July Newsletter

Affirmation of Welcome

Reformation, a congregation of Christ's Church, welcomes everyone to join with us in a journey of faith. We are committed to providing worship, programs, ministries and pastoral care to all, regardless of religious background, age, color, ability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status, or national origin. Everyone is welcome in this place, where the love of God is the foundation of all that we say and do!

July Newsletter 2021

The Reporter

Reformation Lutheran Church

ALL Are Welcome & Affirmed Here!

Website 803.252.1507 Calendar Email

Worship Service Update

We have resumed the in-person worship service on Sundays at 10:00 AM. Please see the information below for further information on making a reservation to attend the worship service. In addition to this, and in order to ensure the health and safety of our congregation, we will continue to broadcast the service online via Facebook Live. Please join us for worship online HERE.

Pastor's Perspective

In Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote that he was not using this letter to command them, but he was using it to test the genuineness of their love for others. What did Paul mean? In earlier letters, Paul wrote about his concern of the Church in Corinth’s understanding of this faith in Jesus Christ. Did they realize this faith was a 180 degree turn from the Patron-Client system of Romanesque society? It was not about appeasing the patron, so the patron would like them and protect them. This faith in Jesus Christ was not a relationship of quid-pro-quo, but of grace and faithfully living with each other in the selfless love of each other. By the writing of this text, Paul believed they had finally understood about this faith of love. So, the offering they had once offered and Paul refused — because he was afraid they would hold it over the church in Jerusalem like a Mafia “Don” — he was now willing to challenge them to offer it once again. In the larger faithful community, this was requested. Paul wrote, “… in order there may be a fair balance.” Because, as he wrote earlier to the Corinthians, this faith-filled love “…bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, this love never ends… So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” It is faith that makes us whole-y — that is complete — in Christ’ love.

As we begin to regather at Reformation, the excitement is growing! Yes, it’s been 15 months since the beginning of the lockdown, but as the vaccines continue to become more prominent, we can begin to prepare for expanding our gatherings, both with worship and activities. There’s a special excitement about Safe Space Dinners here at Reformation. For those who do not know, it’s an outreach to LGBTQAI teens who have either been removed from or asked to leave their homes because they came out to their parents. Sadly, this is a growing population in the Columbia area. I know we’ve been talking about this for almost two years, but Covid descended upon us, and everything had to be put on hold. So now, as we approach the launch date of August we’re getting ready to see a dream manifest. People are volunteering, and backpacks are being packed, the logistics are being “ironed” out, but one big concern is looming over the ministry. Our budget, or lack there of.

Covid infected us in many ways, and one way was when we were not gathering, we were not giving, at least not at the pace we experienced before. Couple that with the loss of revenue from our LSC grant — reduced because they had to downsize since the pandemic — our church’s budget took a big hit! But, as Paul did with the Corinthians, I believe strongly in this faith community known as Reformation. I know many of us were hit with this virus, not just medically, but financially. I also know there is a heartfelt yearning for this ministry here, as well. As we begin to see balance in our lives, financially as well as socially, I ask that we all begin to support the ministries here at Reformation, and we do that with our gracious offerings. I also know it’s hard to get back into that habit of giving, but ministries like Safe Space Dinners rely on our gracious giving. I’ve heard some ask why take on a ministry like this while we’re struggling with our budget? The other day, as I was putting this Perspective together, I heard this anonymous quote,

“God never gives you a dream that matches your budget. God’s not checking your bank account, God’s checking you faith”

What an awesome reminder of God’s intent for us. God sends us dreams that push us beyond our perceived restrictions, so our faith can grow in God’s love. As we regather I say come and experience that growing faith! As we regather I say come and experience that growing love! As we regather I say come and experience these growing ministries! As we regather I say come and experience our growth in generous giving, as we fulfill God’s intent for the church!

Peace,

Pastor Tim

Transition Team Update

Reformation’s Transition Team, Worship and Music Team, and Council has recommended updates to our practices based on recent CDC Guidance for fully vaccinated persons and on updates from The Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacrament (ECPWFS.) A few of the changes are highlighted below, and the full document can be found online - https://reformationcae.org/resources-%26-references or on the table in the narthex.

We will discontinue registration for Worship, but may resume if COVID counts rise in our communities, or if we have more regular attendees than social distancing allows.
In Worship we will continue to wear masks, covering both mouth and nose.
We will add hymns (all verses) and more musical liturgy back into the Service.
We will continue to practice social distancing in the Sanctuary — 16 feet distance from singer(s) to congregation and 6 feet distance between household groups.
We will continue to use pre-packaged communion elements, and will add a wine option to the grape juice we are currently using.
We will continue to keep outer doors open as long as weather permits and will keep Fans ON during Sanctuary use to promote good air flow.

Unfortunately, we are not yet ready to resume indoor Fellowship time after worship. However, slowly and safely, we are working to return our Sunday worship experience to the “new normal”.

Note: The Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacrament notes that the latest CDC guidance for masks and social distancing is for what individuals can do -- not what congregations (in which both vaccinated and unvaccinated people gather together) should do. Congregations may include people who are unvaccinated, including children; persons who have not yet been, or may never be able to be vaccinated; and some who have refused vaccination. For the sake of the unvaccinated -- for their safety, and to avoid stigmatizing them, we will continue to wear masks in worship or whenever we gather in groups that may include non-vaccinated people.

Wired Word Wednesdays resume July 14!

