Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
A sad and previously (at least for me) unthinkable milestone was reached this week -- 200,000 Americans have now died from COVID-19. This is horrible. St. Martin's has not been untouched by this. Please continue to pray for the millions who are sick and the 200,000 U.S. citizens who are deceased. The grief and magnitude of loss our country, community, churches, and families are experiencing is at a scale that few alive have seen before. Recovery from these things will take years. If the last seven months have shown us anything, it is this: we will be in our current state for the long haul.
Currently, St. Martin's is entering into a season of planning as we and every other church/non-profit is facing significant short-term and long-term challenges. One of the greatest challenges we face is keeping people engaged until we can safely gather in our buildings again. We are addressing this as best we can with online options, outside worship, and participation in outside pastoral care/parishioner meetings. While I know that some people say, "Well, it's just not the same," right now, outside options are what we have. If you are nervous about the safety of these worship services, please reach out to some of the people who have participated. Ask them if they felt safe? You are right. "It is not the same," but "the same" is still a very long way off.
The world is in crisis. Divided politics, racial injustice and charged rhetoric that calls for people to be "canceled" or "fired" over disagreements, and COVID have taken their toll. These things have taken their toll on the church as well. In a small way, the church is a mirror of the world. What makes us different is that our mirror has a built-in filter. It is the filter of God's love. While "things" are not the same, the love of Jesus has not changed. Nor have Jesus's commandments to love our God and love our neighbor as ourselves. If we collectively engage in these two things, we will emerge on the other side of this divisive time stronger and more needed by the world around us than ever before.
In Christ,
Mitch+
|
|
IN-PERSON WORSHIP SCHEDULE
|
|
Following is the schedule for our in-person, weekday worship on The Point in front of the church:
-
Wednesday: 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday services are adult-only.
-
Friday: 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
-
Sunday: 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. with Holy Eucharist at both services.
-
Monday: 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
MWF services are prayer services. Sundays are Holy Eucharist services. Masks and social distancing are required at all services. In the event of heavy rain and/or lightning, services will be canceled. There is no indoor worship alternative.
You are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, Book of Common Prayer and Bible, though all will be available if needed.
|
|
ADD A NAME TO THE PRAYER LIST
|
|
|
If you would like to submit a name for our ongoing prayer list, please use this form. Names will be shared weekly prior to worship and will be removed after three weeks, as in the past.
|
|
PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE TEACHERS, PROFESSORS AND INSTRUCTORS AMONG US
|
|
Ann Abney
Angela Adams
Dottie Adams
Allison Askins
Frank Avignone
Bill Bacon
Ginger Barfield
Michael Bellon
Elizabeth Bentrup
Debbie Billings
Drew Bozard
Bill Canaday
Gwen Geidel
Pam Hair
|
|
Christine Harding
Tayloe Harding
Amy Hayden
Elizabeth Hayden
Amanda Hines
Randy James
Elizabeth Jennings
Karen Johnson
Jody Lumpkin
David Jones
Kate Jones
Carol McGinnis-Kay
Martin McWilliams
Mike Meadows
|
|
Caroline Nagel
Scotty Peek
Valerie Pruett
Allison Rashley
Kelly Renko-Clarkson
Kyle Sanders
Amy Shuler
Denise Smith
Amanda Stockard
Slayden Thomas
Sara Thornton
Jim Thrasher
Anne Vickers
Jessica Yarborough
|
|
Our Harvest Hope wagons will be waiting for your contributions outside at our Sunday services, which are scheduled for 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the sidewalk in front of the church.
|
|
“It is a Christian obligation to vote, and more than that, it is the church’s responsibility to help get souls to the polls.”
--Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
As Episcopalians, we commit to strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of all. One of the many important ways we go about this is voting faithfully in our local and national elections. As you look toward the Nov. 3 election, be sure to check your voter registration information! If you qualify to vote absentee, you can go ahead and apply for your ballot today. Go to scvotes.gov. Absentee ballots will be mailed after Oct. 5. When you vote this November, be sure to stop by the office for your #votefaithfully sticker!
|
|
While scrolling Instagram, be sure to follow @smifsc for the Three-Word Gospel on Tuesdays, a brief summary of the upcoming Gospel, and ComplinefromHome postings, short evening prayers or thoughts, Monday through Friday.
|
|
Should you be in need of pastoral care, please use the dedicated extension,(Ext. 201) when you call the parish office, 803.787.0392.
|
|
Thank you in advance for keeping your pledge current during this time of uncertainty. You may pay your pledge in these ways:
-
Use this link to keep your pledge up-to-date by going online. You will need your bank routing number, which is the first set of numbers printed on the bottom of your checks, on the left side. You will also need your account number, which is the next set of numbers beside the routing number at the bottom of your check. This online link is safe and secure.
-
You may also mail your checks to the Parish Office at 5220 Clemson Ave., Columbia, SC 29206.
|
|
|
5220 Clemson Avenue
Columbia, SC 29206
803.787.0392 | www.stmartinsinthefields.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|