Our mission is to be a community of Christian
worship, well-being and service
May 14 - May 21
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Restoring the Historic Church |
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A prayer for the restoration of St. Mary's Historic Church
Shine on our ministry, O God; give us the wisdom and generosity we need to restore the historic church at St. Mary's. Help us to remember those who have come before us. May we hear their stories and see their faith. Give us gratitude for your presence in our lives and community in this season. Grant us the vision and the resources to do the work you have given us to do, that we may keep your church open and flourishing for generations yet to come. All this we ask in the name of Jesus, our Savior and strength, Amen.
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Updates on the Historic Church Restoration |
St. Mary's Episcopal Church-Portsmouth
Work on the Historic Church restoration began on Monday, May 2, 2022. As we would say in the navy, the ship is underway, and so far, the seas and winds are very favorable. The project is expected to be completed within six months, but we hope it...
Read more
www.smcportsmouth.org
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Historic Church Restoration Campaign
January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024
Members have raised the following questions regarding pledges and donations, and the vestry and Stewardship Commission wish to clarify the answers.
What should I pledge?
Pledging to the Historic Church Restoration is a personal financial decision. Your generosity should be based on your own personal financial situation. Every amount is appreciated and cherished. You may wish to discuss your commitment with your family or your financial advisor. There may be tax advantage ways of giving that you have not considered.
You may be able to give appreciated stocks. Individuals who are age 70 1/2 or older can contribute up to $100,000 from their IRA directly to St. Mary’s as a Qualified Charitable Distribution and avoid paying income on the distribution.
If my pledge is for a two or three year commitment, when should I begin making payments?
The work to restore our church has begun and is expected to be completed in late 2022. So please consider starting to make payments toward your pledge now.
How often should I make a payment toward my pledge?
Although we have acquired a line of credit to assist with timely payments to our contractors and vendors as work is completed, receiving your pledge payment on a regular basis would be most helpful in keeping our interest payment on the line of credit to a minimum.
Please make your pledge payment as you are able.
Thank you for the donations and pledges that have been received since January when we announced this next phase of our Historic Church Restoration Campaign. We hope you have been following the updates in the weekly newsletter.
If you have any questions please contact Rita Verespy or Chris Winslow, Stewardship co-chairs.
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Historic Church Closed
For safety and insurance purposes, the Historic Church is accessible only to construction workers in the coming months. Please heed the posted warning not to enter the church.
Thanks all for your understanding of this necessary restricted access and your anticipated cooperation as there is significant potential for injury on this work site and liability to the church.
To see progress on the church, visit our online photo album which already shows that this is a construction zone.
We all look forward to the "great reveal" when the restoration is completed.
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As new decisions are made and the renovation begins, read about them in the eNews. Previous decisions as well as the decision making process are available online. |
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Jennifer reached the halfway point in Sahagún, Spain on the Camino this week. In her own words:
Left Burgos last Thursday and am in the midst of a dozen or so days on the Meseta, a high, mostly flat plateau with fewer villages and many fields and big sky. Very quiet and few distractions. The Lord is my shepherd and I lack nothing.
And as of today:
Having a rest day in the city of León before beginning the last third of the journey. Enjoying so many people and experiences along this way. If you are praying for me, I am deeply grateful. If you would pray for the tendons in my right foot, that would be great.
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Pilgrim Group 2
The second group of pilgrims also passed Burgos this week. They're almost in step with Jennifer and are also crossing the Meseta.
Rogation Sunday, May 22
After worship on Sunday, May 22, we will be making a short pilgrimage (.2 miles) around St. Mary's grounds to celebrate Rogation Sunday, the Sixth Sunday of Easter.
We will process to various places on our property to ask God's blessings on those who work and of the elements which provide for us. We will be celebrating with bubbles, sparklers, and fun! We'll end with a special punch and "rammalation biscuits" (which are actually cookies).
We're planning this for all abilities, so be sure to wear your walking shoes!
If you would like to make a dozen or so rammalation biscuits, please contact Murry Edwards.
We'
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Saturday, 5/14, 9:30 - noon -- Headstone Cleaning
Sunday, 5/15, 10:00 - Assemble Star Kids backpacks
Saturday, 5/21, 9:30 - noon - Headstone Cleaning
Sunday, 5/22, after the worship service - Rogation Sunday celebration
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Collect For The Week Here |
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
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Holy Eucharist at 9:00
The service will be live streamed on Facebook.
If you are joining us online, please use the comment section to say hello. We are trying to make better connections between those who are in person and those who are at home.
Please direct feedback to David Brierley regarding your online connection.
Worship Links
This is a permanent link which you can bookmark. If it doesn't go live for a service, use the Facebook link above.
