Biblical Studies

St. Martin’s continues its long history of biblical studies by offering several opportunities to meet weekly with a group to read the scriptures together. All are welcome. There is no homework and Bibles are provided. These small groups offer a process of reading and discussing the Bible guided by open-ended questions. Bringing the Word to life through thoughtful conversation provides unlimited possibilities for discovery.
Ongoing Virtual Bible Study
- 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday evening Bible Study with Grace Epiphany Episcopal Church
- Led by the Rev. Christina Nord.
- Zoom video conference (please check/join Biblical Studies email group or contact coordinator, the Rev. Christina Nord for more information: [email protected] or 610-416-4487)
- 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tuesday morning Bible Study
- Led by Cathy Glazer
- Zoom video conference (please check/join Biblical Studies email group or contact coordinator, Cathy Glazer for the link at [email protected] or 215-901-5432.)
- Call-in information: +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) Meeting ID: 330 189 908; Passcode: 006843
- 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturday morning Bible Study with the Rector
- Led by the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel
- Currently focusing on the Gospel of Luke
- Hybrid meeting; in-person in the Houston Room and on Zoom
- Email the Rector for the Zoom link
Cathy Glazer is a member of the class of 2022 on St. Martin's Vestry. Cathy is an active member at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. She is the leader of the Greeting Ministry and can be found most Sundays welcoming newcomers and visitors. She also participates in two Bible Studies and is part of the Biblical Studies Leadership Team. She also is a member of the Hospitality Committee, Friends of the Columbarium and helps out the team who vacuums the hassocks. She also regularly participates in SUPPER at St. Martin's. Retired from the commercial paper industry, Cathy likes to spend time gardening and traveling. She and her husband Gary live in Chestnut Hill and they have two grown children and four teenage grandchildren. Associate Rector (215) 247-7466 ext. 102 Barbara (she/her) joined St.
Martin’s in 2014. In June
Barbara’s family moved from State College to Philadelphia, where her husband
works at Drexel University. They’re excited to be a part of St. Martin’s
vibrant faith community. Barbara’s family includes her husband, Jess, adult
son, Jesse, and high school-aged daughter, Hannah. Non-human family members
include Tara the rat and Oakley the dog. Barb began
seminary in the fall of 2017. Read more here. In June 2019, Barb was ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal Church,
on her path to full priestly ordination later in the year. Read more about becoming a deacon here. On Friday, December 13, 2019, Barbara was ordained to the Priesthood at St. Martin's.Cathy Glazer
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Barbara hales originally from northeast Ohio, where she grew up and went to
school. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Kent State
University and a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Ursuline College.
Barbara’s ministry background is based largely in the Roman Catholic Church
where she worked for more than 17 years in a variety of faith-based positions,
including parish faith formation director, campus minister, newspaper reporter
and program coordinator for Catholic Relief Services. She also worked for eight
years in a performing arts ministry as a retreat leader, songwriter and
storyteller.
Most recently Barbara worked for Episcopal Relief & Development as a
training coordinator in US Disaster Preparedness and Response. She joined the
Episcopal Church in 2010, with the long-term goal of priestly ordination.
Woven through her work in ministry is a passion for social, economic and
environmental justice. Over the years, Barbara has worked on issues of peace
and non-violence, cultural understanding, global and domestic poverty,
sustainability and environmental stewardship.
For fun Barbara loves to read, make music, and turn broken things into mosaics.
You’ll probably also see her riding her bike around West Mount Airy and
Chestnut Hill. She might even stop and ask you for directions.
Helen White Memorial Lecture Series

The Helen White Memorial Lecture remembers her lifetime dedication to making the Word of God accessible to "the people in the pews". Our inaugural lecture, on Saturday, April 13, 2019, answered the question, "Why Read the Bible" and featured Biblical Scholar and Princeton Theological Seminary Professor, the Rev. Dr. Eric D. Barreto.
In Memory of Helen White
Helen White, who die…
Read More »Bible Banter with Barb and Jarrett

Bible Banter with Barb and Jarrett is a weekly Lenten podcast for 2020 on the Sunday morning scriptures. Listen along with words of wisdom, laughter, and insight into the Sunday morning lectionary.
Read More »Who is the Subject of Your Verbs?
Judas and Life Without Enemies
Go to the Psalms
Sunday Forum 2/13: Abraham Lincoln's Religion: From Doubt to Divine Providence
Fourth Annual Helen White Lecture: Sunday Seminar
Remy the Rat from Ratatouille
Reading with the Rector - Winter 2022
Sunday Forum 1/23: After Jesus, Before Christianity with Hal Taussig
The Invisible Lives of Ethiopic Manuscripts
This year's Helen White Memorial Lecture will feature Dr. Gay L. Byron, Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, DC.
Lenten Reading and Reflecting: Lament and Liberation
The Good Book Club: Epiphany 2021 with Mark
Saved By Faith Alone
A Wednesday Evening Community Conversation. On Zoom - please register below for the link. Martin Luther raised a fuss and started the Reformation by insisting that people are saved by faith alone. What did he mean, and why does it matter?
Scriptures, Race, Nation
This year's Helen White Memorial Lecture will feature Professor Vincent Wimbush, author of African Americans and the Bible: Sacred Texts and Social Textures.
Mark and Movies: Jan. 27 - Free Willy
7:00-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Please register on the overview Mark and Movies post. Prior to this session, please view Free Willi, by Dwight Little, 1993
Mark and Movies: Jan. 20 - Bottomless Belly Button
7:00-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Please register on the overview Mark and Movies post. Prior to this session, please consult or read: Bottomless Belly Button by Dash Shaw.
Mark and Movies: Jan. 13 - Man on Wire
7:00-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Please register on the overview Mark and Movies post. Prior to this session please view Man on Wire, by James Marsh, 2008
Mark and Movies: Jan. 6 - Frozen River
7:00-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Please register on the overview Mark and Movies post. For this session, please view ahead Frozen River, by Courtney Hunt, 2008.