Hello all. 

For all you DIY types who are currently building an Ark a biblical long or "Royal" cubit used in construction was approximately 20.4 - 21.9 ".  It was measured from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger and then add a handbreadth. It's best to have one person do all the measuring.

 

This Sunday is often referred to as "Refreshment Sunday".  It is a break in the solemnity of Lent.  It is also known as "Mothering Sunday" and Simnel Cake is served.  At St. Martin's we honour all great traditions so read on for a full explanation.

 

Rev'd Sarah Is on Vacation.  A reminder that Rev'd Sarah is on vacation (though with four boys I'm not sure) from 15-22 March.  During this time we can look forward to The Rev'd Dr. Virginia Lane presiding at the 10:00 am services on the 15th and 22nd of March and the Venerable Wlli Kammerer presiding at Choral Evensong on the 15th of March.  

 

(From Rev'd Sarah) Lee Anderson has passed away. Our sister in Christ, Lee Anderson, died peacefully on Thursday, March 5th. We are grateful for her warmth, friendship, and her faithful witness among us. Please hold Gerry and Lee's entire family in your prayers as they grieve. Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her.

 

Mothering Sunday - 15 March   This Sunday. A tradition from the English Church.  It is a time for relaxing the strict observances of Lent.  It was a time for returning to a family's mother church or the Cathedral (the mother church of the diocese) and gathering afterward for refreshment.  Domestic staff were often given the day off so they could visit their families.  Often they would bring simnel cake, a type of fruit cake, as a gift.  To honour this tradition we will have a coffee hour this Sunday following the 10:00 am Service, complete with simnel cake.   Please plan on staying for a time of fellowship.  What is a simnel cake?  I'm glad you asked.  

 

Simnel Cake.  If you are all comfortable, we'll begin.  The origins of the word "Simnel" is unclear, perhaps referring to "fine white flour".  The cake itself is a heavy fruit cake, generally baked in two layers with almond paste or marzipan between the layers and on top as an icing.  The cake is decorated with 11 almond paste or marzipan balls, symbolizing the 12 Apostles minus Judas.  Sometimes a 12th ball is added in the centre representing Jesus. 

  

Lenten Choral Evensong - 15 March Again, this Sunday. A time to refresh the spirit.  The choir has been working diligently to provide a beautiful setting for the choral version of the daily office of evening prayer.  A peaceful way to end the day.  Invite a friend and join us at 4:00 pm for the service and then stay for a time of light refreshment and more simnel cake in the "Cellar Cafe" located in Rowland Hall.

 

Martin's Brunchers are Gathering.  Wednesday 25 March at 11:30 am for lunch.  Come and be part of the group with no dishes to wash.  The location this month is WIMPEY'S Diner at the corner of Oxford St. and Wonderland Rd.  Please contact Larry or Janice Chisholm by Monday 23 March to reserve your spot.  Also please advise them if you need assistance with travel to and from the restaurant, (lchisholm@rogers.com 519-657-5279)

 

A Special Vestry Meeting will be held on Sunday, March 29 immediately following the 10:00 am service. This meeting is to vote on the 2026 budget. The Strategic Plan to address the projected deficit and the budget will be available for review a week ahead of the meeting on Sunday, March 22. 

 

Who is able to vote at Vestry/Special Vestry Meetings?

In every Parish within the Diocese there shall be a Vestry composed of all the baptized members of such Parish who have reached 16 years of age and who for at least three months during the preceding 12 months of the date of the relevant Vestry meeting have been identifiably involved with such Parish with regular worship, fellowship and financial support to that Parish, subject to the certification procedure hereinafter set forth. No person shall be considered to be a member of the Vestry of more than one Parish in the Diocese of Huron at one time, except that a person may be a member of the Vestry of a Parish and also of a Summer Church as hereinafter defined. Each person who wishes to be considered a member of the Vestry of the Parish shall sign a statement of compliance with the provisions of this section at such Vestry meeting upon request. There shall be no participation by proxy at any annual or special meetings of Vestry. (From Canon 18 of the Diocese of Huron)

 

POSTPONED. The Deanery of London presents "Upping" Your Welcome: The Why (Not Just the How) with the Rev'd Canon Dr. Judy Paulsen, author of Christian Foundations on Tuesday, March 17, 7:00-8:30 pm on Zoom. This evening is for anyone who cares about the life of their parish and wants to reflect on what it means to welcome others in Christ's name. Seeker, explorer, new Christian, or someone who has journeyed with Christ for many years...all are welcome. Please see the attached poster and register to receive the link at london@diohuron.org.  Unfortunately it has been necessary to postpone this event to a later date.

 

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  Mar 26, Thurs Apr 2.

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

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

Online Evening Bible Study - 8:00-9:30 pm on  Wed Mar 25.

- Faithfulness in a Troubled World: A Study on the Book of Ruth -- join Rev. Sarah for a 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 ZOOM. Please join using the following link:

Week 4: Faithfulness in a Troubled World - The Book of Ruth
Time: Mar 25, 2026 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 898 2068 9776
Passcode: 589615 

 

Get Out the Calendars.  Your Lenten List. In addition to the dates and times mentioned above here is a consolidated list of upcoming events.  I will update the list as needs be. 

 

Sun 15 March:  Mothering (Refreshment) Sunday (Coffee Hour)

Sun 15 March:  Choral Evensong for Lent 4:00 pm, Reception to Follow

Mon 23 March:  Cloak of Kindness Squad Kids Program 6:00-7:30 pm 

Wed 25 March:  Online Bible Study 8:00 -9:30 pm

Thurs 26 March: Midweek Eucharist (9:30 am) and Lenten Bible Study (10:00 am)

Sun 29 March:  Palm Sunday

Sun 29 March:  Special Vestry Meeting following the 10:00 am Service.

Wed 1 April:  The Stations of the Cross 7:00 pm

Thurs 2 April:  Maundy Thursday 7:00 pm

Fri 3 April:  Good Friday 10:00 am

Sun 5 April: Easter Sunday 10:00 am

Got it?  Excellent.

 

St. Martin's, Our History and Our Artifacts.  

More next week.

 

St. Paul's Social Services -Thank you for your generous donations .   Due to your generosity I will be making another delivery next week.  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 and Office Hours Reminder  If you haven't already please change your contacts to our current email address  stmartinslondon@diohuron.org .  The Rogers email address no longer exists. Also our office hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.  Emails sent outside these hours will be answered the next business day. 

 

Readings for The Fourth Sunday in Lent.

1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41

 

Management Insisted.  Saint Gertrude, Patron Saint of Cats.  Her feast day is March 17th.

 

See you Sunday,
Ian

Ian Haley
Editor