Staying Connected as a Faith Community
SAVE THE DATE 
Worship on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 21 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, May 10th at 10AM


CLICK HERE  for the bulletin


New Permanent Meeting Code

 Meeting ID: 823 2447 0555
Password: 0000
     
Join Zoom Meeting:

or
Dial
1 646 876 9923
Join Ann for
COMPLINE at 7:30pm

FRIDAY Compline
Meeting ID: 741 202 531  

CLICK HERE  or Dial: 1-929-205-6099

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WEDNESDAY Compline
Meeting ID: 173 966 797


CLICK HERE  or DIAL  1-929-205-6099


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CLICK HERE   for the Compline bulletin

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CALLING ALL MASK MAKERS

During this time, many are dusting off their sewing machines and sewing skills to produce masks for frontline workers or others in the community. One parishoner requested that our clothesline be put up again as a way to distribute homemade masks to our neighbors. If you make masks, feel free to add any additional masks to the line over the next few weeks. Also, CLICK HERE to view Peace by Piece Quilters Facebook page and watch their mask production efforts!

If you find yourself shopping on Amazon more during this time of isolation, you can support St. Mary's at the same time! Go to Amazon Smile and select St. Mary's Episcopal Church Manchester, CT. A percentage of your purchases made on Amazon Smile (not the regular Amazon website) will go directly to church. Thanks for the consideration!
GODLY PLAY and YOUTH GROUP
CLICK HERE for Faith Formation Resources for the Fifth Sunday of Easter. We are currently putting together Fun Bags for each of our Christian Formation students. Be on the lookout for either a mail or doorstep delivery in the next few weeks! We miss you!

REFELCTION FROM REV. ANN

“When will this all end?” We keep asking. But no answers are forthcoming. “When will things return to “normal”? We keep asking. But no answers are satisfying. What if we changed our questions. Could that help us imagine the future? What if we ask “How do we carry on in this new normal? Perhaps “normal” is a loaded word, for it likely means different things to different people. This new time does not feel familiar. That’s something we long for, for things to feel familiar - like comfort food or cozy pjs - we want to feel safe and certain. And life is full of uncertainties and unknowns, and we do not like it one bit.

Right in this very place is God. Right now is the time for us to dig deep into our reservoir of faith and trust. Can we trust God is with us as we try to figure out how to carry on in this new normal? Right now is what we have. We do not know the future. ...although it looks certain it will involve more changes then we would choose. And, it looks certain to be lasting much longer then we ever pictured.

God is our certainty. Prayer is our path. We can bring our fears and worries to God. We can get angry. We can lament. We can ask God to give us grateful hearts even when we feel out of sorts or all mixed up. How do we carry on in this new normal? We want definitive answers. God says “trust me.” “I am with you always.“

How do we carry on? We search for the tiniest seed of hope. We proclaim that God is with us through our struggles. And we continue to proclaim, with all certainty:

Alleluia! Christ is Risen
The Lord is Risen indeed! Alleluia!


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Please, please, if you did not catch Bishop Mariann Budde’s sermon from Sunday at WNC, do take the time to listen. You will be very glad you did!

CLICK HERE to take a listen

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Rev. Ann shares A Litany During A Pandemic from the Sisters of St Margaret. CLICK HERE to view. The Society of St Margaret is a Episcopal Religious Order for Women located in Duxbury, Massachusetts. They are “mission focused sisters living an ancient tradition with a modern outlook.” CLICK HERE to visit their website.




Message from Finance Committee

Your Finance Committee met this past Tuesday to review our April financials and the financial effects of the building being closed for the past 8 weeks. We are happy to announce that we have been approved and recieved funds from the federal CARES Act for the Payroll Protection Program (PPP). This is a great help to offset any dip in our pledging as people continue to struggle with the financial ramifications of the pandemic. With that said please continue, as you are able, to send in offerings to the church office. They will be counted and deposited weekly. You may mail envelopes to the office or drop in the secure mailbox outside the office.
TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF & OTHERS


Deacon Karen reminds us that May is National Mental Health month. CLICK HERE for CT's NAMI website which highlights many efforts and a virtual awareness walk next weekend.


The Episcopal Church in Connecticut shared this info in their weekly newsletter:

"Governor Ned Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut is partnering with the developers of the  How We Feel  app in an effort to anonymously provide scientists with critical health information needed to understand the spread of COVID-19." CLICK HERE for more info.

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Virtual Prayers of the People

Please  CLICK HERE  to view the list and to take a moment to lift these names up in your prayers. If you have people you wish to add or if you have a desire to join a newly invigorated Prayer Team please contact Rev. Ann.

For the Sick

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and
relieve your sick servants, and give your power of healing to
those who minister to their needs, that those (or N., or NN.)
for whom our prayers are offered may be strengthened in
their weakness and have confidence in your loving care;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.