St. Martin's Newsletter

Weekly E-News November 13, 2015

www.stmartinsprov.org

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...

Saturday, November 14 at 10am

Memorial Garden Clean-up

Interested in helping? Please call Rosalind Ditson at 508-336-5116

Sunday...

November 15

The Feast of St. Martin of Tours
A parish-wide, family friendly celebration of our Patron Saint
Choral Evensong at 4:30pm with Festival Potluck Dinner immediately following

The Weekly Epistle

November 11th was a double commemoration for us because Veterans' Day and the feast day of our patron Martin, Bishop of Tours occured on November 11th. This historical coincidence held a very propitious meaning for our founding rector Dr. Washburn, who while serving as a chaplain in the US Army in 1917-18 saw a deep significance between the two events. Unfortunately for us, Veterans' Day and St Martin's Day falling together continues to present a problem. Therefore, I have instituted a new tradition. From henceforth we will celebrate St Martin on the Sunday following November 11th.

Veterans' Day falls on the 11th of November because at the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month in the year 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent, bringing to an end the First World War. The Allies celebrated November 11th as Armistice Day, keeping the minute of silence at the 11th hour. In the US, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans' Day in 1954 following the Korean War. In the UK, the renamed Remembrance Day continues to be marked by the wearing of the red poppy where remembrance of the war dead grows in strength as a national commemoration with each passing year. The wearing of the poppy has fallen into disuse in the US and the link to remembrance seems to have weakened as the years have past. This Sunday morning at both 8 and 10am we will keep a Remembrance Sunday. Please join us for this solemn commemoration of the war dead.

For Dr. Washburn, the first rector of the newly formed parish of St Martin's Providence, the Armistice falling on St Martin's Day had a powerful symbolism. According to some, Martin was a Roman heavy cavalry officer who resigned his commission because of his Christian faith. He became a prototype Earlier Church, conscientious objector. St Martin is the patron of France.

At St Martin's we love to celebrate two stories about him. The first concerns his dividing his cloak in half in order to clothe a beggar he came upon in the street. Our own Cloak Ministry is dedicated to collecting clothing for homeless shelters. Our mascot is the goose associated with the story that St Martin hid among a flock of geese to escape the towns folk who wanted to make him bishop of Tours. The geese raised a hue-and-cry alerting his pursuers as to his location.

Martin was ordained in 350 by the great bishop and saint Hilary of Poitiers. He was elected bishop by the town of Tours in 372. Martin was a reluctant bishop, and agreed only if allowed to continue his ascetical life as a semi-hermit-monk. His life had a huge influence on the Celtic missionaries of Patrick in Ireland, and Ninian in Scotland. The oldest church in Canterbury is dedicated to him. Martin was unpopular with many of his fellow bishops because of his criticism of the violence with which they suppressed heresy. He was a great missionary to the pagan druids in Western Gaul, a staunch friend to the poor and defender of the helpless. He died in 397 and his shrine in Tours became a sanctuary for those escaping tyranny and seeking justice.

Until the end of the Middle Ages St Martin's half cloak, in Latin cappa, was revered and travelled with the French Court attended by a special priest known as the chapelain, i.e. attendant of the cappa. The English version chaplain, because of its association with Martin -soldier turned priest, came to refer to clergy who ministered in the armed forces, and by extension now other institutions such as hospitals, prisons and schools.

Come celebrate Martin's feast with us, this Sunday at 4:30pm with Choral Evensong followed by parish supper.

Mark+

A Message from the Director of Christian Formation

Last week in KidZone we began a unit on Prayer. We are adapting our lessons from Sybil MacBeth's book, Praying in Color: Kids Edition to help the children understand that prayer doesn't have to consist of perfect "God-worthy" words, does not always require us to sit absolutely still, and it can make use of our own God-given creative gifts. Our prayer unit has begun with intercessory prayer (praying for the needs of others,) and I encourage you to talk with your children about people that they know of who might be in need of healing, support, or help. Praying in Color is a way of quieting the mind while moving the hands; writing and doodling around a person's name is a way of lifting their concerns to God.

To extend Praying in Color outside of KidZone I have created Praying in Color handouts, called "My Doodle Prayers", that I have put in the back of the church next to the basket of crayons and the copies of The Sunday Paper coloring sheets. I encourage the kids to take their Doodle Prayers home and pray with them during the week.

Lest the grownups think the kids are having all the creative fun, be not dismayed: We will have an intergenerational Advent-Themed Praying in Color class during Formation Hour on December 13. No drawing talent required--I look forward to praying and creating with you!

Peace,

Linda

READINGS THIS WEEK

1 Samuel 1:4-20 (OT)

Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18), 19-25 (NT)
Mark 13:1-8 (Gospel)
Click here for this Sunday's readings.

THIS SUNDAY

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 below)
+

Church School/Nursery at 9:45am

+

Youth Group at 11:30am
+

Head Usher Training at 11:30am

+

Coffee Hour this Sunday is hosted by the Potters.
+

Choral Evensong 4:30pm

followed by
The Feast of

St. Martin

of Tours Potluck Dinner

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+

***Thanksgiving Bags (donated by Eastside Market) are available at the back of the church. Please return the filled bags by Sunday, November 22nd.
*Bags will be distributed to PICA and Camp Street Ministries.

NEW SERVICE HOURS!

Beginning on Advent 1, November 29 and running through Epiphany, February 7, we will be experimenting with new service times:

7:45am Holy Eucharist

8:30am Bible Study

9:15am Holy Eucharist with choir and sermon

10:30am Adult & Children's Christian Formation

12noon Holy Eucharist

Healing Prayers...

Healing Prayers are now offered every Sunday. After receiving Holy Communion you may then go to the Chapel where you can request healing prayers for yourself, a loved one, or for a situation in the wider world before returning to your seat.

Biblebox
(Weekly Bible Study)
Gospel: Mark 13:1-8

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.

FYI

***The Thrifty Goose is in need of winter clothes (men, women, children's) and household items. Call ahead and our sexton can help carry them in.

Thank you in advance!!

'Our Hearts are Open' Gift Project

In its fifth 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 attend one meeting, help promote, organize, collect, sort, and deliver gifts. Please contact Helen Anthony at hanthony5th@gmail.com or call the church office at
751-2141 if you are interested.

Coming Up!

Thursday, November 19
(two events)

Episcopal Church Women's Annual Meeting

9:30am St. John's, Barrington
+

Knitting Ministry in the Stearns Room

6:30-8:30pm
+

Tuesday, November 24 at 7pm

Interfaith Service.
Please join us at Temple Beth-el for our Interfaith service. Our children's choir will be singing! It's also a great chance for us to welcome the temple's new rabbi,
Howard Voss-Altman.
(see flyer at back of church)

+

Sunday, November 22

Parish Pictorial Directory Photo Shoot
8:45am & 11:15am
+

Tuesday, November 24 at 7pm

Interfaith Service at Temple Beth-el
+

Thursday, November 26 at 1pm
Thanksgiving Community Dinner in the Great Hall.
We need volunteers to cook, clean-up, help set up the day before etc.
Please contact Gail Peet at 725-0064
or gep@cox.net if you can help in any way.

+

Sunday, November 29

Family Advent Festival
Please join us in the Great Hall after the 9:15am service to make an Advent Wreath
for your home! All materials provided.
Suggested donation:
$10 for materials.

***Pageant sign-up will be available on this day.

Vestry Nominations Committee Formed

In accordance with Article VII, Section V of the By-Laws of St. Martin's Parish, the Rector and the Wardens have appointed the following individuals to a Nominating Committee to prepare at least one slate of candidates to the Vestry: David Brookhart, John Lawlor, Edmund Leather, Sean Mulholland, Jill Scott, Elizabeth Welshman.

The Vestry has five vacancies for election at the Annual Meeting on January 24, 2016: including that for Junior Warden.The Nominating Committee invites all Members of the Parish to self-nominate for these vacancies. In accordance with Article III, Section 1 of the By-Laws, "The members of the Parish shall be all persons who have received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and who are registered as members of the Parish." Please contact a member of the Nominating Committee to express your interest in this ministry.

The Nominating Committee will offer its slate(s) in the eNews immediately preceding Sunday, January 10, 2016, and in the News and Notes on
Sunday, January 10, 2016.

Respectfully submitted,

Mark Sutherland, Rector

Elizabeth Welshman, Senior Warden

Sean Mulholland, Junior Warden

Boots on the ground...

We all put our pants on one leg at a time.

I urge you to consider for a moment when you tie your shoes or pull up your socks ... one at a time... consider that we are all human. We are all cut of the same cloth. We all have particular needs. With winter temperatures, there is an urgent need in the local homeless community for reliable boots and shoes.

$30 buys a new pair of men's work boots. Buy 1 or 5, but please consider buying something to help. Or, give us your gently used shoes and boots. (Other casual men's wear items gladly accepted, too.)

When you are homeless, your boots are your car. Your boots are your transportation. Through boots, we will bring the glory of God to the streets of Providence.

Types of donations needed: New Men's Socks and Men's underwear; Tee shirts, sweat shirts, comfortable Men's pants. Shoes and boots. Winter Jackets and winter hats. Snacks. Toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Thank you in advance,

Mary Gray

*A collection bin is located at the back of the church for this ministry.

The Providence Village...

is a grassroots, community based network of support for Seniors who choose to stay in our homes and communities as we age. This fall, the Providence Village is launching a pilot Rides program to help Village members who cannot drive with their transportation needs.

To do this, the Providence Village needs volunteers who are willing to be drivers and service coordinators. This is a great opportunity to help create a network of mutual support that can make a real difference in the lives of Seniors in our community.

Can you help?

For more information about the Providence Village and volunteer opportunities , please visit our website at: www.providencevillageri.org .
Or call the Providence Village: 401-441-5240

Thank you!

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

November 15, 2015 Reading link (Track 2)	November 22, 2015 Reading link (Track 2)
8am: Reader Dwight Phillips Altar Guild Arline Walker Al Howes 10am: Emily Gray (OT) Allen Dennison (NT) Elke Moonan (Prayers) Altar Guild Jane Langmuir Lisa Ballou Tyler Eucharistic Ministers Jane Langmuir (V) Hal Conner (C) Linda Griggs Jim Kelliher Acolytes Elizabeth Blake Diana Blake Laura Blake Ushers David Brookhart Linda Brookhart Irving Sheldon Parker Smith Greeters Helen Anthony Doug Anthony Coffee Hour The DiSandros	8am: Reader David Brookhart Altar Guild Pat Knowles 10am: Bill Hollinshead (OT) Jennifer Kiddie (NT) Malcolm Griggs (Prayers) Altar Guild Elizabeth Welshman Louise Ely Eucharistic Ministers Linda Griggs David Whitman (V) Hal Conner (H) Meg LoPresti Elke Moonan (C) Acolytes Alison Kostas Peter Kostas Alex Potter Ushers Greg Piper Cathy Bodner Carol Tucker Waylan Tucker Jaye Tyler Coffee Hour The Marion/Ng Family