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The Gift that Keeps Giving
A couple of weeks ago, when I announced the start of our annual pledge campaign alongside the special opportunities to give to the Memorial Garden or Endowment Fund, several folks greeted me excitedly after the service saying, “That’s wonderful news about the matching gift to the endowment fund... but what does an endowment do?”
Our endowment fund was founded 35 years ago, but it hasn’t really “done” anything because the fund was not significant enough to generate meaningful earnings. We have the opportunity to change that. We have grown our endowment fund nearly tenfold in the past year, making it a fund that can actually help sustain our ministries. Here’s how...
An endowment fund is like a savings account for the future of the church — but one that keeps giving year after year.
When someone donates to the endowment, that gift isn’t spent right away. Instead, the money is invested. The principal (original gift) stays in place, and only a portion of the earnings is used each year to support the life and ministries of the church.
In other words, if you give $1,000 to the endowment fund, the church will not spend that gift—it is protected for the life of the church. Instead, the church will spend the interest earned on your $1,000. Let’s say 4% earnings would yield $40 a year. Not much. But if we grow the fund to $400,000, which we are close to doing, that could mean $16,000 a year generated by the endowment without spending the original gift. The original gift just keeps giving!
This creates a steady, reliable source of income that can fund things like:
- Long-term building maintenance
- Outreach and mission projects
- Music ministries or scholarships for youth
- Unexpected financial needs
Endowments are especially powerful because they allow today’s generosity to support ministry for future generations. A gift given once continues to grow and give—long after the donor is gone.
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In other words, while annual pledges sustain our church’s day-to-day life, an endowment secures our long-term future. It’s a way to say: “I believe in the mission of St. Martin’s — and I want it to thrive not just now, but for decades to come.” We can’t have a future without a present, so pledges are the most important gift. But gifts to the endowment ensure St. Martin’s will be making a difference in the community long after we are gone.
I give thanks to our Endowment Committee, who are faithfully stewarding the gifts we are receiving. Please don’t hesitate to call up Cate Hopkin (committee chair), Amy Tate, Darin Parkison, Kate Cleven, and Mike Grieco, who serve as voting members on the committee. You can also talk to Charlie Fitzgerald (Chair of Finance Committee) and Dan Sturgeon (Senior Warden) who serve as non-voting members. And join me in saying “Thank you!”
And thanks be to God,
| | | | Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | | |
Talk About Abundance
This Sunday, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Adult Formation will take up the topic of God’s abundance this Sunday and on October 5. Rev. Lauren will lead a discussion based on lessons learned from Sam Wells’s book: A Future That’s Bigger Than The Past. Together we will reimagine how St. Martin’s can live its vocation of receiving God’s abundance and sharing it far and wide.
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Let’s Get Glazey!
Sunday mornings
After brief hiatus, Donut Shack is back! Those grocery chain donuts were just driving parishioners glazey! Derek Heiss is our new donut ministry point of contact and he is looking for five additional volunteers to do the occasional order pick-up ahead of the 9:00 a.m. formation hour. Please contact Derek directly at 443-995-4942 if you’re interested in helping out.
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Outdoor Worship
This Sunday, 10:00 a.m.
We will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with an outdoor service! St. Francis cherished all of God’s creation, and together we will worship surrounded by the beauty of the natural world through prayer and song. It will be a little different—and a lot of fun! Please dress comfortably and bring a chair or blanket for seating.
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Italy Pilgrimage Presentation
This Sunday, following the 10:00 a.m. service
Our young people took an amazing pilgrimage to Italy this summer. Please join us following the 10:00 a.m. service on October 5 in the Parish Hall to hear reflections from our pilgrims about their journey to grow closer to Christ and to one another in Florence, Rome and Assisi. For details about youth ministry and pilgrimages at St. Martin’s, contact Rev. Lauren.
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EYC: Flashlight Corn Maze
Saturday, October 11, 7:00 p.m. (meet at St. Martin’s)
Youth grades 6th-12th are invited to a special Saturday evening EYC to visit the Maryland Corn Maze for flashlight night. We know that October is VERY busy but hope you can squeeze in this very fun event. The event runs from 7:00-9:30 p.m. Youth should meet at St. Martin’s at 6:30 p.m. and will carpool to the corn maze. Dig out those flashlights, batteries and RSVP here by this Sunday, October 5 so we can get group rate tickets ahead of time. Adults are needed to help with carpool. We look forward to having you there. Contact Sam Burdette or Amy Miller.
