St. Martin’s News for the Week of Sunday, 08/09/2026
From the Rector – Architect Selection
Dear Ones,
As you may remember from an article in the last Reflections magazine and some other announcements and updates, for over two years now parish leadership has been engaged in a process of discerning how our campus can better support our current ministries, enhance welcome and hospitality, and improve our environmental resiliency and sustainability.
The process has included a professional building inspection, an energy audit, the development of a campus SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, and the work of both the Capital Needs Discernment Task Force and the Architect Selection Team. Each step has helped us better understand the many strengths of our campus, identify opportunities for improvement, and thoughtfully consider how our facilities can best support these priorities.
Following a recommendation from the Architect Selection Team, the Vestry has approved engaging architect Eric Doud to guide the next phase of this work. Some of you will remember Eric from his excellent work on St. Martin’s 2011 renovation project. He brings extensive experience working with churches and other nonprofit organizations and we believe he will be a wonderful partner and guide as we move into a more focused level of visioning and discernment.
The Executive Committee will meet with Eric Doud next week; after that, we will have more information to share and a better idea of how to ensure that as many voices and perspectives as possible are brought into the process of developing conceptual designs, which will explore a range of possibilities for the future of our campus. These concepts are intended to help us visualize options and provide information. This conceptual design process does not commit St. Martin’s to any construction project or capital campaign. Rather, it represents another step in understanding what opportunities exist for our campus and our ministries.
I am so grateful to the all members of the 2025 and 2026 Vestries, as well as everyone who has been part of the Capital Needs Discernment Task Force, the Architect Selection Team, and the many conversations with staff, ministry leaders, and partner organizations that have brought us to this step. It has been a faithful, fruitful, and deliberate process so far, and I know we will continue in that same spirit.
Blessings,
Pamela+
This Sunday, August 9 – Taizé Worship, 6:30pm
Taizé worship focuses on praying through song and silence. Join us in the church at 6:30pm for a service that lasts about 30 minutes.
Reminder to Wear Name Tags at Church
We have a new clergy member and many visitors during the summer. Let’s help them learn our names by wearing our nametags.
Love God: Care for God’s Creation
Diocesan Commission on the Environment Meeting, August 13: This meeting, at 1pm on Zoom, is open to all and will feature a presentation by Jacob Zuniga, a native plant landscape designer, pollinator advocate, and artist. Jacob is a member of Grace Church, St. Helena and is attending UC Davis, studying Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. Jacob is passionate about healing the interactions between humanity and nature through an evolution of how we think about plants. You do not have to be a member of the Commission to attend–all are welcome! Just email Commission co-chair Miriam Casey for the link: ednccoe@gmail.com.
Province VIII Creation Care Conference in Salt Lake City, September 25-27: Registration is open for this conference where attendees will gather “to renew, repair, and restore our relationship to God’s creation.” Conference goals include equipping for climate action, empowering congregations, and working toward The Episcopal Church goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. Find more information about the conference and how to register here. Rev. Pamela will be attending.
Funeral Service for the Rt. Rev. Jerry A. Lamb and Watch Opportunity at St. Martin’s
The funeral service for the Rt. Rev. Jerry A. Lamb, former bishop of the Diocese of Northern California, will be at Trinity Cathedral on Thursday, August 27 at 2pm.The service will be in-person and livestreamed. St. Martin’s will offer an opportunity to watch the service in a group at the church in Room 6/7. We’ll start right before 2pm on August 27. Bishop Lamb served our diocese from 1992 to 2006. He then served as assistant bishop of Nevada (2007) and provisional bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin (2008 – 2011).
Fall Formation: Inwardly Digest Online Class and Opportunity for Confirmation or Reception
Are you feeling called to Confirmation or Reception? Are you curious about the foundations of the Episcopal tradition? Participate in a 7-week course where we’ll learn about the Book of Common Prayer, the Liturgical Calendar, the Eucharist and more! By reading selections from Inwardly Digest: The Prayer Book as a Guide to a Spiritual Life by Derek Olsen, we’ll deepen our understanding of the relationship between liturgy, the Church, and our own faith. The class will be led by Rev. Pamela, Rev. Maggie, and Mark McMillen, Sr. Warden of St. Luke’s, Galt, our partner parish in the curacy program. The class will be offered on Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm from September 2 through October 14. This course is appropriate for everyone, whether you’re new to the Episcopal Church or have been here long-term. The class will meet on Zoom. Please RSVP and get the Zoom link from the office: info@churchofstmartin.org. Bishop Megan’s visitation to St. Luke’s, Galt on Sunday, October 18 will be an opportunity to be confirmed or received; be sure to talk to Rev. Pamela first about what’s involved. (Scholarships available for the book.)
Clergy Office Hours
This week, Rev. Pamela’s office hours will be on Friday, August 14 at 4pm (note change in day for this week only!). Rev. Maggie holds office hours on Mondays from 2-4pm, with her next office hours on Monday, August 10. To see either one at a different time, email them (pamela@churchofstmartin.org; maggie@churchofstmartin.org). You can also contact the church office to help set up appointments.
Church Office Closure
The Church Office will be closed next Wednesday & Thursday, August 12-13 for staff vacations. We will be open regular hours (9am-1pm) on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.
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