06/09/2026
St. Martha’s Newsletter
Important Reminder:
Please do not come to our events if you are sick even if it’s just a cold. Please look closely at our Covid & other illness policies. We protect all members of our community!
Join Our Facebook Group:
If you are a young adult between the ages of 18-35, please feel free to join the St. Martha’s Facebook group using this link: https://fb.me/g/hjQtoyDdf/XqD9mg4Q
Please note that this link expires Thursday morning. Please reach out to [email protected] if you miss the time when the link is valid and I can send you a new link!
Wednesday, June 10th @ 10:00am:
Our monthly sandwich making session with Bread and Beyond will be on Wednesday, June 10th from 10:00am-12:00pm at the church of St. Andrew and St. Paul which is located at 3415 Redpath St, Montreal, Québec H3G 2G2. We will be making sandwiches. Our organizers can accommodate five people and there are 4 spots left. To join in the activity, please let me know by emailing [email protected].
Wednesday, June 10th @ 6:00pm:
Supper and Bible study on Wednesday in the undercroft at Christ Church Cathedral. The address is 635 Saint-Catherine St W, Montréal, Quebec H3A 2B8. Please enter through the doors of the mall on the side of Robert Bourassa. Descend halfway down the stairs and there will be a door to your right. That is how you access our space. If you have any trouble accessing it, please feel free to call me at 514-808-3774. Bible study this Wednesday will be on Faith & Emotions (Part 2) and will be led by our own Claire Duclos. For dinner on Wednesday, I am cooking. Can one more person volunteer to help cook and can two people volunteer to help clean-up, please? In addition, please RSVP through email, text, or Facebook if you know you are coming. It makes planning dinner infinitely easier. Also, please keep me informed of any dietary needs so that everyone can have a safe and yummy dinner!
Also, just a reminder that Taizé happens at the Cathedral at 5:15pm on Wednesdays! If you’re not helping to cook, please feel free to go to Taizé and then come downstairs for dinner at 6:00pm!
And finally, just a reminder that our Wednesday night events are only open to folks aged 18 to 35. If you are over or under that age limit and looking for community, please let me know and I can connect you with other options!
Upcoming Dates with St. Martha’s Chapel:
Please let me know if you are interested in baptism by emailing [email protected] and I can connect you with baptismal preparation which fits your needs!
Bible study next week will be led by our own Associate Chaplain for Formation Alexander Griffin and will be a continuation of our discussion on “Faith & Prayer.”
After our Bible Study on July 15th, St. Martha’s Chapel will be taking a break from Wednesday night activities for the summer. Please stay tuned for what’s next!
Both our 6pm services and YoungJae’s evening prayer services are over for this academic year! Stay tuned for what we will have next in September!
Notice of Departure:
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026
Dear members near and far of the St. Martha’s Community,
I first attended St. Martha’s Chapel in the fall of 2015. I was 18 years old and had just moved to Montréal and felt very small and very scared. I did not know then that I would be making a decision that would impact my life for the better for the next 11 years.
After lots of prayer, I have discerned that it is time for me to move on from St. Martha’s Chapel. To quote the musical Wicked, I have been changed for good. Yet it is time for other people with other gifts to take charge of the ministry now. The body of Christ involves all of us and our ministry will only reflect God’s will if many members of the body of Christ are involved. I speak for both myself and our board when I say that it has always been our most fervent hope and prayer to reflect the will of God.
What does this mean practically? It means that my last day will be Wednesday, July 15th, 2026: until then it is business as usual. During the summer, the board will be looking into hiring a new Director – which is something they can only do with your help and feedback. I encourage you to reach out to the board during this time (through our chair Eli Bjedov-Stanković at [email protected]) and to pray for St. Martha’s Chapel during this transition! It also means that pastoral care will be handed off from me to the next director. When we are between directors, I encourage you to also reach out to Eli to find pastoral support in our various sponsoring denominations. In addition, I encourage you to trust the board to find someone who will honour everything St. Martha’s is and has been and will be.
