Under Construction to the Glory of God
ALPHA AT TRANSITIONS The Bible Touches Lives of Residents
STORIES FROM THE FIELD Member Shares Mission Experiences
MARCH OUT MISSIONS Families Serving Together
I’mwritingtosharemoreinformationwithyouaboutoursermonseriesthatbeganlastSunday, James:WhereFaithisCalledtoAction.TheBookofJamesispracticalandfocusedonencouraging followersofChristtolivethefaithintangibleways.WherebookslikeRomansandGalatiansemphasizefaith andgrace,thefivechaptersofJamesprovideacomplementaryvoice,onethatcourageouslysays,“faith withoutworksisdead.”
InanagewhentherichnessoflifeinChristissometimesreducedtosaying“IbelieveinJesus,”Jamesreminds usthatyieldingtotheLordshipofJesusChristisaboutyieldingourwholeselves,mind,body,strength,and soul…faithandworks,toGod.Fullyexperienced,faithisactionthattreatsothersright,lookingbeyond ourselvestohelpthoseinneed.IfindJamestobeneededintoday’schurchandworld.
Forthatreason,evenaswewalkthroughLuke’sGospel,reflectingonwhoJesusisandhowhelived,wewill alsospendfiveSundayslisteningasJamesremindsusfaithmustbelived,andrelevanttolife,eventothepoint ofelevatingoureverydayactionstoChristlikeness.Inaneraofinwardfocusedpeopleandchurches, Eastminstermustbeoutwardfocusedandpassionateaboutdoinggoodworks.Why?BecauseourLordis. Andhecallsustofollowhim.
January 26-“A Recipe for Blessing”
Focus: James 1:19-25
“But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act – they will be blessed in their doing.” James 1:25
February 2-“A Dance that Enhances”
Focus: James 2:14-26
“For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.” James 2:26
February 9-Youth Sunday
February 16-“Hold Your Tongue!”
Focus: James 1:26-27; 3:1-12
“If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.” James 1:26-27
February 23-“Submit, Draw Near, Cleanse, Lament, and Humble”
Focus: James 4:1, 7-10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” James 4:10
March 2-“Patience, Endurance and Righteousness”
Focus: James 5:7-11
“The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.” James 5:7b
See you Sunday,
Dr. Brad Smith, Senior Pastor
JOEY MCCUE & MSB VOLUNTEERS
IfirstheardabouttheAlphacourseover20yearsago, whenLelandWilliamsannouncedinourSunday SchoolclassthatEPCwasgoingtoofferthiscourse. HealsoaskedmeifIwouldtakeAlpha,and eventually,outofmyloveofandrespectforhim,I agreed.Andnomatterhowbusymylifehas remained, Ihaveneverlookedback.
MostrecentlyIwasblessedtoparticipateinanAlpha coursewithagroupofmenandwomenatTransitions HomelessShelter.Thisexperiencetaughtmethatno matterthedemographicofthestudent,whatallofus seekistoknowGod,knowthathelovesus,andknow thatwearealsoloved,respectedandvaluedbythose aroundus.
PicturetworoomsfullofTransitionsresidents gatheringwithahalfdozenEastminstermemberseach Tuesdayeveningtohearamessageofhopethroughour Alphaprogram.Picturethese20ormoremenand women,whousuallyareignoredintheworld,laughing togetherattheAlphavideoandsingingeachweek. OneEPCvolunteercommented, "Wehavegenuine anddeepconversationseachweek.Lastnightwehad
twoladiesatTransitionswhowerehomelessforthe firstnightoftheirlives,anditwastough.Notadry eye.Wealsohaveoneladywhoisdeaf,andLaura signedwithher.Nowinherthirdweek,she appreciatesthecaptionsandIthinkwilllovethe Bible."OnanyothernightatTransitions,thereisn’t muchsinging,butratheralotofsadnessand mistrust.ButonTuesdaynightsforAlpha,theynot onlysing,theyrequestsongs."Lastnightoneofthe residentshadtheentirebigroomsinging,'He'sgot thewholeworld...inHishands!'”
