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The beautiful mystery of Pilgrimage

August 8, 2022

As I make my slow pilgrimage through the world, a certain sense of beautiful mystery seems to gather and grow. (A.C. Benson)

Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey

Westminster1

My dear St. Martin’s,

It was wonderful to see so many of you on Sunday at worship. Thanks to all who welcomed me back to church. I have a newfound appreciation for Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales following the completion of my pilgrimage.

I returned from my pilgrimage through England last Monday after two wonderful, prayerful, God-centered weeks. I was blessed to be one of the “companion pilgrims” to the Choir of Christ Church, Christiana Hundred (DE) during their residency at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The choir sang for two services of Holy Eucharist, one of which was the Feast of St. James, as well as daily Evensong. The music was steeped in Anglican tradition, and the liturgies all came from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer from the Church of England. I tend to prefer Rite I worship, so this felt like an extra special treat.

While on my trip, God did what God does: God appeared in the most unexpected, delightful, curious ways. One of the most poignant moments of my trip occurred while I was on a date with myself through London. After a guided tour of St. Paul’s in the morning, I ventured off by myself for lunch, a ride on the Tube (mind the gap!), and time in one of my favorite places in the world, Westminster Abbey.

When I entered Westminster Abbey, I fell to my knees and was so overcome with emotion that I began to weep. While I was initially quite embarrassed, I remembered something a dear friend once told me: Tears are a clear presence of the Holy Spirit. So, I began to embrace the emotions. The air in Westminster Abbey is saturated with prayers of thanksgivings, intercessions, and wonderings. Westminster is a hallowed place for me, and I was grateful to further saturate the air with the offering of my own prayers.

I could go on for days about the journey. The biggest takeaway I received from the trip that I would like to share with you, my Beloved St. Martin’s, is this: Our lives are a pilgrimage. Beginning with baptism, we begin our journeys as pilgrims, yearning to seek out the divine. Twists and turns along the way will often place us at the feet of God, and we spend time there to rest, rejuvenate, and prepare for the next leg of our journey. St. Martin’s, we are on a unique pilgrimage right now in this time of transition. So, friends, I invite you to let the Spirit into your prayers, your souls, and your pilgrimage(s). If you happen to find yourself overcome with emotion in a sacred encounter on your pilgrimage, let me know. I would love to hear about it.

Gratefully,

Anne Alexis

High altar at Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey
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Tags: LIFT: Living In Faith Together / Children & Families / Clergy & Staff / Youth Ministry

Sunday, 2/5 at 10:30 AM
Choral Eucharist with sermon
Sunday, 2/5 at 11:30 AM
Refreshments and an Urgent Parish Conversation. We invite and encourage everyone to attend.
Sunday, 2/5 at 12:00 PM
Worship Reflections In Person
Sunday, 2/5 at 6:00 PM
Online: Al-Anon Sunday-Nighters
Sunday, 2/5 at 8:00 PM
A.A. (in person)
Monday, 2/6 at 8:15 AM
Silent Meditation
Monday, 2/6 at 6:45 PM
Education for Ministry (EfM)
Monday, 2/6 at 7:00 PM
Online Bible Study: Grace Epiphany Church/Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Monday Night Bible Study

Choral Eucharist with sermon

Sunday, February 5, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Live-streamed to YouTube.com/StMartinECPhilly and StMartinEC.org/live.

One Service Only
10:30 AM
Choral Holy Eucharist
followed by
Refreshments and an Urgent Parish Conversation.
We invite and encourage everyone to attend.


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Refreshments and an Urgent Parish Conversation. We invite and encourage everyone to attend.

Sunday, February 5, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Topic: Parish Meeting
Time: Feb 3, 2023 11:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Worship Reflections In Person

Sunday, February 5, 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

In person only.

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Online: Al-Anon Sunday-Nighters

Sunday, February 5, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Click here to view on Google Calendar.

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A.A. (in person)

Sunday, February 5, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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Silent Meditation

Monday, February 6, 8:15 AM - 9:15 AM


All are welcome to join for silent meditation in the church at 8:15 am every weekday. For more information, please email Leslie Newbold at [email protected] . Free, No need to RSVP, just show up! Anyone in the community is welcome.


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Education for Ministry (EfM)

Monday, February 6, 6:45 PM - 9:15 PM

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Online Bible Study: Grace Epiphany Church/Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Monday Night Bible Study

Monday, February 6, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Grace Epiphany Church/Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Monday Night Bible Study

MONDAYS AT 7:00 PM
Meets online. Contact Cathy Glazer at [email protected] for information.


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Sermons

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215.247.7466
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Service Times

Join us online for Sunday morning worship!

  • 8:00 a.m. Traditional spoken Holy Eucharist with sermon - live streamed.
  • 9:00 a.m. Living in Faith Together: Outdoor, intergenerational worship with eucharist, immediately followed by formation at 9:40
  • 10:30 a.m. Traditional Holy Eucharist with music and sermon - live streamed.

StMartinEC.org/live

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8000 St. Martin's Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19118

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215.247.7466

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