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

Field Notes

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Sunday Worship

April 21st, 2024

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

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

9:15 a.m. Adult Forum

Seeking Ecological Balance and Restoration Where We Are

Presented by the Rev. Allen Drew

9:30 a.m. Eco Fair

Presented by the Climate Action Team

Runs until 12:00 p.m.

10:30 a.m. Choral Holy Eucharist

This week's Hospitality is sponsored by the Climate Action Team. Thank you!

Features

Save the Date: Annual Meeting

Sunday, June 9th

Immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service (~12:00 p.m.)

Parish Hall

Seeking Vestry Candidates by April 28

The Nominating Committee needs your suggestions for strong Vestry candidates no later than Sunday, April 28! This year’s Nominating Committee includes Barb Thomson, Tom Sibson, Jim Fairburn, Carol Horne Penn, Emily Law, and non-Vestry members Sandra Gould and Susan MacBride. Please contact any of us with questions about Vestry service or suggestions for candidates. You may suggest yourself and/or others. 

After gathering names of potential candidates through April 28, the committee will carefully consider which candidates would best serve St. Martin’s with a representative balance of strengths and perspectives given the continuing Vestry members and the church’s current needs, and will publish its slate of candidates on May 12. After that, additional candidates can only be proposed in writing, with signatures of 10 voting parishioners (not including the candidate), by May 26. At our Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, June 9, the candidates on the final slate will be elected by voting parishioners (if there are contested slots) or elected via unanimous ballot by the Vestry Secretary (if there are no contested slots). Continue reading here.

Earth Day Eco Fair & Adult Forum

Presented by Climate Action Team

This Sunday, April 21st

9:15 Adult Forum (Houston Room)

9:30 - 12:00 p.m. Eco Fair (Parish Hall)

Come learn about solar energy, composting, local wildlife, native plants, PAIPL’s Bike & Hike challenge, and more. Join us for a morning of educational and fun activities for all ages!

To learn about some of the booths you can visit at the Fair, please click here.

This Week's Featured Booth:

Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light Bike & Hike Event

From Eric Borgstrom:

"St. Martin’s Climate Action Team is recruiting volunteers and donors to support the Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light (PAIPL) Bike & Hike Event. Throughout the month of May, get out and enjoy the outdoors in whatever non-motorized vehicle you choose. Last summer, St. Martin’s raised over $1,000 in support of PAIPL, with donors from across the country supporting our bikers and hikers. In 2024, we hope to raise at least $2,000 in support of PAIPL.

To join the St. Martin’s Team or donate to PAIPL in support of our hikers and bikers, click here and search for the “St Martin-in-the-Field” team. Like last year, Griffin (human, age 6) and I intend to participate. We have recruited Freya (puppy, age 4 months) as well. Last year, we completed 50 miles in May. This year, we are aiming for 100 miles in May. You can sponsor Griffin and Freya’s hiking directly here. Please support Griffin, Freya, and all the other hikers and bikers from St. Martin’s!"

You can click here for more information and photos from past Bike and Hike events.

This Week's Adult Forum: Seeking Ecological Balance and Restoration Where We Are

9:15 a.m. in the Houston Room

Presented by the Rev. Allen Drew

As part of the Climate Action Team’s EcoFair, the Forum will focus on practical ways that we, as a church community and as individuals, can manage our lives in ways that sustain and ultimately restore the living system to which we belong. To read a more detailed description of the forum topic, please click here.

Commissioning of the Discernment Committee 

As we move into the next phase of our search for a new rector, you are asked to join us on Sunday, April 28th during the 10:30 a.m. service for the commissioning of the Discernment Committee. As a congregation, we have shared our thoughts, hopes, and concerns about who we are and who we wish to become with God’s help. This input will be key as the search moves forward.

During this next phase of the search, the Discernment Committee will follow Diocesan protocol. It will prayerfully consider feedback from the Listening Circles to guide them in this most important mission. The Discernment Committee asks for your ongoing prayers and support as they move forward with this important ministry. Please join us as we celebrate another milestone in this process. 

To receive a link to view last week's Discernment Committee report, please email Noor Diskan, Director of Communications & Events, at ndiskan@stmartinec.org.

Sermon Transcript

The Rev. Dr. Reed Carlson, Th.D

April 14th, 2024

And That Is What We Are

For followers of Jesus, Easter and the resurrection is supposed to be this metamorphic event. It’s not just Jesus who is changed. As our reading in 1 John says, “[W]hen [Jesus] is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.” We change. We become who we are in Jesus. But sometimes that is harder work than we realize. Continue reading here.

A Note From Rev. Laura

Whether I’m kneeling in a pew, serving at the altar, by a bedside, or in a living room, the Eucharist is the soul of my faith. It is a wellspring of hope, a source of solace, and a gift I never tire of sharing. 

