Spiritual Life at St. Martin in the Fields Church

Bible Study
Bible study is offered at St. Martin’s in many formats and at various times to enhance the spiritual life of clergy and parishioners.  There is a weekly bible study by the church clergy and staff before each meeting. The lectionary for the coming Sunday is used.  There is also time for spiritual reflection and conversation.

The priests offer various Bible studies throughout the year, sometimes studying one book in depth or examining a theme that connects back to one’s life and their individual spiritual reflection and devotion time.  These classes are time to build community, find one’s own story in the great stories of the Bible and to better see one’s place in God’s plan for our lives.  These are held on Sunday mornings, and during the week, both day and night classes.

Education for Ministry has a spiritual component in the theological reflections that are part of the weekly gatherings of this group and give a spiritual context to the academic studies in this course.

Spiritual Direction

St. Martin’s clergy are available to offer spiritual direction to its parishioners.  This differs from pastoral counseling in that in the practice of spiritual direction the director and the “directee” walk together on the spiritual path.  The Director’s main purpose is to listen as a companion and to explore the spiritual life together, making observations and directing as appropriate.  The director strives to be fully present to the directee, creating a holy space of prayer that allows God to enter into the conversation. This practice of Holy Listening is an ancient one that is honored and encouraged at our parish.  The director may suggest readings, journaling, spiritual practices, different types of prayer, guided meditations, a silent retreat, and creative activities as a way to journey further on the spiritual path towards God.

Small groups are also offered that practice spiritual direction, where one person may bring a spiritual topic to the group; the other members practice Holy Listening and then respond to the speaker without judgment or advice.

Prayer Practices

Daily prayer is an integral part of the spiritual life of our parish.  Prayer is central to our worship services and parish life--intercessory, liturgical, confessional, healing service prayers, silent prayer and ancient prayer practices such as the Breath Prayer (Luke 18:13).   St. Martin’s encourages and supports a variety of prayer practices for spiritual growth. Centering prayer groups are offered. The Daughters of the King has a chapter at St. Martin’s, and they are dedicated to a life of prayer.  The Prayer Shawl Ministry is also a prayer group, using the Trinity stitch for its prayer shawls, which are given to those in need with a prayer of blessing and healing. Stations of the Cross on available for a prayerful journey around our sanctuary.   Stained glass windows also are available for prayer, windows which tell our story from Creation to the Early Church.  Icons are also part of our worship space art and can become windows to the Divine.

Parish Publications

Before Advent, an Advent Devotional Booklet is created for our parishioners by fellow parishioners focused on the lectionary readings, for daily prayer and reflection.  Participating parishioners write a reflection essay focused on the readings for a particular day in Advent.  These are compiled into the devotional booklet.