|
Music Plan at St. Martin’s: What’s Next
Time truly flies! I can hardly believe I’ve been serving as a church musician for 16 years and that it’s already been eight years since I joined St. Martin’s. This journey has been filled with both challenges and blessings, helping me grow musically and spiritually. I am deeply grateful for the incredible support of the clergy, staff, adult and handbell choir members, and every member of the St. Martin’s family!
I am thankful for this moment to rest and reflect. I will be heading to Korea on June 30 to visit my parents and grandmothers, and I plan to travel a bit both there and in the U.S. upon my return.
While I am away for eight weeks, we are delighted to have four celebrated guest organists:
- Betsy Lord-July 6, 13 and August 24
- Francis Rittermann-July 20
- Stuart Wright-July 27
- Nelda Clelland-August 3, 10, 17
Each organist brings a distinctive musical style, so I hope you will enjoy this special opportunity to experience a rich variety of music-making. One of the things I love most about St. Martin’s is our hospitality. Many guest musicians have shared how touched they were by the warm and gracious welcome they receive from parishioners.
Special thanks to our choir members who will serve as cantors to lead congregational singing and to those offering beautiful solo pieces. You won’t want to miss them!
Looking ahead to the fall, we are thrilled to relaunch Children’s Choir! Musical and liturgical education for children is a vital part of our ministry, and we are excited for this new beginning. Children in grades 2-7 are welcome to join. If your child falls outside that age range but interested, please contact me directly. Our first rehearsal will be held on Sunday, September 21, after the 10:00 a.m. service and will last approximately 40 minutes. Please register using the sign-up link.
As I focus on launching the Children’s Choir, Aaron Carman, who has a background in music from college, will take the lead in directing the Handbell Choir. We believe that this change will further enrich our music program at St. Martin’s even more!
| | |
I would also like to invite you to two special upcoming events:
I extend my sincere gratitude for your tremendously thoughtful and continued support of our music ministries. I wish you all a joyful and restful summer, and I will see you “soon and very soon!”
| | | | Join us for Worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. | | |
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.
| | | |
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 9 and 23.
| |
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.
| |
Mid-Year Pledge Statements Were Sent Out This 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!
| |
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.
| |  | |
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.
| |
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.
| |
Church Read Along
This summer, the Vestry is 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.
| |
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.
| | |
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.
| | |
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.
| |
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.
| | | |
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.
| |
Message from our Presiding, Bishop Sean Rowe
“We are now being faced with a series of choices between the demands of the federal government and the teachings of Jesus, and that is no choice at all.” Click here for full article.
| | 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: Cliff French and the Green family, Kay, 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 WHO DIED: Bette Green.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY: Susan, Liz, Pam, Christine, Ardath, Erin, Charles, Lena, David, Karen, and Roman.
FOR THOSE CELEBRATING A WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: Don and Martha Nicholson, Chris Scott and HyeSung Hwang, and Jonathan and Carrie Peery.
| 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
| | | | |
