Special Congregational Meeting

A Special Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024, following the 10:00am worship service. The only action item on the agenda will be the election of a new President-Elect to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Church Council President Laura Raun Carroll. President-Elect Fred Aus assumes the role of President of Church Council. Voting members are those who are confirmed members of the congregation, contribute financially, and attend at least one time in the year. If you have any questions about your status, please contact Katherine Lutter, Business Manager. (klutter@saintmartins.org).

There will also be time for brief discussion of two other topics: 1) An update on what is happening with the church property on the west side of Rio Grande Street, including not only discussions with DMA about affordable housing but also about Worship Park property; and 2) an update on upcoming steps as we work together on forging and implementing a strategy for the church life at St. Martin’s.  

St. Martin’s to Continue Talks on Affordable Housing Project

St. Martin’s has agreed to continue negotiating with DMA, a developer of multi-family affordable housing, to develop an apartment building with 50 parking spaces reserved for church use on the SMLC property at the corner of 15th and Rio Grande. The agreement signed on February 27 provides an option period until September 1 for St. Martin’s and DMA to negotiate a contract that would lease the church property to DMA for 65 years, after which it would revert back to St. Martin’s. Under the ground lease option, $2.5 million would be paid to St. Martin’s at the start of construction, followed by annual payments of 10 percent of gross rental income for the subsequent 65 years. On March 1, DMA applied for a tax credit from the City of Austin for the proposed project.  St. Martin’s, through the Drenner Group, is also asking for re-zoning of the property that would be leased from St. Martin’s. The re-zoning request is to go from the current GO-SF-3 (General Office - Family Residence district) to DMU-CO (Downtown Mixed Use - Conditional Overlay district). The City has mailed notice to all property owners within 500’ of the tract that St. Martin’s would lease to DMA. You will see a yellow sign near the entrance to the parking lot also giving notice of the zoning change request.

Save the Date!

April 14    ACL Summit Meeting at St. Martin’s

April 20   Earth Day Picnic

April 21   Earth Day Worship (Youth Led)

April 21 11:00am Special Congregational Meeting

ACL Summit Meeting

Sunday, April 14 2-3:30

In-Person and Zoom

Featuring:

Mariposa FLC with ED Sheila Pharis and testimonials from parents

Bread For All Food Pantry and neighbor testimonials

Move-In Ministry with Rev. Tim Anderson and recipient testimonials

ALSO:

Mariposa Expansion, ACL Advancement, Rent Assistance

CONTACT – TIM ANDERSON – TCA.BALM@GMAIL.CO

Zoom Link-

Saturday, April 20, 11:30am

TIME CHANGE! We will start at 11:30am with fellowship and food on a beautiful Spring day. Bring your own picnic and join the fun. Connections Committee will provide drinks and cookies. We expect to be finished by about 1:30pm.

Sunday, April 21, 10:00am

Come and experience this very special worship service featuring our youth as worship leaders. The young people of St. Martin’s have expressed concern about the state of our planet and are exploring ways our faith can lead us to offer solutions with focused ecological consciousness and intergenerational dialogue.

Comment from our Youth:

"I'm excited for the service because it's a reminder that we all have a role to play in respecting and protecting our environment, no matter our age. Plus, getting to lead parts of it with my friends makes it even more special."

Middle & High School Youth News

Contact Austin Shortes (ashortes@saintmartins.org) for more information

Mario Kart Tournament - April 20, 2-4pm in the Youth Rooms.

RSVP to Austin before April 18

Earth Day Worship Service- Youth Led April 21 10:00am

Saint Martin’s April Benevolence

The April benevolence is dedicated to Lutheran Campus Ministry Austin LuMin. LuMin's mission is to radiate God’s love and grace through embracing all, serving boldly, and working for peace and justice on the campuses of UT, ACC, and St. Edwards. Your financial support is greatly appreciated, but there are also other ways you can contribute to LuMin's impactful work.

If you are interested in supporting LuMin, here are some ways you can get involved:

- Serve a Tuesday evening meal

- Assist with Circle of Friends

- Bake some cookies to share

Your participation in these activities can make a significant difference in supporting LuMin's food ministry and worship gatherings. Let's come together to support this wonderful cause and spread love and kindness in our community.

Contact Stephanie Schweinfurth serves@saintmartins.org for more information

God does not need your good works, but your neighbor does. Martin Luther

Lunch Bag Ministry Volunteer update

There has been a change in the volunteer schedule for the Lunch Bag ministry. Starting now, lunches will be distributed from Monday to Friday, with volunteer shifts scheduled specifically on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. On Mondays and Fridays, the Preschool staff will take charge of lunch distribution. Volunteers now have the flexibility to sign up for just one day or multiple days based on their availability; it is no longer a weekly commitment. To sign up for volunteer shifts, please clickhere

https://bit.ly/volunteerLBM

For further inquiries or information, feel free to contact us at serves@saintmartins.org. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to this ministry.

Remember in prayer

Family and friends of Rev. Carl Schoss;  peace in the Ukraine and the Holy Land; Mary Lauren; Donnette Lafaitte; Joy Pinson; Monte Thieme’s family; Cooper Scroggins and family; Jennifer and August; Honey (pet); Wayne Turley; family and friends of Monte Thiene; family and friends of Bill Reid; Milton Felger; Tom Hoelzel

Continued Prayers For

Diane Bergstrom; Kent Mickelson; Deb Johnson; Bill Martin; Anita Tiller;

Sam Gourley; Dean Haynie; Ronnie Johnson; Peter Jordahl; Walt Knauff; Arvid Larson; Pat Larson; Doris McGaughy

Our St. Martin's Values:

We Worship God and deepen relationships with one another through Lutheran faith traditions, including engaging liturgy, inspiring music, and lifelong faith formation.

We Extend God’s inclusive gift of welcome to all people, especially those historically excluded from traditional church communities. 

We Advocate for justice, righteousness, and mercy with our time, property, and power. 

We Rally everyone to use our God-given gifts and talents to love, share, and serve all of God’s creation boldly. 

WEAR reminds us to wear the full armor of God.