Staying Connected as a Faith Community |
Thursday, December 10, 2020 |
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CHRISTMAS SEASONAL SHARING
ENDS NEXT WEEK!
There are a variety of ways to share the joy of the season this year! You may pick one or all of the options below! Once again we will support our partner school Bennet Academy and MACC Charities. Please drop off all donations at the office or in the bin/mailbox on the office porch no later than Dec. 19th (gift cards Dec. 15th)
- $25 gift cards to Stop & Shop or Walmart (due Dec 15th)
- Non-perishable food items
- Stocking stuffers for senior shut-ins (masks, lotions, socks, chapstick, sugar free candies, etc)
***NEW***
Drive-Thru Food & Toy Collection
Saturday, December 19th 9-10am
St. Mary's Parking Lot
We will be accepting all non-perishable food items, new unwrapped toys and shut-in stocking stuffers to be delivered to MACC later that morning!
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CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS
For our Christmas memorials, the Altar Guild is placing Christmas plants in the Nativity Chapel where Morning Devotions are held and live streamed each Thursday. Wreaths are being hung on the church doors. A Tree of Lights will be lit in the Memorial Garden each evening from dusk until 9 pm.
If you would like to have your loved ones remembered this Christmas, please send their names to Sandy at the church office by 12/18 (sandy@stmarysct.org or 860-649-4583). A Christmas memorial list will be included with the Christmas bulletins. A memorial contribution is appreciated and not necessary.
‘Tis the season of hope, love, joy, peace, and light!
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Inside Worship Opportunity
Morning Devotions on Thursdays @ 9:30am
If you are interested in joining Morning Devotions next Thurs, Dec. 17th at 9:30AM please RSVP by calling Sandy in the office 860-649-4583 or email sandy@stmarysct.org
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Let's Take a Winter Walk!
We are stretched to reimagine how to get together and visit with each other. Now that it's too cold for lawn chairs, "Coffee on the Curb" will be on hiatus. Instead, let's try on another way of visiting, taking a walk together!
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Contemplative Prayer for Advent: Watch, Wait, Wonder, and Worship
Sundays @4pm
Meeting ID: 845 4337 8082
Passcode: 0000
Dial in:
1 646 876 9923
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Sunday, December 13th 10AM
Permanent Meeting Code
Meeting ID: 823 2447 0555
Password: 0000
Join Zoom Meeting:
or
Dial
1 646 876 9923
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WEEK NIGHT COMPLINE
Join fellow parishioners:
Monday: Karen A
Tuesday: Andrea
Wednesday: HOLDEN EVENING PRAYER ( see different link below)
Friday: Sharon
This short service from The Book of Common Prayer can be found in the BCP on page 127 or you may access the prayer book online at www.bcponline.org.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 856 0827 5573
Passcode: 41Park
To dial by telephone call +1 929 205 6099
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HOLDEN EVENING PRAYER
Wednesdays in Advent @ 7pm
We will join with our friends from Concordia on Zoom to celebrate this service in a lovely musical setting of vespers.
Meeting ID: 824 9334 8865
Password: 0000
Use your telephone to call this number and enter the ID and Password.
1 646 876 9923
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“A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” --Isaiah 40:3 |
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2020 has certainly upended our worship and community life. Christmas will be much different from what we’ve known. As faithful stewards, we prepare to welcome Jesus, even if circumstances are not what we expect or desire. Remember: God is faithful and Christ is with us.
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.”– John 1:6-7 Like John, we are sent as witnesses to testify to the Christ at work in the world. In addition to preparing our own hearts and minds in Advent, faithful stewards know that the Spirit gives us the power to share the good news of God among us.
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Stewardship Reflections
Thank You to those who have returned their pledge certificates. If you have not already, please return your completed pledge certificate as soon as possible or reach out to the office for a new certificate.
WHERE WE ARE:
as of 12/9, 147 letters were mailed,
85 returned (58%) for a total of $174,185.
In 2019, 153 letters were mailed,
116 returned (76%) for a total of $218,104.
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Bishop Laura's Visit
CLICK HERE to view the Zoom service and listen to her sermon
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Support St. Mary's while you Shop
Here's how to sign up for AmazonSmile
2. Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials
3. Choose a charitable organization to receive donations, or search for the charity of your choice (St. Mary's Manchester)
4. Select your charity
4. Start shopping!
5. Add a bookmark for smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile
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TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS
Free drive-through food distribution at Rentschler Field
In December, we will be distributing food on Tuesday and Thursday; 8:30 am – 12:00pm. For the week of Christmas and New Year’s Tues, Dec. 22 and Tues, Dec. 29. Address: 615 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118
Winter Rec. Programming
The Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation Winter/Spring Program and Event Guide is now online! Registration Dates: Residents: December 9, 2020; Non-residents: December 11, 2020. CLICK HERE to register
39th Annual Santa’s Workshop – A Wave with Santa – Free!
Wickham Park has modified Santa’s Workshop this year because we think it is important to share as much of the holiday spirit while still being safe.
December 12 - December 22 CLICK HERE for full details
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Ann's Zoom Coffee Shop on Fridays at 1pm
Join Zoom Meeting
or
Dial +1 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 873 0224 9184
Password: 958202
While we miss gathering in-person at Silk City Coffee, we do love seeing each other and connecting on zoom. You can still "pop in" as if you're strolling on Main Street and stay as long or short as you want. It's convenient from home and it's relaxed conversation. Do join us. We're on zoom from 1-2 pm- call in from home or use a smart device to 'swing by'.
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Virtual Prayers of the People
CLCK 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 please contact Rev. Ann.
SPC Darrium Bedell, a parishonier's co-worker is currently deployed. Drop a note or Christmas card in the mail for him!
Darrium Bedell
168th ECC
Unit 61371
APO AE 09877
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry delivers a message of hope for this Christmas
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