St. Martin's Weekly CV-19 Update

A CELTIC PRAYER

You are the peace of all things calm

You are the place to hide from harm

You are the light that shines in the dark . . .

Click on the words above for a beautiful Celtic prayer for this unusual St. Patrick's Day.

This is a prayer from Essential Celtic Prayers as shared by Wendy Claire Barrie.

Wendy is formerly from the Trinity Wall Street staff and now Church Publishing Editor.

Many St. Martin's members who have worked with children and families

know Wendy from the Kanuga Christian Educators conference,

where she often leads workshops.

A WORD FROM MITCH

Dear Brother and Sisters in Christ,

Every day is different. In a month we have gone from leaders telling us that COVID-19 was not a big deal, to limiting gatherings to 200 or less, to 50 or less, and now to 10 or less. A month ago we didn't know the term "social distancing." A month ago, Denise and I were planning which parent would go to which soccer game and cycling event, and now all of that has changed.

Here at St. Martin's, as of now, all regular services and meetings have been suspended. St. Martin's is working on developing web content for online worship opportunities. The new YouTube channel will soon be in place and Facebook Live is being used, which means Caitlyn's ordination can carry on. The service will be live-streamed Thursday night at 6 p.m. (See instructions below about how to access FacebookLive).

I encourage you all to watch and pray with her. Please know the staff of St. Martin's is working diligently to create worship opportunities, meditations, and formation experiences that can be done from your own home. We will continue to be "church"... but for now, "church" needs to be reimagined.

The church surely feels like it is in the midst of a storm right now. I can see myself wanting to panic and be like one of the disciples who hurriedly woke up Jesus and exclaimed, "Don't you care that we are perishing?" and I can see Jesus calmly waking up and rebuking the sea.

The crazy thing in this story, though, is that the Gospel says the storm ended and there was a "dead calm." As Chuck Meehan or any sailor will tell you, sailboats don't move in dead calms. During the next few weeks, St. Martin's will be trimming its sails. We may even change our course, perhaps more than once, but we will keep moving, with calm hearts.

In Christ,

Mitch+

LIVE STREAM INSTRUCTIONS

A little before the time of the service you plan to watch, click on the church's Facebook page. If you are watching on a personal computer, you will see a red LIVE button next to Videos on the left hand side of the page. Click there and select the live video for the service.

If you are watching on your phone, again, go to the church's Facebook page at the time of the service, and the live video should pop up first on your screen once you are on the church's page.

If a service has already taken place, you may still watch it by going to the church's Facebook page and scrolling through our posts to find the service. Then just click on that link. You will also find it by clicking the link for videos, on the left hand side of the page.

TWO THINGS YOU CAN DO

This period of mandated social distancing will be hard for all small businesses, churches, and community organizations. Finances will be stretched, anxiety will be high, and our nerves will be tested. In the midst of this, here are two things to do:

Acknowledge the fears, both real and perceived. Acknowledge them to yourself, a loved one, and your God.
After you have done this, pray. Hand you fears over to God and then ask for the strength of the Holy Spirit to bless you with a since of calm. It's the calm person who can see the opportunities for ministry. It's the calm person who can back away from panic. It's the calm person who can share the love of God.

Click HERE for instructions on Centering Prayer to assist you

in your prayers during this time of anxiety and fear.

The Rev. Susan Prinz has organized pastoral caregivers who are able to shop for those who cannot get out.

If you are someone in need of a grocery or pharmacy run:

Email [email protected] and she will coordinate your list with a shopper.

A dedicated extension,

(Ext. 201), has been established for pastoral care calls for the parish. Should you have a need requiring clergy, please follow the instructions you will receive when you call the parish office, 803.787.0392.

If you are still trying to figure out how to speak with your children about this strange time in our lives, click HERE for Mitch's video about talking to kids about why we need to take care of ourselves and our neighbors by staying home.

Looking for some creative resources for your children? Click HERE for a great resource for practicing your

Faith at Home.

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.

STAY CONNECTED

St. Martin's-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church

5220 Clemson Avenue

Columbia, SC 29206

803.787.0392 | www.stmartinsinthefields.com