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Children, Youth & Families:
November 2024 Newsletter
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Dear Children, Youth, and Families of St. Martin's,
As of last Thursday, I’ve been serving St. Martin’s for a whole month! So much has happened: the Chorister Halloween Party was a success, Advent programming has been finalized, a new Godly Play and Lent 2025 Formation program is in the works, and building plans for new CYF spaces in the Undercroft are underway.
And, with your support and the support of the dedicated CYF service team, the 9 a.m. CYF service has begun, slowly but surely, to take shape into a CYF program, one that is leaning more into the task of welcoming, teaching, and preparing children to become followers of Jesus. While there will be no 9 a.m. service this Sunday, I’m delighted to share that two young leaders from that service have agreed to serve as torchbearers at the 10:30 a.m. service for the Feast of St. Martin and there will be a Godly Play story with Ms. Jean Mackenzie available for children of all ages during the sermon.
I’m grateful for the parents and grandparents who were able to attend the Listening Session I held this past Sunday for the 9 a.m. CYF service and for all who have approached me so far to share their thoughts and ideas. I can’t do this without all of you, and so I hope to continue to make spaces and times to listen and learn. In the coming weeks, I’ll be reaching out to each family individually to set up a time to meet and to get your availability for another Listening Session/Guardian Meeting. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out (lselles@stmartinec.org).
Faithfully,
The Rev. Luke Selles (they/them)
Priest Associate for Children, Youth, & Families
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Sunday, November 24th:
Greening Advent with the Climate Action Team
Join St. Martin's Climate Action Team to craft your own Advent Wreaths on Sunday, November 24, from 9:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Drop in, reflect on Advent rituals, hear about sustainable Christmas practices, and make an Advent wreath over donuts and hot cider. Wreath-making materials will be provided, but, if you can, please BYOG (Bring Your Own Greens)* as well any leftover supplies (candle holders, wreath rings, etc.) from previous years’ wreath-making.
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*As a financial as well as climate sustainability measure, we’d like to limit the number of supplies we buy for this event. And if you have a beautiful garden, what better way to share your blessings than to bring in some extra clippings to share! We’ll be taking the opportunity to showcase different evergreen species from home gardens, so that everyone has a chance to learn about God’s good creation. Please email lselles@stmartinec.org if you have any questions or if you’d like to showcase some evergreen species from your garden.
| To offset the cost of materials, we invite a suggested donation of $10/wreath. To donate online, please visit the link below. Select the fund "General Giving," then add the memo "Advent Wreaths." Thank you! | |
What is Advent?
Advent is the first liturgical season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through Christmas Eve. Its name is derived from a Latin word meaning “coming," and it's the season of preparation and expectation for the celebration of both the Incarnation, the miracle of God becoming human, at Christmas, and the final coming of Christ “in power and glory.” Purple, the color of kings, is the liturgical color of the season as we look forward to the coming of Jesus our King. Creating an Advent Wreath each year helps us mark each Sunday as eagerly look forward to Christmas.
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Wednesday, November 13th, 5:15-6:00 p.m.:
Christmas Pageant Information Session
Join Angel Wentz and Rev. Luke for an information session about the Christmas Pageant. Choristers and any other children or youth present will learn more about the Christmas Pageant and share what level of involvement they would like to have. Can’t make the Information Session, but still want to participate? Email Rev. Luke at lselles@stmartinec.org.
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Wednesday, December 4th:
All-Ages Hymn Sing & Discussion for the Christmas Pageant
5:00 p.m. Hymn Sing & Discussion in the Parish Hall
6:00 p.m. Food & Fellowship in the Parish Hall
Join us in the Parish Hall for an all-ages hymn sing and discussion of the history and theological significance of the congregational hymns we’ll sing during the Christmas Pageant. All are invited to stay after for Food & Fellowship.
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Sunday, December 8th: Advent Hymn Sing
at Children, Youth, & Families 9:00 a.m. Service
On December 8th, there will be a special Advent 9:00 a.m. service. Rather than a Eucharist, we’ll be gathering in the Houston Room in the Parish House for an Advent Hymn Sing service, which will include breakfast and Christmas ornament decorating. All are welcome!
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Wednesday, Dec 11th: Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
5:15 p.m. First Rehearsal for Christmas Pageant in the Parish Hall
6 p.m. Food & Fellowship in the Parish Hall
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Sunday, December 8th:
Children, Youth, and Families Advent Dinner
5:00 p.m. Advent Lessons & Carols service (Childcare provided)
6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Cocktail Party for Parents & Guardians (Childcare provided)
6:30-7:30 p.m. Dinner Party
St. Martin’s has a tradition early in Advent to attend a beautiful Advent Lessons and Carols service with candle light and then join together in small groups for a simple supper to celebrate our church family. Like last year, we will be having a special CYF Advent Dinner so families have a chance to get to know each other better. The church is offering childcare during the Lessons and Carols service and for half an hour afterwards so parents can enjoy adult company with a glass of wine. Then, children and families can gather together for a simple catered dinner in the Parish House, hosted by our former Rector’s Warden, Barbara Thomson. If you are able, please consider bringing a dessert to share. Please RSVP by emailing Rev. Luke at lselles@stmartinec.org.
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Wednesday, Dec 18th: Annual Giving BBQ Bonfire
& Community Carol Sing
5:15 p.m. Second Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
6:00 p.m. BBQ, Bonfire, & Carol Sing
During our Wednesday Food & Fellowship time the parish will continue to celebrate its 135th anniversary with a festive community carol sing followed by a BBQ dinner and bonfire hosted by the Stewardship Committee We hope you can join us!
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Tuesday, December 24th: Christmas Pageant
5:00 p.m. Pageant, call time is 4:00 p.m.
Join us for St. Martin’s annual Christmas Pageant at 5:00 p.m. Children of all ages are invited to participate. If your child is interested in participating, please email lselles@stmartinec.org.
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Food & Fellowship Volunteers
5:30-7 p.m. in the Parish House
Free on Wednesday evenings? Our incredible Food & Fellowship crew always appreciate more volunteers to help set-up, serve, and clean-up after our Food & Fellowship dinners. No need to bring any food, just yourself and a smile.
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Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields | 215.247.7466 | 8000 St. Martin's Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118 | StMartinEC.org | | | | |
