Weekly eNews

December 31, 2021

As we turn the page on another year, St. Michael's wishes you and your loved ones a Happy New Year filled with God's presence and love. We will continue to make Christ known within and beyond our walls seeking innovative ways to worship, stay connected, and serve our community.

Boulder Fires

Fast moving fires destroyed hundreds of homes and business in Boulder County yesterday, December 30. First responders worked through the night to contain the flames and destruction. We've heard from several families in our congregation that have friends and families impacted by these fires and we grieve with them. The Revs. Matt, Angela, and Gary will be working with the Diocese of Colorado and local church leaders in the coming days to identify the ways we can help. Please stay tuned for the ways we will be responding and how you can get involved. In the meantime, please hold all those impacted and displaced in your prayers. With this latest devastating news, the clergy are aware that "compound grief" is a real thing and these events have an impact on your mental, physical, and spiritual health. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of the clergy for a listening ear, focused resources, and support. We are in this together + Rev. Matt, Rev. Angela, & Rev. Gary. CLICK HERE for the clergy contact information page.

COVID-19 Update

In the final week of 2021 we've seen a record number of COVID cases in the United States (and Colorado) as a result of the Omicron variant. 488,000 positive cases were reported across the country on just December 29. Unfortunately, COVID has and will continue to play a role in our lives. From the beginning of the pandemic, I've been proud of the decisions we've made as a community and appreciate the flexibility, patience, and compassion we've had with one another and ourselves. The community covenant we have in place has continued to limit risks and provide a safe and healthy environment with no COVID transmission reported as a result. As a reminder, St. Michael's safety protocols are as follows:

Masks are required inside the building for everyone over 3-years-old. This applies to all staff members unless they are alone in a room.
Eight (8) high-flow HEPA air cleaners are positioned throughout the building to increase air flow and clean the air. On Sundays we have four (4) HEPA air cleaners in the sanctuary in addition to our HVAC system that constantly runs during worship services.
Clergy and choir members are fully vaccinated and are permitted to be unmasked when 10 feet from others and leading worship.
Masks (adult and kids sizes) are available in the Gathering Space along with a Hand Sanitizer Station.
Cleaning and sanitization occurs several times a week by our sextons with a special emphasis on door knobs and handles.
NEW Beginning this Sunday (1/2/22) St. Michael's will provide our nursery staff with a free COVID rapid test that must be negative prior to working with our youngest children who are not yet eligible for a COVID vaccination.

We will continue to live-stream one of our Sunday services and use technology to help us when possible. Continue to read the Weekly eNews and publications with important updates and/or changes. Please know that the staff, lay-leaders, and I will continue to lean into innovative ways to feed your faith and stay connected. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Faithfully - The Rev. Matt Holcombe +

Lessons & Carols

This Sunday, January 2

10:00 AM In-person & Online

Join us for our only service this Sunday at 10:00 AM, Lessons and Carols. The lessons (or scripture readings) will follow the story of God's incarnate love from creation to Jesus' birth. The carols (or hymns) will highlight significant themes and messages from the lessons.

*On Sunday, January 9 we will be returning to our normal 8:00 & 10:30 AM Worship service schedule with Education for All between services.

New Pew Cards

We have new pew cards for hospitality, giving, and supporting one another. Completed pew cards can be placed in the offertory plate or black drop box in the Gathering Space. Share your prayer request using the PRAY card. Get more involved with the CONNECT card. And use the GIVE card to support our mission and ministries throughout the year.

New Name Tag Board

Don't forget to pick up your name tag and keep it in your car, purse, or favorite jacket. New name tags will be on the white board near the water fountain outside the sanctuary. If you have already lost your name tag - don't worry! Request a new name tag using one of the purple Name Tag cards and place your request in the black drop box.

Children & Youth Acolyte Training

Sunday, January 9

Following the 10:30 Service

We want your children & youth involved with worship! Serving as an acolyte is a great way for our young people to make an impact during our worship services. Covid-19 has affected how acolyte duties are conducted, so if your children are current acolytes, former acolytes, or interested in what it means to acolyte, please join us following the 10:30 AM worship service for an acolyte training. Children & Youth of all ages are welcome and encouraged to participate. Lunch will be provided. Please let us know you are coming by signing up HERE.

