by Anika Rinker | Dec 10, 2021 | News
The December 12, 2021 meeting of the Prayer Shawl Ministry was even more meaningful than usual. Fr. Alan and Rev. Paula joined us in blessing our handcrafted items for donation to Union Gospel Mission and Presbyterian Night Shelter.
Items included
- 17 Shawls
- 7 hats
- 94 ear warmers
- 11 scarves
- 18 bars of soap and
- 16 soap sacks
What a Blessing it is to share Christ’s Love with our brothers and sisters in need of a bit of comfort and support.
by Anika Rinker | Nov 21, 2021 | Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, News
Gifts from our Angel Tree can bring Christmas joy to children at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County who otherwise wouldn’t have as much holiday cheer. Give with your heart, and make it your goal to help disadvantaged children with Angel Tree gifts this year. It’s an easy, three-step process to share this special love:
- Pick a tag from our Angel Tree in the back of the church.
- Go shopping! Get the new gifts that are listed on your child’s tag. Please buy all of the child’s gifts listed on the tag. Please, no gift cards. Yes, you may buy additional gifts!
- Return the gifts by Sunday, December 21, wrapped and tagged, and in a large bag with the original angel tree tag firmly attached to the outside. Place your gifts in one of the large collection boxes in the back of the church. If you need to drop off to the office, please call 817-431-2396 or email stmartin@stmartininthefields.org
Our congregation will bless these gifts and pray for the recipients at our 10:30 am worship service on December 21.
Like so many things in life, there is far more involved in Angel Tree gifts than just things that we buy. At a time of year when Christmas reveals the gift of our God who loves us all, we provide love and hope and intentional, personal support to the poor and homeless in our county. Let’s continue in fruitful ways to live out our church’s core value of service – to share the abundance of our resources, talents and love with each other in our community, country and around the world.
Questions on the Angel Tree gifts? Please email Linda Seeber at lrseeber@sbcglobal.net.
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
