The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Field Notes

Commemorating Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

It marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and free the last enslaved people in the state—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth reminds us that the work of freedom is not finished until we are all free.

For Pastoral Care 

Call 215-247-7466 and leave a message. If you are experiencing a pastoral emergency text or call the Rev. Dr. Mary Barber at 845-527-9545.

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Sunday, June 21st, 2026:

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Spoken)

9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist for Children, Youth, & Families

Under the Tent

10:30 a.m. Folk & Bluegrass Mass with Baptism

Also via livestream here

Join us following all three services for a Father's Day Reception

in the Mary Hare Taylor Knight Columbarium.

This Sunday's Readings

Genesis 21:8-21 | Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 | Romans 6:1b-11 | Matthew 10:24-39

Rector's Note

Happy Father’s Day! Happy Juneteenth! 

Happy Pride Month! Happy Caribbean Heritage Month!

June is full of celebration. We are winding down the school year and the church program year, and preparing for a time of summer rest. But first, we have many things to celebrate!

Last Sunday’s Pride Evensong was a beautiful and spirit-filled event, moving and joyous for many who attended. This Sunday will be joyous as well. We will honor fathers with coffee hour in the columbarium after all three services. We will enjoy Bluegrass Mass with the Mis’rable Sinners folk ensemble who will provide music for our service. We will baptize a new member of our community! And we will recognize graduating seniors.

I have been enjoying the season and even trying something new -- dragon boat racing on the Schuylkill! It was a one-time offering through MALT, and it was lots of fun.

Mary+

Features

A Collect for Juneteenth

Almighty God, you rescued your people from slavery in Egypt, and throughout the ages you have never failed to hear the cries of the captives; We remember before you our siblings in Galveston, Texas who on this day received the glad tidings of their emancipation; Forgive us for the many grave sins that delayed that liberating word; Anoint us with your Spirit to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the year of your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

-The Rev. Joshua P. Steele, Vivian Traylor Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, adapted

Office Closed for Juneteenth

In observance of the Federal Holiday, the Parish Office will be closed this Friday, June 19th. Normal hours will resume on Monday, June 22nd (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). In case of emergency, please contact the Rev. Dr. Mary Barber via the cell phone number listed at the top of this page and in your directory.

Mis'rable Sinners Folk/Bluegrass Mass

This Sunday, June 21, at 10:30 a.m.

The return of our annual Folk/Bluegrass Mass! Co-led this year by David Dieck and Children, Youth, & Families Music Leader Julia Finegan, the service will bring together musicians from the congregation who will share a variety of wonderful music. We look forward to seeing you there!

Father's Day Reception in the Columbarium

This Sunday, June 21st following all three services

Please join us this Sunday, June 21st after our 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services for coffee, tea, and small bites in celebration of Father’s Day.

Location: Mary Hare Taylor Knight Columbarium & Lawn

(weather permitting - rain space: Parish House)

Please contact Cathy Glazer (cathyglazer@verizon.net) or Debra Roberts (DebraDRoberts@comcast.net) with any questions.

Thank You to All Who Helped With Our Campus Work Day!

On behalf of the Climate Action Team and Buildings & Grounds Committee, we want to thank all of the volunteers who came out to support our Workday on Saturday! A special shout-out to Rev. Luke for leading this wonderful effort, bringing young and old together to spruce up our St. Martin's campus. We lucked out on the weather and had a beautiful morning to tackle much-needed projects across our St. Martin's campus.

Here's a list of all that we accomplished:

• Children planted zinnias in the Children's Garden by the playground
• Removed ivy/poison ivy from the pachysandra section surrounding the azaleas along the driveway at Willow Grove entrance4 memorial benches cleaned
• Trimmed and pruned bushes adjacent to the Columbarium and Mary Chapel
• Removed 50% of overgrown & invasive plants & shrubs from inside & outside Rector's Garden - in anticipation of removing/installing new fence
• Cleaned, rejuvenated 4 memorial benches
• Trimmed & mowed playground
• Spread playground mulch chips on high-traffic areas
• Clipped back ivy under red bud tree, reclaiming a foot or more of flagstone
• Weeding & trimming in the Columbarium, i.e., clipping vinca, cutting back hostas around memorial stones and trimming yellow sedum flowers
• Trimmed hedge and removed dog vines and morning glory vines surrounding the Prayer Garden

All of this work was coupled with water play, water balloon fights, a slip & slide and wading pool - and BBQ lunch! Thanks again to ALL of our volunteers! We came, we worked, we had fun! See the Snapshots section below for photos!

St. Martin's Pride Collection

Join us in celebrating Pride Month with St. Martin's Pride merchandise! Our limited-edition collection includes mugs, notebooks, tote bags, and baseball caps. Items will be available for purchase at our LGBTQ+ Pride Evensong and in the Parish House Monday through Friday. Whether you're looking for something to wear, carry, or gift, our Pride collection is a great way to celebrate inclusion, love, and community during Pride Month and beyond!

You're Invited to the Ordination of Anne Alexis Harra!

Next Saturday, June 27th

10:00 a.m. at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral

Anne Alexis Harra will be ordained as a transitional deacon on Saturday June 27th at 10:00am at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral (19 S 38th St). This means that God-willing, she will be ordained a priest about six months after. 

Anne Alexis was sponsored for ordination by St Martin's, and formerly served as our lay minister for children, youth, and families. She completed her seminary studies at Virginia Theological Seminary. She has accepted her first call as Associate Rector at St David's Radnor.

