Vestry Nominations

The Vestry Nominating Committee, duly appointed by the Vestry, includes parishioners Erin Horvat and Pamela Prell, and outgoing Vestry members Peter Fleming, Carolyn Green, Craig Johnson and Barbara Baumgartner, Chair.

In preparation for the Annual Parish Meeting, Sunday, May 18, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. the Vestry Nominating Committee has drawn up a slate of candidates who have agreed to serve, if elected.

The following have been nominated for four open positions for 4-year terms to the Vestry: Pam Hill, Bob Jacoby, Chris Satullo and Mike Skinner.

In addition, the following have been nominated for three open positions for a 1-year term as delegates to the Diocesan Convention and Wissahickon Deanery: Jack Coleman, Rush Smith and John Wineland.

Easter People in a Culture of Violence: Our Forum Series Concludes May 11

We live in a culture that is increasingly violent, one that is focused on revenge and retribution. Yet as Christians we are called to model repentance and reconciliation. This series will focus specifically on the rise of violence in the city of Philadelphia, including the problems of gangs and gun violence, and various initiatives in both the faith and secular communities to alleviate the situation. We meet in the parish hall at 10:00 a.m.

Our Food Cupboard

The food staples that St. Martin's parishioners contribute are taken to the food cupboard at St. Vincent's Church in Germantown. When someone comes to their cupboard they are given food for three meals a day for three days.

During January and February they supplied meals to 626 people in 389 households - 5634 meals.

Please remember the cupboard as you do your food shopping and bring your nonperishable donations to church.

Foods such as meat, stews, vegetables, juice, cereal and baby formula in non- glass containers are needed. There is a basket near the Willow Grove Avenue door of the church and a cupboard in the parish hall waiting to receive your donations.

The Summer’s Children’s Liturgy of the Word

During the summer when we change to a 2-service schedule (8 and 10), families with small children who normally would attend the 10:15 are encouraged to attend the 10. There is a special children’s liturgy of the word offered in the undercroft for the little ones and we need helpers, service leaders and new storytellers. Please contact Cathy Cowling at 215.247.7466, ext. 105, with your questions or offer to be trained in one of these areas. Thanks!

Looking for Volunteer Opportunities?

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia (formerly Summerbridge) is one of St. Martin’s outreach partners. It provides a 6-year academic enrichment program that begins in middle school.

People are needed who will “adopt” an out-of –town Breakthrough student teacher this summer, college students who need a room and some meals in order to take advantage of this experience. These young people arrive June 14 and leave August 8.

If you are interested or need more information, contact Mayra Morales at 215-951-2398 or mmorales@breakthroughphilly.org. For tax purposes this homestay contribution is recognized as $1200.

Breakthrough is also looking for mentors for students who will transition to high school. Mentors provide social, personal, and academic support and are matched to the student(s) based on preferences and interests. If you would like to learn more about the mentoring at Breakthrough, call Biany Perez at 215-951-2398 or bperez@breakthroughphilly.org.

Centering Prayer on Thursday Evenings

All are welcome to participate in a weekly practice of Centering Prayer (the Prayer of Silence) on Thursday evenings from 7-8 p.m. in the chapel. Please call Sharline Fulton with questions, 215-247-8699.

Pledges for Church School’s Read-a-Thon

If you made a pledge toward the church school’s Lenten read-a-thon, benefiting Heifer Project, please make checks payable to St. Martin’s and include “Heifer” on the memo line.

Checks may be given to Cathy Cowling or dropped off at the office.

If you did not make a pledge but would like to make a donation toward this outreach project, there is still time to do so!

Stephen Ministry at St. Martin’s

We welcome the third class of Stephen Ministers at St. Martin's. They have begun their training; the first and second classes continue to meet regularly for peer supervision and ongoing education.

Stephen Ministry is a confidential, one-to-one ministry by a trained, caring parishioner who receives on-going supervision from the parish Stephen leaders (The Rev. Beth W. Hixon and Taylor Anderson) in order to care for anyone who is experiencing loneliness, loss of a spouse or child, retirement changes, unemployment, discouragement, divorce, grief, terminal illness, becoming homebound or questions about God and faith. A Stephen Minister cares, supports, listens and shares.

If you would be interested in learning more, either to receive care or to become a Stephen Minister, please contact the Rev. Beth Hixon at 215-247-7466, ext. 102, or bhixon@stmartinec.org.

Books and Banter: Tuesday, May 13

For our last session this season, we will read No Great Mischief, by Alistair Macleod. This novel traces the journey of a family patriarch and his 12 children from their native Scotland to an uncertain future in the New World. Join our open discussion on Tuesday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

Brunch Meeting for Guatemala Trip Participants: Saturday, May 10

The Companion Parish Committee will host a pancake brunch at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, in the Houston Room for all those who are traveling to Guatemala in June and for the parents of the younger travelers. We will present more detailed information about the trip and go over necessary documents. The meeting also will provide the opportunity for all travelers to begin to know each other a little better. If you have any questions, please contact Terry Clattenburg at 215-836-7738.

The Rummage Sale is BACK: Saturday, May 17

When: 8:00 a.m. - Noon
Where: the Parish Hall

Start your spring cleaning now for items you can donate to the St. Martin’s Rummage Sale. Wondering what you can donate? We’ll gladly take: household and kitchen items, garden and work tools, children’s toys and clothing, jewelry, collectibles and antiques, fashion accessories, linens, small furniture, bikes and s ports equipment, holiday decorations, DVD’s, etc. Please do NOT bring: large furniture, electronics (including computers and televisions), suitcases, adult clothing (exception: accessories), books (exception: children’s books) or skis.

Want to donate to the J2A rummage sale but need help with transportation?

Please schedule a pick-up appointment time by e-mail (Danielle Reed; reed@monell.org; preferred) or by phone (267-519-4915; leave a voice-mail message). If you are dropping off donations at church, rummage will be received Monday, May 12, through Thursday, May 15 (Monday through Wednesday rummage may be dropped off any time between 8:30 am and 8:00 pm; on Thursday before noon).

OR come browse the offerings and make a purchase!

It’s the Parish Picnic!

Sunday, May 18 at 12:00 p.m.
(following the Annual Meeting – services that day are at 8 and 10,
the day we begin our 2-service schedule through September 7)

Please put this date on your calendar and plan to bring salads (fruit and green), side dishes, chips! We’ll provide the meat and drinks. Additionally, we need people who would: lend us a couple of ice chests; help that morning put tables and chairs on the lawn behind Hilary House (weather permitting); grill burgers and dogs; help return tables and chairs at the end of the event.

PLEASE SIGN UP ON THE CLIPBOARD IN THE FOYER OF THE PARISH HOUSE.

5th Annual Philadelphia Interfaith Walk for Peace and Reconciliation: Sunday, May 18

When: Sunday, May 18, from 2-6:30 p.m.

Where: the scheduled stops are:

Masjid Muhammad, 414 East Penn St. at Belfield St. at 1:30;

First Presbyterian in Germantown, 35 W. Chelton at 3 p.m.;

Unitarian Society of Germantown, 6511 Lincoln Drive at 4:15 p.m.;

and Mishkan Shalom, 4101 Freeland at Shurs, at 5:45 p.m.

One can join anywhere along the way. There are shuttle buses at all stops.

Please wear white as an expression of unity.

No political banners.

More info: www.interfaithpeacewalk.org.