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Dear St. Martin’s,
In this Sunday’s gospel passage, someone comes up to Jesus and says, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Sounds reasonable. But then Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." Ouch! Jesus that’s harsh! Why would Jesus say that? It’s because of the nature of his ministry that comes next. Jesus “has set his face to go to Jerusalem.” He is on his way for the Last Supper, arrest and death on the cross. Anyone who is following him on this journey must be all in.
Sometimes the best practices for when a priest leaves a congregation sound harsh. What? You can’t visit for a year? Why can’t you preach at my loved one’s funeral? Here’s the thing—it’s about the nature of everyone’s ministry that comes next. Over the next year, I’ll be at the parish next door in Crownsville, and the best practices are designed so that I can have good space to get to know and love the people of St. Stephen’s the way I know and love you so much!
So….if you’re friends with Rachel, can you stay friends, meet up for lunch, book groups and more? Absolutely!
If your kids are friends with Natalie or Robin can they still hang out? Absolutely!
If you see me in the grocery story, do we have to hide from each other? No way. I’d love to have a nice chat with you.
Can I officiate a funeral, wedding or set a pastoral appointment? No. This will help me be present to St. Stephen’s in a healthy way. And what’s great about multi-priest staffs is that Rev. Lauren already knows you and loves you!
So yes, the extra seat at the Orioles game and visits to St. Martin’s will need to wait at least a year. But unlike the seeker in the gospel, Jesus has called me to say a good farewell to all of you at my St. Martin’s home before I move to follow him at St. Stephen’s.
I am so very grateful for the ways you all have celebrated, me, my family and my ministry. It has been a very special goodbye. I am so looking forward to seeing all of you who can possibly make it this Sunday. It would mean a lot to see you.
Always remember:
- There are no lost causes with God.
- You are loved by God.
- Jesus is very truly risen.
- There is always hope.
Yours in Christ,
| | “I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints.” ~ Ephesians 1:16-18 | | | | Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | | |
Let's Celebrate Nathan!
Join us in showing our love for Nathan and the Erdman family with a celebration between services this Sunday, June 29 at 9:00 a.m. We are collecting a special "purse" for Rev. Nathan to start his new ministry and to thank him for the many ways he has enriched the life of our parish family. Click here for details on how to donate.
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It’s Cold In Here
As our summer heats up our sanctuary cools down, which can make for chilly Sunday mornings. Please note that you may be more comfortable if you bring a jacket or sweater when you join us for worship. The humid Maryland weather is not good for either the organ or the piano. Keeping the sanctuary cold helps reduce the humidity making it a better environment for the instruments.
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St. Martin’s July 4th Parade 2025
We need volunteers to join St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and School for the Severna Park July 4th Parade. There are many ways our parishioners help make this community outreach possible. Volunteers are needed to:
- Walk the parade route and share St. Martin’s swag with friends and neighbors
- Greet & welcome visitors to our campus
- Direct visitors to restrooms (indoors at Narthex & Heck Hall)
- Help clean up campus afterwards
Click here for details and to sign up.
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Mid-Summer Clean Out!
July 14-17, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Do you love decluttering? Or just the feeling of accomplishment that comes from cleaning out a space and seeing the difference you have made? The church needs you! We are doing do a major clean-out of spaces to create space to support our church ministries July 14-17 from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Stop by and do as much as you can - we’ll have tasks for all fitness levels. Contact Katrina Schultz.
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VBS Volunteers Needed!
Are you looking for a way to give back to St. Martin’s? Does your youth need service hours? Sign up to help with Vacation Bible School! We are looking for adults and youth grades 6-12 to help assist with VBS from July 28-
August 1. Many volunteers are needed to make VBS a success! Sign up for times and dates you are available. Shifts range from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sign up today - click here! Contact Tabitha Carman.
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Church Office Summer Hours
From June 16-August 15 the church office will be open Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and closed on Fridays. Contact Katrina Schultz.
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Try New Things
Summer is the perfect time to dip your toes into new ministries. To learn how to usher, serve, lector or administer the chalice contact Katrina Schultz. Try it out! No strings attached.
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Summer “Meet & Eat”
Wednesdays through August 20, 6:00 p.m.
Come and enjoy fellowship and delicious food Wednesday evenings in the summer at 6:00 p.m. Suggested donation is $6.00 per person or $20.00 per family. Food and drinks provided; side dishes or desserts are greatly appreciated. For questions or special dietary needs please contact John Theune. We are looking for volunteers to help on July 2, July 9 and July 23.
