A community reshaping itself to be fit for God's purpose.
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Virtual Easter

Phew! We got through a virtual Holy Week and Easter with only a slightly reduced menu of services. My gratitude for all the help from staff and others who volunteered as readers and to our musicians Gabe Alfieri, and Steve Young. I particularly want to thank David Brookhart for his technical production skills with the camera and for his well stocked library of pictures which enabled us to personalize the webcasts with familiar faces. However, the real star and producer of Little Goose Productions is our sexton/producer, Ian (Christian) Tulungen, who spent countless hours editing the recordings and videos to produce the high quality webcasts and You Tubes we all appreciated so much. When you see Ian, I hope you will thank him for his skill and considerable investment of time.

Our next virtual venture plans:
  • To explore how we might use group Zoom to host a virtual coffee hour to follow the Sunday morning service webcast - something other congregations are managing to do quite successfully. So watch for further information.

  • To offer more midweek services. Morning Prayer is already zoomed at 9 am Tuesday to Thursday with a view to including Friday - click invite here.

  • Nightly Compline is podcast by SSJE - click here to listen.

  • Weekly meditation is zoomed Thursdays at 5:30 pm - click invite here - tonight Mary Jane Pagan will lead a loving kindness meditation.

  • We are discussing reviving the Wednesday 7 am service slot in some form, and offering a regular healing prayer service. Another addition might be a weekly Bible Study group.

We will advertise each new venture once we have finalized arrangements.

I am meant to be on post Easter break this week. But like many other things in life at the moment my week's break is more virtual than real. However, instead of my usual message I thought we would all enjoy revisiting the triumphal conclusion to our Easter Day Service. To sit back and enjoy: Click here!

Stay safe, stay strong, remain connected and I hope you will tune in for Sunday's podcast service of Sung Morning Prayer with sermon at 9:30 am.
Mark+
OpenDoors Rhode Island
Response Fund for the homeless and those experiencing housing instability.

OpenDoors Rhode Island has initiated a Response Fund to address the needs of Rhode Islanders who are experiencing homelessness and housing instability during the crisis. They have been providing food and supplies to local tent encampments and men coming home from prison to help people maintain safe social distancing guidelines and increase public safety. If you'd like to make a donation to the fund that helps the most vulnerable in this pandemic, please click here .

OpenDoors has also partnered with Hudson Street Deli to provide over 200 meals to Rhode Islanders struggling throughout this crisis. For just $10, you can provide a meal for a fellow Rhode Islander and support the wages of employees at a local business. Please visit Hudson Street Deli to support this outreach.

Lastly, OpenDoors will be opening a second transitional house for men coming home from prison. They have 3 kitchens that need to be furnished to support 16 residents. All kitchen ware that can be donated would be much appreciated! Gently used or new pots, pans, plates, cups, and utensils, etc can be dropped off in a bin located at the Orchard Place red doors at St. Martin’s. If you have questions or have items that need to be picked up (while practicing social distancing), please contact Jennifer Kiddie or Susan Esposito .
St. Martin’s Hands:
A Pastoral and Practical Ministry in a time of Pandemic

St. Martin’s Hands is a newly formed ministry with both a pastoral and practical approach to strengthening our parish community as we journey together. During this season of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is even more important that we stay connected to each other. St. Martin’s Hands provides compassionate presence for parishioners through phone calls, letter writing, and prayer, and also works to address the more mundane needs of any parishioner in need of practical assistance during this time of social distancing.
Please consider bringing your time and talent to support this new ministry, or if you feel you would benefit from the services of St. Martin’s Hands, we want to hear from you! For details, 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.
Episcopal Charities announces
Charities NOW

Many have asked during this time of pandemic, “What can I do? How can I love my neighbor when I can’t leave my home?” We know you want to make a difference and want to help your neighbor in need, but Covid-19 has thwarted your power.

Here’s your answer. Episcopal Charities announces the debut of “Charities NOW”, which collects donations from you, our donors, and immediately turns them around to aid those ministries and agencies on the front lines assisting our at-risk elders and at-risk children. This departure from our grant program allows us to distribute funds right away. We have identified those who are working tirelessly to bring food, shelter, medicine, and other basic human needs to our brothers and sisters, but they need our help NOW. No administration fees are deducted - 100% of your donation goes to this effort.

Donating is easy. Click on this link , then enter your credit card and donation on the “Charities NOW” line. To make a contribution by check, make it payable to Episcopal Charities of Rhode Island and mail to 275 North Main Street, Providence, RI. 02903. On the memo line of your check, please write “NOW”. That’s it!

And, you didn’t even have to leave the house!
Weekly Prayer List

  • Those with the Covid-19 virus or who are in quarantine

  • The staff and residents of Hallworth House, the Diocesan-sponsored nursing home. This is a very difficult time for everyone, with constantly changing requirements, shortages of PPE for the staff, and no visitors for the residents 

  • The staff, residents, and our own Dr. Allen Dennison of Evergreen House Health Center

  • First responders and those on the front lines in hospitals and nursing homes

  • Those who are working hard to bring us the essential items we need; keeping grocery shelves stocked and medicine available

  • Those affected by the economic fallout from the virus

  • Those who have birthdays this week: Maya Fenn and Lauren Hill

  • Those commended to us: Pat, Gail, Pauline, Angela, Eidan, Melissa, Chris, Donna, Jeremiah, Scarlett, Lisa, Joe,Virginia, Don, Justin, Eliza, Don, Mimi, Lisa, Annette, Douglas, Jean, Carla, Carol, Isabel, Jerry, Jackson, Patrick, Oliver, Pam, Theresa, Paula, Shirley, David, Ursula, Michael, Sam, Sheila, Morgan, Murielle, Charlie, Truls, Jill, Christine, Katie, Beth, Linda, Adam, Cheryl, Tom, Chris, Martha, Jean, Timmons, Isabel, Alicja, Neal, Patrick, Jennifer, Cynthia, Mark, Robin, Lora, Mariette, Isabella, Justa, Sarah, Harry, Ada, Denny, Marvin, Cathie, and Geoff
St. Martin's Church | 50 Orchard Ave | Providence, RI |02906
(401) 751-2141