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NEWS FROM ST. MARY'S
A community of Christian worship, well-being and service.
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Dear Friends,
This week we continue our journey through the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John and the Bread of Life discourse. We will overhear an exchange between Jesus and those who are grumbling and protesting his teaching. They complain as he says, "I am the bread come down from heaven." It seem that they take issue with his claim to be from heaven, when they know that he is the human son of Joseph. So how can God be using this ordinary fellow to feed the world eternally? These weeks of exploring the bread of life as Jesus' identity invites s to consider our own spiritual nourishment. How do you experience Jesus as bread, providing nourishment that takes away our hunger? What does the mystery Holy Eucharist offer that is unlike any other meal? How sharing one bread, blessed, broken and shared symbolize God's hope for us as a community? I look forward to meeting you at the table where we will share the holy meal. God's peace, Jennifer
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This Sunday August 12 Coffee & Conversation 9AM in the Chapel
This is an important gathering where we will present the Christian Formation theme and offerings for the Fall and open registration. There will be something for everyone, so all ages, particularly families with youth and children are very much encouraged to attend.
Other topics to be covered will include: new policies for managing our churchyard, and other issues members would like to discuss.
Name Tags: We are placing an order for new name tags, if you need one, need a new one, or a permanent one, please complete the card you will find on the welcome table at the back/entryway by August 12th.
Welcoming new members on the last weekend in August
If you would like to become a member of St. Mary's, or if you are not sure if you are a member or not, please be in touch with me so that we can officially welcome you and record your membership.
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JourneyDance with the Rev Jennifer Pedrick
Friday, August 10th 7:30-8:30 PM. $10
at The Sacred Center @ St. Mary's Church
324 E. Main Rd., Portsmouth
This is a journey of healing through dance & expressive movement offering you freedom, joy and supportive community. For more info please go to www.sacred-center.org or contact Shelley Dungan @ 860-965-9995. [email protected]
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| Beach Worship, Baptism & Community Potluck... |
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Celebrating!
Beach Worship, Baptism & Community Potluck
August 19th, 10am at Sandy Point Beach, Portsmouth
Baptising our newest member, Weston Pyatak. Potluck lunch to follow.
Please bring beach chair and a dish to share. Parking free for SMC.
Sandy Point Beach located at the end of Sandy Point Avenue. We will be on the north side of the beach near lifeguard chairs.
5pm and 8 am worship remain unchanged.
*weather permitting
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Saturday Evening Contemplative Practice Offered
Saturday, August 12th, 4PM, a contemplative prayer and scripture study will be held in the chapel. For the summer, new member Audrey Bennett will lead us through s special method of praying with scripture and learning contemplative prayer practices. This weekly offering is a perfect prelude to our contemplative service and will open new doors of prayer and discovery for anyone looking to go deeper in their life of faith. Please join us in the historic church.
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Savor the Summer - A Relaxing and Creative Evening at St. Mary's
Gathering behind the Parish House overlooking the back field, we will savor the gift of our beautiful property, the summer sunset, and enjoy good company with painting supplies provided. No artistic skills needed! Suggested donation $10. Suitable for adults and teens. Weather permitting. Space is limited.
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Prepare Yourself for Worship...
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Saturday evening worship on the bridal path during the summer (weather permitting)
This week's Collect
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Link to This Week's Reading
Looking to enhance your knowledge of the bible and your experience of worship?
Believe it or not, there is an easy way to do both! The lectionary is the book that contains the Sunday readings. There are three year-long cycles of readings: A, B, and C. If you come to church each Sunday for three years, you will hear almost the entire bible. To find the readings, all you need to do is click on the link below! Reading and praying through these sacred texts before coming to church could be a game changer for your alertness in worship and your biblical knowledge.
Here's the link:
lectionary
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| Buy a child a lunch collection... |
For the month of August at St. Mary's, we will be conducting a "Buy A Child A Lunch" collection to support the children at the MLKC as they return to the Preschool and After-school program in September. Everyday, the MLKC serves over 70 meals to its children and teachers. The cost of a meal, which is drastically reduced by B & M Catering, is approximately $2.00 per child, per day. As some of you know, summertime at the MLKC can be financially burdensome, as they have more folks, including children, needing their nutritional services. We will be taking a collection at the end of each service for the month of August, so the students can start the year off in a nourished and healthy way.