MeetCharles:Charlesisrecentlyhomeless, workingatHardeesandattendingAlpha.Whenwe discussedforgiveness,heexplainedthathewas estrangedfromhisfamilyandpartiallytoblame,but helongedtobeclosewiththemagain.Someone suggestedthatheemailhisfamilytoapologizefor anythinghehaddone,askforforgivenessandlet themknowthathehadforgiventhem.Charlestook theadvice,andlaterreportedpositiveresponses fromhislittlesisterandanuncle.Healsosaid, regardlessoftheresponsesfromhisfamily,hefelt bettergivingandaskingforforgiveness.Ithoughtto myselfasCharleswasspeakingfromamuchmore joyfulplacethantheTuesdaybefore,“Howmany ofusneedtodothesame?”
“Iaskedthemen,‘Howmanyofyou haveeverreadtheBible?’
Halfofthemraisedtheirhands. Nooneinthegrouphaseverreadthe Bibleallthewaythrough.”
-PastorBenSloan
JOEY MCCUE & MSB VOLUNTEERS
MeetDaniel:Danieljustmovedherefrom Guatemala.HespeaksverylittleEnglish-maybe10%if thatmuch.Andeventhoughheknowsverylittle English,DanielattendsAlphaatTransitionson Tuesdaynights.Oneweek,avolunteerbroughtDaniel aSpanish-EnglishNewTestament.Danielwasmoved andextremelyappreciativeofthisgift.Hopefully,this NewTestamentinhisnativelanguagewillhelphimto learnaboutGod’slove,andpossiblylearnmore Englishsohecanbettercommunicatewithothers.
“Eastminsterreachesouttothosewithgreatneedsinthe nameofChrist.Atthisedgeoflife,“goodnewsforall people”washeardclearlyanddeliveredinnewand amazingwaysatTransitions.Thankyouforyour prayers,forvolunteering,andforsupportingthis inspiringwork.”-PastorBenSloan
Alphaisamulti-weekcourse,andtheresidents ofTransitionsarethereforalimitedtime period.Asaresult,notallparticipantsfrom Transitionswereabletoattendeachweek. Others,likeCharles,workedandcouldnot makeeachmeeting.However,therewasalways acoreofrepeatparticipants,bothfromEPC andTransitions.
EachweekthePurdyfamilyboughttheirthree youngchildren,alongwithcoffeeand doughnutsfromKrispyKreme,tohandoutto theAlphagroup.(JacquiePurdyis photographedbelow.)Thechildrendelighted everyonethereandoftensang.Iwasstruckby theintentionalityofthePurdystobringtheir childrentoAlphatoteachthemaboutserviceto othersandthateveryonetheymeetisachildof Godandshouldbetreatedassuch.
Thesechildreneagerlyaskedallofthe Transitionsparticipantsiftheywanteda doughnut,coffee,creamandsugar.Theysang withthem,theylookedthemintheeye,andit wasobvioustheycaredaboutthemand delightedinservingthem.Thatistheessenceof theAlphacourse.Wearetoloveourneighbors asourselves.
HarperJameshasvisitedTheBahamassixtimes,and notforvacation.Whenshetravelstotheseislands, shegoestoserveothersinneed.
InSeptemberof2019,HurricaneDoriandevastated theAbacoandGrandBahamaislands,causingat least70deaths,damaging13,000homes,and affecting76,000peopleinthearea.*Sincethis Category5stormlandedintheBahamas, Eastminsterhasorganizednumerousmissiontrips forbothyouthandadultstohelpprovidereliefto theneedyinthatarea.
Harperandherdaughter,Annie,aretwoofthe manyfromourchurchwhohavetraveledtohelp.
