This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This week has been a week of new experiences in the Smith house. I have a child who is now a freshman in high school. What a joy it has been to watch him participate in his first homecoming week. The costumes, the silly games at school, and the float building have all been fun. As parents, Denise and I have been able to share nostalgic memories of our homecomings. As I said, it has been fun. Watching Noah at youth group has also been a blessing. Y'all, between 25 and 30 young people from all over the city have been coming to our youth group gatherings. What a blessing! A messy youth loft is a sign of a healthy church!

Our youth are going to help lead us Sunday night as we do a Blessing of the Animals. At 6 p.m. on Sunday (just after the 5 p.m. service), bring your beloved pet companions to be blessed. Also please consider bringing some pet food to donate to Stone Soup Animal Rescue. On St. Francis Day, we remember that God created "all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small."

In addition to being that time of year when we celebrate homecomings and bless our pets, it's also stewardship season, the time when we consider what we will give to St. Martin's. I ask you to look at your church and see the healthy youth programming, safe and holy worship and ongoing mission efforts like Habitat for Humanity, the Crayton backpack program, Harvest Hope, Family Promise and so much more. I ask you to re-read articles in our "faith!" magazine or perhaps to look back at our E-Messengers. Look, see and feel how we have stayed connected. And then pray about the future of your church.

After doing these things, I ask you to consider your pledge. Together, St. Martin's has persevered through this pandemic. Together, we will continue to thrive as we seek to share the love of our Lord Jesus Christ with a world that so deeply needs it.

In Christ,

Mitch+