connecti n poınts be informed, involved & inspired

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1 connecti n poınts be informed, involved & inspired ALL ADULTS MEN St. Martin s 20s & 30s Bible Study and Dinner Wednesday, December 5, 7 9 p.m., Off site Join other 20s and 30s singles and couples for fellowship. Contact: The Rev. R-J Heijmen, , rheijmen@stmartinsepiscopal.org Dads Bible Study Wednesday, December 5, 7 8 a.m., The Island Lounge Join dads of young children for Bible study and fellowship. Contact: The Rev. Alex Large, , alarge@stmartinsepiscopal.org Men of St. Martin s Thursday, December 6, 7 8 a.m., Bagby Parish Hall Join men of all ages for Bible reflection and discussion, fellowship and support. Contact: The Rev. Chad Martin, , cmartin@stmartinsepiscopal.org WOMEN Prayer Shawl Ministry Tuesday, December 4, 9 a.m. noon, Activity Center, Family Room Knit and crochet shawls to be blessed for those in need of prayer. Contact: The Rev. Sarah Condon, , scondon@stmartinsepiscopal.org Blanket Ladies Wednesday, December 5, 9 a.m. noon, Activity Center, Family Room Make receiving blankets for newborn infants at local charity hospitals. Contact: The Rev. Sarah Condon, , scondon@stmartinsepiscopal.org The Moms Group Wednesday, December 5, 9:15 10:30 a.m., Payne Education Center, Room 207/209 Join mothers of young children for fellowship, teaching, prayer and support. Contact: The Rev. Alex Large, , alarge@stmartinsepiscopal.org OUTREACH Learn about more volunteer opportunities on the Outreach ad at the end of the announcements. Visit stmartinsepiscopal.org for more information about all activities at St. Martin s. 1

2 1 AN ADVENT COMPANION Advent Resources Prepare for this solemn and wonderful season with these special resources: preparing ROOM Russell J. Levenson, Jr. A Collection of Scriptures, Meditations and Prayers Preparing Room by the Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr. Scriptures key to telling the Christmas story as it centers on Jesus Brief meditations to help readers step more deeply into the Advent story Reflections on how to prepare just a bit more room for the King Prayers from Judeo-Christian tradition or by the author AN ADVENT WREATH DEVOTIONAL Advent Wreath Devotional by Laura and Russ Levenson The Advent Wreath Devotional in both adult and children s versions provides a framework within which to traverse the Advent season. Available for sale in St. Martin s Bookstore & Gift Shoppe Boy Scout Troop 354 Greenery Sale Sunday, December 2 8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. St. Martin s Troop 354 engages in numerous community service projects and has an active outdoor program including camping and high adventure backpacking. The profits from the greenery sale are credited to each participating scout for camping trips, enabling more boys to participate in scouting activities. The Boy Scouts of Troop 354 will be selling greenery outside the East and West Church Narthex entrances. Please stop by and get your fresh-cut holiday greenery and support St. Martin s Boy Scout Troop. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. Questions? Veronica Peckham at vpeckham@gmail.com. Greenery is shipped freshly cut directly to us from Sherwood Forest Farms in the Pacifi c Northwest. This program is environmentally friendly no trees are cut down, only trimmed to help keep the ecosystem healthy. 2

3 Parent Meeting Sunday, December 2 10:15 11 a.m., Hope and Healing Center auditorium Parents of 8th grade students are invited to this informational meeting explaining Confirmation for their children. We will discuss the process and parents crucial role in it. Registration will begin on the day of the parent meeting and classes for students will begin Sunday, January 6. For more information about Confi rmation or scholarships, contact Florence Ritchie at or fritchie@stmartinsepiscopal.org. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 4:30 6 p.m. Bagby Parish Hall We will have breakfast for dinner and supplies will be available to make an Advent wreath with fresh greens and candles. It will be yours to take home and enjoy as you and your family and guests celebrate the Advent season. This event is free. No registration required. For more information, contact Jennifer DiMichele at or jdimichele@stmartinsepiscopal.org. 3

4 DePelchin Children s Center s Drop Off Filled Gifts Bags Sunday December 2 Activity Center For more information, please contact Outreach Ministries at or outreach@stmartinsepiscopal.org. FAMILY MISSION TRIP PUEBLA, MEXICO Saturday, March 9 Thursday, March 14 Registration Deadline is Sunday, December 2. Families will spend their week helping with much needed improvement projects at a local orphanage, as well as leading group activities and special events for its residents and staff. To register or for more information, visit stmartinsepiscopal.org/world-mission-partners-and-trips or contact Will Scheel at or wscheel@stmartinsepiscopal.org. 4

