E-Messenger Sept. 24, 2020 |
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Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Yesterday morning, I read the obituary of a young Episcopal clergy person who ended her life. It was a sad and heartbreaking read. Yesterday afternoon, I learned of a second suicide. Brian Silldorff was a youth minister with ties to our parish as well as every other parish here in Columbia. Brian was well known for his mission trips, his Bible studies, and the way he was able to relate to youth. Several of our confirmands over the past years have credited Brian with helping to develop their faith.
In August 2020, the CDC posted a study. Alarmingly, it showed that in June of 2020, nearly 11 percent of their study respondents reported having thought about suicide during that same month. This showed a marked increase from the study which was done in June of 2018 in which only 4 percent of respondents responded that they had had suicidal thoughts. This study reported that the most people at-risk for suicidal thoughts during the COVID-19 pandemic were in this order: unpaid/underpaid caregivers, young adults ages 18-24, and, finally, essential workers. This is all at once sad, alarming, and scary, especially when added to the truth that from 1999-2018, our suicide rates in America rose by 38 percent. My friends, while this is not my usual E-Messenger message, there is a problem, and this problem needs to be talked about.
Our society is estranged from the Church, estranged from each other, and more divided than I can ever remember it being. Our communication is mostly online, and that communication is sharper and more biting than when we talk face-to-face. Since this pandemic, I have seen people hurt one another all while hiding behind a keyboard. Please before you write, remember the words of Jesus, "How great fire can be sparked by a tongue." Words matter! Please also remember that if you are a person who has experienced the horrible loneliness of suicidal thoughts and deep depression, there are people in the world willing to listen to you, hear you, and help you. If you are having suicidal thoughts, you can call the Parish Office, or the National Suicide Hotline (1-800-273-TALK). Or you can call a friend, or you can dial 911. There is help.
Finally, to everyone: We live in a world where people feeling the strains of anxiety are at an all-time high. A world where people feel more lonely than ever. A world where we are intentionally being divided one against another by the most powerful people in our society. All of these things have ongoing ramifications. In short, we live in a world that needs the Church and the love of Jesus more than ever. We need the unification of common prayer. If you are struggling, come to outside church. Come pray with me or any of our clergy at one of our picnic tables. Come worship with friends and loved ones in a safe way. Come be together, even as we have to stand apart. I believe it is needed and necessary.
In Christ,
Mitch+
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Join us online for church this Sunday! |
Click HERE for the readings.
Click HERE for the Book of Common Prayer.
Click HERE for the Order of Service, which includes current prayer lists.
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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
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OUTDOOR, IN-PERSON WORSHIP SERVICES |
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Service schedule for the parish
St. Martin's in-person, weekday worship schedule for services on The Point in front of the church is as follows:
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Friday: 8 a.m. & 6 p.m.
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Sunday Holy Eucharist: 8 a.m. & 6 p.m.
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Monday: 8 a.m. & 6 p.m.
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W'day (adult only): 8 a.m. & 6 p.m.
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.
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EXCITING WEBSITE CHANGE COMING SOON! |
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A new St. Martin’s website is coming soon! We're excited to say that we expect the transfer to the new site to be completed and visible to you within the next week. Take a quick tour of the new site with Caitlyn in the video below.
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The women at Irwin Detention Center have appreciated receiving the cards we sent this summer, and we know that they would love more. Please keep bringing them in as you feel called.
Click HERE for letter-writing instructions.
Click HERE for Caitlyn's video about recent headlines concerning Irwin Detention Center.
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Community Garden needs you!
Please click below to sign up to help water and weed the Community Garden.
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Tuesday Morning Prayer Group
You are invited to join this group of parishioners that gathers weekly via Zoom for Morning Prayer on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. The video call is protected by a password. You can obtain that password by clicking HERE. After clicking in, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Jr and Sr High Campfire on The Point
Put this date on your calendar! Sunday, Oct. 4, after 6 p.m. church.
BYO (Bring Your Own):
- Masks,
- Lawn chairs,
- And s'mores fixin's.
We'll have the fire ready on The Point for a casual,
physically distanced hang out.
Can't wait to see you!
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Text check-ins . . .
We know it's been a tough transition back to school this year, and we miss you guys a ton, so we want to check in and see how you're doing as often as we can. If you'd like to opt your child in for bi-weekly text check-ins from one of our youth volunteers and clergy, please click the button below to sign up with your child's name and phone number.
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Sr. High Zoom Breakfasts
These are held weekly on SUNDAYs at 9 a.m. on Zoom. Click button below for link.
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Has your child received his or her Storymakers box?
We're hearing good things, so we know they are arriving for children K-5, but if you haven't received yours yet, contact Caitlyn.
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Sept. 27
Bill Canaday
Claiborne Thompson
Sept. 29
Jared Conwell
Andrew Hutto
Ken Ormand Jr.
Mac Thames
Shea Wall
Sept. 30
Candy Frierson
Meredith Rashley
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Oct. 1
Louise Barker
Kate Hartley
Amy Hayden
Sue Kampe
Judy Tighe
Oct. 2
Shari Hutchinson
Maggie McElveen
Jeannie Saylor
Oct. 3
Helen King
Buddy Kittrell
Cathy McLeod
Keith McLeod
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Our teachers, professors and instructors |
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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
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Tayloe Harding
Amy Hayden
Elizabeth Hayden
Amanda Hines
Randy James
Elizabeth Jennings
Karen Johnson
David Jones
Kate Jones
Carol McGinnis Kay
Jody Lumpkin
Martin McWilliams
Mike Meadows
Caroline Nagel
Scotty Peek
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Valerie Pruett
Kelly Renko-Clarkson
Allison Rashley
Kyle Sanders
Amy Shuler
Tammie Singleton
Denise Smith
Amanda Stockard
Slayden Thomas
Sara Thornton
Jim Thrasher
Anne Vickers
Jessica Yarborough
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If we have missed someone, please let us know so we can add them
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WE ARE ON INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK |
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Follow St. Martin's on Instagram at @smifsc, where we post:
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The 3-Word Gospel on Tuesdays.
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Compline from Home each evening, Monday through Friday.
- And other fun posts!
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Also, 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.
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2 OPTIONS FOR CHURCH DIRECTORIES |
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This app puts the church directory at your fingertips!
The easiest and fastest way to have an up-to-date parish directory is by downloading the ChurchLife app onto your phone. Follow these instructions to get started. You will be so glad you did this! We promise.
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For the iPhone, click HERE.
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For an Android phone, click HERE.
Log in info: Site # 90036
Username and password are same as your church website log in. You will only have to input this info once. If you haven't created a login, follow the steps with the login button on the homepage of the church website.
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You can also use the church website
Click the button below for step-by-step instructions on how to access directories via our website.
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Thank you for your gifts . . . |
To make your pledge via online giving, click HERE.
To make a financial gift to St. Martin's online, click HERE.
To make your Capital Campaign pledge online, click HERE.
To make a gift to the Capital Campaign, click HERE.
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5220 Clemson Avenue
Columbia, SC 29206
803.787.0392 | www.stmartinsinthefields.com
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