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Wherever your relationship is going, a tandem will get you there faster

May 12, 2021

The forecast on Mother’s Day promised drizzle, and the temperature was colder than usual for spring. Oh boy, I thought, classic Ballenger biking conditions!

Last Sunday we joined several other cyclists for a Philadelphia-based ride along the Schuylkill River Trail. It was the kick-off ride for Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light’s (PA IPL) Cycling for a Cleaner Future event, which includes a promise to ride 100 miles over three weeks, raise money for this great state-wide climate justice organization, and to advocate for policies that combat climate change. Several riders from St. Martin’s Climate Action Team are participating. You can learn more and sponsor us here.

Jess and I have been riding our tandem on short and long rides since we purchased it eleven years ago for our “tandem anniversary”, celebrating 20 years of marriage. To mark the occasion, we took a 30-mile ride to a bed and breakfast in central PA, through rain, wind, and a harrowing highway crossing in the dark. Not every ride has been that challenging, but there’s something about wet pavement and a wind chill that evokes the thrill of that first biking challenge together.

As Jess likes to say, wherever your relationship is going, a tandem will get you there faster. I like to think that the art of riding a tandem bike is a lot like ballroom dancing. You learn to move with your partner, to anticipate turns and follow a lead. It takes some practice and a will to learn together. Along the way the effort hones the trust required for a relationship marked by synchronicity and solidarity and mutuality. And it gets you places.

As part of PA IPL’s 2021 bike rides, Jess and I will be taking out the tandem weekly, and I’ll be adding to my miles by biking to work at St. Martin’s during the week. Look for reflections from other St. Martin’s riders over the next three weeks. Pray for us, sponsor us, and join us in the ongoing work of climate justice and care.

Blessings,

The Rev. Barbara Ballenger




Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light Annual Climate Advocacy Bike Ride

Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light Annual Climate Advocacy Bike Ride

Posted April 22, 2021 Join the Ride: May 8-30, 2021 Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light (PA IPL), which cultivates a religious response to the threat of climate change, has re-imagined its annual Climate Advocacy Bike Ride to the US Cap...
Read More


Tags: Climate Action Team / Give / Community Engagement

Calendar

Saturday, 3/25 at 9:00 AM
Women Connecting
Saturday, 3/25 at 11:00 AM
Saturday Bible Study
Sunday, 3/26 at 8:00 AM
The Holy Eucharist (said) with Sermon
Sunday, 3/26 at 9:00 AM
The Holy Eucharist for Children, Youth, and Families
Sunday, 3/26 at 9:45 AM
Intergenerational Formation
Sunday, 3/26 at 10:30 AM
Choral Eucharist with sermon
Sunday, 3/26 at 12:00 PM
Worship Reflections In Person
Sunday, 3/26 at 5:00 PM
Stations of the Cross

Women Connecting

Saturday, March 25, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Women Connecting Lenten Gathering: Saturday, March 25

The Reluctant Journey to Transformation

" God of surprising journeys, help me to live my life forward, trusting that you are steering the ship.  Help me understand my life backward by seeing and forgiving the many 'signs of Jonah". (Richard Rohr, Wondrous Encounters: Scriptures for Lent)

Come join us and explore, share and connect. 


Poly, Houston, Work Room, Hilary House. 



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Saturday Bible Study

Saturday, March 25, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Switching to the library this week because Women Connecting will be in the Houston Room. -EW


Stephen Barr <[email protected]>



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The Holy Eucharist (said) with Sermon

Sunday, March 26, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

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

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The Holy Eucharist for Children, Youth, and Families

Sunday, March 26, 9:00 AM - 9:40 AM

Click here to view on Google Calendar.

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Intergenerational Formation

Sunday, March 26, 9:45 AM - 10:25 AM

Click here to view on Google Calendar.

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Choral Eucharist with sermon

Sunday, March 26, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

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

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Worship Reflections In Person

Sunday, March 26, 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

In person only.

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Stations of the Cross

Sunday, March 26, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM


Stations of the Cross
Sundays in Lent, 5pm
February 26th-March 26th
Join for a service of prayer and music as we walk the Stations of the Cross together, accompanied by St. Martin's musicians.


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

Join us online for Sunday morning worship!

  • 8:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist (spoken)
  • 9:00 a.m. The Holy Eucharist for Children, Family, and Youth
  • 10:30 a.m. Choral Holy Eucharist

All services are available on our YouTube channel or by clicking here: StMartinEC.org/live

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

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215.247.7466

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