Hello all.  

Management is sitting here reminding me I don't get paid by the word so straight to it.

Vestry  Our annual Vestry meeting is this Sunday, February 15 following the service. There will be coffee and treats available to sustain us.  The meeting is important,  Please bring your copy of the Annual Report  with you.  There will be a few copies available. 

 

New Parish Council.  Straight to work everybody.  The new Parish Council will be inducted as part of the 10:00 am service on Sunday February 22nd.  The first meeting of Parish Council will be Monday February 23rd at 7:00 pm in Rowland Hall.

 

Ash Wednesday for Kids | Wednesday, February 18, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

St. James Westminster, 115 Askin Street | Transportation available from St. Martin-in-the-Fields

This Ash Wednesday, we're inviting children to experience the season of Lent in a meaningful, age-appropriate way. In partnership with other Anglican churches in our deanery, we’re offering a full-day Ash Wednesday program designed especially for kids.

Through prayer, storytelling, creative activities, and quiet reflection, children will learn what Ash Wednesday is about and why it matters, while being surrounded by a supportive Christian community. The day will include time for worship and the imposition of ashes, along with space for questions, conversation, and fun.

This is a free program for kids ages 4 to 12. Families from across the deanery are warmly welcome. Email stmartinslondon@diohuron.org to register. See the attached poster.

Please contact Rev. Sarah if you're interested in volunteering at the event. 

 

Ash Wednesday.   Join us in a reflective choral Eucharist and imposition of ashes on Wednesday 18 February at 7:00 pm.  Receiving ashes is an ancient Christian practice which reminds us of our mortality, our need for mercy, and our dependence on God.  Marked with ashes, we hear again God's invitation to repentance, renewal, and hope.  All are welcome.  

A daytime Ash Wednesday Service is being offered at St. Michael & All Angels, February 18 at 10:00 am. The Rev. Mike DeKay will officiate Holy Eucharist with the imposition of ashes.

 

Lenten Services & Studies at St. Martin-in-the-Fields - Following the Ash Wednesday Choral Eucharist on February 18 at 7:00 pm, a number of services and studies will be offered to mark the season of Lent.

 

Midweek Eucharist - 9:30 am on Thurs Feb 19, 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 19, 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. The meeting links will be published weekly in the Midweek News starting next Thursday.

 

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 iplease 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.  

.

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/.

 

Keys To The Church.  Do you have a set of keys to the church which you no longer require?  It would be appreciated if you could return them to Sandra.  It will save us the cost of producing additional keys. 

 

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.

 

Tax Receipts.  Your 2025 tax receipts are now available in your mail slot in the cloakroom.

 

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 Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany.

Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 2, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9

 

As we head into Lent.....

 

See you Sunday,
Ian

Ian Haley
Churchwarden

Downloads