Thanks for joining us! Check out the links below for the sermons, articles, and other interesting information that made you click over from our Instagram account. Then, have a look around to see what else is here. We'd love to see you on Sunday morning or at weekday worship!
Worship is hybrid: limited in-person and live-streamed. Please see our service schedule.
Worship Services
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Meet our clergy as well as music, office, and worship staff.
We are excited to welcome you to St. Martin-in-the-Fields!
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Stay connected with St. Martin-in-the-Fields!
Sign up for St. Martin's weekly newsletter, Field Notes, sent each week on Thursday afternoon. You can also join other lists for specialized cont…
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Music in Your Neighborhood weekly outdoor concerts returns this year in May and June with SIX concerts and weekly rotating food trucks! Join us for evenings of music, food, and community in collaboration with Artcinia
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Featured Events
The Chorister program of St. Martin-in-the-Fields offers children from the second grade upwards a thorough and enjoyable musical education in a safe and effective learning environment. In line with the Royal School of Church Music’s Voice for Life program, Choristers learn not only about music and singing but also about music theory, history, languages, maths, science and much more.
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Welcome to LIFT: Living In Faith Together!
For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. (Matthew 18:20)
LIFT (Living In Faith Together) is an invitation to interg…
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The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields is a founding member of Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower, and Rebuild (POWER), a faith-based community organizing project that includes over 40 interfaith congregations throughout Philadelphia and more throughout Pennsylvania.
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News:
Who is the Subject of Your Verbs?
Posted April 12, 2022 In your relationship with God, who is the subject of the verbs, and who is the object of the actions? For example, God loves me. God is the subject and I am the recipient of the love given. Our secular environment relentl...
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Support Easter Brass Musicians!
Posted March 31, 2022
For many, Holy Week & Easter are not the same without the music tradition so deeply rooted in the Episcopal and Anglican church. We welcome donations to our Music Fund with "Easter Brass" in the memo to fund the Brass mus...
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Holy Week for the Whole Family
Posted March 29, 2022
We are 24 days into the 40-day Lenten journey. In this second half of Lent, our focus begins to shift towards the solemnity of Christ's Passion.
To guide our families through the stories and questions of Holy Wee...
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Music Notes - The Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year C
The penultimate Sunday in Lent sees our choral music reflect on the importance of the bread of heaven in our communion motet by César Franck, and connection with Christ through the blessed sacrament of the Eucharist in our Offertory Anthem by It...
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Music Notes - The First Sunday of Lent, Year 5C
Posted March 4, 2022
Welcome to a special Lent edition of Music Notes. Last week, we heard close to if not over 100 “alleluias” both in our liturgy and in our music. At the end of the services, Dubois’ Toccata used every stop on the or...
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Resources for Reflection and Growth this Lent
Posted March 1, 2022 The Book of Common Prayer invites us to a Holy Lent on Ash Wednesday: “I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self...
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Music Notes - The Seventh Sunday of Epiphany, Year C
Welcome to the third edition of Music Notes, our new weekly blog discussing the music which supports our weekly worship services. This Sunday sees the return of our greatly missed choir who have been on hiatus since before Christmas due to the Om...
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Music Notes - The Sixth Sunday of Epiphany, Year C
Welcome to the second edition of Music Notes, our new weekly blog discussing the music which supports our weekly worship services. This Sunday is the last Sunday our wonderful section leaders will sing alone as February 20 sees the return of our ...
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Music Notes - The Fifth Sunday of Epiphany, Year C
Welcome to the first edition of Music Notes, a new weekly blog discussing the music in support of our weekly worship services. Music Notes will be included in Field Notes and available on our website. Each week we will explore the history, contex...
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Celebrate Candlemas!
Feb. 1, 2022
This year, celebrate Candlemas at home! Candlemas is a beautiful holiday full of rich traditions and nods to ancient customs.
Candlemas takes its name from the candles carried into the Temple during Jesus’ presentation ...
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COVID Update from the Rector - January 2022
Posted January 5, 2022
During January 2022, St. Martin's will continue in-person worship, although we strongly recommend that you be fully vaccinated and boosted if you attend in-person.
We have always operated on the honor system, an...
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Britten on the Boat
Posted December 21, 2021 BBC Radio 4 produces a podcast called “Soul Music” which I adore. Each episode takes one song and collects personal vignettes about how that song influenced a person’s life. For example, the episode featuring U2...
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Blessed Baking Update for 12/3
Posted 12.2.21
From Blessed Baking Ministry leader Jane Good:
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope all of you were with or at least Zoomed with your loved ones.
I am so thankful for all of you. I love to see you and catch up on Fridays and...
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In Silence
Posted November 9, 2021 For ten years silent meditation has been offered at St. Martins every weekday morning. Starting with Sharline Fulton, Lucretia Robbins and myself, the group has welcomed all sorts of folks over the years waning and waxing...
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Sought
Posted November 2, 2021 Jesus teaches us, “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:46) At Morning Prayer on All So...
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St. Martin's Day 2022
At St. Martin's, Stewardship season is an invitation to reflect on our resources as gifts from God, and resolve to give a portion back to God.
