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.

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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Sunday Worship

October 19th, 2025:

Guest Preacher for Morning Services: Kyra Atterbury

Need In Deed

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

In Person

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

In Person

10:30 a.m. Instructed Choral Holy Eucharist

In Person & via livestream here

Followed by Worship Reflections in the Houston Room

5:00 p.m. Evensong

Plan to come early at 3:15 p.m. for a guided and sacred look at the stained glass windows in our beautiful church, sponsored by Wellspring and facilitated by the Rev. John Hougen, PhD. Then, stay for Evensong!

This Week's Readings

Jeremiah 31:27-34 | Psalm 119:97-104 | 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 | Luke 18:1-8

Rector's Note

Evensong at the Philadelphia Cathedral. A really fantastic night out to support Need-in-Deed. A cancelled Art Fair that nonetheless was a lovely event to share and buy works owned and created by our members (and it will continue this Sunday!). Lorie’s return to the office. A visit with James, who is recovering well at home after his gallbladder surgery. A funeral for the great-great-granddaughter of Henry Houston, herself an accomplished architect and town planner. Continue reading here.

Features

Consecration Sunday Is Coming!

Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.

Our congregation’s finance committee has selected the Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year. Continue reading here.

Stained Glass at St. Martin’s: What’s the Story?

This Sunday, October 19th, from 3:15 – 4:45 p.m., followed by Evensong at 5:00 p.m.

No RSVP Needed + Free to Attend

Repeat Event November 16th from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.*

Attendees will be guided in a process of sacred looking (visio divina), exploring how light, color, and content inspire and teach. As a group, we will look at and discuss a window or two. Then you (alone or with others) will select a window to contemplate. Finally, we will each share the story of our experience, helping one another be inspired by the spectacular windows of St. Martin’s.

*A repeat event will occur on Sunday, November 16th, from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Guests from Interfaith Philadelphia will be joining us - members and friends of St. Martin’s are encouraged to attend and help them feel welcome!)

Facilitator: Rev. John Hougen, PhD, co-chair of Wellspring at St. Martin’s and coordinator of The Art of Interfaith Understanding at Interfaith Philadelphia.

Guatemala Raffle Begins This Sunday, October 19th

Good things come in twos, right? Our treasured tradition of raffling off a handmade Guatemalan tapestry starts Sunday, October 19th and this year, we have two pieces to raffle! (Sneak preview of one tapestry in the picture). For three weeks, starting Sunday, we’ll sell raffle tickets with the drawing of winners taking place on Saint Martin’s Day. Tickets will be 1 ticket for $1 and 6 tickets for $5.

In more good news, our annual Guatemala Craft Sale will be held on two days this year, allowing you more time to purchase beautiful handmade crafts. On Rev. Dr. Mary’s Installation Day, Saturday, November 8th, we’ll be open after the service and then the fun continues Sunday, November 9th as a part of our St. Martin’s Day activities. Proceeds support special projects such as the Recreation Equipment Project at San Juan Apostol in Chichicastenango and the response to the RSV outbreak in Xela, Quetzaltenango. For questions, reach out to Laura Sibson (484-431-7475) or Sandy Abrams (215-432-1065).

Submit Names for All Saints' Day Prayers by Wed., Oct. 29th

The Feast of All Saints is Sunday, November 2nd. On that day we will honor family and friends who have died since last November (All Saints' Day 2024). The necrology will be read aloud at the 5:00 p.m. Choral Requiem Eucharist and included in the leaflets of our morning services. Please email the name of anyone you would like to have listed in the necrology to Connie Haggard at choirconnie@stmartinec.org no later than Wednesday, October 29th. Those who were on our recently deceased prayer list or whose funeral was held at St. Martin’s will automatically be included.

All Souls’ Day Columbarium Reception

Sunday, Nov. 2nd at 3:30 p.m.

Join us on Sunday, November 2nd at 3:30 p.m. in the Mary Hare Taylor Knight Memorial Columbarium to celebrate and commemorate those we have loved and lost with prayers and reflections while reconnecting with long-time St. Martin’s

friends and neighbors. Come early to place a votive candle on the marker of those you remember and hold dear. All are welcome.

❖ 3:30 pm Reception in the Columbarium with light refreshments

(If inclement weather, reception will be held in the Houston Room.)

❖ 4:00 pm Blessing by The Rev. Dr. Mary Barber

❖ 5:00 pm Choral Requiem Eucharist service featuring the

Section Leaders of the Choir of St. Martin’s.

A Health Update from St. Martin’s “Medicine Cabinet”

It’s that time of year again! As we enter the fall and winter months, it is time for each of us to make sure that our immunizations against influenza and COVID are up-to-date. Influenza and COVID vaccines protect against severe illness from these infections, and updated versions of both are now available for the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season. The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s recommendations for annual influenza and COVID vaccination follow guidance from the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology. In addition, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department is working with health insurers across the state to assure that these and all previously recommended vaccines are covered. As always, you should follow your doctor’s advice if you have any questions about which vaccines you should receive and when you should receive them.

