Outermost Voice

OUTERMOST VOICE

Holy Week - Easter 2018

The Other Side

In the cosmogenic narratives of the Ancient Near East, the supremacy of a diety was demonstrated by their ability to conquer chaos. One of the most famous tales comes from the Babylonians. In their creation myth Enuma Elish, chaos was represented by the sea and understandably so. The sea has the power to disrupt, damage and destroy life on an epic scale, something that came perilously close to happening on the Cape on March 3rd.

Electrical lines had been severed and Provincetown was completely enveloped in darkness. At high tide with flashlight in hand, I ventured outside to have a look. When an icy cold wave of seawater came splashing over the seawall, that's when I realized that the only thing keeping me from being swept away by the sea was a concrete seawall demarcating the line between chaos and order. On one side was death and on the other side was life.

At some point, everyone will encounter chaos. No one is immune from the storms of life. That includes Christians. And yet, while those of us who live next to the sea have an abiding reverence for the power of nature to unleash chaos, we need not fear the day when the barrier separating death and life is breached. The cross of Christ serves as a beacon amidst the chaos, reminding us that on the other side is not death but love.

Terry +

Click on the following links to view video of the storm

Holy Week Schedule

March 29 - Maundy Thursday

6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist

March 30 - Good Friday

12:15 p.m. Communion from Reserved Sacrament

April 1 - Sunday of the Resurrection

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music

Financial News

Even though you wouldn't know it by the weather, Spring arrived officially on March 20th. While the winter months typically present a number of financial challenges for a church located in a resort community, St. Mary of the Harbor is like the crocuses in the churchyard reminding us that winter does not deter the work of the church.

With the close of fiscal year 2017, the church's finances showed improvement, as seen in a smaller year end deficit of less than $600 compared to 2016's year end deficit of $3810. Also, we began 2018 in a much better cash position than in the previous year because of last summer's very successful pledge campaign.

At the close of February, the church's net income was $7,096 compared to the same period when last year's deficit as $17,737. This is a result of parishioners prepaying $17,000 of their 2018 pledges and an increase in pledge and plate income.

Our thanks to all who have and continue to give generously to the mission and ministry at St. Mary's. The churches monthly financials can be found on the church's website at:

http://www.stmaryoftheharbor.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=206

Mike Sutila, Treasurer

Introducing St. Mary of the Harbor

In an effort to introduce St. Mary of the Harbor to a wider audience, Terry has created the first in a series of videos for people who have never visited St. Mary's. The videos will be in production throughout much of this year and will be posted to St. Mary's newly established Youtube account and can be accessed through the church's website and Facebook page. This series represents another step in our efforts to reach out to the world to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Click on the following link to view the video:

In the Beginning

Strength for the Journey

St. Mary's Saturday healing service returns April 7th at 8:30 a.m. and continues each Saturday through the end of the year.

From the earliest days of the church, the ministry of healing was expressed in prayers, annointing with consecrated oil and the laying on hands. St. Mary's invites all who suffer in body, mind or spirit to experience the power of God's healing love in this place where one finds strength for the journey.

Reclaiming Jesus

A group of Protestant and Roman Catholic leaders, including Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, have begun what they call a campaign to "reclaim Jesus" from those who they believe are using Christian theology for political gain.

"We are living through perilous and polarizing times as a nation, with a dangerous crisis of moral and political leadership at the highest levels of our government and in our churches," say the 23 signers of the statement. "We believe the soul of the nation and the integrity of faith are now at stake."

To read more, click on the following link:

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2018/03/22/presiding-bishop-others-begin-campaign-to-reclaim-jesus-in-us-culture/

Nicholson Hall Facelift

Painters showed up at 7:30 a.m. on March 14th to start the long overdue refurbishment of Nicholson Hall & the Library. The new paint job and draperies will make St Mary's an even more attractive venue for wedding receptions, community meetings and other events.

In an effort to better maintain the newly painted walls, we are asking people to refrain from leaning chairs or tables against the wall. Also, the use of nails, thumbtacks and scotch tape are no longer permitted to post notices. Bulletin boards will be available for church related news and announcements along with information about Baobab Children's Home and the Steven Tito School. A separate bulletin board will be installed where notices and flyers restricted to social organizations can be posted.

The library and kitchen got a new coat of paint as well.

