St. Martin’s News for the Week of Sunday, 09/13/2026
From the Rector – Remembering 9/11
Dear 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 while a graduate student at New York University and still had many friends there. Thankfully, none of my NYU friends or colleagues were killed that day. Later I would learn that a high school classmate, Rich Lee, was one of the thousands who lost their lives while trying to escape the North Tower. I pray for his family every year at this time.
I wish I could tell my children, who have grown up in a country endlessly at war, that that day was a positive turning point in our history. Sadly, instead we have to face and speak the truth about how much division, hatred, and violence we have collectively endured over these past 25 years. And yet, I believe that every day we can wake up and choose to do better, to be better. We can volunteer for organizations we believe in. We can get to know our neighbors. We can vote and write letters to our elected officials and show up at meetings and hold them accountable. We can make time to be in community, to pray and sing and laugh and eat together. We can grow gardens, and bake bread, and hold one another’s hands.
For a time, we were a country obsessed with doing things that would show that we were not letting “the terrorists win.” I’m no longer interested in keeping score, trying to decide who is winning and who is losing. I believe Jesus shows us a different way, a way of sacrificial, unconditional love. I believe many of us are doing our best to follow the Way of Love, and I choose to be grateful.
I hope we’ll all take a moment to pray along with this prayer from the Diocese of New York.
O Almighty God, who brings good out of evil and turns even the wrath of your children towards your promised peace: Hear our prayers this day as we remember those of many nations and differing faiths whose lives were cut short by the fierce flames of anger and hatred. Hasten the time when the menace of war shall be removed. Cleanse both us and those perceived to be our enemies of all hatred and distrust. Pour out the spirit of peace on all the rulers of the world, that we may be brought through strife to the everlasting peace of the kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessings and peace,
Pamela+
Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe issued a letter on the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Sunday, September 13 – Season of Creation Continues
Preacher: Our preacher this Sunday is St. Martin’s parishioner, Kimo Kimokeo, who graduated from the West Coast Collaborative (https://www.wccollaborative.org) lay preaching program. Let’s welcome Kimo!
Taizé Worship, 6:30pm: We’ll have Taizé worship in the church at 6:30pm. Taizé worship focuses on praying through song and silence. Join us in the church for a service that lasts about 30 minutes.
Happening Next Sunday, September 20
St. Martin’s Program Year Kick-Off: We’ll have one service at 10am with preaching, Holy Eucharist and a baptism, the Sanctuary Choir, and festive music.
All-Parish Conversation about the Visioning Process for St. Martin’s at 75: After the 10am service, please join us for a light brunch and an important conversation about the work that has gone into the visioning process and what happens next. We want to hear from you! It is vital that as many members of our community as possible take part in planning for this milestone and the next 75 years of St. Martin’s life and ministry. The nursery will remain open during the adult forum.
Godly Play Begins: Godly Play begins at 10am for children TK – 6th grade in Room 4. Parents should drop off their children at Room 4 and fill out any required registration forms. Find more information on Godly Play on the Godly Play webpage on our church website.
Davis Progressive Youth Collective (DPYC) Escape Room: DPYC invites students in 6th-12th grade to join them for an Escape Room on Sunday, September 20 from 1:40-3pm at PanIQ Escape Room 2642 5th St. Sacramento. The cost is $40/per person; please bring cash to the event (financial assistance is available) and RSVP to Megan at Davis United Methodist Church dumckids@davisumc.org.
Sinfonia Spirituosa Concert at St. Martin’s, 4pm: See their website to see the program for their fall concert Echoes from the Bridge. $40 general; $20 St. Martin’s parishioners; $10 students.
Last Chance to Volunteer! Help Welcome UC Davis Students Next Week
Want to help welcome UC Davis students and their parents who will be using our parking lot during move-in week? We could use a few more volunteers to staff a welcome table in one to two-hour shifts on September 14-18 from 9am – 1pm. If you can help any of those days, please let the office know as soon as possible (info@churchofstmartin.org; 530-756-0444).
Next Saturday! Convocation at St. Martin’s, September 19
You are invited to attend the in-person gathering of Wingfield Deanery clergy, delegates, and friends at the 2026 Convocation, our annual pre-Convention event. We will gather from 9:30am – 1pm, with lunch served at 12pm. Please register by September 16 to let us know that you’re coming and if you’ll be staying for lunch. All are welcome to gather with members from other churches in our Deanery. Please note that our Convention delegates and alternates are required to attend (either in-person or online).
NAMI Yolo Panel on Mental Health in Yolo County Jails, September 16, 6pm
Join NAMI Yolo in St. Martin’s parish hall for an important community conversation about mental health in Yolo County jails. Panelists include a Yolo County public defender, the program manager at the jail, a representative from Health and Human Services, and a retired deputy D.A. Come to hear and ask questions about resources, processes, and challenges. Find information on NAMI Yolo here.
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