I do not know where ministry will lead me next and I am trying (and failing) to be patient and listen to the voice of God. Scott and I have talked for some time (he desperately, I bittersweetly) about leaving Montreal, and we will continue to search for what is the next right position for our family. In the meantime, I will continue to preach and lead worship on Sundays at different United and Presbyterian churches. Also, as I’m sure all of you can relate, I have a massive backlog of books to read!
There are too many people to thank now and I hope I will be forgiven for those I don’t mention. Most of all, I want to thank National Pastor Jean-Daniel Ó Donncada (then chaplain of St. Martha’s) for welcoming me 11 years ago into this community and Jaime Grennan for inviting me to Bible study. I want to thank my board (Eli Bjedov-Stanković, Gwenda Wells, James Pratt, Shanna Pauline Bernier, Sophie Le Meur, & Sandrine Mutoni and chair emerita Madison MacGregor) for their unending support and faith in young adult ministry. I want to thank Alexander Griffin and YoungJae Lee for working so closely with me these past few years. I want to thank my husband Scott for his support and for always being willing to make elaborate dinners for students. But most importantly, I want to thank you. Thank you for going to Bible study and for going to the 6pm service and for sharing your lives and your faith with me. It has been the honour of my life.
With love,
Sarah Wicks-Potter
P.S. Please see below for baby Sarah at 18 years old painting eggs with the St. Martha’s community. Photo credit goes to National Pastor Jean-Daniel Ó Donncada.
In Our Wider Community: Invitation to be in the Summer Choir at Christ Church Cathedral:
As usual, the cathedral’s professional choir will be taking a break over the summer. May 31st was their last Sunday singing at the 10:30 Choral Eucharist and the 4 pm Choral Evensong. However, there will continue to be music during the summer, and Music Director Tom Sheehan is hoping to put together a pick-up choir.
He writes:
This summer, Christ Church is reviving its practice of inviting volunteer singers to lead the music making at the 10:30 Eucharist during the summer. Any interested singers of any ability level should write to Tom Sheehan, Director of Music ([email protected]) to receive more information.
In Our Wider Community: Represent St. Martha’s at the General Assembly for The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)’s general assembly will be on July 10th through July 11th. It is virtual! St. Martha’s is allowed to bring 3 delegates. Please let me know if you would be interested in representing (and voting) on behalf of St. Martha’s at this event by emailing me at [email protected]. You can find out more about the assembly here: https://disciples.org/2026-general-assembly-schedule/. You can now register! You would have to pay out of pocket for your own registration but then if you forward your receipt of purchase to [email protected], you will be reimbursed; please copy me as well at [email protected].
In preparation for the General Assembly, there will be an informational session on June 9th. Here is some more information: there will be a Congregational Delegate Informational Session on June 9, 2026, at 8pm ET. Join us to learn more about the role of delegates at the General Assembly. Participants will gain a better understanding of delegate responsibilities, the importance of representation in the life of the church, and what to expect as part of the General Assembly process. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the informational session. To learn more and register, please visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Kt31KPu9TqCt-jMoLI8ZiQ #/registration.
In Our Wider Community: Represent St. Martha’s at the All Canada Convention for The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):
The All Canada Convention for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will take place from August 20th to August 23rd in St. Thomas, Ontario. St. Martha’s is invited. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has also graciously agreed to subsidize one car and one hotel room for the event. This means that if you want to come, you do not have to pay for these expenses but you would have to be willing to share a car and a hotel room with other representatives from St. Martha’s Chapel. St. Martha’s is allowed to bring 3 delegates who will be able to vote. Part of the conference is also on Zoom so if you cannot attend in person, but want to attend virtually, you can still do that for some sessions. Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested in attending in any way and I can connect you with more information!
To learn more, you can also visit: https://www.thechristianchurch.ca/news/allcanada2026reg
In Our Wider Community: Disciples Peace Fellowship:
For the last several summers we have invited folks to send care packages and notes of support to our Peace Interns during their summer of service. DPF has built a Hybrid Model where they will be attending in-person Church Camps and also working remotely from home to partner with denominational justice ministries and interfaith peace partners.
Believe me when I tell you that your words of encouragement, care, and support make such a difference for the Peace Interns!
