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

July 13th, 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

If you missed my earlier explanation of the drawings for our proposed capital project, you were understandably confused about my column from last week, giving an update on where we are.

It’s easy to miss St. Martin’s news, when we all lead busy lives and there is so much going on!

To make it easier to catch up, I have linked to those two articles in the paragraph above. We are also working on getting the Annual Meeting video uploaded so that you can see (or see for a second time) the presentation on the proposed building project.

While we contemplate significant improvements to our campus, we continue to work on smaller things we can accomplish ourselves or with a little help. Continue reading here.

Features

Life Together: A Summer Bible Study Series

Saturdays, July 19th - September 28th

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

What is the Church, and what is its witness in our time? Join the Saturday Bible Study group to explore these questions in community as we read the book of Acts alongside Life Together, the inspiring account of a Christian community who resisted the Nazi regime, written by Lutheran pastor and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The Rev. Luke Selles will lead the introductory session on July 19th in the Houston Room (11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) and for the rest of the series the group will rotate leadership. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email the Rev. Luke Selles: lselles@stmartinec.org

Fall Confirmation/Reception Classes

Are you interested in being confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church? Confirmation classes for youth (Ages 12+) and adults are starting in the fall. Please get in touch with Rev Luke at lselles@stmartinec.org, or Rev Mary at mbarber@stmartinec.org, for more information and to sign up!

Updates on Welcoming the Afghan Family

From Jeff Meade, co-chair of Refugee Resettlement Ministry

Independence Day came a day early for an Afghan family of seven.

Last Thursday, members of a multi-faith community committee launched by St. Martin’s Refugee Resettlement Ministry helped them move into their new house in Northeast Philadelphia, close to their relatives and within easy walking distance of the elementary school their children will attend in the fall.

On Thursday, a rented U-Haul truck, driven by a member of our committee, pulled up outside a neat brick rowhouse in the Northeast, carrying enough furniture – primarily beds – to get the family through their first week. They had been collected by another committee member, donated primarily from the St. Martin’s community, and stuffed into a cargo van earlier in the week and delivered to a storage unit for safekeeping until the day of the move.

Within minutes, the father of the family and his three adult sons were unloading all the furniture donated by members of this parish … mostly beds, but also a few chairs and a couple of tables. Continue reading here.

Artwork: The Peaceable Kingdom, Edward Hicks, American, 1780 – 1849, Made in Bucks County, PA, 1826, Oil on canvas, 32 7/8 x 41 3/4 inches, Philadelphia Museum of Art Credit Line: Bequest of Charles C. Willis, 1956.

Visions and Values in Early American Art: A Mini Retreat

This Sunday, July 13th, from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Cost: Sliding Scale from $10-$50 with a suggested price of $30. Admission and Parking are free. Click here to register.

Interfaith Philadelphia and Wellspring are co-sponsoring a mini-retreat on Sunday July 13 from 1:30 - 4:30 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Guided discussions of two paintings will be followed by a time for individuals or pairs to select and study works on their own and then share their experiences with the group. The retreat will be led by Rev. John Hougen, co-chair of Wellspring and a docent at the PMA, and Dr. Christine Modey from the University of Michigan. Limit: 15 Participants. Learn more here.

Questions? Contact John at jbh@interfaithphiladelphia.org

Iced Tea Under the Tent Begins Next Thursday, July 17th!

Continues every Thursday through end of August

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

This summer’s Iced Tea Under the Tent series kicks off Thurs., July 17th, and 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 snack to share. Contact Kate Maus with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

St. Martin’s Summer Chess Club Also Begins July 17th!

Continues every Thursday through end of August

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

In conjunction with Iced Tea Under the Tent, the first annual summer St. Martin’s Chess Club kicks off July 17th, and continues each Thursday through the end of August! All ages and skill levels encouraged. Chess equipment provided, but don’t hesitate to bring your own if you so desire. No RSVP needed. Contact Al Pearson with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

What’s Your Favorite Hymn?

This summer, we want to sing your favorite hymns during our 10:30 a.m. Sunday services at St. Martin’s! Whether it's a beloved classic or a joyful tune that lifts your spirit, we’d love to include the hymns that mean the most to you.

Submit your favorites using our short Google Form—it only takes a minute! Let your voice shape our summer worship and help us make a joyful noise together.

Tyrone Whiting

Director of Music & Arts

twhiting@stmartinec.org

Summer Sunday Musicians - Do you play a musical instrument?

Now that our Choir, Choristers, and Staff Musicians are 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. 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

Sermon

The Rev. Mary Barber

July 6, 2025

In last week’s Gospel, a potential disciple comes up to Jesus, saying, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus responds to this self-offering by saying, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." In other words, hey, you may think you want to join me, but let me tell you, it will not be all fun and games. Continue reading here.

Take Action

Opinion Piece by the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe

From Religion News Service/Episcopal News Services

Click here to read an opinion piece by Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe: "Once the church of Presidents, the Episcopal Church must now be an engine of resistance".