Edition 4, Vol. 8
THE MOUNTAIN VIEW MESSENGER
FROM PASTOR LAURA
August, 2026
-Welcome to August 2026 Mountain View Family-
What a wonderful summer we have had thus far. July brought many fun activities and events to our congregation. Through Vacation Bible School, Family Summer Movie Nights, and Fellowship cookouts, the laughter and sounds of sharing Christ’s light with children, youth, and adults were evident on Mountain View’s campus. As we transition into the end of summer, August brings reflection and growth as we think about letting go of summer and moving forward with what God has in store for us next.
In worship, we highlighted some moral compass themes through a few family movies that explore biblical roots and how God is breaking through people's hearts to witness holy living. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit renews and transforms us to witness as bold Christians for His glory.
You are invited to attend the GMC of SC Behold Annual Conference, which will be taking place on August 7-8 at Southern Wesleyan University. This is a great opportunity to learn Biblical teachings, worship together, and fellowship with other believers across the state, as we grow in our love of God. Please reach out to me for more information.
As the new school year is upon us, be on the lookout for our Fall Bible Study to begin in September, and more information will follow. Let us remain steadfast in God’s Word and prayer, as we lean into His direction and trust in the movement of the Holy Spirit, who is working through 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.
“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven”.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Be like “Seeds of Faith” - following the son
AUGUST CALENDAR
2 – Holy Communion, 10:30 AM Service
6 – Handmade with Love, 1:00 PM
7 & 8 – BEHOLD Conference
9 – Admin. Council Meeting, 2:30 PM Fellowship Hall
10 – Mah-jongg, 1:00 PM
11 – Mountain View Methodist Women, 4:00 PM
15 – Mountain View Global Methodist Men, 10:00 AM
16 – Pack Gift Bags after church for NGU Outreach
20 – Handmade with Love, 1:00 PM
23 – Pot Luck after Church, See below *
24 – Mah-jongg, 1:00 PM
27 – Veteran Coffee House, 8:30-11:00 AM
*Pot Luck After Church August 23 right after worship. Meat and drinks will be provided. Bring your favorite sides and desserts.
Pastor Laura’s Office Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
CELEBRATE!!
Coming In September –
Fall Bible Study
Nursing Home Ministry – See Below
NursingHomeMinistry
You!
The nursing home ministry has been launched! On July 16, nine of us headed over to Joe Beam’s to sing with him. He sang along with us and seemed to love having us stop by. Then we traveled to Marietta where we sang for several residents at Riverfalls Nursing Home. The sweet faces and smiles that greeted us as we sang, were such a blessing! We sang some of the old hymns and many of the residents joined in with singing or clapping. Mary and Tammy played a couple of songs (four hands) on the piano that they loved even if the piano had a few keys out of tune!! We visited with each of the sweet men and women, shaking hands or touching shoulders, giving them a few moments of encouragement. I can say without a doubt, the nine of us walked out the door of that building feeling joyful and inspired by God’s amazing love and grace.
“For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing, ten thousand reasons for my heart to find” (song- Ten Thousand Reasons by Matt Redman)
We will be going back to Riverfalls on September 15 and November 17. Watch for details and come join us!!
Cindy Crain, Choir Director
In Memory of
Bonnie
Bever by Rachel Miller
Mike Deal by Harriet Aaron by Mick & Lois Coster by Kent & Cindy Crain by Rachel Miller by Scott & Danielle Morrison
July Gifts
In Honor of
Pastor Laura Geloni by Chuck & Wendy Frisby
John Wilson by Harriet Aaron by Elaine Stewart
A BIG THANK YOU TO Susan Bennett, Lois and Mick Coster, Danielle Morrison, Bill Wilson, Cyndi Stake and others who have helped prepare our 80 SDWAT meals over the past months. I could not do this without help. If others would like to participate or just see what is involved, just give me a call. You will be blessed.
John Wilson
Local Mission Outreach
The CONGREGATION is invited to join our North Greenville University CHURCH FAIR volunteers after Worship on August 16. We will be preparing 400 gift bags to be shared with the NGU Students on Thursday evening August 20. Join us for a few minutes of SERVICE before heading home.
