This Week from Mitch
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I hope and pray that you are well. This week is going to be exciting. As we grow, I hope and pray that we have more and more weeks like this. Weeks of service, celebration, prayer, education, and family. I am grateful to everyone who is participating. It is going to be fun.
Sunday after the 10:30 service, one group of folks will be traveling to Lutheran Seminary to help build beds for refugees who are locating here in Columbia. Your giving helped us to buy these beds, and your labor is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Your giving and participation in our church helps us to say yes to a world in need. Saying "yes" to ministry is one of the things that makes St. Martin's such a special place.
Also, after the 10:30 service, at the same time we are building beds, Coleman Dukes will become an Eagle Scout. There are so many Eagle Scouts in our parish. Coleman joins a great group of leaders in our parish. I am very proud of him.
On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, our vestry will come together for its vestry retreat. Over the course of two nights, we will talk about the future of our parish and be guided by the Rev. Chris Jillard, whose expertise in church growth and church dynamics will help us think about how we serve our community and each other in a growing and sustainable way for years to come.
On Thursday, we will begin recording podcasts again. Lisa Martin, a member of our parish, will talk with us about the USC Domestic Violence Legal Clinic. Domestic violence is a difficult subject that affects all communities. It is also a subject that, because it touches all communities, is often not spoken about. Shining a light on it is right and good, and, hopefully, our conversation might help someone in need. Information is power.
Then, finally, on Friday, our week will wind up with both our Kanuga weekend and a wedding! Chris Jillard, our vestry retreat speaker, will speak to the folks at Kanuga, sharing the same information she shared with the vestry while members Molly Dougall and Ben Rasmussen will be getting married at the church in Columbia.
Sunday services will be held both here in Columbia at their usual times and on the mountain in Hendersonville.
When I interviewed at St. Martin's, I told the vestry and interviewers that I dreamed of a time when St. Martin's would be open every day and every night of the week, and not only would we be open, but in being open, we would be actively seeking to love and serve our Lord through word and deed. Weeks like this are a dream come true. They show the strength of our community and they celebrate both our love of God and our neighbor. Thanks be to God.
In Christ,
Mitch+
