07/14/2026
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/3tKfutmo
Please note that this link expires Thursday morning.
Wednesday, July 15th @ 6:00pm:
Supper and game night 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. To wrap up our Bible study before our summer break, we’ll be having a game night! For dinner on Wednesday, Scott is cooking. 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:
After our game night 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 services 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: 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 Zuzanna at [email protected] if you are interested in attending in any way and she 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! Here is the link to the 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; Garden with St. Georges:
Garden with us!
After weeks of waiting, our garden is in bloom! If you want to get involved with tending to our plants, please reach out to the office and we will connect you with our gardening volunteers. Green thumb not required!
The email for the office is here: [email protected]
In Our Wider Community: Gardening with MORSL:
Tuesday, July 21st, 3-4 PM: Gardening with MORSL
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!
This month, we'll be planting perennials - these are plants that hibernate over winter and come back the following spring.
Please RSVP so we can prep snacks and supplies. You can RSVP here: https://www.mcgill.ca/morsl/cultivate-wellness/gardening-morsl?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MORSL-News-and-Community-Events-Listings-June-29-July-31&utm_source=Envoke-SYSTEM_ALL_CONTACTS&utm_term=MORSL-Summer-schedule%2C-student-jobs-and-outdoor-activities-f
Want to join future sessions? Sign up for gardening updates—we’d love to have you! You can sign up here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=cZYxzedSaEqvqfz4-J8J6pVBZ0_EkrRCrAVOFR_WkyxUMVIzVkFFSjE1OEZKRVcyNVcxNjhXQ0VBUiQlQCN0PWcu&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MORSL-News-and-Community-Events-Listings-June-29-July-31&utm_source=Envoke-SYSTEM_ALL_CONTACTS&utm_term=MORSL-Summer-schedule%2c-student-jobs-and-outdoor-activities-f&route=shorturl
In Our Wider Community: Holy Roamers with Trinity United Church:
Holy Roamers Outing #2:
Water Shuttle to Pointe aux Trembles
Thursday July 23
Let’s meet at Champs-des-Mars metro at 9:45 AM SHARP to walk to the water shuttle in the Old Port. Our destination - Pointe aux Trembles for lunch and exploring the area (hint - ice cream may be involved!).
If you have a monthly OPUS pass for adults, or a pass coded for free seniors fares, you can ride the shuttle for free! Otherwise, $14 roundtrip (must be purchased online in advance). Back by late afternoon.
RSVP to Michelle (514-560-7278) by Monday, July 20, 6 PM.
If you will be bringing with you a wheelchair, a stroller, or a bicycle, please note it in your RSVP so that the crew can park it safely for you.
Photo credit: Rosemary Warren, September 2024
In Our Wider Community: Sacred Forest Walk with MORSL:
Thursday, July 23, 2-4 PM: Sacred Forest Walk
A guided experience 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.
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.
To RSVP, please visit: https://myfuture.mcgill.ca/student-services-events.htm?eventId=1701&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MORSL-News-and-Community-Events-Listings-June-29-July-31&utm_source=Envoke-SYSTEM_ALL_CONTACTS&utm_term=MORSL-Summer-schedule%2C-student-jobs-and-outdoor-activities-f
In Our Wider Community: Neurodiversity Workshop with Erika Leung:
Save the Date!
Neurodiversity Workshop
Saturday, August 1
Our own Erika Leung leads a group looking into ways to make our church more welcoming to the neurodivergent community -- both as worship space and social space.
Mark your calendar for Saturday August 1, for a workshop and dinner on this topic, focusing on families and children. If you receive our Kids emails, watch your inbox for details.
To learn more about the neurodiversity group, drop Erika a line at [email protected]
Image credit: Magnific/Freepik
In Our Wider Community: Pride Celebration at Christ Church Cathedral:
Sunday, August 2 — 4:00 p.m.
Pride Celebration
Save the date for this colourful celebration of God's love for all people! Volunteers needed. To sign up to help, please email [email protected].
In Our Wider Community: Potluck at Anjou:
Save the Date!
Potluck and Corn Roast
Saturday August 8 at Anjou
Coming soon -- a fabulous meal with great friends! We’ll be cooking up some tasty corn on the cob at Anjou, and enjoying a potluck meal to go with it. Weather permitting, we’ll eat out in the yard.
We’re not quite ready to take RSVPs yet. So mark your calendar for Saturday. August 8 and stay tuned for all the juicy details.
Bon appetit and see you soon!
In Our Wider Community: Marching with Christ Church Cathedral at Pride:
Saturday, August 9 — 12:00 p.m.
Marching in the Pride Parade
All are welcome to join us as we march in the city's annual Pride Parade! All marchers must sign up using this form: https://cccmtl.breezechms.com/form/prideparade2026
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==)!
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:
Wednesday, July 15th, 2026 will be my last day as Director and Chaplain of St. Martha’s Chapel. If you need anything after July 15th, please reach out to Chair of the Board Eli Bjedov-Stanković at [email protected] and they can connect you with appropriate pastoral care. It has been an honor serving you!
Horatio Update:
It’s a big world out there but sometimes you have to play in the leaves!
