St. Martin's Newsletter
   Weekly E-News September 2, 2016
Worship Schedule
(This schedule will begin again September 11)
Sunday  
   8:00am  Holy Eucharist
   8:45am  Bible Study 
   9:15am  Nursery
   9:30am  Holy Eucharist with choir
and sermon 
     10:45am   Christian Formation 
Tuesday-Thursday
9am Morning Prayer in the Chapel
Wednesday
                                                              7am service with Holy Eucharist

(see box below for summer schedule) 


It's great to be back after three glorious weeks away. I return to a number of important projects in full swing and folk excited and engaged. I was able to fully relax and disengage. A sign of this was to not read work emails. All of this was possible knowing that the parish was in Linda's capable hands and I am appreciative of the staff's efforts over the summer.
 
Sunday 11th, marks our Beginning-of-the-Year Story - formerly known as Homecoming Sunday. It will be wonderful to be able to formally welcome Nick Voermans as our new Minister of Music. In actuality, Nick will take his place on the organ bench this coming Sunday. I hope you will take an opportunity to show him how much we have been looking forward to his arrival.
 
Labor Day marks the seasonal transition in mood. It's great to have a long weekend to say farewell to summer. Compared to the British with their bank holidays, Americans have so few three-day weekends. Yet, the holiday atmosphere can obscure the importance of the commemoration. For, Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. At a time when we are told American workplace productivity is falling again, ordinary people feel less and less secure and appreciated in the work place. I wonder if the politicians have noticed the possibility of a connection here. Looking more deeply into the current widespread demoralization in our worlds of work, we can see how productivity can be adversely affected. At a time when we seem in thrall to the disproportionate rewards of celebrity entrepreneurship, Labor Day constitutes a yearly national tribute to the unsung contributions of ordinary working men and women to the strength, prosperity, and continued well-being of our country.
 
Remember to check out last week's sermon entitled, Table-talk. Table fellowship as a symbol for hospitality is a core value of the Gospel. This last Wednesday we celebrated Aidan, bishop of Lindisfarne. By the time of his death in 651, Aidan, an Irish monk of Iona had spearheaded the re-Christianization of the North of England. Apparently, his style of evangelizing was to walk everywhere and to talk to everyone he encountered along his path. Folk were impressed by his personal and personable qualities. These made an impression on them, making them curious about his faith. We could say that they caught faith from him and over many years Aidan built strong and enduing foundations for Celtic Christianity in northern England. He is known as the apostle to the English. We can find him commemorated in the bottom row of English saints in our own St Martin Window. As we move into a new program year, we could take no better model than that offered by Aidan as we endeavor to move beyond being a welcoming Church to becoming and inviting Church. I wonder what's your sense of the difference between these two states?
 
Looking forward to seeing many of you in Church this Sunday.
Mark+

Children's and Youth Formation is updating our contact lists.
If you are interested in the goings-on of the Pre-K through Grade 5 program in KidZone and/or the Youth Program (Grades 6-12), please alert me and let me know which mailing (or both) you would like to receive. 
 
Thanks! 
Linda Griggs
READINGS THIS WEEK

 
Jeremiah 18:1-11 (OT)
Philemon 1-21 (NT)
Luke 14:25-33 (Gospel)
 Click here for this Sunday's readings.
     THIS SUNDAY
9:15am  Nursery   
+
9:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II 
+
Healing Prayers during Communion 
( this and every Sunday)
 +   
Gluten Free Hosts available at the altar rail.
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This Sunday we welcome our new Minister of Music  
Nick Voermans! 
MORNING PRAYER
    
Morning Prayer is said in the Chapel of the Church at 9am on Tuesday through Thursday each week. All are welcome!
               Mark+

Please click here for Participants list for Sunday, September 4th.   
Biblebox
(Weekly Bible Study) 
Luke 14:25-33
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 8:30am in the Church Office this week.
Coming to St. Martin's! 

Thursday, October 20 - Saturday, October 22 
ICON Workshop  
      
If you are planning on attending, please contact Linda Mackie Griggs ASAP. 

We need 14 registrations to secure the commitment of the instructor.  
Currently we only have 7.

Please don't miss this wonderful opportunity to work with  
Masterful Icon teacher Fr. Peter Pearson. 
He will give instructions that will enable you to
complete an icon during this 3 day workshop.

Click here to read more about Peter Pearson/ Iconographer.

Also check out this YouTube review of his book. 
 
An Outreach opportunity from Christian Formation!

KidZone is collecting travel-size toiletries for an outreach project this Fall, so please remember us as you return from vacation with those complimentary hotel shampoos and soaps that you've brought back with you!

You can give them directly to Linda Griggs on Sundays or bring them by the Office anytime, with a note attached saying "KidZone Outreach".

Travel size soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, shaving cream etc. are welcome.
Many thanks!
 
Fall Schedule 
Starting September 11th

Sunday  
   8:00am  Holy Eucharist
   8:45am  Bible Study 
   9:15am  Nursery
   9:30am  Holy Eucharist with choir
and sermon 
     10:45am   Christian Formation 
Tuesday-Thursday
9am Morning Prayer in the Chapel
Wednesday
   7am service with Holy Eucharist

Adult choir rehearsals will begin again on September 8th at 7:30pm.
In your neighborhood... 
The Great Bible experiment!!

Mark your calendars for September 19th at 6pm when 
The Great Bible Experiment  
comes to the Providence Public Library. 
The purpose of this program is to engage your questions, opinions, and struggles" with the Bible with a panel of moderators in a town hall setting.

Click HERE for more information and to register.

Please join us for a very interesting evening!! 


Providence Village information session on Sat. Sept. 10 @ 2:30 PM
at the Rochambeau Library on Hope Street.

Not familiar with the village concept or the Providence Village?
Is your plan to stay put in your own home as you age?

                                                      The Providence Village can help!

The Providence Village is a group of friends and neighbors providing access to programs and services that support a healthy, safe, and satisfying life for our members.  We are part of a national village movement that began in 2000 in Boston and is now spreading across the country.  Some of the services include transportation, errands, well-being check-ins, healthcare advocacy, tech support, and light home maintenance.  Join us to learn about becoming a member and/or volunteering! Refreshments will be served.
 
For further information: contact Wendy Oliver at woliver@providence.edu

News from the Goose
BIG SEPTEMBER SALE!!!
All summer items, housewares & toys will be 50% off. 

Opening day for the Thrifty Goose will be Wednesday, September 7th from 10am to 2pm.
Regular fall hours of Wednesday and Saturday from 10am to 2pm will follow.
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The 1st Sunday the Goose will be open is September 11th from 9am to 12noon.