Hello – This is the week we remember and enact the mighty acts by which we were saved. We do this in three beautiful worship services. Palm Sunday. Tomorrow at 10am we begin our worship with the blessing of the palms and conclude with the stripping of the altar and walking through a silent courtyard. Good Friday. At…
Hello – This is the first of monthly Joy of Serving emails presenting the upcoming service opportunities through St. Paul’s. Welcome to those of you who gave us your emails as part of our February effort to spread the Joy of Serving in San Rafael. There are, to date, twenty of you who have responded. Thank…
Hello – Our Joy of Serving campaign has generated nearly twenty new volunteers for our Outreach ministries. Tomorrow, I’m going to send an email blast focusing on our Outreach that will include the emails of many new folks. Today, I want to share four pieces of housekeeping before new people start receiving these messages. 1.…
Hello – This Lent I’m inviting the greater St. Paul’s community to fast from retaliation. Our model is Jesus. Despite betrayal, and unjust trial, mockery, derision, abandonment and physical harm, Jesus never retaliates. In fact, his words from the cross are “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” If the Christian life…
Hello – Spiritually, the big three days are the Triduum, the three days that conclude Holy Week. At. St. Paul’s, practically and emotionally, the big three days of 2026 are the next three days with the conclusion of our Joy of Serving campaign and Erin’s last Sunday as our Curate. We have been planning this Joy of Serving campaign…
Hello – I believe the next five days will be the most meaningful set of days in 2026 at St. Paul’s. After Sunday we settle back down to our usual, sustainable rhythm. This email walks you through the next five days. Next week, after these days are passed, I’ll properly introduce Lent at St. Paul’s.…
Hello – It’s going to be a busy nine days at St. Paul’s before things settle down for Lent. Worship. Wednesday is Ash Wednesday with services at noon, which will be live streamed, and 6pm. Next Sunday, the 22nd, is Erin’s last Sunday. We are preparing a gift for her before she leaves on her indefinite…
Hello – This week we handed out our new Joy of Serving brochures at church, sent postcards to 3000 people in San Rafael, put up a banner, and are starting to put up posters. 1000 brochures went in the mail this morning. How are we doing so far? The early signs are encouraging: • 5 people…
Hello – At Sunday’s Annual Meeting we shared with everyone a new brochure we’ve created called The Joy of Serving. I’d like to send one of these brochures to you. (Email me at c.h.mrtn@gmail.com) The cover of the brochure imitates the look of the book The Joy of Cooking. Inside are 5 “recipes” that describe the 5…
Hello – There are three important dates coming up, each at the heart of the life of St. Pauls right now. 1. February 1st. This Sunday is the Annual Meeting. It’s right after church, includes lunch, is over by 1pm and at it we do essential and required work for the running of our church. This…