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Liturgical Ministers
Altar Guild
Joanne Gracia
Jennie Nestlerode
Celebrant
The Rev. Meaghan Brower +
Musicians
Michael Templeton, Julie Zecher
and
The St. Mary's Choir
Greeters
Mary Kay Lundberg,
Christine Winslow
Lectors / Intercessor
David Brierley
Lay Eucharistic Minister
Bob Vergnani
Audio
Jerry Culver
Videographer
Andrew Zwilling
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The Executive Committee has established the following weather criteria for outdoor worship until June 5.
- The forecasted temperature for 9:00 worship needs to be 55 degrees.
- The wind speed needs to be less than 10 mph.
- The ground must be dry.
- No rain should be forecasted for 9:00 on Sunday.
The worship location will be decided by noon on Saturday and will be announced on our website and Facebook.
If we are worshiping in the St. George’s Chapel, masks for indoor worship are strongly recommended, but not required. And no matter where we worship, you can watch the livestream on Facebook.
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Daily Evening Prayer on Facebook Live g Here |
Lay leaders are praying the evening office at 5:30 p.m. daily online via Facebook Live. You do not need to have Facebook in order to participate in these daily prayers. If you cannot make it at 5:30, the service will be recorded and remain on the St. Mary's Facebook page. |
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If you would like to add someone to the prayers of the people, to be included in the Sunday morning prayers and in the daily evening prayers, please contact Parish
typically keep people in the prayers
for one month.
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Bible Study
Sundays 10:15 a.m.
St. George's Chapel and live streamed on FacebookHere
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Scriptures we will be focusing on Sunday, May 15th:
Matthew 6:7-18
Luke 11:1-4
Join us to explore Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount. All are welcome. BYOB - bring your own Bible.
You may also connect to Bible Study from home using
facebook live. Please offer feedback as we begin this
new hybrid (in person and online) approach to ministry.
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As we move outdoors for worship, you'll notice new poly-wood benches in the area in front of Gibbs House. Three other benches -- 1 in the labyrinth and 2 in the playground area -- have been placed around the property. Each of these benches will add to our enjoyment of the property whether for worship, small meetings, or contemplation for years to come.
Thank you to the numerous donors who contributed the new outdoor benches which will grace St. Mary's for many years to come.
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Members or children of members are eligible to apply for the $2000 Tuck Fund Scholarship for the Fall 2022 semester. Tuck Fund Scholarships can be used for trade school, technical school, professional certification, or undergraduate or graduate school.
A member of the parish means that an applicant has received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, is registered as a member of the parish, is a regular worshiper in the parish, and that the member or the applicant's family is not in arrears in the fulfillment of the pledge to support the Parish.
Tuck Fund applicants demonstrate a willingness to engage in an ongoing relationship with St. Mary’s as evidenced by their commitment to our mission: worship, well-being and service.
The deadline for applying for the Fall 2022 semester is June 1.
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ECC Summer Camp Open House |
Join us for an open house on May 22, 2022 from 2-5 p.m. You can meet the staff, tour the property, and learn about camp programs. Programs are available for campers entering 2nd-12th grades, families, and people with special needs.
ECC is located at 872 Reservoir Rd., Pascoag, RI.
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Alex Allardt is offering May work sessions to clean headstones in the churchyard on Saturday (5/14) or Saturday (5/21) 9:30 to 12:00, weather permitting. If you would like to join in, please email her at alex@artcareresources.com.
The church has supplies but come prepared to get dirty. Aprons, gloves and garden kneelers are not required but can be useful.
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Summer Backpacks for Star Kids |
Immediately following worship on Sunday, 5/15, we invite you to help us assemble backpacks for Star Kids. The backpacks will be blessed on 5/22 during our worship service.
As always, we thank the parishioners of St. Mary's for their generosity.
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The St. Mary’s Community Garden clean up was a great success! The turn out of new and previous gardeners made for much garden chit chat, enthusiasm, and helping hands! Our growing season is well under way.
Garden plots are still available! If you - or someone you know - is interested in a garden plot, please apply online. Related questions can be sent to Elise LaParle Garcia at garden@smcportsmouth.org.
Let’s grow!
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Communication & Other Announcements |
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If you need pastoral care . . .
please contact Marlo Pratt, Senior Warden, at 813.917.1511.
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For some of us, the pictures may be too small to see the details. We will try to remember to insert a link behind the picture (especially if it has small faces and details).
What does that mean?
You can now click on a picture and be taken to a larger copy of it. Try the picture to the right, and you'll see what happens!
Thank you for your input.
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Streamlining Digital Communications |
In an effort to connect St. Mary's digital communications, we are moving to an online form for eNews, website, and Facebook announcements. You can use this form to share information about your ministry. The form is available online. The deadline for publication in eNews is 5:00 on Wednesday before publication on Friday. If you have questions, please contact website@smcportsmouth.org. |
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For all other types of communication:
The Rector if you'd like it verbally announced at worship.
the weekly worship bulletin.
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St. Mary's Staff
St. Mary's Officers
To contact an officer of the vestry, please see our website.
To
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Watercolor: Richard Grosvenor.
Stay Connected:
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