St. Martin’s News for the Week of Sunday, 08/30/2026
From the Rector
Dear Ones,
The Backpack Blessings last Sunday were so fun, and our second ever Pizza Church service welcomed 27 people! I feel incredibly blessed to be part of a church where new things are encouraged and appreciated. I hope you’ve had a chance to look at our most recent issue of Reflections magazine, sent out last week, to get a feel for how much we have experimented and stretched our wings over the last few months.
In today’s email, you’ll find several opportunities to get more involved in St. Martin’s and the larger community, including our online formation class that starts next week. I wanted to let you know about one more formation opportunity coming up later this fall, something I’ve been hoping to pull together for a few months now.
Reflecting Images: Christianity and AI in Conversation, will be a dialogue series led by our own Mae Forrest Barnes, PhD. Mae has a background in theology and ethics, with a special focus in accessibility, science, and theological ethics. We’re meeting on Tuesday evenings at 7pm, at St. Martin’s, from September 29 through October 27. There will be more information coming soon, and we really hope to include people from around Davis, so please mark your calendars now and consider inviting friends.
I’ll be away for a few days visiting family in Los Angeles, but am looking forward to learning and growing with all of you in the coming weeks and months.
Blessings,
Pamela+
This Week at St. Martin’s
Guest Preacher on Sunday: We are delighted to welcome Mae Barnes as our preacher on Sunday. Mae is a Vestry member, a reader during services, and has preached for us previously. Welcome, Mae! Stay after the 10am service for coffee, tea, snacks, and fellowship!
Starts Wednesday! Inwardly Digest Online Class: It’s not too late to sign up for a 7-week online course on Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm from September 2 through October 14. We’ll learn about the Book of Common Prayer, the Liturgical Calendar, the Eucharist and more. We’ll read selections from Inwardly Digest: The Prayer Book as a Guide to a Spiritual Life by Derek Olsen. The class will be led by Rev. Pamela, Rev. Maggie, and Mark McMillen, Sr. Warden of St. Luke’s, Galt. The course is appropriate whether you’re new to the Episcopal Church or have been here long-term. RSVP to the office at info@churchofstmartin.org to let us know you’ll be attending and to receive the Zoom link. Bishop Megan’s visitation to St. Luke’s, Galt on Sunday, October 18 will be an opportunity to be confirmed or received; make sure you talk to Rev. Pamela first about what’s involved.
Help Welcome UC Davis Students and Their Families, September 14-18
Want to help welcome UC Davis students and their parents who will be using our parking lot during move-in week? We’ll have a welcome table with snacks, water, St. Martin’s stickers, information about our labyrinth, and brochures. We’ll also have our restrooms open. We’re looking for parishioners who can help us staff the table and welcome people from September 14 -18. The students are moving into dorms in the Cuarto area on Oxford circle. Last year, those parking here greatly appreciated the welcome. If you’d be interested in staffing the welcome table for an hour between 9am and 1pm on any of those days, please let the office know as soon as possible (info@churchofstmartin.org; 530-756-0444).
Wingfield Deanery Convocation at St. Martin’s, September 19, 9:30am
Convocation, a pre-Diocesan Convention meeting, will be on Saturday, September 19, from 9:30am-1pm, in-person at St. Martin’s for our deanery, Wingfield. While all Diocesan Convention delegates and alternates should plan to attend, Convocation is open to all. We’ll gather for important Diocesan Convention business, and then a time of formation with others in our deanery, fellowship, and food! Lunch will be provided at no charge. Registration is required for the event so that we know how many to expect. Gather with members from other churches in our Deanery as we seek to become a more connected, collaborative, and faithful part of the Episcopal presence in Northern California. Please register by September 16.
Visioning Webpage: St. Martin’s at 75!
A new page on our website documents the process St. Martin’s has followed to evaluate the campus and explore how it can best support ministry for years to come. The page is intended to keep the congregation informed as work progresses. You can check the page regularly for updates and a timeline. If you have questions or comments about the visioning process, you can email advisoryteam@churchofstmartin.org.
Opportunities in the Broader Community
Yoga by the Redwoods, NEW TIME, Thursdays, 5-6pm in Room 6/7: Note that we are now offering this class weekly on Thursdays at 5pm. Mindfulness, gentle-flow yoga for youth through adults. Taught by certified yoga instructor Julia Seebach. No charge. Donations to St. Martin’s (Creation Care) optional. The next class will be on September 3.
“Working Together to Protect Our Neighbors,” Thursday, September 10, 6-7:30pm, Veterans Memorial Center (203 East 14th St.): This community forum, hosted by the Davis Police Accountability Commission, will focus on what local law enforcement can—and cannot—do when federal immigration enforcement occurs in or near our community, and what can families do now to prepare and protect each other. The city of Davis police chief, an immigration attorney, and an independent police auditor will speak on local law enforcement, immigration enforcement, family preparedness, and community safety. Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Clergy Office Hours
Rev. Pamela holds office hours on Tuesdays, 4-5:15pm. She will be away next Tuesday. Her next office hours will be on Tuesday, September 8 at 4pm. Rev. Maggie holds office hours on Mondays, 2-4pm. Her next office hours will be on Monday, August 31 at 2pm. To see either one at a different time, please email them directly (pamela@churchofstmartin.org; maggie@churchofstmartin.org) or contact the church office to help set up appointments.
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