Holy Cross
Episcopal Church
Weekly E-blast
Our Mission:
“Making Christ Visible in
God’s Community”
Announcements & Upcoming events
Masks MUST be worn at ALL TIMES when in ANY Holy Cross building.
This is in effort to keep our community safe. The mask mandate is not up for discussion or available for any exceptions. If you are over the age of 5 a mask is REQUIRED. This will help us be able to continue to worship together in person. Thank you for your understanding. -Jennifer
Dear Holy Cross Family,

It is time to prepare for our goodbye to our beloved Father Mike. There is no adequate thank you for his years of faithful, loving service to our church community. Although this time is fraught with many emotions, we can all enjoy one special event that will be a joyful celebration of Father Mike’s remarkable ministry among us. Please plan to gather for a buffet dinner and farewell presentations on December 4th at the Fox Run Country club from 6:00-9:00.
We are pleased to be able to offer this event at just $20/per person. This will include dinner and non-alcoholic beverages. There will be a cash bar for those wishing to enjoy other libations. We would appreciate receiving your reservation with payment as soon as possible so we can coordinate with the Country Club staff.
We would, of course, like to present Father Mike and Deb with a generous gift for them to use towards what they so love to do. Travel is their passion and how wonderful for them to receive our best wishes and a contribution to their future adventures! Please add your donation to your payment for the dinner. Payment can be made by check with “retirement” in the memo line, mailed or dropped off at the church office. If you are comfortable using My Holy Cross, payment may also be made there.
There will be a slide show to celebrate many of the special events that have made Father Mike’s tenure with us so meaningful. If you have anything you think would add to the show, please drop it off at the church office by November 1st. Sometimes the small moments are just as wonderful to recall!
A Memory Book will be compiled for Father Mike and we hope you will contribute a story, your memories, and/or anything you would like to say to our priest who has been such a part of our lives and spiritual journeys. You may bring your written or typed page to the church office or give to a committee member.
Please call the church office with any questions regarding this important event in the life of our parish. We hope to see you all on December 4th!

Sincerely,
Carol Cain
Heather Lutz
Marsha Jones
Pam Keown
Retirement Celebration Committee
Adult Forum Resumes
A study of Luke/Acts


Our study of Luke/Acts continues at 9:15 on Sunday in the parish hall (please wear your mask).
If you would like to join us from home, use the Zoom link below.
Michael Flanagan is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
 
Topic: Luke/Acts Bible study
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
 
Join Zoom Meeting
 
Meeting ID: 825 8709 5941
Passcode: luke


Beginning Sunday, September 26, at 9:15, we will gather in the parish hall (with masks and socially distanced) to begin an 11 week study of the gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles. We will study these together because they are actually a two volume set written by the same author.
I will be sending out a study sheet the Tuesday prior to Sunday’s gathering, so you are able to prepare if you wish. However, the reading will not be mandatory, it is for your benefit for the discussion.
If you miss a week, please feel free to return as soon as you are able.
September 26 – Week one - Introduction to Luke/Acts
October 3 – Week two - Luke 4:16-30
October 10 – Week three - Luke 10:25-37
October 17 – No Class - Coffee and Conversation
October 24 – Week four – Luke 12:22-34
October 31 – Week five - Luke 16:19-31 and preview of Luke 24:13-35
November 7 – Week six – Acts 1:1-11
November 14 – Week seven – Acts 6:1-7
November 21 – Week eight – Acts 9:1-22
November 28 (Advent 1) – Week nine – Acts 11:1-18
December 5 – Week ten – Acts 15:1-31
December 12 – Week eleven – Acts 16:16-40 and preview of Acts 28:23-31
If you would like to look ahead, the entire study can be found here:
It is downloadable for free.
Stewardship Update for 2022

Seeing Holy Cross with New Eyes!.

