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The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
Field Notes
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For Pastoral Care
Call 215-247-7466 and leave a message. If you are experiencing a pastoral emergency text or call the Rev. Luke Selles at 267-571-9876.
Have you had an address, email, or phone number update?
Send us your update here.
Field Notes submission requests must be emailed by Tuesday at noon to ndiskan@stmartinec.org.
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Children's Choir Update from Tyrone:
I am writing to share some bittersweet news regarding the leadership of our Children’s Choir at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Our beloved Children’s Choir Leader, Ms. Brooke Witherite, will be leaving us at the end of this academic year. While we are sad to see her go, we are also incredibly proud to share that she has received a wonderful new role and promotion at her full-time job...Brooke writes:
To my dear St. Martin’s family,
I want to thank each and every one of you for the constant support and encouragement shown for the chorister program here and St. Martin’s. This choir has created a space for the children in our
community to come alive through music and art...
Continue reading here
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Climate Action Team: Annual Eco-Fair
This Sunday, April 19th
9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Co-hosted by the Climate Action Team, CYF Ministries, and the Buildings & Grounds Committee
Celebrate spring and Earth Day with the Climate Action Team (CAT) and Building and Grounds (B&G). Join us for tasty treats, seed-planting art, information on future campus projects, and fun activities for all-ages.
For more information, email Jason Martin at jason.martin.temple@gmail.com
or Rev. Luke at lselles@stmartinec.org
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Next Week's Adult Forum
Wednesday, April 22th
7:00 p.m. in the Houston Room & via Zoom here
Led by Dr. Leslie Virnelson, United Lutheran Seminary
Dr. Leslie Virnelson, a parishioner and professor of Hebrew Bible and Old Testament at United Lutheran Seminary will discuss her recent book, Fruit of Her Hands: Women, Work, & Society in the Hebrew Bible. This work explores how specialized roles for women are reflected in the texts of the Hebrew Bible, focusing on four: midwives, diviners, weavers, and sex workers. Using queer and feminist theories, Virnelson situates the investigation of these individual roles into a broader discussion and helps the reader reflect on how our modern debates over “women’s work” shape our understanding of ancient texts.
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Book Launch & Reception: Waking Up Old
By St. Martin’s Parishioner Barbara Dundon
Next Saturday, April 25th
3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Houston Room
Waking Up Old: An Illustrated Ballad For Baby Boomers And Those Who Love Them is a light hearted, occasionally wacky description of the adventures of aging. In it, Barbara Dundon’s signature character Mitzie comes to terms with the inevitable losses, as well as the insights, that can accompany the process of becoming old. Proceeds benefit Stephen Ministry at St. Martin’s ($25/ check, cash, Venmo). Please RSVP by emailing Barbara at dundon.barbara@gmail.com. If you cannot attend but would like a book/s, you can contact Barbara to purchase your copy.
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Spring Work Day
Next Saturday, April 25th
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Join the St. Martin's Climate Action Team (CAT) and the Buildings & Grounds Committee (B&G) for food, fellowship, and fun as we identify spring flowers with a scavenger hut, clean off memorial benches, remove invasive species, and tend to our flower beds. We'll start at 9 o'clock with donuts and coffee, and the Buildings & Grounds Committee will treat us to lunch at noon. If you’d like to participate in any planting or invasive species removal, please bring your own hand trowel or gardening gloves. We will have a few spares. If your family can attend, please RSVP with the number of folks coming by emailing Rev. Luke at lselles@stmartinec.org so we can ensure there’s enough food for everyone.
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Thank you to all of our campus caretakers!
Learn more about the good work they are doing this Sunday
at the St. Martin's Eco-Fair (more info above)
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Guided by Prayer: A Confirmation Retreat
Friday, May 8th to Saturday, May 9th
4 p.m. on Friday to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday
Daylesford Abbey: 220 S Valley Rd, Paoli, PA 19301
Join Mother Mary and Rev. Luke for an overnight retreat and time of prayer and reflection on the topic of prayer. Open to all seeking a deeper relationship with God through prayer, but designed specifically for those who are recently confirmed and those interested in joining the Confirmation Class that will be offered in Fall 2026.
