The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Field Notes

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Sunday Worship

October 27th, 2024

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

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

10:30 a.m. Choral Holy Eucharist

As the days dwindle down to Nov. 5th, many of us feel a combination of fear, dread, and anxiety. A toxic bouillabaisse. It helps to do what I can and I know that many of you are, too. I’ve written 180 postcards (with 20 more to go) encouraging voter turnout and donating money in response to some of the texts that come my way. I consider myself a person of faith, deep faith. But I’m still feeling a tremendous fear, dread, and anxiety about the election.

It’s been said that the Bible mentions “Do not be afraid” 365 times. That’s been debunked, although Jesus talks about fear a lot. “Be Not Afraid” were the Angel Gabriel’s first words when he suddenly showed up in Mary’s life.

Some people “Just give it to God” and appear to be in a place of relative calm and I’m glad for the solace they find.

I am one who holds both faith and fear.

Continue reading here.

Features

Please be aware: Rev. Laura's email has been compromised in a phishing scheme. If you receive any emails claiming to be from Rev. Laura that ask you to purchase Amazon gift cards, send money, or share personal or financial information, do not do so.

Please Submit Names for All Saints' Day Prayers by Wednesday, Oct. 30th

The Feast of All Saints is Sunday, November 3rd. On that day we will honor family and friends who have died since last November (All Saints' Day 2023). The necrology will be read aloud at the 10:30 a.m. Choral Holy Eucharist and the 5:00 p.m. Choral Requiem Eucharist. Please email any names you would like to have listed in the necrology to Noor Diskan, Director of Communications & Events, no later than this upcoming Wednesday, October 30th (ndiskan@stmartinec.org).

Congregational Evensong: Tyrone Whiting on the Importance of Congregational Singing

"Based loosely on the services of Vespers and Compline, Evensong is an ancient service with roots in the Late Antiquity. While we may admire that longevity and tradition, Evensong is as relevant today as it was then, not least in allowing worship through music and congregational singing. 

Communal unity is at the heart of corporate worship. Apostle Paul in his letters calls for a church of unity, suggesting that true beauty can be realized when we lift our voices in praise. A congregation of one voice proclaims its faith, in hymns, psalms, anthems, and the spoken word. This act should not be ritual but rather a declaration: a sermon in itself that we preach not only to ourselves but to and with one another. There is a reason Paul refers to us living in “perfect harmony” as a unified body of the church. 

We are called to engage in worship fully not as performers or spectators. The same is true of music-making within a service. Embracing diversity, age-differences, cultural and taste preferences in support of our worship and praise of God. Whether you are in the robed choir or lifting your voice from the pews we are one congregation divided by nothing when fully engaged in the worship of God." Continue reading here. Click here to watch the livestream recording.

Sunday Coffee & Conversation

This Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the Houston Room

Join us this Sunday for the first in our series of four “Sunday Coffee & Conversation” Stewardship events.  Scheduled in between the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services, St. Martin’s Stewardship Committee is hosting this series to provide insight into both the 135-year history of St. Martin’s as well as exciting opportunities ahead for our parish!   

This Sunday's topic will be:

‘St. Martin’s Architecture – Then & Now’

Presented by Dave Schaaf

Learn about our generous patrons. The architects that defined St. Martin’s style. The role of the railroad … and more! 

We’ll also provide a glimpse of future Buildings & Grounds plans and a Q&A session.  

Chili Potluck

Next Wednesday, October 30th

6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall

As we enter into the heart of autumn, all are invited to a special Food & Fellowship next Wednesday, Oct. 30th where we will be serving up a variety of different chilis and corn breads. Both vegetarian and meat-based chilis will be available. Interested in bringing your own chili recipe to share? Please email Kate Maus at kmaus@stmartinec.org to sign up!

Next Week's Adult Forum:

Wednesday, Oct. 30th, at 7:00 p.m.

"The Role of Our Court System in the Coming Election"

Led by Debra Gross, President & CEO of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, and attorney Ben Geffen of The Public Interest Law Center.

Parish House or via Zoom here

Passcode: 074688

Our speakers will be Deborah Gross, CEO and President of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, and attorney Ben Geffen of the Public Interest Law Center. They'll share things to know and to watch for regarding legal battles around this tense election. They'll cover how the courts operate, which courts handle election matters and how, what limitations are placed on the court system and what litigation has occurred and will possibly occur. One of the cures for election anxiety is accurate information, so please join us in person or via Zoom. (Thanks to vestry member Gary Glazer for arranging their appearance.)

