by Anika Rinker | Feb 28, 2024 | News, Uncategorized
Would you like to make an offering for Easter Lilies? This is a wonderful way to make the church look festive for Easter Sunday and to make a dedication in thanksgiving or in memory of someone. A $10 donation is suggested. The deadline for receiving dedications in order to be printed in the Easter bulletin is 9 am on Wednesday, March 27.
Donations can be made a couple of ways:
- When you are at church, you can fill out an “Offerings for Easter Flowers” form and enclose payment of cash or check (memo line: Easter flowers). White envelopes are with the donation forms in the back of the church to keep your dedication and payment together. Drop your envelope in the offering plate, place it in Anika Rinker’s office mailbox, or mail to: St. Martin-in-the-Fields, PO Box 1149, Keller, TX 76244
- Fill out the online form below. You can pay online or choose the cash/check option and submit your payment that way.
by Anika Rinker | Dec 11, 2023 | News
Would you like to make an offering for Christmas poinsettias? This is a wonderful way to make the church look festive for Christmas and to make a dedication in thanksgiving or in memory of someone. A $10 donation is suggested. The deadline for receiving these donations is Sunday, December 18.
Dedications will be printed in the Christmas Eve bulletins.
Donations can be made a couple of ways:
- When you are at church, you can fill out a red “Offerings for Christmas Flowers” form and enclose payment of cash or check (memo line: Christmas flowers). Envelopes are with the donation forms in the back of the church to keep your dedication and payment together. Drop your envelope in the offering plate, place it in Anika Rinker’s office mailbox, or mail to : St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 223 South Pearson Lane, Keller, TX 76248
- Fill out the online form below. You can pay online or choose the cash/check option and submit your payment that way.
by Anika Rinker | Sep 25, 2023 | News
Applications are open!
Are you called to serve? Do you have a passion for the mission of our church in our community?
We are seeking people to serve our church in leadership positions on our Vestry and to represent our parish at the Council of our diocese.
If you feel called to serve on the Vestry or as a Delegate to the 2027 Diocesan Council, please use the appropriate button below to fill out a form. Submissions must be received by Monday, December 8, 2025. This process is being started now in order to allow time for discernment and for notification to be provided to the parish prior to the January election.
Our Vestry Nominating Committee is available to answer any questions, and they help ensure that we have candidates for each position. The Committee is made up of the Rev. Alan Bentrup, Senior Warden Mary Beth Butler, Junior Warden Dick Seeber, and outgoing vestry members Bryan Hedrick and Elizabeth Jordan.
Vestry
The Vestry works to ensure our parish ministry is carried out in accordance with our parish values, mission, goals, and priorities, and according to the constitution and canons of our diocese.
A Vestry nominee must:
- be a confirmed communicant in good standing of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, confirmed or received by a bishop in The Episcopal Church.
- be at least 18 years old by the date of the annual parish meeting in January 2026.
- have made financial contributions in 2025 that are shown on the records of our parish.
In addition, Vestry tasks include:
- attending monthly vestry meetings (3rd Sundays at 12:30 pm).
- attend the annual vestry retreat, schedule TBD.
- receive required online Safeguarding training as per the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. Note – wardens & treasurer are also required to have a background check.
- serve as the Vestry Person in Charge (VPIC) for approximately 10 services per year. VPIC duties include lock/unlock facilities, adjust thermostats, raise and lower flags, account for
offering funds with support from another person, and serve as contact person in case of emergency. VPICs are welcome to delegate most tasks but must be present for funds accounting.
Delegate
A delegate to Diocesan Council has a seat, voice, and vote for nominations, resolutions, proposal, budget, and other pertinent material at Council.
Lay delegates and alternates must
- be a confirmed communicant in good standing of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, confirmed or received by a bishop in The Episcopal Church.
- be at least 18 years old by the date of the first day of any meeting of the Council.
- be available for both days of the Diocesan Convention in February 2027.
Use the buttons below to apply to be a member of the Vestry or a Delegate to the 2027 Diocesan Council.
by Anika Rinker | Aug 22, 2023 | Christian Formation, News
Building True Community: The Life and Legacy of The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray
Please join us on the second Sundays of each month in the library at noon for this study offered by St. Martin’s Daughter’s of the King.
The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray (1910-1985) was a pioneering American civil rights activist, lawyer, poet, and writer. They were known for their significant contributions to both the civil rights and women’s rights movements, including as a founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW.) Murray was also the first African American woman ordained in the Episcopal Church. They were what is now termed “gender queer,” someone who does not follow the binary norms of the gender in which they were born. All these attributes make Murray a fascinating and important Episcopalian to know. Murray was made a saint of The Episcopal Church in 2018. Their feast day is celebrated on July 1.
