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Dear St. Martin's Family,
By now, I'm sure many of you have heard the news that I will begin serving as the next rector of Epiphany Episcopal Church in Odenton in August. You may be wondering, "Now what do we do?"
It's a good question. "Now what do we do?" While we know what's next for me, we don't know what's next for St. Martin's. I know that's not the most comfortable place to be. If you're feeling uncertain, anxious, or fearful, you are not alone. I, too, have felt and continue to feel each of those emotions as I walk with you as your Interim Rector.
So what do we do? We do what we've been doing. We go on being God's hands in feet in Severna Park. We continue to pray for our Search Committee and Vestry as God uses them to call the next rector. We celebrate the amazing things happening at St. Martin's. Did you know that we are planning to have more baptisms on Pentecost than the average Episcopal parish has in an entire year? God is doing amazing things at St. Martin's!
I see signs of God's continued presence all around St. Martin's. Whether it's in the often-unseen work of our Altar and Flower Guilds, in the joy that children bring to our campus Sundays through Fridays, or the countless ways you show up to support one another, there are signs of God's work among us on display each day I walk around our campus. I know God will continue to sustain each one of you and St. Martin's as a parish. And so I am going to keep doing what I've been doing as your Interim Rector. I invite you to join me.
Christ's peace,
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~ The Rev. Joshua Rodriguez-Hobbs, Interim Rector | | |
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Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | |
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Bake Sale for SPCA
May 5, following the 10:00 a.m. service (front of church)
Join us for a bake sale following the 10:00 a.m. service on May 5. This tasty event is the project of two of our SMES 8th graders. Their goal is to raise funds for the local SPCA. All treats will be $1 each and are available only as long as supplies last!
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Deep Dive Into Sunday Bible Study
Sundays through May 19, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Join us and take a deep dive into the Book of Kings, exploring the story of Elijah and Elisha. These two prophets will bring us face to face with political crises, theological challenges, and our own struggles to be a people faithful to God. Together we will work to sharpen our skills at reading the Bible and draw strength, courage, and hope from the ministry of these two prophets. For details contact Greg Church.
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VBS Is Back!
Save the date - July 22-26
Registration now open
St. Martin’s is excited to launch Vacation Bible School this summer. Open to kids Pre-K through 5th grade. Full day ($75) and half day ($50) options will be available. For details and to register click here. Contact Tabitha Carman.
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EYC: Cinco De Mayo Game Night
Sunday, May 5, 5:30- 7:00 p.m. (Parish Hall)
Join us for a Cinco De Mayo themed game night. We’ll have games, but feel free to bring your own. All youth in grades 6 through 12 are welcome to take part in the fun. Friends are invited. For questions contact Rev. Nathan.
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Get Yourself In Our Parish Directory
Get your picture taken for the parish directory. Sign up to secure your time slot we have a variety of dates and times available. Vestry members, Jeannine Mogavero Theoret, Wendy Gatanas and Judy Bonnano are creating a new parish directory. If you already have a favorite photo, please email it to Judy Bonnano, with your updated contact information. Sign up today.
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The Music of Viktor Hartmann as Played by Dr. HyeSung Hwang
If you missed HyeSung’s recital last Wednesday, here is the link to one of the pieces from the program, Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. This piece is a musical illustration of 10 works by Viktor Hartmann, a renowned artist in Russia. Each movement is vividly and colorfully described through Mussorgsky’s creativity. Click here for video. If you enjoy HyeSung’s playing, you can subscribe to her YouTube channel.
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Changes for Interim Rector’s Bible Study
Going forward, the Interim Rector’s Bible Study will be held on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Our next Bible Study will be on Wednesday, May 1.
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Sunday Altar Flower Sponsorship
Do you like Sunday's Altar flowers? You can make a flower dedication to give glory to God and bring focus to the cross during our Sunday services. Click here for our online form.
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Ascension Day Service
Thursday, May 9, 7:00 p.m. (Sanctuary)
St. Martin’s will host a joint service commemorating the Feast of the Ascension with St. Andrew’s, Pasadena and St. Alban’s, Glen Burnie. Join us for this festive service as we remember how Jesus ascended into heaven.
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Living Out a Life in Christ
Sunday, May 19, 10:00 a.m.
Join us as we do all in our power to support the persons baptized in living out their life in Christ and in renewing our Baptismal Covenant. Following the 10:00 a.m. service there will be a reception for the newly baptized. For those seeking to be baptized, please contact Rev. Josh or Rev. Nathan. Our next Baptism date will be Sunday, November 3, 2024 (All Saints’ Day).
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Annual Meeting - Save the Date
June 2, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Save the date for our annual meeting. We will discuss the past year and the coming future for St. Martin’s. Join us at 9:00 a.m. for both the meeting and brunch. For details contact the church office.
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April Outreach Collection:
Sutton's Scholars
The Outreach Offering will be on the second Sunday of the month and will go to support Sutton’s Scholars. Founded by Bishop Eugene Sutton the Sutton Scholars High School Enrichment Program helps Baltimore City high school students become confident, competent and capable contributors to their communities by equipping them with the life skills that are essential for academic, workplace, and personal success. You can learn more about Sutton’s Scholars online. To donate online click here and put Sutton's Scholars in the memo area. For details contact Kathy Berge.
