Friends, I invite you to read this passage from 2 Timothy as a family, and meditate on these questions:

Paul's words to his dear friend, Timothy, in this week's Epistle passage have been on my mind and in my heart. Paul, who is writing his Second Letter to Timothy from a jail cell, has mentored the young pastor (Timothy) for several years at the time of authorship.

Paul was nearing the end of his life at this point. This deeply pastoral, love-filled letter to a friend was Paul's ministerial swan song. Paul knows that this letter will sustain Timothy through the turbulence and fraught nature of ministry in the Early Church. It is a true gift.

Reading Paul's encouraging words to Timothy in 2022, with so much chaos in the world and at home, has felt as comforting as drinking a hot cup of tea on a cold winter day. That we are connected through Word and Sacraments to ancient Christians (like Paul and Timothy) experiencing strife, uncertainty, and violence is nothing short of a miracle, and it is a reminder of God's boundless love for us. I pledge to carry out my ministry fully, even when life tries to get me down. My prayer is that you will, too.

Parents, grandparents, caregivers, and nannies are invited to St. Martin's every Tuesday morning from 9-11am for a playgroup! The playgroup is rain or shine. Meet fellow parents over a cup of coffee on these gorgeous fall mornings. All ages are welcome.

All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For more information, contact Anne Alexis Harra.

Stewardship Kick-Off Weekend

Plans are coming together for the Stewardship events on October 21, 22, and 23! Events for all ages (including families!) will occur throughout the weekend. Join us on Friday evening for an Adults-Only Parish Party, "Ghouls and Ghosts." Saturday morning, we invite you to join us for a breakfast hosted by the Men's Group -- little ones are encouraged to attend and help pour syrup, serve pancakes, or simply greet folks as they arrive. Round out the weekend on Sunday morning with a fall-themed family-friendly party, complete with pumpkin decorating and bobbing for apples!

We are delighted to welcome Emily Walker (she/her) as our new Parish Administrator, and to welcome back Luca Farrell (they/them) as our Office Assistant.

Emily grew up in Huntingdon Valley in the Episcopal Church and attended Penn Charter, where she loved Quakerism, service and the arts. At the College of William & Mary, she studied English and Education and was a member of the Canterbury Episcopal group with Bruton Parish Church. Her faith journey took her to the Candler School of Theology at Emory, where she served as seminarian with Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church and met her husband, Justin! In St. Petersburg, FL, she served as children’s minister and went through the discernment process. In the past several years, Emily deepened her yoga and meditation practice as a 200 RYT and makes time for quiet each day. She and Justin live with their blind husky, Nala Phoenix, in Fort Washington. When she is home, she enjoys reading, running in the Wissahickon and painting. Welcome, Emily!

Luca is a musician from New Jersey who moved to Philadelphia and graduated from Temple University with a masters in music. They live in West Philadelphia, are one quarter of the music and poetry group Oarsman, and are keyboardist in the band Mitamu. Many of you will remember Luca, who joined the St. Martin's staff as a temporary hire over the summer. We loved Luca so much, we hired them permanently! Welcome back, Luca!

St. Martin's has such talented music staff! Madeleine Moran, our LIFT Worship Music Leader, has an upcoming concert with the Mendelssohn Chorus on Oct. 15 at 4pm at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Rittenhouse Square. The Chorus will be performing Bach’s Magnificat and a contemporary piece called This Love Between Us, and Madeleine is going to be a featured soloist in the Magnificat! She writes, "I would be honored if you could attend. You can get tickets here. Be sure to use the code MCPFRIENDSANDFAMILY for a 15% discount at checkout." Congratulations, Madeleine!

Join us for LIFT Worship to hear the Word of God, receive the Eucharist, and sing some wonderful hymns, led by our LIFT Musician, Madeleine Moran! Madeleine has chosen lovely music to enhance our worship. Join us at LIFT and raise your voice in song with us! We will sing:

God of all seasons, we thank you for Autumn. We thank you for the touch of coolness in the air that gives us a new burst of energy, for the coloring of trees that shows the creativity of the Divine Artist, for the falling leaves that reveal the strength of the branches, for the hues of fields that bring peace to our souls, for the smiles on pumpkins that bring joy to children, for the fall harvest which that brings us gratitude for the bounty of our land, for this change of seasons that reveals the circle of life. God of all seasons, as you transform the earth, transform us by your Spirit. Amen.

O God, we pray for our parish family, that we may be genuine in our self-reflection, loving in our communion, and daring in our faith. Instill in us a vision of the church’s family; that, guided by your Holy Spirit, we will be united in love and joyfully accomplish this mission, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Send me an email or call me at 215.247.7466 x104 to talk about nurturing faith in your family.

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