Advent is nigh! What is Advent all about? Come join Father Josh during the Christian Formation time on December 7th, 14th, and 21st in an exploration of the rich season of Advent. Father Josh promises that it will be informative and fun; there will be talk of the arbitrary nature of time, what God is really up to, and comic books. You do not want to miss this opportunity!

Help support the St. Martin's Youth and let us do some babysitting for you! $15 for 1 child/$25 for a family (2 or more). Dinner for the kids is provided. For reservations contact Whitney Hodges at [email protected] or 704-929-8396. 

The preschool will host a Family Night Out at Chipotle Restaurant (239 Kings Dr.) Tuesday, November 18th from 5-8 pm. Fifty percent of the proceeds from sales that night will go to the St. Martin's Preschool.  All you need to do is mention "St. Martin's" when you place your order. Come one and all and help support your preschool!

The Ultreya meeting of the Greater Charlotte Cursillo community will meet on Sunday, November 16th at St. Martin's, Charlotte. This will be the last Ultreya of this year as we do not meet in December. The gathering will begin at 5 pm with a covered dish supper followed by singing, a brief meeting, prayer, small group sharing of our journeys, and a witness talk. We will conclude at 7:15 pm. All Cursillistas and anyone who would like to know about the Episcopal renewal movement are invited to attend. Contact Manning or Fran Huske for more information at [email protected] or 704-362-4107.

The Kitchen Crew thanks all members who contributed food or labor to Sunday's reception. It was beautiful! And if you left a dish, it's clean and in the open pantry. - Colleen Spencer

St. Martin's Annual Women's Retreat will be the weekend of April 24-26 in Valle Crucis, NC. Registration forms and more information coming soon. For questions, contact Mandy Dobrich at [email protected] or 704-779-2999.

The SD Ministry Partnership Angel Tree is here!  This year, at the request of Mother Margaret (priest on the Cheyenne River Reservation), we are expanding our angels to include adults. The gifts will be shipped to Mother Margaret and she will distribute them all. Each angel on the tree will be marked with either "girl" or "boy" (and an age) or "female adult" or "male adult." Mother Margaret has requested small gifts please. Ideas include: coloring books, crayons, craft kits, sewing supplies, coin purses, wallets, hair accessories, fishing lures and accessories, small puzzles, socks, hand lotion, nail polish, tights for little girls, packs of gum or lifesavers, small flashlights. Questions? Contact Terry Ertel ([email protected] or 704-575-5454)

We invite any and all to our annual leaf raking event on Saturday, December 6th at 8 am and should be finished by 10:30 am. If you have a rake, blower, and/or tarp, please bring it. Coffee and doughnuts will be served. Rain date will be December 13th. Come enjoy fun and fellowship with your fellow brothers and sisters. Thanks, Thea Mayne ([email protected], 704-609-2859) and Ed Sale ([email protected] 704-661-1995).

Children's Worship (CW) is a worship service for children in Kindergarten through 4th Grade. Participants follow the wooden cross down the center aisle after the Collect and return to their parents during the Peace. CW is led by parish volunteers (3 adults) in the Children's Chapel located on the lower level of the Parish House. Their Order of Worship includes music, readings and responses, the Lord's Prayer, Gospel reading, and prayer circle.

 In addition to the coloring clipboards located in the big, wicker trunk, please take advantage of the "Look & Find" booklets located in a basket on the table next to the clipboards. I've attached photos so that you know what to look for! Please note that you will need to sit near the stained glass window of the corresponding booklet your child chooses and that info is located on the red cover. 

You might also want to consider having your child go through the bulletin, find the hymn numbers, and then mark the hymnal accordingly. Book marks will be located on the table with the "Look & Find" basket.

CW is when children in grades K-4 leave the service for their own worship service and return at the Peace. 

CF is childcare provided for infants-preschoolers at 9-10:15 so that parents may go to Christian Formation and during the church service, 10:15 until communion time. CF will be staffed entirely by hired sitters on November 9th. 

Children and Volunteers Invited

to

Saturday, December 20

10:00-1:00 pm

Practice, fun, and lunch included!

Please RSVP to Lillian Richards by 12/15/14

St. Martin's will launch its 19th year of caring for the homeless via Room in the Inn on Tuesday, December 2nd. This year our December-March effort to provide compassionate care for our homeless neighbors will last 18 weeks, two longer than in past years. 

If you are interested in volunteering for Room in the Inn, please see the table in the Fellowship Courtyard after the 10:30 service and talk to Gainor Eisenlohr or Nan Robertson. We will be glad to answer any questions.  

Room in the Inn is looking for gently used cotton or fleece blankets for our guests. We need twin and double sized blankets. (No wool, please.)

The Annual St. Martin's Women's Retreat is selling greenery for the upcoming holidays. The orders must be received by Sunday, November 16th, and pick-up of the greenery will be at St. Martin's on Sunday, December 7th in the Rainy Day Room (located on the lower level of the Parish House). Order forms are in the vestibule and on the church website. If you have any questions, please contact    Scottie Chastain at 803-835-0458. 

In partnership with the St. Martin's Preschool we will be collecting gloves, mittens, hats, and scarves. This goes hand-in-hand with the hand warmers we've been collecting (the collection box for those will remain until after Christmas)! Gloves, mittens, hats, and scarves for all ages will be appreciated! Let's all do our part to help keep our brothers and sisters on the Cheyenne River Reservation warm this winter! A collection box will be available on the bench outside of the church office. If you have questions, please contact Terrry Ertel: [email protected] or 704-575-5454

We are collecting HAND WARMERS for our SD Ministry Partners on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Temperatures often fall well below zero, and Mother Margaret can think of lots of uses for hand warmers. A collection box is located on the bench outside of the church office.  Questions? Contact Terry Ertel [email protected] or 704-575-5454. 

Sundays in November and December are now open for volunteers to sign up to bring and serve lemonade after the 10:30 service. Please contact Michele Nichols at 704-907-3822 or [email protected] to volunteer or you can sign the chart near the parlor doorway. 

Have you lost your St. Martin's name tag or never ordered one? Don't delay, order one right away!!

Print your name on the request form found on the clipboard in the Narthex or email Michele Nichols at [email protected], to place your order. The name tag is free for the first order!