St. Martin’s News: 11/10/2024

Here you can find weekly news and upcoming events at the Episcopal Church of St. Martin’s. This changes every week.

“Make Me an Instrument of Peace: A Guide to Civil Discourse”
This Sunday, November 10, at 11:30am, Rev. Pamela will offer the last class in a series designed to be helpful during the election season and the generally contentious times in which we find ourselves. We’ll meet in the church library to discuss short videos on topics such as “Context Matters” and “Tenets for Civil Discourse.” This is a drop-in class; you are welcome even if you have not attended previous class sessions. Come as you are, ready to listen deeply and be heard with respect.

Seeking Singers for December 8 Lessons and Carols
If you are a confident singer, quick learner, and enjoy both vocal jazz with close harmonies and Renaissance polyphony, you might enjoy taking part in our Lessons and Carols service on December 8 at 4pm (dress rehearsal December 5). We will have readings from Scripture and the writings of John Muir, and will be joined by a viol (gamba) consort. Even if you can’t commit to joining the choir on a permanent basis, please feel free to join us at rehearsals at 7pm on Thursdays; we will begin our rehearsals with the Advent music for December 8, so you don’t have to stay for the whole time.

St. Martin’s Night at The Belfry, November 21, 6:30pm
On Thursday, November 21 at 6:30pm, join Rev. Pamela and others from St. Martin’s at The Belfry Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry for Holy Eucharist, followed by dinner for those who wish to stay. The Belfry hosts Holy Eucharist and dinner every Thursday night, but on November 21, a group from St. Martin’s will be going. Parking is very limited, so carpools are encouraged. Address: 216 A Street in Davis https://www.thebelfry.org

Save the Date for Las Posadas December 1 During 10am Service
On December 1, a First Sunday at the 10am service, we will celebrate Las Posadas. Las Posadas commemorates the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe place to have the baby Jesus. All the children will be invited to participate in a music-filled, fun event. After the service, we will have a variety of cookies for coffee hour. If you can bring cookies, homemade or store-bought, please do.

Update on Worship in the Parish Hall
Nzilani Glass Conservation continues working on our ceiling stained-glass window. Nzilani let us know they will need the three working days of Thanksgiving week to complete the project. That puts us in the parish hall through December 1, the first Sunday of Advent. We wanted to share just a few simple ways we could all help continue to make the experience as smooth as possible:

• Some of our parishioners are sensitive to perfume and other scents. If possible, minimize the amount of perfume, cologne, and other scents that you wear. We will also set up a few chairs outside the west door of the parish hall for those who need to sit outside.
• As best as you are able, please fill in seats in the middle of the rows so that latecomers can find aisle seats easily.
• If you need Holy Communion brought to you at your seat, take an aisle seat, if possible.

Let us know if there are aspects of our parish hall worship you think we could improve.

Accepting Donations for the Christine Blanchard Thanksgiving Project
Did you know that 29.2% of Yolo County residents report being food insecure? According to the April 2024 Yolo County Food Access Survey Report, close to 40% of households with children and almost 20% of households with seniors in our county are food insecure. For years, St. Martin’s parishioners have given to the Thanksgiving project, an outreach effort that distributes grocery store gift cards to local families in need. This year, we are distributing the cards to local organizations that serve families with school-age children, undocumented UC Davis students, and seniors. To donate, write checks to the Episcopal Church of St. Martin with “Thanksgiving Project” in the memo line, or use the blue GIVE button on our website (www.churchofstmartin.org). Donation deadline: November 17

Acorn Stories at International House, Saturday, November 9, 4-6pm
I-House, Davis and YoloSol Collective present Acorn Stories with presenters Diana and Chrissy Almendariz, native California practitioners of Maidu/Wintun and Hupa/Yurok heritage. The program includes an acorn processing demonstration, storytelling for all ages, a cultural demonstration, and light refreshments. The event is free. RSVP at https://bit.ly/AcornStories.

The Church Office will be closed on Monday, November 11, for Veterans Day.