St. Martin’s News November 9, 2025
Here you can find weekly news and upcoming events at the Episcopal Church of St. Martin. Published 11/9/2025.
Diocese of Northern California Annual Convention This Weekend
The Diocesan Annual Convention is being held in Redding, CA, this weekend, November 7-8. Convention brings together representatives from all the churches in our diocese. Pre-convention workshops start Thursday afternoon, with the business sessions taking place on Friday and Saturday. Traveling to Redding as lay delegates this year are Maria Acuna-Feldman, Stan Forbes, James Hochbrueckner, Carole Hom, Kimo Kimokeo, and Janet Lane. Our clergy attending include Randy Demary, Pamela Dolan, Margaret Grayden, and Debbie Hawkins. Elise Keddie is serving as a volunteer, helping with Convention registration and various important logistical tasks. We ask for your prayers for safe travel and a productive and fellowship-filled convention. Note that the church office will be closed on Friday, November 7 due to Convention. For more information on Diocesan Convention, see HERE.
Formation Opportunities This Sunday, November 9
Second Sunday Youth Liturgy of the Word (LoW): On second Sundays of the month, junior high and high schoolers are invited to meet with Rev. Debbie during the first half of the 10am service to explore what the Gospel lesson is saying to them. Meet Rev. Debbie in Room 8 on November 9.
Confirmation and Enquirer’s Class: On the five Sundays of November, we offer a confirmation and enquirer’s class from 11:30am – 1pm in Room 6/7. This class is for everyone who is interested but is especially designed for those who are considering being confirmed or received when Bishop Megan visits St. Martin’s in December. If you missed the first class last week, feel free to come this week, November 9. Be sure to talk to Rev. Pamela if you are interested in being baptized, confirmed, or received in the Episcopal Church.
Last Call for Church Directory Photos
If you have not had your photo taken for the church directory, we will take photos again on Sunday after the 8am service (i.e., between services) and during coffee hour after the 10am service. We will send you a copy of your photo to keep as well. Look for Gabe and the camera outside the parish hall.
Helping Our Neighbors
Thanksgiving Project & Weekly Food Collection
With SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits being reduced due to the government shutdown, the need is greater than ever right now! Consider one of the following ways to help our neighbors in need.
Thanksgiving Project Donations: The Social Justice & Outreach Committee (SJ&O) is asking for your donations to the Thanksgiving Project, an outreach effort through which we provide grocery store gift cards to community members in need at the holidays. This year, we are focusing on organizations that serve families with school-age children, undocumented UC Davis students, and seniors. Monetary donations (of any amount) will be gratefully accepted through November 16. Send a check to St. Martin’s Church with “Thanksgiving Project” in the memo line or use the “GIVE” button on our website and select “Thanksgiving Project” from the dropdown menu. Members of the SJ&O committee will be at a table between and after both services to answer any questions you have.
Food for Our Weekly Collection: We collect non-perishable food and distribute it to four local pantries: STEAC, Dixon Family Services, The UC Davis Pantry, and CA House. This Sunday’s collection will go to CA House (multifaith living community on Russell Blvd). They have specifically requested “filling food,” such as pasta, rice, oatmeal, cereals, and boxed meals (Pasta Roni, Mac N Cheese). We will also deliver toiletries to The Belfry this week (toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, other). Bring your items to the narthex food basket on Sunday. Please give generously, if you can!
St. Martin’s Rep for DCMH Meals: We need one additional rep for Thursdays, 5-7pm. St. Martin’s reps serve one week per month, and are there to assist, as needed. Meet the meal guests and volunteers! Be part of providing an essential service to the Davis community!
Donate to Hurricane Melissa Relief
St. Martin’s has at least two parishioners from Jamaica. We pray for all in Jamaica and the Caribbean region who have been affected by Hurricane Melissa. If you wish to donate to Hurricane Melissa relief, one effective way to do so is directly through Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD). Donate HERE.
