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Week of May 15, 2022, With St. Martin's Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/408114126 Facebook Live Link: http://www.facebook.com/SaintMartinsEpiscopalChurchBridgewaterNJ The Leaflet for this week's service can be found by going to  https://www.stmartinsnj.org/services/

Theological Musings Rogationtide Rogationtide is a short season within the larger Easter celebration in which we celebrate God's love for the created world, and ask for God's blessing, in particular, on seeds, farms, and human labor which brings the fruits of the earth to our tables. It is an ancient celebration, which obviously was a more integrated part of the religious experience of people living in agrarian societies. In those cultures, the priest would "beat the bounds" of the parish by leading a procession around the physical boundaries of the parish, and blessing all of the lands. On Sunday we will do this in a symbolic way as we process from the nave out to the lawn in front of the bell tower and offer prayers asking for God's blessing on the created world. We will also ask for God to continue to bless the earth where the physical remains of those who have been buried in our memorial garden are at rest. This is a reminder of our connection to nature- to the dust to which we will all return- as well as a celebration of the renewed life given to us in baptism which will continue in resurrected life beyond the grave. YOUTH GROUP_ SAVE THE DATE All youth grades 6-12 are invited to attend a "Get to know you" event on Sunday, June 5, from 5-6:30 pm at St. John's Episcopal Church in Somerville. This is the inaugural meeting of a new joint Episcopal Youth Group which will begin meeting once a month in the Fall. If you have any questions, please see either Christine Kellam, or Father Rob+ Pizza and Ice Cream included! Save the Date: Confirmation and Reception- November 13, 2022 Bishop Stokes will be visiting us on Sunday, November 13 (St. Martin's Sunday). On this Sunday youth and adults will be Confirmed by the laying on of hands by the Bishop, and newcomers who were confirmed in the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, or Lutheran Churches may be received by the laying on of the hands by the Bishop, thereby becoming a full member of the Episcopal Church.  If you wish to be confirmed (youth and adults), or if you are already confirmed and wish to be received as a full member of St. Martin's, or if you are confirmed and wish to reaffirm your faith in a public way, please contact Father Rob. Confirmation classes for youth and adults, (and for those wishing to be confirmed or received) will be conducted in September and October (with an overnight retreat on September 23-24). More information will be forthcoming.

Upcoming Dates May 22: Parish Work Day (see below). June 4: Fellowship Event - Night of Mystery (see below) June 5: First Communion June 26: Pride Mass at 10:30 a.m. with Neighborhood Picnic immediately following. Parish Work Day We need all hands on deck to beautify our grounds and clean some areas of the church. Please bring your wheelbarrows, tree trimmers, shovels, weed whackers, work gloves, etc., and wear appropriate clothing to work outside. We also have some stairwells and closets to clean, if you would like to work indoors instead. Outreach We will be collecting rice next Sunday because the Food Bank has none on its shelves. May is St. Martins's month to volunteer with the Somerset County Food Bank. Beginning Saturday, May 21st, the location will change to First Reformed Church at 100 W. Main Street in Somerville. We will continue to collect shoes until June 12th. Fellowship Event We are planning a "Night of Mystery" that will be held in the undercroft with a potluck dinner. Please follow this link https://nightofmystery.com/ to find out more about this new fellowship opportunity. If you wish to attend, please fill out your name, how many are coming, and the potluck dish you will be bringing. Sign Up for Night of Mystery Summer Church Camp- Grades 8-12 If you are looking for a church camp experience during the summer, check out this camp hosted by Crossroads. Crossroads is a retreat center in Port Murray, NJ, operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Newark and the NJ Synod of the ELCA.  This camp is for youth who have completed grades 8-12, July 24-28. and is recommended by our diocese. The cost is $450. Follow the link for more information. https://www.crossroadsretreat.com/our-gathering-at-cross-roads/

Prayer Requests Dwight, a childhood friend of Fr. Rob's Audrey, Bill Valiant's wife Fr. Rob's mother, Evelyn. Kathy Picazio asks for prayers for Doug Newton, his wife, Zhenya, and her adult daughter. Bonnie Whalen requested prayers for her 28 yr old grandson. Linda Virtue Chris Semanchik Jane Linn's, granddaughter-in-law, Rachael. Mary Irwin Philip and Nancy Please send your prayer intentions to Philip at philip.muniz@gmail.com.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church 1350 Washington Valley Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 www.stmartinsnj.org Call Us: 908-526-1350

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Contact information for Fr. Rob rectorstmartinsnj@gmail.com or fatherroblaws@yahoo.com ‌ ‌