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Week of January 9, 2022, With St. Martin's
Facebook Live Link: http://www.facebook.com/SaintMartinsEpiscopalChurchBridgewaterNJ

The Leaflet for this week's service can be found by going to
Reengaging Parishioners 
There were several new faces at our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses- but many of them were familiar to some of you, because they were parishioners who haven't been attending in-person worship for a while. I am asking your help in identifying the names of these parishioners, so that I and others can reach out to them and invite them to consider being more engaged in parish life, now that we are "reopened". If you remember the names of anyone that you saw at a Christmas liturgy who hasn't been to church for a while, please send Father Rob an email with their names. Thanks for your help.
Epiphany House Blessings
It is traditional to have homes blessed during the season of Epiphany. This blessing may occur in one of two ways:

Option One: You and your family may bless your home by inscribing an Epiphany blessing on the lentil of your door with blessed chalk. The blessing uses the initials of the names of the three wise men (Casper, Melchior, and Balthasar) to create an anagram which represents a latin prayer, Christus Mansionem Benedicat- which means "Christ bless this house." The blessing is written as: 20+C+M+B+22

Blessed chalk will be available in the narthex on Sunday and a simple liturgy for the house blessing will be posted on the website.

Option Two: You may make an appointment with Father Rob to come to your house blessing at your home during the season of Epiphany. The season of Epiphany begins on January 7, and ends on Mardi Gras, March 1. The cycle of Christmas ends on the feast of the Presentation, also known as Candlemas. The greens will be removed from the church after the end of the 12 days of Christmastide, but the creche will remain throughout the season and will be removed after Candlemas (February 2).
Prayer Requests
  • Keep Mike, who has Covid and is in the hospital, in your prayers.
  • The family of Sam Kearton, who passed on December 15th in Florida.
  • Juanita asks for prayers for the family of Gloribel Ayala who passed away.
  • Marilyn has requested prayers for Andrea, Stephanie, Alex, and Kelsey.
  • Anne Marie Verdiramo's mother Marion, who had surgery.

Please send your prayer intentions to Philip at philip.muniz@gmail.com.
Upcoming Dates
January 12 - The Midweek Wednesday Mass is canceled this week. 

It is hoped that weekend Masses will resume in person this weekend (and that the Wednesday Mass will resume next week). Please do check your email and the parish website on Friday night or Saturday for updated information, in case the situation changes. We are following guidance from the diocese regarding resuming in-person worship, and God willing all should be ready by Saturday night.

January 23, 2022 - Annual Meeting - There will be a joint Mass at 10:30 am on that weekend, and the meeting will follow the Mass.
2021 Giving Statements
2021 Giving Statements will be emailed next week. If we don't have your email address, we will send it by regular mail. If you spot a mistake in your report, please email the church office at stmartinsnj@gmail.com and someone will be in touch.
Parishioner in Need of Transportation
Linda Virtue is in need of some help with transportation to her health/ recovery facilities. She needs someone who might be able to provide transportation once a week. Could be any time of the day but would be a commitment of at least an hour. The facilities are maybe 20 -30 minutes away depending on whom she’s seeing that day. Please call her at 732-271-8026 for more details. 
Diocesan Convention 2022
The diocesean convention is scheduled for March. Information will be forthcoming regarding whether it will be in person, via zoom, or hybrid. Participating in the diocesan convention is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other Episcopalians in our diocese and to see the inner workings of the church. Because the Episcopal Church values the voice and discernment of all the people of God, the diocesan convention allows delegates from various parishes to participate in prayerfully discerning God's desires for the church in this place.

Perhaps you would like to be a delegate to Convention? If so, send Father Rob an email and let him know. A slate of names will be presented at our Annual Meeting on January 23 for election. In order to serve as a delegate, one must be a Confirmed Episcopalian in good standing. 
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
1350 Washington Valley Road,
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
www.stmartinsnj.org
Call Us: 908-526-1350
Contact information for Fr. Rob
rectorstmartinsnj@gmail.com or fatherroblaws@yahoo.com