Affirmation of Welcome
Reformation, a congregation of Christ's Church, welcomes everyone to join with us in a journey of faith. We are committed to providing worship, programs, ministries and pastoral care to all, regardless of religious background, age, color, ability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status, or national origin. Everyone is welcome in this place, where the love of God is the foundation of all that we say and do!
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The Reporter
Reformation Lutheran Church
ALL Are Welcome & Affirmed Here!
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Worship Service Update
We have resumed the in-person worship service on Sundays at 10:00 AM. In addition to this, and in order to ensure the health and safety of our congregation, we will continue to broadcast the service online via Facebook Live. Please join us for worship online HERE.
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Prayers of the Church
Sick and Homebound: Tracy Hamiter; Barbara Prosser; Connie Pool; Bobbie Black and Beth Mayer.
Health: Emmy Reeves; Bobbie Prosser; Sarah Trani and Lynn Black’s brother, Bill Black.
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Safe Space Dinners
We, as a committee, are continuing to partner with local organizations that already serve the homeless and housing insecure youth. I believe our involvement in their activities and our presence in their facilities is not only beginning to bear fruit but also expands the very scope and definition of our ministry itself. We have now had three people attend our Safe Space Dinners. While that may sound small, it comes after initial monthly dinners lacking attendees. We have now found it helpful to get out and meet them where they already find some services. This not only fits the original purpose of the ministry, but it may also make our original plan blossom. By bringing supplies and items from our stock to Palmetto Place and MIRCI youth drop-in center we have been able to serve an additional 42 homeless or housing insecure youths.
We are also having impacts and making connections in other ways. We Are Family, a LGBTQ+ youth organization in Charleston, contacted us to help a youth they serve virtually here in Columbia. She, and her family, are not only struggling to remain in their home but they were, simultaneously, in covid quarantine. We were able to help by delivering many items they needed and the young lady, no longer in isolation, attended our last Safe Space Dinner. Pastor Tim and I have attended drag shows to share information about our program with the audience. We have since received a donation collected by drag performers. Members of our committee have taken water, snacks, and literature to the streets of Columbia to share with members of our homeless community.
All our efforts thus far have provided items and information to those in need, potentially in need, and those who already serve or are aware of youths we can help. Because our committee has remained open to pivots and broader visions, we have now provided supplies and fellowship to at least 45 youths who are all part of the audience our ministry was created to serve. We have done so while maintaining a consistent message of inclusive support and affirmation for all youths, especially the most vulnerable LGBTQ+ homeless and housing insecure.
In our committee meeting this week, the expansion of participation with local organizations and their programs will be a focus of our agenda. We will use these partnerships, the connections we make, and the information we gather to make any needed adaptations to our monthly dinners. This process will nurture attendance in our own program while also serving those for whom we created the ministry. We can be Safe Space Dinners as a monthly gathering as well as a service we provide to or with local organizations. Without realizing it, our efforts have already helped many in need. While our dinners begin to grow, we will continue serving youths by helping established organizations provide for these kids. It’s a win for all involved.
For more information about this ministry and ways to get involved, please visit Safe Space Dinners (reformationcae.org). As always, we thank you for your generous support.
Michael Watson
Safe Space Dinners Chairperson
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In-Person / Gathering Update
In light of vaccination availability and current COVID conditions in Richland, Lexington, and Kershaw counties, and in conversation with congregation members, we will resume with the following practices.
WORSHIP
In Worship we will wear masks, covering both the mouth and nose. Registration for Worship will not be required. We will add more musical liturgy back into the Service, making the Service more closely resemble pre-COVID structure and content. And we can sing! The congregation may choose to sing hymns and liturgy — softly (not projecting) behind their masks. We will continue to use pre-packaged communion elements, including wine and grape juice options, and to practice social distancing in the Sanctuary — 16 feet distance from singer(s) to the congregation and 6 feet distance between household groups.
MEETINGS
In groups of 15 persons or less, non-vaccinated persons are required to wear a mask at all times, but if all agree, vaccinated persons may remove their masks. If possible, doors should be opened to increase air circulation in the room. We are not yet ready to have indoor shared food events.
CHILDREN’S PARTICIPATION
We will not encourage children to gather in groups (like Children’s Chatter, Nursery, or in-person Education) until children can be vaccinated and we have better guidance from the CDC. Children who are able to are encouraged to wear masks. Children will be invited to participate in worship as acolytes, cross-bearers, or lectors as they are interested and able.
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It's time to Spring Forward
On Sunday, March 13 don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour at 2 am. And then set your alarm clocks so you will be up in plenty of time to enjoy our 10:00 am services at Reformation Lutheran Church.
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March Usher/Greeter & Lector Schedule
March 6
Gary Parish & Shirley Lamontagne, Usher/Greeter
Gary Parish, Lector
March 13
Daniel Stackhouse & Eddie Ritchie, Usher/Greeter
Ben Bullock, Lector
March 20
Jim Prater & Lynn Black, Usher/Greeter
Jim Prater, Lector
March 27
Raymond Cook & Sam Ruff, Usher/Greeter
Carlotta Stackhouse, Lector
Lector volunteers are needed for the worship service. Can you volunteer and lend your voice? If you cannot volunteer on the scheduled day, please inform Julia Prater, so that a substitute can receive the worship materials in advance of the worship service. Contact Julia Prater - 803.360.7583 for more details on how you can serve.