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Mid-Year Pledge Statements to be Sent in the Coming Week
Thanks to the 121 households that have made a pledge to the 2025 Stewardship Campaign! Please be on the lookout for a mid-year statement of contributions in the next week or so. Our operating expenses are fairly static throughout the year and having pledge income contributed throughout the year helps us manage our cash flow appropriately. Contributing toward your pledge is easy! You can give by credit card or ACH. Checks can be given in the plate at Sunday services or mailed to St. Martin’s in-the-Field, 375 Benfield Road, Severna Park, MD 21146. Please contact Jory Bender, 410-647-6248 if you need any additional information. Thank you for giving! You are a gift!
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The Beethoven Project
Sunday, August 24 at 4:00 p.m.
Pianist, Dr. HyeSung Hwang and violinist, Dr. Ahreum Kim, launched the Beethoven Project in 2023 with the goal of performing all ten of Beethoven’s violin sonatas. Their performances have taken place in Baltimore, Washington DC, Columbia, and York. This summer, they are excited to return to St. Martin’s with Beethoven’s monumental Kreutzer Sonata. Please save the date: Sunday, August 24 at 4:00 p.m. and join us for an unforgettable musical experience celebrating Beethoven’s masterful artistry! This free concert will include a freewill offering to benefit the music ministry at St. Martin’s. For more information contact HyeSung.
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Church Read Along
This summer, the Vestry will be reading “A Future That’s Bigger Than The Past” by The Rev. Dr. Samuel Wells, the Vicar of St. Martin in-the-Fields, London. Wells casts a vision for renewing the local church that is energizing, realistic and practical for congregations of all sizes. In response to prevailing narratives of decline, Wells reimagines how the church can live its vocation of receiving God’s abundance and sharing it far and wide. We will discuss the book in the fall.
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SPAN Opportunities for JULY
SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) serves our neighbors by helping them through a critical or emergency situation. St. Martin’s supports SPAN’s mission by asking for donations for this month’s theme: "Hunger doesn’t take a vacation.” Please donate: peanut, soy, or nut butters, jelly, canned tuna or meats, packaged fruits, canned vegetables, microwaveable shelf stable meals, granola bars, crackers, nuts and popcorn. Summer items like sunscreen insect repellent, hand sanitizer, and baby wipes. Donations can be dropped in the bins marked “SPAN” in the Narthex. Summer is a slow time for food donations. We welcome additional donations. Click here for a list of our most needed items.
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Nursery Care
Available for infants and children ages 4 and under on Sundays from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Located in Parish Hall, see an usher for directions.
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Bible Challenge Book Study
Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. (St. Martin’s House)
Join us for a 16 week study of the Acts of the Apostles. We will be using the LifeChange Study Guide on Acts which can be ordered on Amazon: click here. Contact Cindy Neseth.
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Walkin’ Loves
Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 a.m. (Kinder Farm Park)
Lace up your shoes and join our new Walkin’ Loves group for fresh air and fellowship. Meet at Kinder Park, off of Kinder Rd, near the small playground. The loop is 2.4 miles, mostly level, and takes about 45 minutes to complete. All ages and fitness levels welcome. Contact Julie Reiter, 443-875-1457.
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Early Bird Sponsorship Opportunity
SPAN is looking for sponsors for our 13th Stride for SPAN Turkey Trot. Sponsor by June 30th and get four Free Race Entries. Several sponsorship levels available. Click here to view our Turkey Trot Sponsorship Form. Our 13th Stride for SPAN Turkey Trot will be on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Kinder Farm Park.
| | Your Prayers are Invited... | Prayer is the universal way people of faith stay connected, both with one another and with God. You are invited to pray daily for our parish family, for your own needs, and in thanksgiving for all that God has blessed you with this day. | |
PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY: Karl, Jim, David, Lee, Joey, Michele, Kerry, Carter, Matthew, Julia, Amalia, Edmund, Joey,
Kip, Wilma, Merla, Lisa, Mike, the Carman family, Kevin, Sarah, Jared, Bill, Jax, Brody, Matt, and Kyle.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Krista, Cameron, Mark, Greg, Ellie, Ann, Marilyn, Robert, Kyle, Daniel and Coleman.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: George Swartout and Adele Greenis.
| Let us know if you have a specific prayer request so we can hold you in our daily prayers. | | |
ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELD EPISCOPAL CHURCH
375 Benfield Road, Severna Park, MD 21146
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