The Feast Day of St. Martin of Tours is an annual occasion at St. Martin's to celebrate what God has...
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Episcopal 101
The Rector will be offering his Introduction to the Episcopal Church class called Episcopal 101 on three Wednesday evenings from October 20 to November 3 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The class will give you a general introduction to the belief, practices a...
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October Evensong
Join us for the first Choral Evensong of the program year! This evensong (night prayer set to music) is led by Director of Music Mr. Tyrone Whiting and sung by the Choir of St. Martin's.
The Rev. Dr. Reed Carlson, an Episcopal priest and Assi...
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Why Jesus?
Posted September 28, 2021 In preparation for my forum session on evangelism, I asked myself a simple question: “Jarrett, why Jesus?” As a teacher and leader, I thought I should have “an account of the faith that is in me.” (1 Peter 3:1...
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Migrants
Posted September 21, 2021
The scenes in Del Rio, Texas, of Haitian migrants huddled under a bridge upset me in many ways. I have a long history with Haiti and my heart went out to these desperate and vulnerable people seeking safety and we...
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Welcome to LIFT!
September 7, 2021
Something new is beginning at St. Martin's. Something that is welcoming and nourishing to ALL in the Body of Christ.
I am thrilled to bring you LIFT: Living In Faith Together. Beginning 9/26 , we will offer a new way to...
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Stand with Afghan Refugees
Posted August 31, 2021
Today, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issued a press release highlighting ways to stand with Afghan refugees as conflict within Afghanistan continues to destabilize living conditions. You can take action in the followi...
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Generation to Generation
Posted August 31, 2021 As we emerge from the hottest summer ever recorded and look forward to the cool breezes of the Fall, my thoughts turn to the future of our planet. Year after year, we are breaking records for global temperature and we ar...
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St. Martin's New Office Assistant
Posted August 30, 2021
Beloved Members and Friends of St. Martin's,
We're excited to welcome a new member of our staff at St. Martin's! On Tuesday, August 31st, Noor Diskan will join our team as our new Office Assistant.
Born and raise...
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Permeable Self
Posted August 24, 2021
A married couple of medieval scholars advised my senior thesis in college. Professor Barbara Newman and Professor Richard Kieckeffer are experts on medieval saints and mystics and great supporters of my interest in Jo...
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Choristers Open Rehearsal
Do you know a child who loves to sing? Do you want to offer your child a FREE comprehensive music education? Then sign up today for the Chorister program at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Philadelphia!
Led by our new British Director ...
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Support On-the-Ground Earthquake Response in Haiti
Posted August 17, 2021 Over the weekend, Southern and Western Haiti were hit by a major earthquake, and with Tropical Storm Grace moving through the Caribbean, many face dangerous conditions amidst damaged infrastructure and severe weather.
...
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Wade in the Water
Posted August 10, 2021
On Sunday, August 15, at the beginning of the 10:30 a.m. liturgy, we will be baptizing Gavin McNair, a teenager who attends St. Martin's. Gavin requested full immersion baptism, saying, “This is the most importan...
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SUPPER with Summer at St. Martin's
Come to the Table with SUPPER A free, home-cooked meal for the whole community. We're thrilled to host our first SUPPER in 18 months at St. Martin's! This edition of SUPPER is hosted in conjunction with Summer at St. Ma...
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Masks Up!
Posted August 3, 2021
My message this week is an update on our COVID protocols as the staff and I keep an eye on the resurgence of COVID fueled by the Delta variant.
In short, we're bringing back a universal mask requirement for all indo...
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Congratulations to Natalee Hill!
Posted July 2, 2021
Beloved Members and Friends of St. Martin's,
With a profound mix of pride and heartbreak, I must announce that our beloved Associate for Communications and Administration Natalee Hill has accepted a new position at St....
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Solace and Strength
Posted June 23, 2021
“God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only...
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POWER Pilgrimage for Education Funding
STILL SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL: 100% FAIR FUNDING NOW!
Join us for a statewide, multi-site action in support of Governor Wolf's proposed budget that includes 100% Fair Funding for PA schools! Philadelphia's pilgrimage will take place on Monday, June 21, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. We will gather and start our walk at Samuel Gompers School (5701 Wynnefield Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131) and journey to Merion Elementary School (549 S Bowman Ave, Merion Station, PA 19066).
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Messages from the Border
Posted June 3, 2021 Last weekend, Tanya Regli (parishioner and St. Martin's Refugee Resettlement Ministry leader) began a two-week volunteer placement at the U.S./Mexico border in El Paso, Texas. The opportunity came about while she was doing ...
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Community Organizing Skills Training Opportunity
Posted June 2, 2021 Three trainings and an Action Opportunity.
St. Martin’s Community Organizer from POWER, Lilah Saber, will be training St. Martin’s Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in the basic skills of faith-based community organ...
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Music in Your Neighborhood - June Concert Series
Music. Food. Community.
We're working with our partner Artcinia to host five concerts, one on each Wednesday evening in June. Each concert will have its own musical theme. Each week a different food truck will come in for your dining ...
