Our mission is to be a community of Christian
worship, well-being and service
September 17 - September 24, 2022
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Last week while Jennifer was reflecting on the Gospel and the sense of well-being that we can feel when we return home, I was visiting Iceland, a former home of mine, with my family.
Needless to say, a lot has changed since we lived there 30 years ago. One of the most significant changes for us was that the house that we had lived in is no longer standing. What was once a two-story townhouse is now just an empty lot, and the driveway is grass.
We noticed other significant changes during our visit. A two-lane highway is now four lanes. High rises and new homes silhouette the skyline. Tourists tour the country in coach buses not on bicycles. The weather is milder and sunnier.
Iceland has changed and so have we. We’ve aged. We had a new family member with us. We’ve traded our 35mm SLR cameras for iPhones. We can ride for hours without stopping (or so we’d like to think).
But despite these changes, there was a sense of returning home. Margaret remembered the smells of the local bakery on a Saturday morning. Jonathan recalled a boat trip that we’d taken. Jon recalled having to “tack” in the wind when he walked to work each day. I saw the base chapel where we’d gone to church, and our friends had attended synagogue.
So much of the sense of returning home was that we were there as a family. We recalled those things that mattered to all of us, and we each remembered what was important to us from our own point of view. We acknowledged the changes that had taken place in ourselves and in the country. And most importantly, we made new memories that will continue to form us as a family.
At St. Mary’s, we are a family, a church family. We share special memories of life in our community, and we each have individual memories of what it means to be part of this “church family.” For some of us, our memories go back generations and for others they go back only weeks or recent years, but each memory and experience is experienced in the family that we have come to be.
Soon we will move our worship services to the Historic Church. For some of us this will be a long-anticipated homecoming. We will be glad to be back in a place that has fond and comforting memories of baptisms, weddings, and funerals. We look forward to singing a favorite hymn accompanied by the organ or remembering an especially inspirational sermon. For others, similar indelible memories have been created while worshiping in St. George’s Chapel or outdoors.
For each of us, this will be a new experience and very different from what we have become accustomed to. The music will sound different. We will be sitting in pews instead of chairs. We finally will be able to see what we’re reading because of the improved lighting.
But no matter what we remember or how we view these changes, we are a church family. We still have that sense of family no matter where we are worshiping. We, too, will acknowledge the changes that have taken place in ourselves and our community.
And we will continue to make new memories for another 175 years.
Until Sunday,
Murry
Rector's Continuing Education: Jennifer will be away from St. Mary's from Monday 9/12 - Monday 9/19 as she begins a program in Spiritual Direction at the Haden Institute. There will be six of these intensives in North Carolina, as well as other assignments and virtual work with a mentor and cohort over the next two years. Jennifer would appreciate your prayers as she travels and begins this new experience and learning.
While Jennifer is away, the Rev. Liz Habecker will lead worship. In the event of a pastoral emergency and you need a priest, please contact our Senior Warden, Marlo Pratt, whose phone number is on Jennifer's office voicemail.
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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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Latest on the Historic Church Restoration, September 8, 2022
We continue to wait for good news that the flooring is on its way from Texas. So far it is not. We are hopeful that it will arrive by the end of this month. Once the wood arrives, and is installed and finished, the remaining work will take several weeks. We are practicing patience, which is a great virtue! In the meantime, please read all of the work that has been done so far on the Historic Church. Certainly, as you read Ron's previous updates, you'll see just how smoothly this project has been going.
And as soon as flooring has actually arrived, you'll know about it in the eNews.
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As new decisions are made and the restoration continues, read about them in the eNews. Previous decisions as well as the decision making process are available online. |
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Saturday, September 17 - Creation Care Conference held at St. Mary's
Sunday, September 18 - Stewardship Kick off with speakers and a special Coffee Hour
Saturday, October 1 - Habitat for Humanity Work Day
Sunday, October 2 - Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 9 - Worship moves inside to St. George's Chapel
Sunday, October 9 - Bible Study begins, 10:15
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Worship Indoors this Sunday, September 18th |
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The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost |
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For the weekly bulletin, click on the picture above.
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Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and 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.
