See what's happening at St. Mary's.
Before Christmas trees 
come Advent wreaths.
Mark the beginning of Advent 
this  Sunday, November 29 at 10 a.m.


Before you trim your Christmas tree, make an Advent wreath!  Join St. Mary's friends and enjoy  a meaningful way to observe the Advent season.   The church will provide all materials (but please bring your own greenery if you can).  Suggested contributions are  $10 per wreath .  We will also provide Advent wreath lighting service booklets to take home.


Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary
Discover the first of the Bible's two Marys, Mary the Mother of Jesus, in this three week series.


Join Associate Rector Emily Rowell Brown to consider the woman behind Jesus of Nazareth.  We will cover topics ranging from the virgin birth ( how and why did the idea get started?) to gender roles to present iterations of the story.  In January, a second series will explore the "other" Mary, Mary Magdalene.

The class is offered two times each week, so choose the time that best suits your schedule-- Wednesdays at 5 p.m. (December 2, 9, and 16) or  Thursdays at 10 a.m. (December 3, 10, and 17).  Please contact Emily to sign up or with questions.
Prepare the way and pray.
Evening Prayer during Advent

Wednesdays in December, St. Mary's will offer Evening Prayer: Rite II at 5:45 p.m. in Little St. Mary's.  This simple, contemplative service is a wonderful way to be drawn further into the spirit of the season as we anticipate the light and hope Christ brings to the world.  Services begin December 2.
Advent comes to your computer screen!
Two virtual opportunities:
  • Receive a special mediation from our clergy each week during Advent directly to your email inbox.  Sign up here.
  • Advent is all around us, if only we look!  Society of Saint John the Evangelist chooses a word each day of Advent and encourages Christians around the world to contribute their pictures to a massive digital Advent calendar.  Learn more here.
'Tis the season for giving.
How we at St. Mary's can give of our time, treasure, and talent this season:

St. Mary's has partnerships with many community organizations.  Consider serving St. Mary's and learning more about our church community by seeing what's happening in our (literal and figurative) backyard.

        • Give presents: Take an ornament from our Giving Tree and return presents by Sunday, December 13.
  •  
  • Give blood: St. Mary's parishioners (age 16 and up) have the opportunity to donate blood at St. Mary's from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 13. Youth volunteers may sign up here.
  • Give quarters: We will provide clean laundry for our homeless guests from CARITAS when we host them this winter each day. Please donate quarters for the laundry in the "Quarters for CARITAS"  jar in the CafĂ© between the kitchen and the New Parish Hall.
  • Give your presence: Time and patience can run short this time of year.  Remember that our presence is a way to show others we care, as much are the gifts, parties,and decorations.  Take moments throughout these days to speak and pray to God, who always wants to hear from us.
This Week's Calendar At A Glance
Sunday, November 29
The First Sunday of Advent
Holy Eucharist: Rite I, 9 a.m.,  Little St. Mary's
Sunday School, 10 a.m., Advent wreath making,  New Parish Hall  (age 3-2nd Grade) and  Education Building  (3-8th Grade)
Adult Forum, Advent wreath making 10 a.m.,  New Parish Hall
Holy Eucharist: Rite II, 11 a.m.,  New St. Mary's

Tuesday, December 1
Vestry meeting, 5 p.m., Education Building Library

Wednesday, December 2
Fellowship Committee, 9 a.m., Old Parish Hall
Rector's Bible Study, 10 a.m., Education Building Library
Children's Choir, 5 p.m., Choir Suite
Mary, Mother of Jesus class, 5 p.m., Education Building Library
Evening Prayer, 5:45 p.m., Little St. Mary's
Middle School Youth Group, 6 p.m., Education Building

Thursday, December 3
Mary, Mother of Jesus class, 10 a.m., Education Building Library
Adult Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 p.m., Choir Suite

Saturday, December 5
AA, 10 a.m., Education Building 6th-7th Grade Classroom
Looking Ahead
Advent Anticipation

Advent is a special time in our church year of anticipation and longing.  Later this month, opportunities to enrich your observance of this season include:
  • Holiday Memorial Service, December 7 at 7 p.m. at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church
  • The Jesus Birth Narratives, Sunday Forums in December at 10 a.m.
  • Advent Tour and Lunch at VMFA, Tuesday, December 15 at 10 a.m.
  • Parish Supper with Carols, December 16 at 5:30 p.m.
  • Lessons and Carols, December 20 at 11 a.m.
From Deacon to Priest

God willing, Associate Rector Emily Rowell Brown will be ordained a priest along with six others from the Diocese of Virginia on Saturday, December 12,at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Comforter in Vienna.  We look forward to her celebrating her first Eucharist at St. Mary's on Sunday, December 13.
Celebrate John on his last Sunday, December 27--RSVP please!

Mark your calendars!  Rector John Miller's last Sunday with us before his retirement will be on December 27.  We will worship together at one combined service of Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. and enjoy time to remember John's wonderful ministry at a reception following the service.  To help us plan food and childcare, please RSVP.
Download December Calendar                           Download Latest Sermons
St. Mary's Episcopal Church Goochland
804.784.5678

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