Announcements for the Week of January 2, 2026
Regular Schedule Resumes Sunday
On Sunday, January 4, we resume our regular Sunday schedule with Holy Eucharist Rite I at 8am and Holy Eucharist Rite II with music at 10am. Godly Play meets in Room 4 for children TK through Grade 6. The nursery is open for infants through age 5. Children of all ages are always welcome to be in church for the entire service. Stay for coffee hour after the service. Rev. Pamela will be at one of the tables and will talk a little about Epiphany, including some of our Epiphany traditions.
Next Week – Youth Liturgy of the Word (LoW)
Junior high and high schoolers meet with Rev. Debbie on second Sundays of the month at 10am in Room 8 to talk about the Gospel reading and what it is saying to them. The next LoW is on Sunday, January 11 at 10am.
Happening Soon in January
Epiphany Evening Prayer and Bonfire, Sunday, January 11: Join Rev. Pamela and others for Epiphany Evening Prayer and a bonfire on Sunday evening, January 11 at 5pm. We’ll be outdoors at the church, so wear warm clothes. We will roast marshmallows and make s’mores after a short outdoor prayer service.
Education for Ministry (EfM) begins January 12: EfM is a small group seminar in which participants explore the Bible, Christian history, and Christian ethics and spirituality. Participants also learn the art of theological reflection, exploring how the topics we study affect our everyday lives. Meets weekly on Mondays, starting January 12, from 5-8pm in the church library. Registration and fees are required, but scholarships are available.
Annual Meeting, Sunday, January 25: St. Martin’s Annual Meeting is on Sunday, January 25 during the 10am service. We will have ONE SERVICE ONLY so that everyone can be together for this important meeting. Be there to have a voice in church governance, to help elect Vestry members and Diocesan Convention delegates, and to review the 2026 budget. If you are a ministry leader or chair of a committee, you should write an annual meeting report and submit it to the church office no later than January 12.
Davis Interfaith Association Meeting, January 26: The Davis Interfaith Association (DIA) aims to celebrate the diversity of religions in our local area and to foster understanding between them. The Rev. Dr. Portia Hopkins, Chaplain of the Belfry is the current chair. DIA’s first activity in 2026 is a meeting and social on Monday, January 26 at 6pm, location TBA.
Gratitude
Thank you for being generous with your time and treasure! We raised $3,637 via our Christmas Special Offering, which has already been sent to STEAC. Over 30 people are volunteering this week to prepare or purchase and bring dinner items to the Winter Shelter at Paul’s Place during St. Martin’s assigned week, December 28 – January 4. More than 20 people came to help us decorate the church for Christmas on December 20. To all, thanks again!
Service Opportunities
Bring Nonperishable Food for Our Weekly Collection: As food costs are rising, we can help our local pantries serve the food insecure by bringing non-perishable food items to the narthex to be distributed to four local pantries. This week’s collection goes to Dixon Family Services.
Assemble STEAC Kids’ Packs for Schools: Weekend Kids’ Food Packs for DJUSD children who are food insecure are assembled in our parish hall the first Wednesday of every month. The next packing event is Wednesday, January 7 from 9:45 – 11am. Sign up directly through STEAC HERE.
Cook a Meal for Paul’s Place with the Davis Progressive Youth Collective: The Davis Progressive Youth Collective holds monthly events for youth in 6th through 12th grades. On Sunday, January 25, 1:30-3pm they will cook a tasty meal for the unhoused guests of Paul’s Place shelter. Cooking will take place at Lutheran Church of the Incarnation (1701 Russell Blvd. in Davis). RSVP HERE.
Nominations Open for Vestry and Diocesan Convention Delegate
At the Annual Meeting on January 25, we will elect Vestry members and Diocesan Convention Delegates. Vestry members serve for three years and help ensure that St. Martin’s does its best to care for the parish, the larger church, and the community. The Vestry seeks a diverse slate, hoping for balance in age, gender, and ethnicity, as well as a mix of those new to St. Martin’s and longtime parishioners. To nominate yourself or another parishioner, email the church office with a) name of nominee, b) nominee’s contact info, c) ministries nominee has been involved in. If you are nominating someone other than yourself, please talk to them first to get their permission. We are also seeking nominations for seven lay delegates and two alternates to Diocesan Convention, which will be held online on October 24, 2026. Deadline for Nominations: January 12, 2026 (Note that nominations can be accepted later, but the nominees’ biographical information may not be available before the Annual Meeting).
PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS
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