5 Please Join Us for the Episcopal Church Women of St. Martin s C HRISTMAS C OFFEE AT THE M ONDAY, D ECEMBER 3 11 A. M. 1 P. M. HOME OF M ARY L OU AND S TEVE L EYH In the spirit of the season, please bring an unwrapped toy for children ages 5 17 to be given to DePelchin Children s Center and/or Christian Community Service Center. Wish list: gift cards ($15 $20) to Wal-Mart, Target, Academy, HEB or Kroger, and clothes, board games, puzzles, Legos, arts and crafts kits, and balls. For more information, contact Katwana Coleman at or kcoleman@stmartinsepiscopal.org. MEMBERSHIP Monday, December p.m. Bagby Parish Hall and Sunday, December 9 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Activity Center, Game Room This informative two-part class is a requirement for anyone desiring to join St. Martin s. Child care is available for infants pre-k by reservation. If you are currently a member of the Church and would like to learn more about the Episcopal Church and St. Martin s, we would love to have you join us as well. Reservations are required for members and those seeking membership. For more information about the two-part class, please contact Kathy Johnson, Lay Minister of Membership Ministries, at or kjohnson@stmartinsepiscopal.org. 5

6 Featuring The Kingdom Pickers Food, Fellowship and Great Music Choose a date that works best for you. Space is limited. Wednesday, December 5 5:30 7:30 p.m., Dinner and Performance Sunday, December 9 12:30 p.m., Lunch and Performance Bagby Parish Hall To register, visit stmartinsepiscopal.org/beatles-bbq. Child care is available for infants pre-k with reservation. 6

7 Blue Christmas A Service of Wholeness and Healing with the Rev. Dr. Suse McBay and the Rev. Chad Martin Wednesday, December p.m. Old Church The holidays are times of joy and celebration yet sometimes that s the opposite of where life has taken us. Whether it s a first Christmas without a loved one, a mental illness that is stressed by the holidays or other personal struggles we re facing, there are a variety of reasons why we can find this time of year a struggle. Yet God is not just with those who celebrate: the Cross reminds us he s right there with those who mourn too. (Matthew 5:4) This December s Order of St. Luke healing service will offer space to bring to God whatever is on your heart and to reflect on this truth God has not forgotten you. Prayer ministry will be available after the service. For more information, osl@stmartinsepiscopal.org or contact the Rev. Dr. Suse McBay at or smcbay@stmartinsepiscopal.org. Sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women of St. Martin s Children s Christmas Party Saturday, December 8 10 a.m. Activity Center Gym Free admission Jesus birthday celebration is filled with the joys of the season for children and grandchildren up to 10 years old. Enjoy pictures with Santa, face painting, cookie decorating and nativity ornament making. Event Chairs Allison Harper and Christina Milligan For more information, contact Katwana Coleman at or kcoleman@stmartinsepiscopal.org. 7

8 S U N D A Y Christmas Pageant S C H O O L Sunday, December 9 10 a.m. Old Church Children in our elementary school classes (pre-k 5th grade) are invited to participate in the Christmas Pageant presented by Children s Ministry Sunday School. All classes will focus on Advent and incorporate the Christmas drama as part of their Sunday school lessons throughout the months of November and December. For more information, contact Jennifer DiMichele at or jdimichele@stmartinsepiscopal.org. A FESTIVAL OF LESSONS and Carols Sunday, December 9 11:15 a.m. The Church Our annual Lessons and Carols Service is a wonderful testament to the season celebrating the birth of our Lord. The 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. services are Holy Eucharist. The 9 a.m. service is Morning Prayer. 8

9 STUDENT MINISTRIES for 6 th 12 th grade students Sunday, December p.m. The Island Students are encouraged to bring a friend for an awesome night of fun, games, contests, dinner and prizes! Wear a tacky Christmas sweater, reindeer antlers or great Christmas outfit. Bring two dozen cookies to donate to RaiseUp Families as our holiday gift from Student Ministries. For more information, contact Florence Ritchie at or fritchie@stmartinsepiscopal.org. D A Y GROUP Wednesday, December 12 12:30 2 p.m. The Island, Room 206 The Faith in Literature group explores, discusses and makes relevant connections between faith and works of fiction, past and present. While operating within the framework of Christian theology, we seek to ascertain in our reading how all good literature, if even by its omission, deals with and reflects themes of faith. For more information, contact Katwana Coleman at or kcoleman@stmartinsepiscopal.org. 9

