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2023 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 736
Commending St. Martin's Episcopal Church.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 2023
Agreed to by the Senate, February 22, 2023

 

WHEREAS, in 2023, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Williamsburg celebrates the 60th anniversary of its founding and the positive and lasting impact it has made on the community over more than a half-century; and

WHEREAS, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church was established on September 23, 1963, when its founders gathered for their first service in the 17th century church tower in Jamestown, which is regarded as the one of the first sites of Anglican worship in North America; and

WHEREAS, the members of the first congregation of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church were united in their shared vision of a church that would embrace people of all races, backgrounds, ages, and abilities and serve the community by giving away half of its proceeds; and

WHEREAS, this spirit of generosity that compelled the creation of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church was inspired by St. Martin of Tours, the church’s namesake, who was known to have given half his cloak to a person in need; and

WHEREAS, today, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church provides its members with 40 different opportunities for outreach through various programs and services in Greater Williamsburg and beyond, supporting local food and clothing ministries, interfaith homeless ministries, mentorship ministries, and international and food ministries; and

WHEREAS, through the humble and steadfast efforts of its parishioners, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church seeks to promote justice, love, and kindness in the world and to serve the vulnerable without exception or compromise; and

WHEREAS, through outreach programs and partnerships with other local congregations and organizations, the members of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church have developed myriad worthwhile projects, including projects addressing homelessness, hunger, and racial healing and working with children with special needs and newly arrived Afghan refugees; and

WHEREAS, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church is an active member of Historic Area Religions Together, a local multifaith network of Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Unitarian, and Buddhist faith groups in the Historic Triangle area that fosters meaningful connections and positive relationships between communities of different faiths; and

WHEREAS, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and its congregation look forward to another 60 years of serving the community with generosity, grace, and joy; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend St. Martin’s Episcopal Church of Williamsburg on the occasion of its 60th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for its history and legacy of service.