Wired Word Wednesdays is a great time to meet with others (by Zoom) and discuss news topics and how our Christian faith relates to them. The Wired Word Wednesday group meets virtually every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. This has been an exciting group for those involved as we visit and share with a purpose. Join one session or as many as you can. We have a variety of discussion leaders and a new topic each week. The zoom ID to sign in is 723 783 6505. We meet for about one hour. Anyone is welcome to join the group. Topical resources arrive each week and are sent to all who wish to participate. (You can sign up to receive the resource for individual reading and reflection.) To sign up for the group discussion or the resource, send an email to dotjeffcoat@aol.com .

Dates for the next series and discussion leaders are:

July 14 - Pastor Tim

July 21 - Dot Jeffcoat

July 28 - Ginny Eiwen

August 4 - Jerry Huber

August 11 - Rev. Karin Culp

August 18 - Steve Asbill

Watch for details about the August 25 movie night.

June Church Picnic

We had a wonderful time at Dreher Island State Park on June 12^th! There was delicious food and great fellowship, and the kids had a ball playing in the lake! Even though thunderstorms were in the forecast, we managed to get our eating, playing and fellowship in before the rain ran us out around 3:30. Thanks to all who helped get the cars loaded up as the rain approached. A special shout-out to the master griller, Raymond Cook and his assistant Sam Ruff, who did an excellent job with all the burgers and hot dogs!

Upcoming July Church Picnic

Reformation Lutheran Church Picnic

at Dreher Island State Park on Lake Murray

Date: Saturday, July 17

Time: 11am until?

Address: 3677 State Park Road, Prosperity, SC

Shelter #10

Everyone is invited to come and enjoy Dreher Island State Park…again! We had so much fun at the June picnic, we’re doing it again! We have reserved a shelter that has easy access to the lake for swimming, fishing and boating, as well as hiking trails along the lake. Bring your own chair to sit by the lake and/or your kayak, canoe or other boat, float or inner tube. If you want to do some fishing, SC fishing licenses are available at the park store (on the left as you come into the park) for $5. Loaner rods and reels are available there, too.

This time we’re just asking you to bring your own picnic lunch—you do not need to bring extra… unless you just want to share some goodies!

A reminder that it costs to get into the park unless you have a state park pass:

$3 per adult

$1.50 per senior

$1 per child ages 6-15

Age 5 and under—free

Please call the church office (803-252-1507) to let us know you’re coming, so that we can have a rough headcount. The Reformation Servants Committee hopes to see you there.

July Celebrations

Birthdays

Kenneth Custer, July 2

Pastor Tim Bupp, July 8

Griffin Young, July 9

Elizabeth Ann Kurth, July 10

Shirl Lamontagne, July 10

Chelsea Morton, July 11

Abigail Reeves, July 11

Harry Dunker, July 11

Trey McCorkle Byrd, July 16

Maria Ashburn, July 19

Jerry Huber, July 20

Libbie Poole, July 23

Anastasia Reed-Huff, July 23

James Dekle, July 23

Amanda Inman, July 25

Luis Guzman, July 29

Anniversaries

Jesse & Amanda Inman, July 8

Brian Lorimer & H.B. Eleazer, July 10

Kevin & Saran Hasinger, July 22

Pastor Tim & Kathy Bupp, July 24

From the ELCA Website and

Living Lutheran

Widening the welcome

Camp ministries provide safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ people

Over the last few years, Lutheran rostered minsters and others have orchestrated virtual safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth to learn about and embrace the intersections of their sexuality, spirituality, and gender identity. This Living Lutheran article explores two of these camps.

https://www.livinglutheran.org/2021/06/widening-the-welcome/?fbclid=IwAR0nXn6WuyyzrPtzugbcncoWWjFaB3cUM4pIGsfIlJKLMCG4q8qaIgTnXKA

Announcements and Reminders

Calendar Updates

Check the calendar on the church's web page (www.reformationcae.org) for the latest updates, changes, cancellations, and postponements in church activities and meetings.

Adult Sunday School - In-Person and Virtual

Adult Sunday School meets from 8:30 to 9:30 each Sunday morning. Participants can join the class in person in the Parlor or by Zoom. This earlier time gives any who want to do Sunday School via Zoom but worship in-person time to drive to the building after Sunday School. The Zoom Meeting ID for the new Sunday School time is: Zoom ID – 723 783 6505. We are exploring various faiths and denominations using Honoring Our Neighbors' Faith materials, but you don't have to have the book to participate.

We Will Continue to Wear Masks.

Sarah Trani has offered to supply those who need cloth masks. You may contact her directly at sarah.trani@gmail.com.

Keep in Touch with Your Church Family

Do you need a Reformation Lutheran Church Membership Directory? To request a copy, please contact Mikita at the Church Office at (803.252.1507) or via e-mail at officeofreform@gmail.com.

Reformation Lutheran Church Newsletter

The Reporter is published monthly at Reformation Lutheran Church and is sent electronically or mailed to members and friends who wish to have a copy. A link to The Reporter newsletter is also posted on the church website: www.ReformationCAE.org and on Reformation's Facebook page. A mid-month newsletter is also published and sent electronically with timely information and updates.

The deadline to submit articles or items to be updated, announced, or published is the eighteenth of the month. If you have news to share, please send it to the church office. Please email to officeofreform@gmail.com.

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1118 Union St. Columbia, SC 29201

803-252-1507

www.reformationcae.org

Tim Bupp, Pastor