St. Martin's Newsletter
   Weekly E-News   November 21, 2014

Worship Schedule
Sunday
8am and 10am
Holy Eucharist
9:45am Nursery
Tuesday-Friday
9am Morning Prayer in the Chapel
Wednesday
7am service with Holy Eucharist 

I would like to thank the many, many people whose loving work ensured that the Installation Service this last Sunday was a truly joyous celebration. The Installation symbolically marks that we have now begun a new chapter in the life  of St. Martin's. I am deeply appreciative of the generosity of each person's contribution of time and talent. I would also like to thanks the parish for the warm and enthusiastic expression of welcome to Al and myself.
 

Mark+


 

Linda Griggs

Director of Christian Formation

 

Generations Prayer Partnerships:

A Spiritual Discipline for Advent (and Beyond)

 

Advent is a prayerful time-a season when the Church encourages us to make room for God. This can be a challenge at a time when spiritual and worldly cultures seem to be in competition. But the world is not a bad thing in itself; after all, God became part of God's own creation in Jesus. So as we prepare to celebrate Emmanuel-God With Us-- I invite you to enter into a special partnership at St. Martin's-a prayerful partnership.

 

Praying for someone, and knowing that someone is praying for you, can be a meaningful part of your spiritual life. Generations Prayer Partnerships seeks to pair adults and young people who agree to include each other in their regular prayers.

 

How much you do with this prayer relationship is up to you. You may be inspired to say hello at coffee hour. You may want to make sure you exchange the Peace with your prayer partner during a worship service. Younger children may want to remember their prayer partners in their bedtime prayers or as part of table grace. It is your choice, as long as you are willing to be faithful in holding your partner in prayer regularly.

 

If you would like to be part of this partnership just fill out a sign-up form. The forms will be in the bulletins on Sunday as well as in a basket at the back of the church. Or you can contact me at [email protected]. Check the appropriate box indicating whether you are age 0-18 or 19-above.  I will collect the forms, match names together and let each of you know who your Prayer Partner will be. Please return your completed form by 30 November.

 

No one will be checking up on you-it's between you, the person for whom you pray, and God. It is my prayer that this partnership will be a fruitful one  in this season of hope and anticipation.

 

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There are a number of other formation opportunities coming up: 

 

Our Advent Festival will take place in the Great Hall after the 10:00 a.m. service on 30 November. Make an Advent wreath to take home for family worship. Materials will be provided for a suggested donation of $10. Feel free to bring floral clippers, wire cutters, or even your own wreath form if you would prefer.

While at the Advent Festival plan to sign up to participate in our Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve at 4:00 p.m.

 

Finally, this month's Youth and Family Dinner Church is going on the road! Join us on 21 December at 5:00 at ECC for their annual Advent Service in the Barn followed by a simple supper. Follow this link for details.

 

Peace and Cheers,

Linda

 

Over 200 people gathered at St. Martin's last Sunday for the Celebration of a New Ministry and Installation of the Reverend Mark Robert Sutherland as our 12th Rector.  It was a glorious evening.  A special thank you to all who participated in the service, arranged flowers, and organized, set-up, and prepared delicious hors d'oeuvres 

for the amazing reception.  

 





Photos courtesy of David Brookhart and Susan Esposito

READINGS THIS WEEK


Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 (OT)

 Ephesians 1:15-23 (NT)
Matthew 25:31-46 (Gospel)
Click here for this Sunday's readings.
     THIS SUNDAY
 
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The Youth Group is meeting at 11:15am
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 The committee for 'Our Hearts are Open' Gift Project will meet this Sunday at 11:15am in the Stearns Room
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Please return your filled Thanksgiving bags by Sunday, November 23rd. *Bags will be distributed to Camp Street Ministries and Providence In-Town Churches Association.
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Coffee Hour hosted by the Sarawgi-Fenn Family
MORNING PRAYER
    
It is my practice to endeavor to say Morning Prayer in the Chapel of the Church at 9am   on Tuesday through Friday each week I look forward to seeing you there!
           Mark+
Participants in Worship

