Ron Machtley, polishing the pulpit.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Last weekend Michael Templeton, our pastoral musician, gave a very moving sermon. He invited us to think about what it is that anchors and guides our faith. What you may not have known is that Michael had intended to be off from St. Mary's last Sunday, enjoying some well deserved rest. Instead, he generously offered to preach, knowing that I might be a bit spent from the thirty hours of travel home from Singapore. I have been thinking about his question all week as I have re-entered ministry. What is it that anchors and guides our faith?

One of the things that anchors and guides my faith is you all, the members of this church. In you and in the relationships we share, I see large and small acts of service. I hear your stories of healing. I watch your lives being changed. I witness your generosity, your willingness to be flexible and good spirited - even when things don't go as hoped or planned. I notice you forgiving and blessing others.

We have this great privilege of witnessing how God works in each other's lives and how things change and grow in our community. Sometimes God works in small and subtle ways. Sometimes the transformation takes time and we have to pay attention to notice the fruit. And sometimes what is happening is abundant, stunning, even miraculous. This community truly grounds and strengthens my faith. I hope that you might reflect on how this community impacts your faith also.

I can not wait for you to see the inside of the historic church. It is a physical representation of many faithful acts of service. It is also a sign of God's love over time and this generation's faith and generosity. The picture above is Ron Machtley, the Chief of Restoration, as I found him this afternoon. He was alone in there, polishing the 175 year old pulpit, designed by Richard Upjohn. He'd gone to three stores in search of the exact polish he wanted. He said he wanted to be sure that this piece was treated properly and he wasn't going to leave this to someone else. That newspaper on the floor in the photo is there because the electricians were finishing up with the lights. Ron brought his Wall Street Journal, just to see if he could read the small print and how the shadows would fall.

There's something about this, how our brother in Christ, Ron, whom many of us didn't even know two years ago, is thinking about the right color of furniture polish, and our ability to read our prayers and sing our hymns - this nourishes my faith.

Hope to see you on Sunday, Jennifer+

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.

There are many workmen . .

To read more of this week's update, click here.

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.

This is a permanent link which you can bookmark. If it doesn't go live for a service, use the Facebook link above.

The Rev. Jennifer Pedrick+

Lee Ferreira, Christine Winslow

Lori Corbishley

   

Steve Downing

John Corbishley, Jon Edwards

Bella DeAngelo

Our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. NIcholas Knisley, will be visiting St. Mary's on Sunday, September 11th at the 9:00 a.m. worship service.

If you are interested in being confirmed or received into the church, please contact the Rector, the Rev. Jennifer Pedrick.

St. Mary's will be the site of a diocesan conference on Creation Care on Saturday, September 17th. What better place to engage in further conversation and reflection on this timely topic than on our beautiful grounds.

Be sure to explore Creation Care; checkout the details for the conference and register for this event below.

After serving brown bag meals for almost 30 months, St. Mary's Soup Kitchen will return to a hot meal and indoor dining in September.

If you are interested in serving in this ministry as it returns indoors, we will have a short walk through on Thursday, August 25 at 5 p.m. at St. Paul's in Newport. Another church is still using the main lot to hand out meals, so you can meet at St. Mary's at 4:40 and car pool down, and we will use the smaller kitchen lot around back. We should be done and back to St. Mary's by 5:45 or so. That way we will be ready to hit the ground running in September. For questions, please contact Dave Ferkinhoff. And if you'd like to signup to help, the list is available online now.

FLASH! The food pantry could really use toothpaste -- all sizes and varieties.

A friend of the MLKCC has offered to double pounds and dollars given to the Center from now until next month (or the goal is met).

For details or to make a cash donation, click on the MLKCC poster. If you'd like to bring food, we collect it every week in the Parish House. Don't forget that canned proteins, baking staples (flour, sugar, spices, oils) and cereal are needed.

To volunteer with the food delivery to the MLKCC, contact Jon Edwards.

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. 

Parish Administrator Karen Laroche to be included in writing in

Image credits: Jennifer Pedrick, Ron Machtley and pulpit, used with permission. Mattie Gustafson, Historic Church, photograph, used with permission. Jonathan Edwards, Aerial view of the Historic Church and the Parish House, photograph, used with permission. Ron Machtley, Altar area ceiling, photograph, used with permission. Ray Edler, Outdoor Worship, photograph, used with permission.. Murry Edwards, Bishpp Knisley, photograph, used with permission. Richard Grosvenor, Historic Church, watercolor, used with permission.