by Anika Rinker | Nov 18, 2021 | News
If you’re looking for a meaningful Christmas tradition for yourself or your family, here is an idea that keeps the focus on the needs of others. An Advent calendar is a traditional way to count the days to Christmas, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation. This REVERSE Advent calendar invites you to put one item of non-perishable food or select gifts aside each day in Advent as a gift for people served by 4Saints Episcopal Food Pantry.
Here’s what you do:
- Get a box. Two wine or liquor boxes with cardboard compartments work well, but any box will do. Decorate it if you want – maybe attach the December calendar we’ve provided here!
- Add a food or gift item to it daily. Our recommended list is below.
- On the last Sunday of Advent, or on Christmas Eve, bring it with you to church. Put it with the larger 4Saints collection box in the back of the church.
Get kids involved with:
- Decorating the box
- Planning items to purchase
- Shopping & selecting items
- Putting an item in the box every day
- Praying
- Coloring in or marking off the calendar
- Making a Christmas card to be included for the clients of 4Saints
- Remembering to bring the box to church!
Add some prayer!
- Pray daily for people who need food assistance
- Pray to see and serve other needs in our community
Suggested non-perishable items:
Sizes are what the pantry typically stocks, which makes it easy for them to store. They will accept any in-date and unopened food items!
- Canned vegetables & beans – 15 oz cans
- Canned fruit – 15 oz cans
- Canned soups – 10.5 oz (no Ramen please!)
- Canned chicken – 5 oz
- Canned tuna – 5 oz
- Cans or plastic jars of spaghetti sauce (no glass please)
- Boxes of pasta – 16 oz (no bags)
- Rice, Beans – 1 or 2 lb bags
- Mac & cheese – boxed, 7.5 oz **We can’t get enough Mac & Cheese!**
- Boxed cereal 18 oz or less – no bags
- Peanut butter, smooth – 16-18 oz
- Diapers – all sizes
- Baby wipes
- Feminine products
About the pantry
4Saints Episcopal Food Pantry is an Episcopal food bank within our deanery. 4Saints’ now has a home at the Community Life Center at Meadowbrook-Poly United Methodist Church.The area has many low-income families, and hunger is an issue there. St. Martin’s joins St. Luke’s, St. Alban’s, Arlington and St. Stephen’s, Hurst in our support of this food ministry.
by Anika Rinker | Oct 15, 2021 | Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, News
During services each Sunday in Advent, we light the candles of the Advent Wreath.
If you or your family would like to participate in lighting the wreath during Advent, please let us know your availablility! Deadline to sign up is Monday, November 24. We will notify you of the schedule by November 26.
Simply fill out the form, or send an email to the Parish Administrator, Anika Rinker at stmartin@stmartininthefields.org, or call 817-431-2396.
by Anika Rinker | Oct 11, 2021 | Vestry Updates
St. Martin In the Fields Vestry Minutes September 19, 2021
All members were present
Opening Prayer – Father Alan
Minutes from August meeting were presented – voted to approved by all members
Financial Report – DJ Mitchell
Noted Finances to Complete 2021
- Insurance Bill
- $5,400.00 property taxes due in December
- Goal to keep office expenses at $1,800 or below
- Currently under plan in giving
- DJ will be sending out a status letter to the parish soon
Chris Mullaney made a motion to accept the budget report and Linda Seeber seconded. All approved.
Gary Wilkinson
- Reiterated what DJ had reported
- Financial Review is submitted
- Canon Waggoner will expect an outside audit in 2022
- Resolution signed for the corporation switch from Ron Pogue to Alan Bentrup as registered agent.
Julie Sutton made a motion to accept Gary’s report and Bob Bess seconded. All approved.
Human Flourishing – DJ Mitchell
- Reported the attendance has steadily increased after adding another book club group.
Senior Warden’s Report – Keen Haynes
- Executive Council Meeting – announced that Canon Waggoner will be going on sabbatical
- Reported information about issues with the ongoing lawsuit.
- Convention will be held at Texas Wesleyan
- Regarding Nominating Committee – changing it so people up for nomination can also be on the committee.
- This year – 4 vestry members and 5 convention delegates to be voted on.
- 1-22-2022 will be the next meeting for Executive Council Meeting.
Junior Warden Report – Bob Bess/Chris Mullaney
- Recognized Chris for the church grounds and how hard they have worked this summer
- Meeting with Southlake regarding changes to park east of the church and how it could affect the church grounds.
- Replaced AC unit.
- Flood Check – Making sure we make use of our resources.
- Changes in the restroom to make them non gender and open to everyone. Signs will go up and changes made them later in regard to replacing and removing barriers in the restrooms.
Pastoral Care – Paula Jefferson
- Reported that the Hillsboro church is growing and flourishing.
- Ministries are busy and more and more and moving forward.
- Christian Formation is progressing and over 50 people have been present.
Rector’s Report – Alan Bentrup
- Attendance at the 8:00 service is increasing
- Attendance at the 10:30 is over 75.
- Boy Scout Project – rebuild and refurbish the outside benches. Presentation will be in November outlining the project.
Closing Prayer –
Meeting was adjourned at 2:00.
Next Meeting October 17, 2021
by Anika Rinker | Oct 6, 2021 | Better Together, News
Are you someone who loves to come to church, but can’t get here on your own? In other words, do you need a ride to church?
Are you someone who would be willing to drive someone else to church and back?
If so, please fill out the form below to let us know and we’ll do our best to try and match you up!
Not savvy with our online forms? No problem! Call the Parish Administrator, Anika Rinker at 817-431-2396 or email her at stmartin@stmartininthefields.org.
by Anika Rinker | Oct 5, 2021 | Uncategorized
Happy Feast of St. Francis! We celebrated with our annual Blessing of the Animals on our south lawn last night.
More than 50 people gathered together with dozens of dogs and cats, along with two horses. We gave thanks for the gift of creation, the companionship of animals, and the lives of those pets that are no longer with us
We give a special thank you to Boy Scout Troop 937 for their support in making the evening possible.
Enjoy some pictures from the event!
