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

April 13, 2025: Palm Sunday

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

With Passion reading

Please note: There will be no 9:00 a.m. service this Sunday.

Sunday School for All Ages will still take place at 9:30 a.m.

10:30 a.m. Choral Holy Eucharist

Ft. Positive Moment Drumline

5:00 p.m. Stainer's Crucifixion

Ft. the joint choirs of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and

Christ Church, Philadelphia

Please note: there will be no Hospitality following this Sunday's

8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services.

Rector's Note

This past week has been an active one for St Martin’s. On Friday, a few of us went to observe a Need-in-Deed classroom in action in South Philly. We listened and watched with interest as an expert in the environment answered their questions about food waste and air pollution, and the teacher helped students integrate the information. On the ride back home, we reflected on the depth of expertise among St Martins’ members that could be useful to Need-in-Deed, and the excitement about getting more involved in this ministry originally founded by our church. Continue reading here.

Features

Memorial Service for Craig Johnson

This Upcoming Monday, April 14th

10:00 a.m.

Offsite Reception to Follow

View obituary here.

Recording and Homily Transcripts for the Memorial Service of the Rev. Sharline Fulton

Those who were unable to attend Saturday's funeral service for the Rev. Sharline Fulton can view a recording here. You can also read The Rev. Laura Palmer's homily here and Drew Fulton's homily here.

Parish Elections

Deadline for submitting Vestry & Convention Delegate recommendations to the Nominating Committee: April 27th

At the June 1 Annual Meeting of the parish, new Vestry members and Diocesan Convention delegates will be elected. To learn about the process, which adheres to the bylaws changes adopted by the parish at the February Parish Meeting and Financial Report, continue reading here.

Please click here to view a complete list of Holy Week and Easter services.

Holy Week Begins This Sunday, April 13th

Join us for our Palm Sunday services as we enter into Holy Week. Services will take place at 8:00 a.m. (Spoken Holy Eucharist) and 10:30 a.m. (Choral Holy Eucharist), with Stainer's Crucifixion performed at 5:00 p.m. by the joint choirs of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Christ Church, Philadelphia.

No 9 a.m. Service this Sunday, April 13th

There will be no 9 a.m. service this Sunday, April 13th as we join together with the 10:30 a.m. Palm Sunday service to retell Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem and his passion. There will, however, still be a final "Faces of Easter" story and response Sunday School time for all ages. To join, meet in the church at 9:30 a.m. in the side chapel where the soft space is.

Stainer's The Crucifixion:

This Sun., April 13th at 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Pay-What-You-Wish Admission

Join us for a profound musical meditation on the Passion of Christ. The choirs of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Christ Church, Philadelphia come together to present Stainer’s deeply moving and reflective oratorio, The Crucifixion. Conducted by Tyrone Whiting, this performance will feature tenor Aaron Scarberry and bass-baritone Michael Miller as soloists, bringing to life the poignant storytelling and expressive beauty of this beloved work. Written in 1887, The Crucifixion blends lyrical solos, rich choral textures, and congregational hymns into a powerful retelling of Christ’s Passion. Join us for this stirring and contemplative musical offering as we journey together through Holy Week to Easter.

Stabat Mater

This Upcoming Tues., April 15th, at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Reserve your tickets here!

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music as we present Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. This exquisite and deeply moving work, a masterpiece of Baroque sacred music, will be performed by the renowned Fairmount String Quartet, featuring acclaimed soloists Marisa Miller and Anika Kildegaard under the direction of Tyrone Whiting. Experience the beauty and emotional depth of Pergolesi’s final composition in the stunning acoustics of St. Martin’s. Don’t miss this special performance!

Easter Egg Hunt: Call for Helpers!

Easter Sunday, April 20th

8 a.m. at the Playground

Join the Easter Bunny and Rev. Luke as they hide Easter eggs. Many hands make light work! Compensation in chocolate. If interested, please email Rev. Luke at lselles@stmartinec.org.

Kneeler-Cleaning for Easter

This Upcoming Wednesday, April 16th

3:00-5:00 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to come help vacuum the needlepoint pew kneelers and altar pieces on Wednesday, April 16th, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. This is a great project for families with middle school aged kids. Please reach out to Jane Good at jgood1122@yahoo.com with any questions

Easter Flower Arranging

Holy Saturday, April 19th

9:30-11:00 a.m. in the Church

Join the Flower Guild on Holy Saturday as they arrange flowers and decorate the church for Easter. Families and people of all ages are welcome, no experience necessary! Drop in to make an arrangement. Donuts and coffee will be provided. Email Annette Lareau at alareau@sas.upenn.edu if you have any questions.