Making the World a Better Place

Baobab Partnership

Yohana is 5 years old, and just started kindergarten at Steven Tito Academy. He lives with his mother, father, and two older brothers in a one-room house close to the school. His parents are both farmers with little to no education. Yohana helps out at home by running errands to get things from the local shop. In his free time, he likes reading and playing soccer. His favorite food is rice with beans.

To learn more about Baobab Children's Home and Steven Tito Academy, click on the following link:

http://www.tzkids.org

Truly, I tell you, just as you did to one of the least of these who are my family, you did to me.

Jesus of Nazareth

Winter Outreach Luncheons

Another Great Success

Living on the far end of this narrow land, it is with great anticipation that we prepare 8 to 9 winter luncheons every Saturday from early January to Late February. It is a community gathering, and a place to meet new friends and say hello to old ones. The music by Black Whidah adds a "Joyful Noise" and garners much appreciation and applause. Thanks Bruce Cagwin for chairing the luncheons and everyone on the crew who worked so diligently and were committed to these luncheons. Preparing food for 100 is hard work but this parish has created this warm and delicious respite from winter for more than 20 years.

Disaster Preparedness

The Disaster Preparedness Task Force continues to meet and has developed the outline for a Handbook for use in a disaster. The Handbook includes: what is an emergency, insurance, emergency contacts in Town government, contractors who can help with various services related to clean-up and repair, storage of essential papers, protection of art works, and what role St. Mary's can play to help others in an emergency.

Harry Ellsworth, Julia Perry, Beth Chapman and Pat Penza were commissioned by the Vestry to assess St. Mary of the Harbor's readiness for potential disasters and to identify resources available both within and outside the church that can be mobilized to assist when needed.

Nor'Easters Wreaks Havoc

A series of Nor'Easters have struck the Cape since January. Fortunately, the only church property damaged so far is the rectory fence that was whipsawed by 75+ mph wind gusts.

Eversource had to dispatch line repair crews to restore electricity

The latest Nor'Ester walloped the Cape and dropped heavy snow accumulations resulting in widespread electricity outages.

Where the Wind Blows

Living on a spit of sand surrounded by the Gulf of Maine is an adventure. Frequented by damaging winds and horizontal rain, repairs to church property is a never-ending project. Here, a roofer is seen replacing roof shingles blown off by a storm.

Vestry Update

Vestry Actions for February 2018

Set the date of the Annual Meeting for June 24th
Set the date of a World Cafe for June 17th for a presentation to the parish from the Rectory Task Force
Approved a $100 donation to the Sisters of Providence in memory of Carol Studley's mother
Approved new signage in parking lot that addresses liability concerns
Heard update on developing disaster plans from Emergency Preparedness Task Force

The church's financials and minutes from vestry meetings are posted on the church's website. They can be located by linking on the following link under "Events, News and Reports" menu bar at the top of the webpage. Here is the link:

http://www.stmaryoftheharbor.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=206

Ministry of All Believers

You don't have to be ordained by a bishop to be a minister. Every baptized person is a minister of the gospel. That doesn't mean you have to be able to preach a sermon. There are many opportunities at St. Mary of the Harbor where you can exercise a ministry. Here are just a few:

Healing Ministry at Saturday or Sunday services

Serving on the Altar Guild

Singing in the choir

Leading the Prayers of the People on Sunday

Reading the lessons at a worship service

Serving as a usher

Hospitality and Fellowship

Leading a bible discussion group

Volunteering for St. Mary's Community Luncheons

Serving on a church committee or the vestry

Writing / editing articles for the OuterMost Voice

Photographing important events at the church

Volunteering at the Summer Fair or for the Art & Spirit Auction

Every Christian has God given talents. Please talk with Terry to explore how best to use yours.

Stay in touch. Get the latest diocesan wide news at this link:

http://diomass.org/news-pubs/by-category/Diocesan%20News

Parishioner Directory

Click on the following link to view the latest parishioner directory. Once the file is opened, you can save it to your computer's hard drive for future access.

Parish Directory

Please email us at office@stmaryoftheharbor.org or call 508-487-2622 for corrections to your contact information.

Paypal

Online giving is now available for people who are interested in making pledge payments or one time gifts electronically. Access it through the church's website at www.stmaryoftheharbor.org where you will find a "Donate" button on the menu bar at the top of the page and to the right. Click and it will take you to Paypal where you can make your donation. Contact Mike Sutila at msutila@chasemachine if you have questions.