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Dear St. Martin's Family,
Several of you have asked about connecting after my time at St. Martin's ends this month. I wanted to take this opportunity to share the expectations for Interim Rectors following the end of their tenure. These expectations aren't just from Bishop Carrie and our diocese; they are the same across the entire Episcopal Church.
As I've said before, after August 1, I will no longer be your priest. Several of you have asked if this means I can't visit St. Martin's. It does. I won't come to Sunday services or holidays. If you reach out to me for pastoral care or advice, I will gently redirect you to Dan Sturgeon, Rev. Nathan, or, after October, to Rev. Lauren. This may seem harsh. It may sound like I don't care for you or for our relationships. However, I will be holding these boundaries because I love St. Martin's and I love you.
Interim Rectors are expected to leave a parish when their ministry ends. This expectation exists so that I don't interfere with the relationships you will form with Rev. Lauren. After October 1, she will be your priest. As Rector, she will oversee the worship and pastoral care in the parish. The last thing she needs is for me to keep coming back as a potential distraction.
This isn't to say that we will never see one another again. We will be together at diocesan and regional events. It's appropriate to say hello to one another when this happens. I do plan to attend Rev. Lauren's Celebration of New Ministry when Bishop Carrie formally institutes Rev. Lauren as the seventh Rector of St. Martin's-in-the-Field. This demonstrates that I support Rev. Lauren, the Vestry, the Search Committee, and the work they have done to arrive at her call as Rector. Similarly, it would be appropriate for you to attend my Celebration of New Ministry at Epiphany. I'd love to see you then; I also hope you continue regularly worshipping at St. Martin's on Sundays!
I'm sure some of you have thought of exceptions to what I've said above. It's true that former priests do assist at weddings and funerals from time to time. I've included other clergy during my time as your Interim Rector, after all. However, any such invitations must come from the Rector of the Parish. While I would be honored to support you at such a time, Rev. Lauren needs to discern whether that is best for St. Martin's. Generally, such invitations come years after the priest's service at a church ends.
I love you all, and I have been honored to serve as your priest for the past year. However, our relationship is changing, even if my love for you isn't. After my time with you ends, the way I will be able to best show my love for you is to uphold the new boundaries in our relationship.
Christ's Peace,
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~ The Reverend Joshua Rodriguez-Hobbs, Interim Rector | | |
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Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | |
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We will bid The Reverend Josh Rodriguez-Hobbs, our Interim Rector, good-bye and thank him for his service this past year to St. Martin's on Sunday, July 28th.
We are collecting a special "purse" for Rev. Josh to start his new ministry and to thank him for the many ways he has enriched the life of our parish family. From thought-provoking and powerful sermons to adult education classes, Rev. Josh has given a great deal to St. Martin's this past year.
To donate, please make your check out to "St. Martin's" and in the memo write, "For Rev. Josh." You can drop off or mail you check to the parish office, attn: Jory Bender, or you can put it in the collection plate on Sunday morning. If you would like to donate online click here. Be sure to select "General Donation" fund and put "For Rev. Josh" in the memo.
Thank you in advance for your generous contribution!
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Nursery
Our nursery is available from 9:45-11:30 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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Thank You and Farewell for Rev. Josh
Sunday, July 28, following the 10:00 a.m. service (Parish Hall)
You are invited to a special reception following the 10:00 a.m. service on July 28th to celebrate Rev. Josh's ministry at St. Martin's.
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Summer Concert Series
Last summer we began the Beethoven Project, performing all 10 violin sonatas. Our journey continues with the sonatas from Op. 30. Written in 1802, the year of the Heiligenstadt Testament, these pieces highlight Beethoven’s creativity and emotional depth despite his struggles. We invite you to join us and experience his captivating music at two venues this year: Peabody Conservatory on August 3, 3:00 p.m. and the Church of Epiphany in DC on August 6, 12:00 noon. For details click here or contact Dr. HyeSung Hwang.
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Summer “Meet & Eat”
Wednesdays through August 21, 6:00 p.m.
Join us Wednesday evenings for fellowship and delicious food. Suggested donation is $5.00 per person or $20.00 per family. Burgers/Hot Dogs/ Chicken and drinks provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. For questions or special dietary needs please contact John Theune.
Heat Advisory: Please note that if the temperature outside is 90 degrees or more we will eat indoors.
