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

Field Notes

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Sunday Worship

March 10th, 2024

Note: Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 a.m. this Sunday!

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

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

9:15 a.m. Adult Forum: Living "Life Without Parole"

Led by Felix Rosado

10:30 a.m. Choral Holy Eucharist

Followed by a toast to the Rev. Laura Palmer in celebration of her new role as our full time Priest!

5:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross with Musical Reflections

A service of approximately 30 minutes led by prayer, scripture, art, and music.

A Note From Rev. Laura

This has been a moving week of beginnings and endings. Rarely in my life have they collided into each other with such intensity. 

I have felt an enthusiastic welcome at St. Martin’s since I officially began my full-time ministry among you. While much is familiar, since I've been here in one capacity or another since December, 2022, it’s different now because my 11.5 years at CHOP are over.

It has been deeply gratifying to have received so many notes and emails from so many of you. Thank you. I feel your support and I will do all that I can to honor it in all that we do moving forward.

Leaving the hospital was hard in the best way. I was stunned by the emotion I felt and the feelings that were expressed to me. It was work that took a lot out and gave even more back. In the grind of a demanding job, it’s sometimes easy to lose sight of the difference you’re making. The goodbyes were very clarifying. I am grateful for the years I spent there—despite the frustrations and demands which at times were intense.

I think of gratitude as “love that knows it’s been blessed.” I felt that gratitude in leaving the hospital and I feel it here, too. I am grateful and humbled to be walking this way with you. Continue reading here.

Features

Easter Memorial Flowers

If you would like to make a donation to this year's Easter Flower Fund in honor of, or thanksgiving for, a loved one, please contact Connie Haggard at [email protected] or call the office and leave a message for Connie. As is St. Martin's tradition, we will also memorialize each loved one's name in our Easter service leaflets. Please submit names no later than Sunday, March 24th.

This Sunday's Adult Forum: Living "Life Without Parole"

9:15 a.m. in the Houston Room

Led by Felix Rosado

How does an individual endure being unjustly sentenced to life without parole? For Felix Rosado, that journey included a return to his church upbringing and, upon release, a mission to educate. Meet him and hear his story at this Forum. To read Mr. Rosado’s recent Inquirer commentary on “death by incarceration,” click here.

Lenten Breakfasts & Spiritual Journeys

Every Friday in Lent from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Please join us Friday mornings in Lent for light breakfast and a chance to hear the powerful spiritual journeys of your fellow parishioners. If you are interested in sharing your journey, please contact the Rev. Laura Palmer. Each week will also have plenty of time for informal reflections. Bagels and coffee will be provided. RSVPs are not required.

Stations of the Cross

Each Sunday of Lent at 5:00 p.m.

Join us for a short service of prayer, music, and art in meditation on the Stations of the Cross. A 15 minute musical reflection follows each service.

March 10th: Aaron Scarberry, Tenor



March 17th: Tyrone Whiting, Piano

Sermon Transcript

The Rev. Laura Palmer

March 3, 2024

Temples

What’s a little rage got to do with Lent? Just as we’re immersed in these 40 days of reflection and stillness, just as we’re contemplating our sins and failings, here comes Jesus violently thrashing a whip to drive out the money changers from the temple and chase out the animals waiting there to be purchased for slaughter. 

It’s unsettling at the least, disturbing to the core. Where is that pastel Jesus, with blue skies and blonde children at his feet and a lamb over his shoulders? The Sunday School Jesus who will always love and protect us? Continue reading here.

From Tyrone Whiting, Director of Music & Arts:

This Sunday at 5 p.m. we will continue our wonderful Stations of the Cross service, with a music reflection from our Tenor Section Leader, Aaron Scarberry, and featuring artwork by female artists on display in honor of Women's History Month. 

Also in honor of Women's History Month, each Sunday morning in March at our 10:30 a.m. service you will experience music written by female composers, including works by at least one living female composer each week. During these months of observance, it is my aim for the Music & Arts ministries at St. Martin's to highlight the underrepresented populations, and further broaden the work we continue to do throughout the year. 

Cantate Domino!

Save the Date:

Bruce Butler Memorial Bell Ringing Weekend Reception

Saturday, March 16th

5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Houston Room

All are invited to join St. Martin's change ringers for a wine and appetizers reception to celebrate the Bruce Butler Memorial Bell Ringing Weekend! The reception will take place on Saturday, March 16th, beginning at 5:30 p.m. RSVPs are not needed. Stay tuned for more information on the Bruce Butler Memorial Bell Ringing Weekend!

Take Action

Face To Face Coffee Chat

Thursday, March 14th at 10:30 a.m.

The Community Engagement Committee has been working with an organization, Face to Face, that is well-established in the Germantown community. It is located at 123 East Price Street near the intersection of Germantown Avenue and Chelten Avenue. It is just a short distance from St Martin’s.

Face to Face is holding a Coffee Chat at its facility next Thursday, March 14. The chat is a great opportunity to learn about the many services that Face to Face provides to the Germantown Community and the many opportunities it provides for people with various skills including legal services, health services, educational support, nutritional and food services, and many others to serve their clients.

The Community Engagement Committee believes that Face to Face can provide our parishioners great opportunities for volunteering and Face to Face wonderful resources for their clients. Please RSVP by emailing [email protected]. You can also contact Mary Anne Delaney to learn more.

Coming Up

Spirituality of Aging

This Upcoming Wednesday, March 13th, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

(In person in the Houston Room and on 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 [email protected].

Fountain from the Monastery of St. Michel-de-Cuxa, 1125 – 1150  Artist / Maker Unknown 

Medium: Marble, Height 64 ¼ “ Philadelphia Museum of Art Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. William W. Fitler in memory of her husband, 1930

Wellspring Presents:

Meditating Like a Monk: Prayerful Looking in the Cloister

Sunday March 17, 2024, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Facilitator: Rev. John B. Hougen, PhD

Many visitors to the PMA stop to rest, meditate, and listen to the flowing waters of the fountain in the museum’s Cloister

with Elements from the Abbey of Saint- Genis-des-Fontaines. It feels like sacred space just as it did in the 1100s when a

community of monks lived in the Abbey. We will begin our time together with an introduction to monastic meditation and the art and architecture of the Cloister. After the introduction, we will observe a brief time for silent meditation and then explore the symbols carved into the stone capitals crowning the columns surrounding the cloister. In our discussion, we will try to understand what the symbols meant in the 1100s and discern if they have meaning for us today.

Cost: Sliding scale; suggested price: $25

Register here. (limit 16)

Next Week's Adult Forum: Supporting Trans People

March 17th at 9:15 a.m. in the Houston Room

Led by Dr. Charles Zinbrick-Rogers, Gender and Sexuality Development Clinic, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Media and politics have highlighted the presence of people who are transgender and gender non-binary in our communities and churches, and not always with compassion and welcome. In this forum we'll discuss a basic overview of gender and sexuality. We'll also reflect on how the church can create spaces that support the flourishing of people who are trans and non-binary.

Please note: There will be no Forums on March 24th (Palm Sunday) or March 31st (Easter Sunday).

Kindling Faith: Annual Nolde Human Rights Lecture

Featured Speaker: Anthony Ray Hinton

Monday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m.

In Person at United Lutheran Seminary and via livestream (register to receive link)

Anthony Ray Hinton was wrongfully convicted of a double murder and spent 30 years on Alabama’s death row. With the assistance of the Equal Justice Initiative, he was freed in 2015. Hinton will discuss his book The Sun Does Shine: How I found Life and Freedom on Death Row. Signed copies will be available for $15.00. This event is free and open to the public. Click here to learn more or register.

Holy Week and Easter Service Times

Palm Sunday: March 24th

8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and

5 p.m. Passiontide Evensong with Christ Church, Philadelphia

Maundy Thursday: March 28th

7:00 p.m.

Good Friday: March 29th

12:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. Seven Last Words

Feat. music from the Fairmount String Quartet

Easter Vigil: March 30th

8:00 p.m., with Vigil feast to follow

Easter Sunday: March 31st

8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m.

Vacation Bible School!

Mon., June 17th - Fri., June 21st

Plans are well underway for this year's Vacation Bible School, featuring a week of engaging faith formation activities, music, and more! VBS is open to ages 4-12 and you do not need to be a member of St. Martin's to have your child take part. We can't wait to see you there!

Please contact the Rev. Britta Carlson for more information.

Email: [email protected]

Weekday Morning Prayer

Join on Facebook or Zoom for weekday Morning Prayer at 7:30 a.m.

Biblical Studies on Zoom or by phone

Monday and Tuesday sessions. Link up!