“IdecidedtogoonmyfirstmissiontripwhenIfelt Godspeakingtomeasthechurchwasadvertisingan upcomingfamilymissiontriptotheBahamas.My daughteralsoseemedexcitedtogo,”saysHarper. “Whenwereturnedfromthemissiontrip,Icame backfromaweekofhardworkandlittlesleep,but feelingmorefulfilledthanever.Icontinuetogoon thesetripsbecauseitfillsmysoulservingother people.”
Whilefinishingtheinstallationofanewroofononeof theaffectedhomes,theEastminstergroupreceivedan unexpectedvisitfromaneighbor,whosharedherstory. Harperrecallsthewoman'sstoryvividly.
womantoldusthatbecauseofEastminster’swork,he wasfinallygoingtobeabletomovebackintohis home.Weallprayedtogether.Itwasincredibly moving,”saysHarper.
“Goingonmissiontripshaschangedmylife,” continuesHarper.“Iwouldencourageanyonewho feelscalledtogoandbeguidedbytheLord.Iwould alsoencourageparentstogoononewiththeirchildor children,becauseitisanincrediblebonding experience.”
*usaid.gov, 2019.
In2025,Eastminsterisorganizingatleasteight missiontrips,bothlocallyandinternationally.To inquireorsignupforanyofthesemission opportunities,reachouttoKellyMcGradyat kmcgrady@eastminsterpres.organdshewillbeable toassistyou.
January 24-25 Scouting Mission Trip to Western NC
April 6-12 Adult Mission Trip to Black Mountain area of Western NC (mobile home repair and warehousing materials)
June 11-22 SOZO Women’s Mission Trip to Uganda, Africa (Full)
June 29-July 5 Youth Mission Trip to Marsh Harbor, Bahamas
July 13-18 Middle School Missions, CROSS Trip, Myer’s Park
July 27-Aug 2 Adult Mission Trip to Chiapas, Mexico (Parents can bring Children 13+)
Sept 6-13 (Tentative) Adult Mission Trip to Western NC
November 8-15 (Tentative) Adult Mission Trip to Bahamas
Onehundredfiftyhairnettedadultsandchildrenfilled ourCLCGymlastMarch,astheirhandsassembled ricebagsforthehungryandtheirheartsopenedwide toservethoseinneed.
PartoftheMissions,Service&BenevolenceMinistry’s goalslastyearwastohostthesecondannualMarch OutMissionsDay,mobilizinghundredsofEastminster memberstoservesimultaneouslyinvariouscharitable organizationsandforthoseinneedinourcommunity andaroundtheworld–allinone,powerfulday.
Whileahugenumberofvolunteersworkedthrough theRiseAgainstHungerorganizationastheytogether filled10,000rice/nutrientsdinnerbagsforFilipinos duringafamine,evenmorevolunteersscattered aroundthecommunity.Manypeopleputtogether
“hygienekits”forthehomeless;otherssortedfoodat HarvestHopeFoodBankandTransitions;andstill othersorganizeddonatedclothesatEMSClosetand CooperativeMinistries.
Theactofservingothersisnotonlyspirituallyenriching fortheindividual,it’salsohealthyforthewholefamily. OneofthemanyfamilieswhoparticipatedinMarch OutDaylastyearwastheChristenberrys,alongwith childrenandgrandparents.
“MyhusbandDanielandIhadbeentryingreallyhardto beintentionalinfindingwaysforourchildrentoserve andlearncompassiontowardsthoselessfortunatethan us.It’sveryimportanttousthatourchildrenlearnthe valueinhelpingandservingothersasGodhascalledus todo,”saysMeredithChristenberry,whoserved alongsidetheirthreechildren–Monroe(3),Ford(6),and Olivia(10)--andparents,JennyandCharleyMoss.
“Anytimeamissionprojectcaninvolveeveryagein anatmospherethatisupbeatandfun,while accomplishingsomethingtrulymeaningful,the projecthasstruckspiritualgold!”saysJennyMoss, thegrandmotheroftheChristenberrychildren.“The funofsingingtothemusic,whilemeasuringorfilling food/nutrientsandworkingalongsidechurch members,madeforanactiveandfunmorning.”
Rev.Dr.BenSloanandhisteamorganizeMarchOut MissionsDayeachyear,withtheupcomingdate beingSaturday,March1,2025.
“Thisyear,wewillconcentrateontheRiseAgainst Hungerproject–assemblinganother10,000bagsfor faminerelief–andcompilehygienekitsforthe
homelessinColumbia.Wewillbeginourdayat 9:00a.m.withbreakfast.Thefoodassemblylines willkickoff10:00to12:30p.m.”saysDr.Sloan.
Toparticipateinthisyear’sMarchOutMissions Day,visitourwebsite’sUpcomingEvents.Youwill beabletosignupinearlyFebruarytohelpwith RiseAgainstHungeraswellastheother communitymissionspartnerswe’vesupportedon MissionsDay-OliverGospelMission,Transitions, EMSCloset,andtheCooperativeMinistry-toname afew. IfyouhavequestionsaboutMarchOut MissionsDayandwhereyouareneededmost, contactKellyMcGradyintheChurchOfficeat kmcgrady@eastminsterpres.org.
AsIgrewupinthe Eastminstercongregation, Christbecameacentral partofmylife.Early memoriesofattending SundaySchool,Bible Study,andVBSlaidthe foundationformy Christianfaith.However, themostinfluential
experienceIhadatEastminsterwasmytimeservingin theAudio/Visualministryundermygoodfriendand mentor,JamesCassidy.Servinginthiscapacitynot onlyencouragedmyregularchurchattendance,but alsogavemetheuniqueopportunitytoparticipatein eventsthatIotherwisemightnothaveattended.Asa highschooler,Ididn’tfullygrasphowthese experienceswereshapingme,butInowrecognizehow instrumentaltheywereinpreparingmeformy eventualjourneytoseminary.WorkingasanE2Intern wasalsoakeystepping-stoneinmyjourney.
Itwasn’tuntilmyjunioryearofcollegethatIrealized thedeeperpurposeChristhadbeenpreparingmefor allalong.Asmanyofmydreamsslippedawaydueto persistenthardships,IfoundmyselfquestioningGod’s planforme.Oneday,whilehelpingaclosefriend throughhisowndifficulties,IrealizedhowdeeplyI resonatedwithhisstruggles.Iwasabletoministerto himbecauseofthehardshipsIhadendured,andin thatmoment,everythingclicked.Itbecamecleartome thatGodwascallingmetoseminaryandministry.
Attendingseminaryhasbeenanincredibleblessing. Seeingmypersonalgrowthandbeingpartofa communitywithsuchintentionalityhasbeendeeply fulfilling.ItreassuresmethatGodhasmeherefora purpose.AsIcontinuemyjourney,Ihopetogrowin allaspectsofministry,particularlyincongregational care.Ibelievethisareaalignswithmyspiritualgifts, andIameagertohelpothersexperiencetheloveof Christintangibleways.
WhenIwas10yearsold,IwentonamissiontriptoCostaRicawithEastminster.Istillrememberservingwithlocals, horsebackriding,andbeingafraid-alot.AlthoughIwasyoung,thisfirstmissiontripsetmylifeonapathofserviceand loveforothercountries.Fastforwardtocollegeyears,whenIspentasummerinUganda,Africa,asamissionaryintern. Aftercollege,IspenteightmonthsinSouthAmericaservinginColombia,Ecuador,andPeru,butthenwassenthome duetoCOVID.Likeyou,COVIDderailedmyplansandmadeithardtorememberthatGodisincontrolandhistiming isalwaysperfect.
OnceCOVIDslowed,IwasfinallyabletomovetoCostaRica.Iknewoneperson,hadnocar,livedinahotel,and realizedthatmySpanishwasn’tasgreatasIthought.ButGodwasincontrol.TheonepersonIknewwasaChristianand suggestedaSpanish/Englishchurchforme.IarrivedatBeachCommunityChurch,whichistrulyathatchedroofhut, andIfellinlovewiththischurchandthepeople,andwithGodagain,whilerealizingthatGodhadplannedeverystepof mylifetoleadmetothischurch,onthisday,inthiscountry.
Theyouthgroupwassmallandyoung,mySpanishwasokay,moneywasscarce,butGodwasincontrol.Godshowed upinbigways.Communityleadersstartedbringinginfoodfortheunderprivilegedyouth,abuswasdonatedthatallows ustopickup40kidseachweek,andyouthlivesbegantochange.Andguesswhat?WehaverunYouthALPHAin Spanishtwicenow,andkidsarelearningabouttheloveofChrist.
Lifeisn’tperfectinCostaRica.Mostofourfamiliesareledbysinglemoms.Someyouthhavedroppedoutofschool. Ourfamiliesarefinanciallypoor.Thegoodnewsisthattheseyouthdon’thavethestressofcollegeadmission, competitivesports,cars,anddistractionsrelatedtotechnology.TheseyouthhaveTIMEandarriveatchurchexcitedto bethere.WemeeteveryWednesdaynightandplaygames,studytheBible,pray,andeattogether.
IamgratefulforthisopportunitytoserveGodandhischildren!AndIamgratefulthatEPCintroducedmetoCosta RicaandtaughtmeabouttheloveofJesus!PuraVida-Iwouldlovetosharemorestorieswithyou!What’sAppmeat +50663405103,emailmeatkatherine.long@lascatalinascr.com,orcomevisitCostaRica.LasCatalinas,Guanacaste, CostaRicahttps://beachcommunitychurchcr.com/.GOGOD!
OnSunday,January5,EastminsterwelcomedtheClassof2027EldersandDeaconstotheirthree-yeartermsas officersofEastminsterPresbyterianChurch.Imagesaboveandbelowareofthe“LayingonofHands”segment beforethe“PrayerofInstallation,”and“ChargeandWelcome”segmentsoftheinstallation.
Onenewlyinstalleddeaconshared,“Oneofthemostmeaningfulmomentsofmylifewasrightafterthecharge whenweturnedtofacethecongregationandIsawtheEastminsterfamilyontheirfeetwithwelcomingsmiles.It gavemechills.Iwillneverforgetthatfeelingofwelcomeaccompaniedbyprideandpurejoy.”
John Arnold
Elizabeth Barber
Amy Cain
Ryan Causey
Sark Derderian
Katie Evatt
Susanne Hicklin
Harriet Kneece
Marion Moses
Laura Twitty
Chad Abramson
David Ellison
Nate Henderson
Mary Frances Jowers
Austin Rhodes
Matt Riddle
Lucy Scoville
Clay Sharpe
Robert Simmons*
Kris Whiteside
Sharon Williams
* filling unexpired term Class of 2026
IntroducingKelseySmith,Eastminster’sfull-timeDigitalContent CoordinatorandnewestadditiontoourCommunicationsTeam.
PrimaryResponsibilities:Kelseydescribeshisroleas,“Usingphotography, videography,anddigitalcontentcreationtoshowcaseministries,document events,andcreateinspiringmediatosupportandillustrateEastminster’s mission.” HealsolooksforwardtoworkinginthesoundboothonSundays andassistingJamesCassidy,withaudio-visualsetupsforclassesandevents.
Family:KelseyisfromMacon,GA,wherehisparents,DavidandLiana,and youngerbrother,Isaac,currentlylive.KelseyrecentlyrelocatedtoColumbia. Hisfiancee,McKennaSnow,isingraduateschoolatFrancisMarion.Though KelseymisseshisfamilyinMacon,theybothhavefalleninlovewithThe MidlandsandareexcitedtocallColumbiahome. (Thecoupleispicturedto therighttoastingtheirrecentengagement.)
