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

September 21st, 2025

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

12:00 p.m. Farewell Reception for the Rev. Laura Palmer

Parish House

Please note: There will be no Worship Reflections this Sunday so that all may attend Rev. Laura's farewell reception.

Rector's Note

This past Saturday, vestry spent several hours on retreat, getting oriented, getting to know each other, and doing some brainstorming about who we are as a St Martin’s community. It was good to have the time and spaciousness, to be just a bit away (at our sister church St Paul’s!), and to pray together and connect.

We also had Safe Church training during our retreat day, led in a live interactive format by Rev Luke. Luke has been providing these trainings for staff and volunteers that are of excellent quality and meet the diocesan requirements for lay and ordained ministry leaders.

At Tuesday’s vestry meeting this week, vestry voted to approve the list of suggested modules of online training through Praesidium (the platform used by this Diocese) that will supplement the live training. We are really fortunate to have Luke working on Safe Church training and compliance in such a thorough and thoughtful way. Youth and community members of all ages will be safer and better cared-for as a result. Continue reading here.

Features

Farewell Reception for the Rev. Laura Palmer

This Sunday, September 21st

Following the 10:30 a.m. service

Join us in the Parish Hall this Sunday for a farewell reception for the Rev. Laura Palmer, who has been called to the role of Interim Rector at St. Christopher’s, Gladwyne! We have been greatly blessed by Rev. Laura’s presence and will miss her tremendously.

If you would like to contribute to Laura's purse gift, you can do so by:

Option 1: Going 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.
Option 2: Writing a check to St. Martin's with "Rev. Laura’s Purse" in the memo line. Please put it in the offering plate or leave it in Lorie Hershey’s mailbox in the Parish House.

A W ord to the Episcopal Church from the House of Bishops

The bishops of The Episcopal Church recently gathered for assembly in the Dominican Republic. You can click here to read their joint statement. Here is an excerpt:

"While gathered, we have been keenly aware of the pain, fear, and uncertainty experienced by many in this present moment across our various contexts. On the first day of our meeting, we received reports of yet another school shooting, followed by the news of yet another politically motivated killing. The disturbing increase in political violence; the ongoing atrocities associated with war and global conflict; the continued starvation of God’s children; the intimidation and persecution of the vulnerable and those who have been marginalized; and the rise of authoritarianism across the globe all require a robust Christian response."

Last Chance 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

Registration for this year's fall retreat at Trinity Retreat Center in West Cornwall, Connecticut closes THIS Sunday! 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.

Adult Forum on September 24th: "To Fly Again"

7:00 p.m. in the Houston Room and via Zoom here.

Zoom Passcode: 815005

Led by the Rev. Laura Palmer

Adult Forum continues next week with a resurrection story: "To Fly Again", an ABC News Nightline program which tells the extraordinary story of a Northwest Airlines pilot, Lyle Prouse, who had (at least) 16 drinks the night before he got into the cockpit. The flight was uneventful, but he and two other crew members were arrested when they landed in Minneapolis. Lyle was fired, shamed, ridiculed relentlessly by Jay Leno and served time in a federal penitentiary.

The odds of him ever getting his life back-- including his job at Northwest-- were non-existent, but he did.

The piece, produced by Rev. Laura, also honors the fact that St. Martin's has been home for 70 years to what's believed to be the longest continuously running AA meeting in Philadelphia. Please join us for an inspiring story and lively discussion!

Check Out "Paula the Apostate" by Paula Farina

Click here to read parishioner Paula Farina's reflection on her first time worshipping at St. Martin's and at an Episcopal Church. This piece was recently published by the Writer Guild Initiative, having been submitted for their prompt: "Write a story where the end is also the beginning."

St. Martin’s Chess Club!

After the success of Chess Under the Tent this summer, the St. Martin’s Chess Club continues with a program year edition. Wednesday afternoons 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall with all invited to Food & Fellowship and Adult Forum following. All ages and skill levels encouraged. Chess equipment provided, but don’t hesitate to bring such if you so desire. No RSVP needed. Contact Al Pearson with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

Children, Youth, and Families

St. Martin's Church School

This Sunday, Sept 21st-Sunday, Dec 14th

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

Church School will be starting up for the fall this Sunday, Sept. 21st. 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.

Family Picnic and Work Day

Saturday, Sept 27th

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

Join for food, fellowship, and fun as we beautify our community playground with fresh mulch and a new children's garden. We'll start with donuts and coffee at 9 a.m. and end with a cookout at noon. Please RSVP by emailing Rev. Luke

at lselles@stmartinec.org

St. Martin's Youth Meets Need In Deed

Sunday, September 28th

5:00-7:30 p.m. in the Parish House

Youth 12+ are invited to join for dinner, fellowship, and to learn about a new model for community service with our ministry partner, Need In Deed! No need to attend St. Martin’s – all are welcome. Please RSVP by emailing Rev. Luke at lselles@stmartinec.org

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.

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 this week's Music Notes.

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, 2025

4:00 p.m.

Join us at the Episcopal Cathedral (19 S. 38th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104) 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. All are welcome!

Take Action

No One Should Walk Alone

Are you eager to support immigrants who have been targeted for mass deportation?

If so, sign up for a two-hour training offered by the New Sanctuary Movement

(NSM) of Philadelphia that will teach you how to be a supportive companion to an

immigrant as you accompany them to an immigration hearing in Center City. The

training will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 10. Click here to sign up

go to and fill out the volunteer form. You will then be contacted by NSM. Continue reading here.

WillPower 1M Walk+Talk/5K Run

This 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.

San Martin, Obispo de Tours in Totonicapan

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.

So far $13,710 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 line.

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 14th, 2025

Our older daughter Kennedy called me Wednesday to share something that had happened in her day, and then she said, Did you hear that Charlie Kirk was shot and killed? No, I answered, and who is Charlie Kirk? Later that afternoon, she and my wife Alleyne had almost exactly the same conversation.

Like many young adults, Kennedy and her boyfriend have been well aware of this conservative media influencer for some time, they were well aware of the things he said about immigrants, Black people, and LGBTQ people. She got us up to speed in the next couple of days, sharing quotes and video clips of his speeches. Meanwhile Kirk’s supporters had practically canonized him, putting up pictures of him next to founding fathers and Jesus. Continue reading here.