Hello all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!.  I always feel the Parish year starts after the Annual Vestry Meeting.  New Wardens,  a new Parish Council, and definitely new challenges.  It's also Lent however so not too much celebrating.  What a weekend to close off the year.  A wedding took place at St. Martin's on Saturday afternoon and it was a wonderful day.  This was followed on Sunday by an engaged meeting of the Vestry and a time of fellowship.  The challenges are real but the attitude was positive.  Congratulations to Craig Smith. the new People's Warden, and Viivi Fitzgerald who is returning as the Deputy Rector's Warden.  The Bishop has begun enforcing the 5 year restriction on terms for Wardens so Vince Chicoine has graciously moved to Deputy  People's Warden where he can continue to contribute to the executive. The position of Rector's Warden will be announced to Vestry by Rev. Sarah when filled.   Thank you to everyone who helped set up and pack up on the weekend.  Now if everyone is properly prepared, on with Lent.

Parish Council .  Thank you to everyone who agreed to serve on the Parish Council for the 2026-27 Church year.  It will be an important and busy year.  The Wardens and Council will be inducted on Sunday February 22, at the 10:00 am Service.  The first Council Meeting will be Monday February 23 at 7:00 pm in Rowland Hall.

Lenten Services & Studies at St. Martin-in-the-Fields - A number of services and studies will be offered to mark the season of Lent.

 Midweek Eucharist - 9:30 am on Thurs Feb 26, Thurs Mar 5, Thurs Mar 12, Thurs Mar 26, Thurs Apr 2.

Midweek Lenten Bible Study - 10:00 am on Thurs Feb 26, Thurs Mar 5, Thurs Mar 12, Thurs Mar 26, Thurs Apr 2.

 - Stay for Bible study and fellowship immediately following the Lenten Midweek Eucharist.

Online Evening Bible Study - 8:00-9:00 pm on Wed Feb 25, Wed Mar 4, Wed Mar 11, Wed Mar 25.

- Faithfulness in a Troubled World: A Study on the Book of Ruth -- join Rev. Sarah for a four-week-long study on the book of Ruth that explores our call to be faithful and offer hope to a world experiencing violence and instability. Each hour-long session will take place over Google Meet. Please email the church office for the meeting link: stmartinslondon@diohuron.org

Martin's Brunchers.  Mark your calendars.  The Brunchers will gather for lunch on Wednesday February 25th at 11:30 am.  The location is Morning Bites, located at the corner of Wonderland Rd. and Aldersbrook Rd, one block south of Fanshawe Park Rd.  Please contact the Chisholms by Monday 23 February to save your seat. Please contact the church
office, Rev. Sarah or Larry / Janice Chisholm (lchisholm@rogers.com; 519-657-5279) if you would like assistance
with travel to and from the restaurant.

 

Is There a Service or Meeting Today?  Very Occasionally it is not possible to hold a service or meeting due to circumstances beyond our control, such as weather or power failures etc,  If we have sufficient notice we will make every effort to send out an email (this is why it is important to make sure the church has your current email address).  Should you be in doubt please check the church's answering machine before setting out,  It will be updated as necessary.  Remember there are no bonus points if you arrive at the pearly gates  having died on the way to Church.  

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St. Martin's, Our History and Our Artifacts.   From Rev. Sarah.  

Why are crosses veiled during Lent? The custom of veiling crosses during the season of Lent underscores the penitential character of the season, functioning like sackcloth and ashes, which are Biblical symbols of mourning and penance. Lenten veils also illustrate the separation of sin; the rupture between humankind and God. Furthermore, they recall the fig leaves worn by Adam and Eve in their fear to stand naked before the Lord. This reminds us of our propensity to devastate the goodness of God's creation, and our discomfort before the truth. Finally, as we move through Lent carrying the anticipation of Easter, Lenten veils shape us to perceive the glory of the Cross in light of the Resurrection. 

 

This explanation was adapted from the Rev. Yoder's piece, "Veiling Crosses in Lent" in The Living Church's online journal Covenant. Click here for the full article: https://livingchurch.org/covenant/veiling-crosses-in-lent/.

 

St. Paul's Social Services -Thank you for your generous donations .   This news item never goes away because hunger never goes away.  St. Paul's Social Services is an outreach program, a part of which is the St. Paul's Food Bank.  Your generous donations help support it.   Look for the bin in the cloakroom marked "St. Paul's Food Bank".  Food of all descriptions should be the first priority.   Please give what you can.    In addition to food, toiletries, especially in small sizes are always useful as well as hats, mitts and socks. Monetary donations are also well received as it lets them buy items which are needed but not always donated or they buy in bulk.  Like everyone else they are being hit by the rising price of food.  Please make cheques payable to St. Paul's Social Services.  Tax receipts will be issued directly by St. Paul's Social Services.  For the moment please do not donate containers as they are in discussions with the local Health Inspectors on their use.

 

Milk Bag Collection is Back.  The ladies are back to making mats.  Please bring in your milk bags and put them in the marked box in the Cloakroom.

 

Email Address  Please check that you have our correct email address in your contacts.  It is stmartinslondon@diohuron.org .  The old email address is no longer supported, and we will be losing access to it soon.  Also, if you change your email address, please let us know so we can update our records.

 

Readings for The First Sunday in Lent.

Genesis 2:15, 3:1-7, Psalm 32, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11


Just a friendly reminder, Sundays in Lent don't count....

See you Sunday.
Ian

Ian Haley
Editor