Education/Career:KelseystudiedPsychologyandSociologyat GeorgiaCollege&StateUniversity.Mostrecently,Kelseyhasenjoyed professionalphotography-capturingmilestonecelebrationslikeweddings, reunions,andgraduations.
SpecialGifts:ThecamerahasbeenacentralpassioninKelsey’slifeforaslong ashecanremember.“Asachild,Iwascaptivatedbythemagicoffreezinga momentintime.Inhighschool,whenIinheritedmydad’scamera,itfeltlikea bridgeacrossgenerations,andthat’swhenItrulyknewphotographywasa callingforme.I’minspiredbythebeautyofmomentsthattellquietyet powerfulstoriesofwarmth,nostalgia,andconnection.”
WhyEPC?:“FaithhasalwaysplayedasignificantroleinshapingwhoIam, andIfeelincrediblyhonoredtocombinemycreativeskillswithadeeper purpose.I’msoexcitedtobepartofthisstaffandchurchfamily.Together,we canhighlightandsupporttheimportantworkbeingdonehere.”Healso attendedFirstPresbyterianDaySchool,soKelseysayshehas“Presbyterian roots.”
“AshardasitwastosaygoodbyetoChardaeBell,whoworkedonEPC’s AVStaffforovertwoyearswithvideorecordingsandmore...weareexcited towelcomeKelseytoourteam,andthankfulforhisspecialgifts, enthusiasm,greattimingandespeciallyhis‘Whatdoyouneed? I’mheretohelp,’attitude.”-
JamesCassidy,Dir.ofAVatEPC
WhenLentbeginsonAsh Wednesday(March5),theChurch calendarwillinviteusintoaseasonof reflectionandrepentance.Lentisa timeofintentionalspiritual discipline,anopportunitytorecover ourawarenessofGod’spresencethat thecaresanddistractionsoflifeso oftenpullfromus. Our40-day journeytowardthecrossandempty gravemirrorsJesus’40daysoffasting andtrialinthewilderness.Aswith
Christ,thesearethedayswetestandseewhereourheartsreside,whatourloyaltiesandprioritiesprovetobe. Journeyslikethisoneareoftenbesttakenwithaguide,acompanionwhocanhelpusfindourwaythroughthe unfamiliartwistsandturnsofourpersonalWilderness.Iwanttorecommendtwosuchcompanionstoyoufor yourLentenJourneythisyear-fellowtravelersonthepathofdiscipleshipwhohaveuncommonwisdomto share.
Theremaybenobettercompanionforourself-imposedsojourninthewildernessthanSarahBessey.Sarahand herfriend(andauthor)RachelHeldEvansco-foundedtheEvolvingFaithConferencein2018forthoseinthe wildernessofalienationfromtheChurch,forawidevarietyofreasons.Besseybeginshermostrecentbook,Field NotesfortheWilderness:PracticesforanEvolvingFaith,witharollcallofherfellowtravelers.Amongthoseshe welcomesare“allofuswhodideverythingrightandyeteverythingwentwrongbecauseitturnsout,lifeisn’ta recipetofollow,andsomeone’sinterpretationof theBibleisn’tablueprint,andprayerisn’ta vendingmachine,andfaithisn’tasynonymfor control,andScriptureisn’tananswerbook,and scriptsweweregivenfellflat.”
FieldNotesiscomposedof17lettersfromSarahto allthosewhofindthemselveswearyandheavy burdenedandwhoyearnfortheGodwhoknows notonlyourwearinessbutalsothat“yes,theyoke hasbeentooheavy.It’snotinyourhead.”
Alongthewaysheinvitesusintoher ownwildernessfromthecollapseof herfundamentalist,prosperitygospel upbringing,whereprayerwas control,andthebiggerthefaith,the biggertheblessing,tothecollapseof herhusband’spastoralvocationina congregationinTexas,rifewith toxicityandmisconduct.