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New Around Here?
New to the Episcopal Church? Thursdays, June 10, 17, and 24 at 7 p.m. - Hybrid Are you new to the Episcopal Church and curious about what we believe, how we worship and what we stand for? The Rector will offer an introductory seminar on the...
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Help Gaza
Posted May 19, 2021
First things first in my Rector’s note for today; I am appealing to you for financial donations to Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City through the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem .
The courage...
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The Holy Spirit: birthdays, gifts, and fire
May 17, 2021
Dear parents and families,
Get ready to see a lot of red this week! The Day of Pentecost is this Sunday, May 23. Pentecost officially takes us out of the Easter season. Many Christians do not understand the significance of ...
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Pentecost activities for families
Pentecost is often referred to as "the birthday of the Church" because we recognize it as the day when the Holy Spirit descended from Heaven and breathed life into the apostles. The apostles now had the authority to baptize and began to spread th...
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COVID Safety Policy for Sunday, May 16, 2021
Posted May 14, 2021
The CDC announced new guidance on Thursday, May 13 pertaining to masks and distancing for fully vaccinated individuals. The new rules did not address houses of worship and we have not yet heard from our Bishop about how t...
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2021 Annual Meeting
Join in to celebrate the reimagining and resiliency of our community over the past year, discuss plans for how we will continue to reopen the property in the fall, and confirm our Vestry and Diocesan Convention delegate voting*. You won't want to...
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Loving What is Passing Away
Posted May 11, 2021 My dad and I had a funny moment of connection a few years ago. A pilot for Trans World Airlines for 30 years, my dad retired just before the venerable airline closed down for good. He literally wears his ambivalence about T...
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Took a Risk, Said a Prayer
Posted on May 5, 2021
Some of you know that my mother is in declining health. Recently, I was with her in a hospital room as we waited for discharge and transportation. Transitions are stressful and confusing so this was a time of heightened...
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So Many Ways
Posted April 28, 2021 The GPS app on my phone gave me three routes to reach the retirement community where a member lives. As I am well known for my distracted driving, the faithful app continued to update my options as I went. I arrived safel...
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Nominating Committee is Seeking Nominees
Posted April 22, 2021 In preparation for the Annual Meeting in June, the Vestry is seeking nominees for Vestry and Representative (Delegate) to Diocesan Convention. We need four nominees for Vestry and three for Convention. Eligible nominees a...
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The Verdict and the Ongoing Commitment
Posted April 21, 2021
April 20, 2021 was a tense day for me and for many of you. I waited for the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin with a tight knot in my stomach and jangly nerves throughout my body. When the guilty verdict was announc...
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Where do we find peace?
Posted April 19, 2021 Dear parents and families, After another traumatic week, I alternate between glazed-over and heartbroken. Another mass shooting. Another week of gun violence in Philly. Another life lost to police brutality. Another, an...
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St. James School Service Day
Service Day at St. James School! They are asking for help in their raised bed gardens, neighborhood clean up, and organizing the Welcome Table. Masks are required and social distancing will be in effect. Bring your own water bottle. All are welco...
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Risen, Wounded Body
Posted April 14, 2021
Last week your clergy participated in a Zoom meeting with Chantay Love, the Director of EMIR Healing Center in Germantown. EMIR (Every Murder is Real) is a healing ministry for families affected by violence. Chantay c...
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Week-long Earth Day Challenge
Posted April 12, 2021
Join the St. Martin's community this year as we serve as faithful stewards of God's creation by participating in our Earth Day Challenge. You are invited to post photos of yourselves and your families participating in t...
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Earth Day Sunset Compline
Join St. Martin's Climate Action Team for a Sunset Compline Walk in the Wissahickon for Earth Day. We'll meet at 6:00 p.m. at Valley Green Inn to start our walk. Parishioner Sue MacQueen will lead the walk and the Rev. Barbara Ballenger will lead...
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Looking for Helpers in Holy Week
Posted April 1, 2021
Dear parents and families,
One of the things that tends to make people uneasy about Holy Week is its overwhelming nature. There is simply so much to absorb beginning with Palm Sunday (which has two dichotomous section...
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Holy Week is in the Details
Posted on March 31, 2021
Why walk with a condemned man through torture, rejection, abandonment, humiliation, and a horrific death when Easter Sunday is so much more fun? It is a fair question. Another, equally righteous question is this; “...
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"A death so foretold"
Posted March 29, 2021
“There had never been a death so foretold.” - Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Dear parents and families,
Holy Week is similar to the anticipation of getting a shot: it make...
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Climate Justice and Jobs with POWER
A Community Conversation with Rabbi Julie Greenberg of POWER
POWER's Climate Justice and Jobs team works at the local and state levels to build racial and economic justice on a livable planet. POWER's Climate team works right at the int...
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Look Away?
Posted on March 23, 2021
On Sunday, the High School Youth Group and I prepared the cross we will use during Holy Week for our Stations of the Cross. (Detail at right) Using a beautiful plywood cross built by Marty Baumberger as our canvas,...
