I have to begin with a correction to last week’s opening from Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass. Of course, as you all knew, it was the White Queen and not the Red Queen who was Alice’s interlocutor. That’s the problem with being color blind – well that’s my excuse, anyway.

We’ve had such a wonderful run with the Sunday morning weather over the summer. This past Sunday we had record numbers of around 70 worshipers and it’s just been so amazing for us all to discover the particular atmosphere of worshiping outside. But no matter how good the sun run has been - and hopefully will continue to be for the next two weeks - I have decreed that worship will move back inside on All Saint’s Day, Sunday November 1^st.

Details are still percolating through my mind and are in discussion with the technical crew. It’s so great to use that phrase technical crew in relation to worship – it really makes me feel modern and mega-church-y. Over the summer, Ian Tolungen, ably assisted by Emma Marion and David Brookhart - who has doubled as artistic director and head roadie - have put together our outdoor livestream each Sunday. In addition, Ian has also been the recorder, sound editor, and producer for the Liturgy of the Word audio webcast. As we move into the fall, I cannot praise enough the progress of leaps and bounds our technical support team has made in enabling us to audio webcast the Liturgy of the Word and to livestream the Eucharist each Sunday. In a time of pandemic, having such technical facility has enabled us to expand and, I believe, deepen our liturgical reach well beyond the natural limits of pre-pandemic in-person worship. Of course I cannot miss mentioning the amazing planning support of the Opening Up Committee and the Sunday-by-Sunday team of ushers who have set up and taken down the outside service each week.

We will begin on November 1^st with one service at 9am - it's important to make as few changes as possible until we get resettled. Should the numbers become too great for socially distanced worship we will return to the 8 and 9:30 service format.

Religion may be personal but it’s never private! May I commend Ray Suarez’s pithy and to the point short series titled Civility - the ad and link appear below. This is a series of four short videos, no more than five minutes each, and each of the four sessions is accompanied by reflection questions and an online discussion format where you can post responses. The most important takeaway from the series is the need for Episcopalians to be more forthright about how our faith informs our decision-making process, and to express this more publicly in the civil debate of the public square.

A bellicose and intolerant, nationalistic religion masquerading as Christianity has sought to colonize the religious perspective in civil debate. The traditional Enlightenment solution to bad religion was to ban all religion from civil conversation. However, the antidote to bad religion is not no religion but good religion. So, let’s get motivated and go public. Remember religion may be personal but it’s never private!

Stay sane and be safe.

You may have noticed that our red door barometer for the Capital Campaign is even more full this week than last and that we have achieved 50% participation within the congregation.

In case you missed it, here is this week's "conversation" video from the Capital Campaign:

Liturgy of the Word

(pre-recorded & webcast from 7 am)

click here

Click here to in-person pre-register

Click here to join the live stream

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10 am KidsZoom - click here to join

Tuesday

9 am - Morning Devotions (in-person & Zoom)

Click here for Zoom connection.

Wednesday

7 am - Holy Eucharist (in-person & Zoom)

Click here for Zoom connection.

9 am - Morning Devotions (in-person & Zoom)

Click here for Zoom connection.

7 pm - Bible Study (contact for link)

Click here to contact Joshua.

5:30 pm Meditation Hour (in-person & Zoom)

Click here for Zoom connection.

Registration is open for a free class to help us faithfully prepare for the November elections: The Big Class: Civil Conversations in Uncivil Times — Practicing Our Faith in the Public Square with Ray Suarez.

In this contentious election season, many of us are looking for ways to bring our faith into our political interactions. Ray Suarez knows a lot about complex political landscapes. He also knows a great deal about faith. As an award-winning journalist (PBS Newshour, NPR, Al Jezeera), college instructor, and outspoken Episcopalian, he has written a book on faith and politics in the United States.

It's that time of year again! Please bring your items in a brown paper bag. Thanksgiving baskets will be distributed to Better Lives RI and Camp Street Ministries. We will continue to receive non-perishable food items for Better Lives RI throughout the year.

Suggested Items: canned corn, green beans, mixed vegetables, canned cranberry sauce, canned squash or pumpkin, stuffing mix, instant potato, nuts...

We are open for Fall shopping and accepting donations of new and gently-used fall and winter clothing and accessories.

We're limited on space and not taking books or housewares, but if you have furniture or other larger items you wish to donate, email Heather Tingle (photos are helpful!). Please remember, all items should be in good, sellable condition.

KidZoom is St. Martin’s online church school for children and families. Join us every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for relaxed home worship and a time for prayer, music, Bible stories, wondering, and fun! For most of our stories we provide the Action Bible, one per family. For a copy of your Action Bible or for more information, contact the Rev. Linda Griggs.

Through these challenging times, day-to-day tasks can seem overwhelming.

St. Martin’s is available to hear your concerns.  There is a Healing Prayers Box available at the Welcome Table each Sunday. Simply write your prayer request on one of the index cards provided and place it in the box. Clergy and/or The Healing Ministry will respond within one week. Questions about the Healing Ministry? Please contact Jeana Whittredge.