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A community of Christian worship, well-being, & service
Weekend of Feb. 22nd & 23rd, 2020
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Dear Friends,
Get ready for a wonderful weekend! Our bishop is joining us to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. Sunday Bishop Knisely will be confirming four of our members, and receiving six members. We will have a festive coffee hour complete with cake to celebrate these members and our life together.
The feast of the Transfiguration will take us up a mountain with Jesus, and a few of his close disciples. In the Gospel of Matthew we will experience a dazzling scene, in which Jesus is bathed in resplendent light. It is a miraculous moment, but Jesus warns of what is to come. He is already moving toward his death and resurrection in Jerusalem.
We too are about to begin a journey to Jerusalem. This Lent at St. Mary's the theme is Journey of the Heart -- an invitation to a spiritually rich season of worship, well-being and service.
We begin this journey on Wednesday. Worship is at noon and 7 p.m. in St. George's Chapel.
As you prepare for Lent I invite you to plan for your journey of the heart.
Lift up your hearts - Come to WORSHIP every week, and during the three holy days of holy week.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind -Choose one way to practice and grow in WELL-BEING for yourself.
Love your neighbor as yourself -
Choose one new way to serve, at least once during this season of Lent. Set your heart on SERVICE.
I look forward to the mountaintop experience, and then our journey of the heart, together in Christ.
Faithfully, Jennifer
The Rev. Jennifer Pedrick
Rector, St. Mary's Episcopal Church
A community of Christian Worship, Well-being and Service
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-W O R S H I P-
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness... - Psalm 96
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Last Sunday After The Epiphany
Collect
O God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
"This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"
Mathew 17
Liturgical Ministry Assignments:
Access the readings (track 2)
HERE
SATURDAY 5PM
(Followed by Reception)
Lector
Ed Gosling (1st)
LEM:
SUNDAY 9AM
Acolytes:
Michelle Freitas
Sarah Freitas
Lectors:
Carol McOsker
(1st)
Cindy Dube
(2nd)
Intercessor:
Andrew Nash
LEM:
Elaine Bakios
Greeters: Rayna Lombardo, Chris Bartlett
Counters
Rita Verespy
- Counter
Jon Juhase
- Pledge clerk
Coffee Hour Hosts:
Invite, Welcome, Connect Committee
Invite Welcome Connect Team
Altar Guild
Sheila Benevides
Carol Brierley
Jenny Nestlerode
Preacher
+The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely
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ALTAR 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 2 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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Weekly Prayers of the People
If anyone would like to add a prayer request into the weekly Prayers of the People please notify Karen, Parish Administrator by phone or email of your request. Names are kept in the Prayers of the People usually for one month.
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Noon Liturgical Ministers
Altar Guild:
Ruth Siebens
Pianist:
Marilyn Hambly
Lectors:
Jennifer Vergnani, Ray Edler
Intercessor:
David Brierley
LEM:
Carol Brierley
Greeters:
Christine Cotsoridis,
Murry Edwards,
Marlo Pratt
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7 pm Liturgical Ministers
Altar Guild:
Ann Gizzi
Lectors:
Ann Gizzi,
Stacy Mello
Intercessor:
Stacy Mello
LEM:
Steve Bakios
Greeter:
Lauren Lema
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MEMBERS BEING CONFIRMED OR RECEIVED
by Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, Feb. 23, 2020
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RITA VERESPY
FUN FACTS
- Crazy Cat Lady
-Loves animals, nature and Yoga
-Went to Woodstock!
Ministries-
-Friend and Aunt.
-Stewardship and Counter at St. Mary's
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MARLO PRATT
FUN FACTS
- I love to go sea glass hunting with my husband.
- I have been collecting Mickey Mouse Christmas ornaments since 1978.
-I grew up in Billings Montana.
Ministries-
-Wife, Mother, and Daughter. Invite, Welcome -Connect Coordinator here at St. Mary's.
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RAYMOND EDLER
FUN FACTS
- I like to cook, and make the best (according to Mary) stuffed artichokes this side of Florence, and Federal Hill.
- I wooed Mary with Hamlet's 2 B or not 2 B soliloquy. But alas, the artichokes were needed
to seal the deal.
- Co-leader of a Shakespeare reading group each Monday night six years running. Whether tragedy or comedy, laughing always rules.
Ministries-
- Comic relief to Mary & two daughters, and baby whisperer to 5 grandchildren.
- eNews editor, and lector at St. Mary's
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LEE FERREIRA
FUN FACTS
- I lived in Japan for 2 years.
- I've been taking painting lessons for over 5 years and have little "art" to show for it, but have been having a great time!
- I have been at the airport in Gander, Newfoundland, twice. It was the setting for the play "Come From Away".
Ministries-
- Wife, mother, grandmother
- Support the soup kitchen.
- Hospice volunteer
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SHEILA BENEVIDES
FUN FACTS
-Asks a million questions.
-Can make a quick witty comment in most situations.
-Can create anything from a ball of yarn and some knitting needles.
Ministries-
-Assisting with the deliveries of many newborns every week.
-Altar Guild, Invite, Welcome and Connect, Worship Team, Alcolyting, and anything else I am asked to assist with at St. Mary's.
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RICHARD UPDEGROVE
FUN FACTS
- Married to Kathy for 41 years - three children, two grandchildren, and one Coyote fighting Lab (Jake).
- Born in Amityville NY - yes, I am the original Amityville Horror!
-Kathy and I love to travel - especially on river cruises in Europe.
Ministries-
-Family.
-I am a facilitator in the Sacred Ground dialogue here at St. Mary's.
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CAITLIN DUFFY
FUN FACTS
- I am a huge dog lover and currently have a catahoula leopard dog named Bosun.
