Youth pumpkin party
Saturday, October 5
Youth trip to the Fowler Pumpkin Patch: 4:00-6:00 pm
Pumpkin decorating and pizza at St. Mark’s 6:30-8:00 pm
Pumpkins, hayrides, corn mazes, a petting zoo, and more are at Fowler Pumpkin Patch (4932 N Greene County Line Rd Bloomington, IN)! All youth grades 7-12 are invited to meet at Fowler’s and enjoy all that the pumpkin patch has to offer on Saturday, October 5th from 4:00 PM-6:00 pm. After we attend the pumpkin patch, we will car pool back to SMUMC with our pumpkins from 6:30-8:00 for pizza and pumpkin carving/decorating. Friends are welcome, but must have a liability form on file with SMUMC. Please RSVP to Rodney Long (rodneylong@smumc.church), Director of Youth Ministries.
Sundays, October 6 and 13
Vote for your favorite decorated pumpkin! Bring your spare change for our youth fundraiser!
After worship on Sunday, October 6th, and before and after worship on Sunday, October 13th, the decorated pumpkins will be on display in Garton Hall. Stop by and take a peak! We are inviting the congregation to vote on their favorite pumpkin as they are able and willing by placing spare change in the container next to the pumpkin(s) of their choosing. All money collected will be donated to a single charitable cause as determined by the youth of SMUMC.
Backpack Buddies Food Collection
October 6
On the first Sunday of every month at the 10:30am worship service, you are invited to bring food items for the Community Kitchen Backpack Buddies program. Through this program, each Friday, approximately 400 children in need from local elementary schools are sent home with a backpack of food. These backpacks help meet basic weekend food needs of their families. A list of items requested is below. Please place the Backpack Buddies offering on the altar in worship on the first Sunday of every month, or you may leave your items during the week in the collection box in Garton Hall. Backpack Buddies Food List
Individual fruit cups (applesauce, tropical fruit, pears, etc.); dried fruit
Instant oatmeal (individual portions)
Macaroni & Cheese
Small boxes of cereal; Granola/fruit/cereal bars
Easy-to-prepare food items (instant mashed potatoes, dried soups, beans, meal helpers, rice or pasta meals, etc.)
Canned or pouch chicken or tuna
Small bread mixes (cornbread, muffin, biscuit, etc.)
Retirement celebration for Dennis Morgan
Sunday, October 13
Since 1983, Head Custodian Dennis Morgan has been a faithful and reliable presence on the St. Mark’s Staff. Each morning he is a friendly face greeting nursery school children and families. He has supervised our custodial staff and works to keep our building and grounds safe, clean and welcoming. And he has partnered with our trustees on many capital projects of improvement.
Dennis will be retiring from St. Mark’s on October 13. Plan to come to the service that morning during which we will recognize Dennis, and stay for a reception following. We look forward this time of honoring Dennis for his thirty six years of service to St. Mark’s. There will be a basket for cards and notes for Dennis.