Omicron, of course, has been on a lot of people's minds. We will continue with our zone system at church. The Blue Zone is masked. The Green Zone is mask-optional for vaccinated people. We will also continue to mask when gathering in groups where physical distancing is not possible. Depending on the weather, we will use outside spaces and our patio/deck heaters. We will continue to do our best to be safe, understanding that our policies of masking and encouraging vaccination are out of love for our neighbors. No more, no less.

What's interesting to me as both a political science student and a theologian is that we as individuals seem to gravitate toward separating ourselves from each other… At no point in scripture does Jesus tell us to separate ourselves. Instead, he calls us to be agents of unity, love, and peace. Jesus never hands us the winnowing fork. It's His. It belongs to Christ the King, not us, the servants of God.

Finally on a personal note, thank you all for keeping St. Martin's alive and vibrant. Our pledging for the upcoming year has exceeded both 2020 and 2021. Our programs are running over and beyond what they were at pre- pandemic levels, and we are growing. Your love of the Lord and your commitment to this church have led to this success. Again, you are a blessing. As we celebrate Christmas, please know that the Smith family will be giving thanks for each and everyone of you.

We have new ways and opportunities to worship together based on new guidance from our bishop. As you walk into the church you will notice some visible differences.

My friends, after virtual services and an outside Christmas Eve, I am pleased that we can offer these services to you! As the time comes for Christmas Day, let us draw near to the Lord in worship and thanksgiving.

From a pig and oyster roast only a few weeks ago, and guest speakers talking to us about making room for joy in our lives, and a youth group that is averaging 19 students a Sunday to our annual parish weekend and special services such as Lessons and Carols, St. Martin's is trying hard to foster community, unity, health and joy, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Come and see what we are doing, knowing that all are welcome.

Everything you need to know about the Giving Tree in the Narthex! Pick up your tag on Sunday to help make Christmas joyful for a family in our neighborhood.

Coming back to worship if you have been away is also a process. It requires intentional purpose -- that purpose could be any number of things. Things like wanting your child to have a faith community to support them, or wanting your life to be more prayerful, or perhaps it could be as simple as, "I am lonely, I need time with people and my Lord." Whatever that purpose is, I encourage you to find it. I then invite you to take the step of setting your alarm for Sunday morning or evening. Then all that is left to do is come.

As you can see there are some amazing and exciting things on our horizon. Let's band together and pull them off.

We need coffee hour volunteers, set up and clean up volunteers for special services, a few more sheep and maybe even a shepherd for our pageant! We need adult acolytes, youth acolytes, Altar Guild participants and more. Please come and enjoy the offerings we have. Please also pray about how you can be of service.

Today is Veterans Day. It is also the Feast of St. Martin, the patron saint of veterans. To all who have served, and to all who are currently serving, St. Martin's-in-the-Fields is grateful. Thank you for your service.

This Sunday evening, we are going to celebrate St. Martin's Day with a feast. We are going to have a pig and oyster roast. Come and bring a side dish or dessert to share! It feels so good to celebrate with you all again. The party will be in the courtyard and the gym. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m.

Meet our patron saint and namesake, Saint Martin of Tours. He’s the patron saint of veterans and has a storied life! Read more, and listen to our newest podcast episode linked at the end!

On Sunday the 14th, we are going to celebrate St. Martin's Day here at St. Martin's. Our celebration will start at about 5:30 p.m. The church will provide the main course of BBQ pork and a Lowcountry Boil. Sides and desserts will be potluck style. Please bring your favorite to share!

It's been far too long since we have celebrated as a community. Please mark your calendars and come. Let's celebrate the saint our church was named for, the year that we have had, and the year to come.

Each time we leave our church and walk out onto The Point, heading back into our everyday lives, we are entering our mission field. I cannot imagine entering that mission field with any other church. We have amazing parishioners and a great staff. The work will be challenging, but I believe with the Holy Spirit as our guide, the harvest will be plentiful.

It’s Allhallowtide! This weekend in our Church calendar, we prepare to celebrate what many describe as “three of the most thin days in the church year.” You’ve certainly heard of Halloween, traditionally called All Hallow’s Eve, but what about the other two? What is All Saints? What is All Souls? What’s the difference?

Grab your bucket of treats and gather round for tales of the saints, the living and the dead.

Our parish’s bylaws are the governing documents of our congregation. They tell us how we are to remain organized, they guide our official business together, and they support the ministry and mission of this place. A committee of talented lawyers from within the parish have been meeting to review our bylaws which were written decades ago. Read their proposed changes here.

Sadly, in 2021, there are many people who are regularly hurt by their faith traditions. These people live with the scars that come from pastors, teachers, and churches who have at one point or another used the Bible as a weapon.

If the presence of folks from St. Martin's can be a balm on these wounds, then I am all for participating. St. Martin's will have a tent and a banner during Family Pride from Noon to 5 p.m. this Saturday (Oct. 23). Our tent will be on Main Street, close to Washington.

In the past two weeks, I have had the honor of representing our diocesan clergy at the installation of two new rectors in the diocese. The first was Dane Boston, the new dean of Trinity Cathedral. The second was Raphiell Ashford, the new rector of St. Luke's, Columbia. At both installations, I found myself praying for the success of the new clergy. Their success positively affects us as Christ's message is shared with all, and our success affects them.