A community reshaping itself
to be fit for God's purpose
Thursday, October 22, 2020
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Gratitude
In a time of great anxiety – and the days we are now living through deserve such a descriptor – it’s even more important to find that wellspring of gratitude and thankfulness for the blessings in our lives. We take time to pause and give thanks for family and friends. Speaking as clergy, Linda+ and I know how many of us are enormously thankful for such a vibrant church community.
I’m thankful for your generosity in enabling us to reach 93% of our Capital Campaign goal with five weeks still to go. To date, we’ve achieved this with only 54% member participation. Imagine what we will achieve with 100% member participation. This week we begin five weeks of the Annual Stewardship Campaign.
It may seem confusing this fall. Simply put:
- The Annual Stewardship Campaign is the yearly process of renewing our financial commitment for the next financial year. Returning your estimate of giving card (pledge card) will provide us with the data we need to accurately budget for 2021. Further information on this will be coming to you in the mail.
- A Capital Campaign happens once every 20-30 years and focuses on our longer-term future. Gifts to this can be structured over three years, beginning in 2020.
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This fall we will wind up both campaigns on November 22nd.
Amidst our current concern for the world around us, we continue to steadily do our part in building a little piece of the Kingdom at the corner of Orchard Avenue and Orchard Place.
I’m so excited! This week we tested our new remote-control livestream cameras which are currently being installed in the sanctuary. The picture quality is just amazing! We will be able to capture high definition TV broadcast quality so as to be able to continue this summer’s success with offering virtual worship during the pandemic. For those of you who may be reluctant to attend in-person worship, when we move back into the church on November 1, our new livestream capacity will enable us to stay connected with you, not only through our lovely Liturgy of the Word audio webcast but now also through a visual experience of Eucharistic worship that will give you a grandstand front row sense of being right there – physically separate, but spiritually intimate.
Mark your calendars for these special November services:
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November 1: All Saints/All Souls Day with in-person and livestream Eucharist at 9 am. Click here for the livestream.
- November 1: Sung Evensong at 4 pm led by the St. Martin’s Chapel Consort, webcast on YouTube (no in-person).
- November 8: We will celebrate the feast of our patron St. Martin with another musical treat of sung Evensong at 4 pm (webcast, no in-person).
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Then on November 24th we will webcast (no in-person) the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at 7 pm.
To keep track of all of our YouTube offerings,
As we return to stricter social distancing, we must remember the old saying: absence makes the heart grow fonder. Social distancing makes the solidarity of shared faith grow stronger. I am proud to serve in company with all of you.
Be safe and stay sane!
Mark+
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A Conversation with the Fenn Family
You may have noticed that our red door barometer for the Capital Campaign is even more full this week than last and that we have achieved 54% participation within the congregation.
In case you missed it, here is this week's "conversation" video from the Capital Campaign:
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Worship the Lord
in the
Beauty of Holiness
Sunday
Liturgy of the Word
(pre-recorded & webcast from 7 am)
9 am Holy Eucharist
(open air in-person & live-streamed)
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to receive updates and to view the latest livestream recording.
Tuesday
9 am - Morning Devotions (in-person & Zoom)
Wednesday
7 am - Holy Eucharist (in-person & Zoom)
9 am - Morning Devotions (in-person & Zoom)
7 pm - Bible Study (contact for link)
Thursday
5:30 pm Meditation Hour (in-person & Zoom)
Services are conducted in the church or outside on Orchard Ave
please dress for the weather, or consider bringing a blanket
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Prayers for Election Season
Rev. Linda has prepared a selection of insights and prayers, many from the Book of Common Prayer, for this season of civic responsibility.
Prayers for Election Season will be available at the Usher's Table, beginning this Sunday. You may also click here to view an electronic copy on our parish website.
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Thanksgiving Baskets
It's that time of year again! Please bring your items in a brown paper bag. Thanksgiving baskets will be distributed to Better Lives RI and Camp Street Ministries. We will continue to receive non-perishable food items for Better Lives RI throughout the year.
Suggested Items: canned corn, green beans, mixed vegetables, canned cranberry sauce, canned squash or pumpkin, stuffing mix, instant potato, nuts...
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The Thrifty Goose
We are open for Fall shopping and accepting donations of new and gently-used fall and winter clothing and accessories.
We're limited on space and not taking books or housewares, but if you have furniture or other larger items you wish to donate, email Heather Tingle (photos are helpful!). Please remember, all items should be in good, sellable condition.
The Thrifty Goose is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 am - 2 pm, and all monies collected help support St. Martin's Church and its Community Ministries.
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Join Us for KidZoom!
KidZoom is St. Martin’s online church school for children and families. Join us every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for relaxed home worship and a time for prayer, music, Bible stories, wondering, and fun! For most of our stories we provide the Action Bible, one per family. For a copy of your Action Bible or for more information, contact the Rev. Linda Griggs.
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Healing Prayers
Through these challenging times, day-to-day tasks can seem overwhelming.
St. Martin’s is available to hear your concerns. There is a Healing Prayers Box available at the Welcome Table each Sunday. Simply write your prayer request on one of the index cards provided and place it in the box. Clergy and/or The Healing Ministry will respond within one week. Questions about the Healing Ministry? Please contact Jeana Whittredge. |
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Weekly Prayer List
There has been no more important a time than now for us to unite
in the fervor of prayer for the state of the Union
- We remember all who are protesting against racial injustice
- For a commitment to peaceful protest and humane and sensitive policing
- For those whose fears of racial reconciliation have been inflamed by false narratives and toxic rhetoric
Gracious Lord, let us truly open our ears and hearts
to listen to the cry for justice for our black brothers and sisters;
to be truly present to the guilt of our white privilege;
to pledge ourselves to work tirelessly to challenge communal divisions,
racial fear, and economic oppression.
- Those who have been affected by changing climate
- Those whose lives are devastated by wildfires, hurricane, flood, and earthquake
- Those who have been touched by the Covid-19 virus:
- Who are ill or are in quarantine
- Who have lost family members or friends to the illness
- Everyone affected by the economic fallout of the virus
- Frontline and service sector workers - esp. those endangered by employer disregard for worker safety
- Scientists and lab technicians working on a vaccine and other treatment breakthroughs
- Those who have birthdays this week: Elizabeth Hegarty, Kay Lisle, Diana Medeiros, John Bracken, Dorianne De Feo, Al Anderson, Faith Fogle
- Those commended to us: Eidan, Angela, Chris, Melissa, Jeremiah, Scarlett, Virginia, Justin, Eliza, Don, Michol, Mimi, Annette, Jean, Patrick, Paula, David, Ursula, Michael, Sam, Charlie, Truls, Jill, Christine, Katie, Beth, Linda, Tom, Tom, Chris, Martha, Timmans, Neal, Jennifer, Mark, Cynthia, Robin, Mariette, Isabella, Harry, Marvin, Gail, Sheila, Aldo & Madeleine, Kirby, Patrick, Annette, Jaymi, Sanford, Alisa & Grey, Elizabeth, Diane, Andy & Alice, Ashleigh, David, Marie, Susan, Larry, Wendy, Bobby, Tim, Irene, Perry, Dennis, Krissy, Muriel, Darla, Quentin, Gabriel, and Sinclair
- We give thanks for the wedding of Katie Taylor and Becky Bracken, daughter of John and Karen Bracken, on Saturday, October 17th
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St. Martin's Church | 50 Orchard Ave | Providence, RI |02906
(401) 751-2141
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