The curriculum for this study was created by the Pauli Murray Center and covers four topics: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Historic Ordination, Eucharistic Celebration and Interconnectedness, and Integrated Body, Mind, and Spirit. We’ll explore Murray’s writing along with audio and video about their ministry.
This study is offered by St. Martin’s Daughters of the King Deborah Chapter, and we invite all adults to join us.
Meetings will be held on four Sundays following services: September 10, October 8, November 12, and December 10 at approximately 12 noon. (We will allow time for Service Sunday participation and to get snacks and coffee before we begin.)
We’ll meet in the Library, at the back of the large (East) Parish Hall.
Childcare can be provided if needed. Please contact the office at stmartin@stmartininthefields.org or call 817-431-2396 to arrange.
by Anika Rinker | Jun 28, 2023 | Christian Formation, News
The St. Martin Men’s Group is dedicated to exploring the ideas of Christian brotherhood. In a world that is increasingly fragmented and isolated, we want to create a strong community where we can learn from each other’s experiences and better support our families and St. Martin as a whole.
But it’s mostly an excuse for guys of all ages and backgrounds to drink coffee and learn from each other.
Anyone interested can contact us for information or details about our next event at men@stmartininthefields.org.
We’ll meet once a month, on the second Saturday in the large parish hall at 8 am.
by Anika Rinker | Apr 27, 2023 | News, Vestry Updates
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Vestry Meeting March 26, 2023
For a pdf of the full vestry packet, including all reports and financials, please click here.
Present: Alan Bentrup -Rector, Bob Bess – Senior Warden, Rick Schultz – Jr. Warden, Dick Seeber –
Jr. Warden, DJ Mitchell – Treasurer, Amanda Alvarez, Mary Anderson, Mary Beth Butler, Bryan Hedrick, Liz Jordan, Melissa Kurkul (via Zoom), Becky Snell-Bolerjack, Glenda Morehead – Clerk.
Also Present: Gary Wilkinson, Finance Committee Chair.
Not Present: Jen Duncan.
A regular meeting of the Vestry of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church was held Sunday, March 26, 2023, in the West Parish Hall. The meeting opened with prayer by the Rector at 12:00 PM.
Consideration of Minutes
DJ Mitchell moved the vestry approve the minutes of the February 26, 2023 meeting. Elizabeth Jordan seconded the motion, and the minutes were approved.
Written Reports Going Forward
The Rector, the ex officio president of the vestry, has instituted a new policy for vestry meetings. In the future the following written reports are to be attached to and made a part of vestry minutes and available on the website after approval. Vestry members are to receive them prior to the meeting.
Finance Committee Report & Acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report
Committee Charter Revised: Gary Wilkinson presented the revised Charter for the Finance Committee. The Charter is in compliance with the parish bylaws. DJ Mitchell moved the vestry approve the Charter, Bob Bess seconded the motion and the Charter was approved.
Outside Audi Update: Wilkinson stated that the outside audit of the parish will have to be delayed until after the tax season. The audit will be done by the Garrett & Swann CPA firm in Lubbock.
Treasurer’s Report Accepted: Dick Seeber moved the Treasurer’s Report be accepted. Rick Schultz seconded the motion and the motion carried.
Capital Needs List
The Rector announced that a Capital Needs List is to be created. The list needs to be available for those who want to contribute specific items to St. Martin’s. Amanda Alvarez will spearhead the effort to publicize the list, coordinating with the Parish Administrator.
Jr. Wardens’ Reports
Maintenance Items: The Jr Wardens reported the status of various maintenance items.
Grubby Sunday: Vestry members were reminded of the Grubby Sunday planned for March 26.
Dishwasher for Parish Hall: More research is needed. The subject was tabled to a later date.
Senior Warden’s Report
The Senior Warden thanked all those who contribute time and effort to St. Martin’s.
Rector’s Report
Curate Update: The Rector announced that he has interviewed three candidates who will be graduating in June. All 3 would be good fits for St. Martin’s, and he has reported that fact to the diocese.
Master Plan Update
Beginning in April the progress of the Building plans will be publicized in an ongoing basis.
Bylaws Committee
The bylaws of St. Martin-in-the-Fields must be updated to comply with the Constitution & Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. The Rector has appointed the following committee: Chair Glenda Morehead, Jen Duncan, DJ Mitchell, and Dick Seeber.
DJ Mitchell moved the meeting be adjourned, Bob Bess seconded the motion and the motion carried. The meeting closed with prayer by the Rev. Alan Bentrup at 1:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Glenda Morehead
Clerk