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Annapolis Pride Festival
Saturday, October 18
The Love is Love Ministry at St. Martin’s in-the-Field, in collaboration with St. Luke’s Eastport, is participating in this year’s Annapolis Pride festival at Maryland Hall. We are looking for volunteers to help at the festival table on October 18 between 12:00 noon-5:00 p.m. We need your help engaging attendees, handing out St. Martin’s branded Pride swag, water, and information about our many programs and ministries. To participate, please contact Lori Skalitzky.
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Episcopal Schools “Sundae”
Sunday, October 19, 10:00 a.m.
Join us as we celebrate Episcopal Schools Week which commemorates the ministry of the nearly 1,200 Episcopal schools and early childhood education programs throughout the Episcopal Church. This is a time to give special thanks and to proclaim to our community and the Church the good news that is our school. Following the 10:00 a.m. service join us for a special ice cream sundae bar to rejoice the good work of our Episcopal School.
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Parenting for a Different World
Tuesday, October 21, 6:30 p.m. (Parish Hall)
Join us for a documentary on how smartphones, smartwatches, and social media impact kids. St. Martin’s school is hosting a Parenting for a Different World screening of “Screenagers: Elementary Edition.” This program is ideal for parents/caregivers of children of all ages and for kids themselves 3rd grade and up. Mental health professionals will be available for questions. For details contact SMES Director of Admissions, Kira Dickson.
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Costume Blessing
Sunday, October 26
All children of the parish (and any adventuresome adults!) are invited to wear their Halloween costumes in church on Sunday, October 26 at 10:00 a.m. for the Blessing of the Costumes.
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Making New Saints on All Saints’ Day
Sunday, November 2, 10:00 a.m.
Join us as we do all in our power to support the persons baptized in living out their life in Christ, and in renewing our Baptismal Covenant. Following the 10:00 a.m. service there will be a reception for the newly baptized. For those seeking to be baptized please contact Rev. Lauren.
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A New Creation Hymn Festival
November 9, 3:00 p.m. (Woods Memorial Presbyterian)
You are invited to “A New Creation” Hymn Festival sponsored by the Annapolis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists on November 9, 3:00 p.m. at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, Severna Park. Singers from several area church choirs will combine to form the Festival Choir, under the direction of Dr. Daniel Aune, Professor of Organ at Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Rev. Lauren will be in attendance as one of the readers. Come celebrate the joy of congregational singing. A free-will offering will be received. Questions? Email betsy.lord@icloud.com.
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Young Voices Wanted
Sundays, 11:00 a.m. (Sanctuary)
We would be delighted to have your children share in the spiritual life of our church through music. Now open to children in 1st through 7th grade. Through this enriching musical opportunity, children will:
- Develop musical skills, including singing, rhythm, sight-reading, and musical expression.
- Participate in worship by singing anthems and hymns.
- Build teamwork, leadership, and confidence through group performance.
We will meet every Sunday after the 10:00 a.m. service until noon. Sign up here or simply join us on Sunday! For details please contact Dr. HyeSung Hwang, Director of Music Ministries.
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Children & Youth Formation
Sundays, 9:00 a.m.
Children and youth of all ages are welcome to join any time. For details or questions contact the church office.
- Sunday School (K-Grade 5): SMES Art and Science Rooms
- Rite-13 (Grade 6-8): Lower St. Martin’s House
- J2A (Grade 9-10): Lower St. Martin’s House
- YAC (Grade 11-12): Upper St. Martin’s House
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Children’s Chapel
During the 10:00 a.m. service children from 3 years old to 2nd grade are invited to experience an age-appropriate Liturgy of the Word. See Sunday’s bulletin for details.
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Faith and Fellowship
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Adult Formation is a time of both faith and fellowship at St. Martin’s. Our engaging and conversational classes are taught clergy and parishioners alike. Come build community and grow closer to God with us! Contact Rev. Lauren.
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The Nicene Creed Book Study
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. (St. Martin’s House)
Did you know the Nicene Creed is 1,700 years old? Are you interested in learning more about the Creed and why we say what we say every Sunday? Join us for a study of the Nicene Creed starting Tuesday, September 2. We will be using the book “The Faith of Our Fathers” which can be ordered on Amazon. Contact Cindy Neseth.
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Nursery Care
Available for infants and children ages 4 and under on Sundays from 8:45 - 11:30 a.m. Located in Parish Hall, see an usher for directions.
