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.

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, September 27, 2026

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Spoken)

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

Followed by farewell reception for the Rev. Luke Selles

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music

Also via livestream here

Followed by farewell reception for the Rev. Luke Selles (Parish Hall)

&

Worship Reflections (Houston Room)

This Sunday's Readings

Exodus 17:1-7 | Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 | Philippians 2:1-13 | Matthew 21:23-32

Rector's Note

Note: Stay alert. I will never send an email or text asking for vague “help.” I will never ask you to buy gift cards. Always check the address or number. If the message is not from mbarber@stmartinec.org (REAL Rector Mary Barber) or 845-527-9545, it is not me. Block and report.

Other than the rash of fake messages from “me,” St Martins’ year is off to a good start. Vestry approved the Capital Campaign team’s choice of a consultant, Seanna Crosley of Rowse Consulting. She has worked with the Michael J Fox Foundation and most recently on the World Cup soccer event in Philly.

This is the next important step in moving forward on the capital project. This project will include: 

• A/C and new heating for the sanctuary
• Stair and lift access from the church entry (narthex) to the sanctuary and undercroft
• Building out the undercroft to be usable for Sunday school and other groups, including new bathrooms
• Restoration and updating of the Parish Hall, including A/C
• Restoration of the first floor bathroom in the parish house

Continue reading here.

Features

Farewell Celebration & Purse Gift for the Rev. Luke Selles

THIS Sunday, September 27th

Rev. Luke's last Sunday at St. Martin's will be THIS Sunday, Sept 27. They will preach and preside, and we will celebrate them and all they have done for and with our community with a festive coffee hour after the 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services! If you would like to contribute to a purse gift for Rev. Luke, please click here. Click the drop down menu and select "Purse Gifts".

A Thank You from Diane Pierce

Dear St. Martin’s, 



My heart is so full of gratitude for all that so many of you did for Nate and I throughout this past year of his illness. All the prayers, visits, cards and support throughout the year enfolded us in your love and kept us going knowing that you were there for us. 

Then, on September 12th, at Nate’s Celebration of Life you lavished my family, our friends, and me in your warmth and love. Debra Roberts organized a delicious lunch which so many of you contributed to. Tyrone and Sean worked with me on music and livestreaming the service. Our solo vocalists and choir members made our hearts soar. Michael Miller touched everyone with his beautiful solo Simple Song, Dennis Lucey created the beautiful floral arrangements, Mary Baumberger prepared the altar, Cathy Glazer, James Kent and Lorie Hershey looked after the preparation of the Columbarium and Noor Diskan did her magic with the bulletin. Beloved members volunteered: to Usher and Greet folks coming to the service, to carry the Paschal Candle, to be Lectors, and to be Chalice Ministers. Rev. Mary and Rev. Luke extended the Love of God with open arms, words and hearts to all who attended. 

Once again, St. Martin’s, you did what you do best; you became the loving hands and heart of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you. 

Blessings and Peace and Love, 

Diane Pierce

Click here to read Rev. Mary's homily in thanksgiving for the life of Nathaniel (Nate) Pierce.

Click here to read Nate's obituary.

Exploring Spirituality with Wellspring—An Afternoon Retreat

THIS Saturday, September 26th

12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

The Wellspring team is offering a no-cost retreat THIS Saturday, Sept. 26, from noon to 4pm. At noon, a free lunch will be served in the Houston Room, followed by three one-hour sessions exploring spirituality from different perspectives. Come for lunch and all three sessions, or drop in on a single session that interests you.

The 1:00 to 2:00 o’clock session will present an experience of the symbols of the liturgy, accompanied by music and poetry, to help us reflect on how the symbols connect us to the Holy.

The 2:00 to 3:00 o’clock session will introduce Rudolf Steiner, who has been described by many as a Christian mystic. Steiner’s teachings have inspired personal, inner spiritual development as well as outer cultural impulses, including Waldorf education.

The 3:00 to 4:00 o’clock session searches the Book of Psalms for instruction in how to pray in times of joy and celebration as well as in times of anxiety and grief. 

If you plan to join us for lunch, please RSVP to loriesimmons@comcast.net

Next Week's Adult Forum

Beyond Borders: What’s Happening in Haiti Now

Wednesday, Sept. 30th

7:00 p.m. (Houston Room & Zoom here)

Meeting ID: 892 4660 1988

Passcode: 074688

Beyond Borders Co-Chair Coleen Hedglin will visit St. Martin’s to eat supper with us and share the work of her organization. We will view the brand-new documentary that captures the heart of Beyond Borders’ movements to overcome poverty, prevent violence and develop leaders in Haiti. Shot in June during a stretch of intense heat (and months since the last rainfall), the short film tells the story of our interwoven programming through the personal lens of one woman’s life and lived experience.

Continue reading here.

Click here to view flyer.

Blessing of the Animals on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Next Sunday, Oct. 4th

During the 9:00 a.m. service & after the 10:30 a.m. service

All are invited for our annual pet blessings on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi! Please bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier. Those who do not wish to bring their pet in person are welcome to instead bring a stuffed animal or photo to be blessed. We look forward to seeing you and your animal companion(s)!

Snapshots

Above: Rev. Mary hosted our annual

Vestry & Staff reception in the Rectory last Thursday.

