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NEWS FROM ST. MARY'S
A community of Christian worship, well-being and service.
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| So we aren't Jesus's favorites? |
"I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also..." So, we aren't Jesus's favorites? There are others? The imagery in this week's scriptures paint for us the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. This title is used frequently for Jesus and we are familiar with the image. The most ancient images of Jesus as the Good Shepherd can be found in the Roman catacombs. The image of Christ as shepherd just not just serve as a quaint backdrop to place ourselves in, but also presents to us deeply challenging questions: To whose fold do we belong? Does this belonging make enough of a difference in our lives that is worth telling others about and inviting them into? What do the 'hired hands' in our own lives look like-the voices and ideas and people and experiences that draw us apart, creating division or disharmony? How do we find the way back? In worship this weekend, let's confront the limitations and fears around these questions and commit to unified action as ambassadors of Christ.
Peace, Gabe
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There will be a memorial service/Requiem Eucharist for Christopher Drummond (Linda's son) on Saturday, April 21st at 11am in the church followed by a collation.
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Thrift Shop:
will remain open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10-1pm and will be closing on Wednesday, April 25th.
Fill a bag with clothing for $5. All merchandise 50% off. All remaining clothing will be sent to the barn for future transport to Saver's. As of today approximately 75% of inventory is gone. Fixtures will be on sale April 25th and May 5th.
Coffee and Conversation:
Thank you for a great turn out for coffee and conversation last week. Notes on the bulletin board. Next coffee and conversation will be June 3rd i
n gathering space in lieu of Sunday School but there will be Godly Play for children.
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Earth Day:
In honor of Earth Day and our magnificent property, our neighbor, farmer Martin Beck, will join us this Sunday during the Sunday School hour to share about his passion and experience responsibly stewarding the surrounding land, plants, and animals. We will meet in the Gathering Space at 9 and go outside from there, weather permitting. Learn more about Martin's work here:
http://www.newenglandgrassfed.com
SMC Prayer Group:
Are you interested in coming together to pray for the spiritual needs of our island community and our ministry of outreach here at St. Mary's? Join Shelley Dungan Saturday 7:30-8:30 AM in the Chapel April 28. Questions? Please call or text 860-965-9995, [email protected]
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Animate Bible: The final Animate Bible class for Adults and teens will be Sunday April 29th at 9 in the Adult Ed. Room. Jay Bakker, son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker will be our video guide, sharing about the amazing grace and healing he found in his faith through scripture. The title if Grace: Love is the Bottom Line. Bring your journals if you have them, otherwise, come as you are!
Good Book Club & Bible Study: Wednesdays at noon now to Pentecost. We're exploring and praying our way through Luke's gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. If you don't have materials already, we can provide them. Bring your lunch and a friend. Reading these two books as a unified text will shed a new light on your experience of being part of this community.
May is a Spirit-Filled Month!
Experiencing the Extraordinary: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit. This series leading up to Pentecost on May 20 is a "school of prayer" to learn how prophecy, tongues, discernment, wisdom, healing, and more can empower our daily personal and community life in ways we never thought possible. Assessments for personal growth and ministry expansion will be part of this series.
Sunday May 6th 9AM- Personal Transformation: A study of the spiritual gifts for one's own inner growth.
Sunday May 13th 9AM- Empowered Community: How the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit can expand your ministry and sense of God's call.
Wednesday May 16th, 6-7:30PM- Filled with the Spirit: An evening of immersive prayer, meditation, and scripture for those wishing to go deeper in their quest for the Spirit's gifts.
Sunday May 20th - Pentecost: Gathering for worship and fellowship as always with an experience of prayer and celebration following the 10AM service.
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Here's what's happening this week...
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This week's Collect
O
God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, 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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Sunday School & Formation Opportunities for All Ages:
Godly Play for children takes place during the Sunday School hour, downstairs in the Parish House in classroom 1.
Men's Bible Study: Men's Bible study rotates every other week. For the schedule and to get the lessons ahead of time, and if you have any questions, contact Paul Westrom: [email protected].
