St. Martin's Episcopal Church
1510 East 7th Street
Charlotte, NC 28204

www.stmartins-charlotte.org

NEW THIS WEEK
August 14-21, 2014
Search Update

The search committee members are busy discerning God's will for a new rector. The members are visiting churches, contacting references, and conducting follow-up meetings with each candidate. At the conclusion of August all this will be completed. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. 

 

Almighty God, Giver of every good gift and source of all knowledge and love, Bestow upon your humble servants the wisdom and grace to discern your holy purpose as we seek our next rector. Guide us, O Lord, that we listen to each other and honor all voices. Speak to our hearts, and the heart of our new rector, in order that we may discover our mutual path, and set out together to do the work you have called us to do. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Buildings & Grounds enhancements update

Pilgrims' Way landscape lighting has been installed. This was part of the original Courtyard plan but was delayed to assure there was adequate funding in the Courtyard fund.

Smoke detectors have been installed in the church building. I was concerned there was no smoke detection in the church building, especially since we have had two fires in our history. The vestry discussed this issue and voted to fund it with a one-time capital expenditure (approximately $7k) from the Buildings and Grounds fund in the Foundation.

Our security alarm system was upgraded. These upgrades included replacing some older equipment (including the keypad), adding sensors to two exterior doors where there are no motion detectors, and adding motion detectors in the sanctuary. These upgrades required no upfront costs and resulted in a minor annual fee increase. However, our new agreement includes a non-escalation clause for 5 years. In the past our fees have increased 5-6% per year.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Ed Sale, Junior Warden
The Purple Martins

The Purple Martins, St. Martin's men's softball team, concluded its 25th year of play by claiming the first ever League Tournament title. The 'Purple' topped the regular season champs, St. Gabriel's, by a score of 13-10. Bolstered by terrific fan support, the team plated seven runs in the first two innings and relied upon near-flawless fielding and stead-pitching to hold on for the championship. With contributions from a roster ranging in age from teenagers to sixty-somethings, the multi-generational Purple Martins won seven of its last eight contests, including the three tournament victories. The victory was, as always, celebrated with the traditional post-game "ice-cream". Win or lose, the 25-year-old tradition continues. 
Acolyte Training

Acolyte training will be held Sunday, August 24th at 9:00 am in the church. If you have any questions about the training, please contact Whitney Hodges (whitneynhodges@gmail.com). 
Sunday's Sermon

To read Angie Forde's timely sermon from this past Sunday, click here!
August Food for Thought
Mecklenburg Ministries invites you to participate in its monthly luncheon discussion. This month, the topic is "Saving Tomorrow Today: Responding Faithfully to Mental Health Crises and Suicide". The featured speaker is Kathryn Falbo-Woodson, a mental health advocate and trainer, who will facilitate a discussion for faith communities and faith leaders to better understand mental health crises and suicide with an emphasis on risks, response and prevention. Please plan to join us on Thursday, August 21, 12:00-1:00 pm at Covenant presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 1000 E. Morehead Street. Please RSVP to meckmin@meckmin.org if you plan to attend. For your convenience, lunch is available for purchase ($7).
SAVE THE DATE!

Charlotte's 2014 Crop Hunger Walk will take place on Sunday afternoon, October 19th.

For information on St. Martin's participation in this year's Crop Walk, contact David White (dvdwhte@gmail.com), Vivian White (vjroque.white@gmail.com), David Radavich (radavich@earthlink.net), or Anne Zahlan (zahlan@earthlink.net).
Previously Published 

To reserve your spot at Kanuga, your registration is due now! The St. Martin's Annual Parish weekend is less than a month away and cabins are filling up fast! Registration forms can be found on the church website, the narthex, and outside of the church office. Please fill out and return to the church office or to Natalie or Corbin Meek. If you have questions, please contact the Meeks at 704-365-6645 or ndmead@gmail.com.  If you are interested in the activities listed below, please be sure to email Natalie (ndmead@gmail.com) as soon as possible.

  •  Saturday morning golfing
  •  Saturday morning ropes course

 

Wardens Bocce Challenge
The Wardens of St. Martin's, Ed Sale and Rob Kirby, have issued a challenge to all comers to participate in a St. Martin's Bocce Tournament, on the afternoon of Sunday, August 17th. Tentatively the tournament will be held at the Bocce Courts at the Sugar Creek Greenway on King's Drive at 4:30 pm. If you're up to taking on the Wardens in a friendly game of Bocce, find a partner and contact Rob Kirby (rkirby85@gmail.com). 
Blessing of the Backpacks!

Back to school time is fast approaching. On Sunday, August 24th, following the 10:30 am service, all school-aged children and youth, along with teachers, volunteers, etc., are invited to meet with their backpacks in the fellowship courtyard for a special blessing. Children are encouraged to bring their backpacks to church.

