E-Messenger June 11, 2020

 Friends,

Most of you know that I am a cradle Episcopalian which means that for as long as I can remember, the United Thank Offering has been a part of my life. The little blue boxes where my mom and grandma would deposit coins as they expressed their thankfulness to God for God's blessings were, and in the case of my mother still is, permanent fixtures on their dressers.

This year things are a little different.

The UTO has acknowledged that. In response, the United Thank Offering is hosting a virtual race. More information follows in today's E-Messenger. Please know that this is currently the only nationwide fundraiser endorsed by the entire Episcopal Church, and that all of the funds will go to COVID-19 relief. St. Martins, let's log some miles. 

Pivoting, I pray that you all stay safe and well. That you all continue to wear your masks in public, that you practice good physical distancing, that you stay safe. And in response to the St. Martin's reopening survey, please know that no matter what the responses are in terms of eagerness to regather, St. Martin's cannot and will not reopen until we see a 14-day decline in COVID-19 positives. Currently we are seeing an increase. I pray that by safe practices, i.e., the wearing of masks, washing of hands, and the practice of physical distancing, we can all stay safe.

In this time, loving your neighbor as yourself means protecting yourself and your neighbor. 

In Christ,

Mitch+

Then join us after church

 for a Zoom coffee hour!

This is a great way to catch up with one another. You will need Zoom on your device to join. If you do not have Zoom, when you click HERE , you'll be invited to download Zoom and join the meeting.

Once you are in Zoom, you will need the following to join the meeting:

Meeting ID: 924 4926 0578

Password: onthepoint

If you want to join by dialing in, call   253.215.8782

Meeting ID: 924 4926 0578

Password: 236317

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. 

Support the 2020 UTO Ingathering

by joining the Great EpisGOpal Race Virtual Run/Walk

Join us in gratitude and race your way in the Great EpisGOpal Race Virtual Run/Walk. Anytime between July 22 - 31, choose your preferred mode and distance and race to raise money for COVID-19 relief.

You can bike a 10K, run a half marathon, or skate a mile — the options are limitless. All of the funds that you help raise will be collected for the 2020 UTO Ingathering and dispersed to ministries responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.   The cost to register is $15. During the registration process, you will have the option to make an additional donation. Choose UTO as the recipient. T-shirts are also available for a fee.

St. Martin's has put together a team so we can challenge and compete against other churches in the diocese for the farthest total distance covered! Click the button below to register with the St. Martin's team. You will be prompted to create an account with UTO and then join the St. Martin's team. The password to join our team is smiffy .

Questions? Contact Caitlyn .

Support El Refugio and Refugee Resettlement

Our friends in immigration detention are discouraged, fearful, and anxious during this pandemic. While some have been released on asylum or had their deportation orders cancelled during this time, others have died while in detention from the virus. Take a moment this week to write a note of encouragement in Spanish or English to someone in immigration detention. Pictures drawn by children are also encouraged! Additionally, if you know of anyone who can write in Persian, Tigrinya or Bengali, please invite them to join us!

Drop off your letters in blank envelopes in the Parish Office mail slot with a note to Caitlyn with your name (so we can keep track of who has written). Our goal is to collect 100 notes for Stewart Detention Center (men) and Irwin Detention Center (women).

Instructions for how and what to write, and how to properly envelope,are found HERE.

We are also taking collections for refugee families being resettled right now. Please email Caitlyn if you are interested in donating:

Deliver groceries to homebound folks

Caitlyn is looking for volunteers to deliver groceries from various agencies around town to homebound people in need across Columbia through Mutual Aid Midlands. To do this, you need to be able to drive and carry bags of groceries. Youth under the age of 18 must have an adult volunteer with them. This will be a time-flexible but ongoing commitment. Email Caitlyn to volunteer. Volunteers will be invited to a one-hour information and training session via Zoom.

Whiteness and racial justice

Commons Threads stitching their time over Zoom

If you would like to join the camaraderie of doing needlework or other hand-sewn projects, contact Stephanie Whitson so she can get you your Zoom invitation for the Common Threads gatherings taking place weekly on Sundays at 3 p.m.

Go on a virtual adventure with the Gravatt Explorers

St. Martin's is joining with Camp Gravatt this summer and serving as a sponsor for their Thursday "Gravatt Explorers" program -- the first of which is today at 2 p.m. Follow their social media posts on Facebook and Instagram each Thursday for a visit to a state park or other outdoor adventure spot in the Diocese. Gravatt is also posting other types of activities and Christian formation materials daily via their social media outlets.

English and Beethoven for your refreshment. Click the image above to listen.

Follow St. Martin's on  Facebook   (St. Martin's-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church) throughout the week for parish news!  LIKE  the page for us, and  SHARE  posts with friends and family! The header currently on display is a copy of the ad we are running in the free times as part of the Best of Columbia contest. St. Martin's has been nominated for the third year as the Best House of Worship. Click the link below to vote for us again this year!

Follow St. Martin's on Instagram at @smifsc, where we post: