Eastminster Today Aug Sept 2023

INSIDE: A LOOK BACK, 75TH MUSIC SUNDAY, APRIL 30

A LOOK FORWARD, 2023-2024 THEME, A TIME TO EMBRACE

75TH

CHURCH-WIDE

SMALL

ADVENT

WEDDINGS

WELCOME

A Letter from Your Pastor

earEastminsterFamily,

I’mhopeful.Afterthelongpandemicseasonofseclusionandseparation,whichwas followedbyastormofdiscordanddistrust,itseemsacollectiverememberingthatweare allconnectedisemerging.Agrowingwearinesswithincendiaryrhetoricinallitsformsis settlingin,andinitsplacethereisareclaimingoftheimportanceofcommunity,ofour connectednessashumanbeingsalloccupyingthesamesmallplanet,country,cityor street.

TurningagainstoneanotherisnotthewayofJesus.LovingoneanotheriswhatourLord teaches,anditislove,sacrificiallove,hemodeled.Thereis,orsoIpray,areawakeningto theOnetowhomallearthlypowersmustaccount--arekindlingofdevotiontotheLord God,whoaloneistheway,thetruthandthelife Inthisspirit,Eastminster’sthemefor thiscomingyearis,“Atimetoembrace.”

RememberingthatGodembracesusfirst,andthatwemerelyrespondtoGod’s prevenientgrace,theApostlePauldescribedhisownspiritualcallingwriting:“…Ikeep pursuingit,hopingsomehowtoembraceitjustasIhavebeenembracedbytheMessiah Jesus Brothers,Idonotconsidermyselftohaveembracedityet ButthisonethingIdo: Forgettingwhatliesbehindandstrainingforwardtowhatliesahead,Ikeeppursuingthe goaltowintheprizeofGod’sheavenlycallintheMessiahJesus,”(Philippians3:12ffISV) AsyouwillbegintoseeinthepagesofthisissueofEastminsterToday,thecoming programyearwillprovideopportunitiesintheformofstudies,serviceopportunities, worshipexperiences,fellowship,andmoreforyoutoencountertheembraceofGodas youclaimorreclaimyouridentityasabelovedchildofGod,adiscipleofJesus,anda brotherorsisterinChrist.

Havingrecentlyexperiencedchallengingseasonsinourcollectivelives,letusseizetheday byturningawayfromthoseforcesthatseparateusfromGodandoneanother,sothatwe canleanin,respondingtoGod’sembracebyembracingGodandneighbor

Godlovesyou.Claimit,andrespond!

InChrist’slove,

Dr. Brad Smith, Senior Pastor

75TH RECAP & FINALE

Music Sunday - April 30, 2023

FREDNA LEE

WhatwasthefirstthingyounoticedaboutEPC’s75th celebration?Wasitthe30blueandwhitebannerswith the75thlogothatwerehungonlamppostsaround campuslastsummer?Thendidyounoticethevery cleverplayonthewordhistory–HisStory–history. HisStorybecameOurStoryasEastminsterChurch grewandflourishedonTrenholmRoadthroughgrace andfaithfulness.

Aspartofthe24-member75thAnniversaryPlanning TeamledbyJohnMcArthur,Ihadinsideinformation onthecreativegeniusthatcontinuedfromthe“playon words”tothelastbigmomentofMusicSundayin

April.Thisgroupquicklydividedintoteamstotackle fourlargethemes:Celebration,Study,Missions,and WorshipAllthewhile,flatscreens,videos,andprinted materialsbegantofeedusinformationaboutupcoming events.OurcrewofITandMediafolksspectacularly keptusinformedofallthatwasabouttooccur.

Eventhoughtheofficialkick-offwasnottobeuntil January,webeganthededicatoryyearinAugustwith theunited,church-wide,intergenerationalJourney ThroughtheBible.59SmallGroups,mostSunday Schoolclasses,andallSundaymorningsermons followeda12-monthscheduletowalkusfrom GenesistoRevelationasachurchfamily.

January28th’sBirthdayGalaheldatCentralEnergy beganthefestivitieswithdeliciousfood, extraordinaryflowers,andthereunionof500friends oldandnew.Whatareyourmemoriesofthat evening:theBBQservedinthewoodendoughbowl, thetenderbeeftenderloin,thepitachipsthatspilled acrossthetable,orthedeliciouscakedecoratedwith theimageofourchurch?Doyourmemoriesinclude themanyhugsthatfeltstrangeaftersolongwithout any?Orthemassivephotoshootthatresultedina lastingtestimonytothegloriousevening?

Thecelebrationscontinuedthenextdaywith ReverendAmosDisasaleadingaworshipservice filledwiththesoundsofbagpipesandbrass.His messageofgracefromtheGospelofJohnincluded

thephrase“graceupongrace”andthethought:we wantthegraceweknowandnotthegraceweneed

WhileMission,Service,andBenevolenceisandwill alwaysbeamajorpartofourcorporatelives,itwas fittingthatthemonthofMarchcelebratedour dedicationtoserviceinChrist,throughChrist,andof Christ-CommunityService.

Saturday,March25th,sentover300membersand friendsinto19differentlocationsthroughoutthe Midlandstoserve.Thenextday,theRev.Dr.Ellen Skidmore’sChrist-centeredmessagebased onEphesians2focuseduson"themainthing:weare savedbygraceandnotbyworks."

WorshipandMusicSundaywascelebratedonApril 30th,exactly67yearstothedayofoursanctuary’s dedicationonApril29,1956.Withathree-fold themeofpraise,thanksgiving,andre-dedication,our worshipbeganwithaFanfarearrangedforthe26pieceorchestrabyJoshEvanovichandconcluded witharousingrenditionof"InChristAlone"ledby theJubileeBand,EPCorchestra,andChancelChoir. HymnsbyMendelssohn,VaughanWilliams,and

Mathiasrepresentedmusicfromourpastwhile contemporarysongsbyRudolph,BoydandGetty lookedtothefuture.Congregationallitaniesfrom Psalms92&96andRevelation21werespokenas wellasafinalLitanyofDedicationthatincluded thesewordssunginunison:

Come in praise and adoration, all who on Christ’s name believe; Worship him with consecration, grace and love will you receive. For his grace give him the glory, for the Spirit and the Word, And repeat the gospel story ‘til all souls his name have heard.

Howfittingthatthegrandfinaleofthe75th AnniversarywasMusicSunday!Lookingbackover theyear-longcelebration,wearethankfulforthehard workofsomanythathelpedbringthepast25years (andlonger)ofEastminster'sStoryintofocus, remindingusofthemanysaintsofEastminster'spast. ScantheQRCodebelowtoviewthe75th Anniversaryphotos,videosandmemories.

RETURN TO INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

Marsh Harbour - Bahamas REV. NICK DEMUYNCK

Overtheyears,Eastminsterhashadarichtraditionof servingoursiblingsinChristbothinourbackyard andaroundtheworld.Throughoutourchurch’s history,wehavetraveledtocountriessuchasUganda, Haiti,CostaRica,Mexico,andmore.Duringthe pandemic,though,ourservicetoforeigncountries cametoanabrupthalt.Wewerenolongerableto serveatthelocalsoupkitchens,letalonetravelaround theworld,anditremainedthatwayforseveralyears

Finally,thispastSummer,wehavebeenableto reentertheglobalmissionfieldanddidsoby beginningapartnershipwiththeKirkofthePines churchinMarshHarbour,Bahamas.Itisourhope thattheycanbealongstandingmissionpartner,and onewithwhichwemakelastingrelationships

OvertheSummer,21youthandfouradultsfromour churchtraveledtotheBahamastohelpinthe continuedeffortsofrebuildinghomesinMarsh Harbour,followingthedevastatingdestructionof HurricaneDorianin2019,aswellastobuild relationshipswiththechurchcommunitythere.

BenSloansaid,“Weareexpectingabout15adults togowithustotheBahamasthisNovember.Brad SmithwillbeleadingthisgroupTheplanisforthe youthtobreakinthemissionthisSummer,andwe willcontinuetheirworkandrelationshipsthere thisFall.

Theword“missions”comesfromtheGreekmissio (tobesent).Jesussaid,“AstheFatherhassentme, sosendIyou”WegooutofloveforChristand respectforhiscommand.Butgoingalsoenriches thetravelers.Welearnadifferentculture, appreciateGod’sblessings,sharewithourbrothers andsisters,andreachoutinlovetothosewhomay notattendchurchorbelieve.”

ThisNovember,EPCadultsfollowinouryouth’s footstepsandheadtocontinuetheworkouryouth startedIfyouareinterestedinjoiningusonthe trip,pleasemakesuretoconnectwithoneofthe pastorsonstaffsotheycangiveyoumoredetails.

Regardless,Ihopeyouwilljoinmeinprayerto thankGodforthisnewpartnershipinministryas welooktowardsthefutureofglobalmissionsat Eastminster.

RETURN TO INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

Chiapas - Mexico

DR. BEN SLOAN

Earlylastmonth,Eastminstersentmyson,John, andItoChiapas,Mexico,neartheGuatemalan bordertocheckoutwherewewillbuildanew church.Weattendedwith11others,somefrom FirstScotsPCinCharlestonandotherfriendsand family.Ithinkwewouldallagreethough,thatthe experiencewasjoyfulandimpactful.

Sometimesthebestmissiontripsarewherewecan makeahugedifferenceforasmallinvestment.This iswhatishappeninginChiapas.Iwastherein2016 whenSalvadorandIrmaDeLaTorrewereopening uptheirmissioncompound.Now,thecompound hashotwater,airconditioning,greatfood, horsebackriding,swimming,andistotallysafe. Chiapasisabeautifulareawithbluewaterfallsand someofthebestMayanruinsintheworld.Butthe peoplemaketheareamorebeautiful.

Perrequest,MSBallocated$10,000tostartanew church,andwefoundtherightspot-AguaAzul, whereonebuildingwillhostfivegroupsthat currentlyworshipinhouses.

DuringourtimeinChiapas,wevisitednine churchesandmetwiththeirleaders,workedonfour constructionprojects,andheldsevenVacation BibleSchools-readingSpanishBiblestoriesand singingSpanishsongswith20-60childrenper church.Onechurchhadonlyonememberin attendance.Theother30werevisitors!Perhaps bestofall,wesharedtheloveofChrist.Ournext triptoChiapasisscheduledforJune2024.

BURTON SISTERS - CHAMPS ALUM

2023 Campus Outreach Leadership Project

REBEKAH GASTON

Thissummer,EastminstersponsoredtwoCHAMPS alumsisters,AmberandNiaBurton,inaneight-week programcalledCampusOutreachLeadershipProject inOrlando,Fla.Theprogramisasummerinvestment, designedtohelpstudentsgrowintheirrelationship withJesusaswellasdevelopministryskillsand leadershipskills.Throughtraining,studentsdevelop notonlyspiritually,butalsorelationally,financially, andinmanyotherareasoflife.

Niasaid,“MyexperiencewithCampusOutreach LeadershipProjectwasagreat,transformative experience.Ithoroughlyenjoyedthetraining becausetheyprovidedaBiblicalperspectiveonrealworldtopics,suchasfinances,timemanagement, relationships,andjobs.TheskillsIbroughtback fromCampusOutreachwillhelpmetolivemylife accordingtoGod’sWord”

Thescripturereferenceforthisyear’sCampus OutreachLeadershipProgramwasEphesians2:1-10,

whichtalksabouthoweveryoneisdeadintheirsins, butthosewhobelieveinGodaremadealiveinChrist byhisgraceandforhisglory.Thistransformation shouldmotivateChristianstolivetheirlivesina pleasingmannertowardGod.

Ambersaid,“BeingpartoftheCampusOutreach LeadershipProjecttransformedmywalkwithGod. Myfavoritetrainingwasonevangelism,whereI receivedinstructionondifferenttoolstosharemy faithandthenwenttotheshoppingoutletstoshare theGospel.Iamoftencaughtinthe'howto'of evangelism,whichpreventsmefromsharingmy faith,buttheCampusOutreachLeadershipProject taughtmetheurgencyofthemissiontomake disciples;therefore,Icannotstaycomplacentin keepingmyfaithtomyself.”

ThankyouEastminster,forsponsoringAmberand NiaBurton,whohavehadlife-changingexperiences duetoyourbenevolencethroughtheirCHAMPS yearsandbeyond.

Above (left to right): Nia and Amber Burton

Above (left to right): Amber and Nia Burton

Business, Body & Blessings

LYNDSAY MOORE - E2 2023

Iwasn’tsurewhatIwasgettingmyselfintowhenIcalled PastorNicktotellhimIwantedtobeanE2Intern.But nowIgigglewhenpeopleaskwhatwedobecauseIknow theydon'texpectthefullrun-down.Basically,Ithinkof E2asthreecategories:business,body,andblessings.

First,wegota"behindthesceneslook"atthe"business" aspect.Weattendedstaffmeetingsandlearnedabout budgeting,planningcurriculum,Summeractivities,and evenlandscaping.Oneofmyfavoritememoriesisthe five-minuteconversationwithPastorBradaboutwhen andwherethecoffeeshouldbeplacedonSunday mornings.Thiswasaneye-openerregardinghowmuch thoughtgoesintomakinganhour-longworshipservice runsmoothly.

Thisbringsmetomynextpoint,the"body."Iloved meetingthestaffandcongregation,orthebodyofthe church.WeworkedwiththeWeeklyWeeders.Wemet withMrHoughattheCLCandevenMrsBennett, EPC’slibrarian,totalkthroughourDailyDevotionals WediscussedBeingPresbyterianintheBibleBelt,and PresbyterianQuestions,PresbyterianAnswers,withPastor DouglasstoexplorewhatwebelieveasPresbyterians.

Andfinally,the"blessings."Mostimportanttomewas theblessingofbeingcalledtoservewithE2.Someofus headedtoMontreatwhileothersservedatSalkehatchie, wherewefixedtheroofofawidowwhosetwosonswere killedinanaccidentandwhosehusbandhadpassedaway inherarms.Hertearsofjoywhenshesawhernewroof anddecktouchedourheartsaswesharedamomentof God’sloveandgrace.

Overall,thissummerhasopenedoureyestothemany waysthechurchservesandhowmuchwecanlearnfrom eachother’sstories.Eastminsterisabeautifulbodyof believers.MeetingmanyofyouhaschangedthewayI viewthechurch.Churchisnotjustaphysicalplaceto worshipWeareafamily,agroupofpeoplewhotakecare ofeachotherandshareGod’slovedaily.

ENDOWMENT UPDATE

Donaho Teaching Church Fund

BILL COLLINS - BUS. MGR.

Proceedsgeneratedbythecorpusof theDr.JoeB.DonahoTeaching ChurchFundareusedtobring peopletolearnbyservingat Eastminsterand/ortosend Eastminstermembersouttolearnby servinginotherChristianministry contexts.Thisincludessupportingthe EastminsterExperience(E2) SummerInternship.

TheDrJoeBDonahoTeachingChurchFundwas establishedinthanksgivingtoGodforDrDonaho’s encouragementandemphasisthatEastminsterimpactlivesfor Christ’sKingdombybeingateachingchurchDuringDr Donaho’s12yeartenureaspastor(1988-2000),Eastminster equippedandenabledmenandwomentoclaim,develop,and usetheirGod-givengiftsinservicetoEastminsterandtothe Churchuniversal.

Since2015,thechurchhasreceived$1,025,550.62ingiftsfor thisendowmentfundAsofMay2023,thebalanceis $1,244,11035Since2018,TheDonahoTeachingFundhas providedscholarshipsupportforseveralindividuals(seminary andothertrainings)intheamountof$15,669.03,fundingfor guestspeakersforCoreeventsintheamountof$10,939.72, andsupportfortheEastminsterE2internprograminthe amountof$35,040.44.Thetotalamountspentsince2018 fromthisfundforministryhasbeen$61,649.19.

E2 2023 - (Left to Right) Carter Hinson, Molly Evatt, Colson Carey, Lyndsay Moore, Sam Seigler, & Ivey Barber

EMBRACING THE FAITH

That Holds Us in Common

DR. DOUGLASS KEY

callsustoholdfastandthosethingsourfaithcalls ustorelease,wearegoingtostartbyremembering andrehearsingthosecoreChristiancommitments thatarecommontousall.Muchlikewedidlast yearwiththeJourneyThroughtheBible,eachweek duringtheFall,wearegoingtoconcentrateona classicChristianbelief.Inworship,onSunday nightsandmidweekduringSmallGroupsand YouthBibleStudies,wearegoingtoexploreand investigatewhatourfaithteachesustobelieve.

Sometimesitfeelslikeitiseasiertostatethe differenceswehavewithotherChristiansthanthose thingsweshareincommon.Weknowwhatmakes ourchurch,ourtradition,ourdenomination distinctive.Wecanhavelong,animated conversationsaboutthevalidityofinfantBaptism orthefullparticipationofwomenandmeninthe ministryofthechurch.Oftentimes,thosearethe thingswelikethebestaboutwhoweareandwhat webelieveThosedistinctivepracticesanddoctrines arewhatwemostwantConfirmandstoknowand ournewofficerstoaffirm.It’snotenoughtobea ChristianElderorDeacon;youneedtobea ReformedPresbyterianElderorDeaconinorderto servethiscongregation.

Thatisnotwrong.EveryChristianfellowship makesitsowncontributiontotheecumenical conversation.Butinourzealtopreserveour distinctiveidentity,werisklosingsightofthecore ChristianprofessionthatbindsallfollowersofJesus totheoneBodyofChrist.

Aswespendtimethisyeardiscerningthosethings thatourloyaltyanddevotiontoJesusChristasLord

HowdoesGodmakehimselfknowntous?What doestheTrinity,GodasFather,Son,andHoly Spirit,teachusaboutGod’sbeingandcharacter? WhoareweascreaturesofthisGodwhobearthe divineimage?Andsoon

OurcompaniononthisjourneywillbeKnowing OurFaith:AGuideforBelievers,Seekers,and ChristianCommunitiesbyJustoGonzalez.Dr. GonzaleztaughtChurchHistoryandHistorical TheologyatColumbiaTheologicalSeminaryfor manyyears.Thebookistheresultofacollaboration withtheecumenicalChristiancommunityin PuertoRicowhoseleaderswereconcernedthat

Christianwitnesswasbeingcompromisedbythe attentiondevotedtoconflictsanddifferences betweenvariousChristiancommunities.The resultisacontemporaryarticulationofthefaith oftheOne,Holy,CatholicandApostolicchurch –renderedinwinsomeandaccessibleterms. Eachweekwewillprovidesupplementalresources forSmallGroupleaders.Inadditiontoa Sundays@5class(September10),wewillcontinue todistributevideosupplementsthatbringthe themefortheweekintoamorePresbyterianand Reformedunderstanding.Wewilldrawfrom Scriptureandourconfessions,theHeidelbergand WestminsterCatechismsinparticular,toshow

Taste and See WE@EPC Meals by

Anna Mills Cox

howourparticularcorneroftheChristianfaith hasunderstoodeachdoctrineandhowthat understandinghasbeenputintopractice. Bytakingtimetorenewourfamiliaritywithand commitmenttothecorecommitmentsof Christiandiscipleship,wewillbebetterableto discernhowGod’sclaimonourlivesimpactsthe waywework,thewayweparent,thewaywecare forourselvesandourspouses,thewaywespend, andthewaywerelatetoourneighbors.Itstarts withourknowledgeandunderstandingofthe GodweknowinJesusChrist,theGodtowhom Scripturebearswitness,andtheGodwhose redemptivelovecallsustosurrenderourselvesto hissovereignrule.

Oneofthebestfellowshipbuilders,waystoformacommunity,andopportunitiestodeepenthelove withintheBodyofChristisbygatheringaroundthetablewithfellowbelieversThiscanbeseeninActs asbelieversformedthefirstchurch:“Everydaytheycontinuedtomeettogetherinthetemplecourts. Theybrokebreadintheirhomesandatetogetherwithgladandsincerehearts,”Acts2:46.When believersgatherwithoneanotheraroundatable,first,meaningfulrelationshipswithintheBodyof Christareformedbecauseyouaren’tjustsittingsomewherebyyourselforwithyourownfamily members;rather,youareengagingwithbrothersandsistersinChrist.Second,whenbelieversgather withoneanotheraroundthetable,edificationtakesplacebecauseyoucanlistentoyourbrothersand sistersinChrist,empathizingwithandencouragingthemastheysharepersonalstruggles.

AttendingWednesdayEveningMealsatEastminster(WE@EPCMeals)isyour opportunitytoexperiencefellowship,community,andtodeepenthelove withintheBodyofChrist.WE@EPCisacasualtimeofdiningbefore Wednesdayeveningchurchactivities.Mealsbeginat5:15pminThompson Hall.Thecostis$8.00/Adultsand$4.00/Children(ages0-8).Thereisno householdcap.Allmealscomewithadrink,salad,anddessert.Youdoneedto registerinadvanceforWE@EPCMeals,butyou'llpayforyourmealsatthe door.WE@EPCMealsresumeonSeptember13,2023.

Toregister,visithttps://eastminsterpres.org/ministries/fellowship/rsvp/orscantheQRCodeabove.

WELCOME NEW SUPPORT STAFF MEMBERS

Care & Youth Ministry

ANNA MILLS COX

Eastminsterhasadiversearrayofstaffmembers Thestaffisexperiencedandcaresabout accomplishingtheGospelmission.Overthepast fewmonths,Eastminsterhaswelcomednewstaff memberstohelpaccomplishthismission.First, let’smeetKellyMcGrady,Eastminster’snew AdministrativeAssistantforCongregational Care.IfyouwalkintoKelly’soffice,youwill immediatelybegreetedwithkindwordsanda hugesmile;that’sbecauseKelly’sspiritualgiftis encouragement,makinghertheperfectperson fortheroleofAdministrativeAssistantfor CongregationalCare.

KellyisfromTexas,but movedtoSouthCarolina duringhighschooland considersSouthCarolina herhome.Shehasbeen marriedfor43yearsto herhusband,Greg,and hastwowonderful

daughters,AshleyandKathryn.Kellyisinaweof God'screation,andinhersparetime,youcan findhertouringStateParks,orinherhappy place-theSanteeNationalWildlifeRefuge CuddoUnit-observingwildlife,especiallythe alligators.Kellysaid,“Ilovetowork.Ilovetotalk topeople.Ilovetomakepeoplefeelbetter,andI loveusingmyspiritualgifts.Istartedworking hereonJune12,andithasbeenreallygreat.Ilove beingaroundsuchgreatChristianpeople”

Next,let’smeetEmilyHiggins,Eastminster’snew DirectorofMiddleSchoolYouth.Emilyholdsa BachelorofArtsinElementaryEducationfromthe UniversityofSouthCarolina.Emilyhasbeen workingatEPCforthelastfiveyearsastheInterim MiddleSchoolDirectorandYouthShadow,where shehasexhibitedgoodjudgmentandanabilityto relateandbuildrelationshipswithstudents.Sheisa personofdeepfaith,awiderangeofskillsand experiences,andiscommittedtoraisingthenext generationofdisciplesandempoweringthemtolive outthecallingGodhasfortheirlives.

hersparetime,Emily oysplayingwithher ppy,Tallula,and ingtoSodaCity arkets,whereshenever veswithouta nnamonrollfromthe omScratchbooth.

Emilysaid,“Iamsoexcitedaboutgettingto knoweachofEastminster'spreciousmiddle schoolers!Iknowhowtumultuoustheadolescent yearscanbe.MyhopeisthatIcancomealongside themiddleschoolyouthandhelpthemtosee Jesusinthemess.Iwantourmiddleschoolyouth toknowhowdeeplytheyareloved.Iwanttogive studentsopportunitiestoloveandserveothers. Andreallyaboveall,Iwantallofustohavefun!”

NEW ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Congregational Care

REV. EMILY MOONEYHAN

Inadditiontothesefull-timestaffmembers, Eastminsterhaswelcomedafewpart-timestaff membersthatyoumayseearoundcampus.Please welcomethefollowingindividualsontheAudio VisualTeamwhowillbeworkingintheSound BoothintheTraditionalandJubileeWorship Services:ChardaeBell,IlkerIsikyakar,andJay Lesesne.Belowareafewcommentsabouttheir experiencessofar.

Last,let’smeetRev.EmilyMooneyhan,Eastminster’s newAssociatePastorforCongregationalCare.Emily holdsaMastersofDivinityfromColumbia TheologicalSeminary,andshecompletedher undergraduatestudiesattheUniversityofSouth CarolinawhereshemajoredinAnthropologyand minoredinReligiousStudies.Sheisalifelong Presbyterian,memberoftheTrinityPresbytery,and proudmomtoherson,DavidLyellSheenjoys walkingalongsideothersthroughalloflife’supsand downs,engagingincommunity,anddoingtheGood WorkoftheGospel.Emilysaid,“Godhascalledmeto livealifeofministry,sharingtheloveofChristwith others,aswellasChrist'sloveforthem.Godhascalled metoacongregationalsetting:aministryofpresence, offamily,oflove.TheministrysettingthatIenvision beingcalledtowouldbeawelcomingcongregation thatcaresdeeplyforitsmemberswhilealsoextending Christ'shospitalitytoallwhomayenter.”

NowthatRev.EmilyMooneyhanisjoining Eastminster’sstaffasAssociatePastor,Dr.BenSloan willbespendinghistimeintheMissions,Service,& BenevolenceandtheMembership&Outreach ministries.Dr.CarolByrdwillremainParish AssociateforCongregationalCare.

"I really have enjoyed working at EPC. The staff members are patient and helpful. What surprised me the most is the amount of events we support and the quick pace." - Chardae

"When I interviewed, I was attracted to the warmth of the people at Eastminster. Now that I am working here, I can just be myself It's comforting " - Ilker

"Eastminster seemed like a friendly and inviting space where I could gain some valuable experience I’ve been surprised by how easy and kind everyone is to work with, and how fun it is to work here!" - Jay

Chardae Bell

Ilker Isikyakar

Jay Lesesne

ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER: The Organic Nature of Small Groups

CAROLINE BENNETT

RoseAnnJohnson,SallyMcWilliams,andseveral otherladieswereyoungmomswhentheystarted gatheringweeklyforagameofBridge.Thirtysomethingyearsandnumeroushandsofcardslater, thewomendecidedtodoubletheirpurposefor gatherings–notjustforagame,butforsomething deeper.AligningwithEastminster’s2015launchof theSmallGroupsMinistry,theladieschoseasecond dayforweeklygatheringsandbandedtogetherover theBibleforregularstudy,prayer,andservice.

Morerecently,severalmenintheCLCwhohave enjoyedanoccasionalgameofpick-upbasketballover theyearsdiscussedtheideaofrootingintoScripture beforerootingforoneanother’sshotsDeepening theirpurposeledtoPhilippeCote(StPaul’s Lutheran)andEPCPastorNickDemuynck’sFriday morningSmallGroupthatbeginswithdevotional andprayertime,followedbyaquickgameof basketballbeforework

ManyofEastminster’s60SmallGroupsoriginally spawnedfromanotherreasonforgathering,beita commoninterestorsport,orafriendship.Simply

enjoyingthecompanyofotherscanleadtoagreater desiretodeepentherelationship.Andthere’snobetter waytodeepenarelationshipthantalkingTruthand howScriptureappliestoyourlife,andthenlivingthat outtogether.

"WhileattendingtheCLC’sFusion5classes,thefitness instructorinvitedmyfriendandmetojoinaSmall Groupwithothersfromourclass,"saysJeaneenTucker (BasilicaofSt.Peter),whosefriendshipwithJamesAnn Sheleyhasspanned40yearsasfellowschoolprincipals andwidowswhostruggledtogetherduringtheir spouses’deaths.

"IwenttothefirstSmallGroupsKickoffDinnerand sawaroomfilledwithpeopleIdidn’tknow,butIwas impressedbythemyriadofdifferentagegroupsand peoplebeingintentionalaboutbeingtogetherinfaith," continuesJamesAnn(St.AndrewsLutheran).

JamesAnnandJeaneencontinuedintheSmallGroup withsixotherwomenlastyear."SincejoiningourSmall Group,IbelieveI’mstrongerinmyfaith,andmy biblicalknowledgeisimproving.Thespecificprayer requestsfromeachmemberbecamesuchaprecious

Beattie/Miles Daniel Couples Small Group

Thursday Tangents Small Group

time.Ithelpedmerealizehowmuchwealldepend onthecompassionandprayersofotherbelievers," saysJeaneen.

GeoffandEmmaReaboldjoinedEPCin2021and signedupfortheAlphaClassasaninitialwaytoget toknowothers.IntheirAlphabreakoutgroup,they metSusieandRyanYoung,aswellasRossand LaurenBullard,allwhodecidedtocontinueonasa CouplesSmallGroupaftertheclassended.

"OurSmallGrouphasbeenamuchneeded reminderthatGoddidn’tintendformetowalkthis pathalone….Aslifestartedorganicallyhappening, sodidourSmallGroupcommunityandtruthto accompanyitThesecouplesnowaredefinitely someofmybestfriends,andI’msothankfultohave them,"addsEmma.

WhentheHolySpiritisatwork,onethingleadsto anotherindeepeningmeaningfulrelationships.

"Iwouldtellotherswhoaren’tinvolvedinthis ministrytoruntoaSmallGroup!Don’tworry aboutwhatyoudoordon’tknowabouttheBible. Knowthatallmemberscomeasseekerswithopen heartsforGod’sWord,"Jeaneenadvises.

HowdoyoustartaSmallGroup?It’seasierthan youmaythink.Justlookaroundyou.Areyou alreadyinacircleoffriendswhoenjoyone another’scompany?Whoareyouracquaintances aroundacommoninterest?Ifthere’sadesirefor thesealready-seededrelationshipstogrow, becomingaSmallGroupcouldbethenaturalnext step.

SmallGroupsareopentobothEPCmembersand non-members,EDSparents,CLCexercisersand anyoneinthecommunity.ThenextSmallGroups KickoffisThursday,September7,inThompson Hall.

Group,orRSVPforthe isit:

pres.org/events/small-group-

Culinary Couples Small Group

Grace Girls Small Group

RETREAT TO MONTREAT:

The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go - John Muir REV. CROSKEYS ROYALL

ThisDecember1st-3rd,jointheEastminsterfamily aswejourneyagaintotheBlackMountain,NC, areaforourannualAdventRetreat.Aweekendfor allagesandhouseholds,thisyearwillmarkour returntoAssemblyInnattheMontreat ConferenceCenter,aplacewithdeepPresbyterian roots.Forover120yearsnow,thiscommunityhas beenaplacesetapartforthosewhocomeseekinga closerrelationshipwithGod.Aswestarttheseason ofAdvent,Montreatwelcomesusasweprepare ourheartstowatchandwaitforChristmas.

Howdoesaweekendlikethislook?Typically,we havestructuredtimesofspeaking,study,and worshiptogether,balancedwithfreetimewhenwe canexploretheoutdoorsornearbymountain communities Nomatterone’sage,therewillbe plentytodoandagreatsettingtogrowinfaithand fellowship.

AssemblyInnhasbeenrenovatedinthelastcouple ofyears,alongwiththeupdatedandupgraded nearbyHuckleberryCaféandMontreatGeneral Store.LookingoutoverLakeSusanandthe

surroundingmountainpeaksissuretobean inspirationalandimpactfultimeaswebeginto wrapup2023andmakeourwaythroughthe holidayseason.

Ourspeakerfortheweekendwillbethe Rev.EdBlack(below),AssociatePastorforCare andDiscipleshipatForestLakePresbyterian.Edisa long-timefriendofEastminsteranditwillbeagreat chancetoreconnectwithheandhisfamily,andto hearhismessage,intendedespeciallyforus.

Staytunedforfurtherannouncementsanddetails,as wellastheopeningofonlineregistrationinearlyFall. Thisisonegetawayyou’llwanttohaveonyour calendars!

EASTMINSTER WEDDINGS

Recent "I Do's"

EPC WEDDING DIRECTORS

Mr.andMrs.Mason

MaryAnneKleitchesandJamieMasonwereunitedin marriageonMarch25,2023,atEastminsterPresbyterian Church.TheRev.Dr.BradleySmithofficiatedtheceremony. ThebrideisthedaughterofAnneandJohnKleitches.She graduatedfromClemsonUniversity.Thegroomisthesonof SuzanneandRandyMason.HegraduatedfromMiami University.AweddingreceptionwasheldatTheGardensof theHampton-PrestonMansion.Afteraweddingtripto Jamaica,thecouplesettledinGreenville,SC

Mr.andMrs.Stoughton

ElizabethLongandJackStoughtonwereunitedinmarriage onJune24,2023,atEastminsterPresbyterianChurch.The Rev Dr BradleySmithofficiatedtheceremony Thebrideis thedaughterofLauraandKevinLong.Shegraduatedfrom ClemsonUniversityandisnowanelementaryschoolteacher. ThegroomisthesonofKristinandSteveLoughton He graduatedfromClemsonUniversityandisnowinbusiness development.AweddingreceptionwasheldatForestLake Club.AfteraweddingtriptoSt.John,thecouplesettledin Ambler,PA.

Eastminster Presbyterian Church

3200 Trenholm Road

Columbia, SC 29204

(803) 256-1654

SUNDAY AUGUST 13 - FALL SCHEDULE KICKOFF:

AM: PM:

9:00 AM: TRADITIONAL WORSHIP - SANCTUARY

*10:00 AM: SUNDAY SCHOOL - CLASSROOMS

11:15 AM: TRADITIONAL WORSHIP - SANCTUARY 11:15 AM: JUBILEE WORSHIP - THOMPSON HALL

*Adult Sunday School Open House - Adult Reception Hall (ARH)

5:00 PM: ELEMENTARY SWAG POOL PARTY - GREGG PARK

5:00 PM: MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP - CLC 3RD FLOOR ACR

5:00 PM: HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP - CLC GYM

5:00 PM: SUNDAYS@5 GENERAL INFO FOR ADULTS - ARH