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| Easy opportunity to serve... |
There is an easy opportunity to serve at St. Mary's which generates income from receipts from Clement's Market. Receipts need to be calculated monthly. Please contact a member of staff if you are interested in serving.
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Community Garden Clean Up
Many hands make light work! Looking for volunteers to help with community garden clean up on Earth Day - Sunday April 22nd at 11:00. Please contact Elise LaParle Garcia
[email protected] if you can lend a hand.
WANTED:
Gently used garden bench or chair(s) donation for community garden. Please contact Elise LaParle Garcia [email protected].
St. Mary's Community Garden season is underway. Garden plots are available - grow for yourself - grow for our local food pantries. Contact Elise LaParle Garcia for details at
[email protected]
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| Happening on the island and beyond... |
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Welcoming St. Mary's to Sea Rose Montessori Fun(d)raiser
Sea Rose families are celebrating a successful first year & fulfilling next years
Would love St. Mary's to join the party!
'80s Dance Party, that is
- Ticket includes savory & dessert bites and welcome Sea Rose signature margarita
- DJ, movie lounge, beer & wine cash bar
- Local Business Showcase
- 70+ silent auction items from ski houses to lift tickets and schooner tickets
- Services by architects and builders to boat varnishing and landscape design
- Plus gift cards to local eateries & shops like TSK, Groovy Gator, Power of Juice
- ALL for $35 per person
- Tickets are limited, Click here now to secure yours
- All proceeds support Sea Rose expansion making Montessori education available to more local working families
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Deanery Regatta - PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR!
It's June 29th at 4:00 pm
Held at Sail Newport (Fort Adams). There are 12 reserved J-22s, and there will be a "Set Boat" and a "Committee Boat" as well for those who want to help but don't wish to compete. No experience needed, but those who wish to captain a boat will have to checked out ahead of time by the Sail Newport folks. Each boat needs a crew of 3 or 4 people, and it is lots of fun! If you'd like more details, please contact Jeff Poole at [email protected]. There is also a cook-out picnic dinner to follow, with St. Columba's supplying the grill, the hotdogs and hamburgers. Let's fill the boats, and look forward to a great time of sailing and fellowship with our local Episcopalians and friends!
SMC would like to get together a crew for this deanery regatta. Mark your calendars!!!
Bishop Knisely invites you to consider
a pilgrimage paddling on the Wood River:
Many of you have heard me speak about my experience last summer as part of the River of Life Pilgrimage on the Connecticut River. As soon as the pilgrimage ended, I began to work toward holding an event inspired by that experience here in Rhode Island.
I have been in conversation with the planning team at Kairos Earth over the winter and am excited to announce that we are ready to take applications for people to participate in the event on the Wood and Pawcatuck rivers this May. There will be a similar event later in September as well, on either the Taunton or Blackstone rivers. There is specific information about the event on the Wood River in May here.
You can find an application form here. We are committed to giving Rhode Islanders a priority as we are gathering the community that will participate in this prayer experience. But we are limited in the number of slots available. If you're interested, please let us know as soon as you can.
Blessings,
+Nicholas
The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely
Bishop of Rhode Island
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| Summer camp registration at ECC is open... |
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Summer camp registration at ECC is open!
Register now for 2018 summer camp programs at the Episcopal Conference Center (ECC). Visit the ECC Website now to learn about all of the programs offered this year for children, teens, families and people with special needs. Scholarship help is always available. Talk to the Rector or call the camp office 401-568-4055 for more information. |
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Serving this week in worship...
Altar Guild
Carol Brierley
Saturday at 5pm
Lector: Ed Gosling
Lay Eucharistic Minister: Bob Vergnani
Greeter: Murry Edwards
Sunday at 8 am
Crucifer: Steve Downing
Lector: Ann Gizzi
Intercessor: Lauren Lema
Lay Eucharistic Minister: Marshall Lundberg
Greeter
: David Brierley
Sunday at 10am
Crucifer: Dave Ferkinhoff
Acolytes:
Lectors: Rene Bierman, Ted Bierman
Intercessor: Kathryn Stamoulis
Lay Eucharistic Minister:
Greeter: Pauline Davis, Gladys Mae Walsh
Coffee Hour Host
Chris and Sara Barker
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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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