It is now mandatory to wear a face covering in church, except children under the age of 11, those with certain disabilities/health conditions and those who are speaking as part of leading the service.
Please also allow extra time to enter the building and be seated for the service. Please maintain a strict 2m distance throughout your visit and use hand sanitiser regularly. We invite those who wish to participate in the Government’s Test and Trace initiative by giving your name and phone number at the door. The service will feel a little different, as movement will be restricted. We will be able to join in singing only in our heart.
Coffee after the service/today. The cafe is open Friday-Sunday, please click here for opening times. Please pick up a coffee after the service (and why not buy one for a friend) to support St Martin’s.
Reconnect with faith and friends in September. Seven new Being With groups will be starting in the autumn, specifically for the congregation. Pick your favourite member of the clergy or lay leader for a chance to refresh and rejuvenate using different themed reflections and discussions each week. The course will run for 10 weeks. Courses will be run by Sam Wells & Lois Howarth (Weds 8-9.30pm), Sally Hitchiner & Jeff Claxton (Thurs 7.30-9pm), Richard Carter & Wendy Quill (Tues 6.30-8pm), Catherine Duce & mystery co-host (Sun, time tba), Mel & Steve Adams (Tues 7-8.30pm), Open Circle Leaders (Thurs 8-9.30pm), and Sally & Russ Rook (Tues 6.30-8pm). Please get in touch with Siân to sign up, or if you have any questions (sian.conway@smitf.org).
New Stewards We Need You! Are you a member of St Martin’s congregation that regularly attends the Sunday Eucharist service? If you can assist as a steward do contact Kristine (kristinewellington@gmail.com) or Helen (hm.riley@gmail.com) to discuss ways you can support our church service.
Prayer Garden/Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 1.30-3.00pm. This week join Harry on Tuesday and Catherine on Wednesday (weather dependent).
Bread for the World/Wednesdays, 6.30pm, join us on our Facebook page or in church; this week, David Jones, a new member of the Nazareth Community, will be preaching on being a part of God’s story. If you’d like to join the small groups on Zoom after the service please email catherine.duce@smitf.org.
Liturgy Writing Workshop/Sunday 6 September, 12pm. Preparing for our 9th annual conference on Disability & Church in partnership with Inclusive Church. The Disability Advisory Group are writing some liturgy in a workshop led by Sam Wells. All are welcome to join us. Telling Encounters: Stories of Disability, Faith, Church & God is on Saturday 17 October 2020, with a special 10am Eucharist on Sunday 19 October. For more information contact Fiona MacMillan or Jonathan Evens or disability@smitf.org
Autumn Lecture Series ‘In What Do We Trust?’ begins 7pm, Monday 14 September with Tom Holland, followed by Rowan Williams 7pm Monday 5 October, Neil MacGregor 7pm Monday 12 October, finishing 7pm Monday 2 November with Paula Gooder. Limited seating in church is available to book for all lectures, except Rowan Willams’, all will be livestreamed on our Facebook page, no ticket required. The series is free to attend, if you would like to make a donation please click here or text LECTURE to 70085 to donate £5 (texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message). Please click here for more information on our website.
Theology Reading Group/Sunday 20 September. The next book we’ll read together is Silence by Shusaku Endo.
Media and Wider Ministry
BBC Radio 3 Choral Evensong was broadcast live from St Martin’s again this week with The Gesualdo Six. Listen back here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000ls7y.