Sermon Transcript

The Rev. Laura Palmer

October 20, 2024

A King Worth Having

Children have a way of calling us up short, and sometimes, quite abruptly. So it was one day for me in the hospital when I asked a precocious seven-year-old patient if she wanted to pray. “Can I say the words?”

My chaplain’s heart was aglow. Of course, I said. We held hands, as we always did (pre-pandemic) when we prayed and she said, “Dear Jesus, Thank you for killing yourself so we could be good.” 

I was blindsided but forced to acknowledge that drilled down, this interpretation was at the heart of traditional church teaching. Continue reading here.

Children, Youth, & Families

To learn more about these and other upcoming CYF events, please join our CYF mailing list! To sign up, please email the Rev. Luke Selles at lselles@stmartinec.org

A Note On Our Nov. 3rd CYF Worship Service:

9:00 a.m. Eucharist

9:20 a.m. Godly Play and Craft + Listening Session with Rev. Luke

Next Sunday, November 3rd, there will be a shortened Children, Youth, and Families Eucharist at 9 a.m., followed by a Godly Play and Craft time for children and a listening session with Rev. Luke in the Mary Chapel for any adults or older children who wish to share their thoughts and hopes for the 9:00 a.m. service and for the future of Children, Youth, and Families formation in general. Since the Eucharist will be brief, we will begin right at 9:00 a.m. with the aim to split off for the Listening Session and Godly Play Formation around 9:20 a.m. For anyone who cannot make the Listening Session, but is invested in the 9:00 a.m. service, please email Rev. Luke at lselles@stmartinec.org with your thoughts or to set up a time to chat.

CYF Halloween Treasure Hunt Party

Next Wednesday, October 30th

5:00 p.m. in the Parish House

On the eve of Halloween, Choristers rehearsal will end early and there will be a Halloween party for all kids, whether they are in the Chorister program or not, age 10 and under! During the party, there will be a treasure hunt, costume contest, games, crafts, and more. 

Join us after for our Food & Fellowship hour, which will be a Chili Potluck from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Please email Rev. Luke at lselles@stmartinec.org if you would like to contribute cornbread, chili with meat, or vegetarian chili, or if you have any questions about the Halloween party beforehand.

“Candid Conversations on Gender Identity for Teens & Adults”

St. Peter’s, Glenside

Sundays, Nov. 3th, 10th, 17th, and 24th

Dear Youth and Families of St. Martin’s,

I just heard this week about an opportunity to participate in the worship and formation “Candid Conversations on Gender Identity” at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Glenside. This series offers a space for both youth and any adults seeking to support them “to build communities of care for teenagers as they navigate gender and sexual identity in a challenging world” – clearly an important need. 

Although it has already begun, I will be attending the next session for adults on November 3rd shortly after services, and I will also attend the combined youth and adult session on November 10th. I hope to see some of you there! Note that there is a $10 cost for the entire series. If that’s a burden to any of you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at lselles@stmartinec.org.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Luke Selles (they/them)

Priest Associate of Children, Youth, and Families

Click here to visit the event Facebook page and here to visit St. Peter's event website page.

Fauré Requiem with Orchestra

Next Friday, November 1st, at 7:00 p.m.

Click here for tickets

Mark your planners and get your tickets now for the kick-off event of our 135th anniversary year! On November 1st at 7 p.m. our Director of Music & Arts, Tyrone Whiting, will lead an orchestral and choral concert featuring Gabriel Fauré's Requiem, a masterpiece of choral repertoire. Fauré completed revisions of his requiem in 1889, which this year along with St. Martin's, celebrates its 135th anniversary. 2024 marks 100 years since the composer's death and also the 40th anniversary of our Resident Ensemble, the Fairmount String Quartet, which will form the core of the orchestra on November 1. The Choir of St. Martin's will also be joined by singers from our community. What better way to honor such celebrations than with an evening of exquisite music! A reception will take place in the Parish Hall after the concert. All are welcome! Click here to learn more!

Requiem Choral Eucharist for the Feast of All Saints

Next Sunday, November 3rd

5:00 p.m.

On Sunday, November 3rd, St. Martin's will offer a Requiem Choral Eucharist for the Feast of All Saints (not to be confused with our Fauré Requiem on Nov 1) with Renaissance and Baroque music led by the Section Leaders of St. Martin's. This service offers a time for reflection, remembrance, and hope as we remember those we have lost as well as praying for the future. Preceding the service, a reception and time for prayer in the Columbarium will be offered from 3:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Take Action

Team Green Bean Canned Food Drive

St. James School is once again putting together Thanksgiving meal bags for those who might not otherwise be able to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner. The bags include a turkey and other fixings and will be given out shortly before Thanksgiving. Like last year, St. Martin's has been asked to be on Team Green Bean! Please consider purchasing a few cans of green beans to contribute to this effort - we are aiming for at least 250 cans of beans. In addition, St. James asks you to consider donating a $25 gift card to either ShopRite or Aldi. A card is placed in each meal bag for additional assistance. Please deliver your green beans by Nov. 15th to the bench in the Parish House foyer. For safekeeping, gift cards should be delivered to Noor Diskan, Director of Communications & Events.

