St. Martin's Newsletter
   Weekly E-News September 9, 2016

Worship Schedule
Sunday  
   8:00am  Holy Eucharist   
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   
This Sunday
Please join us this Sunday for a fun build-your-own bagel coffee hour!
We will also discuss our Beginning-of-the-Year story as well as ministry opportunities.


On NPR last week I heard the reference to Labor Day as the end of summer. Like all seasonal transition dates it feels a bit artificial, but with this coming Sunday being our Beginning-of-the-Year Story Sunday (formerly Homecoming), I guess we are now about to launch into a new program year, whether we feel ready or not.
 
Our new program year begins with the pleasure of welcoming Nick Voermans as the new Minister of Music at St Martin's. Last Sunday was Nick's first at the organ bench and a number of folk got to meet him then. This Sunday, we look forward to welcoming him more officially as the choir returns to residence. Nick is a wonderful addition to our ministry team. His enthusiasm and energy, not to mention his musicianship, will open-up new and exciting directions for music in the parish and strengthen our musical links with the wider community, beyond.
 
On Sunday, after the sung Eucharist, there will be a build-your-own bagel coffee hour. Nick will join Linda, teachers and kids upstairs for his first music session. He wants very much to bring engaged music into our children's formation program. In the Great Hall we will have a concise introduction to various ministry options. We're not doing signup this year. Instead I will introduce the ministry leaders and say a few words about each ministry in the hope of whetting appetites for service. I will also present a brief Table of Contents for the Beginning-of-the-Year Story.

This autumn, the catchword I want to give you is investment. You know the saying "it takes a village to raise a child"? Well, it requires investment by each and every one of us to raise a healthy, vibrant, and spiritually anchored community. St. Martin's is an every member ministry parish. This means there is no illusory other person to do that which we are not willing to do. When we become excited about our investment we become points of magnetic attraction, drawing others in because it's exciting to be around committed people, invested in a common vision.

What do we believe, and how does this shape the way we feel about the current tone of civic debate in America? On Tuesday, September 20th at 7pm at Temple Beth-El, we are launching the first in a series of Temple-Church conversations. The proximity of Temple and Church to one another identifies the corner of Orchard Ave and Orchard Place as a spiritual vortex - a focus for spiritual energy on the East Side, or as the Celts refer to such locations- a thin place. This is an event hosted by both Temple and Church and open to the wider public at which we will explore together our feelings concerning the current state of civic debate in America. For a little background and further information about the 20th please visit here.
 
Join us, this Sunday - it's an exciting time to be at St. Martin's!
Mark+

The New Nave Altar!
We are pleased to announce, that after many years of discussion and study, St. Martin's Nave Altar Project is coming to fruition just as we begin our next 100 years.

In late 2014, a congregation-wide survey showed strong support for the commissioning and acquisition of a new lower altar and communion rails to replace the temporary ones that have been in use for almost 30 years. A small design group was formed consisting of Father Mark, Peter Lofgren, Jane Langmuir, and Gordon Partington. Various options were considered with the final approved design being one that takes into consideration the existing church design themes.

The project consists of a new altar table, a wooden platform, a rug for the platform, and four sections of communion rails. The entire cost of the project will be funded by private gifts and will not impact the operating budget.

Drawings and plans will be on display in the Great Hall beginning this
Sunday, September 11.

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Giving Opportunity
The new Nave Altar Project provides a once-in-a generation opportunity for parishioners to make a unique memorial gift to St. Martin's. The project will be funded entirely by private gifts. The cost of the altar table is being funded by The Langmuir Fund.

There are opportunities for giving to the other elements of the altar project which include four sections of communion rails at $5,000 each, the platform at $5,000, and a rug for the platform at $5,000. Gifts of $5,000 will entitle the donor to have a small brass plaque placed on or near the item (example: In honor of our parents by Jane and Joe Smith). These plaques will be in keeping with the other memorial plaques already found around the church. In addition, you may make a general contribution to the project in any amount and your name will be listed in the Book of Gifts found at the rear of the church. Jane Taylor is giving the new fair linen for the altar. More information about how to support the Nave Altar Project will be available in the Great Hall after services over the next two weeks. If you have any questions, please contact John Bracken (Junior Warden) or Susan Esposito (Assistant to the Rector).
READINGS THIS WEEK

 
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28  (OT)
1 Timothy 1:12-17 (NT)
Luke 15:1-10  (Gospel)
Click here for this Sunday's readings.
     THIS SUNDAY
 
8:00am  Holy Eucharist
   9:15am  Nursery
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   9:30am  Holy Eucharist with choir and sermon
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Healing Prayers
during Communion 
( this and every Sunday) 
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Gluten Free Hosts available at the altar rail. 
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Thrifty Goose open from 9am-12noon 
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 11th.   
Biblebox
(Weekly Bible Study) 
Luke 15:1-10
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.
Tomorrow!!


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 [email protected]
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!! 
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 have 10.
Discount on registrations before September 15; scholarships available. 

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!
 

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.