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Dear St. Martin’s,
Last Sunday’s psalm opens with the words, “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which stands fast forever.” (Psalm 125). At St. Martin’s there has been a lot of change in the air and tons of transition. But you have been a community of faith trusting in the Lord and St. Martin’s has stood fast. Here are some updates:
Welcoming a New Rector
It is nearly time to welcome Lauren, as rector on October 1. The preparations are already under way. Recently our Bible challenge group noticed the new coat of paint and freshened up carpet in the rector’s office. Our wonderful new rector will be with us soon!
SMES
This fall, approximately 235 students began a new year at St. Martin’s Episcopal School. It has been a great start with backpack blessings in chapel, lots of learning and lots of smiling faces. Many, many thanks to Heather Bosanko, Jessica Matthews and to the amazing faculty and staff who have pulled together and done brilliant work to make that happen. I am pleased to report that Kathleen Maher, former president and principal of Archbishop Spalding High School will start Monday, September 16 as our new interim head of school.
Christian Formation
Our full slate of Christian formation programs is now underway, with Sunday School, youth groups and Parents' group. I am so grateful to everyone who answered the call to serve as teachers and leaders. We have a great team. Register your student today, just click the link: Sunday School (PK-Grade 5) and Youth Ministry (Grades 6-12).
Our Wonderful Parish Leadership and Staff
I have been working with the office staff and parish leaders to continue the smooth operation of the church. Things have been busy to be sure—but the entire staff, vestry, and volunteers have been their usual fantastic selves, and we are in a good, good place.
Resources for Ministry
For a church emerging from an interim period, our finances are solid. I give such thanks for your gifts and your generosity. However, coming out of summer, it is crucially important that everyone stays current on their pledge. And whether or not you have pledged for 2024, if would like to make an additional gift, you can do so here. This will enable us to keep up with expenses to start a new program year and have us in a good place as Rev. Lauren begins her ministry with us. Thank you for your generosity for the work of Christ at St. Martin’s!
Yes, there has been a lot going on at St. Martin’s Church and School and leadership transitions are coming. But St. Martin’s has trusted in the LORD and has stood fast. I am so looking forward to the beginning of a new program year, the arrival of Rev. Lauren and to all that Jesus has in store for us.
Yours in Christ,
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Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | |
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EYC: Messy Sunday
September 15, 5:30 p.m. (meet in Parish Hall)
All youth grades 6th-12th are invited to kick off the EYC program year with this hallowed St. Martin’s youth ministry tradition, involving pudding, shaving cream, marshmallows, sticky syrup, and more. Join us for pizza before the festivities begin. Come dressed to get messed! Contact Rev. Nathan.
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Rector’s Discretionary Fund
Help us build a discretionary fund for Rev. Lauren to have when she joins us the first week of October. The discretionary funds of the rector are used for aid to the poor and to provide assistance to those in crisis. The fund enables the rector to respond directly to the needs of those in our congregation and community. Click here to donate online and please put Rector’s Discretionary Fund in the memo area. For assistance contact Jory Bender, Director of Finance.
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Blessing of the Animals
October 5, 4:30 p.m. (Heck Hall)
You are invited to bring your pets to St. Martin’s for an outdoor service with blessings for all of God’s creatures. Pets must be leashed or in a carrier. This is a grreat event to invite your neighbors and friends to attend with you. For details visit our website.
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Did you remember to wear your name tag?
Name tags make introductions easy. Please wear your name tags on Sunday mornings and at other parish events. Don’t have a name tag? No problem. Fill out our online form.
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Acolyte Training
Sunday, September 22, 5:30 p.m. (Sanctuary)
Looking for St. Martin’s next top acolytes! All children and youth in Grades 3 through 12 are most invited to join our acolyte corps. Acolytes typically serve around one Sunday per month at the 10 a.m. service. This training is for all new and experienced acolytes. Dinner provided. Please RSVP. Contact Rev. Nathan.
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Keep Your Pledge Current
Remember the church doesn’t take a summer vacation from funding mission and ministry. Please continue with your regular pledge payments so we can keep up with our commitments. Make life easy, sign up for automatic withdrawal (ACH) and the church will automatically withdraw your pledge from your designated bank account. Sign up on our website or contact Jory Bender, Director of Finance.
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Bible Challenge Book Study
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. (St. Martin’s House)
Join us for a 16 week study of the Gospel of Luke. We will be using the LifeChange Study Guide on Luke which can be ordered on Amazon, click here. Contact Cindy Neseth.
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Children and Youth Programs
Sundays, 9:00 a.m.
