A community reshaping itself to be
fit for God's purpose
Thursday, April 30, 2020
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Future Assurance
In
Hope Defiant, my message on Easter day, I spoke about the need to plan for a future different from, and better than, the past. We don't delay this process until we see the dark clouds on the horizon beginning to dissipate - it's precisely at the darkest point of a crisis that laying out the blueprint for the future is so crucial.
This is what Hope Defiant looks like.
As a parish community we remain committed to our Capital Campaign. We appreciate that market forces are in fluctuation and that confidence has been shaken. While appropriately taking account of changed and ever-changing circumstances I want to tell you that we are maintaining momentum and moving forward with our Capital Campaign plans; plans that represent a hope-filled expectation for our future.
I have asked Mary Gray, chair of the Capital Campaign Working Group to write an update on where we are with our preparations. Mary writes:
If there is any place that has brought me comfort and joy through a sense of belonging, it is the Saint Martin’s Church community. I have missed most that feeling just after the service is over, when people are taking their time to leave the pews and the organ is still playing, when everybody is coming from the same place in that moment of hope. Despite the unmooring of our democracy, the economy and the environment, there is a steadfastness in our collective belief that our community will flourish anew. A successful Capital Campaign will ensure the vision we have for the future of Saint Martin’s.
This has been a Spring like no other. Though the streets are quiet, and the flowers seem slow in coming, the Capital Campaign (CC) committee has been hard at work. The Discernment Phase of our Capital Campaign was completed after the Cottage Meetings in the Fall and Winter. Over a 100 people participated in these small group settings. Although we are currently in the Feasibility Phase of the CC, when we actively determine the goal and scope of our fundraising, I am pleased to report that we already have several substantial commitments.
The CC committee comprises the main committee of Mark Sutherland, David Brookhart, Chris Dennis, Susan Esposito, Jennifer Kiddie, Peter Gray, BG Goff, Rick Worrell, Malcolm Griggs, Mary Gray and Mike DiSandro. Peter Lofgren, Mark DiPetrillo, David Brookhart, and John Bracken form the important Building Projects committee. There are multiple efforts underway from getting building project quotes, to writing the Case Statement, creating the Survey and other actions. The Case Statement is the key document that describes our history and our vision for the future with a list of possible projects we hope to fund with the CC.
Current timeline:
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May: Send out Case Statement and survey to the entire congregation
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June/July: with the current Market fluctuations, the committee is currently reviewing when to initiate face-to-face conversations with significant potential donors
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Fall: Rely on CC committee decision as to launch of public phase fundraising
Please let me or any of the other members of the committee know if you have any questions.
Mary Gray,
Chair of Capital Campaign Working Group and Capital Campaign Consultant
I want to thank you all for your steadfast support during these difficult days. We are resilient and in good heart as together, we face into the months ahead.
Mark+
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May Breakfast
We will not be able to gather together for our annual May Breakfast this year, but that does not mean it can’t still happen - it will just be a DIY version! We are asking for your favorite breakfast recipes to be published on our Facebook page. If you can add a photo, that would be great! Please e-mail them to
Cathy Bodner
by Monday, May 4. We’ll format them and publish them in time for our e-news prior to the May 9th Breakfast date.
This breakfast has traditionally supported the Epiphany Soup Kitchen and the Episcopal Conference Center. Donations are gratefully appreciated! Click
here
or mail a check to St. Martin's Church at 50 Orchard Ave, Providence 02906. Please note "May Breakfast" in the memo portion of your check.
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Day by Day Meditation Booklet
If you would like a copy of Forward Movement’s
Day by Day
meditation booklet for May, June and July, email
Susan Esposito
and one will be mailed to you. Please be sure to provide your current address.
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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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We've Been "Sew" Busy - Join Us!
If you sew and would like to help make face masks as part of the St. Martin's Hands ministry, 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.
Legal Assistance Available
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.
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OpenDoors Rhode Island
Response Fund for the homeless and those
experiencing housing instability
OpenDoors Rhode Island
has 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, 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.
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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”.
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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 3 through May 9 by Pat Nolan. She can be reached by phone at 401-751-6768 or 401-714-9530 (cell).
May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding
guard your hearts and minds.
Philippians 4:7
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Sunday Morning
11 am - 12 pm
Weekday Services
9 am Tuesday - Friday
5:30 pm Tuesday, Wednesday
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 (the Diocesan-sponsored nursing home), 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 in this time of crisis:
- 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 cure for Covid-19
- Store clerks, stockers, pharmacists, truck drivers, delivery people, custodians
- Those who have birthdays this week: Paige Riegel, Peyton Reigel, Sarah Hollinshead, Edye DeMarco, Michael Griggs, Cary Hollinshead, Marshall Carpenter, and Claire Lewis
- Those commended to us: Angela, Eidan, Melissa, Chris, Donna, Jeremiah, Scarlett, Lisa, Virginia, Don, Justin, Eliza, Don, Michol, Mimi, Annette, Douglas, Jean, Carla, Carol, Isabel, 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, and Pat
- We pray for Joe Bishkoff, husband of Cheryl, who died on April 24
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St. Martin's Church | 50 Orchard Ave | Providence, RI |02906
(401) 751-2141
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