Staying Connected: December 11, 2020

Rector's Corner

December 11, 2020

Dear Family,

This evening my friend introduced me to a new website, #AdventWord. Each day a new reflection is posted based on one word. Today is Baptized by Sandy Milien.

Sandy writes, "Much like John the Baptist, it seems as if we are currently living in the wilderness waiting and preparing ourselves to be faithfully transformed by Jesus.

And although this transformation may be filled with uncertainty and fear, John is calling us to trust, to turn back to the source of life and forgiveness, to renew our commitment to strive for justice and peace. As we journey into this new season out of the wilderness, let us receive Christ’s love and grace in our hearts and strengthen the bonds we share with each other through our baptism."

I sat with this reflection awhile in church this evening and prayed. It was timely for me, as it may be for you. We are living in uncertain times, and many are fearful. COVID has hit hard. Every day it seems I hear of another loved one or friend being diagnosed, or another death. I hear of job losses and food insecurity. I hear of addictions and depression. I hear the pain of colleagues in ravaged areas, the loneliness of those at home, and so much more yet still, we carry on. Two words I wish not to hear in 2021, resilience and unprecedented. I'm tired of them both. There are times I don't want to be resilient, I just want to throw down my fists and cry, lament like the psalmist, and shout out to the wind.

I was angry and frustrated yesterday. I didn't sleep much, but when I woke the sun was shining. I entered into morning prayer, I wasn't alone, I felt God's comforting embrace, a sliver of light in the darkness. I then received an email from a couple wishing to Baptize their daughter, the light grew stronger. I met Sandra in the office, she was on her way to pick up a donation from Ace to the Branches, I joined her, the light grew stronger. I prayed for our Thrift Shop employees, one by one, and wrote a note of appreciation and a gift to be included with their paychecks, the light grew stronger and brighter, then love reigned in phone calls, God heard my lament and His angels swarmed around me. One call, in particular, holds promise for our little church and the potential for children to be on campus in the summer and perhaps beyond. I was ecstatic!

It was late, I was still on the phone, still in my office, still working. In my humanity, I thought, for a moment, not too many people were in the church today, maybe I should call it a night and close the doors a bit early. As I proceeded into the Sanctuary, there was a man sitting in prayer. I stopped, sat down, and prayed. When the Spirit moved he stood, "I prayed the Divine Mercy," he said. "One of my favorites," I said. He thanked me and introduced himself. We chatted awhile, we chatted about pain and suffering, we chatted about control, and faith and life and death. We chatted about Christ, the Blessed Mother, and Hope. God reminded me throughout the day and at that very moment to Trust in Him. I left the doors open till 8:00 pm and Lisa brought me dinner.

Yes, let us receive Christ's love and grace in our hearts and strengthen the bonds we have with each other through our Baptism. There is Hope, there is Promise, there is Love.

Are you ready to receive?

Trust in the Power of God Almighty.

May the Love and Peace of God be with You+

Blessings,

Mo. Allison+

551-697-6133

MAKE YOUR PLEDGE DONATION HERE

"Blue Christmas" a Service of Wholeness and Healing

Dec. 21 - 6:30 pm

Blue Christmas, a time when we can, with others, acknowledge the "blue" feelings we have at Christmas time, the reasons for them, and offer them to God. This time has been called the "long dark night of the soul" and "the winter of our discontent" in which memories of past experiences and the pain of present experiences can become overwhelming.

There are many moments in our lives when we need comfort. There are times when we yearn for consolation. The suffering people who looked for the long-awaited Messiah were given a hope-filled image of God in the writings of Isaiah. It expresses the belief that no matter what happens to us, God will be there to comfort and support us.

Christmas can be a time for many when we are in need of that reassurance and comfort. Covid-19 has separated us from being in the presence of those we love. Some are grieving over the loss of a loved one, struggling with illness, or have experienced the loss of a job. We wonder how we will get through the holidays.

For some, Christmas Day is the most difficult. For others, it may be Christmas Eve, or New Year's Eve, or the beginning of another New Year. In this service, we'll have some music appropriate to the season, recognizing that not everyone feels the joy of the season. We will invite you to reflect on the burdens, grief, or pain you may feel and offer them to God for healing and transformation.

We pray that you will find hope and comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Always remember that God knows you, what burdens you, and loves you unconditionally.

Advent Study: The Incarnation

His parents gave him the name Jesus. But the prophets, the shepherds, the wise men, and the angels addressed him by other names. They called him Lord, Messiah, Savior, Emmanuel, Light of the World, and Word Made Flesh.

In "Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas", author Adam Hamilton examines the names of Christ used by the gospel writers, exploring the historical and personal significance of his birth.

Mo. Allison is facilitating our study for Advent based on Adam Hamilton's new book on the Wednesdays of Advent via Zoom at 6 pm.

You may purchase a copy of Incarnation on Amazon HERE.

Advent Giving Tree - Deadline Dec. 11th

Dear St. Mary's parishioners and friends,

For the past many years, St. Mary's has contributed generously to the Caring for Kids program in Cape May County through our Advent Giving Tree. Although we won't be able to get silly cutting out ornaments and playing with glitter glue, we can still help those in need in our area.