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Walkin’ Loves
Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 a.m. (Kinder Farm Park)
Lace up your shoes and join our Walkin’ Loves group for fresh air and fellowship. Meet at Kinder Park, off of Kinder Rd, near the small playground. The loop is 2.4 miles, mostly level, and takes about 45 minutes to complete. All ages and fitness levels welcome. Contact Julie Reiter, 443-875-1457.
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C.S. Lewis Book Study
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. (Zoom)
All parishioners are invited for the EfM version of theological studies on "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis. Join us Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m. No prior study is required. For details and zoom link please contact Charlie Fitzgerald.
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Midday Bible Study
Thursday, 12:00 noon (St. Martin’s House)
Join us for this weekly Bible study and connect with God’s word. Meetings are held in the conference room of St. Martins house. Please note we will not meet October 9. Bring a Bible. Contact Julie Reiter, 443-875-1457.
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Shepherd Group
Thursdays, 4:00 p.m. (via Zoom)
Join us for a zoom group discussion of the readings for the upcoming Sunday. All adults welcome. For zoom link and details contact Susan Griesmyer.
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SPAN Opportunities
SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) serves our neighbors by helping them through a critical or emergency situation. St. Martin’s supports SPAN’s mission by asking for donations for this month’s theme: October’s theme - “Harvest for the Home.” Please consider donating the following items: Rice, Canned Meats (sausages, tuna, beef stew, chili, Spam, etc.), Peanut butter & Jelly, Pancake Mix and Pancake Syrup, Canned Fruit & vegetables, Pasta, Potato mixes (mashed, scalloped, au gratin), Crackers, Muffin and Bread Mixes, Toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene products & diapers), and Water Bottles (for volunteers and for clients whose water has been turned off). Additionally, household items like hand sanitizer, soap, laundry and dish detergent would be appreciated. Donations can be dropped in the bins marked “SPAN” in the Narthex hallway. Summer is a slow time for food donations. We welcome additional donations. Click here for a list of our most needed items.
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Join us for SPAN’s Turkey Trot
Support SPAN’s largest fundraiser! Please join SPAN for a fun family event on Saturday, November 1 at Kinder Farm Park, in Millersville. The 5K race starts at 9:00 am, and 1 mile Fun Run starts at 9:30 a.m. Click here to register.
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AAUW: Donate 2 Educate
Donate your good, clean, used books as proceeds from the sale of your books allows AAUW to provide yearly scholarships to Anne Arundel County women. Donations are collected on October 4 & 18 from 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon in the St. Martin’s parking lot. Please no encyclopedias, VHS tapes, magazines, condensed books or textbooks. No computer manuals or travel guides more than 2 years old. For sale date announcements and details follow AAUW Anne Arundel County Used Book Sale on Facebook or call (410) 647-7041 or (703) 599-9646.
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Experience the Difference - SMES Open House
Wednesday, October 15, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (SMES)
Explore our School’s engaging learning environment within our inclusive Episcopal community, and experience the benefits of small class sizes in Preschool through 8th Grade. See how we encourage each student’s academic success while discovering their unique potential as they learn confidence, serve with compassion and lead with character. Contact Director of Admissions Kira Dickson with questions or to schedule a tour.
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Employment Opportunities at SMES!
St. Martin's in-the-Field Episcopal School has open employment opportunities. We are currently looking for After Care Assistants - both part-time and full-time. This is a great opportunity for anybody over the age of 18 who loves children and wants to make some extra money. Full-time positions are Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. while part-time positions are Monday through Friday 2:45 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. For more information, contact Jessica Mahfoudi or Shannon Casteel, or view this link.
| | | Your Prayers are Invited... | Prayer is the universal way people of faith stay connected, both with one another and with God. You are invited to pray daily for our parish family, for your own needs, and in thanksgiving for all that God has blessed you with this day. | |
PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY: Lisa, Max, Lew, Suzanne, Greg, Bruce, David, Joey, Michele, Kerry, Carter, Matthew, Amalia, Edmund, Joey, Kip, Wilma, Merla, Mike, the Carman family, Kevin, Sarah, Jared, Bill, Jax, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE WHO DIED: Danny Schultz
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Linda, Eric, Taylor, Karen, Syl, Jeannie, Sandi, Joey and Tara.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING AN ANNIVERSARY: Doug Hoffman and George Weltz, Rodney and Susie Hill, Tom and Cathy Kidd, and Michael and Emily Bailey.
| Let us know if you have a specific prayer request so we can hold you in our daily prayers. | | |
ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELD EPISCOPAL CHURCH
375 Benfield Road, Severna Park, MD 21146
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