Our mission is to be a Christian community of all ages,
grounded in worship, well-being and service.
March 25 - April 1, 2023
|
|
A View from the Pew
This week I'm sharing with you stories of four generations of my family in worship. I hope that each one of them is food for thought and perhaps a little laughter too.
Below are my grandfather John Garland Unruh's initials, and they are one of the stories.
Murry Edwards
|
|
Generational or Genetic?
We have started this calendar year with hope and intention to have more children and their families present in our worship. As a parent, I realize how challenging this reality can be. I hope that my reflections offer some perspective to our...
Read more
www.smcportsmouth.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creation Care Kids!
Beginning Sunday, April 16 and for the next 6 weeks through May 28, we will offer a Sunday morning program for all children from 8:45 to 9:30. Focusing on God's creation as outlined in Genesis, children will learn about different ways that the various components of God's world fit together and can be taken care of. Children will participate in various activities during this time and will join their parents for worship at the peace.
|
|
Sunday, March 26
The children's bulletin format has changed for Lent, and because of copyright, we are unable to post it online. However, it is available at 9:00 worship on Sundays.
|
|
St. Mary's on The Big Screen
Last weekend the Rev. Meaghan Brower and diocesan Archdeacon Grace Swinski led a workshop on how to be a welcoming community at Learn and Lead. Filming was done at St. Mary's, and Sara and Leo Barker agreed to come and be the "extras" along with - of course - the other folks from St. Mary's that following Sunday. Meaghan and Grace used "You're Welcome" from Moana for their musical parody.
|
|
You're Welcome!
For safety, everyone needs to enter the Parish House through the main entrance or the lower level entrance. On Sundays the northside doors will be open.
We're on the backbone of the island, and the wind, snow, and ice make for a dangerous combination at the back door.
|
|
Sunday, March 26 - 10:15 -- Bible Study Concludes. St. George's Chapel.
Holy Week Schedule
Palm Sunday, April 2 -- 9:00 -The service begins with the procession of palms in front of Gibbs House.
Maundy Thursday, April 6 - 7:00 p.m. - Worship service in church.
Good Friday, April 7 - noon - Worship service in church.
Easter, April 9 - 9:00 and 11:00 - Worship services in church.
|
|
Easter Memorials
If you would like to contribute to St. Mary’s Easter worship, you may do so by giving thanks for or memorializing someone with Easter flowers. Your tax-deductible gift will enable us to celebrate Christ’s resurrection festively. Your gift will be recognized in the bulletin on Easter.
You may donate online through Vanco (be sure to put whom you are memorializing or giving thanks for) or by completing an Easter flower donation envelope. Envelopes may be picked up in the vestibule of the church or the parish house. Please return your envelope in the offering plate on Sunday mornings or mail to or drop off in the parish office by Sunday, April 2.
|
|
|
Celebrating a Music Ministry
Join us on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 10:15 in the St. George's Chapel as we celebrate pastoral musician Michael Templeton's ministry. For details on how we will give thanks for his work at St. Mary's and how you can contribute to his farewell, visit our website.
|
|
Worship
The Fifth Sunday in Lent
|
Click on the image above for this week's bulletin which includes the order of service, the collect, scripture readings, and liturgical ministers.
Making Connections
Worship on Sundays at 9:00 will be live streamed on Facebook.
|
|
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.
Daily Evening Prayer, led by lay leaders, is offered 5:30 p.m. 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.
Prayer requests for individuals can be added to the prayers of the people on Sunday mornings and in the daily evening prayers by contacting Parish Administrator, Karen Laroche. We typically keep people in the prayers for one month.
|
|
|
 |
Community Garden Plots Available!
Longer days and warmer weather means it’s time to get in the garden.
Join us in the St. Mary’s community garden - grow for yourself - grow for our community - grow for creation care!
|
|
|
|
Bible Study on Sunday
Following 9:00 service in St. George's Chapel.
The Book of Exodus
Our journey through the Book of Exodus draws to a close this Sunday.
All are welcome as we pull together the threads of Israel's amazing faith journey.
|
|
|
|
April Soup Kitchen
St. Mary's will be hosting the soup kitchen at St. Paul's in Newport on Thursday, April 12.
Many hands are needed to prepare food, deliver, and serve the meal. In March the attendance for the dinner was up 50% from February, which means that around 50 guests were served.
To volunteer your time and resources, signup online. If you have questions about this ministry, you can contact Dave Ferkinhoff.
|
|
National Peanut Butter
and Jelly Day
April 2, 2023
You're making lunch for your children and grab the peanut butter. You look for the jelly... but there is none. How do you make a PB&J without the J? The MLKCC Food Pantry is in need of jellies and jams. Any size and any flavor.
Let's support this need, St. Mary's, and bring jams and jellies for our food delivery!
|
|
|
St. Mary's Day of Service
The Community Outreach Team is sponsoring a Day of Service on Sunday, April 23 from 10:15 AM - 12:30 PM.
In keeping with our Creation Care theme, three local activities will be offered: 1) beach clean-up at Island Park (suitable for all ages/families), 2) planting/weeding the pollinator garden at Spruce Acres (Aquidneck Land Trust), and 3) expanding an existing chicken coop at Aginnovation Farm.
Snack and lunch will be provided along with water in our NEW ST. MARY'S NALGENE WATER BOTTLES!!! Please use Sign-Up Genius to select your choice of activity or see Lynn Carlson.
|
|
Communication & Other Announcements |
|
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. Please use this form to share information about your ministry. This enables those who are working on the eNews, website, and Facebook to have the information in one place and accessible to everyone who needs it. 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.
|
|
For all other types of communication:
The Rector if you'd like it verbally announced at worship.
|
|
St. Mary's Staff
St. Mary's Officers
To contact an officer of the vestry, please see our website.
|
|
Image credits: Murry Edwards, Main entrance, Lily stained glass window photographs, used with permission. Elise LaParle Garcia, Sunflowers in garden, photograph, used with permission. Richard Grosvenor, Historic Church, watercolor, used with permission.
Stay Connected:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