The Eucharist is also at the center of our lives at St. Martin’s. I am pleased to announce that as of Wednesday, May 1st, there will be a midweek Eucharist that will be offered every Wednesday in the Mary Chapel. All are welcome. 

I’m also exploring the possibility of offering regular (bi-weekly?) communion services at Cathedral Village where a number of our parishioners live who cannot get to church regularly. 

When we strengthen and deepen our spiritual lives, we strengthen our parish, our community, and I would hope, our world, and the best starting place I know is at God’s table. Continue reading here.

Children, Youth, and Families

Volunteers Needed for VBS!

St. Martin's is hosting Vacation Bible School June 17th-21st. Our theme is Songs of Creation. We have a great staff in place already, and our kids will have an even richer experience if we have caring adults and older youth from the parish involved too. Come for an hour or stay all week! Here are some examples of the different ways you can be involved:

Help serve snacks - Assist with crafts - Help at drop off or pick up time - Lead a game or activity - Share your faith story - Join us for worship - Be a loving presence

Please reach out to Rev. Britta if you want to spend some time with our amazing children this summer! cyf@stmartinec.org

Youth Connecting

The Third Sunday of Each Month (April 21st, May 19th, June 16th, July 21st)

5:30 - 7:30pm

Grades 7-12   

Meet at the home of the Martin Family

Youth are invited to connect for games, conversation, and hanging out. At each session, we will make time to discuss resources from Christian tradition that help us respond to some of the most challenging issues of our day. Topics may include climate change, gender and sexuality, or war; we will adjust our focus based on what is most important for the youth who are present. A simple meal will be provided. Feel free to bring a snack to share. We hope you can make it! Please contact Rev. Britta with questions or to RSVP (cyf@stmartinec.org).

Children, Youth, and Families Spring Social

Next Sunday, April 28th

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Join us for an opportunity to connect with other families in our church. People of all ages are welcome! Drinks and light fare will be provided for adults. Please bring an hors

d’oeuvre or desert to share if you are able. Childcare provided! The children will have a pizza party with lots of fun and games. Please RSVP so we know you can make it!

Email Rev. Britta to RSVP or for questions: cyf@stmartinec.org

Take Action

Face to Face Presentation and Bagged Lunch Preparation

Next Sunday, April 28th

Face to Face is a wonderful community aid center located in Germantown and a new partner organization of St. Martin's! All are invited to come learn about their work at the Adult Forum and then help make bagged lunches for their free dining program.

9:15 a.m. Adult Forum led by Mary Kay Hanks-Meeks, Executive Director of Face to Face

9:45 a.m. Bagged lunch preparation

Election Day

This Upcoming Tuesday, April 23rd

Polls Open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

If you are in Ward 9, Divisions 9, 10, or 11, your polling place is St. Martin's!

Coming Up

Face to Face 40th Anniverary Auction and Reception

This Saturday, April 20th

6:00 p.m. at Chestnut Hill College

In celebration of their 40th anniversary, Face to Face is holding an auction and reception at Chestnut Hill College. All are invited! Click here for more information about Face to Face.

Episcopal Church Community of PA Featured Speaker Event

April 26th, 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas, Whitemarsh

Nate Hoffer, the leader of Good Samaritan Services for many years, will discuss how GSS responds with compassion to the challenges of poverty-related needs in its two-county service area by serving those experiencing street homeliness, those who are at risk of losing their own housing, and all levels of housing insecurity in between. If you would like additional information, please E-Mail Mike Riley at mriley415@gmail.com.

Voices from the Heart Film Screening: "Israelism"

May 11, 2024

Hosted by Congregation Mishkan Shalom

Suggested donation: $20 (more if you can, less if you can’t)

Register here.

"Israelism" traces the journey of two young American Jews as they become aware of the Occupation and Israel's dehumanization of Palestinians and begin to question whether support for Israel should define their Jewish identity. The film features a range of American Jewish thinkers, community leaders and activists, and asks how Israel became the cornerstone of American Judaism, what the consequences have been, and what will happen as divisions continue to grow. Click here to watch the trailer.

2024 St. James Scholarship Benefit

Tuesday, May 21st

From 5:30 p.m. onward

The Fillmore, Philadelphia

Come celebrate this signature event in support of St. James School! Please click here for more details.

Vacation Bible School: Songs of Creation

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

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Full Day) or 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Half Day)

This year's Vacation Bible School invites children to come celebrate the wonders of the earth! Our theme, Songs of Creation, is inspired by Psalm 150:6, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” We will explore the incredible ways people care for creation and celebrate it. Join us for a week of games, crafts, stories of faith, and lots of music! Please contact the Rev. Britta Carlson at cyf@stmartinec.org for more information.

Weekday Morning Prayer

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

Biblical Studies on Zoom or by phone

Monday and Tuesday sessions. Link up!