NEWS FROM ST. MARY'S
 
A community of Christian worship, well-being, and service.

 
Dear St. Mary's Family, 

Jesus has just come down from a mountain where he spent the entire night praying to God and in the morning chose from among his followers those who would be his hands and feet and voice. Disciples. Apostles. Those who would draw close to him to learn his Way of Love and those who'd go out and teach and preach it in how they lived their lives. 

Coming down from the mountain with them, they stand on level ground both literally on a plain, and figuratively, with a clear teaching and with something real to offer those who gathered. The gospel tells us exactly why the crowd had come and exactly what they wanted from Jesus and his followers:

They came to hear Jesus. They came to be healed of diseases. They came to be freed from oppressive spirits. They came to touch Jesus. 

I imagine that you and I want the exact same things. As we grow into our call to be and make disciples by inviting, welcoming, and providing level ground for people to belong to our own community, we should be mindful that all around us at work, home, and school and really every place we find ourselves--grocery stores, hair salons, and restaurants, those people are looking for the same things, too. They and we all want to be healed, to be nourished, and to find joy in the midst of the sorrows we all experience from time to time. Jesus offers this to the crowd and will teach and train his followers to do the same in the very scene from this weekend's gospel. 

In 2019 at St. Mary's Church in Portsmouth on Aquidneck Island in the smallest state in the union, we come together as a community--a crowd--both in need of Jesus' healing and teaching, but also as commissioned disciples, called to offer Jesus' Way of Love through  gestures, words, and presence to others that heal and restore, carrying within us a message of hope. 

On Saturday from 8:30 to 12:30 our bishop and many, many people from around the state will come to St. Mary's to share, learn, and teach exactly how it is that you and I can live this weekend's message out in concrete ways, on level ground, offering healing and hope, and clarity to others about Jesus' Way of Love. I hope you'll be at church this weekend for sure, and I hope to see you Saturday as well.  If you've been away from church, this is a great time to reconnect. We're on the Jesus Way, and we need to be on it together. 

Have a wonderful end of your week, beautiful people. 

Peace,
Gabe





-WORSHIP-
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness... - Psalm 96
      
-Opportunity to take part in enhancing our worship-
Jennifer would like to gather people to take part in learning, sharing ideas, and creatively and practically enhancing all of our worship services in an effort to develop and strengthen our worship of God in liturgy, ritual, and prayer. Members and guests enjoy our worship and experience God's presence and together we can make it more transcendent, beautiful, and reflective of our community. Are you interested? Please contact Jennifer in the coming week at 401-846-9700x103 or email jennifer@smcportsmouth.org

   
Collect for the Sixth Sunday After Epiphany: 
O  God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

You can access the bible passages read at church this weekend, and for any day of the year. We typically follow "Track 2" at St. Mary's. 
Here's the link:   lectionary 


Lectors  5PM: Jennifer Vergnani 8AM: Trish Culver 10AM: Andrew Nash
 
Intercessors 5PM: Jennifer Vergnani  8AM: Sue Hall  10AM: Mary Weyhing

LEM 5PM: Bob Vergnani  8AM: Hugh Hall  10AM: Paul Westrom
 
Crucifers: 8AM: Jennie Nestlerode  10AM: Paul Westrom

Acolytes: 10AM: Leigh Westrom, Sheila Benevides

Greeters: 5PM: Jean & Andre Wilson/Levesque   8AM: David Spengler  10AM: Peter Landry

Counters: David Spengler, John Juhase
Coffee Hour Hosts: Ana Bartlett, Mattie Gustafson
Altar Guild: Lauren Lema, Stacy Mello


Lent begins on Ash Wednesday March 6th 
with services at 12pm (chapel) and 7pm (church)

We're going Into The Deep for Lent
with a series of sermons to help you to go deeper with God:

Ash Wednesday: Deep Work
Lent I- March 9 &10 : Deep Temptation
Lent II- March 16 & 17: Deep Trouble
Lent III- March 23 & 24: Digging Deep
Lent IV- March 30 & 31: Deeply Worthy
Lent V- April 6 & 7: Deep Love
Palm Sunday- April 13 & 14: Deep Passion
Holy Week- April 18, 19, 20: Deep Truth

Save the date for our parish Lenten retreat: 
Deep Into Love - Saturday April 6th, 11-6
Details are soon to follow

-WELL-BEING-
Growing into the full stature of Christ... - Ephesians 4
This Saturday from 8:30-12:30 
Jesus' Way of Love is simply broken down in these seven ways:

TURN - LEARN - PRAY - WORSHIP - GO - BLESS - REST

How will we live this Way of Love at St. Mary's? 
That conversation begins this weekend!

This workshop is a great opportunity to connect with our bishop, speakers,  and people from around the diocese as we learn how to embrace the Way of Love as a way of life in our community. 

