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Broken Bones and Holy Alignment
I am writing this from my favorite place in the world: Lexington, Virginia. Home, sweet home. I am in my favorite place quite by accident... my son broke his wrist mere hours after being dropped off for camp. We were almost home when we got the call, so I dropped off the rest of the family (who had a daddy/daughter trip planned the next day) before driving back. By the time I returned, my son was tucked in bed at my brother's farmhouse but struggling to sleep and in lots of pain. The ER had not been able to set his arm correctly, so all the nerves in his hand were firing. Every time he got restless, I would run my fingers through his hair and gently shoosh him.
The next day, we were back in the ER, this time at UVA pediatric emergency department. Oh, what a difference it makes to have a pediatric orthopedist on hand. And pediatric nurses. And pediatric staff tasked with decreasing a child's anxiety with so many tricks and gadgets. I spend a lot of time in hospitals, and I sincerely wish we could bottle up the positive energy and kindness of pediatric hospitals to share with all hospitals of the world. It is the kind of care and patience every human being deserves in their distress.
Whenever I find myself in places that are especially gifted in hospitality, I ask myself, what can I learn from this place? Is there anything about how I am being treated or how I feel in this place that I could take back to St. Martin's? How can we ensure that people who walk through our doors feel genuinely cared for and safe and held—no matter what they are carrying in their hearts and minds that day?
I know we are a welcoming church already. Our community is friendly and warm, and our ushers greet people with grace, excellence, and hospitality. I have experienced this welcome as a newcomer, and I get to witness it each week we come together for worship.
And I still wonder what we can learn and how we can grow to be a community where people experience the profound life-giving love of Jesus, such that they feel a bit more whole when they leave.
This summer, I've asked the Vestry to read a book with me so we can learn together. The book is called "A Future That's Bigger Than the Past," and it is written by the vicar of our sister church, St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. If you'd like to learn alongside us, I hope you'll pick up a copy of the book so we can discuss it together.
I should tell you that my son is doing much better. The orthopedist was able to align his broken bones so that the break will heal as new bone begins to form. He even got the ok to return to camp, where he really wants to be, because bone can grow anywhere if you just keep things aligned.
No matter where you are this summer, check to see if you are aligned with God's dream for you. And pray with us that St. Martin's would be aligned with God's dream for this church. Together we will grow as a community bound in love.
| | | | Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | | |
Music this Sunday
A guest musician, violinist Dr. Ahreum Kim, will join the 10am service this Sunday, June 22. Ahreum and HyeSung will present movements from Beethoven's Violin sonatas No. 6 and No. 9 among other works. Please join us for the service enriched with beautiful music.
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It’s Cold In Here
As our summer heats up our sanctuary cools down, which can make for chilly Sunday mornings. Please note that you may be more comfortable if you bring a jacket or sweater when you join us for worship. The humid Maryland weather is not good for either the organ or the piano. Keeping the sanctuary cold helps reduce the humidity making it a better environment for the instruments.
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Let's Celebrate Nathan!
Join us in showing our love for Nathan and the Erdman family with a celebration between services on Sunday, June 29 at 9:00 a.m.
We are collecting a special "purse" for Rev. Nathan to start his new ministry and to thank him for the many ways he has enriched the life of our parish family. To donate, please make your check out to "St. Martin's" and in the memo write, "For Rev. Nathan." You can drop it off or mail your check to the parish office, attn: Jory Bender, or you can put it in the collection plate on Sunday morning. If you would like to donate online click here. Be sure to select "General Donation" fund and put "For Rev. Nathan" in the memo. Thank you in advance for your generous contribution!
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VBS Volunteers Needed!
Are you looking for a way to give back to St. Martin’s? Does your youth need service hours? Sign up to help with Vacation Bible School! We are looking for adults and youth grades 6-12 to help assist with VBS from July 28-
August 1. Many volunteers are needed to make VBS a success! Sign up for times and dates you are available. Shifts range from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sign up today - click here! Contact Tabitha Carman.
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Church Office Summer Hours
From June 16- August 15 the church office hours will be Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Please note we will be closed on Fridays. Contact Katrina Schultz.
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Mid-Summer Clean Out!
Do you love decluttering? Or just the feeling of accomplishment that comes from cleaning out a space and seeing the difference you have made? The church needs you in July! We are going do a major clean-out of closets and meeting spaces so that we have space for what we need to support the wonderful ministries of this church. Who knows what you might discover... come find out! If you can help please contact Katrina Schultz.
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Summer “Meet & Eat”
Wednesdays through August 20, 6:00 p.m.
You are invited for fellowship and delicious food Wednesday evenings in the summer at 6:00 p.m. Suggested donation is $6.00 per person or $20.00 per family. Food and drinks provided; side dishes or desserts are greatly appreciated. For questions or special dietary needs please contact John Theune. We are looking for volunteers to help on July 2, July 9 and July 23.
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St. Martin’s July 4th Parade 2025
Join St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and School for the Severna Park July 4th Parade. We’ll walk the parade together and share St. Martin’s swag with friends and neighbors along the parade route. Click here for details and to sign up.
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The Beethoven Project
Sunday, August 24 at 4:00 p.m.
Pianist, Dr. HyeSung Hwang and violinist, Dr. Ahreum Kim, launched the Beethoven Project in 2023 with the goal of performing all ten of Beethoven’s violin sonatas. Their performances have taken place in Baltimore, Washington DC, Columbia, and York. This summer, they are excited to return to St. Martin’s with Beethoven’s monumental Kreutzer Sonata. Please save the date: Sunday, August 24 at 4:00 p.m. and join us for an unforgettable musical experience celebrating Beethoven’s masterful artistry! This free concert will include a freewill offering to benefit the music ministry at St. Martin’s. For more information contact HyeSung.
