A community reshaping itself to be
fit for God's purpose
Thursday, April 23, 2020
"How Can We Help?"

Everything you need to know about the St. Martin’s community can be understood from these words from a parishioner at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis: "How can we help?" Within just a few days of that inquiry a bilateral ministry called St. Martin’s Hands was up and running. The enthusiasm and faithfulness of the ministry’s volunteers and leaders from the very beginning has been a heartening sign of hope in these difficult days. 

The concerns we wanted to address in developing St. Martin’s Hands were basically twofold: practical and pastoral. On the practical side, people who needed to stay in their homes were going to be in need of different types of assistance; for example someone to run errands to the grocery store or pharmacy. Or they might need someone to help walk them through how to do a Zoom call. They might need a source for face masks. There are any number of practical issues that could come up during this time, and we have had many folks step up and say they would love to offer their time, gifts, and energy. For example, we recently had a request on Good Friday for someone to buy groceries for a person who was arriving in town and needed to go immediately into quarantine. By the morning of Easter Eve, St. Martin’s Hands’ shoppers had bought and delivered a bounty of food and supplies. Such generosity of time and resources is truly a sign of what it is to be people of the Resurrection. 

Very closely related to the practical wing of St. Martin’s Hands is the pastoral aspect of the ministry. As we have all observed in the past six (really, only six ?) weeks, isolation can take a psychological, emotional, and spiritual toll on a person, especially someone who is already living alone and with limited family support. So, with the Pastoral Care Team as a foundation and expanding to include other volunteers, the pastoral wing of St. Martin’s Hands has been keeping in touch with parishioners most vulnerable to isolation. It has been wonderful to see how many folks have stepped up to keep in touch with other members of our parish family through periodic phone calls, emails and handwritten notes. We have even gotten our KidZone families involved, with children sending notes and cards to folks who would enjoy a bit of extra cheer. 

Our Healing Prayer and Knitting ministries have also been busy; praying hands offer intercessory prayers by phone to any who call or email (see the e-news for the Healing Prayer minister of the week), and knitting hands continue to knit their prayers into each prayer shawl. Even though they are not able to deliver the shawls until restrictions are lifted, the prayers of our knitters serve to lift the needs of the suffering to God, who offers healing grace and peace.

The key throughout this ministry is connection. It has been said before, and bears repeating, that social distancing should be a misnomer; it is the work of the community to make sure that our distance from one another is only physical , not social. Our ministry to one another is to nurture our relationships within and beyond the community in spite of the walls that confine us during this time. To that end, I continue to pray that our (well-washed) hands - whether six feet away or through phone, pen, knitting needle, email, or Zoom - will keep reaching out to our loved ones in Christ.

Please contact us if you would like to volunteer, or if you think you would benefit from St. Martin’s Hands ministries. The practical wing of this ministry is shepherded by Elizabeth Welshman , 401-688-7037 (email, call or text) and Cathy Bodner, 401-272-6610 (email or call). To contact the pastoral wing, email or call Linda Griggs, 513-315-3975 (email, call or text).

Linda+
St. Martin’s Hands:
We've Been "Sew" Busy - Join Us!
If you sew and would like to help make face masks, there are several resources available via YouTube, including some that require no sewing! Visit this link from Deaconess and scroll down for step by step instructions and a video, or  this link from the RI Commerce website for no-stitch masks. Ocean State Job Lot is offering fabric for free - here's more information . If you are in need of a mask, or can offer to make some, please contact Cathy Bodner at 401-272-6610, or Elizabeth Welshman at 401-688-7037.

At this time, you or a family member may find yourself in need of Durable Power of Attorney or a Health Care Proxy .  Jude Kostas , an attorney and active member at St. Martin's, would be glad to assist you. Feel free to send Jude an email.  
Many thanks to all who are offering their time and energy to the community!
St. Martin’s Supports an Asylum Seeker
St. Martin’s is proud to support an asylum seeker who has just arrived in Providence from Cuba. He has a sponsor and a lawyer, but arrived with nothing but the clothes on his back. He is in need of men’s clothing in size S (favors grey and black, but any color is good in a slim fit) - sweaters or sweatshirts, pants size 30W x 28L, and sneakers and sandals in a size 8, rollerblades (in-line skates), helmet, knee, wrist and elbow guards, a computer, iPad or similar device in good working order, gift cards to local stores such as Target or Marshall’s. If you have items to donate, please email Katherine Ahlquist to arrange for pick up.
OpenDoors Rhode Island
Response Fund for the homeless and those
experiencing housing instability
OpenDoors Rhode Island has initiated a Response Fund to address the needs of Rhode Islanders who are experiencing homelessness and housing instability during the crisis. They have been providing food and supplies to local tent encampments and men coming home from prison to help people maintain safe social distancing guidelines and increase public safety. St. Martin's has teamed up with members of Temple Beth-el to provide lunch twice a week to homeless in the OpenDoors' network. If you'd like to make a donation to the fund that helps the most vulnerable in this pandemic, please click here .

OpenDoors has also partnered with Hudson Street Deli to provide over 200 meals to Rhode Islanders struggling throughout this crisis. For just $10, you can provide a meal for a fellow Rhode Islander and support the wages of employees at a local business. Please visit Hudson Street Deli to support this outreach.

Lastly, OpenDoors will be opening a second transitional house for men coming home from prison. They are in need of new or gently-used extra long twin sheets and pillow cases. In addition, they have 3 kitchens that need to be furnished to support 16 residents. All kitchen ware that can be donated would be much appreciated! Gently used or new pots, pans, plates, cups, and utensils, etc can be dropped off in a bin located at the Orchard Place red doors at St. Martin’s. If you have questions or have items that need to be picked up (while practicing social distancing), please contact Jennifer Kiddie or Susan Esposito .
Episcopal Charities announces
Charities NOW
Episcopal Charities announces the debut of “Charities NOW”, which immediately turns donations around to aid those ministries and agencies on the front lines assisting our at-risk elders and at-risk children. No administration fees are deducted - 100% of your donation goes to this effort. Click on this link to donate or mail a check to Episcopal Charities of Rhode Island, 275 North Main Street, Providence, RI. 02903. On the memo line of your check, please write “Charities NOW”. 
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 at this time.
Healing Prayers  will be offered for the week of April 26 through May 2 by  Jeana Whittredge . She can be reached by phone at 413-313-3033 or by email.
May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds. 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
Evening Devotions (pre-cocktail prayer) via Zoom
5:30 pm Tuesday, Wednesday
Meditation Hour via Zoom
5:30 pm Thursday

Weekly Prayer List

  • Those with the Covid-19 virus or who are in quarantine

  • The staff and residents of Hallworth House (the Diocesan-sponsored nursing home), Evergreen House, and Bethany Home. This is a very difficult time for everyone, with shortages of PPE for the staff, and no visitors for the residents

  • First responders and those on the front lines in hospitals and nursing homes

  • Those who are working hard to bring us the essential items we need; keeping grocery shelves stocked and medicine available

  • Those affected by the economic fallout from the virus

  • Those who have birthdays this week: Malcolm Griggs, Mark DiPetrillo, and Karen Bracken

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

  • We pray for Marguerite (Peggy) A. Howell, Assistant Rector from 1992-1996, who died on April 6 at her home in Derry, NH
St. Martin's Church | 50 Orchard Ave | Providence, RI |02906
(401) 751-2141