- Sunday School (K-Grade 5): SMES Art and Science Rooms
- Rite-13 (Grade 6-8): SMES History Room
- J2A (Grade 9-10): Lower St. Martin’s House
- YAC (Grade 11-12): St. Martin’s House
Register your student today, just click the link: Sunday School (PK-Grade 5) and Youth Ministry (Grades 6-12).
For questions contact Rev. Nathan.
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Nursery Care
Care is available from 8:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on Sundays for infants and children ages 3 and under. Located in Parish Hall, see an usher for directions.
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Shepherd Group
Thursdays, 4:30 p.m.
Join us for a group discussion of the readings for the upcoming Sunday. All adults welcome. This group meets via zoom every Thursday afternoon. All are welcome. For zoom link and details contact Susan Griesmyer.
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Parents’ Group
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Drop your kids off for Sunday School and/or youth group, grab a cup of coffee or a donut, and join the St. Martin’s Parents’ Group. We have an exciting semester of activities, learning and fellowship planned. This group is open to all parents/guardians. Contact Chris and Liz Lucas.
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Children’s Chapel
During the 10:00 a.m. service, from before the reading of the Gospel to the Peace, children from 3 years old to 2nd grade are invited to experience an age-appropriate Liturgy of the Word led by Children’s Chapel adult leaders. Contact Rev. Nathan for details.
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Be doers of the Word!
St Martin’s offers a wide variety of opportunities for us to take action as a part of our faith. We have ministries that focus on forming us within our community, as well as, outreach opportunities that help us to look outside the four walls of our church and fulfill our call to love our neighbor as our self. Take a look at our Ministries Booklet and see what calls you to be a doer of the Word!
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Bingo Night at Light House Shelter
October 4, 4:30-7:00 p.m.
St. Martin’s sponsors a pizza night at Lighthouse Homeless Prevention Center on the first Friday of every month. This is a great opportunity to be with our neighbors by sharing a good meal, and playing a few rounds of Bingo with them. Children must be at least 11 to volunteer. Please sign up so we have a head count. To volunteer please contact Rachel Erdman.
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SEPTEMBER Outreach:
Annapolis Civitan Club #177
The Annapolis Civitan Club #177, established in 1926 as the 177th Civitan Club in the World, serves the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County communities in creating good citizenship. The club has dedicated its efforts to improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Click here for more information. Click here to donate online and put Annapolis Civitan Club in the memo area. For details contact Kathy Berge.
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Light House Shelter Meal Prep
The Light House is seeking volunteers to provide breakfast, lunch, or dinner for clients experiencing homelessness. Many of our clients struggle with food insecurity and often go without meals. If you’d like to sponsor a delicious meal for our 65 residents, contact us at, volunteers@annapolislighthouse.org
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Gift Cards to Support J2A
Our J2A Youth Group is selling gift cards for their pilgrimage. For every card purchased, they receive a percentage back. These cards make great graduation gifts, but most importantly can be used for everyday purchases. Give a card to yourself to buy your everyday groceries. It’s a easy way to support the youth at St. Martin’s without costing you extra. To place an order or to set up an account and order online contact Amber Kaltz.
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SPAN Opportunities for SEPTEMBER
SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) serves our neighbors by helping them through a critical or emergency situation. St. Martin’s supports SPAN’s mission this month by asking for donations for SPAN’s September’s theme - “Fill the Need.”
Donate items such as: Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, salad dressing, BBQ sauce and oil); jelly, canned meat, beans, pancake mix, syrup and any kind of potatoes (canned, boxed, fresh, sweet or white); Toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo); and basic cleaning supplies (all purpose spray/wipes, dish soap, laundry detergent).
Donations can be dropped in the bins marked “SPAN” in the Narthex. For details about SPAN click here.
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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 September 7 & 21; October 5 from 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon in the St. Martin’s parking lot. Please no encyclopedias, VHS tapes, magazines or condensed books. No textbooks, 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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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. | |
Prayer for our Rector-Elect
Gracious Lord the giver of all life and blessings, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit we have called Lauren to be our next rector. Be with Lauren, and her family as they prepare to join our parish, and with us as we prepare to welcome them. All this we ask in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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NEW PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY: Helen, Inez, and Sarah.
FOR THOSE IN NEED OF ONGOING AND LONG-TERM PRAYERS: Sarah, Dora, Scott, Olivia, Mike, The Murray family, Ben, Melanie, Philip, Sara, Jared, Bill, Jax, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Bernard, Jennifer, Jenny, Amy, Lisa, Nate, Henry, Kevin, Justine, Mary, Tabitha, Jaime, Pat, and Craig.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING AN ANNIVERSARY: Robert and Chris Savoy and Bob and Lori Skalitzky.
| eLet 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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