To keep things as safe as possible, rather than purchasing and wrapping gifts and dropping them off at the parish hall, you can make a financial donation. The staff at Caring for Kids will then purchase and wrap the items requested, and send them along with Santa Claus when he visits the families. They may also purchase gift cards that families can use for food and other staples.

St. Mary's will be helping ten families. They are:

Family # 1: 2 boys, ages 2 and 7

Wish list: clothing sizes 3T and 7/8, Lego set, Spiderman Pillow, Monster Trucks, Hot Wheels and black and grey throw pillows for the family room

Family # 2: 2 girls ages 2 and 4

Wish list: clothing sizes 2T and 4T, Crayola Double Easel, Baby Doll, Minnie Mouse, My Little Pony, Play Doh, Easy Bake Oven, Mr. Potato Head, and a Racheal Ray cooking set for the family

Family # 3: 1 girl, age 3 months

Wish list: Clothing size 3 - 6 mo., Educational Toys, size 3 diapers, wipes, brown bathroom towels for the family

Family # 4: 1 boy, age 2

Wish list: Clothing size 3T, leapfrog leap start preschool, fire station, Little People Launch & Loop raceway, silverware for the family

Family # 5: 1 girl, age 2

Wish list: Clothing size 3T, Mickey Mouse Play farm, Blues Clues learning chair, sing along Lilly, red square tablecloth and four placemats for the family

Family # 6, 2 girls, one three years old and one 15 months old

Wish list: Clothing sizes 3T and 18 mo., Crayola Jumbo Art activity kit, Melissia and dog, puzzles, Baby Alive, V-Tech kidsjamz studio, maroon or burgundy towel set for the family

Family # 7: 3 girls, ages 1, 3 and 6

Wish list: Clothing sizes 24 mo, 4T and 6, Baby Einstein, Magic Touch Piano, Baby alive, unicorn stuffed animal, pink scooter, Delta Childrens table, princess Jasmine doll, Queen size comforter in beige and green for the family

Family # 8: 1 girl age 4, 1 boy age 5

Wish list: Clothing size 6T for girl and 10 for boy, Batman or Avengers goys, learning games, baby dolls, JoJo hair bows Little Mermaids, Board Games for the family

Family # 9: Girl age 4

Wish list: clothing size 4T, clothing for single mom size medium, baby doll, puzzles, arts and crafts

Family # 10: 2 girls ages 3 and 5

Wish list: clothing sizes 3T and 5T, shoes sizes 6 and 9, Baby dolls, arts and crafts, educational toys and books, clothing for single dad size large

Online donations through St. Mary's website via Paypal may be made.

Please click on Write a Note and enter Advent Caring for Kids to designate your donation. Of course, you can also write a check payable to St. Mary's with Advent Caring for Kids in the memo line and mail or drop it off.

Please make your donation by Friday, December 11th.

Thank you,

Lillian Armstrong

Treasurer

Advent-at-Home Wreath Liturgy

Open Sanctuary during Advent

The Sanctuary is open on Thursdays from 10:00am - 12:00pm, 2:00pm - 4:00pm, and 6:00 to 8:00pm for private prayer leaving time in between for cleaning. Mother Allison is available during this time for those who would like to commune but feel uncomfortable coming on Sunday. We prayerfully hope this helps bring some Holiday comfort during these uncertain days.

Music with David

Dear Friends,

For this weekend’s communion voluntary, I will play Prière by Louis Niedermeyer 1802 – 1861.

Niedermeyer was born in Switzerland to a musical family, where his father taught him as a child. As a teenager he studied in Vienna, and later in Rome, where his passion for operatic music was greatly encouraged.

Niedermeyer wrote numerous operas, but not all of his works were well-received. Troubled by his lack of success, in later life he abandoned opera almost entirely, choosing to focus on sacred music instead. He moved to Paris where he taught sacred music at the École Choron. The school was later renamed the École Niedermeyer de Paris, in his honor.

Enjoy the music this weekend - and until we meet again, take care and stay well!

David

Special concerts for Advent are given by David and flutist, Cheryl Barton, on the Wednesdays of Advent at 3 pm on Facebook Live. This week's concert may be accessed here. Hope you can join us next week!

Christmas Flower & Music Offering

The beauty of St. Mary’s Church at Christmas is made possible through the participation of many parishioners. If you would like to make a donation to the altar flowers or our music program, please let the church office know by mail or email or call 609-368-5922. The form below can be used. The deadline for inclusion of the names of loved ones or thank offerings in the Christmas leaflet is Friday, December 18th. Your offering to make our Church festive and beautiful for the Christmas Season is appreciated!

Christmas Flowers and Music

In Memory of:

___________________________________________________________________

In Thanksgiving for:

___________________________________________________________________

Enclosed is a check payable to St. Mary’s Church for $__________. (Please note altar flowers or music in the memo line.)

Your Name(s):

___________________________________________________________________

2021 Calendars

CHURCH CALENDARS for 2021 have been supplied courtesy of Radzieta Funeral Home. They can be found in the chapel and church narthex. Please help yourself.

Birthday Blessings

Corey Murnaghan & Elizabeth Leone on Dec. 12th, Elizabeth Jones on Dec. 14th, Pamela Ritterhoff on Dec. 16th, Ann Albright on Dec. 17th, and Stephen Haines on Dec. 18th!