February 1, 2023
E-Messenger

The Session has called for the Annual Congregational Meeting to be held Sunday, February 12 at the close of the worship service.  The purpose of the meeting is to approve updated by-laws of the congregation, to receive annual reports from the various session committees, and to receive the 2023 budget for information.  The by-laws will be sent out early next week for your review.  The annual report and the budget will be available on the website next week, as well.  A few hard copies will also be made available.  You may pick those up from the church during the week or on Sunday, February 12.
 
  At its January, 2023 meeting, the Session:

• Approved moving 54 church members to inactive status
• Approved the 2022 Statistical Report.  Church membership now stands at 172.
• Approved the serving of communion on the first Sunday of each month in 2023 (excluding January)
• Elected Hank Windley as the Clerk of Session for 2023, and approved him as commissioner to the February 18, 2023, Presbytery meeting
• Approved special offerings for 2023, including the Souper Bowl of Caring, One Great Hour of Sharing, Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina Offering, Pentecost Offering, Presbyterian Migrant Ministry Offering, Peace and Global Witness Offering, Thornwell Home Offering, and Christmas Joy Offering
• Postponed approving a 2023 budget until the Personnel and Finance Committees have had a chance to meet together
• Approved an Earth Day celebration for Saturday, April 15, 2023
• Approved The Difficult Words of Jesus and The Falling of Dusk as adult Lenten studies (one or the other will be used, but not both)
• Thanked elders Bill Ackerman, Becky Caskey, Beth Ferris, David Jenkins, Jayne Woodward, and Sean Yee, who are rotating off the Session

In February, we celebrate Black History Month with many opportunities for learning!
  The PC (USA) Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries engage the church in its mission to become a more diverse and inclusive denomination.  This group is launching a virtual Bible Study starting today, February 1 that will celebrate Black History Month, called “Models of Black Resistance Past and Present.”  It is a 6-week study and will stream on Facebook.  For more information, visit: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/new-seven-week-pcusa-black-resistance-bible-study-launches-on-feb-1/.  If anyone is interested in having a small group discussion about this study, please reach out to Christina Isenhower or Robyn Garrison.
  Along with the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor, the IAAM is hosting a webinar series throughout February, featuring various speakers and historians.  To learn more about this free series, visit: https://iaamuseum.org/announcing-black-history-month-virtual-programming/
  The Columbia Museum of Art is hosting a series throughout February called More Than Rhythm: A Black Music Series.  There will be several events throughout the month with discussions, concerns, and documentary showings.  For more information, visit: https://www.columbiamuseum.org/events/more-rhythm-black-music-series
  The Cayce Historical Museum will be hosting a free talk about Dave Drake, an enslaved African American who was owned by slaveholders in Edgefield, SC.  It is believed that he started making pottery during his enslavement in teens, and his pottery is world-famous today.  Knowing how to read and write, he would sometimes inscribe messages of resistance on his pots.  Several of his pots, including one from the SC State Museum, is currently featured in an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.  George Wingard with the Savannah River Archaeological Research Program will talk about Dave’s legacy.  The talk will be at 1800 12^th Street in Cayce.
  This was an event rescheduled from January.  This book was previously featured in McGregor’s newsletter, and a book signing will happen on February 19, 4:00-5:00 PM.  For more information, please visit: https://www.historiccolumbia.org/events/2023/2023-02/green-book-south-carolina-book-signing
  On Sunday, February 19, Historic Columbia is hosting their Free Sundays when residents of Richland and Lexington counties are invited to tour a home for free.  On February 19, residents can visit The Museum of the Reconstruction Era.  This is the only museum dedicated to this era in American history in the United States.  For more information, please visit: https://www.historiccolumbia.org/events/2023/2023-02/free-sunday-museum-reconstruction-era

On Sunday, February 12 McGregor will observe the Souper Bowl of Caring Offering and Soup Drive with the proceeds going to our McGregor Snack Packs Program.  Please bring cans of chicken noodle soup and/or financial donations for Snack Packs to the 11:00 AM Worship Service on Sunday, February 12.  You can vote for your favorite Super Bowl team by placing your donated cans of soup into the bin marked with your team’s name.  The bins will be located in the narthex.  Youth with soup pots will collect your financial donations after the worship service.  Your donations will help feed the 155 students at the five District 5 schools we serve each week by providing food for the weekend.  Thank you so much for your generosity!
 
  Meet at the far parking lot of Nursery Road Elementary on Saturday, February 11 at 8:30 AM to pick up litter along Nursery Road, Nursery Hill Road, and Green Pines Road.  Masks are optional, gloves and closed toe shoes are recommended, and a grabber may be useful.  Don’t forget that you need to sign a KMB waiver of liability relating to COVID to participate.  Contact Linda Byars at byars133@bellsouth.net for waiver and details.
 
  McGregor Preschool is offering their current students and McGregor Church member the opportunity to register early for the 2023-2024 school year.  Registration will open to the public on March 1.  The Preschool serves children ages 1-4 years old Monday-Friday, September through May, from 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon.  Early Bird Drop Off from 7:30-8:45 AM and Lunch Bunch from 12:00-2:00 PM are also offered.  Contact Christine Manley at preschool.director@mcgpres.org or 803/781-2539 for more information.  Registration forms are available in the church office.

2/2 Betty Salmond, Alan Taylor
2/3 Linda South
2/7 Christine Manley
2/9 Greg Bates, Karen Calhoun
2/12 Carolyn Holland
2/16 Kim Blackwelder
2/17 Chester Sansbury, Bobbie Schowalter
2/18 Beth Ferris, Brian Widmer
2/21 Rosa Williams
2/23 Bill Ackerman, Tammy Butts
2/26 Tim Werts
2/28 Linda Byars
 
  Confident of Christ’s resurrection, we offer our prayers for the family of Debbie Dagle who recently passed away.  At this time, they are planning a private family service at a later date to be held in the Memorial Garden where they will scatter her ashes.
 
Condolences may be sent to
Bob and Ellie Dagle (Debbie’s parents)
4 Black Rail Lane Hilton Head, SC  29926
 
Stacey Dagle (Debbie’s sister)
1723 Chadsworth Drive Cayce, SC  29033

Sunday, February 5
        9:30 AM Sunday School
        11:00 AM Worship Service with Communion
        12:00 NOON Called Session Meeting
Tuesday, February 7
        3:30 PM Congregational Care Committee
        6:00 PM Mission Committee
Wednesday, February 8
        4:00 PM Finance Committee – online
        6:00 PM Communications Committee – online
        6:00 PM Education Committee
        7:30 PM Adult Choir
Saturday, February 11
        8:30 AM Adopt-A-Highway Litter Pick-Up
Sunday, February 12
        9:30 AM Sunday School
        11:00 AM Worship Service, Souper Bowl of Caring
        12:00 NOON Annual Congregational Meeting
  Ash Wednesday Worship Service:  Wednesday, February 22 at 6:00 PM
Adult Lenten Study:  Begins Sunday, February 26 at 9:30 AM (during Sunday School)
Mission Study Team Congregational Gathering:  Sunday, February 26 after Worship
  The church office will be closed for President’s Day on Monday, February 20.
  
  Pantry Needs:  cereal; pancake mix/syrup; peanut butter; jelly; pasta noodles/pasta sauce; boxed pasta/rice dinners (No boxed mac & cheese); canned pasta (ravioli, spaghetti o’s); chili; pork & beans; dry beans; crackers (Ritz or Saltines); snacks; juice; canned or powdered milk
Volunteers are needed, contact Shari Selke at sgl@sharinggodslove.net.