E-Messenger June 4, 2020
FROM THE RECTOR

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The past few weeks are weeks that I do not believe I will ever forget. I have found myself spending a lot of time in prayer. I have prayed for our brothers and sisters in Christ who have found themselves the victims of racism. I have prayed for healing in our community and our nation. I have prayed for our police officers and first responders. I prayed for protesters who want to be heard, want to see change, and want to be safe. I have prayed for my African American friends, particularly my black male friends, who are, by some, seen as a threat simply because of the color of their skin. I have prayed for forgiveness of my sins, particularly my sin of complacency in the face of systemic racism. I have prayed that I do a good job in raising children who will be taught in the way of love. I know our St. Martin's community. You are amazing people. I suspect many of you have prayed many of the same prayers. 

Tomorrow (Friday) at noon, I would like to invite you to join a Zoom meeting . Together I would like to pray the Great Litany
found on page 148 of your Book of Common Prayer . At the part before the Lord's Prayer, we will offer special intercessions, praying for an end to racism and praying for radical healing. It's a short service. If you are working, you will be able to join us from your lunch break. As Christians, we are a people of prayer and action. Many of us have stepped out in action, tomorrow let us gather in prayer. 

In Christ,
Mitch+
SUNDAY, June 7
Join us for church this Sunday
via Live online worship with YouTube
Join our Live online worship with YouTube at 10 a.m . this Sunday . The Bulletin is attached, or you may access it below. And please continue to add your prayer requests during the prayers.

Click HERE for the readings.
Click HERE for the Book of Common Prayer.
Click HERE for the Order of Service.
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
PRAYER LIST FORM NOW AVAILABLE
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. 
OUTREACH
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 the languages listed in the picture, 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:
  • Material goods to support refugee families. Items will be detailed on Amazon Wish Lists.
  • Digital devices. Most importantly, affiliates need donations of gently used digital devices -- tablets, smartphones, laptops -- so they can continue providing services and support to refugee families.
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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.
Mask update: We made our goal, but can still share more
We blew past our goal of 200 masks this week! Thank you to everyone who has sewn them. The Department of Juvenile Justice and Candyman Homeless Ministries has each received 100 masks to give to those in need.

If you sewed masks to help us reach that goal, please resend your name to Caitlyn. (She wants to be able to thank you!)

If you would like to keep sewing masks, you may continue to drop them off in the mail slot at the church to be distributed to other groups who need them.
ADULTS
Whiteness and racial justice
Whiteness is more than a privilege in North America. It is a deeply seated obstacle that, when addressed, can lead to the racial justice for which so many people yearn.

Register for a four-week Zoom class with Caitlyn. We'll be using a written and video curriculum from Kelly Brown Douglas, above, dean of the Episcopal Divinity School. She is an Episcopal priest, author, professor, and presenter at the 2016 Trinity Institute conference "Listen for a Change: Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice." In this class, she offers four video presentations entitled:

  • Whiteness
  • Religion
  • Theological Reflection
  • Perspective

This course is ideal for those seeking a deeper understanding of the effect of white privilege on American society. Register below to join. Class begins Thursday, June 11, at 5:30 p.m., and runs for four weeks. Can't meet at that time? Register anyway to read along.
Susan Prinz to offer class on emotional well being
Being emotionally healthy isn't easy under the best of circumstances, but especially during these days. And yet, emotional health isn't something that simply is; there are ways that we can have a positive impact on this aspect of our well-being. To be emotionally healthy means understanding our emotions and having control over how we express them. Beginning Tuesday, June 9, at 3 p.m., The Rev. Susan Prinz, Ph.D., will teach a four-week, one-hour Zoom course on Emotional Wellness. Enrollment is required with capacity for 10 participants. For more information, check out the Living Compass curriculum at  www.livingcompass.org. To enroll, contact Susan.
Want to learn about the Enneagram?
An evening Zoom study group about the Enneagram -- a tool for inner work that helps us learn more about who we were created to be -- will begin the week of June 15 with day and time to be decided by consensus. The class will run for five weeks. Sessions will be 90 minutes, and will use the book and study guide "The Road Back to You" (by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile), both of which are required and must be ordered on your own. Cron, a psychotherapist, is also an Episcopal priest and longtime student of the Enneagram. Stabile is an internationally known retreat director as well as a master Enneagram teacher. This class is open to the community and will be facilitated by St. Martin's parishioner Galen McWilliams. Contact Galen to take part or with questions.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
Join our Tuesday Morning Bible Study, which begins at 7:30 a.m. every Tuesday. T he video call is protected by a password to keep us safe. You can obtain that password by clicking HERE . After clicking in, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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.
CHILDREN
Tucked-in at Bedtime Storytime this Sunday at 7 p.m. , on the church's YouTube channel . These stories are also posted on the Children's Ministry's Facebook page at the same time.
This week's Gospel is Matthew 28: 16-20 :
  • What do you think is the most important lesson Jesus taught his disciples?

Resources for talking with children about race are HERE.
YOUTH
High school Zoom is Friday at noon. (Our middle school Zoom was earlier today, Thursday).

Next week, both Zooms will be on Friday and will be our farewell Zooms for Courtney, who is moving to Ocean Springs, MS, where her husband has a new job, at the end of the month:
  • Middle school at 11:30 a.m.
  • High school at noon

To join, click HERE . Questions? Contact Courtney Baker .
MUSIC
A bit of Chopin from English to soothe your souls. This is Chopin Prelude in e minor . Click the image above to listen.
GRADUATE UPDATE
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  • Bailey Elizabeth Bara, granddaughter of Harriet and English Morris, is graduating from Spring Valley High School, and will be attending Georgia Gwinnett College, majoring in biology.
  • Eliza Dozier, granddaughter of Ellen and Robert Dozier, graduated from the University of South Carolina. Her college was listed incorrectly last week.
  • Rosie Jackson, daughter of Lynn Carpenter, graduated from A.C. Flora High School and will attend Midlands Technical College in the fall.
  • Leigh Poteat, daughter of Shannon and Chad Poteat, graduated from Furman University and will attend the Darla Moore School of Business at USC in the fall. She will pursue a master's degree in human resources.
  • Logan Truluck is the granddaughter of Richard and Nancy Truluck. She was incorrectly listed as their grandson. Logan is graduating from Hyde School in Bath, ME, and will attend Wheaton College in Massachusetts next year.
BIRTHDAYS
June 8
Jeff Caswell

June 9
Chevis Fogarty
Steve Fulmer
Karen Johnson
Bruce Siron
Penny Thomas
June 12
Irene Early
Lily Stockard

June 13
Kathy Aaron
Cole Blease Graham IV
Dylan Huff
Jack Shuler
ST. MARTIN'S ON FACEBOOK
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 link for each Sunday's worship service is posted here along with lots of other SMIF news.
@smifsc ON INSTAGRAM
Follow St. Martin's on Instagram at @smifsc, where we post:
  • The 3-Word Gospel on Tuesdays.
  • Compline from Home each evening, Monday through Friday.
  • And other fun posts!
ONLINE GIVING
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 .
5220 Clemson Avenue
Columbia, SC 29206
803.787.0392 | www.stmartinsinthefields.com