This morning, with a cup of coffee in my hand, I find myself thinking about the young people of our church, and praying for each of them as they prepare for the weeks ahead. For our youngest families, who are finishing up preschool and preparing for the next steps, please know you are in my prayers. Something new is right around the corner! As a parent, I know the anxiety that comes with something new. I also know the fun that lies ahead.

Alleluia, Christ is risen!

I hope and pray you are well! Soon, perhaps as early as this Sunday evening, you may find yourself receiving a call from a member of our Youth Group. They will be calling to sell you a "stock" investment in our youth. For a minimum of $10, you can buy stock in our kids as they raise funds and prepare for their upcoming spiritual pilgrimage to Ecuador.

Alleluia, Christ is risen!

I hope all of you are well and that the joy of Easter is still fresh in your hearts. This Sunday will be special in the life of our church! Music will be led by our children and youth as St. Martin's hosts the annual Treble Festival. The Treble Festival is a wonderful sacred music tradition, and it is an honor for St. Martin's to host these talented musicians and choirs from all over the Carolinas! They have worked hard and have been diligent in their practice. Come help us celebrate them. It's going to be lots of fun.

Alleluia, Christ is risen!

I look forward to continuing to celebrate the festival time of Easter with you all. Easter Day should always be followed by a period of celebration in which we reflect on God's grace and the gifts of God given to each of us.

I am grateful for everyone who participated in our Holy Week and Easter services. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am also grateful for the leaders of this church who helped us navigate this busy time. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, more than 1,000 people came through our doors and worshiped with us. It takes a team to minister to this many people. Thank you!

I am looking forward to participating in the next few days with you all: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday. These are the most important days of our Church year. Walking through Holy Week and Easter with you all is such a blessing. If you have never participated in a Holy Week service, I encourage you to come. Each service is a unique experience that expresses both our faith and love.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, a day of mixed emotions, and quite frankly mixed messages. The service starts with a parade, the waving of palms, and a joyful march into the church. Then, as we enter into the church, there is a transition that takes place from a joyous parade into a funeral procession. We the people of God, who shout "Hosanna!" transform from laughter and happiness into an angry mob that shouts "crucify him!" as we play our part in the Passion of Christ.

There is a rhythm to church life that comes out this time of year. My parents are both Episcopalian, so this rhythm is something I, like some of you, have known all my life. Church on Sunday, Sunday school, and Wednesday night church soup/church suppers, become part of a routine of faith, family, and friendship. I am grateful for this routine.

I hope and pray that you are well. I am writing this from a hotel coffee shop in Houston. Our church has once again gathered with churches from across the country for the annual Episcopal Parish Network Conference, or EPN. EPN is a unique conference in that a huge piece of it focuses on money—how to raise it, how to spend it, how to talk about it, and how to ask for it.

Not many people have a 5-story tall monument that reminds them of their fears. I do. It's a cell phone tower. It stands in the back of Trinity Episcopal Church in Waterloo, IA. In my heart it stands as a testament to my inexperience as a priest, the grip of corporate anxiety, and a reminder of the short-sighted thinking that often goes along with a fear of money.

Lent is in full swing. Traditionally, Lent is a time in which we both give things up and take things on. In terms of giving up, the church asks for us to fast from things that pull us away from our relationships with God and neighbor. In terms of taking things on, the church invites us to take on practices that draw us into a better relationship with God and neighbor. Give up that which pushes us away, take on that which draws us near.

I usually write my e-messengers from home on Thursday mornings. Denise has gone to work, and the kids have gone to school. I have a cup of hot coffee beside me. As I look around at the remains of the breakfast that needs to be tidied, the bike on the trainer for Noah to ride after school, and Lydia's various track and field accessories, I find myself feeling overwhelmingly grateful. I also find myself thinking and reflecting on the things in my life that all too often distract me from what I know to be important.

Happy Muses Thursday! Muses is a women's only Mardi Gras krewe. Their parade is known for political satire, beautiful designs, and great marching bands. They are also known for the decorated shoes they hand out as special throws. I was thinking about today's parades, about some friends who are currently getting ready to participate, and about the beads and shoes that will be thrown.

I am pleased to say that this Sunday at all three services we will have a guest preacher. Our seminarian Jeremy Mount, recently ordained in the Episcopal Church, will get to proclaim the message on his heart. Fun fact, while Jeremy is currently a chaplain stationed at Fort Jackson, he once started a church inside of the Flora Bama, one of my favorite bars in the whole world...

Our next few weeks as a church are full ones!

We will retreat together to the mountains at Kanuga, baptize new members into the family of faith, celebrate a wonderfully fun Mardi Gras Potluck on Shrove Tuesday, and then after all that enter into the season of Lent. It will be a time of busyness and fun, highs and lows. In many ways, the life of the church very much resembles the life of a family.

Not all ministries look the same. Not all definitions of ministry fit into a box. Recently someone asked me about pastoral care and the church. "Well," I responded, "Pastoral care can look like many different things."

In the Episcopal Church, we believe that through Baptism we all take our place in the "priesthood of all believers," and that through our baptism we each are called to live as ministers of the Gospel. In fact, during our baptism, we make promises to participate in the teaching, fellowship, the breaking of the bread, and the prayers of the church.

After Tuesday's storms, I hope and pray that you all are well! I also want you to know that your church community is here for you if you need us. If you have storm damage or downed trees and aren't sure what to do, email me. With the long weekend, I am sure we can get some folks to help.

This Sunday we begin to follow Jesus's journey away from the river Jordan as he starts his ministry. In this week's Gospel, Jesus calls out to the disciples, "Follow me." and the crazy thing that happens is that they do!

Just two more days and then my Christmas tree can come down. In truth, I can not bring myself to take down the tree until the Feast of the Epiphany, when we celebrate the coming of the wise men to visit the newborn Jesus.

I know my house looks silly as the neighbor's decorations come down and mine remain, but I just can't do it. I really love the idea of the 12 days of Christmas. To me, the 12 days of Christmas are more than a song. They represent a period of time in which we can choose to celebrate the Christ Child, to pray for peace, to look for hope, and to celebrate grace.

I hope and pray that you are well and that your Christmas celebrations continue for days to come. I am a firm believer in the 12 days of Christmas; some celebrations simply deserve a little extra time.
I also want to thank the many folks who helped make this Advent and Christmas season a special success. Thank you to our choir, lay Eucharistic visitors, flower guild, readers, acolytes, altar guild, office volunteers, ushers, our deacon Dianna, and everyone else who helped to make our worship beautiful. You have each helped make this season one to remember. Thank you.