Prayer for Schools and Colleges: O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities, that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Light House Shelter Bingo Night
May 3, 4:30-7:00 p.m.
St. Martin’s will be sponsoring a pizza night at Lighthouse Homeless Prevention Center on the first Friday of every month. This is a great opportunity to be with our neighbors by sharing a good meal, and playing a few rounds of Bingo with them. Children must be at least 11 to volunteer. Please click here to sign up so we have a head count.
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SPAN Opportunities for April
We at St Martin’s supports SPAN's mission, serving our neighbors to help them through a critical or emergency situation with our year round collection. April’s SPAN theme is “BLESSINGS.” Share your blessings with those who are less fortunate and help fill our local pantry. We always need: diapers (especially larger sizes and pull ups for toilet training), feminine hygiene products, adult diapers/depends, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and laundry detergent. Additionally, food items such as pasta, rice, beans, shelf stable milk, coffee, tea, creamer, flour, sugar, spices, jarred or canned fruits and vegetables are greatly appreciatedDonations can be dropped in the bins marked “SPAN” in the Narthex. Click here for details about SPAN.
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Search Committee Members: Susan Shingledecker (Co-Chair), John Theune (Co-Chair), Sandi Blair, Sam Burdette, Ardath Cade, Rob Fraser, Tim George, Derek Heiss, Porter Hill, Prince Jernigan, Mark Kellogg, Mike Radike, Tony Shaffer, Amy Tate, Marcia Taylor, and Patti Zielinski | | | |
YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR WEEKLY PROGRAMS: | |
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Sunday School and Youth Programs
Classes Sundays from 9:00-9:45 a.m. (Arrival time 8:45-9:00 a.m.)
Sunday School (K-Grade 5): SMES Art and Science Rooms
Rite-13 (Grade 6-8): Lower Heck Hall
J2A (Grade 9-10): Lower St. Martin’s House
Confirmation Class/YAC (Grade 10-11): St. Martin’s House
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Children’s Chapel
Children’s Chapel happens during the 10:00 a.m. service, from before the reading of the Gospel to the Peace. Children from 3 years old to 2nd grade are invited to experience an age appropriate Liturgy of the Word led by Children’s Chapel adult leaders. Contact Rev. Nathan for details.
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Bible Challenge Book Study
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. (St. Martin’s House)
The Bible Challenge group invites you to study the book of Ecclesiastes on Tuesday evenings upstairs in St. Martin’s House at 7:00 p.m. The study guide can be purchased here. Contact Cindy Neseth, (443) 534-3277.
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Parents’ Group
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Each week we explore different aspects of faith-based parenting and join in fellowship. This group is geared for parents/guardians of school-aged children, but is open to all who wish to attend. Click here for a schedule of events. Contact Chris and Liz Lucas.
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Shepherd Group
Thursdays, 4:30 p.m. (via Zoom)
Group discussion of the readings for the upcoming Sunday. All adults welcome. For zoom link and details contact Susan Griesmyer.
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Nursery
Our nursery is available from 8:45-11:30 a.m. on Sundays for infants and children ages 3 and under. Located in Parish Hall, see an usher for directions. Contact Rev. Nathan for details.
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Interim Rector’s Bible Study
Changed to Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. (St. Martin’s House)
Join Rev. Josh for a weekly drop-in Bible study. Bring your Bible (or borrow one from the Church office) and a brown bag lunch as we study the Gospel of Mark. Contact Rev. Josh.
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Designer Bag Bingo Fundraiser
May 17, 2024
Get ready for a night of bingo, where you could walk away with a designer handbag from brands like Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Tory Burch! Get your tickets now for a chance to win big while raising money for Providence of Maryland. Providence is a non-profit that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities discover and live their best lives. Bingo will be at the Severna Park Elks Lodge at 6:00 PM (doors open at 5:00 PM). For details and tickets click here.
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Diocesan Day of the Deacon (D3)
May 25, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
A day to meet and greet Episcopal Diocese of Maryland deacons and deacon postulants. Get information on discernment, formation, and post ordination. As part of this year’s program, there will be a food drive for a local pantry. Please bring a can of tuna with pop top or a jar peanut butter. For details and locations contact: The Venerable Ruth Elder; The Venerable Vaughn Vigil; Rev. Lisa Siciliano, Deacon; Rev. Sue Wert, Deacon.
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Your Prayers are Invited... |
Prayer is the universal way people of faith stay connected, both with one another and with God. I invite you to pray daily for our parish family, for your own needs, and in thanksgiving for all that God has blessed you with this day.
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NEW PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY: Fred, Melanie, Ed, Cynthia, Olivia, and Dora.
FOR THOSE IN NEED OF ONGOING AND LONG-TERM PRAYERS: Kate, Jeanne, Philip, Bunny, Sara, Gloria, Jared, Clyde, Geoffrey, Joe, Bill, Jax, Sumner, Sarah, Candy, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Tony, Grant, Jack, Ellen, Harper, Jennifer, Hilary, Matthew, Kris, Craig, Charlotte, Larry, Kathleen, Natalie, Charles, and Trevor.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING AN ANNIVERSARY: Tim and Karen George, Gary and Kathy Berge, and Jeff and Elaine Dickerson.
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Let us know if you have a specific prayer request so we can hold you in our daily prayers.
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ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELD EPISCOPAL CHURCH
375 Benfield Road, Severna Park, MD 21146
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