St. Martin's News for October 2009

News from the Church Council & Call Committee
Wyn Speir, Congregation Council president, recently updated members about the work of the Council and Call Committee. The committees have discussed the potential advantages and disadvantages of a Co-Pastor model for St. Martin's, and the groups now ask for input and opinions from our members. Two Open Forums have been scheduled to ask for your views -- on Sundays, Oct. 11 at 10 am and on Oct. 18 after the 11 am service, both in the Fellowship Hall. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Read on for Wyn's letter to the congregation.

Saintly Seniors
Join our active group of Saintly Seniors on Oct. 13 at noon in the Parlor for a luncheon and presentation on "The Beauty of Stained Glass" with guest speaker Dr. Charles Pelphrey. RSVP for your place at this event to the church 467-6757 or contact Yolanda Alvarez. Also, join the Saintly Seniors for "Dinner and A Movie" after worship on Oct. 11. The group will watch "We're No Angels" with Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov. Please RSVP for this event, as well.

Child & Family and Youth & Family Volunteer Luncheon
Volunteers who work with St. Martin's children and youth are invited to a luncheon after the late worship on Oct. 11 in the Fellowship Hall. RSVP to Child & Family Minister Sharolyn Browning or Youth & Family Minister Erika Rorer.

Parents & Promises

Explore the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion, God's gifts of Grace, at 10 am in the Parlor. Gather with other parents to focus on our baptismal promises. This is a great opportunity to prepare or reflect on a Baptism in your family, and to guide children to the feast at the Lord's table with the rest of the great big family. Contact Child & Family Minister Sharolyn Browning for more information.

Chancel Flowers
Contact Nell Hielscher or call 243-0467 for details about placing chancel flowers to commemorate a special event. Flowers are needed for Oct. 11 &18.

Environmental Stewardship Committee
Join us for our next meeting after worship at 12:20 on Oct. 25 in the Parlor.

Adult Forum on "Biblical Authority" starts Oct. 25
Join the Adult Forum Sunday School class at 10 am in the Fellowship Hall from Oct. 25 to Nov. 8 as Rev. Kurt Johnson leads a session on "Biblical Authority." Rev. Johnson will guide us through the process by which scripture was created and canonized, and why and how we use it as a source of belief.

Cast your Benevolence Focus vote for 2010
So that we can better schedule our year, the Sharing and Relief Committee has decided to move our voting for our 2010 Monthly Benevolence Focus to Oct. 25 and Nov. 1. You will be getting the "2010 Benevolence Descriptions" in the mail with your Financial Covenant cards. On Oct. 25, you will receive a ballot before worship (Oct. 24 for Saturday worshippers). You can vote for your six choices and then drop it off in the ballot box. Ballots also will be available on Saturday Oct. 31 and Sunday Nov. 1. We ask that each baptized member submit only one ballot.

Godly Play Training Opportunities
St. Martin's hosts Godly Play training opportunities throughout the year. Join us for this month's event:
* Oct. 24 from 9 am to 3 pm ($35 with lunch)
Discussion Topic: Supporting the Community of Children. Story Presentation: Introduction to the Communion of Saints. Presented by Sharolyn Browning. Register online here.
Read on to learn more about Godly Play.

Scholarship established in memory of Steve Grosskopf
A scholarship in Studio Art has been established at The University of Texas by Steve's family and friends to aid students in paying for art supplies. If you would like to make a donation, please make checks payable to "The University of Texas at Austin." Specify "Steve Grosskopf Endowed Scholarship" and mail to: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712.

Church Attendance
Worship attendance in August averaged 293.