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

Weekend of Jan. 18th & 19th, 2020



 
"As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies dráw fláme;"  

The Kingfisher is regarded as perhaps the most beautiful bird in the United Kingdom.   In the UK, there is one species of the Kingfisher, the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis). Its resplendent metallic blue and orange plumage shines prominently, and its fast, diving motion is amazing as it plummets toward water to fish.   Dragonflies  move with elegance and grace, iridescent both on wings and body. Its iridescence shows itself in  different colors  depending on its angle to the light.  Such are creatures being exactly what they are, and were meant to be.  How about you and me?
 
The above is the opening line of "As Kingfishers Catch Fire", a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, regarded as one of the most influential poets of the Victorian age. Deeply religious, Hopkins goes on in this poem to describe the state of doing what God has willed one to do in the most beautiful terms.  For in the eyes of God, the Kingfisher, in its fiery colors does what is meant to be, and the dragonfly, coloring with its motion and lit iridescence does also as meant to be, and is pleasing to God. The poet then goes on to extend such fulfillments with the term, "For this I came", reflecting the words of Christ at trial when asked by Pilate, "Are you a king"?
 
Moving to humanity, Hopkins describes women and men fulfilling their roles, which must be sought out and acted.  As Hopkins says, "The justice justices", using the nominative as verb (to justice).  The poem goes on, "Each mortal thing does one thing and the same". . . revealing from indoors (soul) a true self, God given, which Hopkins describes as crying, "What I do is me, for that I came."  
 
Whoever does their discovered purpose, for which they came, Hopkins says, "keeps all their goings grace", and acting so in the eye of God she or he is----"Christ".  For Gerard Manley Hopkins, "Christ  plays in ten thousand places, Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his, To the Father through the features of men's faces".  In today's Gospel, John the Baptist upon seeing Jesus walk by exclaims, "Look, here is The Lamb of God", after which two of his disciples follow Jesus.  In whom do we see Christ go by in our lives?  What is their grace, presented in humility, that attracts and makes us wish to emulate and follow them? The search for Christ is life-long, an ongoing effort; found then not found.  But when found at points in life, it is like sighting a Kingfisher. There is a bliss, and a steadfastness.  Our search must go on.
 
 
Blessings To All,
Ray Edler



-W O R S H I P-
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness... - Psalm 96


 

Second Sunday After The Epiphany


". . . as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, 'Look, here is 
the Lamb of God!' The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus."   John I
    

Access the readings (track 2) HERE

Past sermons can be listened to HERE


Liturgical Ministry Assignments:

 Saturday 5PM
Lector
    Jennifer Vergnani 

LEM:
Bob Vergnani

   Greeters: 
   Jean & Andre Wilson Levesque


 Sunday 9AM
Crucifer:  Jennie Nestlerode
        Acolytes:  Andrew Silveria, Rayna Lombardo

Lectors: 
Rene Bierman, Trish Culver
                             
Intercessor: Ted Bierman
LEM: Paul Westrom
       Greeters: Marilyn & Dave Ferkinhoff

Counters
  Davide Spengler,  Chris Winslow 

Coffee Hour Hosts: Judy & Bill Hall
 

Alter Guild: 
Lauren Lima
Stacy Mello
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If you're  serving in ministry and want to check your schedule, you can see it on  Ministry Scheduler online




        To The St. Mary's Music Ministry


The entire congregation extends a warm and well deserved Thank You; "BRAVA & BRAVO" to our wonderful music ministry, under the direction of Michael Templeton, for a season of beautiful hymns, instrumentals, and lively recessionals during Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. We thank Marilyn Hambly for offering her musical gifts at funerals, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Christmas Lessons and Carols. The beauty they've added to our services extends beyond  measure.  


