As a small parish we continually liken ourselves to the mustard seed.  “It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”  (Mark 4:31-33). 

We could easily be overwhelmed with the many groups in need in our local community and around the world, but we sow small seeds, stay focused and watch as our programs grow. 

Our missions focus primarily on feeding the hungry and supporting displaced Christians all while stressing the building of relationships.

LOCAL DOMESTIC MINISTRIES

We help serve the 275 clients of The Great Valley Food Cupboard (GVFC) by providing non-perishable food and household items, homemade soup, and holiday baked goods:

  • Weekly Food Deliveries are made every Tuesday to the Cupboard.  Our relationship with GVFC began in 2009 with the delivery of homemade Thanksgiving breads and cookies, and has expanded to include non-perishable food items.  The most needed items include cereal, pasta and sauce, peanut butter and jelly, canned meats, crackers, toilet paper, and paper towels.  Donated items can be dropped off at the church during normal business or worship times.

  • Lenten Homemade Soup Program runs for the seven weeks of Lent every year.  We offer the opportunity for parishioners to make soup individually, or as part of a group, which we then deliver to the food cupboard.

  • Thanksgiving Pie Collection is undertaken annually to provide a special treat of pies for families’ Thanksgiving celebration.  This is a financial collection, and pies are purchased through Linvilla Orchards, a local family-run business.

We help the residents at The Highland Homes Community by donating food and participating in two community events:

  • Highland Homes Food Pantry was organized by St. Martin’s parishioners and caring residents of this low-income housing facility in Wayne. It officially opened in 2018.  Non-perishable food and personal care items are delivered weekly to this community. Homemade soup during Lent, and Thanksgiving pies, are provided during their respective seasons.

  • The Unity in the Community Block Party is held annually in August on Highland Avenue in Wayne to promote local relationship building.  St. Martin’s and Christ Church, Ithan, partner in this event by operating a kids’ games and craft booth.

  • Breakfast With Santa is another community event held in December at the Radnor Community Center on Highland Avenue in Wayne.  Again, St. Martin’s and Christ Church, Ithan, partner for this and provide Christmas craft and cookie decorating activities for those in attendance.

We make our beautiful grounds—designated as St. Martin’s Park—available to local neighbors for dog-walking, reading, contemplation, and periodic activities.  These events are designed to bring the neighborhood together and always include an outreach component.

  • Live Musical Performances and Assembling of Blessing Bags

    • Blessing bags contain items which cover the three primary components of need for those experiencing homelessness – Food (water, snacks, meat), Clothing (socks) & Shelter (ponchos).

  • Blessing of the Animals and Pet Food Collection

  • Christmas Caroling and Winter Clothing Collection

INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

Stand with Iraqi Christians (SWIC) began as a direct mission of St. Martin’s and was established to provide material and spiritual support to Christians who were forced to flee ISIS and relocate in northern Iraq.  In 2017 SWIC became an independent organization under The Episcopal Church’s 501(c)(3) designation.  SWIC funds projects which offer economic stability and sustainability to Iraqi Christians such as the Family Farm Initiative and the Small Business Redevelopment Initiative.  For more information about Stand with Iraqi Christians please visit swic.org.

AS NEEDED MINISTRIES

We also provide financial support to The Radnor Police and Fire Departments and Episcopal Relief and Development during specific disaster relief projects and volunteer support to Good Works, a joint ministry of Christ Church, Ithan, and St. Martin’s.