If you would be interested in being a Peace Intern Pen Pal this summer please complete the form below! You’ll get a response from our Mission Director, Sarah Zuniga, with your specific assignment that will include the name of your Peace Intern, the address(es) to send your mailing(s), and your specific week.
Thanks for supporting the 2026 DPF Peace Interns! Link to website: https://www.disciplespeace.org/penpals?fbclid=IwY2xjawSMAQBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJXR09QNTVrZDlJQUV6MW80c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHp3PZ4Zai1-eu_spAkyNLZtYfU0YYcElokmlINS3BdBZZcsW_oQCxCFM76Cv_aem_qmkZMKof9wcPQRCq6AOkeA
And just a reminder that our very own Student Coordinator YoungJae Lee is a Peace Intern this summer!
In Our Wider Community: Sign a Letter Supporting Refugee Rights:
Subject: Sign the letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney
Dear friend,
I signed a Letter on Action Network telling Prime Minister Mark Carney that Our Canada includes Refugees and Immigrants!
Some politicians are actively counting on social permission from the few and silence from the many to deflect blame and anger toward refugees and immigrants for problems decades in the making through neglect.
To prevent the horrors we see playing out in the U.S., we need to end the silence and raise our voices now. It’s time to come together to make our voices loud, proud and visible to turn the tide on rising anti-refugee and anti-immigrant sentiment. The vast majority of people within Canada support refugees and migrants and expect Canada to continue being a humanitarian leader in the world.
Join us ahead of World Refugee Day in calling on our Prime Minister to uphold Canadian values, because we know we’re better and stronger together.
Can you join me and take action? Click here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/letter-to-the-prime-minister?source=email&
Thanks,
Sarah Wicks-Potter
In Our Wider Community: Art Group with St. Georges Anglican Church:
Art Group: A Creative Cluster based on Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way
Calling all creatives! Starting Sunday June 7th, Rev'd Heather will be leading a "creative cluster" based on Julia Cameron's work The Artist's Way. You're invited to join us at 12:30 every Sunday after coffee hour throughout the summer!
For more information about creative clusters and The Artist's Way click here (https://juliacameronlive.com/book/the-artists-way-a-spiritual-path-to-higher-creativity/)! You do not need to purchase the book to participate–printed handouts will be provided.
If you're interested in joining this group, please write to the office at [email protected]
In Our Wider Community: Bike Ride with Christ Church Cathedral:
Saturday, June 13, Cathedral bike outing
Please consider joining other Cathedral members for a bike ride Saturday, June 13 gathering at 10:30AM. The goal is to have a good time together and encourage people who are less familiar with biking or with Montreal’s biking opportunities. We will be taking a ride along the Lachine Canal with a brown bag picnic lunch stop. If you are interested and have not already reached out to the organizers, please email Krystal Tennessee at [email protected] for details.
There will also be a second bike outing on Saturday July 11 - details to follow.
In Our Wider Community: Family Day Picnic with Christ Church Cathedral:
Family Day Picnic Sunday June 14th at noon
John Tobin announces:
The Stewardship committee cordially invites you to a Family Day Picnic — right outside on the Cathedral lawn, on Sunday, June 14th, starting at noon directly after the 10.30 mass. We will be having fun activities for the kids! All are welcome to give thanks and celebrate the families of our vibrant community. We will provide the hot dogs; you provide the rest. Kindly respond to our RSVP link to help us better plan the event.
The RSVP link is here: https://cccmtl.breezechms.com/form/FamilyDayPicnic
In Our Wider Community: Father’s Day BBQ with Trinity United Church:
Father’s Day BBQ Lunch
Sunday June 21
Join us after the service for a tasty lunch cooked on our brand-new barbecue. Weather permitting, we will eat in the yard.
Freewill donation.
RSVP encouraged to Sarah at [email protected].
Image credit: Vecteezy
In Our Wider Community: Gardening with MORSL:
MORSL's next gardening gathering will be on June 23 at 3-4pm. This is a welcoming workshop in which we grow more than just plants—we cultivate meaningful, supportive conversations in a peaceful, welcoming space. Whether you're brand new to gardening or just want a nature break, this is the perfect place to dig in and connect with fellow students. Each session starts in the MORSL lounge with intros and snacks before we head outside. Feel free to come to any session you can!