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“Come Back to Life” this Easter
Posted on March 17, 2021
“Come Back to Life” is our theme for our Easter celebration this year. We believe that the Resurrection sets us free from sin and death to live lives in an unbreakable, sustaining, and loving relationship...
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A Litany for the One-Year Anniversary of COVID
Posted March 15, 2021
This is our Prayers of the People Litany for the one year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will use this on both Sunday, March 14 and Sunday, March 21, 2021
God Our Loving Creator, your will for all people ...
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Carmela and Her Children Are Free!
Posted March 11, 2021
Dear friends,
“ Ms. Apolonio Hernandez is not a deportation priority”
There is no feeling like a prayer being answered. Today, after nearly 40 months in sanctuary, we are able...
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Meet Our New Sponsored Family in Haiti
Posted March 10, 2021. The following update came in from Beyond Borders, introducing us to the new family our donation to the Family Sponsorship Program is empowering.
I am so grateful to you and the people of St. Martin's for so generously sponsoring another family in Haiti. It means more than I can say -- especially in these extremely uncertain times. I’m pleased to introduce you to the Exilus family...
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A Year of Lent
Posted March 10, 2021
Worn down by a year of pandemic, I have found that I want to hear less from myself and more from scripture. Like all of us, I maintain a constant inner dialogue of self-talk and coaching that often bleeds over into pray...
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Nomadland and the Voice of Grace
Posted March 3, 2021
"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you; Let me not be humiliated, Nor let my enemies triumph over me." - Psalm 25
Stop reading this Rector’s Note and immediately watch the movie Nomadland. Frances McDormand is absolutely brilliant in her portrayal of a grieving widow named Fern caught on the wrong side of the low-wage economy.
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Lost is Scary Place to Be
Posted February 23, 2021 With my father away flying for the airline or the Air Force Reserve, my mother was often left to wrangle three small children through public spaces. When my sisters and I were five, three, and one years old, Mom resort...
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Introducing Anne Alexis Harra
Posted February 22, 2021
Dear Parents,
I’m very pleased to introduce you and your family to Anne Alexis Harra, our new full-time minister for children and youth. Today is her first day at St. Martin’s. You can send her a welcome email...
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A Letter to St. Martin's Families
Posted February 22, 2021
Dear friends,
God is good all the time . All the time, God is good .
Hi there! My name is Anne Alexis, and I am bursting with joy at this new journey we are about to take together! I am the new Children & ...
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The Gratitude Trap
Posted on February 10, 2021
You are probably tired of my constant recommendation to “Start with Gratitude” when you are beginning to pray. I hold to that advice and I have learned that is more complicated than it first appears. S...
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Relationship and Care
February 4, 2021
On a frigid Sunday morning in January, James Kent and the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel found John sleeping in the exterior stairwell that leads to the church school. The low temperature that night was 21 degrees. John was bundled up ...
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Prepare Ye the Way for Lent
February 3, 2021
Last week, a new member of the church asked me to discuss ways to observe Lent. I was overjoyed to have that conversation, and I extend an invitation to all of you to plan your Lenten practices with me or with the Rev. Barba...
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Love for Enemies - Matthew 5:43-48
January 28, 2021 You’re familiar with the old written law, “Love your friend,” and its unwritten companion, “Hate your enemy.” I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bri...
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Update on the Beneche Family in Haiti
January 22, 2021
We recently received some good news from our Community Engagement partner, Beyond Borders :
To everyone at St. Martin-in-the-Fields,
Thank you for your generous sponsorship of the Beneche family. When your sponsorsh...
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Who God Gives You
January 20, 2021 I saw an opportunity to be affirming and I took it. In response to the spree of executions late in the Trump administration, my friend Patti from high school posted on Facebook her opposition to the death penalty. After &lsqu...
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Celebrating MLK Day with Children and Youth
January 19, 2021
Dear Parents,
This note is coming a day later than usual, as the office was closed to observe the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday yesterday. The day is an important reminder that we should weave his message ...
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New Sanctuary and Immigrant Justice
A Wednesday Evening Community Conversation On Zoom - please register below for the link
New Opportunity for Faith in Action! Join special guest Blanca Pacheco, Co-Director of The New Sanctuary Movement (NSM) of Philadelphia, in a conversa...
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Love Includes Accountability
January 14, 2021 “Jesus looked straight at him with love and said, ‘You need only one thing. Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me.’ " ~ Mark 10:21 Polite so...
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MLK Weekend 2021
January 13, 2021
There are a variety of ways for you to honor and celebrate the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this coming weekend. Please join in these events to worship, learn, and act.
Union of Black Episcopalians...
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Hellos and Farewells at St. Martin's
January 13, 2021.
The new year comes with a few staffing changes. We’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you and farewell to those who’ve helped us weather this pandemic, and welcome our new staff members.
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Faith in the Ruins
A Rabbi, a Pastor & a Priest Convene a Conversation about America Post 1/6/21
The clergy of The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, Germantown Jewish Centre, and St. Martin's Episcopal will host a conversation about who we are as a countr...
