Edition 4, Vol. 4
THE MOUNTAIN VIEW MESSENGER
April, 2026
FROM PASTOR LAURA
Welcome to April 2026 Mountain View Family
As spring is in full bloom, I am reminded of the re-growth and transformation that takes place from winter into spring. The plants that have been in dormancy mode begin to open again and the new growth begins to take shape. Through the sun and warmer weather, a change process invigorates life back into nature.
This Lenten season has been preparing our minds and hearts to focus on Christ’s journey to the cross, and recognize if there is anything separating us from a deeper relationship with Him. As we lean into His voice, the Holy Spirit can refine and mold us to be good stewards for God’s Kingdom. This transformation work reminds me of what takes place with God’s creation between winter and spring. What is no longer useful for the plant’s life cycle, dies off and what awakens is a stronger and healthier creation. Just like us, as we let go of anything that is not helpful for our lives, we go through a renovation, and are transformed for God’s glory. Let us continue to lean into God’s direction.
Our journey deeper into discipleship has been anchored by our study of the Gospel of Matthew, which has been such a joyful season of learning and growing in our faith together. This spiritual momentum is reflected in our growing family; we recently welcomed eight new members, and it’s a blessing to watch these new relationships take root. As we continue to greet new faces and enjoy deepening fellowship, we remain steadfast in God’s Word. We look forward with great anticipation to the spiritual growth He has in store for us this year, trusting in the mighty movement of the Holy Spirit among us.
We invite you to come and join us for worship and ministry gatherings at Mountain View Global Methodist Church, where our mission is to make disciples who fuel faith, build foundations, and embody Jesus Christ in the world.
“And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
APRIL CALENDAR
4 – Easter Egg Hunt, 1:00 pm
5 – EASTER & HOLY COMMUNION, He is Risen!!!
8 – Bible Study, 5:00 pm, see p. 8
11 – Hiking Club, 8:30 am, see p. 4
12 – MVGMM, 8:00 am
13 – Mah Jongg, 1:00 pm
14 – Mountain View Methodist Women, 4:00 pm 16 – Handmade with Love, 1:00 pm
19 – SDWAT Meal
23 – Veteran Coffee House, 8:30-10:00 am 27 – Mah Jongg, 1:00 pm
Pastor Laura’s Office Hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 5 – BRING FLOWERS FOR “FLOWERING
MARCH GIFTS
In
Diane Bryant
Paige Dean
Tullio & Laura Geloni
Helen Gonick
Lester & Lynne Gosnell
Grenade Irmo High School
Madison Home Builders
Edmund & Patti Paquet
Dusty & Julie Ross
Phyllis Stewart
Tammy Than
Melody Whitworth
Barbara
Remembering Debbie Wilson by Making a Difference
Our campaign to honor Debbie Wilson’s wish to fund the parking lot paving continues through June 2026. The generosity of the Mountain View family is incredible. This month, funds for our parking lot updates have been given in memory of Debbie and also in honor of Rachael Miller, who served our church trustees faithfully for many years.
Our fundraising efforts have generated $21,205.50, which is just over 28% of the total amount needed! To recap, repaving the parking lots is estimated to cost $75,000, and we are hoping to raise the necessary funds by the end of June 2026. Please continue to support this cause and label any donations for the parking lot paving as ‘PAVING’ to make sure they go to the right place.
Thank you for your love, support, and generosity in honoring Debbie with us. The Value In our Paving Fund as of 3/29/26 is
FEELING “MISSION FOCUSED”. Keep reading ……
We would love to see new faces to volunteer and experience the following Missions.
Veteran’s Coffee House continues Thursday, April 23rd 8:30-10 AM. Invite veterans you meet to our Coffee, Conversation and Fellowship. The BEST Biscuits and Gravy this side of Boot Camp.
Your Sunday Dinner with A Twist (SDWAT) 3rd Sunday Mission continues on April 19th. John and crew use Saturday 18th for prep. That activity continues on those Sundays about 2:45 PM at 2111 N. Pleasantburg Dr. to package those meals. If you would like to participate in that Mission, give Phillip Deal or Bill Wilson a call.
Our SDWAT Hot Chocolate Mission transitions to COLD Drinks depending upon the weather forecast. We shall see what Mother Nature has for April. This can typically be managed by just two people but for those wanting to serve the homeless face-to-face….. this is a good opportunity. If you would like to help with that Mission, just give Bill Wilson or Phillip Deal a call. You will be blessed.
It may only be APRIL, but August is coming and the North Greenville University CHURCH FAIR planning will begin soon. If you have not participated in our two previous events and rubbing shoulders on a Summer Friday afternoon with 400+ NGU students sounds interesting…. Just give Phillip Deal a call.
Bill Wilson – Phillip Deal, Co-Chairs, Local Missions
Traipsing through the Trees
After several great hikes in local SC State Parks, we will be going to Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve in the “dark corner”. As always, the trail will be family friendly even for the kids. The adventure of being in God’s beautiful creation as you climb over roots and rocks, breathing fresh, mountain air is always a good day! Bring guests/family members with you and with the arrival of Spring, it should be an awesome day. Dress in layers because it will warm up while we journey together! The hike will be an approximate 3.1-mile loop and is comparable in difficulty to our past hikes. Hiking shoes/boots and poles are optional but very helpful. Water is a MUST for everyone hiking!
If you are planning to attend, we need you to sign-up through the church website so that we know how to arrange transportation. If this is your first hike with our club, you’ll receive a survey so that we know your hiking experience and abilities as well as a contact in case of emergency. Doing this will go a long way toward a good day for everyone on the trail! Meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 11th in the back parking lot of the church, we will gather to give instructions and pray before we caravan to Chestnut Ridge. We always try to return by 12:00 noon so that everyone can make plans for the rest of the day after a great start on the trail!
Please note: because parking at Chestnut Ridge is limited, we will definitely need to carpool! If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to see or email Mary Crowson or Tammy Than. Our last date to hike until Fall will be May 2nd – stay tuned for more details.
The Yarborough Family
Welcome to Mountain View Global Methodist Church
Stuart and Jessica Yarborough and their three amazing kids, Hank, Briggs, and Kayleigh, who joined our church on September 14th, 2025. It is so wonderful to hear children’s voices in the church!
Stuart and Jessica, who also go by Stu and Jess, met in Aiken, South Carolina in 2012, when Stu was working there, after graduating from Clemson, and Jess was a senior in college at USC Aiken. Stuart and Jessica are both SC natives, he from Swansea and she from Chapin. They moved to Greenville in 2013 when Jess accepted a job with The Whistle 100 radio station. Stu has been with Bausch & Lomb since 2013. Over the years, Greenville became home as they raised their family.
Stu and Jess have 3 children. Briggs loves school and wants to be a paleontologist. Ask him about bugs and reptiles or anything related to nature. Hank is very logical which helps with his love of all things Lego! He also loves to read. Kayleigh, who likes to be called KK, is a true princess who loves to tell stories, either with words or song, and can’t say no to a dress-up party! Jessica currently stays home with their three children while also running her jewelry business. They love spending time together as a family, whether that’s traveling and exploring new cities or cheering on Clemson at home games with the kids. They are especially looking forward to a road trip to Maine this summer.
Over the past few years, their family has experienced significant loss. They lost Stu’s mom in April 2022, and in the months that followed, Jess lost her dad, one of her grandmothers, and then her mom in January 2024. That season of life brought both grief and perspective for them, and ultimately led to a decision to move for a change in scenery and space to inspire some gardening.
In the fall of 2024, the family moved to Travelers Rest, and contemplated looking for a new church. Because they had been members of Covenant since they moved to the upstate, when Laura announced her move to Mountain View last spring, they felt it would be the perfect time to visit. Stuart and Jessica are thankful for a fresh start and the opportunity to plant roots in a new community and church family and we are happy that they are here.
Welcome to Mountain View Stu, Jess, Briggs, Hank and KK!
