Last night at our Advent dinner, we made something simple and quietly beautiful: a paper chain. On each strip, parishioners wrote gifts they could offer that don’t require money. As the chain grew, so did the richness of what was shared: Prayer. Love. Listening. I am good at helping. I am a good teammate. I am good at baking yummy things.

Linked together, these small offerings became a visible reminder of the abundance already present in our parish.

Last Sunday was the Third Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of joy. This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we’ll hear the story of Joseph, a man who never speaks in Scripture, yet whose faith is revealed through quiet faithfulness. Joseph’s gift is presence. Steadfastness. Making room when life does not go according to plan.

That paper chain felt like a sermon in itself. Joy is often found not in grand gestures, but in showing up, listening well, and offering what we can with open hearts. These are the gifts that bind us together and the ones that prepare the way for Christ.

Advent blessings,

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To date, 116 households of our parish family have responded to the blessings that God has given us by pledging $684,934. Thank you! Our goal is to receive $850,000 for the 2026 Operating Budget.  If you have not yet filled out your pledge card, please take some time in the coming week to prayerfully consider how you will partner with St. Martin’s in funding the ministry we share. Pledge cards are in the Narthex and pledging online is simple and fast. Consider adding the ACH automatic payment option, details and the form are both online. Thank you for pledging!

This is my final E-pistle communication with the congregation as Senior Warden. For me, this has been a very enjoyable three years—starting with selection of our interim rector, Rev. Josh, following the departure of Rev. Matthew. Rev. Josh was instrumental in keeping up the energy of the congregation and assisting in the development of the parish profile and subsequent search for our new rector. Rev. Lauren began her ministry with us in October of 2024, and her energy and vision for our future have been beyond what I imagined when interviewing her during our search process. The relationship between our church and the school has been strengthened due to the hard work between Kathy Mahar, the interim head of school, the school board of directors, Rev. Lauren and the vestry. This relationship has resulted in good solid school enrollment and an increase in the number of school families who are now also members of the congregation. A win-win for both church and school. Rev. Lauren recently called Rev. Grace to be our Assistant Rector and School Chaplain, and she has already endeared herself to the congregation, the church and school staff, and the students at the school. So that is a nutshell look at the highlights during my 3-year term on the vestry, with the last two as Senior Warden. Thank you for allowing me to serve the congregation a vestry member these past three years. 

Your vestry met on December 10 with a very light agenda as we are now fully into the season of Advent and the Christmas season. 

The four departing members of the vestry - Dan Sturgeon, Wendy Gatanas, Julie Reiter and Mark Sabins - plus the two previous senior wardens - Susan Shingledecker and Darin Parkison - are actively engaged in finding four members of the congregation who are willing to begin a 3-year tour on the vestry at the annual meeting in February. We are also looking for a registrar to take minutes at vestry meetings. Anyone who might be interested in joining the vestry or being the registrar should talk to the nominating committee or Rev. Lauren on Sunday about the ins and outs of serving on the vestry. 

Our current pledge campaign has mostly ended but we are still a little behind in our pledging units for 2026. If you have not pledged please do so soon so that the treasurer and finance committee can put together the budget for 2026 to be approved at the January vestry meeting. Speaking of pledges, as of end of November, 92% of the year has passed and our pledge income is about 89% of the budgeted amount. As we are now in the last month of the year, it is important that all the pledges are current so we can end the year on positive financial footing.

Rev. Lauren, Rev. Grace, Sam Burdette, Andy Gatanas and David Mallery attended the Diocesan Convention in November. If you are interested in learning about what transpired, feel free to talk to any one of them.

A reminder that the Diocesan annual retreats at the Claggett center are scheduled for men on January 30-February 1, and for women on February 20-22. For details and to register click here.

Once again, I thank you for allowing me to serve this congregation as a vestry member, and I hope I lived up to my promise to serve you faithfully three years ago.

In God's peace,

Dan Sturgeon, Senior Warden

Snow Day Joy

Last Sunday many helping hands came early in the morning to shovel and clear snow making our campus safe and accessible for the many helping hands delivering their holiday sharing gifts. Everyone warmed up in parish hall wrapping gifts and experiencing the joy of Advent. To finish our joyous day we had a lovely Advent Lessons and Carols service followed with appetizers where we welcomed and chatted with new members.