- I love to run, and I hope to run a marathon someday.
- I can't start my day without a good dark roast cup of coffee.
Ministries-
-Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister. I volunteer for Sunday School at St. Mary's when I can.
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MICHAEL GUMP
FUN FACTS
-I used to be an actor and playwright in NYC for twelve years.
-I was a novice Buddhist Monastic for one year.
-I am a huge Bob Dylan Fan.
Ministries-
-I am not sure of my ministry is yet. I think something around Twelve Step recovery and Meditation.
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MARY LAUZON
FUN FACTS
-I love trees, especially "Gloria", the Coral Bark Japanese Maple that lives in my front yard.
- My adopted dog Luna, has taught me so much about trust.
-My greatest legacy is the love of the ocean, which was passed on to me by my mother and grandmother.
Ministries-
-Co-Director of Mercy Association for RI/MA; -Franklin Court Assisted Living;
-RI Veterans Home (my brother is a resident);
-Soup kitchen at St. Paul's.
-C
urrently employed by
the Sisters of Mercy,
Director of Ministry for sponsored ministries in the northeast.
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REGINA SLEZAK
FUN FACTS
-Loves to cook
-Is a cat person, who has learned to
love dogs.
- Belongs to several book discussion groups.
Ministries-
-Lector, Invite, Welcome, Connect. Pastoral Care Card Team,
St. Mary's
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PLEASE HELP US CELEBRATE!
Special Coffee Hour Celebration - Confirmation and Reception Invitation:
A special coffee hour is planned for Sunday to celebrate the Confirmation and Receptions taking place. We hope many of you will stay to celebrate with those being confirmed and received with their families. Also, anyone who could assist the cleaning crew afterwards would be most appreciated. Thank You.
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Presiding Bishop Curry Issues Lenten Call
A Call to Prayer, Fasting, and Repentance Leading to Action.
An invitation from Bishop Curry to turn and pray on behalf of our nation.
As the season of Lent approaches, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites Episcopalians and people of faith to turn and pray on behalf of our nation:
"In times of great national concern and urgency, people of faith have returned to ancient practices of repentance, prayer and fasting as ways of interceding with God on behalf of their nation and the world. This is such a moment for us in the United States.
"On Ash Wednesday I will join with other Christian leaders observing this Lent as a season of prayer, fasting and repentance on behalf of our nation, with continued fasting each Wednesday until the Wednesday before Advent begins. Our appeal comes during a time of profound division and genuine crisis of national character. This is not a matter of party or partisanship, but of deep concern for the soul of America.
As we prepare for Lent 2020,
click on the yellow link at bottom
to go to the video of Bishop Curry. More information on the Reclaiming Jesus website:
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Community Garden Education Meetings
Composting Information Session
Saturday March 7th at 11 am
Jason Spitalnik from Aquidneck Community Table will present.
Community Garden Plots Available - Come Grow with Us! Join master gardeners, fellow parishioners, and support our local food pantries. Contact Elise at email link above for an application.
Next Garden Meeting - Thursday February 27th 3:30 in the gathering space.
Early Asparagus Weed and Feed - Join us on Saturday February 29th at 10 AM to support the much needed attention to our asparagus plot. (weather permitting).
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St. Mary's Episcopal Church,
Women's Spirituality
Book Discussion Group Begins March 2nd
Group meets 1st Mon. of month, noon to 1:30 in Christian Formation Room
First book for discussion -
"How to Live", by Judith Valente. "
This book is about living. Not about surviving,
but living a balanced, meaningful and attentive life."
St. Mary's has purchased several copies of this book - so if you want to take advantage of one of these copies, please indicate this in your email. Books are also available at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. There are several copies available through the Ocean State Library System.
For our first meeting on March 2nd, please try to read the first ten chapters.
St. Mary's Episcopal Church
324 East Main Road, Portsmouth RI 02871
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Good News!
On the first weekend of April (Palm Saturday & Sunday), St. Mary's parishioners will begin attending services in the historic church!
The saying "Many hands make for light work" applies to the following.
If you are available to help the altar guild (cleaning, dusting, etc.), on March 23 and/or 24
to ready the church, please call Ann Gizzi @ 846-6282.
Approximate time for this effort is mornings 9 am to 12 pm. Your help is appreciated.
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Kingdom of God Study
No Classes This Sunday, Feb. 23rd
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:
Week of Feb. 16th. We will be looking at the Seed Scriptures about the Kingdom of God as a special grouping in the Gospels: Matthew 13:31-32, Luke 8:4-8, Mark 4:26-29.
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No Children's Classes This Sunday Feb. 23rd
CHILDREN'S CLASSES, SPECIAL LENT PRAYER CHAIN
Family Lenten Prayer Chain Event
Sunday, March 1st, 10:30-11:15
No Classes this Sunday, Feb. 23
All children and families are invited to join Jennie Nestlerode for this special Lenten activity. Following the 10 a.m. service and coffee hour, families will work together to create a Lenten prayer chain for use throughout the Lenten season.
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Hearing assistance technology available at St. Mary's Services
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-S E R V I C E-
Let the greatest among you be the servant...
- Matthew 23
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Sign up this weekend to be a Coffee Hour Host
You will find in our gathering space a sign up sheet
for March, April & May Coffee Hours.
Please check it out and see what Sunday works best for you and your family. Sign up and take your reminder note home with you. Thank you for supporting this important ministry.
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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
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eNews SUBMISSIONS:
Please submit all eNews items by Wednesday for inclusion that week. Thank you.
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**Please Note:
As we in 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.
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VESTRY OFFICERS:
STAFF:
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
([email protected]).
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