E-Messenger April 1, 2021 |
|
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Today we begin the Easter Triduum. It is widely considered the holiest time of the Christian year. A time when we humble ourselves before God and neighbor, confess our sinfulness, and patiently wait and pray for the Resurrection. During this time, in our services we read the story of our salvation history and are asked to meditate on, as our prayer book says, "God's saving deeds" through history. I am pleased to say that St. Martin's has designed beautiful liturgies to mark each day. I pray that you consider joining us for any or all of our services. There is plenty of room for social distancing. We can and will worship safely together.
On Easter Day, we will baptize Taylor Slaven and celebrate the Resurrection. It is a day of joyous celebration, one in which we are asked to carry the message of the empty cross to others. It is a day of sharing the love of God. In order to manage the crowd, services will be outdoors, on The Point. The tent has been removed to make more room. For those who would prefer a little more space than the 10X10 squares painted on the grass, please know that drive-in spaces will be available. Simply back your car in and participate in the services from there. The 8 a.m. service will be much like the early morning services that happen at Lake Murray and the beach, services that I know many of you remember from your childhood. After the 10:30 a.m. service, we will have an Easter Egg Hunt and time for fellowship on The Point.
This Easter will be memorable. After a year of isolation, we the Church are re-emerging. While we must remain vigilant against COVID, we have learned to adapt. I pray that you will find the St. Martin's offerings spiritually fulfilling and life-giving. The clergy, choir, and staff are grateful for you and looking forward to seeing you.
In Christ,
Mitch+
|
|
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday,
Easter Vigil & Easter services
|
|
We are offering a host of services to mark The Triduum, the three holiest days of the Church calendar. Click the "Holy Week & Easter" button for everything you need to know about services between now and Sunday.
Families with children, don't forget your Easter baskets for the egg hunt planned after the 10:30 a.m. service!
Be sure to share the service link with friends!
|
|
Other Easter week service information |
No Coffee Hour this Sunday (April 4) after the 10:30 a.m. service. Coffee hour will resume next week (April 11).
Our Tuesday noon Eucharist will meet in All Saints' in the Parish Hall.
Masks and physical distancing
are expected and required at all services.
|
|
Volunteers needed for Children's Chapel |
|
After Easter, we will begin offering Children's Chapel outdoors at the 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. worship services, which also will both be held outside. We are in need of two volunteers per service to care for the children during this period of time that will take place from the beginning of worship until The Peace. All materials will be provided for chapel leaders. Parents of chapel-age children have been contacted via Realm. Auto-scheduling will begin in May so if you prefer to opt out, please contact Robyn Holt, who manages our worship volunteers. |
|
Worship volunteers needed |
|
As we begin reopening, we are in need of volunteers to assist with worship. An email has been sent to all who participated in worship services prior to the pandemic. If you have not yet responded, or would like to assist in one of these ways and did not previously, please contact Robyn Holt, who manages our worship volunteers. |
|
If you picked up plastic eggs to stuff, please bring them to the Parish Office today (April 1). Thank you to all who are helping us ensure that each child's basket is overflowing with Easter treats! |
|
Parish Office closed this Monday |
|
The Parish Office will be closed on Monday (April 5) for the Easter holiday. In the event of an emergency requiring pastoral care, please call the Parish Office pastoral care line, (803) 787.0392 ext. 201, and leave a message. Your call will be returned. The office will reopen Tuesday, April 6. |
|
Family Fun Day scheduled for April 17 |
|
All families are invited to a Fun Day on April 17 at the Heathwood Hall Alpine Tower and Pond! We’ll spend an afternoon playing on the high and low ropes, the climbing wall, and paddling around on the water. We’ll begin together with lunch in the Adventure Base Camp and then embark on a fun and unstructured afternoon of activities facilitated by the PEAK staff. Free for all families of the parish. Lunch provided. Register by clicking the "FAMILY FUN DAY" button.
|
|
Plans underway to open fulltime preschool! |
|
We are so excited to announce that St. Martin's is on track to open the St. Martin's Preschool as a fulltime childcare center this fall! Stay tuned for more details as the spring and summer months approach, and please keep this wonderful opportunity we have to serve children and families in the Columbia area in your prayers.
-- The Preschool Opening Committee
(Robert Dozier, Pam Hair, Becky Lumpkin,
Michelle McDonnell, Anita Nelam,
Mitch Smith and Allison Askins (staff liaison) )
|
|
What our Crayton Backpack program needs |
|
The Crayton Backpack Ministry is in need of green beans and chicken salad packets. Baskets for your donations will be placed near the wagons at our outdoor services AND at our Tuesday noon service which is in All Saints' Hall.
|
|
Helping Harvest Hope feed the hungry |
|
Thank you for your ongoing support of Harvest Hope Food Bank. We have donated 1,547 pounds since the start of the new year. Wagons are available at each of our outdoor services.
|
|
Youth minister search underway |
|
St. Martin's has begun a nationwide search for a new youth minister. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the right candidate to us. If you know someone who is looking at a career in youth ministry, encourage him or her to reach out!
|
|
Prayers for nurses, doctors and frontline caregivers |
|
Ann Barton
Sher Baechtold
Becca Berger
Donna Burrows
Brian Cline
Marc & Virginia Cooper
Pam Collum
Molly Dougall
Robert Ellis
Elizabeth Garrison
Elisabeth Gasparini
Kate Gellatly
|
|
Blease Graham
Amy Green
Nettles Green
Michael Horan
Frederick Huiet
Kate Jones
Elaine Linder
Bill Logan
Mark Mayson
Dannelly McKenzie
Robin Meadows
Amy Montanez
|
|
Yvonne Munro
Chuck Petit
Michelle Petit
Laura Register
Victoria Shoemake
Jennifer Taylor
Adele Thomas
Beverly Tiller
Kristl Tomlin
JR Walters
Katherine Wright
|
|
We celebrate one another's birthdays |
|
April 4
Bill Case
Derek Edwards
April 5
Karen Strickland
April 6
Gracie Adams
|
|
April 7
Anna James
Brenda Morganelli
Suzie Anderson
April 8
Jim Epley
April 9
Everett Brazell
April 10
Kyle Sanders
|
|
|
Your pledges can be paid online or in-person |
|
Thank you to all who have pledged to support St. Martin's in its ministry this year. Did you know you can make your 2021 contributions online? Use the "Online Offering Plate" button to contribute via our online option.
Pledges may also be dropped in the offering plate at our 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or by mailing them to the Parish Office at 5220 Clemson Ave., Columbia, SC 29206. Thank you for your ongoing support of St. Martin's and its ministries.
|
|
 |
5220 Clemson Avenue
Columbia, SC 29206
803.787.0392 | www.smifsc.com
Photos in this newsletter provided by staff photography,
Unsplash.com and Constant Contact.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
