Grief Counseling Resources
The St. Martin’s community wants to want to walk with you in times of crisis, illness, and grief. To discuss pastoral care needs, please contact the church office or Fr. Alan Bentrup.
You can also learn more about mental health and grief resources in our surrounding community at the following links:
For the death of a family member or friend:
For other counseling needs:
Funerals
If you suffer a death in your family, please notify the parish office at 817-431-2396, or Fr. Alan at 713-553-3358.
The ministry and care of grieving families is a priority for the St. Martin’s community. We care about your family, are eager to offer comfort, and stand ready to help you understand God’s love.
All funerals at St. Martin’s follow the rich burial services found in The Book of Common Prayer, and our clergy will assist your family with the important details of memorial and burial, whether planning ahead or planning when a loved one dies unexpectedly.
Learn more about funerals in the Episcopal Church
The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too, shall be raised.
The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, not height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.
—Book of Common Prayer, pg. 507
Funeral Planner
Holy Scripture teaches us of the reality of death and the joy of Resurrection. Part of our Christian stewardship is to prepare for our death by making a will, planning for our funeral and when possible, in making a bequest to our church or other charities.
The purpose of this form is to allow you to express your wishes regarding your funeral service. It is perfectly acceptable to return this form to the church partially completed or to return the form to the church now and update it in the future. To make it more likely that your wishes will be followed, please discuss your plans with your family and let them know that you have a Funeral Planning Form on file at St. Martin’s.
This form will be invaluable to your survivors at the time of your death. Once completed, it will remain in our digital archives, and hard copy files. The office will be happy to print out copies of this form for you as copies should be sent to your attorney, funeral home and family members.
Clergy are trained to help their people prepare for a Holy death. A clergy member is available to help you with this form. Please contact the office at 817-431-2396 or stmartin@stmartininthefields.org to schedule an apppointment.
Weddings
Jesus’ first miracle occurs at a wedding feast in Cana. Christian marriage centers on mutual joy and lifelong commitment and marks a great celebration within a couple’s life. At St. Martin’s, we are thrilled to share in your joy!
All weddings at St. Martin’s follow the rich marriage services found in The Book of Common Prayer, and our clergy will assist you with the important details of the celebration.
St. Martin’s requires at least six months between approval and ceremony. Once approved, the date will be placed on the church calendar.
Pre-marital counseling is required prior to marriage by the Episcopal Church. The couple is expected to attend four one-hour sessions with our rector or the clergy-person performing the ceremony. It is the responsibility of the couple to schedule these sessions and to have them completed before the wedding day.
To begin the scheduling process, please contact the church office at 817-431-2396.
Vestry Minutes August 21, 2022
St. Martin-in-the-Fields Vestry Meeting, August 21, 2022
Present: Alan Bentrup, Jim McManic, Jen Duncan, Keen Haynes, Bob Garrity, Linda Seeber, Mary Anderson, Melissa Kurkul, DJ Mitchell, Amanda Alvarez, Rick Schulz, Bob Bess, Joe Stark
Representatives from VLK Architects were present for the meeting
- The June minutes were presented. No changes were made. DJ Mitchell made a motion to accept and Bob Bess seconded. Vestry voted and approved.
- Finance Committee Report – Gary Wilkinson
- See attached report for details
- Explained what review of the finances. Committee found no discrepancies or issues during the July review. Members signed off on the committee and their findings.
- DJ explained the current financial situation at SMITF and presented his report.
- Vestry voted to accept the report
- Master Plan presentation
- VLK Architects presented conceptual master plan ideas for vestry review
- Senior Warden – Keen Haynes
- VPIC schedule
- Discussed the ministry fair on September 11th
- Jr Warden Report– Joe Stark, Rick Schulz
- Reported on repairs and maintenance issues
- Given the go ahead to call the sprinkler man and get them repaired/replaced
- Restriping of the parking lot which was requested by the City of Southlake
- Announced that a new Fire Inspection Company has been hired.
- Rector’s Report – Alan Bentrup
- Announced a grant for the Stephen’s Ministry.
- Asked for a motion to create a line item for the funds.
- Old Business
- Title Issue is being investigated by Diocese of Texas
- Fever has hired someone to mow the grounds.
Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted
Mary Anderson
Online Worship: The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Vestry Minutes June 20, 2022
St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Vestry Minutes June 20, 2022
Present: Alan Bentrup, Paula Jefferson, Jim McManic, Jen Duncan, Keen Haynes, Bob Garrity, Linda Seeber, Mary Anderson, Melissa Kurkel, DJ Mitchell, Amanda Alvarez, Rick Schulz, Bob Bess, Joe Stark
Absent:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 by the Rev. Alan Bentrup
Opening Prayer offered by Alan
May Minutes approved
Finance Committee Report – Gary Wilkinson
- See the attached report
- Gary Wilkinson is looking into an affordable review with David Lowder’s assistance.
- Reports approved.
Senior Warden Report – Keen Haynes
- VPIC assignments filled for July and August
- Diocesan merger was discussed.
Junior Warden Report– Joe Stark and Rick Schulz
- Updated vestry on various property items around the campus.
Assistant Rector– Paula Jefferson
- Offered update on Stephen Ministry
Rector’s Report – Alan Bentrup
- Master plan update on meetings with VLK Architects, to be presented at August meeting
- Discussion of staffing changes with Rev. Paula leaving for St. Christopher’s
- Bob Duquesnel has been hired as the new choir director
- Raises for Parish Admin and Family Minister starting Aug 1
- Motion to submit application for Parish Status in the Diocese of Texas (EDOT) approved unanimously; application to be signed by vestry and parishioners
- Motion to establish new temporarily restricted fund for Building Bridges program unanimously approved. Building Bridges is a partnership with Chrysallis Center (Carla Pulliam) focsed on support and education for parents of LGBTQ teens, funded by diocesan mission grant
Closing Prayer – Alan Bentrup
Adjourned at 8:00
Respectfully submitted
Mary Anderson – Vestry Clerk
Online Worship: The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Al-Anon Family Group of Keller
Al-Anon Family Group of Keller meets at 5:30 pm on Sundays in the large parish hall. This fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics share their experience, strength and hope to solve their common problems.
Al-Anon Family Groups believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.
Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic. Al-Anon Family Groups meet in most North American communities.
You can find out more about what to expect at an Al-Anon meeting here. For more information, please contact Evie Larimore at 817-980-6593.