St. Mary's members who will be attending (it's not too late--just come!) are asked to wear their name tags and to offer gracious hospitality as we welcome guests in the name of Jesus. If you can, bring food to share and if not, please come and enjoy this day together. 

While formal childcare will not be provided,
 families with children of all ages are most welcome to attend. 
 



Invite, Welcome, Connect at St. Mary's
Everyone at St. Mary's will be influenced by this ministry model in some way. Ask yourself:
 
Do I love talking to others about my faith and church in a way that people respond to? (Invite) Do I have gifts of hospitality, welcome and gathering? (Welcome) Do I have ideas on how to best make people fit in and belong? (Connect)

If you have a gift or a nudge to step out in those areas, we need to hear from you! This is how we will grow our church and spread the love of God. Contact the leaders of this ministry, David Spengler david.spengler@live.com and Marlo Pratt marlopratt@yahoo.com  (pictured below) to learn about upcoming meetings and how you might offer your gifts in a real, tangible way. 



Sunday Morning Offerings:
 
Adults & Teens:
Journey with us on Sunday mornings at 9, downstairs in the Parish House
for a bible study that will open up God's word in a way that you can understand. You can join at any time, or just drop in to see what it's all about. You can find the text at the link below:


Children's Sunday School:
Sunday at 9, Downstairs in the "Nursery Room" just next to the Adult Bible Study. You are welcome to bring children to that class and join us for Bible Study or coffee and socializing upstairs in the gathering space. 

Paul Westrom and Andrea Creaney will greet and teach a lesson from Godly Play, a Montessori-like approach

-SERVICE-
Let the greatest among you be the servant...  - Matt 23
That you to our wonderful young people and their leaders who spent their Valentine's Day evening serving at the St. Paul's Soup Kitchen in downtown Newport. There are opportunities for anyone to serve at this important monthly ministry on the second thursday of each month, or to make and donate food.  Please email Jon Juhase ( jjuhase@verizon.net) if you are willing to help.


A word of sincere thanks goes out to Murry Edwards, our Senior Warden, for the tremendous energy, time and creativity she offered to create our annual report which was clear, beautiful, and a gift to all of us. Our rector Jennifer is also grateful to Murry for presiding at the Annual Meeting in her absence. Be sure to say "thank you" when you see her!

Serving the Wider Community
The recent heating crisis has leaders and members wanting to respond.  It is our mission to support the well-being of members and the wider community. It is our mission to serve. If you would like to be a part of a conversation to address St. Mary's ability to serve in the face of crisis, please contact vestry member Julie Zecher

-COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS-
   
Dave Ferkinhoff, David Spengler, and Christine Winslow have answered the call to run for a three-year term for the Vestry at the annual meeting.  Read about each of these nominees here.

E-News Deadline: if you'd like something announced in the e-news, please email Gabe Giella  by Wednesday at noon each week. 

Pledge Cards:  If you'd like to increase your giving for the vitality of St. Mary's ministries and the furthering of the message of God's love or if you'd like to begin giving, please contact   David Brierley



New Liturgical Vestment Needed:
The white chasuble and stole set is very old and is no longer fit for use in worship. The white chasuble and stole are worn by the priest on the most important and holy liturgies of the year such as Easter. The white color symbolizes purity, celebration, and resurrection. We want it to reflect that with great beauty and care.  


Vestments are very often donated in memory of someone. If you would like to make an offering toward the purchase of a new vestment to enhance our worship at St. Mary's, please contact our rector Jennifer.



 

   
-VESTRY & STAFF LEADERS-
Sr. Warden: Murry Edwards:       muedwards@cox.net
Jr. Warden: Paul Westrom:        pwestromjwtb@gmail.com
Treasurer: Chris Bartlett:            titustrading@yahoo.com
Clerk: Mattie Gustafson:             melianmeg@gmail.com
Member: Chris Barker:               chris@floortimestudios.com
Member: David Brierley:             grampa@galaxia.com
Member: Peter Collins:               pcollins2ab@yahoo.com
Member: Trish Culver:                trishculver@cox.net
Member: Dave Ferkinhoff:          dave-fe@cox.net
Member: Jenny Williams:           jenny@happyplanetyoga.com
Member: Julie Zecher:               zecherjulie@gmail.com
Member: Michelle Freitas:        msfreitas1206@gmail.com
Rector: The Rev. Jennifer L. Pedrick  jennifer@smcportsmouth.org
Music Director& Interim Parish Administrator:Karin Larsen karin@smcportsmouth.org
Director of Christian Formation: Gabe Giella gabe@smcportsmouth.org
Pastoral Musician: Michael Templeton michael@smcportsmouth.org
Property Manager: Jon Walker jon@smcportsmouth.org
 
Parish House Hours:
Sunday 7 am to 12 pm; closed on Monday
Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 3 pm; and by special arrangement with the interim Parish Administrator, Karin Larsen (karin@smcportsmouth.org).