Children, Youth, and Families

InPower Emerging Adults Course

Sundays Nov. 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd

4-6:30 p.m. in Hilary House

InPower is a coach-led group experience for high schoolers that helps emerging adults build emotional resilience, clearer decision-making, and read-life readiness through conversation and practice. Classes will take place in Hilary House on the first four Sundays of November. Learn more about InPower and its parent organization, the WillPower Foundation, by contacting Leslie Newbold at leslie@willpower-foundation.org or 610.220.4207.

St. Martin's Church School

Now Through-Sunday, Dec 14th

9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Church School continues this Sunday! For a full schedule with locations (subject to some change as we adapt to the needs of those who join), you can click here. To learn more about Godly Play, the curriculum that we will be using, you can click here.

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.

CYF Halloween Haunted House Party

Wednesday, October 29th

5:00 p.m. in the Parish House

The week of Halloween, Choristers rehearsal will end early and there will be a Halloween party for kids, ages 7-12, from 5-6 p.m. in the Parish House. This year our party will be Haunted House themed, and will include games, snacks, and more spooky fun. Costumes encouraged!

Music Notes

Each week, Tyrone Whiting, our Director of Music and Arts, will dive into specific aspects of our service music, highlighting liturgical, historical, and musical elements of our music-making. Click here to read Music Notes.

Art For Sale!

We have 100+ artworks for sale! These will be on display over the next few Sundays at coffee hour. Click here to view the catalogue.

Should you wish to view a specific piece of art, please contact Director of Music & Arts, Tyrone Whiting: twhiting@stmartinec.org

Raffle Tickets are on sale, and Silent Auction items will remain open until 10/19!

Take Action

Sneakers4Good Shoe Donation Drive

We’ve partnered with Sneakers4Good to provide a socially responsible way to donate your used sneakers and running shoes to a good cause. The sneakers will help benefit Face to Face in Germantown as well as support micro-enterprises in 25 developing countries. The athletic shoes will be given a second life as well as kept out of landfills where they can take decades to fully decompose. There is no limit, so clean out your closets! We accept only gently worn, used or new athletic sneakers and running shoes. Please place any lightly used or new sneakers/running shoes in the sneakers4good boxes at the entrance to the church. Lightly worn sneakers/running shoes only, please! The Sneaker Drive is a lead up to the 33rd Face to Face Turkey Trot on November 27, (Thanksgiving Day) at 9 a.m. along Forbidden Drive in Fairmount Park. Register here!

No Kings Protest

Saturday, Oct. 18th from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Philadelphia City Hall (and Nationwide)

In June, millions of everyday Americans from every walk of life peacefully took to the streets and declared with one voice: No Kings. This isn’t just politics. It’s democracy versus dictatorship. And together, we’re choosing democracy. Join in this nationwide day of protest this upcoming Saturday, October 18th.

Current Policies and Implications for Immigrants & Refugees

Monday, October 20th at 7:00 p.m.

Cathedral Village (Cathedral Hall)

Led by Cathryn Miller-Wilson, Esq., Executive Director of HIAS Pennsylvania

Sponsored by the Cathedral Village Indivisible Immigration Group

HIAS-PA has been working for decades with immigrants and refugees from all countries, through direct assistance, education and advocacy. They are a major force in Pennsylvania in dealing with the chaos of current policies. Come hear the latest developments, the impacts on human lives, and what you can do!

Immigrants Under Siege: Learn the Facts. Work Together. Take Action

Sunday, Oct. 26th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

First United Methodist Church of Germantown

Join the Northwest Regional Refugee and Immigrant Network to hear from national and local experts, immigration leaders, and advocates about the crisis facing migrant and refugee communities today - and how we can respond together.

Interfaith Philadelphia: Facilitating Civil Conversations

Thursday, October 30th, 2025

This half-day workshop equips facilitators with practical tools to lead meaningful dialogues across lines of difference—in their communities, on campus, in the workplace, and in the classroom. Facilitators will gain knowledge, techniques, and incremental confidence in conversing across differences, explore case studies and practice skills for navigating conflict in conversations, and receive a companion Facilitator Toolkit and Online Resource Guide. Click here to learn more and register.

Sermon

The Rev. Dr. Mary Barber

10.12.25

Whose home is this?

This feels like a living question this week, who belongs here, who is in, who is out, who is part of us? Continue reading here.

Coming Up

Save the Date: A Celebration of a New Ministry

The Institution & Induction of the Rev. Dr. Mary Barber,

10th Rector of the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Saturday, November 8th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

The Wardens and Vestry of the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields invite you to join us in celebrating the official installation of the Rev. Dr. Mary Barber as our 10th Rector. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, November 8th at 10:00 a.m. for this momentous service, presided over by our Bishop, The Rt. Rev Daniel G.P. Gutiérrez. The Rev. Joseph Wallace-Williams will preach. Also plan to join us for a reception following the service!

Save the Date: St. Martin's Day & Consecration Sunday

Please mark your calendars for St. Martin's Day & Consecration Sunday on November 9th! There will be ONE service at 10:30 a.m. Also plan to attend our Consecration Sunday luncheon following the service (more details to come!), as well as the Guatemala Craft Fair Sale throughout the day. We can't wait to see you there!