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
See Holy Cross with New Eyes
Ok, what does this mean? For this year's stewardship campaign we have a theme which ties into our search and acceptance of a new rector for 2022. We have sent out a letter from Father Mike and me talking about the pledge drive and why it is important to think of Holy Cross and its ministries. Remember that God has put us to be on earth to be his stewards. Out of God's abundance, we need to return a share for God. We will continue to update you on the progress we are making toward a pledge total of $540,000 for 2022's operating budget.
 
You can make your pledge by returning the pledge cards or going to the website www.holycrossep.org and clicking on "My Holy Cross" and going to the forms section and pulling down the 2021 pledge form. 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
Eucharistic Visitors are specially trained and licensed to take the Eucharistic elements to those physically unable to attend services on a regular basis. Because of the current situation with COVID, fewer medically vulnerable folks in our community are comfortable attending services in-person. Therefore, the demand for EVs is higher. Special pandemic guidelines are in effect to protect both EVs and their recipients. Any active member of Holy Cross who has been confirmed or received is eligible to serve. Those who volunteer say they find it particularly meaningful. Perhaps you are called to serve in this important ministry! For more information, please contact me. 
 
Blessings, Rev. Erin+
864-967-7470 ext 105
Beginning in late August, an update on the Women's Retreat Planning process was published through several of Holy Cross' communications channels. (If you missed it, please click here: bit.ly/hcwomen2021.) So far, four women have expressed interest in serving on the planning team and one has expressed interest in serving on the site search committee. Leaders for both teams are still needed, as well as a registration coordinator. While I plan to continue serving as retreat chaplain and can offer support and guidance to our planning team, strong lay participation is necessary to successfully host an event of this complexity. Realistically, in order to have an offsite retreat in 2022, all three leadership positions (retreat [co]chair, site search chair and registration coordinator) need to be filled by October 1. If you are interested, please contact me 864-967-7470 x105 or assistantrector@holycrossep.org. Thank you for your consideration! Rev. Erin+

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.
When: Saturday, October 30, 2021, 9:00 am
Location: The University of South Carolina
         Conference Center
         Capstone Hall
         902 Barnwell Street
         Columbia, SC 29208
Walk the path of love with one of the warmest, most beloved spiritual leaders of our time, and learn how to put faith into action.
As the descendant of slaves and the son of a civil rights activist, Bishop Michael Curry’s life illustrates massive changes in our times. Much of the world met Bishop Curry when he delivered his sermon on the redemptive power of love at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle. Here, he expands on his message of hope in an inspirational road map for living the way of love, illuminated with moving lessons from his own life. Through the prism of his faith, ancestry, and personal journey, Love Is the Way shows us how America came this far and, more important, how to go a whole lot further. 
Registration deadline: October 15, 2021
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]