PARISH ANNUAL MEETING

January 26, 2025

The Canons of the Episcopal Church require each parish to meet annually to elect vestry members and delegates to the Convention, present and approve the annual budget, and engage in other parish business as may be needed.

Our parish meeting will be held on Sunday, January 26, immediately following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. There will be only one joint Mass on that Sunday. The rector’s address will be given instead of the homily at Mass, and other business will be held immediately following the service.

Any baptized member of the church who attends Mass regularly and financially supports the work of the parish is qualified to vote at the annual meeting, according to diocesan voting rules. 

The annual meeting will elect new members to the vestry: There are three open seats: The names of candidates who have agreed to stand for election should be published next week.

The annual budget will be presented and approved, and this year we will have an important presentation and discussion on the possibility of selling a small tract of land. Any sale of land must be approved by the vestry, the parish annual meeting, the diocesan Standing Committee, and the bishop. At this point, the vestry has not approved the sale, but they wish to present the idea to the parish to hear the opinions of parishioners before they make a decision. This will only be exploratory at this time; no final decisions will be made at this meeting. 

There are three open seats for the new vestry class. The following have agreed to stand for election.

Barbara Butler, Diarmuid O'Malley, and Lauren Richton-Limauro.

We still need nominations for one alternate delegate to the convention.

Thank you for your prayerful support of the parish and its ministries.

PLEDGES

2025 pledge envelopes are available for those who would like to use them. They are on a table at the back of the sanctuary. Please add your name and envelope number to the form next to the box so we can properly credit your pledge contributions.

2024 Giving reports have been emailed out. Thanks to everyone for your steadfast support over the past year. If you don't see your report (don't forget to check your spam inbox!), or if you spot an error, please email the church and we will help resolve the issue.

CARL APSLEY

A requiem mass will be offered on Saturday, January 25th, at 2 p.m. at St. Martin's Church for Carl Apsley. A reception will follow in the undercroft. Parishioners are invited to attend.

Please pray for the repose of his soul and for comfort for the family and all who grieve.

FOUNDER'S DAY CELEBRATION

February 2nd, 2025, will mark St. Martin's 55th anniversary. We will celebrate with a special joint mass and a catered meal afterward. We will share memories and fellowship. Look for your invitation!

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

Sign up here to save a life:

CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment.

OUTREACH

The Food Bank is in great need of food items, paper goods, and toiletries for our neighbors in Somerset County. We especially want to focus on personal items and cleaning products, such as toothpaste, feminine products, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc. Cash and checks are also greatly appreciated. There’s always a container on the stairs leading up to the choir loft. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Kathy Shanklin.

RECYCLE/REUSE

We are always collecting the following items:

• Styrofoam
• Unusable pens/markers/pencils
• Kitchen items (no furniture)
• Books

Please consider bringing your compost to the church's compost bin. It’s behind the playground and the small fenced-in area.

Any questions, please contact Kathy Shanklin.

ST. MARTIN'S ON YOUTUBE

You can still see the live stream on our Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/SaintMartinsEpiscopalChurchBridgewaterNJ

https://www.youtube.com/@st.martinsepiscopalchurchnj 

SHARE YOUR SPECIAL NEWS

If you have special news to share, especially about our youth and young adult parishioners, please send it to Alison to be shared in the newsletter. We love hearing about the great experiences that everyone is having.