About the Community...
The Community of St. Martin was established in the fall of 1984 and describes its vision in the following way:

We strive to be an ecumenical Christian community. Rooted in Scripture, sharing worship and ministry, we affirm active nonviolence, love of justice and peace, and the integrity of God’s creation. Acknowledging our complicity in the materials and oppression of the dominant culture, we seek to practice loving hospitality and care-filled stewardship of God’s gifts of ourselves, land, time and possessions. Through an ongoing process of action and reflection we seek to shape our lives according to our faith and the urgings of the Spirit. We commit ourselves to one another and to the way of Jesus Christ. Our community is open to all who share these values.

Following is a partial list of the community’s characteristics, values, goals and aspirations that help describe us:

  • An intentional focus on nonviolent peacemaking and work for social justice.
  • An ecumenical, Christian community that worships regularly together with spirited liturgies that employ good music and inclusive language.
  • Decision-making by consensus.
  • A commitment to outward expression of peacemaking and justice-seeking through ministry groups.
  • An intention to share a common life through worship and enabling one another to use individuals’ diverse gifts.
  • A commitment to inward spiritual journeys through solitude, study, prayer and spiritual direction.
  • Shared leadership and responsibilities.
  • Open and Affirming (Reconciling in Christ), celebrating the diversity of all creation.
  • We try not to take ourselves too seriously.

Sunday night gatherings
Please visit it us on a Sunday night for one of our weekly gatherings, which take place in the basement of Faith Mennonite Church, located at 28th Avenue South and 22nd Street in Minneapolis. Our monthly schedule is as follows:

  • First Sunday of the Month
    Potluck meal 5:30pm-6:30pm Eucharistic worship 6:30pm-7:30pm
  • Third Sunday of the month Sept.- May
    We gather as usual at 6:30pm, beginning with social time. A quiet, meditative worship follows, called Prayer Around the Cross. At the close of our prayer, people leave quietly.
  • All other Sundays
    Community worship 6:30pm-7:30pm
    Informal visiting 7:30pm-8:00pm
  • Some Sunday evenings include a 5:30pm adult education hour or Community Conversation.
  • Children (at least three years old) are encouraged to participate in the Community’s education program to study and experience their Christian faith as well as the values of the Community of St. Martin. Please contact our office at the phone number below to learn more about these programs.

Map to Faith Mennonite Church

For more information, call (612) 341-0871 (leave a message).
 
 
MINISTRIES
Over the years, the Community of St. Martin has given birth (and sometimes had to bury!) a variety of outward ministries. Currently, these are the active ministries:

St. Martin’s Table
The most public of our ministries, this bookstore/restaurant is a peace education center. The books in the bookstore reflect the values of the Community of St. Martin. In the restaurant, volunteer servers help serve healthy lunches and donate their tips to local and global hunger projects. The Table is located at the corner of 20th and Riverside Avenues in Minneapolis. Phone: (612) 339-3920.

Peace Village
A summer day camp for elementary-age children who live in or near the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis. Each week-long program focuses on a peace-making theme. Children learn and practice cooperative activities, community-building and conflict resolution in a motivating environment. For a brochure that describes Peace Village, and for information on this year’s dates and registration forms, call (612) 341-0871.

Other Interests:
 While not official ministries, the Community engages in other activities, including: ongoing peace vigils, local sustainable farming, refugee assistance, and interests related to spiritual growth/the inner life.