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 choirconnie@gmail.com. As is St. Martin's tradition, we will memorialize each loved one's name in our Easter service leaflets. Please submit names no later than this Sun., April 13th.

Easter Vigil Feast

Saturday, April 19th at approx. 10:00 p.m. (immediately following the conclusion of the Great Vigil of Easter worship service)

The Great Vigil of Easter is one of the oldest known rites of the Christian Church, dating back to the second century. It brings worshippers, literally and symbolically, from darkness into light.

At St. Martin’s, we will celebrate the Vigil with a beautiful service on Saturday, April 19th at 8:00 p.m. with a stirring liturgy and wonderful music. Following the service, the congregation gathers in the Parish Hall for the Vigil Feast with contributions of festive foods provided by parishioners and the storied Alleluia Punch (with and without alcohol).

Please plan to join in this wonderful celebration, a very special tradition at St. Martin’s. If you would like to contribute food, please use the sign up sheet in the back of the church. You may bring your contribution with you when you arrive for the service or drop it off at the Parish House kitchen any time on Saturday, April 19th.

An Easter Workshop

Finding the Sacred in Nature: A Path to Faith and Responsibility

Co-Sponsored by Wellspring and the Climate Action Team

Saturday, May 10th, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Hilary House

RSVP here.

This workshop will explore ways we can find our way toward a deeper and greater connection to nature and our planet home. Finding God’s presence, and the sacredness of all that is on this earth can provide direction and meaning through these times. A return to awe, wonder and gratitude can be our guides. Continue reading here.

Children, Youth, & Families

Youth Interest Survey (ages 8-18)

VBS 2025:

Come Grow with Us!

Monday, June 24th-Friday, June 27th

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Click on the poster to learn more!

Donations for Holy Week & Easter Music

Music plays a vital role in our Holy Week and Easter celebrations, deepening our worship and enhancing our celebration of the Resurrection. This year, alongside our Stainer Crucifixion and Pergolesi Stabat Mater concerts we welcome back the Fairmount String Quartet to play for the Good Friday Seven Last Words service and Easter Day, when they will be joined by the excellent young trumpeter, Aidan Peterson. We will also welcome back the Positive Movement Drumline on Palm Sunday.

Your generous support makes it possible to sustain and enhance our music and arts ministries during this most sacred season and ensure that our musicians are fairly compensated. To contribute, please click here or write “Music Fund” in the memo line of your donation.

I am very grateful for your continued and generous support of our music & arts ministries at St. Martin's. — Tyrone Whiting, Director of Music & Arts

St. Martin’s Art Fair & Auction

Sunday, May 4 | A Celebration of Creativity!

Join us for a joyful day of art, music, food, and community as we celebrate 135 years of creativity St. Martin’s—including paintings, rare books, photography, musical scores, vinyl collections, and more! Continue reading here.

Take Action

Volunteers Needed – Share your kindness and care!

Keystone Care, a non-profit hospice, is looking for volunteers to visit individuals living with terminal illness or help with our Meals on Wheels Program. Hospice Volunteers provide companionship with patients through conversations, reading, or simply being present at Keystone House or in nearby assisted living facilitates. This is a great opportunity to be a friendly visitor and share your time to fill someone’s final days with joy.

Meals on Wheels Volunteers help pack and/or deliver the fresh food to seniors within a five-mile radius of Keystone House every Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. If you are interested in learning more about either opportunity, contact Keystone Hospice's Director of Volunteers at 215-836-2180 x329 or scan the QR code and complete an interest form.

A Conversation on Hope

Click here to view a recording of A Conversation on Hope, an inspiring conversation about ways to navigate troubling times while holding onto a sense of being grounded and remaining sane. Led by Dr. Catherine Meeks with Bishops Loya, Hunn and Budde.

Sermon Transcript

The Rev. Dr. Mary Barber: April 6, 2025

During the time I was a student at Union Theological Seminary, the campus always seemed to be in a state of perpetual construction. During one especially active phase, jackhammering would start at around 8:30 in the morning, just as our group of Episcopal Divinity students and friends were doing Morning Prayer in a small chapel off of the student cafe. Continue reading here.