WHAT A WONDERFUL SERVICE ON PALM SUNDAY AS WE WELCOMED NEW MEMBERS AND THREE WERE BAPTIZED.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:
DAVE GESCHWINDNER (LETTER OF TRANSFER)
TRAVIS & NATALIE RICHARDS (REAFFIRMATION OF FAITH) & THEIR SON, BENNETT (BAPTISM)
NANCY ELLIOTT (REAFFIRMATION OF FAITH) & HER CHILDREN, EMMA & JJ (PROFESSION OF FAITH & BAPTISM)
SUSAN BENNETT (TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP FROM UMC)
MOUNTAIN VIEW GLOBAL METHODIST MEN
April 2026
Attention all men! On May 23rd, we’re going to do something different. Instead of our regular meeting, we’re going to have a Saturday meet and greet, and you’re all invited. Bring your friends! Bring your neighbors! Bring your neighbor’s friends! We’re going to have a cook-out and lots of activities, such as golf (chipping and putting competitions), corn hole, maybe shoot some hoops, and a Bible trivia contest. Lunch will be provided! We’re trying to make it easier for everyone to participate, and sometimes Sunday at 8 AM is not convenient for everyone. We’ll start around 11 AM, going until 1 o’clock or so. If you have a Mountain View T-shirt, please wear it! We’ll make name tags so we can all get to know each other better. See you there!
You may have noticed that our Little Food Pantry is up and operational. Your Methodist Men put it up, and now we’re looking for donations of non-perishable food items, hygiene supplies, and maybe some inspirational books. The best items are simple-to-prepare foods that are shelf-stable. Pop-top cans are preferable. NO GLASS! Please put your donations on the stage in Fellowship Hall, and we’ll get them stored. We’re also looking for ideas for a name for our little pantry. Little Food Pantry? Blessing Box? Other ideas? It is estimated that there are 70,000 people in Greenville County dealing with food insecurity, and it is estimated that this affects at least 12% of the children. Our little pantry isn’t intended for major, long-term assistance. There are larger pantries for that. Rather, it is intended to help someone out who needs a little something right now. Thanks for your generosity and support!
J Debree, President
Mountain View Methodist Women
SPRING: a season of renewal and hope, SPRING: is God's way of saying "It's time to bloom again." We are like a SPRING GARDEN - each of us a unique bloom, planted by GOD, nourished by his word, and made more beautiful together.
Well ladies our March meeting was rewarding, of course it being held in the month of March everyone is IRISH, so the decorations and food were always going to be presented on the Green Side. Harriet Aaron and Carol Debree did a wonderful job.
The meeting started (with the cow bell of course). Pam Pasek gave a devotion on John 3:16 and we all can relate to that message. We had three new ladies join our group. We are so glad they have joined us and the best part is we still have plenty room for more of you. We spent a small amount of time formalizing our first fundraiser which will be a Cinco de Mayo theme and it will be held on (Wait for it) the 5th of May at 6 pm. Remember that this dinner is for every one of our parishioners and all of their friends and families. We will be putting together a list of who will bring what, decorations and maybe even entertainment We really want this to be an evening to remember.
Lois Coster gave our program. She spoke to us about the importance of the Sabbath and what it means to each of us. This type of program is a perfect example and should awaken in all of us how each one of us has the ability to present a Program to our fellow Sisters in Faith. A simple word like the Sabbath made us ask questions about how important the Sabbath is, and why it is so hard for us to REST. Turns out the Sabbath can be any day and yes sometimes we need a community around us to honor the Sabbath. When Lois ended, she asked us all to reflect on how we personally can honor the Sabbath. Thank YOU, Lois, for sharing something so special that offers us ways to improve our lives and bring us closer to God. Remember ladies our next meeting will be on Tuesday April 14th at 4 pm, and we need you all there to bring this fundraiser to life.
At this point I am sure all of the congregation is aware of the fact that I took a FALL at the end of February and did some damage to my lower back. I am so deeply grateful for the LOVE, PRAYERS, and KINDNESS you have all shown me. Your visits, words of encouragement are a true reflection of GOD's Grace in action. Being part of this Church Family is a blessing beyond measure, and I thank the LORD for each and every one of you. May he return to YOU the same comfort and JOY you have so generously given to me.
