The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields is an Episcopal parish in the Diocese of Pennsylvania that is centered on the worship of God, the ministry of all baptized persons, and the call to be agents of Christ’s love in the world.
Contact
Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
8000 St. Martin’s Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19118
215.247.7466

The Reverend Robert L. Tate, Rector

ST. MARTIN'S MID-WEEK

Wednesdays Holy Eucharist and Healing
Each Wednesday the Holy Eucharist, with laying on of hands for healing, is celebrated at 12:00 noon in the Chapel.

Oct. - May Books and Banter Second Tuesday of the Month
The St. Martin’s Book Group offers adventures in reading and lively discussion. If you are open to reading a wide
variety of books, both fiction and nonfiction, then this is the group for you! The St Martin’s Book Group meets the first Tuesday of every month (beginning in October), at 7.30 pm in the Parish Library. For information on the current
selection of books, contact Barbara Baumgartner at 215.849.8783.

Oct. 3 - 24 Foundational Anglican Thinkers, The Beginning Wednesday Evenings
Scripture, tradition, and reason: Episcopalians have heard these three words for generations. But who originally said them and why? This series, led by Cathy Cowling and The Reverend Bob Tate, will delve into the work and thought of those most responsible for shaping Anglicanism during its first century: Thomas Cranmer, John Jewel, Elizabeth I, Richard Hooker, Richard Field, John Bramhall, William Laud, and Jeremy Taylor.

Oct. 27 Centering Prayer Workshop Saturday morning
Have you been wanting to develop a regular prayer practice? Have you been yearning to have time for silence, a quiet place simply to be in the presence of God? Gregory the Great referred to contemplative prayer as ‘resting in God’. There is no one ‘right’ way to practice silent or contemplative prayer, although there are many guides to offer assis- tance: Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Evelyn Underhill, Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating, and Kenneth Leech to name only a very few. Join us for a Saturday morning workshop as The Reverend Sharline
Fulton introduces us to the tradition of silent or contemplative prayer, sometime referred to as ‘centering prayer’. In this workshop we will learn what it is and various approaches to practice it. There will be time set aside in the
morning for prayer.

Nov. 10 Practicing Stewardship: You Are the Body of Christ Saturday Evening
There are so many things vying for our time and attention these days: is the Church simply one among a long list or is it somehow different, like family? The Reverend Ruth Kirk, Rector of Christ Church, Christiana Hundred, Greenville, Delaware has been invited to be our guest speaker to help us explore these questions at our annual
Stewardship Dinner, an evening of fellowship, good food, and interesting conversation. Dinner and activities will be offered for children.

Nov. 28 The Making of the Saint John’s Bible Wednesday
Were you unable to view the special exhibition of the Saint John’s Bible last year? Or, perhaps you did see it and are interested in learning more about this tremendous work. Join us at 10:30 a.m. to watch the BBC documentary that tells the story of the most extensive scribal commission in the world since the end of the Middle Ages, a story that has not happened for a long time and probably will never happen again. Commissioned by the Benedictine monks of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, The Saint John’s Bible is the first hand-written illuminated Bible produced in almost six hundred years.

Dec. 5 - 19 Hopeful Imagination: Prophetic Voices in Exile Wednesday Evenings
Every year in Advent we are treated to some of the loveliest writing: that of Isaiah and a number of the other prophets. The prophets of ancient Israel faced the responsibility of helping people enter into exile, learn how to live in exile, and then to depart exile for home. The prophetic literature of scripture contains the theological resources for handling both brokenness and surprise, resources that remain as relevant to us today as to people long ago. Rabbi George Stern has been invited to guide us through the prophetic writings from a distinctly Jewish perspective.

Jan. 8 - 22 Growing Up Too Fast? Childhood in the 21st Century
Tuesday Evenings
Perhaps it is simply the power of nostalgia that leads us to think that childhood used to be much simpler. But let’s face it: childhood can be complicated to navigate these days, with mass marketing campaigns directed toward toddlers, early sexualization especially of girls, ubiquitous communications and electronics, and over-scheduled lives. Ann Adalist-Estrin, a family therapist with the Samaritan Center’s Bridges Parent and Child Center, will guild us in exploring the three primary roles of parenting in the complexity of current culture: to provide protection, to pass along values, and to help our children interpret and interact with the world.


Feb. 13 - Mar 12 I Will, With God’s Help
Wednesday Evenings
Being a Christian isn’t easy work! The Baptismal Covenant presents us with some pretty steep challenges. Join us this Lenten season for a time of fellowship and small group discussion as we explore ways in which we live into our faith, including all the doubts and struggles. The format will include brief presentations by fellow parishioners and outside guests, followed by small group discussion.

Apr. 9 - 30 Foundational Anglican Thinkers: The Twentieth Century
Wednesday Evenings
The twentieth century brought a sea change to Anglicanism with shifts in our understanding of liturgy, ecclesiology, and the relationship between church and society arguably unrivaled since the Reformation of the sixteenth century. The Reverend Bob Tate and Cathy Cowling continue guiding us in our exploration of the thought and work of those who influenced and helped shape the church we have become: William Temple, Massey Shepherd, Dom Gregory Dix, Wes Frensdorf, Verna Dozier, Stewart Zabriskie, Frederica Thompsett, and Desmond Tutu.