E-Messenger Feb. 27, 2020

Dear People of God:

"The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism.

"It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need that all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.

"I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word....”

Yesterday people from all over the world read these words, the words that mark the beginning of Lent. As your priest I want to invite you personally to a Holy Lent. I invite you to take on a spiritual practice. I invite you to simplify something about your life. I invite you to take some time to pray. As our world runs at faster and faster speeds, taking a season to focus on right relationships with God and our neighbor is increasingly important. It’s important for our physical health, mental health, and spiritual health ... in short, it's essential to wellness. I invite you to a Holy Lent, a time when you can focus on what matters, a time when you can leave some of the noise of this life behind.

In Christ,

Mitch+

Adults are invited to join Caitlyn Darnell at 9 a.m. Sunday (March 1) in the Garden Room for the continuation of the "The Way of Love" series. The class is exploring the ancient pathways and practices that followers of Jesus have observed for centuries. This class also has a Facebook Group where discussion continues and resources are provided. So catch up online during the week, and then grab a cup of coffee in the downstairs kitchen in The Commons on Sunday and join the conversation!

Each Tuesday morning, beginning at  7:30 a.m., a group of parishioners gathers in All Saints' Hall in the Parish Hall  for Morning Prayer and breakfast. A book study is also included. All is done by 9 a.m.

Our Lenten Wednesdays begin Wednesday (March 4). The evening will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. so everyone can get home early. There is something for all ages, including PBJ for kiddos and a simple soup supper for adults. Supper from 5:30 to 6:30; program from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. We will meet on these Wednesdays: March 4, 11, 25 and April 1. No gathering on March 18 due to Caitlyn Darnell's ordination on March 19. Class locations will be announced during supper on Wednesday.

Please let us know you are coming by clicking HERE, especially if you will require nursery care so we are sure to have everything ready for your little one. Please follow the prompts after each section.

Every Wednesday during the school year! Invite a middle school or senior high friend to the Loft from 3:30 - 5 p.m. Snacks, games, homework time ... and always chaperoned.

Stay tuned for more detailed information about Holy Week , which begins on Palm Sunday (April 5) and runs through Saturday, April 11 .

Holy Week services include:

Follow St. Martin's on  Facebook   (St. Martin's-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church)  .   Check the page throughout the week for what's happening in the parish!  LIKE  the page for us, and  SHARE  posts with friends and family!

Follow St. Martin's on Instagram at @smifsc. Each week, a 3-Word Gospel is posted including a 3-word summary of the upcoming Sunday's Gospel and the citation for the verse in the New Testament so you can begin preparing for Sunday's sermon. Encourage friends and family to follow us so more people can learn about our parish, or simply hear a summary of the Gospel each week!

We have TWO easy ways to get a church directory: one is an app for your phone and the other is by creating an account on our website (go to to login button on the homepage and follow the prompts). 

Here's how to get the app. Depending on the type of phone you have (iphone or Android), click on the correct link below:

iPhone    

Android    

Log in info: 

Site # 90036 

Username and password are same as your church website log in. You will only have to input this info once. If you haven't created a login, follow the steps with the Member Login button on the homepage of the church . 

If you have created a login, but don't remember your password: Contact   [email protected] .

If you have been visiting with us and are now interested in membership, please  fill out the Welcome/Prayer Request card available in each pew and place it in the offering plate so we can be in touch with you about next steps.