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Parish Summer Office Hours
During the summer the parish office will be open Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and closed on Fridays.
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Backpack Buddies Needs Summer Help
Our Backpack Buddies program helps nearly 20 children each week during the school year by delivering food for food-insecure children to take home for the weekend. One of our school partners has identified children who need our help over the summer. Volunteers are needed to shop for and deliver food to four homes in Severn on Friday mornings. Grocery costs will be reimbursed. Food ideas will be provided. You don’t need to be available every week! Any efforts to help are greatly appreciated. To sign up or for more details, contact Sarah Parkison.
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Summer Bible Study
Sundays, 9:00 a.m. (Parish Hall)
Want to understand Old Testament history better? Want to see how Israel’s experience of God intersects with their experience? Join us and take a deep dive into the Book of Kings. We will study political crises, theological challenges, and sharpen our skills at reading the Bible. Together we will also draw strength, courage, and examine our own struggles to be a people faithful to God. Please note there is no child care available this hour during the summer. Contact Greg Church.
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Bible Challenge Book Study
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. (St. Martin’s House)
Come and study the Book of Proverbs with us. Join us whenever you are able over the summer. The study guide can be purchased online. Contact Cindy Neseth.
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A Friendly Reminder
Rev. Josh and Rev. Nathan never ask for gift cards or money via email. Always double-check the sender name and confirm the sender's address on any email that requests a gift or donation. If in doubt, call the sender directly to verify the message you received is legitimate. Learn how to avoid and report gift card scams.
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Sunday Altar Flower Sponsorship
Do you like Sunday's Altar flowers? You can make a flower dedication to give glory to God and bring focus to the cross during our Sunday services. Click here for our online form.
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The following programs will resume in the fall: Sunday School, Youth Classes, EYC,
Shepherd Group, Bible Workbench and Parents’ Group. | |
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New Deck Installation in Progress!
Thanks to the generous donations made during the Special Appeal for the Great Outdoors at this year's Gala and Auction, we are replacing and expanding the decking for outdoor teaching and lunch. Maintenance team member Greg Carrick has been hard at work tearing out the old decking and building the new area. Framing is in progress now, including an expansion of 1,200 square feet; new Trex decking will be installed along with sun shade canopies throughout the entire seating area. Many thanks to current grandparent Dan Hill and 8th grader Kaiden Roach for volunteering to help Greg with this project!
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July Outreach Collection:
Hope for All
The Outreach Offering will be on the second Sunday of the month and will go to support Hope for All. Hope For All is a Christian ministry whose mission is to provide basic furniture, household items, and clothing to people in our community who are without the financial means to meet their basic needs. Hope for All strives to offer stability to their daily lives and hope for their future. If you want to learn more about Hope For All, visit their website.
Click here to donate online and put HOPE FOR ALL in the memo area. For details contact Kathy Berge.
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SPAN Opportunities for JULY
SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) serves our neighbors by helping them through a critical or emergency situations. St. Martin’s supports SPAN’s mission this month by asking for donations for SPAN’s July’s theme - “Summer Fun.” Donate items such as bottle water, sunscreen, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, and baby wipes. Other useful items are shelf stable foods like rice, beans, pasta, pasta sauces, popcorn, as well as canned vegetables and fruits. Donations can be dropped in the bins marked “SPAN” in the Narthex. For details about SPAN click here.
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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 Rev. Lauren to be our next rector at St. Martins-in-the Field Episcopal Church. We pray that by her words and good example she may continue faithfully serving you and be a benefit in your Holy Church. May that same Holy Spirit give each of us all wisdom and imagination, energy and drive, that together we will have the ability to make ministries continue to happen in this church and in the larger community. Hear the prayers of your faithful people that in our vocation and ministry each of us may continue to be instruments of you and your blessings. We pray this in the unity of the Holy Trinity, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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NEW PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY: David, Ed, Kathie, Inez, Sarah, and Dora.
FOR THOSE IN NEED OF ONGOING AND LONG-TERM PRAYERS: Scott, Olivia, Mike, The Murray family, Ben, Melanie, Jeanne, Philip, Bunny, Sara, Gloria, Jared, Bill, Jax, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Penny, Jim, Alexander, Palmer, John, Tracey, and Daniel.
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Let us know if you have a specific prayer request so we can hold you in our daily prayers.
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ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELD EPISCOPAL CHURCH
375 Benfield Road, Severna Park, MD 21146
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