m. in Mecklenburg Hall). We are still in need of supplies, and donations will be accepted right up until All Church Serves! Find more information about Smithfield’s needs here. Register for the All Church Serves here!