Backpack Blessings

Backpack Blessings

by | Aug 4, 2021 | News

Backpack Blessings on August 13

 

All students, teachers, school volunteers, whether you’re in preschool, public school, private school, Sunday School, college, or graduate school: you’re invited to receive a special blessing and backpack tag!

Please bring your backpacks to church when you come to worship on Sunday, August 13 at 9:15 am and we will pray for the excitement of learning, growth, and fun as we begin a new school year.

After church, join us for a potluck brunch in the large parish hall!. Cupcakes & snow cones will be provided. 

Please bring brunchy potluck items to the kitchen before the 9:15 am service. 

Children’s Chapel

Children’s Chapel

by | Jul 29, 2021 | Christian Formation

At St. Martin’s, children are ALWAYS welcome in worship – wiggles and all!

For those families who desire it, children and youth will also be welcome (but not required!) to participate in a time of Scripture reading, reflection, and prayer designed specifically for them.

At the 10:30 service, families will begin in worship together. After the Gospel reading, children will follow the cross out to the children’s chapel. Teens are welcome to join in to learn and help with younger children. Parents are also welcome to accompany their child.

We will all regather for the Eucharist, as we come together around God’s table as God’s family.

Children and Youth participate in a Family Worship Service on first Sundays at 10:30 am. The Children’s Choir performs, and children and youth read scripture from the Old Testament, New Testament and recite the Prayers of the People.
The choir practices in Chapel on 4th and 1st Sundays. Walk-ins are also always welcome, as the music instruction is tailored for children who attend for the first time! 
Godly Play

Godly Play

by | Jul 29, 2021 | Christian Formation, Sunday School for Kids

Created by Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman, the Godly Play® method is a curriculum of spiritual practice exploring the mystery of God’s presence in our lives. The Godly Play curriculum engages what is most exciting about religious education: God inviting us into—and pursuing us in the midst of—Scripture and spiritual experience. Godly Play® practice teaches us to listen for God and to make authentic and creative responses to God’s call in our lives.

Godly Play is a creative, imaginative approach to Christian formation and spiritual guidance.
Godly Play has a Montessori foundation with 40+ years of research and practice.
Godly Play values process, openness, discovery, community and relationships.
Godly Play models the worship life, stories, symbols and rituals of Christian congregations.
Godly Play allows practitioners to make relevant and personal theological meaning.
Godly Play nurtures participants to larger dimensions of belief and faith through wondering and play.

For online videos and instruction from the Godly Play Foundation website click here.

Godly Play: ages 3 – 5th grade

Please join us for Godly Play on Sundays at 9:30 am in the Godly Play room in the big parish hall.

A doorkeeper will greet each child as they enter the Godly Play room adorned with a bright red circular rug and plenty of bible stories. A trained storyteller brings Bible stories out of the pages by retelling them using props and accessories. Children are invited to ask questions about the story during a “wondering time.” At the end, children can respond to the story in art form, by painting, drawing, or using other art media we have on hand. Older children help younger children, and it is a wonderful way to learn about the stories of the Bible and grow faith.

Register for Godly Play

Choir Practice

Choir Practice

by | Jul 29, 2021 | Group

Vocal Workshop

Monday, July 8 at 7:30 pm

Even if you are not already in the choir, we invite anyone high school age and up to attend our Vocal Workshop. We’ll meet promptly at 7:30 pm in the Choir Loft.

We may sing some hymns, but the emphasis will be on singing technique.  Everyone will push the boundaries of their ability in a fun atmosphere!

Get Involved!

Bob Duquesnel, our choir director, and the current members of the choir would like to extend an invitation to anyone who would like to sing with us in the loft on Sundays at the 10:30 am service. We’ve made room for about 20 singers to supplement the joyful music the congregation makes, singing of our Salvation and giving glory in gratitude to God!

We meet at 9:30 am each Sunday and review that day’s music as well as things we’ll sing on future Sundays. No other rehearsal night is planned but we will have some optional after service workshops for whatever needs arise. These will vary depending on the parish calendar and are intended to help you if you desire to develop your talents.

Please don’t feel obligated if your life only allows intermittent attendance. Just know that in all our parish’s music we experience divine intervention at the intersection of heaven and earth!

For more information, please contact bob.duquesnel@stmartininthefields.org.

Registration isn’t required, but it sure helps us keep track of everyone!

Sign up for Choir

Announcing our New Rector – Rev. Canon Alan D. Bentrup

Announcing our New Rector – Rev. Canon Alan D. Bentrup

by | Jul 1, 2021 | News, The Search for a Rector

Dear Parish Family,

It is with great pleasure that I announce that the Vestry has elected the candidate recommended by the Search Committee, The Rev. Canon Alan D. Bentrup, as the new Rector of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church.

 
Father Alan is a native Texan who grew up in west Fort Worth and graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington. After a ten-year career as a marketing consultant in Dallas and Houston, Alan and his family moved to Alexandria, Va., where he attended Virginia Theological Seminary.
 
Following graduation from seminary, Alan served as Associate Rector at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Cypress, Texas, and in 2018 was called to serve as Canon for Evangelism and Mission in the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. He serves in numerous leadership positions across the Episcopal Church, including the Voorhees College Board of Trustees and Episcopal Relief & Development’s Council of Advice.

Alan has two young sons, Walker (11) and Ford (13), and has discerned that they belong back in North Texas.

We are so fortunate that he has agreed to share his leadership skills and experience with us at St. Martin’s and in the Episcopal Church in North Texas.

We will welcome the family in late July. Please watch for details as soon as the appropriate arrangements can be made. You can send a welcome greeting to the Bentrups by clicking HERE.

In the meantime, let us offer this prayer each day:
 
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: We give you thanks for Alan, chosen Rector of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, for his family, Elizabeth, Ford, and Walker, and for those whose faithful service and prayerful discernment led to his call to come to us. Watch over Alan, his family, and those they leave behind in this transition. Give ­Alan grace to lead us as a pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us to unite us as Rector and People that we may truly, devoutly, and generously serve you and our neighbor; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
I would like to take a moment to thank the Search Committee for their hard work and tireless effort. They did a wonderful job of finding a new Rector to lead St. Martin-in-the-Fields on the next road of our journey! I would be remiss if I did not say thank you to the members of the congregation for your patience, support and prayers throughout the Search Process. Now let me be among the first to welcome Fr. Alan and his family to St. Martin-in-the-Fields.
Fr. Alan sends his greetings in the video below.
 
Yours in Christ,
Keen Haynes
Senior Warden