A community reshaping itself to be
fit for God's purpose
Thursday, June 18, 2020
The Summer Infomercial
 
Sunday will be the final cut-off for responding electronically to the Opening Our Doors to the Future parish-wide capital campaign survey. Following the official launch with the mailing last week of the campaign case statement, so far, the response rate has been very encouraging. You can view the Opening Our Doors to the Future case statement here .

The survey is designed to enable a quick and easy response from each participant. It really will encourage you to think about the creative possibilities for your support of the campaign. So, if you have not taken the survey yet, could I please encourage you to do so – mindful that the cutoff date for the live survey is Sunday, June 21. If you did not receive the email or need to have the link resent to you, please contact the church.

As we move towards the last days of June and the weather holds good promise of sustained summer sun, I write to tell you that although this has been a year quite like none other, we will still observe the summer slowdown at St. Martin's. Normally, this means a cutting back in the number of services. The paradox this year is that the Summer Schedule heralds the reintroduction of in-person worship.

The Summer Schedule is as follows:
(We will be observing social distancing practices at all in-person gatherings)

  • Morning Devotions - After July 5, the daily Morning Devotions will be held only on Wednesdays, Zoomed (our new verb) from the chapel at 9 am
  • In-Person Wednesday Morning Eucharist at 7 am begins on July 8
  • In-Person Sunday Worship at 9 am begins July 12 with one outdoor Eucharist celebrated in Orchard Place. The service will be spoken with no congregational singing
  • Weekly Ministry of the Word Webcast with music and sermon will continue to be posted each Sunday from 7 am
  • Meditation Hour Thursday evenings will take a break for July and August
  • Office Hours will be 9:30 am – 12 noon, Monday through Friday
  • The Thrifty Goose Thrift Store is now operating from the better-ventilated space of the Great Hall and will be open Wednesday and Saturday from 10 am - 2 pm

Next week, June 25, will be my last weekly E-News message until September. However, E-News will continue to be sent each week with news and announcements throughout July and August.

You can visit the service webcast or the stand alone sermon podcast for this past Sunday here.

Amidst the insanity of the moment stay sane and keep safe.

Mark+
TONIGHT!
Virtual Vigil for Racial Justice, Peace and Reconciliation
Thursday, June 18 - 5:00 pm, via Zoom

Please join the Center for Reconciliation for a virtual vigil for racial justice, peace, and reconciliation in honor of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tony McDade, and all those killed by anti-Black racism. The St. Martin's Community fully supports the call for racial justice on the anniversary of June 19th's emancipation proclamation. For more information and to register  please click here . 

To show our support of racial justice, ALL proceeds from
The Thrifty Goose on Saturday, June 20th will go to
the Center for Reconciliation.
The Thrifty Goose is Open
Wednesdays & Saturdays, 10 am - 2 pm
The Goose has moved upstairs to the Great Hall (where we hold the Estate Sales) and we have separate entrances and exits, more space, lots more ventilation and we're able to practice social distancing and adhere to other new health and safety requirements.
We're Distributing Prayer Shawls Again!
The Knitting Ministry is pleased to announce that we are able to distribute prayer shawls once again! You may request that a prayer shawl be delivered to you by one of our knitters (who will be sure to wear a mask!) or f or zero contact, prayer shawls may be picked up at Natasha’s home which is directly behind the church . Each shawl is washed and placed in a sealed ziploc bag with an enclosed prayer. To request a prayer shawl, please contact Natasha Lofgren or Jill Scott or email the church.
St. Martin’s Hands
A Pastoral and Practical Ministry in a Time of Pandemic
St. Martin’s Hands is a ministry with both a pastoral and practical approach to strengthening our parish community as we journey together. If you feel you would benefit from the services of St. Martin’s Hands or if you'd like to volunteer, please reach out via email, phone call or text to  Linda Griggs ,  Cathy Bodner  at 401-272-6610, or  Elizabeth Welshman at 401-688-7037.
Healing Prayers
Even though we are not able to meet together at church, it doesn't mean we need to be secluded from one another. The Healing Prayers team is committed to continuing in ministry to those of you who would like prayers.
Healing Prayers will be offered for the week of June 21-27 by Jeana Whittredge. She can be reached by phone at 413-313-3033.
 May the peace of God guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Sunday Morning
Worship Podcast posted from 7 am
11 am - 12 pm

Weekday Services
Morning Devotions from the Chapel via Zoom
9 am Tuesday - Friday
Meditation Hour via Zoom
5:30 pm Thursday

Weekly Prayer List
There has been no more important a time than now for us to unite
in the fervor of prayer for the state of the Union

  • We remember all who are protesting against racial injustice
  • For a commitment to peaceful protest and humane and sensitive policing
  • For a respect for and protection of private property during peaceful demonstrations
  • For an identification and containment of anarchist elements seeking to hijack peaceful protest
  • For those victimized by racial violence - both the violence of actions but also the violence of words
  • For those whose fears of racial reconciliation have been inflamed by false narratives and toxic rhetoric
  • For the reform of our police forces and a rejection of increasing police militarization

Gracious Lord, let us truly open our ears and hearts to listen to and embrace the cry for justice for our black brothers and sisters. For once, Lord, let us be truly present to the guilt of our white privilege and pledge ourselves to work tirelessly for the banishment in our communities of the scourge of racial fear and oppression.

  • Those affected by the Covid-19 virus:
  • Those who are ill or are in quarantine
  • Those who have lost family members or friends to the illness
  • The residents of group homes and nursing homes, including Hallworth House, Bethany Home, and Evergreen House Health Center
  • Everyone who is affected by the economic fallout of the virus
  • Those who are working hard to care for us and provide for us at this time:
  • First responders, nurses, doctors, and health care aids on the front lines in hospitals, nursing homes, and group homes
  • Scientists and lab technicians who are trying to find a treatment or vaccine for Covid-19
  • Store clerks, stockers, pharmacists, truck drivers, delivery people, custodians

  • Those who have birthdays this week: Kate Peet, Linda Brookhart, Lucas Johnson, Griffin Bartsch, Jill Scott, and Katie Cottone

  • Those commended to us: Angela, Eidan, Melissa, Chris, Donna, Jeremiah, Scarlett, Lisa, Virginia, Don, Justin, Eliza, Don, Michol, Mimi, Annette, Douglas, Jean, Patrick, Oliver, Pam, Theresa, Paula, Shirley, David, Ursula, Michael, Sam, Joe, Morgan, Murielle, Charlie, Truls, Jill, Christine, Katie, Beth, Linda, Tom, Adam, Chris, Martha, Jean, Timmans, Isabel, Alicja, Neal, Patrick, Jennifer, Mark, Cynthia, Cheryl, Robin, Mariette, Isabella, Ada, Harry, Marvin, Emeline, Gail, Sheila, Cathie, Denny, Aldo, Madeline, Paula, Vince, Kirby, Matthew, Patrick, Annette, Jaymi, Sanford, Frank, Alanna, and Sam

  • We pray for Gregg Kostas, brother of Jude Kostas, who died on Wednesday, June 10
Links to:
St. Martin's Church | 50 Orchard Ave | Providence, RI |02906
(401) 751-2141