St. Martin's Newsletter
   Weekly E-News  October 16, 2015
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 

 
 Tomorrow at St. Martin's.....

Saturday, October 17
Psalm-Writing Workshop at 9am 
Led by author Ray McGinnis.
 
Dear Friends,
 
In the week or so since my ordination to the Transitional Diaconate I have been asked by a number of people how I feel. Do I feel any different? On the one hand I have to chuckle, since one of the things I feel is-literally, hot around the collar! Father Mark tells me that this is because I need to get a size larger, but until then I have great sympathy and respect for those who wear neckties every day.
 
Seriously though, I think it is a perfectly legitimate question. How do I feel after an eight-year journey that has taken me from North Carolina to Connecticut to New York to a new home in Rhode Island? How do I feel after a journey that has taken me from a whispered "yes" in response to God's persistent call to priesthood, through discernment committee meetings, Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee meetings, bishop interviews, spiritual direction, therapy, parish internships, retreats, pilgrimages, hospital chaplaincy, three years of seminary and a year of post-seminary lay ministry? How do I feel after eight years of prayer, worship, listening, certainty, doubt, tears, laughter, fellowship, reading, study, writing, preaching, teaching, exploring and discovering?
 
How do I feel? Grateful.
 
I feel grateful for everything that has brought me to this point. The journey of discernment, as Bishop Knisely said last Wednesday evening, is neither straight, nor smooth, and anyone who has lived into the questions of, "Who am I? Whose am I? What am I called to do with my life?"-knows how challenging it can be. But I have learned that everything that I have encountered in the past eight years has formed me for this moment. Much of the time I have relished the challenge, the joy, and the richness of the experience, but when things have been tough I have had a choice; to be formed, or to be de-formed by obstacles.
 
Choosing to be formed by obstacles has meant that I am learning to hold lightly to the good as well as the difficult in life. I am learning that true joy is leavened by the knowledge of struggle and of the fact that we all carry wounds that make us who we are. Nothing is wasted. Through my own prayers and the prayers of an amazing cloud of witnesses I have learned to trust in God's presence and faithfulness even when the way has been obscure.
 
And thus, last Wednesday evening, as the journey reached this point, I looked back on eight amazing years.  I stood before the Bishop as he charged me to use everything I have learned in service and compassion to others and to the Church.  The congregation responded to the Bishop's prayer of consecration with a resounding, "Amen!" How did I feel? Humbled, upheld, and filled with gratitude for every single step of the journey. Thank you from the depths of my heart for your faith in my call, and with God's help I will serve joyfully to the best of my ability. 
Peace and Cheers,
Linda

 
The Weekly Epistle

Healing Prayer
Healing prayer will be offered following the Eucharist this coming Sunday. Our hope is to be able to offer this more regularly than the one Sunday a month hitherto. People often ask me who might come for healing prayer? Simply anyone carrying a burden of some kind in their mind or upon their heart. Healing prayer is not limited only to those with a physical condition. Another question asked is- do I need to tell all about the reasons I am coming? No, a little background as to your request is helpful but not necessary. Any conversation with those offering the healing prayer is simply an aid to your being able to focus on opening to receive God's healing love. Another question is - how does it work? The least convoluted answer  is that those offering healing prayer are the conduits through which the whole praying community invites the love of God into a particular person's life, at a particular time, and in a particular place. This fall, healing prayer is an essential expression of the spiritual renewal journey that we have embarked upon within our St Martin's community.

Youth Ministry
I would like to introduce Davis Moore as our new youth ministry co-ordinator. Davis is an artist, a Harvard grad, and a devoted enquirer into the spiritual dimensions of ordinary life. He has extensive experience of working with young people in the outward bound context, having for a number of years led bands of teenagers on wilderness trek in the wilds of Canada. He also mentors young men and woman in Lacrosse, art, creative writing, and math. Davis grew up in New Hampshire and attended Philips Exeter Academy. Being the grandson of two of our esteemed parishioners, BG and Raya Goff, Davis is no stranger to the Episcopal Church. He believes it is important for young people to map out their own program and is committed to working with multiple age groups within our youth ministry context, allowing each to work at his or her own pace within the larger mixed group. Linda and I are very excited to welcome Davis to our education team.