November 23, 2014
November 30, 2014
Reading Link 
8am:
Reader/EM: Denny Scott
Altar Guild: Karen Bracken
8am:
Reader/EM: Alec McLure
Altar Guild: Al Howes
10am: 
Readers:

Malcolm Griggs (OT)
Laura Bartsch (NT)
David Burke (Prayers)
Altar Guild:
Raya Goff
Ann Redpath
EMs:
David Whitman
Hal Conner
Acolytes:
BG Goff
Elizabeth Blake
Erin Welshman
Diana Blake
Ushers:
Charles Bodell
Sarosh Fenn
Edye DeMarco
Jane Dennison
Allen Dennison 
10am:
Readers:
 Sean Mulholland (OT)
 Sam Coale (NT)
 Mary DiSandro (Prayers)
Altar Guild:
Jane Langmuir
Beth Ellis
Elizabeth Welshman
EMs:
Jane Langmuir
Rich Gruber
Acolytes:
Rosie Hassel
Alex Potter
Gabrielle Ellicott
Ushers:
Peter Dennehy
Peter Lofgren
Stephen Ellicott
Gabrielle Ellicott
Peter Gray
Ministry Opportunities
In its fourth year, St. Martin's parishioners will participate in buying Christmas gifts for children in DCYF care. The committee for 'Our Hearts are Open' Gift Project is looking for members to help promote, organize, collect, sort, and deliver gifts. Please contact Pat Whitman at [email protected] or call the church office if you are interested.

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Generations Prayer Partnerships:

A Spiritual Discipline for Advent (and Beyond)
(see message above from Linda Griggs) 



Many, many thanks to our wonderful Memorial Garden volunteers on Saturday, November 15th: Al Howes, John and Sue Condon, Diana Hassel, John Ditson and Mary Worrell. It was a very cold day warmed by this wonderful fellowship.

Thanks from Rosalind Ditson
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After five plus years, Natasha Lofgren and Shirley Kezirian are stepping down as co-chairpersons of our Hospitality Committee.  Thanks to their dedication to this incredibly important ministry, Natasha and Shirley have overseen Annual Meeting lunches, pot luck suppers, TGIF happy hours, countless coffee hours, newcomer receptions, Advent teas, Easter Vigil champagne and chocolate receptions, Easter coffee hours with cupcakes, parish picnics, welcome parties, farewell parties, and much much more.  

We also want to welcome our new Hospitality Committee co-chairpersons,
Jane Taylor and Ianthe Hershberger.
 

 

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Tuesday, November 25th at 7pm

Interfaith Service at St. Martin's

Reception for "All Things Pumpkin" will follow in the Great Hall. We are looking for food donations for the reception. Please contact Jane Taylor at 480-4601 or [email protected] if you can help.
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Thursday, November 27th at 1pm

Thanksgiving Dinner in the Great Hall 

Help is needed with cooking, setting up, cleanup and especially cooking turkeys ahead at home. If you can help please contact Gail Peet at [email protected] or 439-9342

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Sunday, November 30th

Family Advent Festival

Please join us in the Great Hall after the 10am service to make an Advent Wreath for your home! All materials provided. St. Martin's teens will be on hand to help.
Suggested donation: $10 for materials.

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Saturday, December 6th at 4pm

'Advent Tea' in the Great Hall 

A reading of the play "A Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote

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Sundays, December 7th or 14th at 9am

Lector Training in the church

All lectors regardless of experience are expected to attend a training session with
Linda Griggs, Director of Christian Formation. if you cannot attend one of these sessions, please let Linda or Susan esposito know in order to arrange a makeup session.

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Sunday, December 21st at 5pm

December's Youth and Family Dinner Church is going on the road! Join us on December 21st at 5pm at ECC for their Annual Advent Service in the Barn followed by a simple supper. Speak with Linda Griggs for details.

 

Call to Action!

Consider volunteering for one of our wonderful ministries. Click here for more information.
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