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The Stones Would Cry Out
January 7, 2021 "I tell you, if my disciples were silent, the stones would cry out," said Jesus to the Pharisees. (Luke 19) The disciples were hailing Jesus as "the King who comes in the name of the Lord" on his triumphal entry into Jerusal...
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Pray for the Nation
January 6, 2021
[Updated January 15, 2021]
Ongoing Opportunities to Pray for Our Nation Please continue to pray for one another and our nation. We have several upcoming opportunities for you join in prayer with us. Compline and Pra...
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New Year Good News at St. Martin's
January 6, 2021
The rush of the holiday season may have temporarily obscured it, but there have been good things happening at St. Martin’s! Here’s some of what we hadn't shared yet:
Daniel Cooper hired as Associate for Audio ...
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New Year, New Books
January 6, 2021
Along with whatever resolutions you may (or may not) be making as the year begins, this is a great time to add to your reading list. Here are three of my favorite books of 2020. Each work of nonfiction is highly accessible an...
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New Year and Epiphany
January 4, 2020
If you’re like me and put up a freshly cut tree for Christmas this year, its drooping branches are a reminder that Christmastide is ending, and the time to pack away the decorations is drawing near. The Christmas season...
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Christmas Lost and Found
December 23, 2020
We are all feeling a great sense of loss this year around our typical Christmas traditions: gathering with family, big choral worship, and much more. The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel reminds us in this week's Rector's Note that ...
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Mark and Movies
A Virtual Bible Study with the Rev. Hal Taussig
Wednesday evenings in January 2021 from 7-8:30 p.m. on Zoom
A four-week introduction to the Year B Gospel readings of the Gospel of Mark will combine viewing three movies, one graphic nove...
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Mourn with Those Who Mourn
December 16, 2020. This week, our country passed a grim marker - 300,000 people lost to COVID-19. As the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel set up a memorial to those lost, he was reminded that we are called to pray with those who rejoice, and those who mourn. This way of prayer opens us to our interconnectedness in Christ.
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2020 Christmas Letter
December 10, 2020
“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” ~ John 1:5
Dear Friends,
Repeat these words from the Gospel of John gently in your heart and you are praying. Repeat these ...
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Advent Bonfires & Buskers
Fridays, Dec. 4, 11, & 18, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
Gather in the warm glow of a bonfire for conversation and love music with the Rector, the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel, during Advent. All ages are invited for a regular Friday bonfire starting at 4:30 p.m...
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Something Good is On the Way: Meditations for Advent
Wednesdays, December 2-16, 2020, at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Join the Rector Jarrett Kerbel and the Assoc. Rector Barb Ballenger for some soul work this Advent, meditating on the scriptures appointed for the season. Together we will reflect, share, and pray.
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St. Martin's Hymn
November 12, 2020
Did you know that we've got our very own version of a hymn about St. Martin of Tours? Every year we sing this song on St. Martin's Day. The lyrics were written by the Rt. Rev. Frank Griswold when he was the Rector of Church...
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Walk of the Holy Family
Join a consortium of area congregations and your Chestnut Hill neighbors in a Christmas event that raises critical funds for the Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network’s (PIHN) work in preventing homelessness and rapidly housing displaced families.
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Advent Lessons and Carols
As the days grow darker, and the church begins its annual preparations for the coming of Christ, St. Martin’s celebrates with an Advent Lesson & Carols. This service combines scripture readings with gorgeous choral music. With each reading ...
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The Great Pie Bake!
November 11, 2020. St. James School's Welcome Table is providing 300 Thanksgiving Dinners this year, and we're bringing dessert!
Please sign up to bake a pie (or two, or several!) and deliver them on Friday, November 20 between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. to St. Martin's parking lot...
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Who Was St. Martin of Tours?
November 9, 2020
Saint Martin's feast day is officially November 11, but we usually celebrate it as a parish on the closest Sunday. Find him in the stained glass window at the back of the church, and on the left-hand icon in the Lear Chapel....
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All the Feelings
October 28, 2020. The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel speaks about all the feelings wrapped up in this particular week as we say farewell to the Rev. Anne Thatcher, we continue to work out our digital worship quirks, we hold in love and care...
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Celebrating Halloween and All Saints this weekend
October 26, 2020
This weekend, Halloween will likely look and feel a bit different than usual as families negotiate the yearly ritual of candy and costumes with the current challenges of contact tracing and social distancing. On our street, ...
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Loving Presence
Led by the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel On Zoom
In response to the killing of George Floyd, Bishop Guttiérrez assembled the Loving Presence task force to develop a strategic plan for dismantling systemic racism in the Diocese of Pennsylvania. ...
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All Saints' Evensong
This Evensong will feature the music of jazz pianist Aaron Graves, who led worship under the tent this summer, along with several guest artists including vocalist Valerie Gay, Philadelphia 2020-2021 Poet Laureate Trapeta B. Mayson*, Monnette Sudl...
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Congratulations to the Rev. Anne Thatcher
October 19, 2020
Beloved Members and Friends of St. Martin's,
I write to you today with a cause for celebration! The Rev. Anne Thatcher has been called to be the Rector of St. Peter's in Morristown, New Jersey. While this news is bitters...