With Love and Gratitude, Patti Jolly
GRATEFUL, THANKFUL, BLESSED
FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU; BE NOT DISMAYED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. ISAIAH 41:10
I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE END OF THE AGE. MATTHEW 18:20
Wednesday Night Bible Study: Major Messages from the Minor Prophets
Have you ever skipped over the last twelve books of the Old Testament because they seemed intimidating or irrelevant? It’s time to change that! The twelve books of the Minor Prophets are anything but minor. These powerful books are packed with profound truths about God’s holiness, His relentless love, and His call for justice and righteousness in our lives today.
Come discover how these ancient prophets speak directly to our modern struggles, challenging us to repent, trust in God's sovereignty, and find hope in His promises. Taught by Tammy Than, this twelve-week study will kick off on Wednesday, April 8th at 5:00 PM in the fellowship hall. At the first session, we will look at the calendar and finalize the actual meeting dates. Each week’s session will be stand-alone so even if you will need to miss a few – we’d love to have you sign up! Your Bible is the only book you will need. There is no cost but we ask that you sign up online so we have adequate materials.
• When: Wednesday evenings 5:00 – 6:00 PM beginning April 8th
• Where: Mountain View GMC Fellowship Hall
• Sign-Up: Go to the church website (www.mountainviewgmc.org) and look for the Bible Study Sign-Up button on the home page
Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your Biblical knowledge and deepen your relationship with Christ.
2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 (NIV)
HISTORY …. a record of things not yet known by newcomers but still remembered by the elders.
It is the early 1900s…. MOUNTAIN VIEW is now a Community of Believers with Churches and a School…. and a NAME!
Mountain View as we read in the March Newsletter was in the Highlands Township, Bell’s School House that began on our property had evolved into Mountain View School just across the road and by 1911 a white frame elementary school on one acre was in place, still known by the locals as Bell’s School House.
By 1921, land was added, Mountain View High School was built, three teachers were hired and soon a second building with four classrooms and a gymnasium was added. The community continued to grow and in 1938 a stand-alone 800 seat auditorium was added.
By 1940 we were a comfortable Mountain View Community with a Methodist church, nearby Baptist congregations and a school that now included buildings for Elementary and High School classes, the gymnasium, the auditorium, a bell tower, a home economics building, a shop building and a teacherage (lodging for unmarried teachers). As benefited our rural farming community, a Vocational Agriculture Teacher (Cindy Crain’s father John Pickens) operated the cannery and potato house used for curing sweet potatoes.
For those new to our congregation, let’s complete this Newsletter with OUR SCHOOL’s history.
In 1951 all 82 local school districts within Greenville County were consolidated into the School District of Greenville County and in 1954 Mountain View and Jordan High Schools were closed and their students sent to the new Blue Ridge High School which is now Blue Ridge Middle School.
A new Mountain View Elementary School was built in 1957 on property adjacent to the Old Mountain View School. A fire destroyed some of the old school buildings, the cannery was sold and the potato house was moved to the back of the property. The hill-top old school site with its stone retaining walls and circular drive was over a period of years covered with growth until 1996 when the Mountain View Landmark Foundation built a stone memorial marker on the site of the old school …. Leaving Mountain View Elementary School, we know today.
Jennifer Gibson- Principal, Teachers/Professional Staff: 56, Support Staff: 41 and enrollment of 815. 1 Building, 51 classrooms • 5 acres of developed playground • Cafeteria, 2 Computer Labs • Science Lab • multi-Purpose Gym • Student Maintained Garden Areas • TV Studio • HISTORICAL SCHOOL LOCATION.
Let’s close out April’s History lesson with Mountain View Elementary Schools …. School song. She takes her name from the mountain; Which makes her bold and strong. She takes her name from the mountain; I pledge to her my song. Her strength to me is a challenge to be all I can be. To build my mind and do my best, For all the world to see.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, MOUNTAIN VIEW, MY LOVE TO YOU MOUNTAN VIEW
Til, next month……….. Phillip
Contact Information:
Mountain View Global Methodist Church
6525 Mountain View Rd. Taylors, SC 29687 (864) 895-8532
Check out our new website at Mountainviewgmc.org for news, pictures, and much more!!! Look for our google calendar under “What’s Happening” as well as weekly bulletin, monthly newsletter and photo gallery.
We are also on Facebook – Mountain View Global Methodist Church – Taylors, SC
Sunday School – 9:30 am Worship – 10:30 am