The Methodist Men sponsored Veteran Coffee House continues to meet the 4th Thursday of each month at 8:30 AM for breakfast, fellowship and conversation. Feel free to invite those Veterans you meet.
Sunday Dinner With A Twist (SDWAT) opportunities:
John Wilson’s 80 Meal Mission is reaching 80+ Homeless each month living in conditions we can only imagine. Thank You to all who help John in preparing and plating those meals. The August meal effort will be on the 16th. If you would like to go and just observe the plating of those meals, give John, Bill or Phillip a call. You will be blessed!
SDWAT Cold Water Mission continues each Sunday. A BIG THANK YOU to Carol & Jay DeBree, Ron Koppenheffer, Mike Watkins, Elaine Stewart and Linda Search for signing up to help in August. More angels have signed up for September. Any who would like a brief homeless interface passing out water just let us know
Phillip Deal and Bill Wilson
Susan Bennett
Welcome to Mountain View Global Methodist Church to Susan Bennett, who joined our church March 29th , 2026.
Susan grew up in the Lowcountry, in Moncks Corner, SC. Her Methodist youth group used to come up to Asbury Hills Camp in Cleveland, SC and that's when she fell in love with the mountains and upstate South Carolina. Susan graduated from University of South Carolina with a BS in statistics and started her career as an actuary. She transitioned into a financial advisor, helping people invest and plan for, and through, their retirement.
Susan met her husband in Miami FL, and for the last 20 years they lived in Goochland, VA. After her husband passed in 2022, Susan decided to retire and in 2025, she moved back to SC where all her extended family is, as well as those beautiful mountains from her childhood.
Susan loves hanging out with her 2 rescue dogs and cooking, especially with fresh herbs from the garden. She is just getting her garden started here, and is excited to be starting the Greenville County Master Gardener Volunteer Training program this fall. She also enjoys traveling, as her picture from Hawaii this past February proves.
Susan visited several churches in the Travelers Rest area, but it was not until she entered MVGMC that she felt truly welcomed! She is enjoying the Mountain View hiking club, the MV Women’s Group, playing Mah Jongg and helping cook for SDWAT, as she was very involved in the food ministry at her church in VA. Susan enjoys the small group Bible Studies and is a big believer in the power of prayer. She hopes to find more ways to contribute to MVGMC. Susan is wanting to discover what 'New Thing' that God will 'Spring up’ in her path as she embarks on this new chapter in her life.
Welcome to Mountain View Susan!
What a joy to have had happy, excited children in our midst during Vacation Bible School and the recent Family Movie Evenings!!!
Children are a Blessing and A Gift from the Lord.
Psalm 127:3
CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN
Mountain View's Hiking Club will start trekking again when the weather cools off after Labor Day! Watch here for more news because the steering committee is meeting in a few days to make plans for Fall hikes. Your leaders hope to repeat some of the most popular ones and add an option or two. The hiking club enjoys being out in the beauty of God's creation and the great fellowship that we share. If you'd like to join us, start "training" now by making sure that you...
• Can walk 2-3 miles with few or no stops. You can train on pavement in your neighborhood or even the Swamp Rabbit Trail that is popular locally. Be aware that the hiking club is in the woods where the trail is not paved and often includes roots and/or rocks also known as unlevel ground. We want everyone who comes for the hikes to be able to stay upright and return without bumps or bruises!
• Have a water bottle (or fluid pack) that you can drink from without stopping to take it out of your backpack. As a big group taking up a large portion of the trail, we need to be mindful of allowing others the joy of hiking! If our group is 15-20 people and stop every time someone needs to quench their thirst.... you get the idea!
• Wear shoes with great traction: we strongly encourage hiking boots or shoes for your safety! If you are not ready yet to make that type of investment, a rugged pair of walking shoes with stout tread is great. It's a fact of life that there are times the trails are wet, muddy, slippery or all of the above.
• Consider purchasing a pair of hiking poles! These are a great asset and "insurance" that many hikers (including Mary) have found helpful. You may not feel the need for poles until you catch your toe or take a tumble ... and then you realize how much they have helped! Feel free to reach out to Kerry, Tammy or Mary if you'd like guidance in selecting some poles.
