Sundays at 8, 9, and 10:30 a.m. · Details

  8000 St. Martin's Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118  ·   215.247.7466  ·       Give

St. Martin-in-the-Fields
  • About
    • Mission & Values
    • Clergy & Staff
    • Lay Leadership
    • Communications Request
    • Space Rental
    • Calendar
    • COVID Protocol
  • Give
  • Worship & Music
    • Music
    • Sermons
  • Forming Faith
    • LIFT - Worship and Formation
    • Family Formation
    • Wellspring
  • Care
    • Prayers
    • Sacraments
    • Visits
    • Stephen Ministry
    • Spiritual Direction
    • Recovery Groups
  • Engage
    • Community Engagement
    • Racial Justice
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Make A Pledge
    • RSVP
    • Communications Request
    • In the News
  • Give
    • Give to St. Martin's
    • Make a Pledge
    • Planned Giving

Saints of Color Who Inspire Our Ministries: St. Augustine of Hippo

Feb. 1, 2022

"I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are wise and very beautiful; but I have never read in either of them: Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden."

(St. Augustine of Hippo)
Today is the start of Black History Month! Celebrate Black History Month with LIFT by reading weekly reflections from various authors about Saints of Color who inspire our ministries. Join us at LIFT on Feb. 13 to celebrate Blessed Absalom Jones, too!

Those who know me well know that St. Augustine of Hippo (354AD-430AD) is one of the saints closest to my heart. St. Augustine was a theologian and philosopher, and he was Bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa.

In his youth, Augustine was a man far away from God. He talks about his life before God and his subsequent conversion in Confessions and The City of God. He attributes the ceaseless prayer by his mother, St. Monica of Hippo, as part of the reason of his conversion.

I first found St. Augustine when I was in college. Selections from Confessions was part of my required reading for a class. Immediately, I felt a connection with St. Augustine's experience of salvation. Like Augustine, I had a turbulent youth. (Who doesn't?) Realizing that the love and grace of Jesus Christ connects me to a person with whom I have a shared experience from over 1500 years ago became foundational in my own ministry.

St. Augustine inspires my ministry not because he stumbled and strayed off a path, but because he found the grace of God to journey on a path of love and teaching. St. Augustine inspires my ministry because I am reminded that we are connected to people of all times and places (the Communion of Saints) through that same grace of Jesus which empowered his conversion.

(Sandro Botticelli, St. Augustine, 1480.)

sandro-botticelli---st-augustine---wga02709_477

This week, I invite you to think of or research a Saint of Color who inspires you. Discuss as a family:

  • What about this saint inspires you? What about him/her/them inspires your ministry?
  • What is something you would like others to know about this saint?
  • Do you feel a connection with this saint? Why/why not?

Prayer of St. Augustine to the Holy Spirit:

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.

Don't forget to check back here next week for a new reflection!

Faithfully,

Anne Alexis


Tags: LIFT: Living In Faith Together / Becoming Beloved Community / 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.


Add to My Calendar
-0500 America/New_York 0

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)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88297602576?pwd=d1JaNndxWC81THZKNENSNUNvWjJKQT09

Meeting ID: 882 9760 2576
Passcode: 470707
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,88297602576# US (Washington DC)
+13052241968,,88297602576# US

Dial by your location
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
        +1 305 224 1968 US
        +1 309 205 3325 US
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
        +1 646 931 3860 US
        +1 386 347 5053 US
        +1 507 473 4847 US
        +1 564 217 2000 US
        +1 669 444 9171 US
        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
        +1 689 278 1000 US
        +1 719 359 4580 US
        +1 253 205 0468 US
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 360 209 5623 US
Meeting ID: 882 9760 2576
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcQBzmDyeF


Add to My Calendar
-0500 America/New_York 0

Worship Reflections In Person

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

In person only.

Add to My Calendar
-0500 America/New_York 0

Online: Al-Anon Sunday-Nighters

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

Click here to view on Google Calendar.

Add to My Calendar
-0500 America/New_York 0

A.A. (in person)

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

Click here to view on Google Calendar.

Add to My Calendar
-0500 America/New_York 0

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.


Add to My Calendar
-0500 America/New_York 0

Education for Ministry (EfM)

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

Click here to view on Google Calendar.

Add to My Calendar
-0500 America/New_York 0

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.


Add to My Calendar
-0500 America/New_York 0

Sermons

© 2023 St. Martin-in-the-Fields
8000 St. Martin's Lane · Philadelphia, PA 19118
215.247.7466
Privacy Policy · Powered by Membership Vision

  View Entire Post

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

Location

St. Martin-in-the-Fields
8000 St. Martin's Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19118

Contact Us
215.247.7466

Newsletter Signup

Giving is an important component of a balanced spiritual life. Returning to God that which God has given us is a tangible way to express and grow our faith. There are many ways to provide financial support to the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Thank you for your generosity.

Give Now Member Account Login Pledge Today