Parish Life

Garden

St. Martin’s garden is an oasis in the community where people can come to play, meditate or pray. Situated below street level, it is a protected and quiet spot with many trees for shade, as well as sunny lawns and colourful beds of perennials. During the summer, Sunday coffee hour in the garden after the 11 am service is a favourite with parishioners.

The garden is maintained by a team of parishioners and with financial support from the Horticultural Society of Parkdale and Toronto.

Follow @stmartingarden on Instagram

Parish Groups

We are bustling with activities at St. Martin’s. Learn about our parish groups below.

Archives Committee

– researches parish life over past decades, maintains collections and archive files and stages special exhibits of St. Martin’s history. In 2014, two members of the committee completed a book on the history of the parish A Faithful Witness to God’s Love, in celebration of the parish’s 125th anniversary.

Coffee Cohorts

– prepares and serves coffee and refreshments after the 11 am Sunday service throughout the year.

Events Committee

– plans and coordinates theatre and other special outings.

Library

– oversees maintenance of the parish library and builds the collection.

Lychgate Limos

– provides carpooling for services and special events.

Newcomers Committee

– develops and implements programs and events to make sure newcomers are welcomed and drawn into parish life. Programs include Martin’s Table, dinners held at parishioners’ homes to bring newcomers and St. Martin’s “veterans” together for an informal evening of fellowship.

Nutcracker Fair Committee

– organizes our annual Christmas bazaar, including publicity, making/growing/baking items for sale, decking the hall and coordinating the volunteers to set up and run the event.

Quiet Garden

Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest
(Mark 6:31)

St. Martin’s has been affiliated with the Quiet Garden movement since 1997. The first Quiet Gardens were established in England more than 20 years ago, and the movement has grown into a worldwide network.

Our own Quiet Gardens are facilitated contemplative sessions held in the garden of parishioners. See all of the affiliated Quiet Garden locations.

Community Groups

We are pleased to have the following community groups using our facilities: