WELCOME HOME!

Worship with us:

Sunday at 9:00 am in person and Live on Facebook

Dearest friends and family,

Imagine a parable with one purpose: to teach people that “they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Such was the parable Jesus told about the stern judge who was bothered by a nagging widow who felt she had been taken advantage of by an adversary. The feisty little widow kept coming and coming before the judge insisting that she be given justice. Finally, becoming weary because of her persistence, the judge granted her what she wanted.

Is God like that stubborn judge who wants us to petition him until he relents and grants us what we desire? Hardly. God loves us and wants the best for us. Still, it is important to pray persistently … not to persuade God to see it our way, but to help us to “get it right,” to see it God’s way, to understand what God is already doing in the situation. “God,” said Jesus, will “vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night” (Luke 18: 7). But it does take prayer, persistence, and never losing heart.

Bishop Invites You to Complete the "My Way of Love" Spiritual Inventory

Complete the Inventory in English

Completar el Inventario en Español

We are asking everyone in the diocese 16 years old and older to complete a short survey. The My Way of Love Inventory is a series of confidential, challenging, and thought-provoking questions based on the most comprehensive and statistically valid data from RenewalWorks, which works with full congregations to help them refocus on spirituality and discipleship. Using baseline data from hundreds of congregations and thousands of Christians who have worked with RenewalWorks, your responses to a few simple questions will help the system identify broad characteristics of your spiritual life, give you a reflection of where you are right now, and then offer you a plan of action to grow in your discipleship and spiritual life.

Why is the Diocese of New Jersey asking me to do this? Our common purpose as a diocese is to form people as disciples of Jesus Christ so they can carry out God’s mission of reconciliation in the world. When you—and all of us—take the My Way of Love inventory this month, you’ll have an opportunity to reflect on your spiritual life and formation and to grow spiritually.

In addition, our diocese will get a picture of where we are, as a whole, in forming ourselves as disciples of Jesus—pictured as a process of exploring, growing, deepening, and centering in our relationship with Jesus.

Complete the Inventory in English

Completar el Inventario en Español

ANNUAL ATLANTIC CONVOCATION MEETING

DATE - Thurs., October 27

TIME -  7:00 PM

LOCATION - Holy Trinity in Ocean City

Remaining Bishop Search TimeLine:

• May–October 2022: Discernment Process; Review of applications, interviews, background checks, and discernment retreat
• Late October 2022: The slate of candidates is announced; Petition candidates are accepted
• Early January 2023: Diocesan Meet and Greet; Opportunities to meet the full slate, comprised of Committee Nominees and, if applicable, Petition Nominees
• January 28, 2023: Special Electing Convention
• June 24, 2023: Ordination of the 13th Bishop of New Jersey

God of all, hold the diocese of New Jersey in the palm of your hand during this time of discernment. Help us to come together as siblings of Jesus Christ, listening to one another with open hearts and open minds. Enter into our conversations and make them holy, and lead us into a peaceful place of unity as we search for our new bishop.

Lost Christianities: The Battles of Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew 

by Bart D. Ehrman, Matthew Kugler, et al.

Available in Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle or Audiobook

The ministry of ushering is a crucial part of worship because it is one of the most visible ministries in the church. In Christ, you have received God’s unconditional love, and in Christ, you are called to extend that same unconditional love to others. Although an usher’s love is no stronger than the love found in the whole congregation of the body of Christ, nevertheless, the usher performs a major role in ensuring that people see and experience that love.

The ushers distribute bulletins and greet worshipers, making every attempt to make them feel welcome and at ease. The ushers are also available to answer questions of anyone needing assistance.

Please contact Mo. Allison or Julie if you are interested.

We are invited to participate in Safe Church Safe Communities Training at St. Barnabas By-the-Bay on Saturday, October 22, 2022.

This training is grounded in our call to seek and serve Christ in all persons and respect the dignity of every human being. It offers an opportunity to increase and enhance our ability to live out our Baptismal Covenant within our faith communities and in the world beyond.

It is offered to anyone who currently has oversight responsibilities for events, programs, or others engaged in ministry and ministerial roles

Please Register: https://tinyurl.com/SafeChurch10222022Villas

If you need a ride, please contact Mo. Allison

Stan and Marlene Casper have been faithful members of St. Mary’s since 1965. Marlene is a Wildwood “native” and married Stan who was from

Philadelphia in 1955 after meeting at a Wildwood baseball game. Marlene was

the scorekeeper and Stan played second base. They both graduated from

Wildwood High School. They have been living on Golden Gate Drive here in Stone Harbor since 1974 and share their home with their cat Purrsee, who is now 19 years old.

Stan was a former Atlantic Electric lineman prior to being promoted to

supervisor. Having bought the Colonial Lodge in Stone Harbor, Marlene filled the role of proprietor of the motel.

In 2011, Stan and Marlene purchased their winter home on Singer Island,

Florida and have typically spent 6 months of the year there. The Caspers also have a 3-acre private island getaway place in Canada . . . no

television, cell phones, internet, etc., so they find it perfectly relaxing. They’ve spent many trips with their son and daughter, 4 grandchildren, and now 5 great grandchildren and just recently returned to Stone Harbor after a 3 week stay. Marlene loves to garden and says it’s a great place for it. She also designed, built and hand painted a totem pole for the property that features a bear, a squirrel, an owl, a loon and a beaver. I’d love to see a picture of it.

Marlene has served on the Planning Board and Architectural Review Board,

is a member of the Garden Club, and Prayers and Squares. Stan is a member of the Lions Club and IBEW. Marlene has been a Sunday School teacher and was the church administrator when Father Sykes was the Rector at St. Mary’s. Stan has served as an usher and as Jr. Warden.

Their favorite hymns are “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art”, and

“Morning Has Broken”. What do they love about St. Mary’s?  “The congregation. The many wonderful people.”  Thank you, Marlene and Stan.

Membership at St. Mary's consists of several different groups of "members." Some are Confirmed Communicant Members or who have transferred their membership by Letter of Transfer to St. Mary's. Some are Baptized into St. Mary’s or have requested that their names be entered in the Parish Register. Others are “members” by virtue of the fact that St. Mary’s is their church—the Christian community of which they are a part and where they worship regularly. Still, others are “summer members" or friends of St. Mary's. Many are part of St. Mary’s life, worship at St. Mary’s when in town, and support St. Mary’s financially. Canonically, they are not members in the legal sense, but they are every bit as much members of our parish family as those who are official members.

Please contact the church office if you would like to receive membership forms to be added to our data base.

email: SaintMarysStoneHarbor@gmail.com



We welcome you to join us!

Perhaps we do not think enough about what an effective service prayer is. We do not believe as we should how it might help those we would serve, penetrating the hearts we cannot open, shielding those we cannot guard, teaching where we cannot speak, comforting where our words have no power to soothe; following the steps of our beloved through the toils and perplexities of the day, lifting off their burdens with an unseen hand at nights. No ministry is so like that of an angel is this — silent, invisible, known but to God.

Placing flowers on the altar is a wonderful way to remember a loved one. If you would like to do so, simply choose a date on the flower chart in the parish hall and note who the flowers are in memory or honor of, and your name. A donation may be placed in the plate or sent to the church office. After the Sunday service, you may take the flowers home. Thank you for helping to support our altar guild ministry!

Happy Birthday to

Theresa Mascione on October 16th, Carol McIntire on October 18th, Janet Proulx on October 18th, Sandra Lockhart on October 20th, and David Kowalski on October 21st!

If you would like to be remembered on your birthday or anniversary, please let the church office know so we can add you to our data base.

Once again, we are enjoying the beauty of God's creation all around us as the transition is made from Summer to Fall and then from Fall to Winter.

We live in such a beautiful part of the country as the Autumn leaves fill the trees with brilliant colors. As the weather gets even cooler and the winds pick up, those same beautiful leaves fall as the trees are left to face the winter “alone.”

I don't know about you, but this truly is one of my favorite times of the year, as the temperatures are more pleasant and invigorating. Yet, we know what is “around the corner”! Winter is coming.

As I watch, I also notice the scurrying of the squirrels as they frantically search for chestnuts that have fallen to the ground. It's amazing to me that God has built such a sense of preparation into the animals that even they recognize the value of being ready for upcoming needs.

As we begin this Fall Stewardship Season, let me assure you and remind you that God knows our needs, yet it is still important for us to do our part in making sure we are obedient and prepare for the future. Yet, in all that preparation, God has made it clear that we are to put God first in all we do, especially in our giving. As we do that, God has promised that God would take care of our needs! Matthew 6:33 shares this truth so powerfully; “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

As we move closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas, let me remind you that Jesus Christ will supply our needs, and yes, I believe there are times we may be blessed even in greater ways than just for the things we “need.” Yet, we are blessed to BE a blessing! We are all called to be givers, and I want to remind you that while the church “receives” from those who attend, we are thrilled to be able to give out and give back in so many ways, both here in this community and in our neighboring communities.

Thank you so much for continuing to remain faithful in the areas of giving and tithing. God has made it so simple, yet in a sense, so challenging! We continue to thank God for generous supporters like you who simply give because it's the right thing to do, and reflects the nature of God, who gave His son Jesus Christ, and Jesus, who gave His life for us!

May God Bless You!

Some ways to support St. Mary's

• Become a member

• The Sunday collection plate

• Send a check payable to St. Mary's to:

St. Mary's Church,

9425 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, NJ 08247

(Your envelope and number is not necessary, only your name.)

• Setting up a personal online banking "bill pay" option. The bank will mail the check for you to the church office.

• Online giving through our website at https://www.stmarysstoneharbor.org/

Please note: Offering envelopes have been discontinued. Only your name is needed in order for the counters to record your giving.

Come check out the GOLD Winner of the 2022 Best of the Jersey Shore thrift shops - St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop!

When you're doing your fall cleaning, please remember This 'n That. Household items and clean usable clothing are welcome!

And while you're there, look around. You may find a bargain you can't resist!

Store Hours:

Monday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

Donation days: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am - 3 pm

Location: St. Mary's This 'n That

1304 Rt. 47 So., Rio Grande, NJ 08242    609-886-7272

Follow them on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/St-Marys-This-N-That-Thrift-Shop-268676343298636/

Branches is supplying 80 back packs a week for 40 weeks to some local schools. The back packs will contain two nourishing weekend meals.

If you would like to help with this project, we are collecting the items in the picture. The milk should be in individual sized servings.

Children have always been a priority at Branches. This project is our way of helping to make sure that they are properly nourished. The need is great and growing. Thank you in advance for your help!

Donations may be dropped off to The Branches Food Pantry Monday, Wednesday, or Fridays from 9 AM to 12 noon, at 1304 Rt. 47 So., Unit AJ, Rio Grande. Or you many bring things to St. Mary’s and they will be taken to the Food Pantry for you.

Sundays after worship (except on Vestry Sunday)- Adult Forum Book Study - Lost Christianities

• Vestry meeting today after worship
• October 20th - Branches Grand Opening Celebration 4:30-7:30pm 201 Hirst Ave., Rio Grande RSVP to thebranchescenter@gmail.com
• October 22nd - Safe Church Training
• October 27th - Annual Atlantic Convocation Meeting 7:00 pm Holy Trinity Ocean City
• October 29th – Fall Family Fun Day
• October 30th - Stewardship Breakfast after worship
• November (Date TBD) Thanksgiving service/breakfast
• November 25th-26th (Women’s Club Festival of Trees Donation)
• December 17th – 7:30 pm at Cold Spring Presbyterian, Production of Handel's Messiah with John Curtis, and Mo. Allison as Narrator
• December 21st – Blue Christmas

12 Step Meetings in the Church Hall

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Monday at 8:00 pm

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Tuesday at 8:00 pm

Alanon Friday at 10:00 am

Genesis 32:22-31

Psalm 121

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Luke 18:1-8

Tuesday - Thursday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom

Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church)