The stewardship campaign for 2022 is going on with a slow start to the pledges for 2022. At this time we have $112,504 in pledges for a desired amount of $540,000. The amount we need for next year's operation is a bare bones amount which minimal increases in salaries and without any Payroll Protection Plan funds which we received in 2020 and 2021. There are pledge cards in the church which you can pick up at Sunday services. The cards can be mailed to Holy Cross or put in the collection plate. For those of you who want to pledge online, here is the link. This will take you to the correct place which may look different to you.

 
You can make your pledge by returning the pledge cards or going to the PLEDGE LINK
You will get a confirmation to your email account when you pledge on line and save a stamp!
Thanks for your consideration,
John Ackerman, Stewardship Chairman
Please welcome Lori Palmieri as our new secretary beginning on Monday October 11. Lori comes to us from SC Department of Health and Human Services. I find her to be reliable and easy going and I look forward to her being with us as we move forward.
Thanks to Cheryl Randall for arranging volunteers to be present in the office during this interim time. And thank you to all her volunteers. You made this transitional time much less chaotic and much more enjoyable. Thank you all!
Please stop by and say hello to Lori when you have a chance, but don’t stay long – She has a lot to learn and will need all the time possible to help her “get up to speed.”
Blessings,
Mike+
Fr. Mike is starting a zoom class entitled “Habits for Eternity”. We will be exploring the habits that we can develop here on earth that will wear well in eternal life. Habits like patience, authenticity, love, kindness and mercy are habits that will “wear well” in eternity. We will meet on Wednesdays from 5:45-6:30pm beginning Wednesday, October 13. I will also make every effort to record our sessions so if you are unable to join live, you can watch the interaction at your convenience. Please join us!
Link is below:
Michael Flanagan is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
 
Topic: Habits for Eternity
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
 
Join Zoom Meeting
 
Meeting ID: 839 5662 7477
Passcode: habits
Justice Ministry Opportunity

All interested persons are invited to join us for a City-wide Interfaith study of biblical and other faith texts relating to justice. This is a first step in developing the Greenville County Interfaith Justice Network, a working group focused on exploring and illuminating practices of injustice in Greenville County.

We have promised a minimum of 6 persons to attend.
For more information contact Fr. Mike, Ande Zander or Kerry Kelley

When: Thursday, October 21
Time: 5:30-7pm
Where: Greenville First Baptist, 847 Cleveland St., Greenville, SC 29601
Teens entering grades six through twelve are invited to participate in Holy Cross' Youth Group! We meet most Wednesday evenings during the school year. We gather at 6 and dismiss by 7:50. We share dinner and participate in fun and enriching activities, learning and discussion. Masks are required indoors except while eating, during which strict social distancing guidelines will be followed. Non-youth group families and individuals are invited to provide dinner for our teens. Our first meeting of the school year is Wednesday, September 8. For more information or to be added to our elist, please contact Rev. Erin at assistantrector@holycrossep.org or 864-967-7470, ext 105.
The bulletin for every Sunday will be sent out via Eblast on Fridays.
With social Distancing strongly recommended and our odd office hours we are asking everyone to send their pledge checks to the church P.O. Box.
Holy Cross
P.O. Box 187
Simpsonville, SC 29681

You can also contribute online through My Holy Cross. If you need any help with this please contact Jennifer Hellams and she will walk you through.

Please continue to give as you can.
Counseling service offered by
Holy Cross
We are proud to announce that Bobbie Godwin has agreed to offer counseling services to Holy Cross members for a reduced fee of only $50 per hour. Bobbie is a SC Licensed Professional Counselor and SC Licensed Addictions Counselor with over 20 years of experience.
You can schedule an appointment with Ms. Godwin by contacting her directly at 843-287-3760. Due to the current covid-19 pandemic, sessions will be held outside at our pavilion or in the Meeting Hall with masks and appropriate social distancing.
If you would like to submit anything for the weekly

announcements please email
[864-967-7470]  [secretary@holycrossep.org]  [holycrossep.org]