by Anika Rinker | Jul 16, 2020 | Group
The Quiet Committee teams provide a meal for those who have recently been hospitalized, had a new baby, or experienced the loss of a family member. The Quiet Committee also provides occasional meals for those who have long illnesses or are homebound/bedbound.
If you would like to request a meal for yourself or someone in need, please contact Susan Reeves at susankreeves@att.net.
Get Involved!
We have four teams on call to provide a meal, and each team serves for three months. There are typically four or more members on each team, and we always have room for more men and women to serve. There is nothing better than the feeling you have when you know that you have been able to help a family with a homemade meal. If you are interested in serving our community this way, please contact Susan Reeves at susankreeves@att.net
by Anika Rinker | Jun 4, 2020 | Better Together, News
Following the guidelines of The Episcopal Church, St. Martin’s invites you to use their tools and practices of evangelism. You already have the skills you need.
Episcopalians are passionate about proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ in our words and actions. Through the spiritual practice of evangelism, we seek, name and celebrate Jesus’ loving presence in the stories of all people – then invite everyone to MORE. – episcopalchurch.org
Read, study and follow the guidelines here.
Introducing a Practical Theology of Episcopal Evangelism
Are you interested in an Evangelism Study Group? One is in the works! Please contact Ron Hitchcock at ronhitch33@gmail.com or 972-741-4064 if you’d like to participate, or have any questions about evangelism.
If you invite God into your life, beware. There may be no going back. If you open your life to God’s Holy Spirit – if you dare to pray, with your heart, “Come Holy Spirit,” there is no knowing where the Spirit may lead you. This I do know: God did not create you to live life in the shallows, to fritter your life away. God created you to be fully alive. -Br. Geoffrey Tristram, Society of Saint John the Evangelist
by Anika Rinker | Feb 9, 2020 | Group
Our Worship Ministry members faithfully read scripture and prayers and offer wine at Communion during our worship. Other members, Lay Eucharistic Visitors, take Communion to members who are unable to come to church.
Anyone who feels called to serve in worship should contact Jim Bedell at irvington32@gmail.com to be a reader or chalice minister, or Phyllis Bess at tontho16@gmail.com to be a Lay Eucharistic Visitor.
by Anika Rinker | Feb 5, 2020 | News
Are you called to participate in a ministry here at St. Martin’s? Have questions about a ministry? We can connect you! You can read Fr. Ron Pogue’s e-phiphanies article “Every Member has a Ministry,” which explains what it means to be called to serve.
Use the form below to tell us about your interests & we will ask a ministry head to get in touch with you.
by Anika Rinker | Jan 31, 2020 | News
At the Annual Parish Meeting held on January 26, 2020 we enjoyed a potluck luncheon and tended to the business of the church. We elected lay leaders to the Vestry and Delegates for Diocesan Convention. The results are here.
Senior Warden Keen Haynes announced co-chairs for the Rector Search Committee, and we have opened the nominations process to be on the search committee. If you or someone you know would like to be on the Rector Search Committee, the information and forms to apply are here.
You can read or download the 2019 Annual Report here.
by Anika Rinker | Jan 2, 2020 | Group
The Prayer Shawl Ministry members knit/crochet shawls, chemo caps, scarves, stocking caps, ear warmers and soap sacks to be given to those in need of comfort and support. This ministry currently meets weekly on Thursdays from 1 – 2:30 pm in the yarn room located in the parish hall. If you are interested in learning to knit or crochet, there are members willing to teach you!
Some of the recent recipients include: Family and friends of St. Martin’s, J. Peter Smith Cancer Center, Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County and Presbyterian Night Shelter.
Click here to find out about our new Piecemaker ministry, which creates sewing projects for those in need.
We DO accept donations of yarn. If you have yarn to donate, please bring it to the church office during normal business hours. For more information or to request an item contact Kathy Wilkinson at kathy.wilkinson@stmartininthefields.org.
by Anika Rinker | Jul 16, 2019 | Vestry Updates
St. Martin’s Special Vestry Meeting, June 4, 2019
Present: Bob Bess, Mary Beth Butler (member & clerk), Sharon Dudek, Keen Haynes, Brandy Heckel, Rev. Scot McComas, Rector, D.J. Mitchell (member & treasurer), Christopher Mullaney, Linda Seeber, Becky Snell, Julie Sutton
Absent: Christopher DeClerk, Ben Taylor
Also Present: the Rev. Janet Waggoner, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Fort Worth
A special called meeting of the Vestry of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church was held Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at 6:30 pm in the East Parish Hall. The meeting was called for two purposes – to receive information regarding Safeguarding Training and for a Matter Regarding a Personnel Change. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rector at 6:36 PM.
Safeguarding Update
The Rector distributed printed information about the Safeguarding Courses that Vestry members and other church volunteers are required to complete. The document is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Vestry members are asked to contact Anika Rinker in the church office to determine which modules they need to take and by when and to receive log-in information.