Service Opportunities at St. Martin’s
Ushers for First and Third Sundays at 10am: We need one more usher on the first Sunday and one on the third Sunday of the month at 10am. You will work in pairs and we’ll show you the ropes.
One Parishioner for Special Plates Committee: St. Martin’s donates all our “collection plate” offerings on Christmas and Easter to organizations that serve critical needs in the community and the world. A Special Plates Committee, consisting of two Vestry members, two Social Justice & Outreach Committee members, and two parishioners at large make recommendations to Vestry. We need one more parishioner to serve. If you’d like to serve on either of the above or have questions, please contact the church office (info@churchofstmartin.org).
Save the Dates for November
Feast of St. Martin: On November 16, we celebrate the Feast of St. Martin of Tours. During coffee hour, decorate goose cookies and find out why geese are often symbols of St. Martin.
Trans Day of Remembrance: On Wednesday, November 19 at 6pm, we will host a Trans Day of Remembrance service with music, followed by an optional evening labyrinth walk. Please invite friends and family. More details soon.
Office Closures
The church office will be closed on Friday, November 7 due to Diocesan Convention and on Tuesday, November 11 for Veterans Day.
PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS
- St. Martin’s News 10/02/2026St. Martin’s News for the Week of Sunday, 10/04/2026 This Sunday, October 4 – The Feast of St. Francis and Blessing of the Animals at Both ServicesDuring the Season of Creation, we give special thanks for all God’s creatures, especially the animals that share our lives. The clergy will be blessing animals at both the 8am and 10am services this Sunday. Bring your pets, with dogs on leashes and other animals in carriers as needed. The 8am service will be indoors and will be livestreamed; the 10am service will be outdoors and will not be livestreamed this Sunday. For the…
- St. Martin’s News 09/25/2026St. Martin’s News for the Week of Sunday, 09/27/2026 From the RectorDear Ones,I am writing from Salt Lake City, where I am attending the Province VIII Creation Care Conference. I’m sorry that the title of the conference is so “inside baseball” because the topics and presenters make me think this is going to be one of the best I’ve ever attended, with great relevance to our lives and the life of the Church. If you want to learn more, the Episcopal News Service published an excellent article this week. Last Sunday we had a full house at the All-Parish Conversation,…
- St. Martin’s News 09/18/2026St. Martin’s News for the Week of Sunday, 09/20/2026 This Sunday: Program Year Kick-Off and MoreSanctuary Choir Returns and Baptism at 10am: The Sanctuary Choir returns on Sunday. We are also delighted to baptize Miriam Teresa Aguilar and welcome her into the household of God. Godly Play Begins Sunday, 10am: Godly Play begins Sunday during the 10am service for children TK – 6th grade in Room 4. Parents can drop off their children at Room 4 and fill out any required registration forms. Information about Godly Play is on the Godly Play webpage on our church website. Music Notes: One…
- St. Martin’s News 09/11/2026St. Martin’s News for the Week of Sunday, 09/13/2026 From the Rector – Remembering 9/11Dear Ones,Most of us over a certain age remember exactly where we were on this morning 25 years ago. My story is not special. I was a young mother, dealing with my toddler’s recurring ear infection, still a bit sad about having left New York the year before. I didn’t normally watch the news on TV, but that morning, like much of the nation, I ended up unable to take my eyes away from the horror unfolding in real time. I had worked in lower Manhattan…
- St. Martin’s News 09/04/2026St. Martin’s News for the Week of Sunday, 09/06/2026 This Week at St. Martin’s – Season of Creation BeginsThis Sunday marks the first Sunday in the Season of Creation. The World Council of Churches was instrumental in making this a season extending from September 1 until October 4, the feast day of St. Francis. The season was endorsed by our General Convention and is a time for us to come together to care for our common home. During the month, we are using liturgical resources from Season of Creation, A Celebration Guide for Episcopal Parishes (Perennial Edition, 2025) and from Season of Creation 2026,…
