Back to School

painting by Norman Rockwell

Back to School!
We're going to have a service of Blessing for our children, teachers and schools as we head back to school on Monday.
We'll meet at the Wesley Cottage at 1 p.m. for a picnic. Everybody bring what you want and we care share the joy.

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in her field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nested in its branches. Matthew 13:31-32

We celebrate that from our smallest homework of learning our colors and letters grows the greatest of learning in which we find our adult lives. May it also be so with our hearts, that the smallest acts of compassion and care grow in us all to be nest of God's reign of Love. We pray that school days include both.
See you at Stone Soup,
Rob

The Gift of Blueberries

We're going Blueberry picking and Pancake Eating!
Let's leave the Saluda UMC parking lot at 2:00 (eat lunch already or bring a sandwich for the ride).
Dress for walking among bushes (some will wear shorts and short sleeves and not mind the scratches, others will want long pants etc to avoid scratches...it's up to you) and bring a rain jacket or pancho. Bring baskets and/or jugs for picking (it is always handy if you can tie it to your belt or something for two-handed picking). We won't be back till evening...all is weather dependent!

Here's what we're bringing:
A spirit of reverence and gratitude as we harvest what we did not plant...
Rob will bring pancake batter, butter and syrup.
Let Rob know if you are coming and can bring a camp stove and whatever else you will be bringing.(texting is fine 828-606-3452)
Isaiah 55:1-3


Ho, everyone who thirsts,
   come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
   come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
   without money and without price. 
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
   and your labour for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
   and delight yourselves in rich food. 
Incline your ear, and come to me;
   listen, so that you may live.

We're Saying Goodbye to Lena! 8/14  11a.m. Worship Noon Potluck

For Stone Soup this week, let's meet for church at 11 a.m. and then we'll stay for the potluck lunch at noon to thank Lena for her ministry among us this summer. Bring your favorite potluck dish and invite a friend. Dish or not, friend or not just come and share in the fellowship!
Next week we'll go blueberry picking around the Blue Ridge Parkway if the weather looks more promising. Stay tuned...
Rob

"Many Beautiful Things" Screening

Stone Soup Presents: A Free Screening of Many Beautiful Things

What: This is a new, acclaimed documentary about Lilias Trotter, a British painter and missionary during the Victorian era who was told she could be England's greatest painter but who gave up the dream of fame to travel to Africa. The film is remarkably beautiful and the story gripping and transformative! Watch the trailer here: https://manybeautifulthings.com.  The animators have taken her watercolors and brought them into 3D life. And Michelle Dockery, the voice of Mary in Downton Abbey, is the voice of Lilias in the film. After the film, we will discuss the major themes: vocation, art, creation, and service. 

When: Sunday, August 7th, 7-9pm

Where: The Sanctuary at Saluda UMC, 153 Greenville St., Saluda

Bring: A dessert to share (optional...come regardless) and a friend or two! The film is very accessible to those of all faiths.