10 Christmas Party Wednesday, December p.m. The home of Alex and Ben Dubois For more information, contact the Rev. R-J Heijmen at or rheijmen@stmartinsepiscopal.org. HOUSTON BOYCHOIR Concert Saturday, December 15 4 p.m. The Church The Houston Boychoir is an outstanding organization of singing boys founded in The group has sung with the Houston Symphony, Houston Bach Society and Opera in the Heights. The leader of the Houston Boychoir is Carole Nelson. For more information, contact Jamal Madden at or jmadden@stmartinsepiscopal.org. 10

11 Sunday, December 16 9:15 a.m. Family Table Old Church Told through anthems and narratives, St. Martin s Choristers and Youth Choir bring the Christmas story to life. Join us at 10:15 a.m. after the concert for the Family Christmas Celebration in Bagby Parish Hall. This celebration is in lieu of Sunday School for K 5th Grade. EVENING GROUP Tuesday, December :30 p.m. Payne Education Center, Room 217 The Faith in Literature group explores, discusses and makes relevant connections between faith and works of fiction, past and present. While operating within the framework of Christian theology, we seek to ascertain in our reading how all good literature, if even by its omission, deals with and reflects themes of faith. For more information, contact Katwana Coleman at or kcoleman@stmartinsepiscopal.org. 11

12 Christmas at St. Martin s Monday, December 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 1 p.m. Family service The Church No Eucharist 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Worship service The Church Holy Eucharist The Parish Choir, Gloria Dei Organ, brass and tympani provide the perfect setting for the celebration of our Lord s birth. Tuesday, December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY: THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 11 a.m. Worship service The Church Holy Eucharist Parish Choir and Gloria Dei Organ Child care is available for infants pre-k at all services. Children s Ministry Communion Instruction Sundays, January 20 and 27 10:15 a.m. Payne Education Center, Room 202/204 Join us for the two-week series teaching children about the Eucharist. The class is designed for children 2 nd grade and older, but all ages are invited to attend. Parent or significant adult participation is required to help children continue learning at home. Register online at bit.ly/kidscommunion2018 For more information, contact Holli Kight at or hkight@stmartinsepiscopal.org. Children must be baptized prior to the Communion Recognition Service on Sunday, February 3. To schedule a baptism, contact Jennifer DiMichele at or jdimichele@stmartinsepiscopal.org. 12

13 OUTREACH Make Sandwiches for Kids Meals Tuesday, December p.m. Activity Center, Community Room Families are invited to join us as we make sandwiches together. Kids Meals provides and distributes nutritious lunches to hungry preschool children throughout Houston. Volunteer as a Mock Interviewer or Graduation Encourager Thursday, December p.m., Mock Interviews Friday, December 7 2:30 4 p.m., Graduation 4555 Dacoma Street The WorkFaith Connection is a Christcentered organization that exists to encourage disadvantaged job seekers in their hope for a better future. St. Martin s volunteers help job seekers who have completed the eight-day job readiness bootcamp. Lord of the Streets (LOTS) Tuesday Thursday, December a.m. noon 3401 Fannin LOTS is a church community that welcomes, restores and rebuilds lives through relationshipfocused ministries with the homeless and formerly homeless. Volunteer opportunities include clothing center, mail clerks and assessment. Minimum age to volunteer without parental/guardian supervision is 18. For more information or to sign up, please contact Outreach Ministries at or outreach@stmartinsepiscopal.org. 13

14 Activities are held in the Hope and Healing Center & Institute building that is located on the eastern side of the St. Martin s Episcopal Church campus. We look forward to seeing you! Eating Disorders: Spotting Early Signs and Treatment Options Wednesday, December 5 Noon 1 p.m. Join us as we learn about warning signs if you are concerned a loved one may have an eating disorder, as well as different treatment approaches and key members in a treatment team. An Overview of Depression: Clinical vs. Situational and Treatment Options Wednesday, January 9 Noon 1 p.m. Depression is an illness that has wide-reaching implications for cost, lost productivity and impact on overall physical health. This talk will cover the prevalence, comorbidities, diagnosis and treatment of depression. The societal impact and barriers to treatment also will be discussed. Lunch and Learn: MIND Diet Wednesday, January 16 Noon 1 p.m. We ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected, but now science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition (particularly the MIND Diet!), exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement. Registration is required. For reservations and more information, please call or visit our website at hopeandhealingcenter.org. 14