Edition 4, Vol. 2
THE MOUNTAIN VIEW MESSENGER
February 2026
FROM PASTOR LAURA
Welcome to February Mountain View Family
As we began 2026 together, we each were given the charge to take an inventory of our lives, and discern if there was anything holding us back from our best year yet with God. As we approached the altar filled with candles, we were encouraged to lay all obstacles at the altar or throw into the spiritual fire, to prepare for an incredible 2026 with our God. We are thankful to grow in our relationship with God through worship by music, prayer, teaching of His Word, and fellowship.
The beginning of 2026 brought reminders of how blessed we are to be a congregation that is doing life together. The gifts that each person brings forward, helps the family of faith flourish, and be the hands and feet of Jesus. We begin our Bible Study groups on February 4 with a study of the Gospel of Matthew. Join us for 4 weeks, beginning on February 4 at 5 pm in the Fellowship Hall. There is excitement of new relationships forming within the congregation, as we welcome more visitors and the fellowship is flowing. God is blessing our congregation as we stand on His Word and offer His truth, and grow in faith together.
I encourage each of us to take reflect on how the Holy Spirit is moving within our lives and what steps we can make to listen for His leading. May we anticipate the spiritual growth that God has in store for all of us through this year. 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.
“Everyone, then, who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” Matthew 7:24
FEBRUARY DATES
Feb 3 – Cooking Class, 4-6pm (sign up on line)
4 – Bible Study of Matthew, 5:00 pm
5 – Handmade with Love, 1:00 pm
7 – Hiking Club, 8:30 am See below*
8 – MVGMM, 8:00 am
8 – Soup/Chili Potluck after church, See p4
9 – Mah Jongg, 1:00 pm
10 – Mountain View Methodist Women, 4:00 pm
11 – Bible Study of Matthew, 5:00 pm
15 – Administrative Council, 2:00 pm
18 – Bible Study of Matthew, 5:00 pm
19 – Handmade with Love, 1:00 pm
23 – Mah Jongg, 1:00 pm
25 – Bible Study of Matthew, 5:00 pm
26 – Veteran’s Coffee House, 8:30-10:00 am
*The hike scheduled for Saturday, January 31st has been rescheduled to Saturday, February 7 - weather permitting. Meet at the church at 8:30 am to carpool, Paris Mountain to hike. Sign up online.
Pastor Laura’s Office Hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
02/01/26 Terri McCloud Kay Deal
02/08/26 Linda Adkins Annie Haynes
02/15/26 Cindy Crain Sis Sipler
02/22/26 Elaine Stewart Joyce Watkins
FEBRUARY
02/01/26 Rachel Miller
02/08/26 LeAnn Barnette
02/15/26 Terri McCloud
02/22/26 Michele Bellue
02/01/26 Rachel Miller
02/08/26 LeAnn Barnette
02/15/26 Terri McCloud
02/22/26 Michele Bellue
Chuck & Wendy Frisby & Kane Pittman
Mountain View is fortunate to count Wendy and Chuck Frisby and Kane Pitman as members of our congregation.
Chuck and Wendy were married in 2002 and created a blended family of 4 children. They have many wonderful grandchildren whom they adore. Wendy and Chuck are both still working. Wendy is a therapist and Chuck is a trucking owner/operator.
Kane came to live with Wendy and Chuck in 2019, when he was in the 1st grade. While technically they are his grandparents, they love him as their son. Kane attends Greer Preparatory Academy and has been playing football for Blue Ridge for almost 7 years.
Wendy grew up Episcopalian and Chuck grew up Methodist. They compromised and decided to look for a Methodist church, but Chuck left the final decision up to Wendy. As a family, they found and fell in love with Mountain View in 2003. Wendy immediately loved Molly Wilkes, who was the pastor at the time. She was so genuinely kind and welcoming and gave a wonderful sermon that day. They were warmly welcomed the first morning by many people whose kindness made a lasting impression. God definitely led them here and they feel blessed to be a part of the Mountain View family. Wendy and Chuck feel there are so many great people at Mountain View who have touched them in so many ways over the years and whom they truly love that it would take many pages to give them the recognition they deserve.
Chuck has been the Men’s Club president, a trustee, a liturgist, an usher, and led the wood ministry. Wendy has helped and continues to help in the nursery and was the financial secretary for several years. Both Chuck and Wendy provided breakfast and were a part of the early contemporary service that Mountain View once had.
Kane recently completed a confirmation class through Mountain View. He is currently our acolyte and has helped with Sunday Dinner with a Twist and the Hot Chocolate ministry. They all want to continue to help in other areas to keep Mountain View special.
We are thankful to have Wendy, Chuck, and Kane in our congregation.
Valentine’s Day – February 14th
FAMILY COMMITTEE
Join us for a Soup & Chili Potluck after church on Sunday, February 8!
Please bring your favorite pot of soup or chili to share.
Mountain View Methodist Women
Well ladies here we are in 2026! January has come in like a lion and let's hope and pray that February comes in like a lamb. I find that life's hardest seasons can often feel COLD, LONELY, and BARREN. Yet winter's lessons remind us that beneath every hardship, GOD is growing something strong, beautiful and full of promises for the seasons ahead. I read that the cold, harsh conditions of winter test our endurance, resilience, and FAITH. Surviving the challenges of this season symbolizes our Spiritual Fortitude - having the patience, discipline, and inner reserves to persevere through life's difficulties until Spring emerges once again.
