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

Field Notes

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Sunday Worship

July 14th, 2024

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

In Person

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

In Person

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music

In Person and via Livestream

A Note From Rev. Laura

Three of us on what felt like the hottest day of the year—as has every day this week—were chatting at the Welcome Desk in the Parish House. Since I’d been away, the conversation initially focused on my time with my brother and sister on the Fourth of July in the Chicago area. 

The Fourth is my brother’s favorite day of the year. Since he broke his femur on Super Bowl Sunday, he’s been recovering—two months in rehab, a walker, now a rollator. The safest option seemed for us to go there than for him to fly to one of us.

It was a both/and trip. The “hoopla” around the Fourth—especially the parade in Lake Bluff—was delightful—despite the sharp shooters on the roofs who were also monitoring drones on the second anniversary of the mass shooting at the Fourth of July parade in nearby Highland Park. Continue reading here.

A Note From Rev. Carol

An Update on Our Parish Prayer List Policy

St. Martin's prayer list helps us pray for specific people by name. Anyone, whether a parishioner or not, can request we pray for them. We use only first names as a privacy consideration. Until now, those names have remained on the list on an ongoing basis until follow up from staff determined that the need for prayer had diminished for the person.

Our revised policy is that when a request comes in, the name will remain on the list for four weeks. If the requester asks for more time, a four week extension will be added. In one case a name has been on our list for years, and the family is comforted by our continued prayers.

To initiate the new policy, those who have been on the list for more than four weeks will be contacted by staff to determine if they would like to remain on the list. This new policy will keep our prayers thoughtful and focused. Feedback is welcome. Please feel free to contact Rev. Laura or me with your thoughts.

Features

Celebrating the Ministry of the Rev. Britta Meiers Carlson

St. Martin’s has been blessed beyond measure by the presence of The Rev. Britta Carlson Meiers, our Children, Youth, and Families Minister, for the last six months. Britta’s last Sunday with us will be July 28th and one way we’re showing our gratitude to her is with a St. Martin’s “purse.”

Britta has invigorated our youth ministries as well as providing adult formation for parents on Sunday mornings. Britta planned and led a successful week of Vacation Bible School last month, impressed us all with the substance and grace of her preaching, and also celebrated on Sundays when I was away.

She led the lessons in the Children and Youth Service and worked to help create a teen group with the Martin family. In short, everything she touched Britta made better. We will deeply miss her along with Reed, her husband, and their two delightful children, the imaginative Anthony, and his dynamo sister, Alma.

Reed’s preaching has also been exceptional during these recent months. I know I’m not alone in saying he opened the Old Testament to me in  new ways.

It is not surprising – although still quite a coup—for them both to get full-time professorships at the University of the South School of Theology, more commonly known as “Sewanee.”  Located in Sewanee, Tennessee, it has an outstanding reputation as an Episcopal Seminary. 

While we are sad to see Britta and her family go, this is a wonderful, amazing, and well-earned opportunity for them. Having moved 7 times in 10 years, they are finally able to put down roots and build a house that will be walking distance both to their work  and their children’s school.

We rejoice and celebrate this milestone moment with them! Britta and Reed we are proud of you and deeply grateful that we were able to call you our own during your time among us.

There will be a reception and celebration for the Carlsons after the 10:30 service on July 28th! 

Here’s how to contribute to Britta’s “purse”:

• write a check to St. Martin's with "Britta's Purse Gift" in memo line 
• go to the Giving page of St. Martin's website: https://www.stmartinec.org/give. Click the "Give Now" button. Under the "Select Fund" drop down menu, select "Purse Gifts"

Thank you, 

Rev. Laura+

Tyrone Sworn in as a U.S. Citizen!

At 8:50 a.m. on Thursday morning, our Director of Music & Arts, Tyrone Whiting, took his Oath of Allegiance to the United States, becoming a citizen of our nation. This is the end of a long journey in the immigration system of our country and he couldn't be happier.

Tyrone writes: 

"It is a very strange feeling to suddenly "officially" belong, having felt quite at home for so many years. A miniature US flag, a certificate with my face on it, and a letter from President Biden were among today's gifts. The brief and surprisingly moving ceremony included 40 other newly-minted Americans with whom I will share this significant life event anniversary. Philadelphia has felt like home since Sean and I first moved here in August of 2020 and, even in uncertain times such as these, I feel very at home in the US. I will be holding on to my dual status as a British-American while gladly welcoming the rights and responsibilities my new citizenship brings. And yes, I was registered and approved to vote within an hour of being sworn in! Thank you all for being part of this wild journey with me."

Iced Tea Under the Tent Begins Next Thursday!

Continues every Thursday through end of August

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. on the Hilary House Lawn

This summer’s Iced Tea Under the Tent series kicks off next Thursday, July 18th, 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 that summer heat with some cool drinks! No RSVP is 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!

Sermon Transcript

The Rev. Carol Duncan

July 7th, 2024

We are not the first generation to be holding onto our faith during historic upheavals such as what the Supreme Court is handing us in our time. Today’s readings reveal life changing moments in the lives of Ezekiel, Paul and Jesus. I ask you to consider their stories with meditative hearts. Their stories reach out to us in our own cliff hanger present moment. 

Ezekiel’s life changing event was a vision. The Spirit with many wings and many eyes told Ezekiel, “Mortal! I am sending you to a nation of rebels who are impudent and stubborn.” From Ezekiel we learn that being in the midst of a stubborn rebellious people is exactly where we seek God. The people Ezekiel was sent to were in exile in Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar, its despotic emperor. In our time, we look for the prophets who speak a word of truth to us. But we also hear that impudence and stubbornness are endemic to human nature. We stand up against the transgressors of God’s word.

Continue reading here.

View recordings of our livestreams here.

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 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

Coming Up

Iced Tea Under the Tent

Every Thursday now through end of August

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. on the Hilary House Lawn

Iced Tea Under the Tent is a great way to get to know each other, enjoy some snacks, and beat that summer heat with some cool drinks! No RSVP is needed, but if you are able, please consider bringing a snack to share. We look forward to seeing you there!

Wednesday Noon Eucharist

Every Wednesday at

12:00 p.m. in the

Mary Chapel

Wellspring Worship Reflections

In Person in the Houston Room following the 10:30 service.