Parish Communications

Collect for the 5th Sunday after the Epiphany

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

(You may find all of the Sunday readings are here: https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Epiphany/BEpi5_RCL.html

**NEW Plans for Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday

It's hard to believe, but we are about to enter our second Lenten season of covid-time. But after every Lent comes Easter and I truly feel that brighter days will be here soon. In the meantime, we must take every precaution to keep one another safe. After much conversation with our Sr. Warden, Blount Shepard, we have come up with the following plan for Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.

1) The Virtual Pancake Supper (Shrove Tuesday, February 16th, 5:30 - 7pm, via Zoom)

Fix your own pancakes and sausage! Or have Pigs in a Blanket! Wash it down with the beverage of your choice! The point is to have fun.

Yes, we can have food, fun and fellowship online. Our plan is to hold a virtual pancake supper on Zoom (see link below). Blount will be our MC for this event. There will be prizes for the best Mardi Gras mask, the best pancake creation, and the best Mardi Gras artwork. And if you have something else you want to try, we'll probably give you a prize for that :-). Music will be provided by none other than our Mardi Gras Maestro, Joe Setzer.

"Carnival" means "farewell to meat." Let make this event our farewell to Covid, too.

Zoom Link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85470181187?pwd=R3ZFU0dtWFVTcitGU0NnWTNqOTFlUT09

Meeting ID: 854 7018 1187

Passcode: Pancakes

2) Ash Wednesday Service (Wednesday, February 17th at 7pm, online only)

The pandemic places this Lent in a unique context. We are still in the midst of isolation and loss, but we can sense that Resurrection is just around the corner. In keeping with the solemnity of this particular Lent, our only Ash Wednesday service this year will be online.

It's important to note that the imposition of ashes is not a sacrament; it does not need to be performed by a priest in the Episcopal Church. In fact, the Scriptural basis for Ash Wednesday actually comes from the practice of penitents seeking reconciliation with God by heaping ashes upon themselves in atonement for their sins.

So this year, that is exactly what we're going to do. We have prepared bags of ashes for each family to be used during this service. You may stop by the church to pick one up, or give Fr. Mark a call and he'll take some to you. (You can even make your own ashes with a little bit of charcoal dust). Then, at the appropriate time of the service, you will be invited to mark yourselves and your loved ones with the ashes in the sign of a cross. We will pray together for an end of our isolation and for the healing of our broken world. And we will begin Lent in the hope that at the end of our 40 days, the worst of this pandemic will be over.

This service will be online only. It will be live-streamed on Facebook and Zoom simultaneously. You may watch in the usual way on Facebook, or join via Zoom at this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89127203993?pwd=QjVTM2p6UU43bklCNkdMalZnNFdhUT09

Meeting ID: 891 2720 3993

Passcode: Ashes

**UPDATED Covid Vaccine Information

1) Effective Monday, February 8th, healthcare workers, anyone 65 years and older, and state/local government employees and contractors who perform COVID-19 vaccinations and testing in SC can make appointments to get a vaccine.

• To sign up for an appointment, click here.

• For more information, click here to go to the DHEC website.

2) Several of our members have received their vaccines at Prisma's Drive-Thru Vaccination Site at the National Guard Armory, 22 National Guard Rd., Columbia, 29201 (near the USC football stadium). Appointments are recommended, but as of this writing they are still accepting limited walk-is.

Worship times and links

Sunday 9:00. This simple service now meets in the sanctuary instead of the Labyrinth until the weather is more predictable.

Sunday 10:30 service is open for limited seating and also live streamed on Facebook - The bulletin is attached to this email. As always, you will be able watch the service live at https://www.facebook.com/SSSJ.Episcopal.Church/live. The service starts at 10:30, but we will start the live stream about 10 minutes before to give you time to find us. And if you can't connect, don't worry - it will be posted online before noon.

Note for all who plan to attend in person: Please reserve your seat online (click here), or by calling the church office. Enter your name, email address and the number attending. (Note: Because Carol is working very limited hours, we ask that you use the online reservation system if at all possible.)

• All people admitted to the sanctuary must wear effective face coverings (nose and mouth covered).

• Members of the same family will be seated together. Family groups will be seated at least 6 feet apart.

• Due to the increased risk of infection by singing, singing will be limited to soloists and instrumentalists. Congregational signing is not be permitted at this time in the sanctuary. (Humming along is fine.)

Wednesday Night Compline - 8:15pm via Zoom

Compline is a very simple service, typically used in camp and retreat centers or just before bedtime at home. It is normally led by a member of the congregation. We open the "Zoom Room" a few minutes early for those who are new to using Zoom and would like a few minutes of personal instruction. To join us on Wednesday evening, click here https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86739418141?pwd=MXZhTWVzejErUm9hOU04dEVQMWl4QT09

Thursday Celtic Evening Prayer - 7pm via Zoom

Edwina Winter and Celtic study group have been working with friends in Wales who have developed a contemporary form of Evening Prayer. Each week, a different theme is explored, such as peace, healing, forgiveness, loneliness, etc. To join us on Thursday evening, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82460040794?pwd=cG5jeFZaWUM2TXRFNldndm4rQWtFQT09

Pictorial Directory

The new SSSJ Pictorial Directory is complete and ready for distribution to all members of the parish. Unfortunately, due to its size (standard 3 ring binder), the cost of mailing them to each family is prohibitive. But we have arranged for 3 distribution points.

To get your copy, please contact one of the following:

a) The church office. Call Carol Buck at 803-732-0153. Available 10am - 2pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

b) Chapin Area - The home of Carol and Jim Neuburger, 109 Blue Mountain Dr. Irmo 29063. Call 803-479-5252 to arrange a pickup.

c) St. Andrews Area - The home of Virginia and Jim Burton, 513 Finsbury Road, Columbia 29212. Call 803-732-4654 to arrange a pickup.

Tuesday Morning Group

The Tuesday Morning group will begin a study of Bishop Michael Curry’s new book, Love is the Way, starting on February 23. We will study this book through Lent and a bit beyond. Anyone is welcome to join us. Contact Judy Gallagher at jhgallag357@gmail.com to get more information.

Snack Pack Ministry (Virginia Burton)

The snack pack program needs to be restocked. Some suggestions are: applesauce, grits, individual small boxes of cereal, mac and cheese, slim Jim's, etc, but any donations are welcomed. Please drop them off at the church or you can contact Virginia Burton for pick up.

Sharing God's Love

Sharing God's Love is an interdenominational ministry that provides food, clothing and financial assistance to families in crisis. It was organized in 1984 when representatives from several churches in the area got together and agreed that there needed to be a central location where community families facing emergencies related to their basic living needs could be served. Volunteers from several area churches accept donations and work with client families. St. Simon and St. Jude is an active member of this ministry. They are now open, serving our community and in need of donations. Donations can be dropped off on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9:15 and noon. Their address is 147 Friarsgate Blvd, Irmo, SC, 29063. Or, if you prefer, you can drop your donation off at the church on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 9:30 and 1pm and Rich and Nancy Alston will take them down to Sharing God's Love.

Children's Sunday School

Children's Sunday School is led by Carol Neuburger, Melissa Genova and Beth Chapman. We are providing weekly digital lessons to our families with easy activities that can be done at home until such time as it is safe to meet once again in our classroom. If you would like to be on the list to receive digital lessons for your children, please contact Melissa Genova or the church office. We look forward to hearing from you.