St. Martin’s News for the Week of Sunday, 07/05/2026

From the Rector
Dear Ones,
Tomorrow is the 4th of July, a day when we typically celebrate the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States. I don’t think I need to add a lot of words to the torrent of reflections about the current state of our country, our democracy, and the world. 

Instead, I would ask that we take some time during this long weekend to pray. Come to church to pray, certainly! But also pray at home, by yourself or with others. Your prayers don’t have to be wordy. Just find a quiet moment to pause and recognize both the many gifts we’ve been given and the long road still ahead of us before we can truly proclaim “liberty and justice for all” a reality. It isn’t, not yet. But with God’s help, we can work together to create a more just and loving world, starting right here at home.

In the words of The Book of Common Prayer, let’s ask God to “give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance.” Zeal and strength, justice and forbearance: these are gifts that will endure and move us forward, into whatever the future may hold.
Blessings,
Pamela+

Guest Preacher and Adult Forum, July 5
Guest Preacher, The Rev. Mike Kinman: We are pleased to welcome the Rev. Mike Kinman back to St. Martin’s. Rev. Mike is a member of the Global Advisory Council of Thistle Farms, a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from prostitution, trafficking, and addiction and connecting women’s justice enterprises around the world. He is also former rector of All Saints Church in Pasadena and former dean of Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis. He was a friend and mentor to Rev. Pamela during her time in St. Louis and preached at her installation as rector at St. Martin’s.

“The Love Economy,” Adult Forum after 10am Service: Imagine a marketplace where we pause and, instead of looking at the product and price first, we look in each other’s eyes; where instead of starting with product and price, we begin with relationship; where we see both product and currency as a way not to extract from one another, but as ways to love each other. Imagine a market economy that is first and foremost a love economy. You don’t have to imagine. It’s real. Join the Rev. Mike Kinman after church in the parish hall where he will lead a conversation about how women around the world are creating this love economy–and will help us imagine how we can all be a part of it.

Worship, Fellowship, and Formation in July
For the month of July, our Sunday morning schedule will be a single service at 10am, allowing our whole community to worship together.

July 5, Adult Forum after 10am Service: Join guest preacher the Rev. Mike Kinman, who will lead a discussion on The Love Economy.

July 9 and 16, Yoga by the Redwoods, 4:30-5:30pm: Mindfulness Yoga (gentle flow) twice a month on Thursday afternoons in Room 6/7. For youth through adults, this class will be offered by yoga instructor, Julia Seebach. The class is free, with donations to St. Martin’s optional.

July 12, Bible Study after 10am Service: Join Diane Bamforth in a Bible study on the Parable of the Mustard Seed. We will wonder about the Kingdom of God and why Jesus chose the mustard seed for this parable. Meet in Room 6/7.

July 12, Taize Worship, 6:30pm: Taize worship focuses on praying through song and silence. Join us in the church for this 30-minute service.

July 18, Maggie Rutherford’s Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate, 11am: Our new curate, Maggie, will be ordained at Trinity Cathedral. Let’s be there to support her!

July 19, Pizza Church, 5pm: Meet in Room 6/7 for our first intergenerational Sunday evening service consisting of informal, interactive worship followed by a time for fellowship with pizza.

July 26, Special Welcome Coffee Hour after 10am Service: Come to a special coffee hour after church to welcome our curate, Maggie, on her first Sunday at St. Martin’s.

July 29, OWL (Older Wiser Laity) Tea, 2-4pm: All older and/or wiser laity and clergy are invited to an Afternoon Tea on July 29 in Room 6/7. Come for fellowship and light refreshments. Please RSVP to the church office so that we know how many to expect (info@churchofstmartin.org; 530-756-0444).

Opportunity to Support Service Year in Argentina
James Hochbrueckner, who gave his graduation sermon last Sunday, leaves August 16 for a service year in Argentina through the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA)’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program. There, he will partner with the Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Unida to do work ranging from afterschool programs to human rights initiatives. You can follow James’ journey through a newsletter or donate to his cause by going to the indicated links above.

Serve as a St. Martin’s Alternate to Diocesan Convention
Meet people from other churches in our diocese and learn more about diocesan governance by being a St. Martin’s alternate to Diocesan Convention! Convention will be on Zoom on Saturday, October 24. St. Martin’s has seven delegates, but we need at least one alternate. On Saturday, September 19, delegates and alternates will also attend a morning Convocation, a pre-convention meeting that will most likely be here at St. Martin’s for our deanery. Let Rev. Pamela or the office know if you’d like to serve.

Church Office Closure
The church office will be closed on Monday, July 6 in observance of Independence Day. We will return to our regular hours, weekdays 9am – 1pm, on Tuesday, July 7. We wish everyone a good and safe holiday weekend!

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