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Weekly Update for June 5, 2020

Dear Siblings in Christ,

In these days of uncertainty and unrest, as we are troubled by the twin threats of a pandemic and broad systems of evil, I am greatly encouraged by our congregation’s continued commitment and witness to the ways of Jesus that call us to care for the least of these. I am also encouraged by how the faith communities of Spartanburg have found unity in calling for unity, self-examination, justice, and peace. If you did not see them, both Tuesday’s press conference and Tuesdays with Tom are well worth your time as you reflect on the issues before us.

This evening the Congregation B’nai Israel and the Spartanburg Interfaith Alliance invite us all to a special Sabbath service livestreamed at 5:30pm. Faith leaders from around our community will join in an interfaith service of grief and action to grieve the murder and racialized violence of the past week, the past many weeks, and the past 400 years; and from that grief to call our community to action to end racial violence and oppression. You can join that service online on the synagogue’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OurTemple29302) or on YouTube (https://youtu.be/m86YLflAbTo). I hope that our community and our congregation will join together in this important service of worship together!

Blessings and Peace,
Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

Prepare for Communion Sunday, June 7
If you wish to participate in Communion during Online Worship on Sunday, June 7, we ask that you prepare your own elements ahead of time (crackers, a slice of bread, or any type of bread you might have on hand) and a sip of grape juice or wine. You can partake, as directed, during the service, so that even while we are apart, we can enjoy this transcendent, yet very earthly, “communion” together.

THIS SUNDAY
8:45am MorningSong ONLINE
10:00am Adult Sunday School (Zoom)
10:00am Children’s Sunday School
11:00am Sanctuary Worship Service ONLINE
4:00pm Middle School Youth Group (Zoom)
5:00pm High School Youth Group (Zoom)

All services will be livestreamed at www.fpcspartanburg.org/live and on our Facebook page. We encourage you to join us on Facebook, comment during the live worship service, and help build community. Bulletins, scripture readings, manuscripts, and video archives can also be found our website. Our worship livestreams also appear on YouTube. However you join us, please sign the online guestbook and consider making your regular contributions online. Have you been having trouble with the livestreams? Check out this information on the church website.

10:00am Sunday School (Join in)
This Sunday in the combined Adult Class via Zoom, the Rev. Craig Foster will close out our exploration of the Gospel of John over the past few weeks by looking at the last chapter of John, and the relevance of Jesus’ call to Peter to our lives today.

Children’s Sunday School with Holly – Sundays on YouTube
Holly Bannan will be recording the Sunday School lesson and time of worship for children each week and posting it to the church YouTube page. A link to this video is also being sent out to parents each week.

NEXT WEEK
Weekly Community Zoom Times for Everyone!

Adult Sunday School – Sundays at 10am (Join in)
Prayer Gathering with Joanne – Tuesdays at Noon (Join in)
Bible Study on the Gospel of Mark with Tom – Wednesdays at 6pm (Join in)

Hangouts with Holly – Thursday
Starting at 1pm on Zoom (Email Holly for specific times and a link)
All children are invited to join Holly Bannan online for a time of fellowship and learning together.
1:00pm 3K, 4K, and 5K
1:30pm 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Grade
2:00pm 4^th and 5^th Grade

Youth Group on Zoom
All youth are invited to join Robert, Carrie, and your friends on Zoom throughout the week. More information, new schedule, and links have been sent to youth families. Please contact Robert or Carrie if you have any questions
Sundays at 4pm – Middle Schoolers
Sundays at 5pm – High Schoolers
Wednesdays at 4pm – Middle Schoolers
Thursdays at 4pm – High Schoolers

NEW EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
What It Means to Be Human
In mid-to-late June, Pastor Tom will begin a four-to-six week, socially distanced, in-person study, entitled: What It Means to Be Human. This rather esoteric study will be based on selected works from Søren Kierkegaard, using the book The Essential Kierkegaard, edited by Howard and Edna Hong. The meetings will take place under the Porte-cochère of the Family Life Center.

After reading this, if you are still interested in participating, please note:

Days and times being considered are: Mondays at 5:15pm OR Thursdays at 12:00noon. Please RSVP to Monteigne Campbell (mcampbell@fpcspartanburg.org). The Monday class is full; please RSVP if you are interested in the Thursday at noon study time.
We ask that you purchase this book on your own; it is available on Amazon as a Kindle or Paperback version. Please use one of these ISBN numbers to order: ISBN-13: 978-0691019406; ISBN-10: 0691019401.
Dress casual; it will be warm.
Bring a lawn chair and a bottle of water.
We will have fans.
Face masks / coverings are encouraged, but not mandated.

21 Day Racial Equity Challenge
The Local Missions Committee has voted and agreed to commit to this challenge, and we invite you to join us. As a predominantly white congregation, we invite you to join in this 21 Day Racial Equity Challenge to learn more about issues of race, discrimination, and injustice, and to hear voices different from our own. By making this commitment, we agree each day to engage one of these resources that will expand my understanding about racial issues, to reflect, to share, and to pray. For more resources, a tracking chart, and learning opportunities, visit Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr.’s website.

“Just Mercy” Movie Discussion
In addition to these resources listed, Just Mercy is being offered for free by many streaming services during the month of June. We offer the suggestion to watch this movie, which explores systemic racism and injustice, at some point in June and to join us for a group conversation via Zoom. There will be two options for these discussions (more details coming soon):

Tuesday, June 30^th: 5:30-6:30pm
Wednesday, July 1^st: 12-1pm

If you have questions or would just like to have more conversation, please feel free to reach out to Leslie Lang at llang@fpcspartanburg.org.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
TOTAL Ministries Financial Assistance
TOTAL Ministries needs donations to help with their financial assistance program. They are doing financial assistance over the phone three days per week. Traci Kennedy, Executive Director of TOTAL Ministries, reports that 80% of the people they are serving are new or haven't needed assistance in a few years. Visit www.totalministries.org to donate.

Donate to Support Those in Crisis Locally
If you would like to help local families deal with the effects of COVID-19, consider giving to the United for All Fund. This fund is managed by United Way of the Piedmont to directly assist local community members affected in times of disaster or crisis. United Way has convened community partners in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union Counties to ensure families get the help they need. Funds will directly support families who have been financially affected by the pandemic with expenses like food, shelter, utility assistance, and healthcare.

Mobile Meals Volunteers Needed
Mobile Meals is still delivering meals to those who are home-bound in our community and is in need of healthy, non-at risk volunteers to help with routes. They have seen over 150 new volunteers over the past few months, but many are returning to work. If you would like to help in this way, please call Mobile Meals at 864-573-7684 and ask for Vivian or Paula.

Recent Opportunities in Ministry Finder

OTHER NEWS
Church Closure Update
As we continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19, your officers have decided that we will not meet for in-person worship during the month of June. However, we will begin approving small gatherings of 10 or fewer people to be held under proper distancing and safe conditions (generally outdoor) as requests are made and the need is reasonable. Your staff is coming up with great ideas for these gatherings, and we will be sharing with you as the plans are finalized. We look forward to the day when we can once again meet for worship!