Looking for a hike or two to check out on your own? The Bunched Arrowhead Nature Preserve is near Tigerville Road. Also, the Lake Placid loop at Paris Mountain State Park is a great 1 miler and can be paired with Mountain Creek if you're feeling strong as you complete it. The Blue Wall Preserve (2-3 miles), near Tryon, is beautiful as well but the postage stamp parking lot means that we can't do it as a group. Another helpful hint: if you're over age 65, get an annual State Park pass for half price and enjoy hiking more often to multiply your fun!
Picture from our Chestnut Ridge hike April 2026
Mountain View Methodist Women
I am pretty sure by this time everyone is aware there was no meeting in July, so I looked up what the Global Methodist Church tells us about JULY. July is the ideal month to focus on Fellowship, Spiritual Growth, Prayer, and Service. God wants us to blend all our summer activities with devotion and reflection and I felt that he wanted me to share a Poem that was given to me many years ago by a very dear friend, when I was still questioning about what religious organization I would want to be a part of.
The name of the poem is "When I say I Am A Christian".
When I say I am a Christian; I'm whispering I get lost, that's why I chose this way.
When I say I am a Christian; I don't speak with human pride, I'm confessing that I stumble and need God to be my guide.
When I say I am a Christian; I'm not trying to be strong, I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on.
When I say I am a Christian; I'm not bragging of my success, I'm admitting I have failed and cannot ever pay my debts.
When I say I am a Christian; I don't think I know it all, I submit to my confusion and ask humbly to be taught.
When I say I am a Christian; I'm not claiming to be perfect, my flaws are far too visible, but God believes in me and thinks I'm worth it.
When I say I am a Christian; I still feel the sting of pain, I have my share of heartaches, which is why I seek his name.
When I say I am a Christian; I do not wish to judge, I have NO authority, I only know I'm LOVED.
Looking forward to seeing all of my Sisters in Faith on August 11th 4pm and hoping that some new sisters will be ready to be a part of our ministry.
How about a quick Devotion (instead of a prayer): (Give me time I am still learning all this stuff)! Laughter and Faith go hand in hand. God created us to experience JOY even in life's challenges. DEVOTIONS remind us Faith is not just solemn reflection but also celebrations and gratitude. They teach us to trust GOD with our worries and embrace our imperfections and to always find JOY in FELLOWSHIP
Patti Jolly, President
Mountain View Global Methodist Men
August 2026
It’s hard to believe that it’s August already! We will be returning to our regular monthly meetings this month, but there is a change. The August meeting will be Saturday, August 15 at 10 AM. We’re going to try having meetings on Saturday to see if it helps those who come from a distance. I look forward to seeing all of you there as we plan for the fall activities.
Have you ever weeded a garden? If so, you know that some of the toughest weeds are grasses. They’re hard to pull out, and they keep coming back. I began to think about why grasses are so tough. My front lawn is just wild grass that showed up. I find if you mow it often enough, most of the other weeds disappear and just grass is left. I call it a ‘farm lawn’. Grass is one of God’s great ideas. It feeds various animals. It prevents erosion. It’s perfect for playing golf on. But grass has to be tough to survive. On the Great Plains, native grasses can put roots down as far as fifteen feet! That enables it to survive severe droughts in an area of little rain. Animals like buffalo feed on it, grazing it down to the ground over and over. Yet the grass keeps coming back. How perfect is God’s Creation that He made such a tough and resilient plant! Grass ranges from the tiny creeping bent grass on your favorite putting green up to the towering 150 foot tall Giant Bamboo. Each has its place and its purpose. Remember, a weed is just a plant growing in the wrong place.
Why is Jay rambling on about grass, of all things? If you look around you, you’ll see God’s hand in everything in the natural world. If He put so much effort into creating something as mundane as grass, think about how perfectly made you are. In Psalms 139, 13-14, we read: ‘For you created my innermost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful; I know that full well.’
Praise God for His wonderful Creation! I hope you look at it with new eyes every time you see it. I think I’m going to start calling my yard ‘God’s lawn’. See you soon-
In His Service, Jay DeBree
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
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
