Staying Connected as a Faith Community
Abbreviated School Supplies Drive
Saturday, August 15th through Tuesday, August 25th

After conversations with Family Resource Coordinators we have determined that St. Mary's and Concordia will once again hold a joint school supplies drive, but will only collect specific items needed to create 'instructional kits' for students. With Covid-19 restrictions students who choose to learn in-person will not be able to share supplies. Each child will need there own personal kit at school to use. Our donation will be given to teachers to resupply the kits as needed throughout the year. We also have decided to collect health and safety supplies for the classrooms. Below are the specific items we will be collecting.

  • #2 Pencils
  • Hand Sharpeners
  • Pencil cap erasers
  • Crayola 12 pack Color Pencils
  • Crayola 24 pack Crayons
  • Crayola 10 pack Markers fine or think
  • 12" rulers
  • Black Sharpies: Fine & extra fine
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Tissues
  • Disposable masks

Collection bins will be placed outside both Concordia and St. Mary's office buildings for convenient drop off and we will hold one Drive-Thru event on Saturday, August 22nd from 9-10am with more details to follow.

Monetary donations will also be accepted and checks can be mailed to the church offices with School Supplies Drive in the memo line.

As our Manchester teachers and students enter a new educational experience, with many changes and challenges, we are happy to be able to continue to support them and hold them all in our prayers.
CLICK HERE for today's Morning Devotions from the Memorial Garden.
FYI this mornings recording also served as a first time walk-through and 'try on' for the St Mary's Day celebratons with new equipment and spotty wi-fi connection.
St. Mary's Day Celebration

Reminder to all those who have RSVP'd that we will celebrate St. Mary's Day this Sunday at 4pm with an outside gathering.

It is also our goal to record and post the service on Youtube and Facebook that evening.

Any weather related changes will be communicated to those who RSVP'd by phone or email prior to Sunday.

Please remember to follow all safety protocols that will be in place upon arrival including wearing a mask for the duration of the service and refraining from congregating afterwards.

We are happy to be able to safely gather and worship together and have an opportunity to memorialize our dear friend Dotti Cannon.


Virtual COFFEE HOUR begins at 9:30AM- join with the regular worship Zoom link below. This week's host is David Smith.












ST MARY"S DAY WORSHIP


Sunday, August 16th at 10AM




CLICK HERE for the bulletin





New Permanent Meeting Code

 Meeting ID: 823 2447 0555
Password: 0000



     
Join Zoom Meeting:

or
Dial
1 646 876 9923

NEW
SUMMER COMPLINE

Compline will be held FIVE nights a week at 7:30 pm, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday. This short service from The Book of Common Prayer will be led by parishioners and Revered Ann. Compline is found in the BCP on page 127 or you may access the prayer book online at www.bcponline.org.


To Join Compline Zoom Meeting


or

By phone call +13126266799

enter  Meeting ID
856 0827 5573  
August 9th ZOOM Worship
CLICK HERE to veiw last Sunday's worship service
Feel free to familiarize yourself with Zoom via these Zoom Video Tutorials.  CLICK HERE to view.
Join the NE Region for a Crafting As Spiritual Practice day focused on Joy!
We will meet on Saturday, 12 September, from 10:30am to 12:30pm via zoom.

More information can be found HERE.

Register for this event HERE.
Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance


Top: deacon Karen, Rev’d Ann, Karen Armogida
Middle: Laura Hart, Pat Speers (organizer), Betsy Ibsen
Bottom: Susan Bourrett, Carol Stoneman

Some (not all) of the GHIAA Core Team members from St Mary’s and Concordia gathering on July 30 to “meet” each other for individual meetings and to plan our work together with the assistance of Pat Speer.
ANTI RACISM WORK

Thank you to Regional Missionary Maggie Breen for more ways to listen and learn as a church.


  • Have you been listening to The Way of Love podcast put on by The Episcopal Church. THIS EPISODE has PB Curry chatting with Ruby Sales, a well-known civil rights activist.

  • HERE is an interesting article from Sojourners that discusses the intersection of following Jesus and what is happening across our nation right now.

  • CNN has launched a new podcast called Silence is Not an Option. Worth a listen to, especially if we (as white people) are feeling stuck and unsure how to move forward.

  • The Players Alliance is a group of Black baseball players that are getting together to make a difference. See what they are up to here.

  • In June, the New York Times made a list of Anti-Racism Books for Kids. Contact your local library, or local schools, and find out if they have any of these books. If they don't, I would invite you to consider donating these titles.


Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man: Episode 2
Matthew McConaughey sits down with Emmanuel Acho.
Taking Care of Yourself & Others

Gentle Love Diaper Drive
Doantions of diapers and wipes can be dropped off on Friday, August 21st from 4pm-6pm at MHS Summit Street parking lot. Items collected will be brought to the Manchester Public Schools Welcome Center, who will help distribute the diapers and wipes to families in need. Want to support the pantry but unable to attend? CLICK HERE for an Amazon wishlist.

MACC's Community Threads Thrift Store
The Community Threads Thrift Store at 466 Main St is actively taking in and sorting through fall/winter clothing donations of all sizes as well as small household items. (We cannot accept electronics) We are open for donations from 10-1:30pm Monday through Friday and Saturdays 10-12:30pm or drop-off in the bin on the ramp to the left of the building.

Free Concert Series
This Thursdays concert is the last in the Beller's Music summer series. Enjoy Paul Fuller's Jazz Septet from 6-8pm in Center Memorial Park, next to Mary Cheney Library in Downtown Mancheseter.

Sprayground Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening
On Friday, August 14, 2020 at 12:00pm the town will host the official opening and ribbon cutting for the Olcott Street Sprayground! The new park will be officially open to the public to enjoy the water features. Masks must be worn. Please observe social distancing. 126 Olcott St., Manchester, CT.


Connecting with Coffee




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

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“Coffee On The Curb”

This way of connecting has been fun and you don't even have to tidy the house! Feel free to call Rev Ann at 304-951-7122 or email her at revalovejoy@gmail.com and she will swing by your home and chat outside (at a safe distance).

Virtual Prayers of the People

CLICK 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.


Prayer for People Critically Ill or Facing Great Uncertainty

God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to all
who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make them the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.

- Adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 765