SINGLES
(Young Adults to Senior Adults)
Memphis Conference Single Adult Ministry (MCSAM) invites you to join us at Lakeshore United Methodist Assembly in Eva, Tennessee. We will be hosting a fellowship weekend May 17th-19th entitled
“Return to Mayberry”
The Mayberry Bible Study:
Quote from Stephen Skelton, author of the Mayberry Bible Study:
“To teach a lesson, Jesus often told a parable—an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. By using situations from everyday life, parables make spiritual truth more relevant to the listeners. Incredibly, parables compel sincere seekers to uncover the truth, yet cloak that truth from those that would oppose its teaching. For the parables of Mayberry, each story was designed with a lesson in mind. Indeed, many stories that transcend social, racial and cultural barriers today do so because they contain spiritual truth for which all people have a God-given hunger. Accordingly, these Bible studies can not only provide a time of good fellowship, but also equip the church with ways to reach the world beyond.”
Throughout the weekend, we will be using Volume 1 of the Mayberry Bible Study. This volume features four lessons and discussions based on episodes from the Andy Griffith Show. Each session will be introduced by watching an episode of the show, then we will work in small groups to answer questions from a study book, and finally we will come back together for large group discussion. Our four lessons will focus on the topics of “Service”, “Peace”, “Commitment”, and “Mercy”.
From 1960-1968, Andy Griffith portrayed the role of a “single father” who was the sheriff of the small town of Mayberry, North Carolina. In episode after episode, Sheriff Andy Taylor exemplied “Service”, “Peace”, “Commitment”, and “Mercy”. His calm demeanor and patience often were needed to balance out the high spirited and impulsive responses of some of the funnier characters such as Barney Fife. More often than not, when Sheriff Taylor tried to teach a life lesson to his young son, Opie; the viewers came away with a good reminder of how we as Christians should live our lives.
This weekend, we will turn back the clock to a slower paced time and attempt to learn more about ourselves and our faith walk.
Who is MCSAM???:
MCSAM is a ministry for single adults that is sponsored by the Memphis Conference of the United Methodist Church. MCSAM does offer the opportunity to befriend other persons that can related to some of the same life experiences (single parenting, divorce, being widowed, etc.). It is NOT an e-haromony style group. MCSAM’s main focus is on building our relationship with God. For more information on MCSAM, you can contact the coordinator, Wendy Hopper (731- 695-8330 or [email protected])
Who should attend this fellowship weekend?:
Our retreats have included singles ranging in age from 25 to 85. We’ve had participants from various single statuses: divorced, widowed, and individuals that have never married. You do not have to be a member of the United Methodist Church to attend. We welcome all denominations.
What to Bring?:
Bible, bedding for a twin bed, pillow, towels, toiletries, and a flashlight. You may want to bring a swim suit because if weather permits, you may have an opportunity to participate in water activities during free time.
Lodging:
The first eighty people will be housed in one of two modern lodges. These lodges have two floors. Each floor contains a living area, a small kitchen area, two bathrooms with shower stalls, and two bedrooms with ten beds. Any overflow will be housed in the camp’s cabins. The cabins have one bathroom(includes shower stalls) and no kitchen or living area. Both the lodges and cabins have heating/air.
How to get to Lakeshore United Methodist Assembly:
From I-40 (Memphis, Jackson, and Nashville) Take Exit 126 and Hwy. 641 N. to Camden, TN (15 miles) Turn right at first full red light just after Marathon Gas Station Drive down Main Street and Halfway around Court Square-turn right on Hwy. 191 N. Go through Eva (approx. 7 miles from Camden) Go about 1.4 miles to Lakeshore which is located on the right
From Murray, Paris, Purchase Pkwy.
Take 641 South to Camden, TN Turn left at first red light past McDonalds Drive down Main Street and halfway around Court Square- turn right on Hwy. 191 N. Go about 1.4 miles to Lakeshore which is located on the right.
FRIDAY (May 17th)
6:00pm Registration begins.
Unpack, get settled then join us for supper.
7:45 Introductions/Announcements
8:00 Music/Get Acquainted Activities
8:45 “How much do you remember about the Andy Griffith Show?”
SATURDAY (May 18th)
8:00am Breakfast
8:45 Announcements/Music
9:00 Session 1 (Episode: “Andy’s English Valet”)
Lesson: “The Secret of Service” Scripture: Ephesians 6:7
10:15 Break
10:30 Music
10:45 Session 2 (Episode: “Class Reunion”)
Lesson: “A Peace of the Past” Scripture: Psalms 85:8
12:00 Lunch
1:00 “Mayberry Games” (Optional)
SATURDAY (cont.)
2:30 Free Time
You can relax in you cabin or join us for hiking, canoeing, etc.
5:30 Dinner
6:30 Session 3 (Episode: “The Darlings are Coming”)
Lesson: “Crime and Commitment” Scripture: Proverbs 16:3
8:00 “Singing on the Front Porch”
SUNDAY (May 19th)
8:00 Breakfast
8:45 Morning Devotion
9:30 Free time (You may want to use this time to pack)
10:30 Session 4 (Episode: “Dogs, Dogs, Dogs”)
Lesson: “Begging for Mercy” Scripture: Matthew 5:7
12:00 Lunch
If you did not have time to pack your things before lunch, you will need to move out of the lodges immediately following the meal. If you are not in a rush to get home, you are welcome to hang around Lakeshore and enjoy its atmosphere a little longer.
Registration Form: MCSAM’s Mayberry Weekend
May 17-19, 2013
Name______
Address______
City______State______Zip______
Phone Numbers______
Church______
E-Mail______
Handicapping/Dietary Concerns______
RETREAT COST : (If postmarked by May 1st)
Check one:
Weekend Costs: $90 (NON refundable) ______
Saturday Only: $40 (NON refundable) ______
Applications postmarked after May 1st will be charged an additional $10, and participant might not receive a study book for the Mayberry Bible Study. All registration forms are due by Monday, May 13th.
Mail and make all checks payable to: Memphis Conference 24 Corporate Blvd. Jackson, TN 38305
For more information contact: Wendy Hopper, Singles’ Coordinator (731) 695-8330 or Martha Manuel, Conference Secretary (731) 664-8480