Friends in Christ,

February 18th was the “graduation day” for Marge Cook, who after a long series of illnesses died and joined Jesus in his resurrection.  The funeral service and reception celebrating Marge’s life will occur at St. Martin’s Church on Saturday, March 17, starting at 11 a.m.  All are welcome to attend.  Memorial gifts in honor of Marge can be made to St. Martin’s Parish Discretionary Fund, to aid people in need.

Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints,
Where sorrow and pain are no more,
Neither sighing, but life everlasting.

BRUTON HIGH SCHOOL SPAGHETTI DINNER-Held at Capitol Pancake House (802 Capitol Landing Road ) on Friday, February 24th from 5 to 7p.m. Benefits Boys/Girls Soccer Teams Cost: $8/Adults -- $4 for children 12 & under.

Please help yourself to Episcopal Relief & Development’s (ERD) Lenten Meditations booklets.  These are available in the Narthex to serve as a resource to enrich your daily prayer during this season of Lent. 

Lewis Beaslie, the husband of Beverly Beaslie, died this past week.  Some of you will remember Beverly as St. Martin’s first secretary.  The funeral service celebrating Lewis’ life will occur at St. Martin’s Church on Saturday, February 18, at 2 p.m.  All are welcome to attend.  The funeral will be followed by a reception in Miles Hall.

Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints,
Where sorrow and pain are no more,
Neither sighing, but life everlasting.

Learning from Our Past  You are invited to be part of an exciting and important initiative of the College of William and Mary.  On Saturday, March 17, a symposium is offered to the public as part of the ongoing Lemon Project, a work of racial reconciliation and the continuing healing of our American culture.  The Lemon Project was established in 2009 after the College’s Board recognized, as has the Episcopal Church, that we “owned and exploited slave labor” and prolonged segregation during the Jim Crow Era.  Though the symposium is free, registration is required.  To register, go to http://www.wm.edu/sites/lemonproject/2012%20Symposium/index.php. The event is from 9:30am-4:00pm, at the Bruton Heights School.  (Check-in and Continental Breakfast begins at 8:30am.)  Church favorites Bob Engs, Terry Meyers and Barbara Watson have all been involved with this project.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued a video message to the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops on the topic of the July General Convention.

"I want to challenge this church to look forward and outward, rather than focusing inward and backward," she says. Citing the five Marks of Anglican Mission, the Presiding Bishop states, "The church doesn't have a mission; God's mission has a church." The video message is the initial message that the Presiding Bishop will offer leading up to General Convention. Click here to view the video.

Please read the Bishop's Addrress tot he 120th Annual Council. It may be accessed by giving a quick click here. Bishop Hollerith's address will be presented to the 120th Annual Council on February 11, 2012.

Episcopal Relief & Development is our Church's outreach arm to people in need worldwide.   ERD provides emergency assistance and helps rebuild after disasters.  It empowers local communities to find lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease.  In 2010, Episcopal Relief & Development reached more than 3 million people in over 40 countries around the world.

Today, greeters will distribute a brochure that will tell you more about ERD in preparation of our parish’s ERD Sunday on April 22nd.  If you have any questions, please call Carolyn Ramage at 757-253-2203 or Helen Smith at 757-220-0326.

Greetings from Hampton University!

            We are currently offering a new grant program called, “Grant Yourself an Education.” Exclusive to Hampton Roads and Richmond area students, these grants will allow students to better afford a sterling education in one of the east coast’s leading private HBCU’s.

Students who submit completed application packets by February 20th and meet the general admission requirements will be eligible for this grant. There are no additional forms or requirements necessary for consideration. Students receiving the grant will be awarded amounts of up to $5,000!

It would be greatly appreciated if you would take the time to print out and hang the following flyer on your community board or youth hall to inform prospective students of our efforts and opportunities available for our grant.

Thanks in advance.