THE CLOAK
St. Martin's Weekly E-Newsletter
February 6, 2020
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To seek God, and be Christ’s body in the world
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Salt to flavor. Light to shine.
"...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
REFLECT:
When you are out there living as the people God has made you to be in His Son,
When you love people recklessly, truly, and fully;
When you give mercy as if you would never run out if it;
When you forgive as one who has been forgiven;
When you speak beauty and truth and kindness to people who don’t even know what that would sound like;
When you live within the Beatitudes…,
You are seasoning a world that is so bland,
You are lighting up a room that is so dark,
That people begin to see and taste who never have before.
TO PRAY:
O God, show us the way to flavor the world. Let us season life to reveal your presence in humanity. Show us the way to enlighten dark places. Let us be your light of divinity that fills hearts and minds to brighten all life. May we find the salt we seek and the light we desire so to share them and to make a difference in your name. Amen.
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T
his Week's Schedule
Friday, February 7
9:30am Makin' Music
Sunday, February 9
Rev. Dr. Karl Krueger, Celebrant
Mary Eileen Johnston, Organist
8:00am Holy Eucharist
9:30am Sunday School for all ages
10:00am Holy Eucharist
Tuesday, February 11
9:30am Makin' Music
6:30pm Yoga Class
Wednesday, February 12
9:30am Makin' Music
12:15pm Noonday Prayer
7:00pm AA Meeting
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The Old Testament and More!
This week we will share the Old Testament story of the boy Joseph and his brothers. Joseph played an enormous role in God's relationship with the Jewish people, and is another way to learn how God loves us and is with us through the good and the bad. We will also be making Valentine's Day cards showing our families and others in the congregation how we care for each other. If you know an older adult who would appreciate a card made by our children, please contact
Abby so the children make enough cards. Sunday School begins at 9:30 AM and is for children age 3 and up. At 9:30 AM Megan will have the nursery open for children 2 and younger.
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The Results Are In!
Attendance at Sunday’s Chili Cook-Off was the largest in recent years. About 50 people showed up to taste test and vote on a record 10 chili entries. Also savored were four salads, five side dishes, and five deserts. Some CCI congregants joined us, and both supply priests appeared to have a good time.
THE WINNERS
First:
Stephen Gutsche
Second, Third, and Fourth place tie
: Rich Booker, Helen Meyers, and Stephen Gutsche (yes, he entered two chilis and won both first and tied for second)
All entrants received votes. Additional chefs were Walt Albert, Abby and Barry Thomas, Steve and Deb Parker, Matt and Kathy Wynn, Dave and Laura Dewitt, Brian and Laura Penny. Regarding soup sales, "It's not too late!" If you missed purchasing a Souper Bowl jar on the 2nd, then you can buy one on February 9th for just $10.
The income total so far is $371. Let's continue to break our sales record! Thank you to everyone who planned, prepared, cooked, tasted, and donated toward this successful event! It was an up-lifting day!
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Bible Study Wrap-Up
Bible Study will be on break until after Easter. We finished the three Synoptic Gospels. Deb Parker is looking for suggestions on what we want to read and discuss next. It can be another book of the Bible, or can be a different book, or even a movie. Please write to
Deb with your suggestions. Starting on Wednesday, March 4 at 6 PM you are invited to come to the joint Christ Church and St. Martin's Lenten Series. Look for details in this edition of the newsletter.
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Report Access
The Annual Report can be picked up in the Gurley Room or accessed online.
Click here to view and/or download a copy, or call the main office (610-688-4830) for a hard copy.
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Shared Rector Search Update
The Search Committee has completed preliminary on-line interviews and has identified five possible candidates for the Shared Rector position. At our next meeting we will narrow the list down to three finalists. Following reference checks, we will be arranging visits to the current parishes of these remaining candidates. As we approach what may well be the most challenging part of this process, we ask for your prayers. We will continue to keep you updated on our progress.
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Joint Vestry Meeting Report
The two vestries met on Thursday, January 23rd at Bolingbroke Mansion, St. Martin`s Church. The meeting began with our Covenant prayer. The focus of the meeting was a status report on the progress of the Search Committee.Tonight’s conversation gave both vestries the opportunity to ask Pierce Eckhart and Abby Thomas, the two Committee representatives, questions directly. It was a productive conversation, and our vestries felt affirmed about the direction in which our two churches were headed, and it was clear that there will be much work to do once a new Rector is called.
Read more...
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Stretch and Destress
Yoga with The Rev. Amanda Eiman returns...digitally. Same place. Same time. Meet in the Gurley Room at 6:30 PM on Tuesdays to experience Yoga via Skype. The sessions are for all levels - beginners to experienced. Everyone deserves a stretch break! Join us!
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Embracing Change
Save-the-Dates for the CCI-SMC Lenten Prayer Service and Supper Wednesdays. The location will alternate between the two churches starting with Christ Church on March 4th at 6:00 PM. Stay tuned for more details.
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Training Opportunity
The. Rev. Ken McCaslin, Deacon at St. David's Church, will facilitate a Hospital Lay Chaplaincy Training Program for the Diocese here at St. Martin's Church. Classes will be held in the Gurley Room at 7:00 PM on Tuesdays from April 21st through June 16th. To become certified, candidates must complete an application, meet with clergy, attend the in-person training, and visit patients with mentorship. More details can be found on
St. David's website.
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A Life to Celebrate
There will be a diocesan-wide celebration of the life and ministry of Blessed Absalom Jones. The event will be held at the Philadelphia Cathedral (38th & Ludlow Sts-free parking) on Saturday, February 8th at 9:30 AM with a reception to follow. If anyone is interested in representing St. Martin's Church, please call the main office at 610-688-4830.
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Isaiah 58:1-9a
Psalm 112:1-10
1 Corinthians 2:1-16
Matthew 5:13-20
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