A community reshaping itself to be fit for God's purpose.

Thursday, February 27, 2020
This Sunday's Guest Preacher
The Rev. Canon Gil Stafford
Gil is an old friend of mine from Arizona where he served several parishes as well as becoming Canon Theologian for the Diocese. Gil has been a Baseball Coach and then President of Grand Canyon University, an independent Baptist college, before becoming an Episcopal Priest. Gil is coming to town to lead the Presbyters Retreat for the Diocese of Rhode Island next week and it is my pleasure to welcome him to St Martin's this Sunday, March 1. Gil is delightfully on the  un -end of the orthodox spectrum. He and his wife Cathy head a spiritual direction training and are leaders of spiritual pilgrimages in Ireland. Visit his  blog.
Mark+
Lenten Adult Forum 2020: Inwardly Digest

I confess that the beginning of Lent took me by surprise this year. I suspect I’m not the only one in this position; Ash Wednesday tends to float around in the calendar, shifting year to year from mid-February to early March, so it’s easy to be caught unawares.

Church time is not the same as secular time. While the secular Gregorian calendar takes us through chronological time, by days, weeks, months and years, the church calendar is different, taking us through liturgical seasons—Advent through Ordinary Time, marking God’s Time as we observe the birth, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus and the growth of the early Church. This different rhythm keeps us mindful of who and whose we are.

That being said, how do we observe Lent, now that it is upon us? As you have heard in other communications, we have a number of opportunities for spiritual disciplines that will remind us of our grounding in God as we make our Lenten journey. I would like to focus here on our Sunday morning Adult Forum series , which will take place upstairs in KidZone after the 9:30 am service for five Sundays beginning this Sunday, March 1 st .

In this series, David+ (Ames) and I will lead an exploration of an excellent resource for spiritual growth and nurture that is right under our noses: The Book of Common Prayer. This book that sits quietly in the pew racks (and perhaps on a bookshelf at home) is so much more than a complex collection of services and beautiful prayers. Like the rhythm of the Liturgical year marked by the Church calendar, the Book of Common Prayer is part of our identity as Episcopalians and, more important, is a rich source of spiritual nurture and formation if we choose to see, and use it that way.

To that end, David+ and I will use Derek Olsen’s book, I nwardly Digest: The Prayer Book as a Guide to a Spiritual Life a s the foundation for our exploration of the Prayer Book and its structure, focusing on liturgies, prayers, psalms, and how it all fits into the divine rhythm of our daily, weekly, and seasonal journey with God.

You do not need to purchase Olsen’s book, though if you wish to do so visit the link above. You may have a Prayer Book (BCP) at home. Now would be a good time to dust it off and bring it to our Sunday sessions so you can bookmark pages for your personal use. If you would like to purchase a copy of the BCP there are a number of formats and price points available online and for those who want to read from their phone or tablet, an app called E-CommonPrayer. J ust make sure you are getting the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979).

We look forward to seeing you in Adult Forum in the coming weeks after the 9:30 am Sunday service. In the meantime, I wish you a blessed and formative Lenten journey.
Linda+
Donations Needed for the Estate Sale!
St. Martin's Estate Sale is next weekend - Saturday, March 7, 9 am - 3 pm and Sunday, March 8, 10:30 am - 2 pm. We need your help to make it great, so start your spring cleaning a little early and set aside some items you don't need anymore, then donate them to St. Martin's. Items that sell best include small furniture (anything that will fit into the back of an SUV), lamps, art work, decorative pillows, dishes, and glassware. All proceeds go to support St. Martin’s Church and its ministries. Questions? Please contact Brigit.
 Choral Music Concert at St. Martin’s
Monday, March 9, 7 pm
The Bridgewater State University Chamber Singers, under the direction of our own Dr. Steven Young, will present a concert of a cappella choral music in the church sanctuary. The Chamber Singers are an auditioned ensemble that tours annually, presenting a varied repertoire of music from the Romantic era through the 21 st century. Featured composers include Josef Rheinberger, Gabriel Jackson, William Dawson, Dan Forrest, and many others.  This concert is free and all are invited to attend.
Media Literacy Presentation
Sunday, March 15, 2-4:30 pm
St. Martin's Great Hall
An increasingly important topic in the 21st century, particularly in the current election season, is how to navigate the endless barrage of media messages we receive daily. Pam Steager is a Senior Trainer, Researcher, and Writer with the Media Education Lab at URI. In addition, she is the state coordinator for the RI Media Literacy Now initiative. She will be presenting and leading a discussion on pressing current and generational issues of media literacy - the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and act on the media messages we receive. There is no cost for this event. All are welcome.
Women's Spirituality Group
Sunday, March 15, 6 pm
All women of the parish are invited to Susan Allen's for a pot luck dinner and program on Sunday, March 15. Rev. Linda Griggs will share about her path to the priesthood. Questions? Please contact Susan Allen
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St. Martin's Church | 50 Orchard Ave | Providence, RI |02906
(401) 751-2141