Last summer, after listening to one of the Reverend Martin Smith’s thought-provoking and brilliantly delivered sermons, I asked how he managed to preach so well Sunday after Sunday. His response was a modest “I write them out and then I learn them by heart.” But clearly these sermons are the result of a lifetime of study and learning, of a deep knowledge of scripture, theology and history. Smith is well known throughout the Episcopal Church as writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and teacher exploring contemporary spirituality. His book, “A Season for the Spirit:Readings for the Days of Lent,” was commissioned by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1991, and continues to be widely used in the Episcopal Church. This summer Smith will be at All Saints for the first three Sundays in July.

A priest since 1971, Smith most recently served as the senior associate rector at St Columba’s church in Washington, D.C., in the Diocese of Washington, while continuing to travel widely for his teaching ministry. He retired in July 2012, and continues to devote himself to writing, preaching and the leading of retreats and workshops.

Born in the northwest of England in 1947 and trained as a theologian at Oxford University, Smith received his BA in 1968 and MA in 1970. After preparing for the priesthood at Cuddesdon College, Oxford he was ordained in the diocese of St. Albans, where he served in two parishes before joining the Society of St. John the Evangelist, the oldest religious order for men in the Anglican Communion. He served in the community in Oxford until he transferred to the North American branch of the Society in 1979. After completing three terms as Superior, he left the Society in 2002. From 2002-6 he was on the staff of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. He is the author of a number of widely read books exploring contemporary spirituality, including “Reconciliation,” “The Word is Very Near You,” “Love Set Free,” “Compass and Stars,” “Go in Peace The Art of Hearing Confessions” (with Julian Gatta).

On July 1, 8 and 15, Smith will celebrate Holy Communion at the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services. A social hour with refreshments follows the 10am services. At 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 10 and 17, Smith will lead a discussion group on the church porch. All Saints welcomes visitors of all faiths.

All Saints by-the-Sea is on Southport Island on All Saints Road about 2 miles on your left as you drive south on Route 238 (look for the Episcopal Church sign by the side of the road). Parking is available along Route 238, or if necessary, in the limited number of handicapped parking spaces off All Saints Road. A golf cart will ferry persons from the handicapped lot to the church steps. You may also come to church by private boat or by the tour boat Novelty, which leaves Boothbay Harbor from Pier 8 at 9 a.m.. Novelty picks up passengers from the church dock at 11:40 a.m. for return to Pier 8. The very beautiful and simple wood chapel is open for quiet prayer and meditation during the week.