Keeping Community

Dear St. Martin’s Parish Family,
As the body of Christ known as St. Martin’s, we are all still connected one to another keeping community. We are being challenged now to keep those connections, finding new ways to worship, to continue to grow and develop our faith. We have not stopped doing the work of forming disciples for Jesus Christ. As we transition to more in-person events and activities, we will still offer online options for the members of our parish family who we are unable to see face-to-face. To stay updated on these events, please view our weekly E-Pistle.
Read below to learn about the new ways to experience worship together, pray together for one another, and continue to grow deeper in our faith despite our physical distance. There are opportunities for growing your faith in a variety of ways, for us to hold one another before God in our prayers, and to grow together as a parish family and grow through this tough time.
Please continue to check in on one another, continue best hygiene practices, and pray for those whose lives have been affected by this virus outbreak in our region and our world. You are an important member of our parish family, this body of Christ here at St. Martin’s; you are known and loved.

With God’s Peace and Blessings for the week ahead,
~ The Rev. Matthew Hanisian, Rector

KEEPING COMMUNITY

Please pray for all those whose lives have been affected by this pandemic, especially our health care workers, first responders and all who are working to help keep us safe. As God’s beloved people of faith, these are the times we must draw closer to God in both faith and fear, trusting in God’s unending love for us.

Prayer is the universal way people of faith stay connected, both with one another and with God. I invite you to pray daily for our parish family, for your own needs, and in thanksgiving for all that God has blessed you with this day.
NEW WAY TO KEEP US CONNECTED: IN PRAYER
Pray for our parish family daily. Let us know if you have a specific prayer request so we can hold you in our daily prayers. If you are in need of specific pastoral care, please reach out to either Rev. Matthew Hanisian or Rev. Nathan Erdman.
NEW WAY TO KEEP US CONNECTED: WORSHIP VIRTUALLY ON SUNDAY
Our community can worship together during our LIVE STREAM WORSHIP SERVICE at 10:00 a.m Sunday morning. You can view this service on our Facebook page, YouTube profile, or our website.
NEW WAY TO KEEP US CONNECTED: IN-PERSON SUNDAY WORSHIP
IN-PERSON worship currently available at both the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. service and will alternate weekly between Rite I and Rite II services of Holy Eucharist.
NEW WAY TO KEEP US CONNECTED: ZOOM FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP

Join the clergy and your St. Martin’s parish family for exciting and fun ways to stay connected while building both our community and your faith online. Check out our current online events. We are beginning to transition from virtual services and events to some in-person fellowship opportunities. For more information on what is going on at St. Martin’s, both face-to-face and virtually, please sign up for our weekly newsletter.

NEW WAY TO KEEP US CONNECTED: THROUGH OUR SCHOOL
After building a foundation for remote learning, the teachers and staff at St. Martin’s Episcopal School (SMES) are poised to ensure educational continuity through the pandemic. This time away from one another and SMES is time to consider what is so valuable about our school and the loving community of adults and children it embodies.

PASTORAL SUPPORT

Should you need pastoral care or support please contact either Rev. Matthew or Rev. Nathan. Of course if you have a severe pastoral emergency, outside of normal office hours, please call the Parish Office and follow the prompts to be connected with the clergy member on call.

A Prayer for Those Affected by the Coronavirus
O God of compassion, giver of life and health, we pray your healing mercies upon all who are in any way affected by the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Comfort and sustain those who have been stricken; relieve their pain, and restore to them your gifts of gladness and strength. Grant to all in authority the courage to make wise decisions that are essential for the common good, and strengthen them to lead institutions that care for those whom they serve. Watch over all first responders and those in the medical professions whose duty it is to care for the sick; guard them from all danger, and keep them safe in the knowledge that is through their sacrifice and service that the health of the whole community is promoted. Mercifully accept these our prayers, O God of all comfort, and our only help in time of need. Amen.
~ The Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton