A community reshaping itself to be
fit for God's purpose
Thursday, May 21, 2020
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The Ascension
The picture on the left is from the Ascension Chapel at the Shrine of our Lady of Walsingham - set in the heart of rural Norfolk, England. It's a rather disconcerting image because it captures one side of the Church's theological ambivalence concerning the Ascension of Jesus.
Click on
to hear the webcast for The Ascension.
I trust you will enjoy this special webcast for the Ascension. Along with Christmas, and Easter, the Ascension is among the major festivals of Jesus and provides the transition point between the ministry of Jesus in the world and the Church's continuation of that ministry on the Day of Pentecost. Because it always occurs on a Thursday (technically the 40th day after Easter) and is not transferred to the following Sunday - each year the Ascension often passes many of us by.
My reflection is called
Theology Matters
. Why on earth should the theology of the Ascension matter to us - you must be thinking? The short answer is because it goes to the heart of how we understand our task as Christians in the world. You can listen to why theology matters either as a part of the Reflection in Music and Word link above or as a stand alone podcast which you can find by scrolling down the webpage.
This Sunday we will commemorate Memorial Day. So please look out for the webcast of
The Liturgy of the Word for Memorial Day
, which will be posted
here
from 7 am Sunday morning.
I trust you are all continuing to weather the Covid-19 storm that is bearing down upon us. You will have noted that the Governor has announced plans for the reopening of Churches - it seems in response to pressure from the Roman Catholic Church. Bishop Nicholas is encouraging Episcopal parishes to err on the side of caution. This is very much in line with our thinking at St Martin's on a phased reopening - the timetable for which is still at the discussion stage. We will keep you posted on developments but in the meantime please continue to tune in for our Sunday service webcasts alongside midweek services and the Sunday morning check-in via Zoom.
Enjoy this coming Memorial Day Weekend but remember to stay sane and be safe!
Mark+
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Celebrating 2020 Graduates!
Commencement ceremonies and graduation parties have been brought to a screeching halt this year, but the St. Martin's community wants to be sure to recognize those who have worked long and hard for their achievements!
Congratulations to the following 2020 graduates:
- Diana Blake will be attending Wheaton College in Norton, MA, double majoring in English/Political Science with a minor in French or Legal Studies
- Rosie Hassel is graduating from the Lincoln School and will be attending Wesleyan University
- Spencer Izzo is graduating from Wentworth Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Electrical Engineering
- Gabriel Timpson-Neill is graduating from Moses Brown and will be attending Auckland University in New Zealand
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You're Invited to KidZoom!
KidZone has moved online, thanks to the generous efforts of Tim, Marie and Arthur Edgar, who host virtual Home Church for children and families on Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
We hope you will join the fun! Please contact
Tim
for a Zoom-vite.
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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. St. Martin’s Hands provides compassionate presence for parishioners through phone calls, letter writing, and prayer, and also works to address the everyday needs of any parishioner who could use practical assistance during this time of social distancing.
If you feel you would benefit from the services of St. Martin’s Hands, 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. And if you'd like to bring your time and talent to support this new ministry we would love to hear from you.
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Food Bank Fundraiser
The coronavirus pandemic has forced many fundraising events to be cancelled so Frank Pellegrino, an active cyclist and member of St. Martin's, has initiated his own fundraiser for the RI Community Food Bank.
His goal is to raise $1,000 ($5 per mile) biking a minimum of 200 miles in the month of May. To track Frank's progress and to donate, please
click here
. Donations go directly to the RI Community Food Bank.
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Knitting Ministry
The Knitting Ministry has been in touch through Zoom in the weeks since the stay-at-home order was given. We continue to knit prayer shawls in our own time, and will deliver them when the current guidelines are relaxed and we can make the arrangements. In the meantime, we hope you will let us know of any requests for prayer shawls you may have. You can email
Natasha Lofgren
or
Jill Scott
, or leave us a message with the church office. Let us know the name of the person you would like a prayer shawl for and a brief comment so that we can remember that person in our prayers.
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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 May 24 through May 30 by Martin Flaherty. He can be reached by phone at 212-838-7644.
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 - Friday
Evening Devotions discontinued for summer
5:30 pm Thursday
Weekly Prayer List
- 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: Kathy Good, Anthony Cottone, Dianna Lima, Gabriel Timpson-Neill, and Madeline O'Hearn
- Those commended to us: Angela, Eidan, Melissa, Chris, Donna, Jeremiah, Scarlett, Lisa, Virginia, Don, Justin, Eliza, Don, Michol, Mimi, Annette, Douglas, Jean, Carla, Carol, Jerry, 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, Sarah, Ada, Harry, Marvin, Emeline, Gail, Sheila, Cathie, Denny, Aldo, Madeline, Paula, Vince, Kirby, Matthew, Patrick, and Annette
- We pray for Carla Mathes Woodward who passed away on Monday, May 18.
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St. Martin's Church | 50 Orchard Ave | Providence, RI |02906
(401) 751-2141
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