The vision of St. Martin's-in-the-Field is to gather as a welcoming community of Christ, called to love and serve God, our neighbors, and each other in joyful celebration of God's presence in the world.

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Services at 8 & 10 am,

Sunday school at 9:15am

Blessed to be a Blessing

Please come CELEBRATE ST. MARTIN'S DAY & OUR PLEDGE INGATHERING!

Dessert reception after the 10am service to celebrate the harvest of pledges!

(Don't forget to bring your pledge, please!-- extras will be available at the narthex table. Just remember that however you choose to be thankful for your many blessings, it will help us to share our gifts of time, talent, & treasure within and outside our doors. We are hoping for 100% participation this year. And recalling Charles Cloughen's sermon: no gift is too large!)

 ALL PARISH CAMPUS CLEAN UP NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 8AM

Mark your calendar and make plans to come out and help with St. Martin's semi-annual Campus Cleanup!  Many hands make light work. All ages are invited to come and help. Thank you.

Holiday Sharing Time is Near!

Please donate non-perishable items for our Thanksgiving baskets that will go to nine local families in need.  A box for collection will be in the Narthex this Sunday, Nov. 11 and next Sunday, Nov. 18.  There is also a need for volunteers to shop for perishable items (to be in Church kitchen by 11/20/12) and drivers to deliver the food on Tuesday, November 20 (afternoon and evening deliveries available).  If you would like to volunteer, plese sign-up in the Narthex or contact Michele Cummings - Michele@tcsix.com or Mary Ina Bourdon, mooringsdmi@comcast.net. Thank you.

TREASURER'S UPDATE:

As of last Sunday our weekly offering has generated only $85,000 of that total.  As our bills arrive monthly, it helpful when your pledge gifts do likewise, if indeed you're paying on a monthly basis. If you are paying quarterly, you should now be paid up through the 3rd quarter. If you are not giving at all, feel free to write us a check..always tax deductible, unlike cash!        

   Please help us stay in the good graces of our creditors. 

   Thanks to all for sharing your abundance,

   Your Finance Committee, Treasurer, and Rector.

Fostering Independent Learners

By Kim Carson, Director of Academics

St. Martin's-in-the-Field Episcopal School

This past week at Open House, I was talking to prospective families about our school. I was reminded of all the different ways we support our students to become lifelong learners, which is one way of living in grace. From preschool and Kindergarten, through elementary and middle school, our students benefit from a strong curriculum. We also had conferences with parents this past week. In middle school, the students participate in the conferences, assessing what they see as their own strengths and weaknesses. Communication among student, parent, and teacher is the best way to ensure a happy educational experience. Here are some strategies you can practice at home:

• Be a role model for learning. Learn something new yourself!
• Read often, both out loud together and silently in the same room.
• Be alert to what your children love, and enable them to pursue their passion.
• Spend time listening to your children, to their dreams, hopes, and fears. Sometimes, just listening can be the best "fix-it" of all.

Our next Open House is January 22. We invite you to visit and learn more about our very special parish school.