Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields: Weekly Field Notes

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

Field Notes

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 or the Rev. Laura Palmer at 267-418-0123.

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.

This email is best viewed as a webpage. Click here to make sure you don't miss anything!

Sunday Worship

August 17th, 2025

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Spoken)

In Person

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

In Person Under the Tent

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music

In Person & via livestream here

Rector's Note

This week I’ve been noticing and appreciating all the ways we show up for each other at St Martin’s.

Phone calls and emails to check in, ask for or offer prayers. A ride to church or to a medical appointment. Mysterious and delicious baked goods dropped off for Tea under the Tent. A caring, sensitive response to a phone call to the church from someone in distress.

We show up for our neighbors as well. I attended the NW Refugee and Immigrant Network meeting at Chestnut Hill Friends, and of course, found three other St Martin’s members there. Luke and I also attend a monthly NW Interfaith Clergy group. Several St Martin’s members attended the recent rally in support of a Germantown man who is being held in detention.

Everywhere we show up, we are noticed and known -- Oh, St Martin’s! You folks do so much! St Martin’s, you guys are always here! Continue reading here.

Features

Afghan Family Becoming More Integrated into U.S. Society, But Still Needs Support: With each passing week, the Afghan family of seven sponsored by a multi-congregation team – spearheaded by St. Martin’s – becomes more integrated into American society. By the time you read this, all members of the family will have been seen by doctors, for the first time since leaving Afghanistan. Continue reading here.

Fall Retreat: Old Testament Stories

Trinity Retreat Center, West Cornwall, CT

Tuesday, Oct. 28th-Friday, Oct. 31st

Led by the Rev. Dr. Mary Barber

Registration is now open for this year's fall retreat at Trinity Retreat Center in West Cornwall, Connecticut! Join us for time away for learning and prayer as we look at some of the big characters and big stories of the Bible, see how their stories are similar and different, and see how they interact with each other. We will use these observations to reflect on how we tell and retell our own stories. There will also be plenty of time to rest, read, and walk the retreat center grounds. Scholarship assistance is available. Click here for more information and here to register. Registration closes Sept. 21st.

A Faithful Journey: Preparing for Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation

This fall, Mother Mary and Rev. Luke will offer a refresher course on Episcopal theology and practice. All seekers, age 12 and over, are welcome to join us between the 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. service, from 9:30-10:15a.m., for five Sundays: Sep 21; Oct 5, 19, 26; and Nov 2. Everyone can join for one or all of these parish-wide sessions, with or without a desire to be confirmed/received. If you are interested in making a public confirmation or reaffirmation of your baptismal vows or being received into the Episcopal Church at the end of this course, please fill out this form by August 14th and plan to attend all five parish-wide sessions as well as a final session on November 16th. Learn more about the classes here.

Guatemala Companion Parish Committee update: A few weeks ago, we learned of an outbreak of RSV and COVID in the Teen Mothers’ home that we support through contributions to the Episcopal Church of St. Mark’s in Quetzaltenango. The committee met and agreed to send $1,000 in emergency funds to support efforts to treat the girls and babies in the center. These funds came from past Guatemala Crafts sales, so it was through the generosity of our parishioners that we had the money to aid our partners in Guatemala. Thank you for your ongoing engagement in the work we do. If you would like to learn more, please connect with Sandy Abrams or Laura Sibson.

Image: Sandy Abrams with the physical therapists at the Teen Mothers' home.

Please note: Blessed Baking for St. James School is on summer recess. The next collection will be September 19th.

Thank you to all who have been baking this past year. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by the school community!

Children, Youth, & Families

Dear St. Martin's Families,

This October will mark a double anniversary for me: my first year serving at St. Martin's, and my first year as a priest in The Episcopal Church! I have loved working with and getting to know you all over the past 10+ months, and, after a lot of listening and some trial and error last Program Year, I am excited to share what is in the works for the Fall of the 2025-2026 Program Year at St. Martin's -- created by, for, and with you all.

Since this January, the 9:00 a.m. Children, Youth, and Family Sunday service has been evolving and steadily growing. Continue reading here.

Welcoming This Sunday's Musician: Francis Martin

Music at this week's 10:30 a.m. service will be offered by young, outstanding pianist, Francis Martin. We extend our sincere thanks to all of our summer musicians for their kind contributions of musical talent to our worship services!

Take Action

Shut Down Moshannon Protest, Sunday August 24th

Should the largest immigrant detention center in the Northeast be shut down because of human rights abuses? If you say yes, St. Martin’s Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Ministry invites you to consider joining other Philadelphia-area residents in a bus caravan to Philipsburg, PA on Sunday, Aug. 24 to call for the closure of the nearby Moshannon Valley Processing Center where a Chinese immigrant awaiting deportation recently hanged himself. Buses will leave at 10 a.m. from 30th Street Station and return by 10 p.m. The non-violent statewide protest is sponsored by immigrant rights groups. To reserve a seat, click here.

For more details click here.

Germantown Pet Pantry: Please help keep a roaring success, roaring! (and barking and meowing)

The next Pet Pantry will be on September 13th and donations will be picked up from St. Martin's on

Sept. 9th.

Thanks in part of your generous participation, Familiar Hearts in Mt. Airy, the rescue organization that sponsors the Pet Pantries, has served 142 families with over 500 pets! Each donation of pet food, supplies and gently used toys helps keep a pet with their owners and out of the over-flowing shelter system.

Attached here is a poster to share with your vet or pet store!

Let's keep making a difference and collect even more than we did last time.

Thank you, St. Martin's!!

-Rev. Laura

Sermon

The Rev. Dr. Mary Barber

August 10th, 2025

A few years back, when our girls were still little, our family was visiting my sister and brother-in-law and niece in North Carolina. We went to a nearby wildlife sanctuary, a place where you could walk on woodland trails and see different animals on the other side of a fence. This seemed like the perfect afternoon activity for our two daughters and our niece.

When we parked and walked up to the gate, though, we got a chilly reception from the guy at the ticket booth. “Park closes in 45 minutes,” he grumbled at us.

Continue reading here.

Coming Up

Iced Tea Under the Tent Continues Every Thursday!

4:00-6:00 p.m. Under the Tent on the Hilary House Lawn

This summer’s Iced Tea Under the Tent series continues each Thursday through the end of August! Iced Tea Under the Tent is a great way to get to know each other, enjoy some snacks, and beat the summer heat with some cool drinks. No RSVP needed, but if you are able, please consider bringing a treat to share. Contact Kate Maus with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

St. Martin’s Summer Chess Club Continues Every Thursday!

4:00-6:00 p.m. Under the Tent on the Hilary House Lawn

In conjunction with Iced Tea Under the Tent, St. Martin’s summer Chess Club will run each Thursday through the end of August! All ages and skill levels encouraged. No experience needed. Chess equipment provided, but don’t hesitate to bring your own if you so desire. Contact Al Pearson with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!