Online 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
Jennie Nestlerode, Joanne Gracia
Celebrant and Preacher
The Rev. Elizabeth Habecker
Musicians
Jen Bernard, Julie Zecher and the St. Mary’s Choir
Greeters
Murry Edwards, Christine Winslow
Lector / Intercessor
Carol Brierley
Lay Eucharistic Minister
Jennie Nestlerode
Audio
David Brierley, Jerry Culver
Videographer
Dave Cozzens
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Renewal of our Worship Life
As we prepare to return to the historic church, we are rebuilding our worship ministries. If you are interested in learning more about any of these areas where you can help, please contact the person listed next to the ministry. Each of the ministries will offer ample training and support. Any age, stage in life or gender - all are welcome!
Lay Eucharistic Ministers - Serves at the altar; administers the chalice - Jennifer Pedrick
Acoytes - Lights and extinguishes candles; carries the cross; serves at the table - Jennifer Pedrick
Greeters - Welcomes members and guests; hands out bulletins; oversees and presents offerings; provides hospitality throughout worship - Murry Edwards
Lector or Intercessor - Prepares and reads holy scriptures; leads prayers of the people - Anne Wood
Audio - Prepares and puts away the sound system; manages sound checks; actively ensures sound is effective during the service - David Brierley
Videographer - Ensures that our worship service reaches our online participants - David Cozzens
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Daily Evening Prayer on Facebook Live
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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Prayer Requests
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
Administrator, Karen Laroche. We typically keep people in the prayers for one month. |
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Want to hear a favorite sermon again? Or see what you missed one Sunday?
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Welcome to our newest members.
On Sunday, Brooke Huminski was confirmed and Bob Watts, Sandra Moreira, Kathy Updegrove, Terry Viera were received as new members of St. Mary's.
The latest Google album of the Bishop's visit, our new members, and our 175th anniversary is available online.
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Blessing of the Animals
The Blessing of the Animals is a joyful celebration of St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Mary's will be celebrating this tradition on Sunday, October 2nd, at our last outdoor worship service for the year.
You are welcome to bring your animals and pets, appropriately contained for comfort and safety. You may also bring a photo of your pet - or a stuffed animal.
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You're invited . . .
Emmanuel Church, Newport, is hosting a program on the habits of hospitality, curiosity, presence, imagination, and lament for all of us who encounter different perspectives — in our country, in our community, and in our own families — and help us to build the relationships and trust that support human flourishing.
For details on the program, click the image above.
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Bible Study Resumes on Sunday, October 9th
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Exodus 20:2
Karen Laroche will lead us in a study and discussion of the Book of Exodus.
The journey that Israel walked is an image of the journey that every person makes when he or she sets out to follow God’s movement in their life. What happened to Israel is what happens to everyone who sets out on a journey of faith.
Come walk with us as we journey through the Book of Exodus. All are welcome on Sunday mornings from 10:15 - 11:15 in the St. George's Chapel.
Bring your own bible –if you have one. If not, we have an abundance to share.
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Stewardship Kick-Off
St. Mary's Stewardship campaign will kick off on this Sunday, September 18th. The theme this year is More Than Enough.
St. Mary's Stewardship Commission will be hosting a coffee hour on the 18th. Please join us to learn more about our ministry and for conversation, fellowship, and entertaining activities
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Come Build with Us
Lynn Carlson and George LeBlanc invite members of St. Mary's to come build with them at the site of 2 new Habitat homes in Westport, Ma. (30 minutes from church) on Saturday, October 1st.
All skill levels are welcome to help with the build from 8:30 - 3:00. Not interested in building but still want to be involved? Lynn could also use a group of assistants to make and serve lunch to the workers that day. Please contact Lynn Carlson if you are interested in joining them.
Buzzards Bay Habitat for Humanity is a faith-based organization working to provide affordable housing in our community.
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Communication & Other Announcements |
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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. 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. |
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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.
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Image credits: Murry Edwards, Old NAS Keflavik, photograph, used with permission. Mattie Gustafson, Historic Church, photograph, used with permission. Murry Edwards, Worship Leaders, photograph, used with permission. Richard Grosvenor, Historic Church, watercolor, used with permission.
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