An in-person training session for “Safeguarding God’s Children” will take place at St. Martin’s at 12:30 pm June 30 for those who prefer a group training setting rather than individual training via the internet. All congregation members will be invited to attend. A trainer will be secured by Sutton.
Personnel Change
Rector’s Announcement: The Rector announced he has accepted a call from Church of the Nativity, Scottsdale, AZ. He read a letter to that effect that will go out to St. Martin’s parishioners at 9 pm following this meeting. The document is attached and made a part of these minutes. His last Sunday at St. Martin’s will be July 14, 2019. A farewell reception for him will be held in the Parish Hall after the 10:30 service that day.
Canon’s Remarks: Canon Waggoner gave an overview of the process for St. Martin’s going forward. The Clerk’s notes on those remarks are attached to and made a part of these minutes.
Vestry Vote: Bess moved the Vestry accept the resignation of Scot McComas as Rector of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church with thanks to him for his five years with us. The motion carried.
Bess moved the meeting be adjourned, and the motion carried.
The meeting was closed with prayer at 7:43 PM by the Rector.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Beth Butler, Clerk
by Anika Rinker | Jul 16, 2019 | Vestry Updates
Meeting Minutes, May 21-22, 2019
A special called meeting on email
Voting by e-mail: Bob Bess, Mary Beth Butler (member & clerk), Christopher DeClerk, Sharon Dudek, Keen Haynes, Brandy Heckel, D.J. Mitchell (member & treasurer), Christopher Mullaney, Linda Seeber, Becky Snell, Julie Sutton.
Voting by phone per Rector Scot McComas: Ben Taylor
A special called meeting of the Vestry of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church was held via e-mail on Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22.
At the May 5 meeting, the Vestry voted to approve the proposal submitted by Chuck Taylor, Chair of the Communications Committee, for the replacement of the current sound system. Subsequently, there was confusion over the result of the vote, so after e-mail conversation among the Vestry members, Julie Sutton referenced the Parish Bylaws Article 5.6 (c) and moved the following:
that we seek additional funds for the temporarily restricted fund called “sound system + audio system” via a fundraiser handled by Sr. Warden Keen Haynes (per the minutes on 5/5/19).
All members voted in the affirmative and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Beth Butler, Clerk
by Anika Rinker | Jul 16, 2019 | Vestry Updates
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Vestry Meeting Minutes – May 19, 2019
Present: Bob Bess, Mary Beth Butler (member & clerk), Sharon Dudek, Keen Haynes, Brandy Heckel, D.J. Mitchell (member & treasurer), Christopher Mullaney, Linda Seeber, Becky Snell, Julie Sutton, Christopher Thomas, Assisting Priest
Absent: Christopher DeClerk, Ben Taylor, Scot McComas, Rector
Also Present: Glenda Morehead, Parliamentarian, Linda Snow, Historian
A regular meeting of the Vestry of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church was held Sunday, May 19, 2019 in the West Parish Hall. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Assisting Priest at 12:27 PM.
Bible Study
The Assisting Priest led the Vestry in a study using Ephesians 5:1-2, 6-11, 18b-20.
Senior Warden Haynes chaired the balance of the meeting.
Norms of Vestry Meetings
Mullaney is working on a draft of a statement to be read at the beginning of all meetings. The matter was tabled until the June 23 meeting.
Fundraiser Updates & Calendar Planning
Dudek and Sutton presented their proposal for a Parish Bingo Night on September 28. This document is attached and made a part of these minutes. Signup sheets were circulated for volunteer positions. Mitchell moved acceptance of the proposal and the motion carried.
The Octoberfest event will be offered as planned on October 27 with the following elements: Chili Cookoff, Trunk or Treat, Beer and possibly wine by parish artisans.
Parish Bylaws Approved
The revised Parish Bylaws were presented at the May 5, 2019 meeting. Bess moved that the bylaws be accepted as presented. The motion carried. The bylaws were signed by Hayes as Senior Warden and Butler as Clerk, affirming the vote. Morehead will submit copies to the Diocesan office and to the investment firm.
Senior Warden’s Report
AED & CPR Classes: Haynes said that DeClerk will be offering AED and CPR classes on a date to be announced.
Walk or Run Evenings: Mullaney will be forming a group to walk or run together one evening per week.
Safeguarding Vestry members were reminded to update their Safeguarding classes. This may now be done entirely online. It was agreed to ask Kirsten Tiemann to offer a Safeguarding class on June 30 following the 10:30 service. Class will be open to all members of the congregation.
Consideration of Minutes
Minutes of the May 5, 2019 meeting were approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Mitchell reported on the April 2019 financials. Heckel moved acceptance and the motion carried.
Transparency of Financial Status: Mitchell will make his first bi-monthly announcement on the “State of the Financials” at the services on June 1 & 2.
Salary Increase for Parish Administrator: Bob Bess moved that the salary of the Parish Administrator be increased to $40,000.00 per year effective February 1, 2019, due to an increase in responsibilities of the position and to bring the salary to market level. The motion was seconded and carried.
Welcome Ministry Initiatives
Three follow up calls were assigned.
