by Anika Rinker | Jan 20, 2022 | Vestry Updates
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Vestry Minutes
October 17, 2021
All members (Zoom or in person) except Linda Seeber and Julie Sutton
Opening Prayer – Father Alan
Minutes from September were presented – one change concerning the location of the convention from Texas Wesleyan to virtual. Next year it is slated to be at Texas Wesleyan
Bob Bess made a motion to accept the minutes and changes. DJ Mitchell seconded. All approved
Financial Report – DJ Mitchell
- Presented the spending for the month
- Noted that the renovations from the flood are coming to an end and payments will be made
- Presented the budget report which will be on file and attached.
Chris Mullaney made a motion to accept the budget report and Jim McManic seconded. All approved.
Gary Wilkinson
- Reiterated what DJ had reported
- Reviewed the stewardship report for the end of September.
- Committee will begin building the budget for 2022 after campaign ends.
Keen Haynes made a motion to accept Gary’s report and Bob Bess seconded. All approved.
Senior Warden’s Report – Keen Haynes
- 4 to stand for election to vestry and 5 delegates with 2 alternates.
Junior Warden Report – Bob Bess/Chris Mullaney
- Bob discussed the roof repairs and AC repairs, floor replacement and other damages due to the flood.
- Bob made a motion to purchase MyCloud to enhance technology. Discussion about what we should buy and how it will help with our presentations etc. Joe Start seconded the motion, vestry approved the purchase after talking with Chuck Taylor as what he specifically needs.
- Committee met with the City of Southlake regarding a plan for Pearson Lane and how it would affect our grounds.
Pastoral Care – Paula Jefferson
- Met with Alan and Christian Formation leaders. Discussed what was working and what needed to be improved. Made some changes to some of the classes.
- Announced that anointing was being resumed.
Rector’s Report – Alan Bentrup
- Encouraged by Stewardship Campaign and where we are in the campaign.
- Announced worship changes and addition of 8:00 services and attendance.
- Started a conversations about renovations to the sanctuary in the near future.
Closing Prayer – Melissa Kurkel
Meeting was adjourned at 2:00.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Anderson – Vestry Member/Clerk
by Anika Rinker | Dec 16, 2021 | News
We are introducing a new tradition at St. Martin’s! Beginning in January, we will have a Eucharistic worship service on the first Thursday of each month. The service will be offered with special intention for those who have died during the past month. If you would like us to lift the name of a loved one, please email the name(s) to the parish administrator, Anika Rinker at stmartin@stmartininthefields.org. Each service will begin at 11:15 am.
First Thursday Eucharists will typically be “said” services (i.e., we will not have music). If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to worship during the week, please join us.
The first service will occur on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 11:15 am. We will celebrate the feast of The Epiphany and those 3 fellows who successfully followed a remarkable star.
All are welcome!
by Anika Rinker | Dec 10, 2021 | News
Become a Stephen Minister
Do you have the gifts of empathy and compassion? If so, you could help people in need by becoming a Stephen Minister. Please complete the application here. For more information, contact Deborah Diehl, Stephen Leader, at deborah.diehl@stmartininthefields.org.
A Christian community of Compassion
Stephen Ministry is Christ caring for people through people. It is one-on-one Christian care for individuals facing a variety of life challenges – people who are experiencing grief, divorce, job loss or relocation. Stephen Ministry allows trained laypeople, who are members of our congregation and have received 50 hours of specialized instruction, to share the journey with those who are facing a crisis such as disability or chronic illness; those who are hurting and experiencing loneliness or isolation, caregiver stress and burnout, or parenting struggles. Stephen Ministers listen, care, encourage, pray, and provide emotional and spiritual support. They can be counted on to be dependable and trustworthy.
Stephen Ministers and care receivers are matched confidentially by gender and compatibility. Stephen Ministers and their care receivers meet for about one hour each week, or every other week, for as long as there is a need. The identity of those receiving care and all they discuss remains private and confidential.
The Stephen Ministry program is available to all adult members of the congregation. If you would like to discuss whether a Stephen Minister may be able to help you, please contact our Rector, the Rev. Alan Bentrup at alan.bentrup@stmartininthefields.org. If you know someone in our congregation who you think might benefit from the support of a Stephen Minister, please tell them about our program. Anyone with questions may contact our Stephen Leader, Deborah Diehl at deborah.diehl@stmartininthefields.org.
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.