Christmas is alive and well at St. Michael’s!

Thanks to the overwhelming success of the St. Michael’s Light Show, we were able to share our holiday cheer with our Outreach partners. Volunteers delivered several over-flowing carloads of donated food from the Christmas Light Festival both to The Colorado House Food Pantry and to Mercy’s Gate. Donated toys were greeted with smiles and gratitude by The Colorado House Christmas giveaway and the Family Promise shelter. Much thanks to all who donated and all who made the Christmas Light Festival successful. You have lifted up the life of many in need.

Meal Train: Kevin & Emily

Do you like to cook and care for others? If you can prepare a meal for a family in our community, please SIGN UP HERE to help Kevin Henderson & Emily McMorran as Kevin recovers from his surgery. Dietary restrictions and delivery information is on the sign up page.

2021 Photos Needed

Did you take a great picture within and beyond the walls of St. Michael's in 2021? Share your photos with us before January 15 and it may end up in the year-in-review video, website, or a future publication. Send your pictures to photos@stmikeschurch.com.

Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training

Starts Tuesday, January 4

Are you interested in serving as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor? Or are you currently a Lay Eucharistic Visitor who may need to renew your license? The Office of the Bishop is offering an online training and certification for Lay Eucharistic Visitors this January beginning with an orientation on Tuesday, January 4, and concluding with a mandatory wrap-up session via Zoom on January 29. All training materials, including required Safe Church modules, are online and self-paced, with online discussions for sharing and engaging with others in the course asynchronously. CLICK HERE for more information or to register.

January/February Archangel

Articles Due January 4

We are gearing up for our next Archangel which will be covering January through February 22nd. To add in a short article (100-150 words) please send it to Communications@stmikeschurch.com by this Tuesday, January 4th.

Christian Essentials

(Only 2 Spots Remain)

Begins Jan. 15

Are you looking for a small group opportunity to help you grow in your faith? The Christian Essentials is a 16 week class led by two trained facilitators that walks you through the essential components of living a Christ Centered Life. CLICK HERE to sign up today.

Sunday Worship Volunteers

We are in need of help every Sunday as we worship God together. Can you be an usher, greeter, acolyte, or help with coffee hour at the 8:00 or 10:30 AM Service? CLICK HERE to let us know you can help.

Disaster Relief

Over $1,850 Awarded

St. Michael's has donated $1,850 to the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky to help respond to the devastation caused by severe weather earlier this month. If you would like to make a contribution to respond to relief efforts CLICK HERE to learn more. Many thanks to our Outreach Committee for helping us respond to the needs beyond our walls.

Children, Youth, & Family eNews

Did you miss this week's Children, Youth, & Family eNews? Not to worry, CLICK HERE to read this week's Children, Youth, & Family eNews. Check out all the wonderful work and activities our families and young parishioners are involved in!

January 2, This Sunday

Festival of Lessons & Carols

*10:00 AM - Online and Indoor In-Person

-Watch on YouTube CLICK HERE

-Watch Facebook Live @stmikeschurchCOS

-Watch Vimeo www.vimeo.com/stmikeschurch

-Digital Bulletin CLICK HERE

11:00 AM - Coffee Hour

*No 5:00 PM Service

Request Home Communion Delivery

Help with Sunday Worship (Ushers, Greeters, Read, Acolyte)

Laundry Love

Mondays 9:00 AM - Noon

Help Wanted

Thank you all for your wonderful continued support of this ministry, we are so thankful for all the quarters we've collected. While we have an amazing group of volunteers already, we are looking for new faces to volunteer to staff the Laundry Love events themselves. We'd love to get more parishioners involved in getting to know our amazing friends and neighbors each Monday. CLICK HERE to sign up to volunteer for December through January dates! For questions contact Gary at gary@stmikeschurch.com.