Outreach Programs

Bryn Mawr Hospital Lay Chaplaincy. Members of the parish serve as Lay Chaplains for Bryn Mawr Hospital.  Training and supervision are handled by nearby St. David’s Church, under the auspices of Episcopal Community Services.

Saint Barnabas Mission to the Homeless is one of the finest family shelters for homeless persons in Philadelphia. Saint Martin’s has been instrumental in Saint Barnabas’ life since its inception, and our clergy and people have served as day-to-day volunteers at the Mission and on their Board of Directors. Food is collected each week and is delivered to the Mission regularly by volunteer drivers. Additionally, Saint Martin’s provides for other needs of the Mission throughout the year, including a collection of knitted items on our “Mitten Tree” at Christmas.

The Dolphins. The Dolphins of the Delaware Valley, a program that has become a nationwide ministry of care, consists of individuals who will commit to visiting one person in a nursing home or other care facility for an extended period of time.

The Suicide Prevention Committee began as an outreach project of Saint Martin’s Church. Members of the Committee took to heart the increasing epidemic of suicide, particularly among young people of high school and college age. They have established an informational web site on the Internet at www.feelingblue.org and have been involved in promoting legislation directed at suicide prevention.  Recently the Committee established itself as a nonprofit organization, called the Feeling Blue Suicide Prevention Council. The congregation of St. Martin's continues to support Feeling Blue and pray for those at risk every day.  Several members of the parish continue to serve on the Council.

Bolingbroke (St. Martin’s historic Parish House) as well as the Carriage House, are made available to several self-help and community groups who meet each week and provide minor donations to the Church in lieu of rent.  These organizations include:  Overeaters Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Counterparts (an a cappella group).