Hello all.
No great personal chit chat this week. Middle Management is looking over my shoulder so straight at it.
Morning Prayer is Back. It has been too long. The wonderful morning office from the Book of Common Prayer. Many of us grew up with the tradition of Morning Prayer two Sundays a month and Communion the other two and if there were five Sundays in the month it was a toss up. In the days of packed churches Morning Prayer was popular because it was regarded as the "quick service". Come and take part in an Anglican tradition at our 10:00 am Service on Sunday 30 August. The Service will be led by our Layreader, Nancy Haley.
Let There Be (Emergency) Light During the recent fire inspection, the inspector pointed out the requirement for additional emergency lighting to guide us should the power fail. The light of Christ was not considered sufficient in this instance. How many lights you ask? About twenty. We are thinking of having a contest to find all the lights. Installation will begin next week. The electricians will work from the basement up and at least for next week there may be occasional power outages in the basement.
Rev'd Sarah is away until Monday, August 31st. St. Martin's looks forward to the Rev. Dr. Virginia Lane and Lay Reader Nancy Haley officiating the services in August. If you have an urgent pastoral concern while Rev'd Sarah is away, please contact the church office or the Rev. Dr. Virginia.
Summer Church Office Hours The Church Office hours are back to their regular times of Wednesday through Friday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, except this week when Sandra will be away on Friday.
Sidespeople Needed We are looking for some new sidespeople. The job entails arriving early to welcome people as they come in and hand them a bulletin. You will also collect the offering and take it up to the front during the offertory hymn. Then tidy up after the service. For more information speak to the sidesperson on Sunday. If you are interested in this ministry, please contact the office.
Our 70th Anniversary Celebration is coming! There will of course be more details coming but mark Sunday 8 November 2026 from 4-8 pm at the Bellamere Winery on your calendar. Stay tuned.
St. Martin's, Our History and Our Artifacts. In the days before powerpoint and overhead projectors, posters, with accompanying lesson plans were used to teach Sunday School. During our recent exploration of the "card table" closet under the stairs we found several of the poster collections. While the artwork is a reflection of the time, they are beautiful. We will put them out during a coffee hour in the fall. They will be preserved either at St. Martin's or the Diocesan archives. Some of you may remember them.
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 Service 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". Non-perishable 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 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. The completed mats are distributed in the local area.
Readings For The Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Exodus 1:8-2:10, Psalm 124, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20
See you Sunday.
Ian
Ian Haley
Editor