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Rejoice! Again, I Say, Rejoice!
October 8, 2020. Gratitude is something that brings us closer to God. There is so much to be grateful for at St. Martin’s and, in his Rector’s Note for this week, the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel shares just a few of those things.
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Lift Every Vote Postcards
October 7, 2020. Another election engagement option, shared by a parishioner, with a fast-approaching deadline: The non-partisan organization Lift Every Vote is wrapping up the last voter registration push in the country right here in Pennsylvania.
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Be Calm and Vote Early – Here’s How
October 2, 2020
So many choices! You have most likely been flooded or overwhelmed with ads and slogans over the past few weeks encouraging you to vote and the various ways to do so. And the information is changing every day. The good news fo...
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Beginning Beloved Community 2020
This five-week series provides an introduction to the individual and collective work of racial understanding, healing and action central to St. Martin's Becoming Beloved Community efforts.
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Keeping Sabbath
September 30, 2020. The Rev. Barbara Ballenger offers an Associate's Note this week on the importance of rest and worship in the week. Listen in to what is coming up for Family Worship at St. Martin's and how to join in!
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Register now for in-person Family Worship starting in October
September 24, 2020: Music, movement, rhythm and interactive prayer make Morning Prayer come alive for all ages in our new weekly, in-person (and live-streamed) Family Worship, which debuts Sunday October 4 at 9:15 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Registration is required for in-person attendance.
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Help Fight Homelessness in Philadelphia
September 23, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has tipped many Philadelphia families to the brink of homelessness. Although some legislation has been forwarded to forestall rent payments, those payments plus late fees will ultimately be due. St. M...
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Voter Education at Weavers Way Coop in Mt. Airy
Sign up for voter education at Weavers Way Coop. Many shoppers come there at the first of the month. We will hand out voting information flyers, plus help shoppers register to vote and request a mail in ballot using their own cell phones and the VotesPA.com website.
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Voter Education at Weaver's Way in Chestnut Hill
Sign up for voter education at Weavers Way Coop. Many shoppers come there at the first of the month. We will hand out voting information flyers, plus help shoppers register to vote and request a mail in ballot using their own cell phones and the VotesPA.com website.
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Text in the Tent
Voter Registration/Mail In Ballot Application Drive Join the Community Engagement Committee and the POWER Local Organizing Committee as we harness the power of mobile phone address books to prepare folks to vote in the upcoming election. Direc...
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Voting is our Sacred Duty
September 9, 2020
In this week's Rector's Note, the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel talks about our non-partisan Get Out the Vote efforts, and why voter engagement is a priority for the church.
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Fall Worship Changes
We are thrilled to announce that beginning on Sunday, October 4, worship at St. Martin's will move live, in-person, in our buildings. These services will also be live streamed
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This Old House
August 26, 2020
In Isabel Wilkerson's new book,
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, she describes the United States like an old house, the foundation is full of strengths and cracks....
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Goodbye from Office Assistant Mary Button
August 13, 2020 Dear Friends,
It’s been a whirlwind two years here in Philadelphia serving this amazing congregation as office assistant while completing coursework for my Master of Divinity at United Lutheran Seminary. I have loved g...
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Northwest Philly POWER Voter Engagement Initiatives
August 12, 2020
Two POWER congregations, Mishkan Shalom and St. Vincent's Church, are inviting the members of your congregations to join us in our Get-Out-the-Vote efforts. They're conducting training on the OutVote App so that your voluntee...
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Blessed Baking: Update August 10
I drove down to St. James loaded with baked goods and Leni Windle and Laura Sibson also drove down with diapers, toys, fans, etc.
James and John, two recent graduates and summer interns, helped us unload the cars.
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Swimming While White in Today’s World
August 11, 2020
Opening Conversations about Race in Predominately White Congregations
In this two-hour workshop, participants will learn how to start and sustain conversations about being white and embracing differences. Facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Bill Kondrath and Sarah Werkman, of Visions Inc.
There are two opportunities to participate...
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The 21 Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge
Can change really happen in only 21 days? This pandemic has shown us that, yes it may be so. Or, at least, a solid beginning towards change can be achieved. The Rev. Barbara Ballenger tells us more about the 21 Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge.
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Who Tells Your Story?
The Rev. Anne Thatcher brings us the Associate Rector's Note for the final week of July, 2020. Who tells the story of St. Martin's? We hope you will! Share your stories of St. Martin's with us, so that we can share them with others.
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Meet our New Director of Music!
July 27, 2020
I am pleased to announce my hire for Director of Music in this video message. You’ll also hear from our hire themselves. Please click the play button above to view it.
I want to thank Michael Martin Mills and his w...
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Tell Us Your St. Martin's Story!
Do you have a great St. Martin's story to share? We'd love to hear it! As part of our We Are St. Martin's video, we are seeking stories that share the spirit of St. Martin's. Here are three prompts to reflect upon...
