I hope and pray that you are well. This Sunday, we baptize three children, welcoming them into our communion of faith. I am so grateful that these families have found a home at St. Martin's. We are a church that says "we will" when asked if we will support these people in their lives in Christ loudly and with great pride. I am grateful for this, and for all of you.

I hope and pray that you are well. As a child, I wonder, what are some of your favorite memories about the start of a new school year? For me, I remember two very distinct things. The first thing was back-to-school shopping with my mother, and getting new shoes. I remember trying to keep them clean for the first couple of days, but then a game of kickball or football would inevitably happen, and all of a sudden, my new shoes would be dirty like all the rest. 

I hope and pray that you are doing well. As the summer is winding down, I find myself scrambling to make sure I am prepared for the upcoming program year. I can only imagine what our parents feel like! The end of summer has approached fiercely and faster than I ever imagined (even though this happens every year!). 

I hope and pray that you are well. I have found myself counting down the days until summer break ends. There is a move-in date on the horizon, when Denise and I will take our oldest and drop him off. Despite all the high school graduation slogans that proclaim each senior as being "ready to launch" or something along those lines, we see the date coming with a mix of emotions. Love, pride, nervousness, excitement, trepidation, and joy all mixed into one giant ball of anticipation. I found myself reflecting on my emotions as I read this week's gospel. "Lord, teach us to pray?" the disciples ask. From this question, we get the Lord's prayer. 

I hope and pray that you are well. It's hard for me to believe, but as I write this on July 17, I realize that the summer is almost over. In less than a month, our program year kicks off, and teachers and children will return to school. The dog days of summer must be referring to greyhounds because this summer seems to have gone by fast!

I hope and pray that you are well. I also hope that you have a great 4th of July. This Sunday, after church, if you enjoy patriotic music, please stay for the organ postlude. Also, this Sunday, at our 5 PM service, our seminarian, Adam Steele, will be preaching. Please join me in supporting him as he continues on his path towards ordination in The Episcopal Church.

At the end of the month, St. Martin's will experience two staff changes. The first is that after thirty-eight years of music ministry, Pam Hair is retiring. Pam has taught choirs and shared her love of sacred music with multiple generations of children. She has even taught children of former students. Pam's love, patience, and passion for incorporating children into worship have been a blessing to St. Martin's and every church she has served. Thirty-eight years is a fantastic ministry, and we wish her well.

I hope and pray that you are well! I also hope you are keeping cool. It's an annual tradition in the South to complain about the heat when it's above 90 and the cold whenever it drops below 54, so I'm logging my annual complaint now. It's hot!!! Someone, please, drive by and give Gordon Thomas a popsicle!

Summer is definitely here! I hope and pray that you are well and that you have found a way to stay cool. At St. Martin's, weeks continue to be full and exciting. Once again, thank you to John Till and the Poteat family for Corn Sunday! I know I enjoyed my corn in an amazing Frogmore Stew. It made my Father's Day extra special. I am also thankful that our mission team has landed safely in Ecuador. Be sure to follow their daily blog on our website. I'm excited for them!

I hope and pray that you are well. One of my favorite St. Martin's "traditions" is a day that is not really on the calendar, but it happens nonetheless. Typically, one summer day or evening, I will get a text or call from either Chad or Shannon Poteat saying they have corn and they will be heading to the church. Shannon's dad, John Till, also a member of the parish, always plants some sweet corn for family, friends, and, thankfully, St. Martin's. Well, I got the call last night. This Sunday, Father's Day will also be Corn Sunday. Come get some corn to go with your Sunday night BBQ. Gather around the truck, fill a bag, tell a story, and have fun. 

I hope and pray that you all are well! I also hope that you are enjoying summer. I know our family is. On a personal note, I want to thank everyone for the well wishes last weekend and your support as I raced in the Beaufort River 5K Swim/Run. The swim truly was one of the more challenging events I have done, but it was also a lot of fun. As donations continue to come in from around the country, I am pleased to report that next week we will deliver a check for over $41,000 to Lutheran Services' New Americans Program to support refugee ministries in the Carolinas. That check represents funds you all have given, combined with a Cloak & Sword grant from our St. Martin's Foundation. I am overwhelmed by your generosity. Thank you!!!

I hope and pray that you are well! I want to begin by saying thank you for all of the birthday wishes. I was not expecting Nicholas to call out from the balcony last Sunday, but it was fun, and I am grateful. I also want to say thank you for your support of our Circle of Welcome program. Our fundraiser has received money from all over the country, from New Mexico to Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Iowa, and many places in between. Thank you! One of the things that drew me to St. Martin's when I first interviewed was St. Martin's desire to say yes when it comes to ministry. Even when we are unsure how to accomplish something, we say yes and work to figure it out. This "can-do" attitude is a part of our DNA. 

Summers in Columbia, South Carolina, truly are famously hot! Just walking the campus today, I began to sweat and thought to myself, “It’s going to be muggy.” I can see why so many people take time each summer to head to the coolness of the mountains or the waters of our coastlines. They are lovely places to escape to! 

As Caitlyn said this past Sunday, our church, the past couple of weeks, has seen a lot of death. Five funerals in such a short amount of time is a lot — lots of volunteers, lots of emotion, and lots of sadness, but also joy. We are a church of the resurrection and a people of Easter. We proclaim that in death, life is not ended, but changed as we go to a place that has been prepared for us by a loving God who knows each of us by name. In this, there is joy. There is also joy in the laughter of families who, in the midst of sadness, are still able to share a funny story or a good joke. There is joy in meals shared and in the remembrance of days past. There is joy in the stories we share with one another.

To my family and friends around the country, I’m asking you to sponsor me as I participate in a charity race. I will be racing in the Beaufort River Swim/Run, a 3.2-mile open water swim followed by a 3.1-mile run. The race will be on May 31, 2025. All donations will go to our migration ministries at St. Martin's and the New Americans Program/Circle of Welcome at Lutheran Services. The first 90 days for a family cost roughly $30,000. Until three months ago, we thought that money was guaranteed.