In coordination with this event, and to share our blessings with our friends in South Dakota, during the month of August we will collect backpacks, school supplies, and donations for the children of the Cheyenne River Reservation. A large box has been provided in the hallway outside of the church office.
Ice Cream Social
On August 24th, join us in the Fellowship Courtyard after the 10:30 am service for our annual Ice Cream Social. Money raised will be designated for scholarships for the Kanuga Parish Weekend. 
El Hogar Sunday
Please join Team Hogar on Sunday, August 31st at 9:15 am in the Fellowship Hall for a presentation about our mission trip to El Hogar, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. El Hogar's mission is to transform and empower abandoned and hopelessly poor children in Honduras by providing a loving home and education. We will share moving stories and fun pictures and refreshments. We hope to see you there!

     Annual Mission Day
St. Martin's Annual Parish Mission Day will be Saturday, September 13th. Mission Day is a day of active service. For about four hours, you will work with a team of your fellow parishioners to make a real difference in our community. Projects and work sites have yet to be determined. That day, we will meet at St. Martin's at 7:30 am for a light breakfast before heading our to the respective work sites. Please email Tom Currier for additional information or any questions: tcurrier76@hotmail.com
Relief for Liberia

As you may be aware, there is a major outbreak of the Ebola virus in west Africa. The suffering and death has been particularly dire in Liberia, which is home to a number of St Martin's parishioners, some of whom have already lost loved ones. In addition to those killed by the virus, health workers are being exposed and are dying due to lack of proper protective gear. Episcopal Relief & Development is assisting the local Church in providing necessary medical and sanitation supplies to hospitals and clinics.  You can help by making a generous contribution to ERD's Disaster Response Fund via the ERD website at http://www.episcopalrelief.org/ or to HealthAid Liberia, a charity established specifically for this relief operation, at  www.healthaidliberia.com, where you will also find more information about the crisis.

 

 

Hearthside Groups
Are you interested in getting to know some of your fellow parishioners better? The purpose of the Hearthside Groups is to gather together with other St. Martin's members in small, casual groups outside of church for food and fellowship. We will be kicking off new Hearthside Groups in September, and we would love to have you join us! If you are interested, please fill out the Participation Survey or contact Bronwyn Ford at
bronwynford@me.com or 704-968-5099 for more information.
justONEthing
Know a young Episcopalian headed to college in North Carolina this fall? Don't forget justONEthing, the diocese's program for keeping students connected with their Episcopal roots. Go to justonething.dionc.org and fill out the form that will let the campus' Episcopal ministry know that a young person is headed their way. Questions? Contact Araminta Johnston (asjohnclt@aol.com). 

Christian Formation Opportunities
Sunday mornings at 9:15

Word and Life
Library
Led by Father Armand LaVallee

Bibliognostics
Stage (in the Fellowship Hall)
Group led book discussion

Youth Christian Formation
Will resume September 15th

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Will resume in the fall

Choir Practice
Choir room (on the first floor)
Led by Budd Kirby, Director of Music Ministries/Organist


Bibliognostics will meet on Sunday, August 17th, to finish discussing Immortal Diamond by Richard Rohr. We'll cover Chapter 9 (Love Is Stronger Than Death). Please join us for an interesting and stimulating discussion. If you have questions, please contact Bob Payet at bobandandie@gmail.com or 704-488-2065. We plan a late summer break and will reconvene after the Kanuga weekend to begin The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels. 
Serving this week
Sunday, August 17, 2014

Vestry Person of the Day: Tom Currier

8:00 am
Celebrant: The Reverend Armand LaVallee 
Preacher: The Reverend S. Rebecca Michelfelder
Acolyte: Rob Drennan
Eucharistic Minister: Pam Crossley
Altar Guild: Teri Ward

10:30 am
Celebrant and Preacher: The Reverend S. Rebecca Michelfelder
Acolytes: Jake Gossett, Maddie Gossett, Harriet Christianson
Eucharistic Ministers: Becky Mace, John Bowers
Lectors: Judy Taylor, Deborah Fraser
Intercessor: Don Willoughby
Ushers: Jack Gossett, David Jones, Don Willoughby
Child Fellowship: Katie and Ben Monson, Enzo Marfella and Grattan Fowy
Greeters: Beth Argabrite, Wes Argabrite, Paula Lombardi
Altar Guild: Margaret Morrison, Elaine Willoughby



Office hours
Monday - Thursday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Office number: 704-376-8441
Email: staff@stmartins-charlotte.org

Would you like to submit an announcemet for this publication? Please submit it to Marion Sprott-Goldson at staff@stmartins-charlotte.org by Monday afternoon.

All submissions are subject to editing.


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