March 8, 2023
E-Messenger

For those who wish to engage in a Lenten discipline by walking the labyrinth, Terry Candee will be present every Wednesday at 6:00 PM during Lent out at the Memorial Gardens/Labyrinth area.  Terry can give some guidance about the practice or simply be present as you walk in silent meditation.  Please park on that side of the building and plan on spending about 15 minutes or so engaged in this prayerful practice.  If Wednesday evenings do not work for you, the labyrinth is always available for you to walk at your convenience. 
 
  The Mission Study Team invites you to participate in our next step by gathering for deeper conversation centered around Scripture and some of the larger questions that surfaced during the 40 Days of Prayer last fall.  Each group will meet for two hours to allow for some more in-depth conversation.  If you have not had a chance to sign up for a conversation group next week, you may do so by clicking this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F4FA8AF2DA64-mission
You may also sign up this Sunday, March 12 in the narthex.  That will be the deadline to sign up for a group!
 
  Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 12.  Set your clock ahead one hour at bedtime Saturday night.

Season 3 of the podcast, Someone Knows Something, follows the story of Thomas Moore.  Along with Canadian investigative journalist, David Ridgen, Moore traveled to Mississippi in the mid-2000s seeking justice for the murder of his brother, Charles Moore, in 1964.  Charles Moore and Henry Dee were teenagers when they were abducted and murdered by members of the KKK.  It is a story of grief, anger and justice. For more information, visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/sks/season3.
  The Department of African American Studies at USC is hosting award-winning writer and MacArthur Fellow, Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom on Thursday, March 23 (7-9pm) at the USC School of Law.  She will be the keynote speaker for the annual Robert Smalls Lecture.  Dr. Cottom is a professor at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.  She has written several books including Lower Ed: The Troubling Rise of For-Profit Colleges in the New Economy and Thick.  She is known as an important critical analyst of technology, higher education, class, race and gender.  To learn more, visit: https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/african_american_studies/for_the_community/robert_smalls/cottom.php

We are collecting packages of snack sandwich crackers (Lance, Keebler) and clean, doubled plastic grocery bags.  Please drop off your donations in the marked bin in the church lobby.
 
  McGregor will again participate in the Keep the Midlands Beautiful Annual Spring Shoe Drive Fundraiser.  You may drop off your new or almost new shoes in the marked bin in the church lobby through Sunday, May 28.  All donated shoes for the KMB Shoe Drive will be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise (small-business) partners in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited.  Funds raised from the Shoe Drive help KMB support their litter prevention programs and encourage recycling and reuse.  In addition, it keeps shoes out of the landfill.   
 
  In-Person Sales:  Friday, March 31 from 4:00-6:00 PM and Saturday, April 1 from 9:00 AM-12:00 noon at the Irmo Middle School Greenhouse, 6051 Wescott Road Columbia, SC 29212
Online Sales:  April 3-4; Link available on school website; while supplies last!
Featuring:  3 native species of milkweed; lantana, coreopsis; geranium; impatiens; zinnias; assorted pollinator plants; variety of vegetables
 
  There will be music and dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and an update on the Family Promise Mission.  Tickets are on sale now!  Visit their webpage at www.familypromisemidlands.org for tickets.
 
  Make plans to attend McGregor’s first Community Earth Day Celebration.  There will be a plant swap, a food truck (C. R. Burton’s), learning stations (insects, composting, gardening, and more).  Also, you have a chance to eat a mealworm or wax moth caterpillar! 
 
  Pantry Needs:  canned/powdered milk, juice, tea, cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix & syrup, peanut butter, jelly, canned pasta meals, pasta & sauce, pasta/rice dinners; canned tomatoes, chili, pork & beans, dry/canned beans, snacks; crackers (Ritz/saltines)
Special Project:  Easter baskets for clients; donations of candy/books/baskets accepted through March 24
Spring Yard Sale:  Saturday, April 22; donations accepted through April 19

Thursday, March 9
        6:00 PM Worship Committee
Sunday, March 12
        9:30 AM Sunday School and Lenten Study
        11:00 AM Worship Service
Tuesday, March 14
        5:00-7:00 PM Mission Study Small Group
Wednesday, March 15
        10:00 AM Wednesday Morning Bible Study - online
        2:30-4:30 PM Mission Study Small Group - online
        6:00 PM Session
        6:00 PM Labyrinth Walk
        7:30 PM Adult Choir
Thursday, March 16
        6:00-8:00 PM Mission Study Group
        6:00 PM Snack Packs Committee
Sunday, March 19
        9:30 AM Sunday School and Lenten Study
        11:00 AM Worship Service
        3:00-5:00 PM Mission Study Small Group
        5:30 PM Combined Youth Group at McGregor