If you would like to contribute to a purse gift for Anne Alexis, you can do so by:

• Writing a check to St. Martin's with "Anne Alexis’ Purse" in the memo line 
• Clicking here to go to the Giving page of St. Martin's website. Click the "Give Now" button. Under the "Select a Fund" drop down menu, select "Purse Gifts" and put "Anne Alexis’ Purse" in memo line.

Celebration of Life Service for Neville Kallenbach

This Saturday, June 20th

2 p.m. at Cathedral Village

A celebration of life service for parishioner Martha Repman's beloved husband, Neville Kallenbach, is scheduled for Sat., June 20, 2 p.m. at Cathedral Hall, on the campus of Cathedral Village.

Now On Pause for Summer

• Wednesday Night Programming (Choristers, Chess, Food & Fellowship, and Adult Forum)
• Tuesday Zoom Bible Study
• Adult Choir

Snapshots

All-Ages LGBTQ+ Pride Dance Party

Campus Work Day

Photos courtesy of Debra Roberts and the Rev. Luke Selles

Children, Youth, & Families

Summer Movie Series: K Pop Demon Hunters!

Next Saturday, June 27th

5:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the Parish House

All ages are invited to join for pizza and a movie next Saturday, June 27th! Parents are welcome to drop their kids off, as childcare will be provided, or join for a family movie night. All are welcome! Please RSVP by the Friday before the movie night with your dietary restrictions and number of folks by emailing lselles@stmartinec.org. Mark your calendars for our other movie nights too!

• July 11th: Soul
• July 25th: Frozen
• August 8th: Encanto

What's Included:

• Folk Mass on the Grass: Summer Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
• Summer Bible Series for All-Ages: The Parables of Jesus (Sundays, Jul 11-Aug 16)
• Summer Chess Club Under the Tent (Thursdays, Jul 17 -Aug 28)
• Community Service Opportunities (Jul 18, Aug 15)
• Diocesan Youth Back to School Picnic: August 30th at Valley Forge 
• More Summer Movie Nights!

Summer Sunday Musicians - Do you play a musical instrument or sing? 

Our Choir, Choristers, and Staff Musicians will soon be on vacation for the summer. I want to invite and encourage those of you with musical talents who play an instrument or sing to help support our 9:00 a.m. and/or 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship from June 28 through August. If you are interested or curious, please contact me at twhiting@stmartinec.org. It is always so great to share in music-making with you all!

-Tyrone Whiting, Director of Music & Arts

Take Action

Juneteenth Documentary Screening: The Nine O'clock Whistle

Followed by a Conversion with the Director, Dr. Willa Cofield

This Saturday, June 20th, from 1–4 p.m.

As part of PAFA's A Nation of Artists exhibition, this presentation will explore how art, memory, and activism intersect to protect the voices of freedom and progress. The program includes a screening of The Nine O'Clock Whistle, Dr. Cofield's acclaimed documentary chronicling a pivotal civil rights story from her hometown of Enfield, North Carolina. Following the film, Dr. Cofield will join for a conversation about her life and work, followed by a book signing and social reception. Learn more here.

Muchas Gracias, St. Martin’s! 

Thank you for your generous pledges for the 2027 Chichicastenango and Totonicapán Scholarship Funds. As of Sunday, June 14th, our pledged total was $18,235. We have exceeded our goal of $15,000 in pledges. 

The Guatemala Companion Parish Committee is very grateful for your fabulous support of these deserving children and their families. We will be able to fully fund the scholarship programs for 2027.

The Committee will no longer be collecting pledges after Sunday services. However, anyone, who still would like to make a pledge can do so by contacting Sandy Abrams (sandy.abrams55@gmail.com).

Contributions of pledged funds or direct giving can be paid on or before September 30th with a check via the plate with a memo to indicate “for Guatemala Scholarships” or online, using the St. Martin’s website and choosing “Guatemala Scholarships” from the drop down list. Your good works will be contributing to the futures of these children and families for years to come!

Sermons

The Rev. Dr. Mary Barber

June 14th, 2026 - Morning Services

Click here to read.

The Rev. Dr. Mary Barber

June 14th, 2026 - Pride Evensong

Click here to read.

Coming Up

Summer Meal-Serving

Third Saturdays Starting July 2026

11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Face to Face (123 E. Price St.)

What does it mean to love your neighbor? Come find out! Every third Saturday of the month starting this July 18th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., St. Martin's Youth and their Families have a standing meal service shift at Face to Face, Germantown. Get to know St. Martin's families while preparing and serving a meal to our neighbors in need. Ages 12 years old and over welcome (children under 12 must have a guardian). Be sure to eat lunch before! If you have any questions or you'd like to sign up, please email Rev. Luke.

Diocesan Youth Back to School Picnic

Valley Forge National Historical Park

August 30th, 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Get ready for a fun evening of adventure, music, food, and fellowship! Youth and their families from Episcopal parishes across the diocese are invited to join an evening of fun and worship at Valley Forge National Historical Park before school starts up again.

There will be hiking, games, eco-crafts, BBQ dinner, and outdoor worship! Registration link coming soon.

Wednesday Noon Eucharist

Mary Chapel

Wellspring Worship Reflections

After the 10:30 a.m. service

Houston Room

Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA)

Thursdays 7-8:30 p.m. (Library)

Al Anon

Sundays 6-7 p.m. (Houston Room)

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

1 - Tuesdays 8-9 p.m. (Houston Room)

2 - Thursdays 7-8 p.m. (Houston Room)

3 - Sundays 8-9 p.m. (Houston Room)