Dear Friends,

If you remember exactly a (church) year ago, I preached here at St. Mary's on Trinity Sunday and I shared an idea about the Trinity that I learned from a nun many years ago: God is a communion of persons, a family whose life is love. Triune as God may be, we often imagine "him" as a solitary figure or at best we imagine Jesus, the God-man. As for the Holy Spirit, we have all sorts of images from raging fire to violent wind to a very unassuming white bird. But we hear so often in prayers and sermons that we are meant to share in the life of the Trinity and that we are somehow supposed to be a reflection of it. How can we do this? What does it mean to share in the life of a God who is very hard even to imagine in our mind's eye? I think the nun's idea offers us a clue and it has to do with unity and I dare say non-conformity as well. If God is in fact a community, then perhaps the answer of how to share in the life of God is not beyond our grasp or glance or even our kitchen table. Maybe trying to be perfect is not the best or only way. As we gather at God's table this weekend, I look forward to sharing more with you about the mystery of the Divine Community in which we share.

Peace,

Gabe

This week's Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Link to 

This Weekend's Reading

Dishtowels needed for our kitchen

Please return any dishtowels you may have from St. Mary's kitchen.  Any extras you may have at home are welcome too! Thank you

Grow your own organic food and flowers in the garden at St. Mary's

Our community garden was begun in 2012 with the goal of donating fresh, organic produce to local food pantries and alleviating hunger on Aquidneck Island. Over its first four seasons, both the size of the garden and the amount of donated food grew measurably. 

We open the garden to members of the wider community through seasonal plot rentals. Our intention is to bring organic gardening within reach of a larger local population while encouraging gardeners to donate excess fruits and vegetables to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport or other local food pantries. For full details or to reserve a plot, please contact Elise LaParle Garcia ( elise123@cox.net).

Priest in Charge Begins

Our sister in Christ discerned a call to ministry as a deacon here at St. Mary's.
The Bishop has appointed Christine to serve at St. Luke's Church in East Greenwich. Please join Christine and her family, the St. Mary's community, and the Diocese of RI in celebrating Christine's ordination there.  

 

Ministry Opportunity

An opportunity to help in love - thirty minutes a month

We need teams of volunteers to help set up chairs for Sunday Worship in the Chapel. The vestry decided not to replace our sexton so we are trying some new strategies for set ups and light projects. We believe our members will look forward to helping out once a month for 1/2 an hour or so on Saturday mornings.

Fran McKendree Returns to St. Mary's

 

Responses indicated that lighter fare and mingling worked better for people in lieu of a cookout. We look forward to this great event and hosting Fran at St. Mary's. Please contact  Karin Larsen.

Events happening around Aquidneck Island

We have a great list of events happening around Aquidneck Island all summer long! Join us for one or all of them. Reminders about events will be advertised and announced. Let's enjoy each other's company and this beautiful summer season in fellowship with our neighbors.

Saturday June 24th
St. Barnabas Festival at 12pm. Meet in the parking lot near entrance to the church's main entrance. Discounted tickets are available before the festival weekend at St. Barnabas.
Tickets can also be purchased day of as well.

Saturday July 8th
St. Mary's Church Fran McKendree "Happy Hour" at SMC after the 5:00 Service

Friday July 14th
Newport Gulls baseball game starts at 6:35 meeting in the stands of Cardine's Field 10mins before game time! Tickets $2- $5 per person Free for kids 12 and under

Tuesday July 18th
Madeline Boat Tour at 4:30. Meet at ticket booth by 4:10.
(Sign up by Tuesday July 11th. Group rate to be determined.)

Tuesday August 1st
Larry Brown and the Swing lane orchestra Easton's Beach at 6:00pm
Meeting at 5:45 in front of the Save the Bay entrance *Free

Saturday August 12th
Jazz tasting at Greenvale Vineyard at 1:00.
$15.00 per person includes award-winning live jazz and a sample of 7 to 8 wines.

Sunday August 27th
Flo's Portsmouth Location : by the seaside bring a blanket/ chair at 4:00

Sunday Sept. 17th
Railroad pedal rides (Sign up by September 1. The number of registrants will determine the cost)

Saturday September 23rd
Apple picking at Sweet Berry Farm 3:00