NOTICE: for the well-being of our community, in-person services have been canceled for the next two weeks. Please use the Schedule of Services and Sunday Morning Reminder and Links to tune in to our virtual options, which will include Sunday Holy Eucharist, and Morning Devotions on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This week, we are featuring three of St. Martin's important outreach projects. As we enter winter, the needs of our community become especially apparent, and we are reaching out to bring a little light into the dark.

The ‘Our Hearts Are Open’ Advent Project will be virtual this year. We are buying gifts for 50 children under the care of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Please click here or call the office to sign up by December 6th. Bring your wrapped and labeled gifts to the church during office hours by December 13th.

Pre-Covid, the Better Lives Rhode Island Downtown Food Pantry was feeding an average of 1000 households per month. Since the pandemic began, need is increasing. In August, Better Lives served 1,172 households and and additional 367 seniors. In September, the numbers were up to 1,354 households and 498 seniors.

The pantry is open Tuesday-Friday 9 am-1 pm. Each household may visit the pantry twice a month. When families arrive, a staff member brings out a box containing meat, bread, cereal, rice, pasta, sauce, canned goods, and fresh food – enough for 18 meals.

We need your help! Remember to bring donations of non-perishable food items to church on a regular basis. In addition, Better Lives (along with Camp Street Ministries) receive our Thanksgiving food bags. Please be especially generous this year, as there are so many families and seniors in need.

Please bring your donations to the church Monday-Thursday 10am-2pm. Friday hours vary, so call the office or Susan Esposito (401-474-2001) before stopping by.

Due to the pandemic, OpenDoors has many clients who are unable to visit family for Thanksgiving. This year, Co-Executive Director Patrick Westfall and his wife will be cooking for about 30 people. We have agreed to support their effort by providing desserts and side dishes. If you would like to make a food or financial contribution to this important cause, please contact Jennifer Kiddie or Susan Esposito by Monday, November 16.

The OpenDoors re-entry program uses a holistic approach to support offenders as they prepare to leave prison, return home, and stabilize in the community. The agency's programs include advocacy on criminal justice issues, the one-stop Resource Center, and an Employment Program. OpenDoors programs seek to ameliorate the condition of the poor and promote economic self-sufficiency by improving job readiness, addressing barriers to employment, and teaching job-retention skills.

Please don't delay! The deadline for the public phase of Opening our Doors to the Future Capital Campaign and the Annual Stewardship Campaign is Sunday, November 22nd. As you can see from our red doors, our participation rate for the capital campaign is only 75%. We need 35 more pledges to reach 100%.

For the Annual Stewardship Campaign, we have received 48 pledges for a total of $213,083 of our $400,000 goal.

Thank you in advance for your participation.