Seen Around Church: Week of November 16, 2025

Center of Hope Guests Enjoy Hot Breakfast and Warm SMPC Smiles

SMPC members served our neighbors at Center of Hope on Saturday, November 14, by cooking and serving a hot breakfast of pancakes, freshly scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, pork bacon, turkey bacon, and grits. We are so thankful for all of those who serve with us early on Saturday mornings each month and all who donate items! The next opportunity to serve or donate breakfast is Saturday, December 20. This is an excellent service opportunity for college kids home for Christmas break! Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and not currently attending high school in the Charlotte area. Sign up here.

Photo credit: Donna Podgorny

Shelter Ministry Fills Over 1,000 Bottles with Body Wash

Last Thursday, November 13, the Shelter Ministry filled 38 boxes with 1,074 prescription vials filled with body wash for our neighbors at Roof Above. Thank you to all who volunteered last week and to all who brought body wash and prescription vials. Also, thanks to the Thompsons for delivering the ministry’s production to Roof Above!

Shelter Ministry meets again on Thursday, December 11, at 9:30 a.m. in Mecklenburg Hall. All are welcome.

Photo credit: Carol Morgan

SMPC Members Support Urban Promise

On Friday, November 14, members of Missions and Outreach supported Urban Promise’s Promise Brunch at Camp North End. M&O Co-Chair Katherine Martin is a founding board member and Urban Promise is one of SMPC’s 2025 Alternative Gift Market partners. The agency’s mission is to is to provide Charlotte’s children and youth with the spiritual, academic, and social development necessary to become Christian leaders determined to restore their communities.

Photo credit: Terry Gaines

Sunday Snapshots: Community in Real Life

We love any kind of Sunday snapshot! These, captured by Terry Gaines this past Sunday, reflect the gratitude we have for our longtime pastor Dr. Matt Brown. If you ever have a Sunday Snapshot, please send it to Director of Communications Cheryl Perry. We love to see our faith community in action!

Missions and Outreach Committee honors Donna Brown for Her Ministry

On Sunday, November 16, the Missions and Outreach Committee presented Donna Brown with the Alternative Gift Market (AGM) gift of $1,000 to Freedom School and a photo book with memories AGM, Chrismons, agency tours, Freedom School visits, VBS, and more. The book had a word cloud of all the words people used to describe Donna, pages of favorite memories, and then all of the letters that people wrote to her. We are so thankful for the legacy of love and service Donna Brown has imprinted on SMPC.

Photo credit: Terry Gaines and Carol Morgan

Feeding Those In Need: SMPC Makes 45 Thanksgiving Meal Kits

Thank you to all our children, youth and adults who served on Sunday night in our All Church Serves! We made 45 Thanksgiving Meal Kits for families in need at Smithfield Elementary. Your help in our community is appreciated now more than ever! Thank you to our service project organizers and everyone who donated food items, as well!

Photo credit: Zach Bowyer and Rev. Lindsey Odom