A community reshaping itself to be
fit for God's purpose
Thursday, June 25, 2020
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The Church is Never Closed
Deciding when to reinstate in-person eucharistic worship is something of a difficult call to make. There have been suggestions that we survey the congregation to indicate the numbers of those wishing to return to in-person worship at this juncture. I have rejected this proposal because I believe our decision should not be based simply on a desire to meet pent-up demand, so to speak. Rather, the decision to return to in-person worship should signal the heart and soul of what it means to be the Church.
To offer opportunities to celebrate Eucharist together - doing so with all reasonable precautions taken to do so safely – goes to the heart of what it means in our Tradition to be the Church. I trust all of you to make your own deliberations as to whether to return to in-person worship at this time. Whether you feel able to or not, the church needs to signal the ongoing nature of its physical, as well as its spiritual, life. At the Eucharist both of these are brought together in an integrated harmony. Consequently, after the 4
th
of July weekend we will begin the process of returning to eucharistic worship at St Martin’s.
Over these past months, we have all enjoyed the weekly webcasts of the pre-recorded Liturgy of the Word, with music and sermon. By focusing on quality audio webcasting, we have deliberately striven to offer a listening experience reminiscent of our being in church. In contrast with the Liturgy of the Word alone, the Eucharist (Liturgy of the Word and Table) requires the immediacy of the community physically gathered together. Its continued absence impoverishes our Anglican-Episcopal worship and spiritual experience.
Let me reassure you that we will continue to offer a weekly Liturgy of the Word worship webcast. Over these past difficult months of lock-down, this has become a wonderful and enriching replacement for in-person eucharistic worship. Webcasting has increased the reach of our worship beyond the limitations of our physical church doors. This is something that will continue to be a permanent feature of our wider on-line community outreach and
not only for those feeling unable to return to in-person worship for the time being. With both these factors in mind, we will soon have a capacity to livestream in-person worship at a level of audio-visual quality comparable to, if not better than, our current audio pre-recordings.
On July 8
th
we will recommence the Wednesday 7 am Eucharist, which will take place in the body of the church rather than in the chapel
to allow for easier social distancing. On July 12
th
we will begin an open-air Sunday Eucharist at 9 am on Orchard Place. For Sunday worship, we will ask you to indicate your intention to be present, so we have an estimate of manageable numbers. Of course, the unanswered question is what happens when it rains? I guess in time honored St Martin’s tradition, we will cross this bridge when we come to it.
Let me on behalf of everyone thank all who have worked so hard to plan for our return to in-person worship. You cannot imagine the complexity of piecing together the factors that will allow us to do this in a manner that ensures the minimum of health risk within the overall guidance of State regulation. Thank you to you all!
The results of our online Capital Campaign survey are now being analyzed. Thank you for taking the time to respond. The overall response rate has been heartening. The campaign working group led by Mary Gray is now preparing for one-to-one conversation with individuals as part of what is known as the quiet phase in preparation for the launching of the public phase later in the summer-fall.
Although this is the last E-News message from me until September, the news and announcement sections will continue to reach you every week over the next few months. Over July and August, we will be giving serious thought to what a new program year with a mixture of small safe physical and larger virtual online gatherings might look like.
As someone who would otherwise have been preparing for an annual month in France just about now, my condolences to all whose summer plans lie in ruins, and I trust we will all nevertheless find some way to get a little away time before September.
Stay sane in this increasingly mad world and please continue to be safe.
Mark+
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Helpers Needed for St. Martin's Services
Have you ever considered being an usher for worship services at St. Martin's? Would you like to be a reader or work with the Altar Guild to prepare the sanctuary for Sunday worship? With the start of in-person services in July, we are welcoming new members to our teams. Please contact
Susan Esposito
for more information or to sign up.
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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.
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The Thrifty Goose is Open!
Wednesdays & Saturdays, 10 am - 2 pm
The Goose is back in business and has moved upstairs to the Great Hall. 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 are continuing to fortify our summer stock and are now taking new or gently-used summer clothing and accessories (please be sure items are clean and in good condition). We're limited on space, but if you have furniture or other larger items you wish to donate, please contact
Brigit.
Thanks for shopping at The Thrifty Goose! All monies go to support
St. Martin's Church and its Community Ministries
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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.
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Healing Prayers
Even though we are not able to meet together in person yet, 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 28 - July 4 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
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Sunday Morning
11 am - 12 pm
Weekday Services
9 am Tuesday - 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: Peter Fuller, Paul Del Cioppio, David Philips, and Rick Worrell
- 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, Alana, and Sam
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St. Martin's Church | 50 Orchard Ave | Providence, RI |02906
(401) 751-2141
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