-W E L L - B E I N G-
Growing into the full stature of Christ... - Ephesians 4



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ST. MARY'S HONORS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY  2020





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Bishop's Visit


Our bishop will be visiting St. Mary's on February 22nd @ 5 pm, Feb. 23rd @ 9 am, and will offer the rites of Confirmation, and Reception for those who wish. Rehearsal for Confirmation and Reception candidates is 8:15 am on Feb. 23rd.
To express interest & learn about preparation, contact The Rev. Jennifer Pedrick

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Adult Bible Study Continues This Sunday, January 19th  
10:30 -11:15 in the Adult Education Room
 
Our Theme for our Winter-Spring Journey~The Kingdom of God.
Throughout the gospels Jesus is found preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God. He compares it to so many things; a tiny seed, a hidden treasure, even a bit of leaven.  He also invites us to seek the Kingdom of God, to live in it and surprisingly, to find it nestled in the human heart.
 
You are invited to come when you can and hopefully, you can come often!
 
Karen Laroche will once again be our leader and guide.  

Scriptures: January 12th  : Mark 1:1-15,  Matthew 3:1-12,  Luke 2:51-52  
 January 19th: Matthew 13:31-32,  Matthew 17:14-21,  Ezekiel 17:22-24



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Children's classes continue after the 9 am service.


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-S E R V I C E-
Let the greatest among you be the servant... - Matthew 23





CONGRATULATIONS TUCK FUND RECIPIENTS





Congratulations to Michael Adkins, Bella DeAngelo, Cali Hall, Savannah G. Kacher, Abby Kaull, Jane Kaull, Cece Lord Harvey, Sara Lundberg, Connor Pratt, and Claire Williams.  These ten St. Mary's students received $2000 each in scholarship money from the Adeline Tuck Fund.  This money will be used for undergraduate and graduate studies in the Spring semester 2020.

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ALTER FLOWER REQUESTS
Many parishioners ask how to go about ordering altar flowers in memory of someone or to mark a certain occasion, etc.  If you are interested there are 3 dates open; March 14/15 & March 21/22  Please contact Ann Gizzi (401-846-6282), if interested in one or more of those dates. 
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        COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNUAL MEETING:
St. Mary's Annual Meeting is on Sunday Feb. 2nd at 10:30 am in St. George's Chapel.



CENSUS TAKING OPPORTUNITIES

Every ten years the U.S. Census Bureau must conduct a nationwide census. The next  Decennial Census will be taken in April 2020. The Census Bureau is currently seeking to hire local residents to assist with the work.  The jobs feature great pay, $25 per hour for Census Takers in Rhode Island.  The work starts in May and is expected to last 6-8 weeks. The hours and days are flexible, pay is weekly, and there is also paid training and mileage pay.  The assignments are in your own community.  The application process in all online and no resume is required. For more information or to apply online, visit
              
                              2020census.gov/jobs or call 1-855-JOB-2020

Learn how you can help collect important data that will determine your state's representation in Congress, as well as how funds are spent in your community on things like roads, schools and hospitals.

Best regards
Edith M Kloss
Recruiting Assistant
Providence Area Office
U.S. Census Bureau
Field Division












If you have news or an announcement that you'd like to be added to this e-newsletter, please email:   enews@smcportsmouth.org
Submissions needed by Wednesdays to be added to the weekend e- news.

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**Please Note:  As we are entering the season when common illnesses are more prevalent, if you are not feeling well, it may be helpful to abstain from the Cup during Holy Communion.  

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IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE: EMAIL 
HACKERS ARE OUT THERE.   
 
Recently, many, many organizations, especially churches have been the targets of fraudulent emails. 

They often appear to be from the rector or a staff member. They usually ask for money or personal information. 

If an email looks suspicious before you open it, trust your instinct and DO NOT open it. 

If you are unsure, DO NOT open it. 

If you do open an email and it appears to be asking for money or personal information, DO NOT REPLY and DO NOT send money. 

Jennifer and the SMC staff and leaders will NEVER ask you for money directly via email. 

You can always call or send an email to us if you are not sure. We are aware of the problem and this is part of the technology age in which we live and there is very little that can be done to stop this annoyance, but we should be mindful when opening and replying to emails always. 



-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: Christine Winslow:      cwinslow@corriganfinancialinc.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: David Spengler            david.spengler@live.com
Member: Julie Zecher:                zecherjulie@gmail.com
Member: Michelle Freitas:         msfreitas1206@gmail.com
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
 
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  Parish Administrator, Karen Laroche  (karen@smcportsmouth.org).