Mark+
Biblebox
(Weekly Bible Study)
Gospel:Mark 10:35-45

To dig a little behind the Gospel text for this Sunday, take a look at this week's Working Preacher in preparation for discussion at our weekly Sunday Bible study at 9am in the Stearns Room.
READINGS THIS WEEK
Isaiah 53:4-12 (OT)

  Hebrews 5:1-10 (NT)
Mark 10:35-45 (Gospel)
Click here for this Sunday's readings.
     THIS SUNDAY
 Nursery at 9:45am
+ 
Services at 8am and 10am
+
Gluten Free Hosts available at the altar rail. 
+ 
Weekly Bible Study at 9am in the Stearns Room (see the Biblebox above)
+
Church School in the KidZone at 9:45am
+

Decorating Committee for
St. Martin's Feast meeting in church office at 10am
+ 
Healing Prayers after the 10am service
**Healing Prayers will now be offered every Sunday 
+
Youth Group at 11:30am
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Coffee Hour this Sunday is hosted by Parker Smith.
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+
FYI...
 
Spencer's (Izzo) Eagle Scout Project Donation Basket

The Boy Scouts of America and Troop 31 Crompton are collecting items for Amos House: toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, razors, combs and skin lotion.  The collection basket is in the back of the church.  **Please make sure they are travel size. 
                                          Thank you!!
 
Coming Up!

Saturday, October 24
Knitting Ministry
12:30 to 3:30pm in the Stearn's Room
Tea, coffee and baked goods will be served.
+
Thursday, October 29
Thrivent "Retire Wisely" Workshop from 7-8pm.
Info flyers available at back of church
Open to all.
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Sunday, November 15

The Feast of St. Martin of Tours a parish-wide celebration of our Patron Saint. Choral Evensong 4:30pm with Festival Dinner will immediately follow.
 
Altar/Furniture Experiment
 
Please take the opportunity to tell us of your experience of the nave altar and furniture experiment. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BCGYJQ7 to fill out your questionnaire if you have not already done so.

If the groundswell supports the change we will then commission a new altar and altar-rail design. Please complete the survey by October 19.  Thank you.
The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island
invites you...

A Toast To Scholarship
Supporting Our Youth through the Episcopal Conference Center

Friday, October 23, 2015
6pm-10pm
Aldrich Mansion
Warwick, RI

The Right Reverend W. Nicholas Knisely, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, invites you to an inspiring evening filled with gourmet food paired with craft tonics, notable tasting wines, and craft beers in support of the Diocese's youth ministry programs.

For more information go to www.eccri.org

Questions? Contact Amy LaChance at admin@eccri.org or (401) 568-4055

Individual Ticket  $75
Cocktail Attire
 
 Martin's List
Opportunities for Ministry 
 
Help in the office with folding bulletins, esp. during busy holiday time 

If this ministry opportunity speaks to you, please call the church office at
751-2141 and speak with Deborah or Susan or email us at church@stmartinsprov.org.
+
Many thanks in advance!
Ministries
October 18, 2015
Reading link (Track 2)
October 25, 2015
Reading link (Track 2)
8am: 
Reader 
Denny Scott
Altar Guild
Karen Bracken
10am:
Barbara Blossom (OT)
Cathy Bodner (NT)
David Burke (Prayers)
Altar Guild
Jane Taylor
Raya Goff
Eucharistic Ministers
David Whitman (V, H)
Gail Peet
Elke Moonan
Acolytes
Robin McGill
Alex Potter
Henry Petree
Ushers
David Brookhart
Linda Brookhart
Michael DiSandro
Greeters
The Kostas Family


8am: 
Reader
Missy Bennett
Altar Guild
Al Howes
10am:
TBA (OT)
Melissa Calhoun (NT)
Sam Coale (Prayers)
Altar Guild
Susan Allen
Brooke Hammerle
Eucharistic Ministers
Robin McGill (V)
Hall Conner (H)
Penny Seacord
Acolytes
Elizabeth Blake
Diana Blake
Gabrielle Ellicott
Ushers
Peter Dennehy
Peter Lofgren
Allen Dennison
Jane Dennison
irving Sheldon
Greeters
The Calhouns



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