The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Field Notes

For Pastoral Care 

Call 215-247-7466 and leave a message. If you are experiencing a pastoral emergency

text or call the Rev. Dr. Mary Barber at (845) 527-9545.

Have you had an address, email, or phone number update?

Send us your update here.

Field Notes submission requests must be emailed by Tuesday at noon to ndiskan@stmartinec.org.

This email is best viewed as a webpage. Click here to make sure you don't miss anything!

Sunday, October 4, 2026:

The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Spoken)

9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist for Children, Youth, & Families

Followed by pet blessings

10:30 a.m. Ch0ral Holy Eucharist

Also via livestream here

Followed by pet blessings

&

Worship Reflections

This Sunday's Readings

Job 39:1–18 | Psalm 121 | Acts 4:32-35, 5:1-11 | Luke 12:13-21

Rector's Note

A new stewardship season will be starting soon, and St Martin’s is again using the Consecration Sunday model to invite each of us to think and pray about what God is calling us to give.

Consecration Sunday is about proportionate giving -- choosing to give a percentage of whatever money we get, whenever we get it. Whether that percentage is 1% or 10% is less important than how we give. Giving this way means taking that percentage off the top, as soon as we are paid, as often as we are paid. Off the top, given first, before any bills are paid or purchases are made. 

We give because we are thankful. We give because we know that what God gives us is more than we could ever pay back. And we give because it helps us. Giving off the top, letting go some of what we get, helps us to become more free. It can help us be less anxious about money, and about other things. As a regular practice, proportional giving can grow our trust in God, to trust that we will have enough. Continue reading here.

Features

Blessing of the Animals on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

THIS Sunday, Oct. 4th

After the 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. services

All are invited for our annual pet blessings on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi! Please bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier. Those who do not wish to bring their pet in person are welcome to instead bring a stuffed animal or photo to be blessed. We look forward to seeing you and your animal companion(s)!

Keep the Coffee Coming!

What makes Sunday worship even better? Coffee, conversation, and a little nosh afterward! All through September, the Stephen Ministry has sponsored our informal coffee hour. Thank you! 

We’re looking for other ministries and parishioners to step up. It’s an easy and fun way to bring people together—and you don’t have to be a gourmet chef.

Sponsor a week by bringing juice and treats to share. Homemade, store-bought, or somewhere in between—all are welcome. Coffee and tea are provided by the church.

Have a birthday, anniversary, family milestone, or just want to celebrate your fellow parishioners? Coffee hour is the perfect opportunity.

Sign up here or on the clipboard in the Parish Hall and help keep the coffee—and the fellowship—flowing! Important: Please be sure to include your phone and email so Lydia Ogden can follow up with you.

First Meeting of Wellspring's Spiritual Classics Book Group

THIS Saturday, October 3rd, at 2:30 p.m.

Our new Spiritual Classics book group will hold its inaugural meeting on Oct. 3rd at the home of parishioner Lorie Simmons in Mt. Airy. We will discuss Henri J. M. Nouwen's book, The Return of the Prodigal Son, A Story of Homecoming. After the discussion we will decide what titles to read next and when and where to meet in the future! Please contact Lorie Simmons with any questions and for the exact address: loriesimmons@comcast.net.

Spirituality of Aging: Special Meeting at Maguire Hall!

Wednesday, October 14th

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Our Spirituality of Aging group is taking a field trip this month! We will meet at Maguire Hall of Woodmere Museum for a tour hosted by group member and museum docent Jim Fairburn. The recently transformed 18th century mansion features Philadelphia's artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Located at 9001 Germantown Avenue (just past Norwood-

Fontbonne Academy), it is fully accessible, with an adjacent parking lot. Jim will guide us on an approximately hour-long tour, and we will have access to the museum afterwards. For more information, or to let us know you would like to join us, please contact Elizabeth Morrison by October 12,

at elizabeth.donnell.morrison@gmail.com.

Snapshots

Farewell Celebration for Rev. Luke

Photos courtesy of Audrey Reid and Noor Diskan

Children, Youth, & Families

Introducing Our New Associate Rector for Children, Youth, and Families: The Rev. Shanna Hawks

Click here to read Rev. Mary's announcement in full.

"Dear Members and Friends of St. Martin's,

I am happy to announce our new Associate Rector for Children, Youth, and Families, The Rev. Shanna Hawks. Shanna will start at St Martin's on November 1. She comes with a heart for CYF ministry and a wealth of experience. I know she will be a great addition to this community and will carry forward the work Rev. Luke has so ably begun. I can't wait for you to meet her! 

Mary+"

St. Martin's Church School 

Weekly on Sundays, 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Join us weekly immediately following the 9 a.m. service in Hilary House, around 9:45 a.m., for time with Bible stories and stories of our faith. To learn more about Godly Play, the curriculum that we will be using for ages 4-12, you can click here.

Sermon

The Rev. Luke Selles

The 18th Sunday after Pentecost

Sun., Sept. 27th

Be of the same mind? Yes, that’s right, Paul commends the church at Philippi to be of the same mind.

This sounds awfully like the evil force in Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle Time, the large, disembodied brain called “IT” who governs the hive-mind, an ultra-conformist society on the planet Camazotz. Here there is no fear, pain, or freedom because all share one consciousness. Continue reading here.

Coming Up

Upcoming Office Closure: Monday, Oct. 12th

The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, October 12th in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. If you experience a pastoral emergency while we are closed, you can still reach Rev. Mary by text or phone call: (845) 527-9545.

Philadelphia Eleven and Bishop Barbara Harris Exhibit Center

Monday, October 12th at 1:30 p.m.

225 S. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106

In 2024, the Rt. Rev. Daniel G.P. Gutierrez expressed a deep desire to commemorate two historic moments in the Episcopal Church:

• The ordination of the Philadelphia Eleven - the first women ordained in the Episcopal Church
• The consecration of Bishop Barbara Harris —the first woman bishop of the Episcopal Church

In response to this vision, a dedicated committee was formed to establish a lasting space to honor these courageous women. The result is The National Center for Courageous Women of Faith—a place where their stories, struggles, and triumphs can inspire future generations. Join the National Center for Courageous Women of Faith on Oct. 12th for the grand opening of the exhibition.

Learn more here.

Wednesday Noon Eucharist

Mary Chapel

Wellspring Worship Reflections

After the 10:30 a.m. service

Houston Room

Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA)

Thursdays 7-8:30 p.m. (Library)

Al Anon

Sundays 6-7 p.m. (Houston Room)

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

1 - Tuesdays 8-9 p.m. (Houston Room)

2 - Thursdays 7-8 p.m. (Houston Room)

3 - Fridays 7-8 p.m. (Houston Room)

4 - Sundays 8-9 p.m. (Houston Room)