A community reshaping itself to be
fit for God's purpose
Thursday, May 14, 2020
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Moving Forward
We’ve been holding Morning Devotions Tuesday through Friday via Zoom from the St. Martin’s Chapel. We regularly have four attendees plus me keeping social distance in the chapel with up to another six or seven participants on Zoom. It seems to be working really well and it gives us a window through which to view future developments. Zoom gives us the capacity to hold an interactive live service, but as a worship medium Zoom clearly has some drawbacks that limit quality of experience as well as what we can do by way of active simultaneous participation. For this reason, we will continue to audio-cast the Sunday service because it enables us to offer a higher quality listening experience.
We don’t know when live Sunday services will resume. However even after this happens we now recognize the importance of continuing to webcast our services. There is much debate among Episcopal clergy about the merits of televising the Eucharist. I am very much against doing this unless we can have a minimum of five people present in the church because the Eucharist requires active participation from both priest and people, who in our theology, together celebrate the Eucharist. I will keep you informed about how the wider discussion around Eucharist and the logistics of receiving communion continue to develop.
As we think about moving forward, a small working party is exploring the changes we will need to make in order to be able to safely welcome - albeit at first limited numbers - back to church. Another small group led by David Brookhart is working on installing a capacity to video live-stream services. We really feel that despite the additional expense this involves, we do not have a choice if we are to continue to serve not only our members at home but a wider section of the community who over these past weeks has shown an interest in our style of worship. You might be interested to know that we have had more visits to our Sunday service
webpage in April this year than we had for the whole 12-month period in 2019.
The overwhelming focus on the coronavirus and its health and economic effects runs the risk of distracting us from the realization that the Kalendar, or the church's yearly cycle, continues regardless. So it’s something of a surprise to realize that we are now coming to the end of the Easter Season with next Thursday being the celebration of the Ascension of our Lord.
The Ascension, because it’s always a Thursday and never transferred to the following Sunday is one of the festivals of The Lord we are least familiar with because most Episcopalians, outside of Holy Week, draw the line at coming out to church on a Thursday evening. This year, for the first time, we are able to invite you to celebrate our Lord’s Ascension without the inconvenience of leaving home - I think that's a good thing? I will write more about the meaning and importance of the Ascension next week - so stay tuned!
Mark+
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Do You Have a 2020 Graduate
in Your Household?
Commencement ceremonies and graduation parties have been brought to a screeching halt this year, so we want to be sure to recognize those who have worked long and hard for their achievements!
If you have a 2020 graduate in your household, the St. Martin's community would like to honor them. High school students - please send your name, school name, and a short synopsis of what your future plans include. University graduates, please send the above and also include your degree and field of study. Information should be emailed to
Susan Esposito no later than Wednesday, May 20.
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You're Invited to KidZoom!
KidZone has moved online, thanks to the generous efforts of Tim, Marie and Arthur Edgar, who host virtual Home Church for children and families on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. This week KidZoom will have its first Lego lesson, so gather your building materials (you don't need to use Legos; you can use anything you like to build or create with - modeling clay, markers and paper, etc.) and be ready to learn, pray and create!
We hope you will join the fun! Contact
Tim
for a Zoom-vite.
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Donations for the Thrifty Goose Thrift Shop
The Thrifty Goose is now accepting donations of clean, current spring and summer clothing and accessories. Unfortunately we are still limited in how much we can take in and are unable to take other types of donations at this time. Questions? Please contact
Brigit.
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Food Bank Fundraiser
The coronavirus pandemic has forced many fundraising events to be cancelled so Frank Pellegrino, an active cyclist and member of St. Martin's, has initiated his own fundraiser for the RI Community Food Bank.
His goal is to raise $1,000 ($5 per mile) biking a minimum of 200 miles in the month of May. If you'd like to sponsor Frank, please
click here
. Donations go directly to the RI Community Food Bank.
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Knitting Ministry
The Knitting Ministry has been in touch through Zoom in the weeks since the stay-at-home order was given. We continue to knit prayer shawls in our own time, and will deliver them when the current guidelines are relaxed and we can make the arrangements. In the meantime, we hope you will let us know of any requests for prayer shawls you may have. You can email
Natasha Lofgren
or
Jill Scott
, or leave us a message with the church office. Let us know the name of the person you would like a prayer shawl for and a brief comment so that we can remember that person in our prayers.