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Worship in a Tent
June 24, 2020
The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel's Rector's Note for the week of June 22 is an invitation to join us for limited in-person worship, starting this Sunday, June 28.
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Virtual Real Presence?
June 18, 2020
The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel discusses the Episcopal theology behind our practice of Holy Eucharist, and why, when we return to limited in-person worship, we will not be returning right away to serving the Holy Eucharist.
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Some Notes for Annual Meeting
June 10, 2020
The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel talks us through how to prepare for worship and our annual parish meeting this coming Sunday, June 14. There are a few changes to how we've been doing worship up until now, so listen in for...
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New Saturday Prayer Group
June 8, 2020
A new Zoom Saturday morning prayer group is now up and running for those who miss having communal morning prayer at 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays . This is a lay-led gathering using a simplified version of the morning prayer program. ...
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Help Wire the Church
June 2, 2020 To make sure we can include most of our members going forward we are extending our wireless system to the church and installing a live-stream video system. Our goal is to capture worship through a live stream or a recording for t...
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Special Edition: June 2, 2020
June 2, 2020
The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel is issuing this Rector's Note early in the week to address what we've been seeing this weekend and into the week in Philadelphia and around the nation.
"As we are all deeply concerned about the...
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A Chat with the Bishop (Note the earlier time!)
*Please Note the earlier time!*
For this week's Community Conversation, we are excited to welcome our Bishop, Daniel Gutiérrez for a time for us to join him in a virtual gathering. As we continue to journey through this pandemic together, our Bishop wants to spend time in conversation with us.
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The Glory of the Cross
May 28, 2020
Rector's Note for the week of May 25, 2020. The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel, rector of the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Philadelphia, PA, shares a re-play of his sermon from Sunday, May 24, which offers comfort in r...
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Online Morning Prayer and Annual Meeting
10:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
11:15 a.m. Annual Meeting
At our annual meeting we'll share updates from the year, discuss plans to resume limited in-person worship, and confirm our Vestry and Diocesan Convention delegate voting. Please wat...
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Process for Resuming In-Person Worship
May 26, 2020
The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel, rector of the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Philadelphia, PA, talks about where St. Martin's is in the investigation process for reopening in-person worship, and what we do and don't y...
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Sweet Sunday Bakers
May 19, 2020
On Monday, May 18 we delivered home baked goods for over 100 family meal bags to St. James School. When we arrive, all is hustle-bustle with families and neighbors arriving to pick up Share boxes, homework assignments, and boo...
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Process Update for Reopening
May 19, 2020
Rector's Note for the week of May 18, 2020. The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel, rector of the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Philadelphia, PA, talks about where St. Martin's is in the investigation process for reopening ...
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Silence = Death
Rector's Note for the week of May 11, 2020. The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel, rector of the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Philadelphia, PA, reflects on the stress our country is under and the way it reveals underlying inequities in o...
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Holy Feast and Holy Fast
May 7, 2020 A Video Rector's Note for the Week of May 4. The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel, rector of the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Philadelphia, PA, discusses the experience of fasting as a new spiritual practice he has started d...
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Ongoing Acts of Generosity
April 29, 2020
St. Martin's continues to demonstrate its generosity in the midst of COVID-19. You can read about acts we previously reported on in our post from April 8 . Since then, here are some additional ways that St. Martin's parishi...
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Try this exercise for self-calming
April 30, 2020
In our house these are anxious days, with more than their share of melt-downs. And that's not even the kids! Steady, measured breathing can be a great way to calm down a panicky moment.
Teach your family members this Take ...
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God Calls Us by Name
April 29, 2020
A Video Rector's Note for the Week of April 27.
The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel reflects on the stories found in both the Old and New Testaments about the gift of recognizing God's voice when we are called by name.
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Parents Connecting: Easter
Gather with other parents for prayer and support 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. via Zoom - please RSVP for the link. Being a parent is a series of awakenings to what it means to have taken on the great responsibility of bringing new life into the w...
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Seeing the Future
April 23, 2020 A Video Rector's Note for the Week of April 20.
The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel reflects on a vivid image that recently came to his mind. He seeks to understand the dual meanings of the image that can be found as we also consider Mar...
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Finding the Faces
April 2, 2020 A Video Rector's Note for the Week of March 30.
The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel reflects on the need for Saints as tangible faces of God's love in the world when we are in need of hope, courage, strength, and guidance.
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Holy Week for the Whole Family
Available for download today!
St. Martin's downloadable Holy Week for the Whole Family resources invite families to experience at home the stories that lead up to Easter. This version of Holy Week for the Whole Family is designed to reflect our current practices of sheltering at home and keeping physical distance during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Pandemic Hope
March 25, 2020
Today's Rector's Note is offered via video by the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel. Please watch below. Below the video is the text of the poem he shared with us.
Pandemic written on March 11, 2020, by Lynn Ungar What if you t...
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Empowerment in Crisis: Things you CAN do.
March 19, 2020, updated April 2, 2020*
Supporting each other in the time of Coronavirus
*Where to find free, nutritious food during COVID-19
Resource from the City of Philadelphia
Food Drive for St. Luke's Food Pantry. We...
