Hello all. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Sunday for Choral Mattins (Morning Prayer).  A beautiful service, well attended by members of the Parish and Guests.  It was a wonderful way to end the summer.  The children, bless them, return to school next week.  Over the summer Nancy's daycare increases as the "Alumni" of 5 to 9 year olds return.  Friday we wave them goodbye and pack the trailer.  We will be away until 14 September, so look for the next Midweek News on 17 September.   Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Vince Chicoine who will be getting a knee replacement Friday, followed by two weeks convalescence aided by the "physio terrorists" as my father used to describe them.   Now on with the summer wrap up.  

 

What Does This Cable Do?   Rev'd Sarah is back but reaching her may be a little difficult.  Someone cut a Bell phone cable in the neighbourhood and service to the church may not be restored until the weekend.  In the interim for non-emergency items please e-mail the church at stmartinslondon@diohuron.org.  If you have an urgent pastoral need, please contact Rev'd Sarah on her cell phone at 289-221-5855.

 

Compliance With Fire Inspection Requirements.  Over the summer a number of items on the list have been completed.  There has been a general clean up, with more than a few trips to the dump.  Adjustments have been made to the fire doors and hardware replaced where necessary.  Smoke and heat sensors tested and replaced, including the one in the ceiling of Congress Hall (look up, look wayyy up...) and the alarm system tested.  Over 20 emergency lights have been installed under the guidance of an Engineer.  The Engineer also has to provide capacity limits for the Worship Space, Rowland Hall and Congress Hall.  I look forward to this being a concern in the future.  The new metal shutter for the kitchen will soon be on order with an anticipated delivery over the Christmas school break.  Finally, there will be inspections by the Fire, Building and Electrical Inspectors and an update to the Fire Safety Plan.  Thanks are due to Larry Chisholm and Craig Smith for coordinating all this activity.  We will keep you updated as we continue to move forward.

 

Martin's Brunchers.  Is all this making you hungry?  Good.  Here are the details for September's event.

Martin’s Brunchers
You are invited to join us for lunch. Please contact Larry and
Janice Chisholm (lchisholm@rogers.com; 519-657-5279 home;
519-636-6899 cell) if you would like assistance with travel to and
from the restaurant.
Date: Wednesday, September 16 / 26
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: STACKED PANCAKE and
BREAKFAST HOUSE
* located at 960 Southdale Rd. West; the NE corner of
Southdale Rd. and Colonel Talbot Rd.
* follow Colonel Talbot Rd. south from Byron; as you approach
the round-about, turn left into the plaza (construction area)
Please let us know by Monday, Sept. 14 if you are planning
to attend so we can make appropriate reservations.

A distinguished August gathering at the Sunset Grill.  

 

Choral Evensong in the tradition of the Book of Common Prayer returns on Sunday September 20 at 4:00 pm. 

 

NEW! Evening Prayer Every Month This year, Evening Prayer will be offered on the third Sunday of every month at 4:00 pm. You're invited to make this pillar of our Anglican tradition part of your rhythm of prayer and worship over the coming months. Some services will be choral (sung/led by the choir) and others will be said (spoken/no music). Please see the 2026 schedule below for details. 

September 20 at 4 pm - Choral Evensong

October 18 at 4 pm - Said Evening Prayer

November 15 at 4 pm - Choral Evensong

December 20 at 4 pm - Said Evening Prayer

 

Kids Church Returns on Monday, September 28, 6:00-7:30 pm. Join in to kick off a new year of fun, friendship, and faith. Our first gathering of the season will feature games and hands-on activities focused on building community, serving others, and setting goals for the school year ahead. It's a great opportunity for children to reconnect with friends, make new ones, and discover how they can grow in faith, fellowship, and service. The program is free to join; registration is required. 

 

Office Hours This Week.   Just a reminder, the office will be closed on Friday.

 

New on stmartinslondon.ca As we head into a busy fall season, the most recent information on news and events can be found on the church website (including the latest issue of the Midweek News!). If you're wondering about an upcoming service, or looking for information about a specific ministry that you're involved in--or would like to be involved in--check back often for updates on happenings around the parish and in the Deanery of London. 

 

Parish Council Returns.  The next meeting of Parish Council will be Monday September 21st at 7pm in Rowland Hall.

 

E-Transfer is Here.  St. Martin's is now able to accept funds by e-transfer.  It can be used for donations and payment for invoices, tickets etc.  They can be sent to the church email address: stmartinslondon@diohuron.org.

Please provide your address in the comments section of your first e-transfer.  We can not issue tax receipts without an address

 

Sidespeople Needed We are looking for some more 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.   More to come.

 

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.  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 Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost 

Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 149, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20

 

Parish Family Circle of Prayer –    As we gather this week we pray for the following members of our congregation and their families.

 John Moore          Roy & Cathy Murray        Kerry & Marie Newton

 

We should have known...

 

Enjoy your week.
Ian

Ian Haley
Editor