Throughallofthatdislocation, confusionandpain,shespeakswords ofaffirmation,consolation,companionship,encouragement,andhope. FieldNotesisremarkableinits honesty,vulnerabilityandrelentlessfaiththatGodmeetsusandlovesusevenandespeciallyinthewilderness. Youdon’thavetohavebeeninjuredbythechurch,orfindyourselfalienatedfromthechurch,toknowthe wildernessasshedescribesit.ThisisabookforallofuswhoseekGodandaresoughtbyhim.
IdidnotexpecttodevourthisbooklikeIdid. SarahBesseyisagenerationyoungerthanmewithahistoryvery differentfrommyown.Nevertheless,everypageseemedtohold someobservationorwordofsolidaritythatbroughtanodof recognitionandasmileofgrace.
I didexpecttodevourKateBowler’scollectionofdevotionals, GoodEnough:40ishDevotionalsforaLifeofImperfection.Iwas notdisappointed.KateBowlerisaprofessorofChurchHistoryat DukeDivinitySchool(whosedissertationatDukewasonthe ProsperityGospel).Sheistheauthoroftwootherbooksthatare amongmyfavoritesfromthelastfiveyears-EverythingHappens foraReason,AndOtherLiesI’veLoved(2019);andNoCurefor BeingHuman,andOtherTruthsIneedtoHear(2022).
Atage35,withapromisingacademiccareerjustgettingstarted andayoungsontoraise,KatewasdiagnosedwithstageIVcancer
DR. DOUGLASS KEY
andgivenaverygrimprognosis.Thatwas10yearsanddozensofsurgeriesandtreatmentsago-ajourneythat hasformedherspiritually.Shespeakswithwitandwisdom,withgraceandclarityaboutthestruggletoliveup tothelifewehavebeentaughttoexpectandstrivefor.
Spendingalittletimeeachofthese40dayswiththisveteranofthejourneywillencourageustoletgoofimages ofperfection,forourselvesandothers,andembracethethingswecan’tfixorconquer.Asshesaidatthe beginningofherconversationwithBishopMichaelCurry,“I’mheretolookintoyourgorgeouseyesandsay, hey,therearesomethingsyoucanfixandsomethingsyoucan’t.Andit’sOKthatlifeisn’talwaysbetter.We canfindbeautyandmeaningandtruth,butthere’snocuretobeinghuman.Solet’sbefriendsonthatjourney. Let’sbehumantogether.”
Friends,byself-examinationandpenitence,byprayerandfasting,byworksoflove,andbyreadingand meditatingontheWordofGod,letuskeepaholyLent.
Andyes,let’sbehuman.Together.
DOUGLASS
March9-April13willbealookatAmy-JillLevine's book,WitnessattheCross:ABeginnersGuidetoHoly Friday. DuringLentyouareinvitedtoexperiencethe eventsofGoodFridayfromtheperspectiveofthose whowatchedJesusdie.Thealwaysthoughtprovoking Amy-JillLevineneverfailstochallengethethingswe thoughtweknew,whileintroducingustonewinsights thatopenourmindstodeeperappreciationand devotiontothegospelstory.
Thisstudydoesnotdisappointoneithercount.Likea wellcutgemstone,eachSundayevening,fromMarch9 untilPalmSunday,wewillturntheGoodFriday narrativeeversoslightly,untilitcatchesthelightina newandunexpectedway.Intheprocesswewillgrow inbiblicalunderstandingandaweattherichnessofthe gospelnarrative.
UnderconstructionfortheGloryofGod!Thatphrasecan applytoeachofus,anditalsoappliestoEastminster’s campusandcourtyard.Thanksinlargeparttothe18orso familiesthatquietlybutgenerouslyparticipatedin Eastminster’sInspirationalGivingInitiative,multiple enhancementsaretakingplacearoundthechurchcampus.