Guatemala Scholarships Update

It is time to complete payment for pledges made for the 2024 Guatemala Scholarship Drive.



45 pledges have been received for the Guatemala Student Scholarship Drive through October 2nd totaling $10,295. 64% of pledges have been paid to date. Thank you all for your donations to support scholarships for students of San Juan Apostol in Chichicastenango. Your support opens the door to a better future for these students and provides hope to them, their families and their community.

We will be continuing to collect pledges through the month of October. 25 pledges are still outstanding. To check your pledged amount please email Karen West at karenwestlefty@gmail.com

Donations are accepted even if you did not have the opportunity to pledge, during the scholarship drive.

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 when paying the pledge. If a check is provided via the collection plate, please write “Guatemala Scholarship” in the memo section of your check. 



The Guatemala Companion Parish Committee is very thankful for the outpouring of support from the St Martin’s Community. We will be sending the scholarship money to Guatemala in early December for the school year beginning in January 2025.

Coming Up

The Investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe 

Next Saturday, Nov. 2nd at 11:00 a.m.

The Episcopal Church will officially welcome the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe as its 28th presiding bishop next Saturday, Nov. 2nd. You can watch via livestream here. In place of a viewing party held at St. Martin's, we encourage you to gather in each other's homes to bear witness to this momentous occasion.

Photo courtesy of

Cathy Glazer and

Debra Roberts

All Souls' Day Reception

Next Sunday, November 3rd, at 3:30 p.m.

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

3:30 p.m. Welcome 

4:00 p.m. Reception in the Columbarium 

5:00 p.m. Choral Requiem Eucharist featuring renaissance and baroque music performed by the Section Leaders of St. Martin’s. 

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

Save the Date: St. Martin's Day!

Sunday, November 10th

All are invited to come celebrate our patron saint day with a full morning of worship and fellowship activities, including:

Choral Holy Eucharist for the Feast of St. Martin

Featuring music from the Choir, Choristers, & Fairmount String Quartet

(10:30 a.m. in the church)

Guatemala Craft Sale and Tapestry Raffle

Hosted by the Guatemala Companion Parish Committee

(before and after worship services in the Houston Room)

St. Martin's Day Brunch

Hosted by the Stewardship Committee

(12:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall)

Prayerful Looking

This Sunday, October 27th, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Co-sponsored by Wellspring

Join us for a unique and reflective museum tour at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The program will begin with a guided meditation on contemporary works of art from the museum’s Asian Art Collection. Next, each participant will find a work that speaks to them and spend time contemplating it. We will end with a visit to each work selected and discuss its impact with the one who selected it.

Led by Rev. John B. Hougen, PhD, Art of Interfaith Understanding Coordinator for Interfaith Philadelphia and volunteer guide at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. 

Interfaith Philadelphia is handling registrations: Go to  https://www.tfaforms.com/5145250

Guatemala Tapestry Raffle and Saint Martin’s Day Craft Sale

Sunday, November 10th (St. Martin's Day)

The Guatemala Companion Parish Committee will be holding the annual Guatemala Craft Sale on Sunday, November 10th as a part of our Saint Martin’s Day Celebrations. Come and join us in the Houston Room to do some shopping for Christmas. Proceeds support projects in Guatemala and committee activities. To promote our sale and increase parish interest we will once again be holding a raffle for a chance to win a beautiful handmade tapestry. Raffle tickets will be sold on Sundays on October 20th, 27th, November 3rd and November 10th. Tickets will be 1 ticket for $1 and 6 tickets for $5 with the raffle drawing taking place on St. Martin’s Day at the end of the Guatemala Craft Sale. Please support these fundraising efforts that help us support our companion parishes in the western highlands of Guatemala.

Upcoming Adult Forums

Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.

Parish House or via Zoom here.

Passcode: 074688

• Wednesday, Nov 6th: Election Decompression Session

• Wednesday, Nov 13th: Annual Giving: Let's Light the Way Home!

Wednesday Noon Eucharist

Mary Chapel

Wellspring Worship Reflections

After the 10:30 a.m. service

Houston Room