Seen Around Church: Week of January 19, 2025

SMPC Rings in BIG Numbers for Salvation Army

The numbers are in and we are SO VERY proud to report that SMPC’s bell-ringing efforts this holiday season raised $1,135.51 for the Salvation Army!! Thank you to all who rang with enthusiasm and love on one of four Saturdays SMPC was stationed in front of Belk at SouthPark Mall!! And a big thank you to Terry Gaines for coordinating our efforts once again this year! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Photo Credit: Various Bell Ringers!

SMPC Tours Nourish Up’s Hunger Hub

On Thursday, January 16, SMPC had the opportunity to tour Nourish Up’s Hunger Hub, a 90,000 square-foot facility that opened in April 2024. The new space includes a warehouse, a volunteer center that’s climate-controlled, administrative space with a call center and a conference center with a teaching kitchen. It has 10 times the amount of cold storage of its previous location, which means it can provide fresh food to more people!

SMPC has a long history of partnering with Nourish Up to help feed the hungry in our community. SMPC’s Missions/Outreach Committee donated $20,000 toward the Hunger Hub in 2023 on behalf of the congregation, and last year alone, we collected nearly 1,800 lbs of canned goods for Nourish Up’s food pantry through our Youth Sunday collection, Mission Possible’s collection and the congregation-wide food drive in October. Additionally, we had many SMPC members and friends work in the warehouse or deliver meals and groceries through Nourish Up (the meal delivery program was formerly called Friendship Trays). There are SO MANY ways to serve through this organization – as an individual, family or group – and we encourage you try something new in 2025! Contact Donna Brown if you’d like more information on how you can get involved.

Photo credit: Terry Gaines

International Dining Group Enjoys Delicious Mexican Food and Fun Fellowship

The International Dining Group met last Thursday, January 16, at Hacienda El Ray in Waxhaw and had a great evening with delicious food and fun fellowship! Everyone is welcome in this group – they typically meet on the third Thursday of every month and explore different restaurants in the South Charlotte area. If you would like to join in, please contact Alice Tyler.

Photo credit: Brett Thompson

Troop 119 Celebrates a New Eagle Scout

Scout Troop 119 celebrated its newest Eagle Scout Gavin M. last week with an Eagle Court of Honor. Gavin is the first Scout in the troop that has been to three of the four High Adventure Bases offered by BSA. He mostly recently joined the group that went to the Northern Tier over the holidays! Congratulations, Gavin!