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

September 14th, 2025

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

In Person

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

In Person - Back in the Church!

10:30 a.m. Instructed Choral Holy Eucharist with Baptism

In Person & via livestream here

Rector's Note

The program year is about to start, the weather is changing, and there is anticipation in the air. St. Martin’s was not exactly sleepy during the summer, but soon we will be absolutely abuzz with activity. The weekend of Nov 8-9 will be especially packed, with a rector installation Saturday and stewardship/St. Martin’s Day Sunday. There will also be the Art event, and many fantastic music events, including Evensong at the Philadelphia Cathedral!

Before the frenzy starts, at work, school, and church, you might want to plan some quiet time away. We have a great group signed up for the Fall Retreat at Trinity Retreat Center in Connecticut, but there's still room for you! There’s just 10 days left to register, so please reach out if you’ve been interested but have not yet signed up. Continue reading here.

Features

Purse Gift for the Rev. Laura Palmer

As you know, Rev. Laura Palmer has been called to the role of Interim Rector at St. Christopher’s, Gladwyne. Her last Sunday with us is Sept. 21. This is a bittersweet moment as we celebrate her new call and bid her farewell. Rev. Laura has been an integral part of St. Martin’s since joining us in 2012. Ordained at St. Martin’s in 2019, Laura has served as a priest in the diocese in addition to being an oncology chaplain at CHOP. Laura agreed to be our Priest at a pivotal interim time. We are forever grateful. Continue reading here.

To contribute to Laura's purse gift, go to the Giving page of St. Martin's website: https://www.stmartinec.org/give. Click the "Give Now" button. Under the "Select Fund" drop down menu, select "Purse Gifts". Please write “Rev. Laura’s Purse” in the memo line.

Goodbye Nametags, Hello Lanyards!

As part of our commitment to making St. Martin’s a truly welcoming community, we will be saying goodbye to the sticky name tags and transitioning to lanyards this Sunday, September 14th!

How it works:

When you come to church, enter via the back doors (Narthex). You will find your lanyard sorted alphabetically by last name. When it’s time to put your lanyard away, don’t worry about putting Aardvark before Azul - as long as you put your lanyard with those of the same letter, our office volunteers will take care of the rest! You are also welcome to take your lanyard home.

All members who voted or were eligible to vote at this year’s Annual Meeting will automatically receive a lanyard. If you would like a lanyard but aren’t a voting member (or aren’t sure if you are), please click here to let me know! Or, put your name on the clipboards in the Narthex. We want everyone who wants a lanyard to have one, including those of you who generously contribute time and talent in place of a traditional pledge/financial gift. Blank “write-on” nametags will still be available for guests.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at ndiskan@stmartinec.org.

-Noor Diskan

Director of Communications & Events

Thank You To All Who Donated to the Pet Pantry!

Look what we did!! Working with our new and generous partners at the Fort Washington Veterinary Hospital (with a satellite office in Flourtown) we collected a tremendous amount of pet food and supplies for the Pet Pantry hosted by Familiar Hearts! Heartfelt gratitude to all of you who contributed. The number one reason people surrender their pets to shelters is a lack of supplies to care for them. Each donation, large or small makes a difference in the lives of our neighbors and the pets they love. -Rev. Laura

Ten Days Left To Register for Our Fall Retreat:

Old Testament Stories

Trinity Retreat Center, West Cornwall, CT

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

Led by the Rev. Dr. Mary Barber

There are ten days left to register 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.

Adult Forum Returns Next Wednesday, September 17th!

Meet & Greet with the Rev. Dr. Mary Barber

Join us for our first Forum of the program year next Wednesday, September 17th, which will be a Meet & Greet with the Rev. Dr. Mary Barber. Plan to come for Food & Fellowship at 6 p.m. and stay for the Meet & Greet at 7 p.m.! We can't wait to see you there. Please also save the date for a Forum led by the Rev. Laura Palmer on Wednesday, September 24th.

Children, Youth, and Families

9 a.m. Service Back in the Main Sanctuary

The 9 a.m. service for families and people of all ages is back in the main sanctuary this Sunday. Join us a little early if you would like to volunteer to read a lesson or to acolyte during the service. Stay afterwards for refreshments and fellowship or for the acolyte training starting at 9:30 a.m.

St. Martin's Families: Game Night

Saturday, October 25th

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Parish House

Join us for pizza and games in the Parish House. All ages, families, and single folks are welcome! Bring a drink or dessert to share and a favorite game. Halloween costumes and spooky games or treats are welcome.

Check out our Fall CYF newsletter here to learn about more upcoming events, fill out our 9:00 a.m. worship service survey, and more!

Welcome back to our Music Ensembles!

This Sunday, we welcome back the Choir & Children's Choir Choristers to the 10:30 a.m. service. Our music and arts ensembles have resumed their regular weekly rehearsals and we have a jam-packed year lined up including Evensongs (at St. Martin's and elsewhere), concerts, services, and more! Keep your eyes on Field Notes for details of all upcoming services and events—it will be a very exciting year ahead!

Music Notes returns!

The start of the program year sees the return of Music Notes, a weekly blog written by our Director of Music & Arts, Tyrone Whiting. Each week, Tyrone will dive into specific aspects of our service music, highlighting liturgical, historical, and musical elements of our music-making. You can access each post by visiting www.stmartinec.org/musicnotes. Click here to read this week's Music Notes.

Nigel Law Piano Recital

This Sunday, September 14th

5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

This Sunday we welcome the wonderful pianist Nigel Law to perform at St. Martin's, opening our program year with a beautiful recital of music including Chopin, Brahms, Debussy, Khachaturian, and more! Not to be missed!

St. Martin's Art Fair and Auction

Sunday, October 12, 2025

Join us for an all-day celebration of art and creativity on Sunday, October 12. Beginning after the 10:30 am service and running into the afternoon, St. Martin's will have a multitude of artworks for sale and in silent auction. Refreshments and food will be available throughout the day. There will be special Creation Stations for children and youth (and adults!).

All proceeds from the event help to support St. Martin's in a very tangible way, and your generosity and participation is greatly appreciated. It will be a day full of fun and creativity for all ages—bring your friends, neighbors, and family!

Do you have artwork you wish to sell at the Art Fair & Auction? We are accepting art pieces from our community for inclusion in this sale. Artworks should be original pieces (rather than reproductions) or of your own work for those of you who create! Please reach out to Director of Music & Arts, Tyrone Whiting (twhiting@stmartinec.org) for more information on offering your work(s) for sale.

Choral Evensong at

Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral

Sunday, October 5th

4:00 p.m.

Join us at the Episcopal Cathedral for a service of Choral Evensong featuring music by Parker Kitterman, Erik Meyer, C. V. Stanford, and Ireland, sung by the Choir of St. Martin's and conducted by our Director of Music & Arts, Tyrone Whiting.

Take Action

WillPower 1M Walk+Talk/5K Run

Saturday, September 20th, 2025

Location: Wissahickon Trail: 200 W. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118

Launched in 2023, the WillPower Run/Walk honors William Connor Newbold and all those who struggle with mental health. This is a non-competitive event that brings the community together to support mental health awareness, healing, and the power of open conversation. Proceeds fund programs for emerging adults and families, helping turn pain into positive energy and strengthening the will to live and thrive. Click here to register and here to learn more about WillPower Foundation.

Teacher Supply Drive

Support Philly Public School Teachers & Their Classrooms

Each year, public school teachers across Philadelphia dig into their own pockets to provide essential supplies for their students. This year St. Martin's is partnering with Need in Deed to support 25 dedicated teachers in supplying their classrooms.

Here are the most-requested items:

Post-it Notes (all colors)
Sticky Chart Paper (large easel pads)
Printer Paper (white and colored)
Markers (regular and dry erase)

Please deliver any donations to the Welcome Desk in the Parish House by Sunday, September 28th.

St Martin’s Successful Guatemala Scholarship Drive

Muchas Gracias, Saint Martin’s parishioners for your support through the pledge drive for the 2026 San

Juan Apostol Scholarship Fund and the Totonicapán Scholarship Fund. Sixty-four pledges totaling

$19,110 were received for the Guatemala Student Scholarship Drive in the month of June. This year we

exceeded our goal of $15,000! Without your help, these students would not be able to go to school.

Your support opens the door to a better future for them and provides hope to their families and communities.

So far $10,260 in pledged funds has been received. Pledges may be paid via the St Martin’s website or via the plate. If pledges are paid via the online payment option, please use the “Guatemala Scholarship” choice in the drop-down box, when paying the pledge. If a check is provided via the collection plate, please write “Guatemala Scholarship” in the memo section of your check. Pledges are kindly due by September 30th. Donations are accepted even if you have not had the opportunity to pledge, during the scholarship drive. Thanks to everyone, who supports this wonderful mission!

Sermon

The Rev. Dr. Mary Barber

September 7th, 2025

This week a clergy friend told me she thinks her puzzle hobby may have gone too far. The one she is working on now is so challenging, she’s not sure she will be done by Christmas! She’s wondering if she should abandon. It’s easy for a project at work or home or even church to become bigger or more complicated than we had planned. At some point into a project like that, we may have said something like, “I don’t think I can do this.” “This is way more than I expected.” or, “I didn’t sign up for this!” Continue reading here.