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St. Martin’s Hands:
A Pastoral and Practical Ministry in a Time of Pandemic
St. Martin’s Hands is a ministry with both a pastoral and practical approach to strengthening our parish community as we journey together. St. Martin’s Hands provides compassionate presence for parishioners through phone calls, letter writing, and prayer, and also works to address the everyday needs of any parishioner who could use practical assistance during this time of social distancing.
If you feel you would benefit from the services of St. Martin’s Hands, please reach out via email, phone call or text to
Linda Griggs
,
Cathy Bodner
at 401-272-6610, or
Elizabeth Welshman at 401-688-7037. And if you'd like to bring your time and talent to support this new ministry we would love to hear from you.
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We've Been "Sew" Busy - Join Us!
If you sew and would like to help make face masks as part of the St. Martin's Hands ministry, there are several resources available via YouTube, including some that require no sewing! Visit
this link
from Deaconess and scroll down for step by step instructions and a video, or
this link
from the RI Commerce website for no-stitch masks. If you are in need of a mask, or can offer to make some, please contact
Cathy Bodner
at 401-272-6610, or
Elizabeth Welshman
at 401-688-7037.
Legal Assistance Available
At this time, you or a family member may find yourself in need of
Durable Power of Attorney
or a
Health Care Proxy
. Attorney
Jude Kostas would be glad to assist you. Feel free to
send Jude an email.
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Day by Day Meditation Booklet
Forward Movement’s
Day by Day
meditation booklet for May, June and July is now available. If you'd like a copy, email
Susan Esposito
and one will be mailed to you. Please be sure to provide your current address.
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Healing Prayers
Even though we are not able to meet together at church, it doesn't mean we need to be secluded from one another. The Healing Prayers team is committed to continuing in ministry to those of you who would like prayers at this time.
Healing Prayers will be offered for the week of May 17 through May 23 by Pat Nolan. She can be reached by phone at 401-714-9530.
May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding
guard your hearts and minds.
Philippians 4:7
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Sunday Morning
11 am - 12 pm
Weekday Services
9 am Tuesday - Friday
5:30 pm Tuesday, Wednesday
5:30 pm Thursday
Weekly Prayer List
- Those affected by the Covid-19 virus:
- Those who are ill or are in quarantine
- Those who have lost family members or friends to the illness
- The residents of group homes and nursing homes, including Hallworth House, Bethany Home, and Evergreen House Health Center
- Everyone who is affected by the economic fallout of the virus
- Those who are working hard to care for us and provide for us at this time:
- First responders, nurses, doctors, and health care aids on the front lines in hospitals, nursing homes, and group homes
- Scientists and lab technicians who are trying to find a treatment or vaccine for Covid-19
- Store clerks, stockers, pharmacists, truck drivers, delivery people, custodians
- Those who have birthdays this week: Albert Dahlberg, Arthur Edgar, Howard Kilguss, Michele Gariepy, Amy Fuller, Samuel Potter, and Joseleyne Slade
- Those commended to us: Angela, Eidan, Melissa, Chris, Donna, Jeremiah, Scarlett, Lisa, Virginia, Don, Justin, Eliza, Don, Michol, Mimi, Annette, Douglas, Jean, Carla, Carol, Jerry, Patrick, Oliver, Pam, Theresa, Paula, Shirley, David, Ursula, Michael, Sam, Joe, Morgan, Murielle, Charlie, Truls, Jill, Christine, Katie, Beth, Linda, Tom, Adam, Chris, Martha, Jean, Timmans, Isabel, Alicja, Neal, Patrick, Jennifer, Mark, Cynthia, Cheryl, Robin, Mariette, Isabella, Sarah, Ada, Harry, Marvin, Emeline, Gail, Sheila, Cathie, Denny, Aldo, Madeline, Paula, Vince, Kirby, Matthew, Patrick, and Annette
- We celebrate the birth of Robert Fielding Garrow on May 4, son of Hannah and Erin Garrow, brother of Eva, and grandson of Kathy Good
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St. Martin's Church | 50 Orchard Ave | Providence, RI |02906
(401) 751-2141
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