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Church Read Along
This summer, the Vestry will be reading “A Future That’s Bigger Than The Past” by The Rev. Dr. Samuel Wells, the Vicar of St. Martin in-the-Fields, London. Wells casts a vision for renewing the local church that is energizing, realistic and practical for congregations of all sizes. In response to prevailing narratives of decline, Wells reimagines how the church can live its vocation of receiving God’s abundance and sharing it far and wide. We will discuss the book and how to take Wells’s teaching and put it into practice in our congregation and community in the fall.
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Try New Things
Summer is the perfect time to dip your toes into new ministries. To learn how to usher, serve, lector or administer the chalice contact Katrina Schultz. Try it out! No strings attached.
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Much of the last Vestry meeting was filled with acknowledgements for Rev. Nathan and gratitude for the many ways that he has served our parish. As the Associate Rector and the St. Martins Episcopal School Chaplain, he was instrumental in helping us to become “One St. Martins.” It is fitting that he has more than one celebration before we send him and his family off to St. Stephens. Hope to see you at brunch between the services on Rev. Nathan’s last Sunday, June 29th. Rev. Lauren will initiate a search for Associate Clergy/Chaplain.
The Realm Connect rollout went well. If you haven’t connected to Realm yet, you can contact Katrina. Our church website is getting a revamp in the near future. And, work has begun to form a Stewardship Committee and an Endowment Committee.
Our Music Director, HyeSung, reported on the many tasks involved with running the music ministries. Looking ahead, she hopes to restart the Children's Choir, where children learn via the Royal School of Church Music. HyeSung begins a sabbatical at the end of June.
The church office is closed on Fridays for the summer. The 4th of July Parade forms up at St. Martins. Volunteers are needed. The J2A pilgrimage to Italy takes place July 12-21. Our ten youth and four adult pilgrims will look to find God in the footsteps of Saints Francis and Clare. Finally, Vacation Bible School happens July 28-August 1 and volunteers are needed. The Vestry does not meet in July.
~ Julie Reiter, Vestry Class of 2026
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Drivers Wanted
St. Martin’s Helping Hands Ministry is actively seeking drivers. If you have extra space in your vehicle on Sunday mornings, please consider driving one of your fellow parishioners to worship so that they can actively participate with us in community. Currently, we have a need for rides but not enough drivers. If you have space in your heart and in your vehicle, please contact Lori Skalitzky.
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Housing Help
We are aware of several individuals seeking low-income housing, each with unique circumstances and limitations. If you are aware of housing options for people in need, please call the church office to let us know. Contact Katrina Schultz.
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SPAN Opportunities for JUNE
SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) serves our neighbors by helping them through a critical or emergency situation. St. Martin’s supports SPAN’s mission by asking for donations for this month’s theme: “Celebration.” Please donate shelf stable foods that can be used for celebrating: flour, sugar, vanilla extract, chocolate chips, cocoa, sprinkles, cake decorations, baking items, brownie, muffin, cake and cupcake mixes, pasta, canned vegetables and fruits. We welcome anything else you’re willing to share. Donations can be dropped in the bins marked “SPAN” in the Narthex. For details about SPAN click here.
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Nursery Care
Available for infants and children ages 4 and under on Sundays from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Located in Parish Hall, see an usher for directions.
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Bible Challenge Book Study
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. (St. Martin’s House)
Join us for a 16 week study of the Acts of the Apostles. We will be using the LifeChange Study Guide on Acts which can be ordered on Amazon: click here. Contact Cindy Neseth.
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Walkin’ Loves
Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 a.m. (Kinder Farm Park)
Lace up your shoes and join our new Walkin’ Loves group for fresh air and fellowship. Meet at Kinder Park, off of Kinder Rd, near the small playground. The loop is 2.4 miles, mostly level, and takes about 45 minutes to complete. All ages and fitness levels welcome. Contact Julie Reiter, 443-875-1457.
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Do You Know A Family Who Needs A New Roof?
It’s the 9th annual Landmark Roofing Giveaway with partners GAF and Superior Distribution providing a brand new roof completely free of charge, to a local family in need. The Landmark Team strongly believes in giving back and supporting the community that keeps us in business, so we would like to ask the community to help us find our winner. If you know a local family in need that would benefit from a new roof, you can nominate them anonymously using our contact form - click here. Submit your nomination today!
| | Your Prayers are Invited... | Prayer is the universal way people of faith stay connected, both with one another and with God. You are invited to pray daily for our parish family, for your own needs, and in thanksgiving for all that God has blessed you with this day. | |
PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY: Charles, Karl, Jim, David, Lee, Joey, Michele, Kerry, Carter, Matthew, Julia, Sarah, Amalia, Edmund, Joey, Kip, Wilma, Merla, Lisa, Mike, the Carman family, Kevin, Sarah, Jared, Bill, Jax, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Emma, Lisa, Kimberly, Jeff, Matthew, Maria, Lily, Charles, Sarah, Judy, Christian, and Bryn.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: Charles and Connie Smith, Larry and Robin Sells, and Scott and Elizabeth Sturgeon.
| Let us know if you have a specific prayer request so we can hold you in our daily prayers. | | |
ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELD EPISCOPAL CHURCH
375 Benfield Road, Severna Park, MD 21146
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