Junior Warden’s Report – Labyrinth Signage
Bess noted ongoing needs for replacement of bulbs and HVAC filters. Parishioner Andres Delgado owns a handyman service and it was suggested that he be contacted to assist with this and other work.
Rector’s Report
In the absence of the Rector, no report was presented.
Announcements/Upcoming Events
June 2: Parish Picnic and Blood Drive
June 9: Pentecost
July 15-19 Vacation Bible School
July 22 – 25 City Week at Union Gospel Mission
The meeting adjourned at 2:28 pm with prayer by Mullaney
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Beth Butler, Clerk
by Anika Rinker | May 15, 2019 | Vestry Updates
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Vestry Minutes – March 17, 2019
Present: Bob Bess, Mary Beth Butler (member & clerk), Christopher DeClerk, Sharon Dudek, Keen Haynes, Scot McComas, Rector; D.J. Mitchell (member & treasurer), Christopher Mullaney, Linda Seeber, Julie Sutton, Ben Taylor, Christopher Thomas, Assisting Priest
Absent: Brandy Heckel, Becky Snell
A regular meeting of the Vestry of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church was held Sunday, March 17, 2019 in the East Parish Hall. The meeting opened with prayer by the Rector at 12:32 PM.
Bible Study
The Rector led the Vestry in a Bible study using 1 Corinthians 12:4-31.
Senior Warden to Chair Vestry Meetings
The Rector reminded the vestry that although church canons state he is president of both the parish and the vestry, canons also authorize him to appoint another person to chair meetings in his stead if he chooses. He has asked the Senior Warden, Keen Haynes, to share chairing of vestry meetings for the rest of this vestry year. The rector will open the meetings as usual and lead the Bible study, then turn the chair over to Haynes for the balance of the meeting.
Meeting Norms
In the interest of helping meetings go more smoothly vestry members endorsed having a list of norms for meetings which will apply to all those present at vestry meetings – not only those who are officially a part of the meeting but those who come as visitors and observers. The list will be read at the beginning of all Vestry meetings.
Consideration of Minutes
Minutes of the January 27, 2019 Annual Meeting were approved as corrected. Minutes of the January 27, 2019 Special Called Vestry Meeting were approved. Minutes of the February 17, 2019 Vestry Meeting were approved as corrected.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Mitchell reported on the January 2019 financials. Sutton moved acceptance and the motion carried.
Fundraiser Updates & Calendar Planning
The Rummage Sale held the weekend of March 15-16 was extremely successful, with funds raised close to $5000 (a full assessment has yet to be made). Further success was noted in the hard work of Brandy Heckel and other organizers and volunteers, and in the opportunity provided for the parish to work together toward a common goal.
Additional fundraising opportunities were suggested as follows:
Band of Moms is considering a “Mom Prom” – invite Good Shepherd Catholic Church to join us.
Oktoberfest Polka Band with Sausage, sauerkraut and a craft beer contest
CPR Classes – Christopher DeClerk is certified to offer several types of CPR classes and this could be beneficial to our community’s health and also serve as a fund raiser. DeClerk and Mitchell will bring forward a proposal on this.
Parish Picnic with Blood Drive, Bounce House, homemade ice cream contest – Sutton agreed to manage this event. Good Shepherd Church will also be invited to this event.
Shrove Tuesday Change for 2020
Sutton moved that due to schedule difficulties with a weeknight event, the 2020 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Meal be moved to Sunday, February 23, 2020, immediately following the 10:30 service. A vote was taken and the motion carried.
Welcome Ministry Initiatives (Invite-Welcome-Connect)
The Rector asked for reports on phone calls to visitors. Calls made so far have not been returned. More copies of cards were distributed and vestry members were asked to make calls and report on them next month.
Junior Warden’s Report
- Bess reported that he anchored the dishwasher in the office building.
- Bess also proposed that the short “wheelchair pew” which is in the back of the nave be moved forward, swapped for an existing pew, and placed in the center of the space. This will allow room for two wheelchairs, one on either side, and will not place our wheelchair using members in the back pew.
- Mullaney said that some of the Dutch doors (two-part doors) are made of particle board and are deteriorating. They need to be replaced. He will consult with the Head of School on State requirements for these doors.
Senior Warden’s Report
Haynes suggested that the church adopt a year-round stewardship program, with quarterly focus on Wealth, Health, Time and Talent, and the Environment. A quarterly blood drive was suggested as part of this and will begin at the June 2 picnic.
Rector’s Report
- The Rector made the Vestry Liaison Assignments. The list of responsibilities is attached and made a part of these minutes.
- He announced the appointment of the following to serve as a Personnel Committee – Bess, Butler, DeClerk, Haynes, and Mitchell.
Announcements/Upcoming Events
Vestry members are reminded to update their Safe Church Training (if required) by June. If not sure what classes to take and when, contact Anika in the church office.
The meeting adjourned at 2:15 pm with prayer by Mullaney
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Respectfully submitted,
Mary Beth Butler, Clerk