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COVID-19 Parish Response UPDATE: Flatten the Curve and Acts of Care
March 11, 2020
Flatten the Curve and Acts of Care.
Above, you will see a chart that is guiding our response to COVID-19 at St. Martin’s. In a pandemic the goal is to slow the rate of spread by practicing social distancing. By taking on the acts of care that make up social distancing, we will protect our neighbors and ourselves...
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(All the) Small Things
February 26, 2020 Some small acts of courtesy make me very happy. When traffic halts and patiently waits for a funeral procession to pass by. When traffic pauses to let a pedestrian cross in the crosswalk or a family load children into the...
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Building for Ministry in 2020
February 19, 2020 Parish forum on Sunday, February 9 was a powerful example of excellent lay leadership and much more. Accounting Warden Bob Allen - who is in his eighth year as accounting warden - gave a financial report describing the robust...
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Salt and Light
February 12, 2020 What would you say about a parent that left the gas stove running and matchbooks all around the floor and left their children in the house alone? Some writers think that God did much the same with humanity. Why make such a wo...
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Women Connecting: Easter
Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. to 11:30.
Via Zoom video conference.
All women are welcome to this seasonal mini-retreat hosted by Wellspring. Through the gifts of silent reflection and deep listening, participants share and receive each other in the stories they tell.
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How Do I Know God
February 5, 2020 God inspired me to write this poem in Anne Ritchings and Kay Hankinson's Epiphany Wellspring series on a contemplative approach to reading poetry. The poem I wrote in response to was Mary Oliver's Some Questions You Might Ask...
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Won't you be my neighbor?
February 5, 2020 A Philadelphia attorney told me about his early years as a Public Defender. Thirty years ago, this young African American lawyer would travel a circuit with a judge moving from a courtroom in town, to a courtroom in North Phil...
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Celebrating the Fruits of Generosity
January 29, 2020
The vestry passed our 2020 budget on Tuesday and we have much cause for thanksgiving to God and gratitude to our generous members. Here are some highlights: For the 9th year in a row we passed a balanced budget. We lowere...
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Lenten Retreat at Holy Cross Monastery
"Let the silence teach you"
Friday, March 13, 2020 through Sunday, March 15, 2020
The retreat is currently full. Please contact the Rev. Jarrett Kerbel to be added the wait list.
Our annual retreat to Holy Cross Monastery in Wes...
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The Power of a Single Voice
January 15, 2020 One student can change a classroom. Starting on January 2, I devoted five days a week to teaching a class at Princeton Theological Seminary. My co-teacher and I had 13 students who participated, took the initiative, and create...
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A Christmas message from London
January 8, 2020 Sometimes the best I can offer my beloved community comes from someone wiser than me. The Rev. Dr. Sam Wells, Vicar of the Church of St. Martin in the Fields, London, wrote the following Christmas message to his parish. He puts...
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The Week of Firsts
December 19, 2019 Since last Friday’s ordination to the priesthood, it has been a week of startling firsts for me. First blessing, first absolving, first bread-breaking. There was my first Sunday as a priest, followed unbelievably by a first...
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The First Word, the Everyday Word, the Final Word
December 19, 2019 I hope you will all take a minute to read the prologue to the Gospel of John (1:1-14) as we approach Christmas Day. These beautiful verses probably came from an early hymn of the church. I find them to be reassuring, comforti...
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Celebrating our Newest Bridge-Builders
December 12, 2019
This is an especially joyful week for St. Martin’s community. On Friday, we will host the ordination of the Revs. Barbara Ballenger and Laura Palmer to the priesthood. I want to encourage all of our members to attend to s...
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Honey Bucket
December 5, 2019 When my parents said to me, “Grab your honey bucket, Jarrett,” what they meant was, “Go shovel manure!” And so I did. With a shovel in one hand and a five gallon bucket in the other I would limp around the meadow shove...
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It's GivingTuesday!
This GivingTuesday, Support Beyond Borders in Haiti
Today is GivingTuesday and we invite you to give to Beyond Borders in Haiti for their work empowering women, ending violence against women and girls, and ending child slavery.
Clic...
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Interim Music Director Announced
December 2, 2019 We will welcome Lyn Loewi on Sunday, January 19 Interim Music Director, Lyn Loewi is “thrilled to be joining the work and mission at St. Martin’s. While visiting with the Reverend Jarrett Kerbel last month, I was struck b...
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Living with Complexity
November 27, 2019
One sign of maturity is the ability to hold complex thoughts and feelings in tension with each other. As we grow in grace and compassion we are able to hear and hold many perspectives at once and we relinquish the impatient...
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People Who Pray
My morning ritual includes a quick stop at the Wyndmoor 7/11 before worship at St. Martin’s. A creature of habit, I start each day with a small coffee and an old-fashioned donut. The clerks know me by name and what I do for a living, so they ca...
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I See an Eternal Life in Your Future
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger speaks of the power of imagination, especially God's imagination, and the resulting radical hope found in God's vision for the kingdom. Listen to her sermon for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, "I See an Eternal Life in...
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