It has become clear to me (now that I am a lot older) that life is filled with a mix of joys and challenges, but even in the mundane moments, there is time for laughter. God created us with the ability to find JOY in the little things. Humor is a gift that helps us to maintain perspective and it reminds us to always be GRATEFUL! Seeing humor in our everyday life doesn't mean ignoring life's difficulties - it's about recognizing the blessings that often hide in plain sight. Laughing at life's quirks can shift our focus away from negative and on to God's goodness and knowing that God's JOY is woven into even the smallest's details of our lives. With that said: to all my Sisters in Faith, our first meeting will be held on February 10th at 4pm. We will have refreshments first (so we can catch up) and then on to our meeting. Please to all of you ladies reading this if you haven't joined us yet we will welcome you with open arms.
I don't have to tell you all that I will be stepping into a position I am not sure that I am qualified for, but you all have been so supportive and with the help of the great ladies who have held this position before me, {and I can honestly say they did a fabulous job}, I pray that God will give me the wisdom to give you all the love and guidance you deserve.
Prayer:
Dear Lord: thank you for the JOY that comes from seeing humor in everyday moments. Help us to reflect your JOY to those around us. Thank you for being a GOD who delights in our happiness and who fills our lives with reasons to rejoice AMEN
Patti Jolly, President
MOUNTAIN VIEW GLOBAL METHODIST
February 2026
Our January meeting was all about looking forward! Jay opened the meeting with a blessing, and we enjoyed a great breakfast by Mick. Phillip gave a devotional, talking about ‘new excitements’, such as going on a trip, or getting a new car, in short, anything that’s new and exciting. At New Year’s, we look forward. As Isaiah said in 43:18-19 ‘Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!’ We are looking forward to what new things God has planned for the Methodist Men this year! I challenge each of you to prayerfully consider what new things God has in store for you as well.
We continue to explore ways to get our group and our church more exposure in the community. We found that we would not be able to set up a booth at the Travelers Rest Farmer’s Market due to rules and regulations that we would not be able to meet, but we’re constantly looking for more ways to get our ‘brand’ out there.
Phillip closed our meeting with a prayer that continued the theme of his devotional. I will not be at the February meeting, but I know that the group is in good hands and look forward to hearing about the meeting. I hope that all of you will plan on attending our next meeting on Sunday, February 8th at 8 AM. As always, breakfast will be served!
Jay Debree, President
his-to-ry -
“past
events that connect
us”
2026 will mark America’s 250th Birthday and the 134th presence of Mt. View Methodist Church.
Freida Anne Liston has marvelously preserved Mt. View’s history … and from time-to-time old Congregants and new Congregants might like to stroll through that history again.
Come, for February, let’s explore some history together. Much of our history is displayed on both sides of the hallway for you to ponder as you pass by and more in the Archives Room. Francis Asbury had come down the Saluda Gap three times ... writing in 1801 “I cannot record great things upon religion in this quarter, but cotton sells high. I fear there is more gold than grace, more of silver than of that wisdom which commeth from above”. But things changed!
By the early 1800s Methodism was ablaze in the state and to our isolated area Methodist preachers kept coming. Jackson Grove in 1831. Few’s chapel in 1833. Greenville in 1835 followed by the Civil War which withered some of those early roots and the Gospel spread was slowed.
(Continued on page 6)
BUT IN 1891 … the Advocate reported.. ”There is a section of mountain country in this district 16 miles wide by 65 miles long where the field must be possessed for Christ”. We know this area as the eastern face of the Blue Ridge Escarpment .. along Highway 11. That same year the Blue Ridge Mission was conceived…
a convenient Mission, difficult to serve, requiring 5 days just to cross, with brush arbors and front porches sufficing as “churches”.
On our corner, rested the Bell one-room School House, perhaps also serving as a community sanctuary. Mt. View worshipers were served once a month by Reverand E.M. McKissick, quickly doubling the membership to 50.
That next year, on September 5th, 1892, for the sum of $40, land was purchased for a permanent building. In that September Advocate, Rev. McKissick reported ... “Since my last report, 11 preaching places are now on the mission ....
“they are building a good house at Bell’s, a first-class building”.
’twas 1892 and …. Mountain View Episcopal Methodist Church South …. was alive and growing.
FOUNDING MEMBERS ??: Stop and read the plaque outside the Copy Room.
Corrie Wilson Barnett, Waddy Spartan Barnett, George V. Bell, Mattie Bell, J. W. Bramlett, Lyda Bramlett, M. A. Bramlett, Sara Bramlett, T. T. Bramlett, Corrie Brown, Martha C. Brown, T. W. Brown,
George Wilbern Chastain, Jane Ross Chastain, Rachel Caroline Chastain, William Henry Chastain, John Hutchings, Lydia Hutchings, Albert W. Neves, Annie Neves, Edna Whilden Neves, George Washington Neves, John F. Neves, Nancy Jane C. Neves.
Several founding families had been here for two or three generations perhaps attending Jackson Grove, Few’s Chapel and Mush Creek before bringing Mt. View to life in 1892. Farmers all.
Our cemetery likely began as a family cemetery adjacent to Bell’s School with the oldest “marked” grave being Carrie Bell, the four-year old daughter of George and Mattie Bell. July 11, 1878 – 14 years before Mt. View was organized.
Phillip Deal – (punctuation forgiveness accepted). To be continued……..
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