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Please note that all youth under 18 will have their cost waived, but we ask that all youth travel with a chaperone. The cost for adults is $150 each, but scholarships are available -- please email Mother Mary for more details (mbarber@stmartinec.org).
Please register here soon so we can get a sense of numbers, and we will send a follow-up email in late April with information about payment.
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Support Parish Family During Surgery Recovery
Please consider supporting one of our parish families, the Hagan-Bryants, as Stephanie Hagan recovers from surgery. Options for support include bringing a meal and helping to provide childcare. Click here to sign up/learn more.
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Save the Date: Joint Evensong with St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Sunday, May 3rd
5:00 p.m. at St. Paul's
22 E Chestnut Hill Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
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Report from Philadelphia City Council Hearing, April 13th
St. Martin’s parishioners, Mike Gillum, Marnie Kerr, and Lorie Simmons, trekked to City Hall on Monday to join several hundred other supporters of the proposed ICE Out legislation that would regulate what federal immigration agents can do inside the City of Brotherly Love. Among other provisions, the measures would prohibit agents from concealing their identity, including by wearing masks, as they track down immigrants for deportation. The legislation, which is supported by St. Martin's Vestry, got a favorable review by council and will be up for a final vote on April 23rd.
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The Rev. Luke Selles
April 12, 2026
The Second Sunday of Easter
On the same day, on that first Resurrection Sunday, Jesus in John’s Gospel account appears first to Mary Magdalene alone outside of the tomb. After she tells the other disciples of her encounter, we are told in our passage today that Jesus meets with the other disciples – appearing to them in his Resurrection body, which still bears the wounds from his crucifixion, yet he defies the laws of matter as we understand them – he appears even though the doors are locked.
Continue reading here.
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St. Martin's Mother's Day Coffee Hour
In the Columbarium (weather permitting)
Sunday, May 10th
Please come for coffee, tea, small bites and fellowship after the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services on Sunday, May 10th in the Mary Hare Taylor Knight Memorial Columbarium to celebrate Mother’s Day.
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Diocese of Pennsylvania Men's Fellowship BBQ
Saturday, May 30th at 4:00 p.m.
St. David’s Episcopal Church Fairgrounds
Bishop Gutiérrez invites you to a barbecue on Saturday, May 30 at 4:00 p.m. The event takes place on the fairgrounds near the original (smaller) church at St. David’s located at 763 S. Valley Forge Road in Wayne, PA. In addition to grilled meat, salads, sides, and refreshments, roundtable discussions will be held on how to start and grow men’s fellowship groups at church. Click here to RSVP.
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St. Martin's To Be Honored at St. James School's Dr. Audrey Evans Benefit Event
Wednesday, May 20th, from 6:00-9:00 p.m.
St. Martin's will be honored at the 2026 Dr. Audrey Evans Benefit, alongside the Epiphany School of Dorchester, Massachusetts.
| | This year’s theme, “Sharing the Spark,” reflects how small acts of kindness and faithful service can kindle lasting hope and inspire others to share their spark. Members of St. Martin’s are invited to take advantage of early access to tickets and sponsorship opportunities here. If we confirm 20 folks coming from St. Martin's, St. James' will send out a school bus to drive us to the benefit and back! For questions, contact Gillian Golson, Annual Giving Manager at ggolson@stjamesphila.org or (484) 224-3891. | | |
Wednesday Noon Eucharist
Mary Chapel
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Morning Prayer on Zoom
Weekdays at 7:30 a.m.
Email morningprayer@ stmartinec.org for the link.
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Wellspring Worship Reflections
After the 10:30 a.m. service
Houston Room
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Biblical Studies on Zoom
or by Phone
Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Please contact Cathy Glazer for the Zoom information.
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Blessed Baking
Fridays at 9:00 a.m.
Parking Lot
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Non-Perishable Food Collection for St. Luke's
Ongoing: Please deliver to the wagons on the Parish House porch.
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Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA)
Thursdays 7-8:30 p.m. (Library)
Al Anon
Sundays 6-7 p.m. (Houston Room)
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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)
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Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
8000 St. Martin's Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118
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