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.

This email is best viewed as a webpage. Click here to make sure you don't miss anything!

Sunday Worship

July 6th, 2025

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

In Person

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

In Person Under the Tent

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music

In Person & via livestream here

Please note:

In accordance with the federal holiday, the Parish Office will be closed tomorrow, July 4th, and there will be no Blessed Baking.

Rector's Note

In the weeks since I wrote in Field Notes about our capital plans, the architect’s drawings, and how the project got away from us, I have received calls and mail from many St Martin’s members. Overwhelmingly, the communications have not been about looking back, blaming, or accusing, but about how folks can be helpful in completing this phase of the project so we can move ahead.

I am incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support, and for the generous donations we have received. We are almost finished with paying the architect’s final invoice. But even more than that, your responses illustrate that we are a spiritually mature community that responds to challenges with care and grace. Continue reading here.

Features

Vacation Bible School 2025 Reflection

From the Rev. Luke Selles

Last week, the St. Martin’s and St. Paul’s campuses were full of children for Vacation Bible School in a collaboration between St. Timothy’s, Roxborough, St. Paul’s, Chestnut Hill, and St. Martin’s. Our theme this year was “Come Grow with Us,” as we dove deep into the Parable of the Sower through storytelling, creative activities, and music-making.

Throughout the week, myself and the Reverend Meghan Mazur, Rector of St. Tim’s, Roxborough, and the Reverend Madeleine Harris-Lerew, Assistant Rector of St. Paul’s, as well as many other volunteer leaders and teachers, shared our Christian belief that God’s creation is a gift we all share: we all live in it together and depend on it together. Caring for it—together—is both a good work and collective act of faith. Our week was packed with activities and learning. We planted seeds. Continue reading here.

Click the video to the left to view VBS photos and hear our campers sing!

Updates on Welcoming the Afghan Family

From Jeff Meade, co-chair of Refugee Resettlement Ministry

We will start with one wonderful bit of news. Our committee has found a nice rental house in the Northeast, walking distance from two sets of relatives. Their children will be able to go to the same elementary school that the relatives’ children attend. Moving day was scheduled for this week.

And now, I’d like to tell you a bit about my new friend Hasan. I’m not sharing his real name or that of anyone else in his family out of respect for their privacy.

Hasan is 8 years old. With the rest of his family, he fled Afghanistan because his father, who had provided logistical support to U.S. forces during the war, was being harassed by the Taliban. They arrived to stay at a relative’s house in Northeast Philadelphia on May 19th.

The first time I met Hasan it was to take him and his father grocery shopping at a halal market on Bustleton Avenue.

He charged out the front door of the relative’s house, extended his hand in greeting just like a very polished adult and said, “Hello! How are you!” Continue reading here.

Artwork: The Peaceable Kingdom, Edward Hicks, American, 1780 – 1849, Made in Bucks County, PA, 1826, Oil on canvas, 32 7/8 x 41 3/4 inches, Philadelphia Museum of Art Credit Line: Bequest of Charles C. Willis, 1956.

Visions and Values in Early American Art: A Mini Retreat

Sunday, July 13th, from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Cost: Sliding Scale from $10-$50 with a suggested price of $30. Admission and Parking are free. Click here to register.

Interfaith Philadelphia and Wellspring are co-sponsoring a mini-retreat on Sunday July 13 from 1:30 - 4:30 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Guided discussions of two paintings will be followed by a time for individuals or pairs to select and study works on their own and then share their experiences with the group. The retreat will be led by Rev. John Hougen, co-chair of Wellspring and a docent at the PMA, and Dr. Christine Modey from the University of Michigan. Limit: 15 Participants. Learn more here.

Questions? Contact John at jbh@interfaithphiladelphia.org

Iced Tea Under the Tent Begins July 17th!

Continues every Thursday through end of August

4:00-6:00 p.m. Under the Tent on the Hilary House Lawn

This summer’s Iced Tea Under the Tent series kicks off Thurs., July 17th, and continues each Thursday through the end of August! Iced Tea Under the Tent is a great way to get to know each other, enjoy some snacks, and beat the summer heat with some cool drinks. No RSVP needed, but if you are able, please consider bringing a snack to share. Contact Kate Maus with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

St. Martin’s Summer Chess Club Also Begins July 17th!

Continues every Thursday through end of August

4:00-6:00 p.m. Under the Tent on the Hilary House Lawn

In conjunction with Iced Tea Under the Tent, the first annual summer St. Martin’s Chess Club kicks off July 17th, and continues each Thursday through the end of August! All ages and skill levels encouraged. Chess equipment provided, but don’t hesitate to bring your own if you so desire. No RSVP needed. Contact Al Pearson with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

Children, Youth, and Families

The Holy Eucharist for Children, Youth, and Families - Under the Tent!

Our Children, Youth, and Families worship service is moving outdoors for the summer! Join us under the tent on the Hilary House lawn each Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

Interfaith Youth Neighborhood Mosaic

July 14th-18th, 9a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hosted by Philadelphia Praise Center, 2300 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19145

Offered free to students grades 6-8, this program brings together a range of faith traditions and worldviews. Students will share meaningful experiences from their life, hang out with awesome Interfaith staff and interns, and explore Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and other traditions—plus arts & crafts, games, identity workshops, and free lunch and snacks. Click here for more information.

What’s Your Favorite Hymn?

This summer, we want to sing your favorite hymns during our 10:30 a.m. Sunday services at St. Martin’s! Whether it's a beloved classic or a joyful tune that lifts your spirit, we’d love to include the hymns that mean the most to you.

Submit your favorites using our short Google Form—it only takes a minute! Let your voice shape our summer worship and help us make a joyful noise together.

Tyrone Whiting

Director of Music & Arts

twhiting@stmartinec.org

Summer Sunday Musicians - Do you play a musical instrument?

Now that our Choir, Choristers, and Staff Musicians are on vacation for the summer, I want to invite and encourage those of you with musical talents who play an instrument or sing to help support our 9:00 a.m. and/or 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship. If you are interested or curious, please contact me at twhiting@stmartinec.org. It is always so great to share in music-making with you all!

-Tyrone Whiting

Director of Music & Arts

Sermons

The Rev. Luke Selles

June 29, 2025

Common to Paul’s writings is a sharp contrast between what he calls the Spirit and the Flesh, which here he aligns with two other dualisms: slavery and freedom and the Mosaic Law and Christ. Dualistic thinking may rightfully trouble us – it has warped some Christian teaching as it has separated souls from bodies. For centuries, this dualism has served the purposes of imperialist projects, which punished the bodies of oppressed peoples to “free” their souls. Continue reading here.

Take Action

Guatemala Trip Photos

Click here to view photos from the Guatemala Companion Parish Committee's ten day trip to Chichicastenango and Totonicapán.

Coming Up

Spirituality of Aging

Next Wednesday, July 9th

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Houston Room and via Zoom

Spirituality of Aging is a conversation group bringing older adults together to share our stories, questions and insights about aging, in a supportive, congenial spirit. The group meets monthly, and is open to all who want to explore with others the experience of growing older (and, we hope, wiser). To RSVP, or for more information, please contact Elizabeth Morrison at elizabeth.donnell.morrison@gmail.com.