LIFT at Home
Anne Alexis Harra
Minister for Children & Youth
Transformative versus transactional faith

This upcoming week, we hear the story of "Blind Bartimaeus." Bartimaeus was a blind man who sought Christ's healing to restore his vision. Bartimaeus' story is small but mighty: despite its short length (six verses!), it strikes a chord with many people in a profound way.

This story has several fascinating components to it: Bartimaeus instantly calls for Jesus’ help when he hears that Jesus is nearby. The crowds hush the man in an attempt to segregate him from Christ. Bartimaeus ignores the crowd; instead, he pursues healing even more. Jesus summons him and asks what he desires. Bartimaeus asks to be healed. Jesus honors this desire and even says to Bartimaeus, “Go; your faith has made you well.” 

Fundamentally, Bartimaeus seeks healing: healing from his blindness, healing from others’ stigma, healing from the trauma that years of living with a disability have inflicted on him. The people in the crowd believe that they are doing a good thing when in reality they attempted to separate a man from Jesus. Simply put, they tried to intervene in a matter of faith.
Coming up at LIFT...

We have several engaging and exciting opportunities to Live In Faith Together at St. Martin's! Here is a little preview of what we have coming up at LIFT!
  • 10/24: Interactive Gospel + blindfolded tactile tour
  • 10/31: All Hallows' Eve liturgy, Blessing of the Costumes + making Luminaries for those we've lost this year
  • 11/7 (All Saints' Day observed): Necrology (bring in pictures!) + "Saints by our Side" activity
Youth Group College Care Package Collection!

The senior high youth group is collecting items for our College Care Package event! THIS SUNDAY, 10/24, the youth group will assemble College Care Packages to send to our recent grads.

We are collecting the following items: cookies, granola/protein bars, Command strips, microwaveable oatmeal, microwaveable popcorn, socks, stress balls, gum, candy (chocolate, Swedish fish, etc.), comfort food (Easy Mac, TastyKakes, chips, etc.), Band-Aids, Chapstick, playing cards, and sticky notes. Please do not include anything that is unsafe to ship (flammables, liquids, glass, etc.). We will pack roughly 12 boxes.
Dismantling Racism for Youth: 11/20-11/21

"I had never been in a situation where I had to think about race this in depth...it was really eye-opening." Hear about the powerful impact of our Dismantling Racism for Teens Program in this short video. And, sign up for the November event here.

For more information about the event, contact Anne Alexis Harra.

Learn more about The Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing here!
Make-up Confirmation Class: Tues., 10/26 at 7pm
Our next Confirmation Class will be on Tuesday, 10/26 at 7pm via Zoom. All participants are required to attend this session as it is a make-up class.

We will end the evening with Compline. Families are welcome to attend this brief and soothing liturgy.

A Zoom link has been emailed to families. If you did not receive the link, please reply to this email, or contact Anne Alexis Harra.
Blessing of the Costumes at LIFT: 10/31

Join us at our LIFT liturgy on All Hallows' Eve (Halloween) for a spook-tacular worship service!

All are invited to attend worship in costume. We will bless the costumes and banish the darkness during our liturgy.

Join us after our liturgy for our intergenerational formation (learning) as we make Luminaries for those who have died in anticipation of All Saints' Day!

Our liturgy begins at 9am, and our formation begins at 9:45am, both under the tent.
Youth Bowling with the Bishop!

Youth ages 12-18 are invited to the Diocese of Pennsylvania's annual Bowling with the Bishop on Saturday, 11/6, at 2pm. The event will be held at Wynnewood Lanes. This event is FREE!
LIFT at Home!

LIFT at Home this week by reflecting on God's Word with your loved ones.
  • A blind beggar named Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was nearby and began to ask for something. What did he ask Jesus for?
  • Bartimaeus trusted in Jesus' unfailing power and love. How do you place your trust in Jesus?
  • Psalm 126 is titled "A Harvest of Joy." Where in the Gospel do you find the joy that the Psalmist describes?
  • The Scriptures talk about God's Glory. How did Bartimaeus glorify God?
  • This story is centered on inclusion, mercy, love, and healing. Try practicing inclusion this week by implementing one or more of these suggestions.
Let us pray...

Ruler of the everlasting kingdom,
prince of peace, champion of the despised:
you are the king;
you make a cross your throne;
you wear a crown of thorns;
you call your subjects friends.
Help us to take up our cross,
to hunger and thirst for all that is good;
then will your kingdom come on earth as in heaven.

(Prayers for Tuesday Morning, A New Zealand Prayer Book, pg. 115)
The Good Stuff
First Annual Golf Classic

Our First Annual Golf Classic drew over forty golfers last Tuesday at North Hills Country Club! The rain held off and eleven foursomes hit the fairways for a day of fun that included a silent auction and dinner. We raised over $15,000 for St. Martin's ministries, and look forward to coming back for another successful Golf Classic next year!

We want to highlight the work of all the Golf Classic Committee Members who spent months making this event possible. Big thank you's to Gregory Cowhey, Alan Good, Carolyn Green, Riley Halloran, Laine Jacoby, Julie Moat, Carol Horne Penn, and Thomas Queenan.
How are you doing?

Send me an email or call me at 215.247.7466 x104 to talk about nurturing faith in your family.

Peace,
Anne Alexis