Overthelattermonthsof2024,theroughly20singlepanewindowunits(from1961)onthesecondfloorof theadministrationbuilding,andallofthewindowsand doorsofthefirstfloorDaySchoolrooms,werereplaced withnew,moreenergyefficientwindows. Improvementshavealsobeenmadeinthestairwell leadingtotheAdultReceptionHall.Limitingthe stairwellnoise,whichdisruptedclassesandprogramsin theReceptionHall,hasbeenachallenge.Todayyouwill noticesoundbafflesthathelpmufflethesound,aswellas stepstakentoquietthedoorsastheyclose.
Thediscreetreplacementofthefaultylightsinstalledin thesanctuaryin2014beganinNovemberandshouldbe finishedsoon.Withthis,youshouldnotonlyseenomore broken,butperhapsnoticeadditionallightsthathave beenadded.
Themostvisibleenhancementwilltransformthe Eastminstercourtyardbothvisuallyandfunctionally. Redoingthesidewalks,turfareaanddrainagewillmake thecentralspacemoreconduciveanddurablefor
receptions,outdoormealsandfellowshipgatherings, whilestillbeingusableforchildren’sevents. Additionally,newplantings,alongwithseveralniches andnestsforprayerandquietconversation,willbe added,allwithinearshotofthesoothingsoundsofthe waterfeaturethatwillbelocatedalongthewallof ThompsonHall.Together,theseimprovementswill provideaspacewherethespiritandpresenceofThe GoodShepherdwillbesensedandsharedby individuals,smallgroups,andlargegatheringsfor decadestocome.
Constructioncanbemessy,includehardship,require foundationworkthatisoftenunseenbutessential… anddoesn’titalwaysseemslow?Focus,intentionality, andpatiencewillbeneededforthecourtyard renovationtobecompletedbythegoalofEaster.Asfor us,aswemovethroughthesemonths,let’sseewhat transformationGodmightbringaboutinusbyEaster ifwe,too,givefocus,intentionality,andpatience.
Cradle Roll Sunday: Celebrating New Beginnings in the Eastminster Family
Weddings: Celebrating New Beginnings in the Schraibman Family
July 20: Lou Schraibman & Billy Way
November 23: Caroline Schraibman & Donald Fawcett
If you are planning a wedding, the Executive Assistant to the Sr. Pastor, Julie McDaniel, will be your first point of contact to schedule your special day, to connect with a minister, and to be connected with a Wedding Director. Please call the Church Office and ask to speak with Julie at (803) 256-1654 ext. 143, or email her at jmcdaniel@eastminsterpres.org.
FEBRUARY:
FEBRUARY 2: PRAYER CARDS
FEBRUARY 4: LIGHTLY SEASONED SOCIAL
FEBRUARY 7-9: THE VINE RETREAT
FEBRUARY 9: SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
FEBRUARY 9: YOUTH SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 10: CIRCLES 1&3
FEBRUARY 15: TRINITY PRESBYTERY MEETING
FEBRUARY 20: TRANSITIONS 3RD THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 20: MEN’S OYSTER ROAST
FEBRUARY 23: PEANUT BUTTER SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 28: CROSS MISSION- MYER’S PARK
MARCH:
MARCH 1: MARCH OUT MISSIONS DAY
MARCH 2: COMMUNION SUNDAY
MARCH 2: FIRST STEP CLASS BEGINS
MARCH 2: PRAYER CARDS
MARCH 5: WE@EPC MEAL (LATER 5:45PM)
MARCH 5: ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
MARCH 9: WITNESS AT THE CROSS STARTS
MARCH 10: CIRCLES 1&3
MARCH 16: EASTER LILY DEDICATIONS
MARCH 19: EPW PRAYER BREAKFAST
MARCH 20: TRANSITIONS 3RD THURSDAY
MARCH 23: PEANUT BUTTER SUNDAY
256-1654
11:15 AM TRADITIONAL WORSHIP SANCTUARY (10:00 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL) 9:00 AM TRADITIONAL WORSHIP SANCTUARY
YOUTH SUNDAY IS FEBRUARY 9TH!