If you won't be able to make it to church on the Sunday you are scheduled, please coordinate a swap/coverage with someone else from the greeter/usher team.
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March Celebrations
Birthdays
Emilia Reeves, March 5
Adele Scaccia, March 6
Marjorie E West, March 6
Marion McCorkle Byrd, March 6
Sean Dinwoodie, March 7
Charles Joye, March 7
Donna Marie Pearson, March 10
John Adam Baylor, March 14
Gloria Preslar, March 16
Tiffany Caruso Smith, March 17
Raymond Cook, March 21
Chuck Archie, March 26
Shirley Derriso, March 27
Ron Heater, March 28
Perrine Hernandez, March 28
Anniversaries
Jeff Harrell & Doug Onley, March 14
Michael Reames & Rafael Labrador March 23
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An Interfaith Call to Peace for Ukraine
Though we have been anxious about the recent growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia and between Russia and the NATO countries in recent weeks, we remain deeply concerned, as we have been since 2014, for the impact of this ongoing conflict on innocent civilians throughout Ukraine. All parties to the conflict must take every measure possible to protect civilians. All parties and the international community must renew efforts to de-escalate this threat to international peace and security.
All our religious traditions call us to pray and work for peace. We join our voices and hands together. We must open our eyes to those who are suffering, and we cannot remain indifferent to the injustice this conflict has brought on the people of Ukraine and may bring on people of neighboring countries.
We call on all those involved—whether governments, movements or individuals—to repent of aggression and violence, and turn instead to the way of peace through dialogue. We also call upon the faithful people of our congregations and communities to pray for wisdom, peace and justice to prevail in Ukraine.
Join us as we pray:
Oh Divine, most mighty, most merciful, our sacred stories tell us that you help and save your people. You are the fortress: may there be no more war. You are the harvest: may there be no more hunger. You are the light: may no one die alone or in despair. Oh Divine, most majestic, most motherly, grant us your life.
Amen.
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Eddy Alemán, General Secretary, Reformed Church in America
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church
Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ, National Ministries
Bishop Sally Dyck, Ecumenical Officer, The United Methodist Church
Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada
Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, Fifth Episcopal District, The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Chair, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
President, Churches Uniting in Christ
Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller, President, Provincial Elders' Conference, Moravian Church Northern Province
Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Mr. Basharat Saleem, Executive Director, Islamic Society of North America
Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia, Executive Director, Religions for Peace USA
Rev. Chris Thore, President, Provincial Elders' Conference, Moravian Church Southern Province
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Quote of the month
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
Soren Kierkegaard
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From the ELCA
International Women’s Day is on March 8. The ELCA celebrates this day by uplifting the International Women Leaders (IWL) program, which provides scholarships for emerging women leaders from our companion churches around the world to study at ELCA colleges and universities, ELCA seminaries and other institutions. This year, in honor of International Women’s Day, all gifts to IWL will be matched dollar for dollar until we reach $50,000.
Together, we can make a difference for the next generation. Thank you for investing in the future of women leaders!
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The 2022 schedule and listing of Zoom meetings and ID numbers are on the RLC website and updated as necessary. |
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Announcements and Reminders
Calendar Updates
Check the calendar on the church's web page (www.reformationcae.org) for the latest updates, changes, cancellations, and postponements in church activities and meetings.
Adult Forum - formerly known as Adult Sunday School
Adult Forum will continue to meet virtually at 8:30 am and are discussing content related to Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Call to Action, which is a set of study guides published by the ELCA. This material can be found at https://elca.org/FSJstudyguide. Our first discussion will follow the first study guide. All you need to join us is a computer with internet access! There is no pressure to read beforehand, speak up (unless you’d like to share your thoughts!), or carry out any specific tasks. The goal of Adult Forum is to provide spiritual growth and restoration, and our forum will be stronger with your presence and/or perspective! You can attend forums as little or as often as you’d like; there is no pressure or obligation involved.
If you’re interested in joining us, we’ll be online at 8:30 am every Sunday and would love to count you among us! I’ll be sending out a Google group reminder which will contain the Zoom link information. Contact Steve Asbill, Adult Education Committee Chair
Cell: 803-528-7859
Keep in Touch with Your Church Family
Do you need a Reformation Lutheran Church Membership Directory? To request a copy, please contact Mikita at the Church Office at (803.252.1507) or via e-mail at officeofreform@gmail.com.
Updating Our Records
Please be sure to keep your contact information up to date with the church office. Our records include your birthdate and anniversary date (if applicable), mailing address, email address(s), phone(s), and family members. If there is any change, be sure the church office knows. If you want to check to be sure the records are up to date,
Reformation Lutheran Church Newsletter
The Reporter is published monthly at Reformation Lutheran Church and is sent electronically or mailed to members and friends who wish to have a copy. A link to The Reporter newsletter is also posted on the church website: www.ReformationCAE.org and on Reformation's Facebook page. A mid-month newsletter is also published and sent electronically with timely information and updates.
The deadline to submit articles or items to be updated, announced, or published is the eighteenth of the month. If you have news to share, please send it to the church office. Please email to officeofreform@gmail.com.
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1118 Union St. Columbia, SC 29201
803-252-1507
Tim Bupp, Pastor
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