Our mission is to be a community of Christian
worship, well-being and service

Social Distancing ~ Spiritually connecting
The week of Apr. 17 - Apr. 24


The early spring announced itself with a daily chorus of increasing avian song. A perfect time to resume searching for unique bird photos. Unique is the challenge. Sitting on a small bench beside a “peeper pond”, I looked up to some branches directly overhead to see what apparently was an Eastern Meadowlark (yellow abdominal plumage, black V shape plumage under the throat…) busily working on a harvest. With six or seven exposures taken, I then continued my walk. At home on the editor, among multiple shots, was just one with the unique prominence of a single, plump, long seed clenched in the beak. A photograph with a beautiful bird and a tiny seed as equal focal points was striking. Thoughts of the continual daily presence of God in creation occurred naturally. True, one seed doth not a meal make, until thought of as a single seed from a pod of many, or one of hundreds provided by a single sunflower. Therein lies bounty, and therein is Matthew 6: 25 – 33 depicted in the photo posterized above.
 
Enjoy Our Beautiful Environment
Ray Edler







Worship


"While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, 'Have you anything here to eat?' They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence." Lk. 24


Third Sunday of Easter
Sunday worship will be celebrated in person with lawn seating and drive in spaces. There will also be reserved seating for those who need it. For reserved seating please be in touch with Murry Edwards.

We always livestream on Facebook.
Inclement weather plan will include a livestream service and drive through Holy communion from 11:45 - 12:15.

Sunday Worship Links





This Week's Leaders:


Eucharistic Minister
Jennie Nestlerode

Lector/ Intercessor
Anne Wood


Altar Guild
Jennie Nestlerode & Sheila Benevides

Livestream Videographer:
Marlo Pratt

Audio
David Brierley

Musicians
Michael Templeton,
Julie Zecher

Celebrant & Preacher
Rev. Meaghan Brower+


Collect For The Week
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Evening Prayer on Facebook live

Lay leaders are praying the evening office at 5:30 p.m. daily online via Facebook Live. You do not need to have Facebook in order to participate in these daily prayers. If you can not make it at 5:30, the service will be recorded and remain on the St. Mary's Facebook page.
Please join us as you may at //www.facebook.com/smcportsmouth/.



Prayer Requests
If you would like to add someone to the prayers of the people, to be included in the Sunday morning prayers and in the daily evening prayers, please contact Parish Administrator, Karen Laroche. We typically keep people in the prayers for one month.

Seeking Baptism?
If you are interested in preparing for baptism, please contact Jennifer and she will help you to plan.






Well Being
St. Mary’s Community Garden Plots Available
Our community garden continues to provide a beautiful outdoor environment to grow your own vegetables or to donate fresh vegetables to local food pantries. The garden is a great place to be! 
If you would like to have a plot this spring, the application is available on the St. Mary’s website here. 
For information please email the garden coordinator Elise LaParle Garcia garden@smcportsmouth.org.







Forward Day By Day

The new Day by Day books are in and will be available at the Welcome Table Sunday Mornings. Please pick one up!




Service
Celebrating Families on Mother’s Day
Sign Up Genius For Celebrating Families on Mothers Day:
Attachments area
MLK Food Collection Change

As we move to Sunday outdoor worship; starting this weekend (weather permitting), we will once again be collecting food on that day for the MLK Center and not on Tuesdays.
Do you need groceries, errands or help with something else? 

Contact the head of our Pastoral Care Team, Pauline Davis. There are many people who can help.  Her email address is here. You may also phone her at 401-871-1453, but she would prefer an email if you are able.

Communication & Other Announcements

If you lead a ministry and wish to share information, please send the content (which should include relevant information, time, date, place, and contact person with email) to:
Ray Edler for eNews, 
The Rector  if you'd like it verbally announced at worship, 
Parish Administrator Karen Laroche to be included in writing in
the weekly worship bulletin
Mattie Gustafson if you want it on our webpage. 
Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action) If you have a photo or image that is always welcome.
St. Mary's Leadership and Staff
VESTRY OFFICERS:
Sr. Warden: Marlo Pratt: srwarden@smcportsmouth.org
Jr. Warden: George LeBlanc: jrwarden@smcportsmouth.org
Treasurer: David Brierley:  treasurer@smcportsmouth.org 
Clerk: Mattie Gustafson:  vestry_clerk@smcportsmouth.org 

STAFF:
Rector: The Rev. Jennifer L. Pedrick jennifer@smcportsmouth.org
Parish Administrator:Karen Laroche karen@smcportsmouth.org
Pastoral Musician: Michael Templeton michael@smcportsmouth.org
Property Manager: Jon Walker jon@smcportsmouth.org

Our buildings are currently closed due to the Covid - 19 pandemic.
Our grounds, churchyard and outdoor labyrinth are open for walking and prayer.
Watercolor: Richard Grosvenor.