Children, Youth, & Families

Introducing Our New Associate Rector for Children, Youth, and Families: The Rev. Shanna Hawks

Click here to read Rev. Mary's announcement in full.

"Dear Members and Friends of St. Martin's,

I am happy to announce our new Associate Rector for Children, Youth, and Families, The Rev. Shanna Hawks. Shanna will start at St Martin's on November 1. She comes with a heart for CYF ministry and a wealth of experience. I know she will be a great addition to this community and will carry forward the work Rev. Luke has so ably begun. I can't wait for you to meet her! 



Mary+"

St. Martin's Church School 

Weekly on Sundays, 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Church School has resumed! Join us weekly immediately following the 9 a.m. service in Hilary House, around 9:45 a.m., for time with Bible stories and stories of our faith. To learn more about Godly Play, the curriculum that we will be using for ages 4-12, you can click here.

Read our Music and Arts Newsletter!

Dear Members & Friends of St. Martin-in-the-Fields,



I am so excited and honoured to be entering my sixth full program year in ministry here at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Philadelphia. Your continued support, friendship, and commitment to our Music & Arts ministries is ever-growing and deeply appreciated; thank you.

We have such an exciting year ahead together. Click here for full details, dates, and preview links for all of our extra services and events in the coming months including our new Third Sunday Music Series, Children's Choir participation, Evensongs, and much more!

We can’t wait to share this wonderful season of music and worship with you!

-Tyrone Whiting, Director of Music & Arts

Take Action

An Invitation from the Refugee Resettlement & Immigration Ministry:

Faith Leaders Demand Action on Hatian Temporary Protection Status

TODAY, Sept. 24th at 4:00 p.m., faith leaders will come together to call on Senators McCormick and Fetterman to take action to protect Temporary Protection Status (TPS) for Haitians. SB. 4814 has already passed the House and would extend TPS for Haiti until April 2029. Now we need the Senate to act.

More than 250 faith leaders from across PA have signed a letter calling on our Pennsylvania Senators to co-sponsor and support the bill. This afternoon, religious leaders will deliver that letter and continue urging our Senators to act.

The consequences of the ending of TPS are already devastating Haitian families across our communities. More than 200,000 Haitian immigrants across the country, including 7,000 in Philadelphia, have been stripped of their work permits and face immediate deportation. That's because the Trump administration has ended Temporary Protected Status for Haitians who were allowed into the U.S. because of the 2010 earthquake or because of civil unrest and violence. Deportation will return these Haitians, many of whom work in the healthcare industry in Philadelphia, to a country that is now facing a humanitarian crisis because of growing gang violence, population displacement, disrupted medical care and hunger. 



Join us and help keep the pressure on! Everyone who believes in standing with immigrant and refugee communities is welcome. The march begins at 4:00 p.m. at 20^th and Market Street at the office of Senator John McCormick. Please contact Huntly Collins with any questions.

Click here to view the event flyer.

St Martin’s Successful Guatemala Scholarship Drive

Muchas Gracias, Saint Martin’s parishioners, for your support through the pledge drive for the 2027 San Juan Apostol Scholarship Fund and the Totonicapán Scholarship Fund. Sixty-eight pledges totaling $18,110 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 $10,245 in pledged funds have 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 did not have the opportunity to pledge during the scholarship drive. Thank you to everyone who supports this wonderful mission!

Sermon

The Rev. Dr. Mary Barber

The 17th Sunday after Pentecost

Sun., Sept. 20th

Maybe you’ve had the experience, in school or working life, where you were assigned a project with another person, and you ended up doing most of the work. Your partner was AWOL, but then at the end they shared credit for the final project. 

Or maybe you were an oldest kid like me, and saw your later-to-arrive siblings get easier chores and looser rules, while still getting the same benefits of birthday presents and allowances that you got. It’s just not fair, right?

It’s easy to sympathize with the workers who grumble to the landowner in our Gospel reading. Continue reading here.

Coming Up

First Meeting of Wellspring's Spiritual Classics Book Group

Next Saturday, October 3rd, at 2:30 p.m.

Our new Spiritual Classics book group will hold its inaugural meeting on Oct. 3rd at the home of parishioner Lorie Simmons in Mt. Airy. We will discuss Henri J. M. Nouwen's book, The Return of the Prodigal Son, A Story of Homecoming. After the discussion we will decide what titles to read next and when and where to meet in the future! Please contact Lorie Simmons with any questions and for the exact address: loriesimmons@comcast.net.

Philadelphia Eleven and Bishop Barbara Harris Exhibit Center

Monday, October 12th at 1:30 p.m.

255 S. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106

In 2024, the Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez expressed a deep desire to commemorate two historic moments in the Episcopal Church:

• The ordination of the Philadelphia Eleven - the first women ordained in the Episcopal Church
• The consecration of Bishop Barbara Harris —the first woman bishop of the Episcopal Church

In response to this vision, a dedicated committee was formed to establish a lasting space to honor these courageous women. The result is The National Center for Courageous Women of Faith—a place where their stories, struggles, and triumphs can inspire future generations. Join the National Center for Courageous Women of Faith on Oct. 12th for the grand opening of the exhibition.

Learn more here.

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 - Fridays 7-8 p.m. (Houston Room)

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