Most of you will have received or will be receiving my letter announcing the launch of the public phase of Opening Our Hearts to the Future – capital campaign. Thanks to a very fruitful quiet phase we are currently hovering at around 85% of our campaign target goal. The public phase encourages a participatory goal of 100% of members so that with many small campaign contributions spread over three years we can achieve the remainder of our campaign target of 2 million – if not exceed it. Please help us by making a contribution to the campaign as a sign of your support for the next phase of our journey as a community.

We’ve had a lot of fun putting together a series of video conversations with a representative cross section of the congregation. Each Tuesday the links to the latest conversation will go out in a special email - so keep your eyes peeled for this. Last week the first video conversation with Laura Bartsch went out and the second conversation with the Turilli family, this week. To keep up to date your one stop link for the campaign case statement and video conversations can be found here. So please stay in touch, week by week for new conversations in which members speak about what St Martin’s means to them.

Office staff changes: Jane Hartman leaves this week to return to her hometown of Minneapolis. Jane came on board last year to manage e-communications. In addition to her weekly e-comms work Jane has been instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition from years of paper records to REALM – our new electronic record and parish management system. I want to thank Jane for her contribution to keeping the office and administration functioning during these months of the pandemic and wish her and her husband well for their future. Last week we welcomed Joshua Maria Garcia who will take over the e-comms role and other aspects of office administration. Joshua has been a member of the 20/30’s group and is known to some of you already. He also leads the Wednesday evening virtual Bible Study. It’s wonderful to welcome Joshua’s energy to strengthen the parish admin team.

The Jewish High Holy Days began on September 18 with Rosh Hashanah and will end on September 28 with Yom Kippur. Please keep your Jewish neighbors in mind during this time.

The outdoors Eucharist continues with very gratifying attendance. Having sweltered through the July & August heat, last Sunday we experienced the drop in temperature we had all been longing for, that is, until it arrived. We will remain outside for as long as comfortably possible before moving inside for Sunday eucharistic worship. We hope to have full livestream capacity in the church by early October. The weekly web cast Liturgy of the Word will continue to be posted online from 7 am each Sunday. Please take a look here for important upcoming dates.

Blessing for the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.

Liturgy of the Word

(pre-recorded & webcast from 7 am)

click here.

Click here to in-person pre-register

Click here to join the live stream

Subscribe for free to our YouTube Channel to receive updates and to view the latest livestream recording.

10 am KidsZoom - click here to join

9 am - Morning Devotions (in-person & Zoom)

Click here for Zoom connection.

Wednesday

7 am - Holy Eucharist (in-person & Zoom)

Click here for Zoom connection.

9 am - Morning Devotions (in-person & Zoom)

Click here for Zoom connection.

5:30 pm Meditation Hour (in-person & Zoom)

Click here for Zoom connection.

Through these challenging times, day-to-day tasks can seem overwhelming. St. Martin’s is available to hear your concerns.  There is a Healing Prayers Box available at the Welcome Table each Sunday. Simply write your prayer request on one of the index cards provided and place it in the box. Clergy and/or The Healing Ministry will respond within one week. Questions about the Healing Ministry? Please contact Jeana Whittredge.

Our annual Blessing of the Animals will take place on Sunday, October 4th at 4 pm on the front lawn of St. Martin's Church. Bring your cat, dog, hamster, goldfish, or other adored pet for a special blessing!

During this time of pandemic, many in our community have become food insecure due to job losses or illnesses rendering them unable to work. Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item to church on Sunday to donate to Better Lives RI.

KidZoom is St. Martin’s online church school for children and families. Join us every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for relaxed home worship and a time for prayer, music, Bible stories, wondering, and fun! For most of our stories we provide the Action Bible, one per family. For a copy of your Action Bible or for more information, contact the Rev. Linda Griggs.

It's hard to believe summer is at an end! The Thrifty Goose Thrift Shop is gearing up for fall and we are now accepting donations of new and gently-used fall and winter clothing and accessories.

We're limited on space and not taking books or housewares, but if you have furniture or other larger items you wish to donate, email Heather Tingle (photos are helpful!). Please remember, all items should be in good, sellable condition - if you wouldn't buy it, no one else will!