Please RSVP so we can prep snacks and supplies. Want to join future sessions? We’d love to have you! Sign up here for gardening updates: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=cZYxzedSaEqvqfz4-J8J6pVBZ0_EkrRCrAVOFR_WkyxUMVIzVkFFSjE1OEZKRVcyNVcxNjhXQ0VBUiQlQCN0PWcu&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MORSL-News-and-Community-Events-Listings-June-8-14&utm_source=Envoke-SYSTEM_ALL_CONTACTS&utm_term=MORSL-News%2c-Sacred-Forest-Walks%2c-our-move-to-myFuture%2c-and-m&route=shorturl
To RSVP for June 23rd, please visit: https://myfuture.mcgill.ca/student-services-events.htm?eventId=1685&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MORSL-News-and-Community-Events-Listings-June-8-14&utm_source=Envoke-SYSTEM_ALL_CONTACTS&utm_term=MORSL-News%2C-Sacred-Forest-Walks%2C-our-move-to-myFuture%2C-and-m
In Our Wider Community: Sacred Forest Walk with MORSL:
Join us for a guided walk through trails on Mont Royal exploring nature, reflection, and what 'sacred' can mean across cultures and perspectives. Through quiet observation, simple practices, and conversation, we'll explore our connection to place, presence, and the natural world. No prior experience or spiritual background needed-just curiosity. Three walks are scheduled for June 25, July 23, and August 6, all at 2-4pm.
We'll learn a bit about the history of Mount Royal and how diverse groups have treated it as sacred, and discuss and experience simple, personalized ways we can experience and notice sacredness in the forest and our everyday lives.
For more information and to RSVP, please visit: https://myfuture.mcgill.ca/student-services-events.htm?eventId=1700&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MORSL-News-and-Community-Events-Listings-June-8-14&utm_source=Envoke-SYSTEM_ALL_CONTACTS&utm_term=MORSL-News%2C-Sacred-Forest-Walks%2C-our-move-to-myFuture%2C-and-m
In Our Wider Community: Bowling with Trinity United Church:
We’re going back on Tuesday June 30 at 10:30 AM. We bowl for fun, not statistics, so each meetup will start with a clean slate. It’s not too early to RSVP with Read ([email protected]).
Fun Publicity:
Have you checked out our instagram yet? Please follow us at st.martha_mtl (https://www.instagram.com/st.martha_mtl?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==)!
The Diocese spearheaded by Lee-Ann Matthews has produced a video about our work! You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/9cr5jXVALd0?si=h9b__Q4VRVNDsEit
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) also published an article on us, written by Nadine Compton. You can read it here: https://newchurchministry.org/chapelle-ste-marthe-deep-christian-spirituality-passion-god-love-justice-montreal/
Donations:
We welcome donations at https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/c5e62f6d-e275-4bd7-9006-826b0be842a4?fbclid=IwAR0C6omXHxCzznGfhE7X70Y7CcdyjwfDNrl52b9bDxPaDLpux1_Aicgm0GU (via the Anglican Diocese) and https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/145835 (via the Christian Church).
Any amount helps us immensely in our ministry work!
Covid & Other Illnesses Policy:
In order to protect vulnerable members of our community and to prevent the unnecessary spread of illness, we ask that you please stay home from St. Martha’s events if you have any signs of illness such as cough, fever, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pink eye, etc. (unless they are chronic illness symptoms). If you are ill, please stay home even if you have tested negative for COVID-19, as you may still have a flu that could harm vulnerable members of our community.
If you do test positive for COVID-19, please stay home from St. Martha’s for 10 days or until you test negative. Additionally, if you have attended a St. Martha’s activity within the last week, please notify Sarah so that she can inform the others present of a possible exposure.
Contacting Sarah:
If you need anything you are welcome to reach out to me (Sarah Wicks-Potter) ([email protected]) to get you connected with any information or care that you might need.
Please note that I am generally unavailable on Mondays and will only respond in emergencies. Please also note that I work limited hours and am here on a part-time basis and so my response times will vary. If there is ever an emergency and you need to urgently reach me, please call my cell at 514-808-3774.