I will be coordinating the volunteers who will take the collection. Checks may be made out to the MLK Community Center. In the memo line, please indicate "Buy A Child A Lunch Program". Checks may also be mailed to the office. If you would like to help, please call me at 924-4252.
Thank you for your continued love and generosity toward the MLKC.
Gratefully Yours, Judy Hall
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Freedom from Hunger Food Drive...
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Freedom from Hunger Food Drive!
July through August 31, 2018
For most of us, July means Independence Day, BBQs and beach days. But for hungry people in Newport County, that sense of ease and freedom does not exist.
Over 8,000 people in Newport County live below the Federal Poverty Level. One in eight of our neighbors (or 10,432 individuals) are food insecure. Without the safety net of school breakfast and lunch, already-stressed parents face added burdens providing adequate food for their kids.
In summer, increased demand in the MLK's Food Pantry coincides when donations of non-perishable food, fresh produce, personal care and household items drop. In other words, our pantry shelves are getting bare just as more and more local families and seniors look to us for help.
So, we're reaching out to you for help. We're setting a big goal with our Freedom from Hunger Food Drive. We need to add 5,000 pounds of food to our shelves before the end of August. Every donation matters. Please help to #packourpantry and #stockourshelves by spreading the word and donating urgently-needed food. (Running a Food Drive is a great opportunity to fulfill summer community service hours).
Donations gratefully accepted Mon-Fri at our Loading Dock from 8:30 - 5:00 p.m. Questions? Reach out to Ed Crowley at ext. 119 or [email protected]
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Weekend Silent Retreat at the Society of Saint John the Evangelist retreat center in Cambridge MA.
First Time in Silent Retreat: September 28-30, 2018
Sleep in. Pray. Savor wholesome food. Nap. Read. How might a stay in our Monastery Guesthouse recharge you and open you to God's call?
Location: The Monastery in Cambridge
Friday 5:00 pm - Sunday 2:00 pm, September 28-30, 2018
Leader: Br. Jonathan Maury, SSJE
Suggested fee is $270, financial assistance and young adult scholarships are available.
If you haven't yet come on retreat with us because it's new or daunting, this weekend is for you. The Brothers will gently usher you into the experience of silence and solitude, offer teaching, and suggest ways you might experiment with prayer.
AwakeningSoul is an uplifting, four-day event held annually in Asheville, NC
November 8-11, 2018.
AwakeningSoul was formed in 2012 by Fran McKendree and is a partnership hosting an annual conference embodying 'Sustenance, Sanctuary and Inspiration.' Fran says "AwakeningSoul is a coming together of all the things I care most about - relationships, trust, soul-searching, inspiring conversation, beautiful music and art, laughter, and a palpable awareness of the presence and nearness of God."
Join us at Lutheridge Conference Center for thought-provoking speakers, amazing musicians, and a community of wonderful folks from around the country.
You can learn more details at www.awakeningsoulpresents.org
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Portsmouth Community Theater...
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Save the date!
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Portsmouth Community Theater performing here at St. Mary's about St. Mary's!
5pm Worship
6pm Music and Dinner
7pm Performance
More details coming soon...
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Serving this week in worship...
Altar Guild
Ann Gizzi, Joanne Gracia, Kari Reardon, Ruth Siebens
Saturday at 5pm
Lector: Carole Nicodemus
Lay Eucharistic Minister: Bob Vergnani
Greeter: Jean & Andre Wilson/Levesque
Sunday at 8am
Crucifer: Steve Downing
Lector: Cindy Dube
Intercessor: Trish Culver
Lay Eucharistic Minister: Judy Hall
Greeter: Marshall Lundberg
Sunday at 10am
Crucifer: Dave Ferkinhoff
Acolytes: Sarah Freitas, Andrew Silveria
Lectors: Ted Bierman, Chris Barker
Lay Eucharistic Minister: Michelle Freitas
Greeters: Pauline Davis, Rayna Lombardo
Coffee Hour Host
Elise LaParle-Garcia, Lori Rinkel
The Counters
Counter: Chris Winslow
Pledge Clerk: Harry Gustafson
Your Vestry...
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Get in touch with the Staff
The parish house is open Sunday 7 am to 12 pm; closed on Monday, Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 3 pm; and by special arrangement with the Parish Administrator, Kim Bakoledis (
[email protected]).
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