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.

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Sunday Worship

June 15th, 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. Folk/Bluegrass Mass

In Person & via livestream here

Rector's Note

After a truly wonderful Pentecost celebration and Pride Evensong, we are heading into the quieter summer season at St. Martin’s. The choir has earned a much-needed vacation. We had our last Wednesday night programming for the year, with a fun and jubilant all-ages Pride dance party.

And also, we still have a lot going on! We are sponsoring a refugee family. We have our annual Folk Mass this Sunday. A team is heading to Guatemala for the first time since the pandemic. Vacation Bible School is just around the corner.

At the end of this month, I will lead a training for chalice ministers, the folks who give the cup of wine at communion. The training will be on Sunday, June 29, at 9:30 am in the church sanctuary, and is open to those experienced and new to this ministry. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions, or just show up and see what this ministry is about.

The news continues to be disturbing. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe has issued this statement on “Acting faithfully in troubling times,” as he meets with global partners in Geneva. As we in the St Martin’s community continue to discern how to act faithfully in these times, it is helpful to have the words of our leadership as a guidepost.

Mary+

Features

Folk/Bluegrass Mass

This Sunday, June 15th, at 10:30 a.m.

June 15th sees the return of our yearly Folk/Bluegrass Mass! Co-led this year by Vestry Member, David Dieck, and Children, Youth, and Families Music Leader, Julia Finegan, this service will bring together musicians from the congregation who will share a variety of wonderful music. We look forward to seeing you there!

Juneteenth

We will be commemorating Juneteenth at our worship services next Sunday, June 22nd. All are encouraged to bring a snack to share at Hospitality.

Please note: The Parish Office will be closed next Thursday, June 19th, in accordance with the federal holiday.

Upcoming Memorial Service: Charles "Charley" Harmar

Next Saturday, June 21st

3:00 p.m. with reception to follow

You can view Charley's obituary here.

A livestream of the service will be available on our YouTube page here.

Help Us Resettle an Afghan Family of Seven

This delightful family – a mother, father, three adult sons, a 14-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son – arrived May 19 in Northeast Philadelphia to stay with relatives. But that was just the beginning of their journey in the United States.

Because one of the adults worked with U.S. forces prior to the Taliban’s return, all members of the family hold special immigrant visas and are therefore legal permanent residents entitled to green cards and Social Security numbers.

Currently living in temporary housing in Manayunk, these newcomers need long-term housing – preferably in the Northeast, where they can be with those who know and love them and amid the neighborhood’s thriving community of Afghans.

St. Martin’s Refugee Resettlement Ministry, together with other partners, is working with the family to help them secure health and social benefits, ESL tutoring, health care, work training and other necessities. Most importantly, we are leading a project to help them find a suitable house or apartment, and to assist them with living expenses to ease them into American society. Continue reading here.

The Philadelphia Eleven Free Film Screening

Next Sunday, June 22nd, 2025

4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Come view this inspiring documentary about a group of extraordinary women who, despite fierce and hateful opposition, did not back down in their determination to be ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church. Their courage transformed the church and paved the way for generations of women priests to come.

Children, Youth, & Families

Youth Interest Survey (ages 8-18)

Safe Church Training

This Saturday, June 14th

9-11 a.m.

At St. Martin's we are catching up with The Episcopal Church’s “Safe Church, Safe Communities” certification. This essential training provides participants with the tools and knowledge to prevent abuse and ensure that everyone, especially vulnerable and marginalized members, is welcome and protected within our church community.

This training is part of our commitment to uphold the dignity and safety of all who gather at St. Martin’s, fostering a culture of respect, care, and accountability. Whether you're a lay leader, volunteer, staff or clergy member, your participation is vital in helping us uphold these values. Virtual/asynchronous completion of this training is possible. To learn more or to register please contact Rev. Luke Selles, lselles@stmartinec.org.

Sermons

The Rev. Dr. Mary Barber

June 8, 2025

Pentecost Sunday

Today on this day of Pentecost we hear this amazing story of the birth of the Church. Jews from everywhere are gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost or Shavuot. The spirit comes among them and gives the disciples the ability to do something they usually cannot do, to speak in many different languages so that their fellow pilgrims can understand their message. Continue reading here.

The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson

June 8, 2025

LGBTQ+ Pride Evensong

Click here to view a recording of our LGBTQ+ Pride Evensong. The sermon begins at the 50 minute mark.

Take Action

Do Something!

Accompany Immigrants to Judicial Hearings

Training provided on Friday, June 27, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m, at the West Kensington Ministry, 2140 North Hancock St, Philadelphia, PA 19122

At a recent Adult Forum, many of you expressed an interest in DOING SOMETHING to support the millions of undocumented immigrants who have now been targeted for deportation, often without the opportunity to exercise their due process right to a hearing. An opportunity to put your faith into action has arrived.

The New Sanctuary Movement, an interfaith organization supported by St. Martin’s and 32 other Philadelphia-area churches and synagogues, is looking for volunteers to accompany immigrants to judicial hearings. Though tagged as “undocumented,” many of these immigrants have been given government permission to enter the country and are awaiting asylum hearings. Others were allowed into the U.S. on a temporary humanitarian basis when they fled persecution in their home countries. These immigrants now face deportation even though they have played by the rules and reported to immigration officials on a regular basis. Continue reading here.

Guatemala Student Scholarship Fundraising Campaign 2025

Muchas Gracias, San Martin! Thank you for your support through the pledge drive for the 2026 San

Juan Apostol Scholarship Fund and the Totonicapán Scholarship Fund. We are approaching our

fundraising goal and want to thank you all for your generosity. The Team that will be traveling to

Guatemala June 20 th to 30 th will be able to inform our companion parishes in Chi Chi and Toto that we

will be able to fully fund the scholarship programs for 2026.

This year our goal was $15,000. We expect to exceed that goal due to the generosity of the people of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. If you have not had a chance to pledge we will still be collecting pledges through Sunday June 15th . Pledges beginning at $25 dollars can be made. A full scholarship for a student is $550. Committee members will be available at the end of all services with clip boards for you to sign up or you can contribute directly online or via the plate. Contributions of pledged funds can be paid on or before September 30th . Thanks to all who have donated or pledged!