Dear People of God,

This past Sunday, the building of St. Martin's Church was closed, but the life of the Church goes on. An old hymn says, "new occasions teach new duties." We will learn new things and new ways to care for one another and to share the Gospel through all of this.

If you click on the picture above, you can listen my reflections on John 4:5-42 which was this Sunday's lesson. My chair may be squeaky, but my affections for you are real and I was glad that even if we couldn't be together in person, we will find new ways to worship. Several of you told me today about the services you watched on your computers yesterday. I'm always so amazed how the selected reading from the lectionary can speak so specifically to our present situations, but it does, over and again. I call that the Holy Spirit at work!

As we move into these days, do not hesitate to contact me: rectorstmartinsnj@gmail.com.

God will bless this world in these days and we are called to be God's blessing to the world.

Yours in Christ,

Tim+



In this time of such an unprecedented health crisis, we are forced to face a painful reality:  those who already have, now have more (witnessed by the ransacked grocery stores) – and those who didn’t have before, now have less.

The Centers for Food Action are making special pleas for donations of money and volunteers.  

Many of us cannot be volunteers, but we certainly can make a donation – and the longer our containment continues,  we can make a spiritual practice of ongoing donations – to those in deep need. 

You can donate online at any of the Center’s locations.  Just log on to Center for Food Action anda center in your area will appear.

Prayerfully wishing you continued health.

Deacon Joanne O'Neill

Staying Warm and Loved

This past weekend Philip and Nancy Muñiz brought a warm afghan to Bill Goetz that had been crocheted by our members to remind others that they are not alone. Almost every week of the year members of our pastoral care team visit members. If. you have a pastoral concern or would like a visit by a member of the team, please contact the parish office. This may be especially important during these days where it is possible to feel even more alone than usual. Use your good sense if you think a visit would be safe for your health and the health of the visitor, but know that our pastoral care team truly loves to share God's love with you. You are never an intrusion, but always a blessing!

The party isn't over - just postponed!

Perhaps it's not quite right to think of a Lenten practice as a party, but when about ten people from St. John's in Somerville hosted about another ten from St. Martin's on Wednesday nights in Lent, something very special took place. First, we were invited and then welcomed with such incredible hospitality. "Here, here's some soup and fresh bread. It's a simple meal, but we hope you'll enjoy it." We sure did. Each week a new flavor soup. Each week, the making of new friends. Each week, a new perspective on prayer from a different discussion leader. So when concern for health moved us to realize we should not keep meeting right now, it was the unanimous decision of the group that we would take up our work of prayer after Easter. We just want to keep meeting and doing this. After all, we're Episcopalians - we can pray at times in addition to Lent! Our hope is that this kind of interaction between faith groups can become more and more of our norm. Every time we have something to do: outreach, youth, study, can we ask, "Who might want to do this with us?" There are so many good reasons for building these relationships, and not just with fellow Christians.

You Can Still Pray at St. Martin's

Even though the building is closed for common worship at the moment, you are still invited and encouraged to walk and pray your way through the beautiful outdoor labyrinth behind the parking lot. It is a peaceful oasis and it beckons you.