Seen Around Church: Week of December 15, 2024

Shelter Ministry Fills Nearly 1000 Vials with Body Wash!

The Shelter Ministry met on Thursday, December 12 for its monthly pour. The dedicated group of volunteers poured, labeled and packaged 934 vials of body wash for our neighbors at Roof Above, a men’s homeless shelter. They also donated a large number of 2025 calendars as requested by Roof Above. Thank you to everyone who donated body wash and calendars! The next Shelter Ministry work day is Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in Mecklenburg Hall. All are welcome!

SMPC Volunteers Share the Sound of Love with Salvation Army Bell Ringing

Cheers to last Saturday’s SMPC Salvation Army bell ringers!  This weekend is our final weekend of ringing for the season. We are so grateful for the fabulous support we received in this important service project this year! Thank you to Terry Gaines for her love and amazing leadership!

Photo credit: Terry Gaines

Festival of Carols: ’Dreams of the Holy Night’ Brings the Spirit of Advent to Life

🎶✨ On Sunday, December 15, our church gathered for a truly special Festival of Carols: Dreams of the Holy Night. This beautiful program, led by our Music Ministry under the direction of Zach Bowyer, director of music and organist, brought the spirit of Advent to life. The evening was made even more meaningful with poetry crafted by Rebecca Guzman, our director of spiritual formation.

We extend heartfelt thanks to the accompanists, readers, volunteers and everyone who joined us in celebrating this sacred season. Your presence and contributions made this event a joyful reflection of hope, peace and community!

If you would like to read the Rebecca’s poetry from Festival of Carols, please find it here.

Thank you for sharing this holy night with us!! 🎄✨

(Thank you to Tom Schellin and Geena Woodard for a couple of these photos!)

We’ll Miss You, Nancy!

While Director of Hospitality and Connection Nancy Metzler doesn’t officially retire until the end of the year, the SMPC staff celebrated her on Tuesday, December 17! We are all going to miss having Nancy around the office but are so grateful for her many years of service and lasting impact on SMPC. You can read about Nancy’s legacy and retirement in this letter from Janet Morgan, Personnel Committee Chair.

SMPC Staff Celebrates the Holidays with Lunch and Treats

In addition to celebrating Nancy, Tuesday’s staff meeting was super festive and yummy thanks to some kind church members who brought in delicious treats!! The staff also enjoyed a holiday lunch catered by Brown Bag (thank you, Personnel Committee!!) and played some fun holiday games. Oh, and there was more cake to celebrate Nancy (we never pass up an opportunity to eat cake!!).

Leaders from Scouts Troops 119 and 219 Receive Recognitions

The Apache District of the Mecklenburg County Council held its annual awards banquet at SMPC last week.  Dean Elledge of Troop 119 received the 2024 Apache Committee Member of the Year award – congratulations, Dean!

Bryce Bettinger, the scoutmaster for BSA Troop 219 (the girls troop), received the 2024 Scout Leader of the Year award.  Also, fun fact: Troop 219 is now the largest all-girls troop in Mecklenburg County.

BSA Troop 119’s Jim Neal (not pictured) was recognized as the 2024 Commissioner of the Year for the Apache District.  Additionally, Tim Morgan won the Order of the Arrow Catawba Lodge Founders Award at an earlier event. We are proud of and grateful for our Scouts!

Photo Credit: Tim Morgan and Steve Stevenson