1895 Laurel, Saint Paul MN 55104

Saint Mary's Episcopal Church

1895 Laurel Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104

Saint Mary’s Weekly – April 29, 2021

by

Weekly Worship Service
Sunday, May 2, 2021
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to follow—10:00am

This will be the fifth Sunday of Easter and we’ll be hearing one of the ECMN
Eastertide sermons, given by The Rev. Kerri Meyer. The Rev. Kerri Meyer and her
spouse, Dr. Jennifer Blecha, are cultivating an agrarian ministry on their organic farm in
Hutchinson. The vision of Good Courage Farm called her back home to Minnesota after
having been ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of California and serving as
Associate Rector of St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco. Everything
that used to be a hobby for her has now become her livelihood, so there’s not much she can say about pastimes any more. Kerri has a fondness for animals that are black and
white, which almost makes up for nothing else in life being that simple. Hospitality is
part of Good Courage’s charism, so Kerri and Jen want you to know that everyone
reading these words is warmly invited to come out for weekday morning prayer with
coffee and pie, a Sunday afternoon nap in a hammock, or a weekend farmstay complete
with chores and fresh eggs.

  • First Reading: Acts 8:26-40 Phillip proclaims the good news of Jesus to the
    Ethiopian Eunuch
  • Second Message: Will be screen shared
  • Gospel: John 15:1-8 I am the true vine and my father is the vine grower

For the Zoom worship service on May 2, 2021 Click HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 657179
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 915 5954 9145

To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 915 5954 9145
If asked for a passcode, use 657179

For the Service Bulletin – Click HERE
For the Music Bulletin – Click HERE

Worship Team

What’s New?

  • To listen to the “State of St. Mary’s” given by our Wardens, Jim DeLuca & Caroline Kaker, Click HERE.
  • “Up to the Mountain” performed by Maggie Brickson, Click Here.
  • Thank You video presented at the end of the Annual Meeting. Thank you Julie P. & Laura-Lee B. for making this happen! Click HERE.
  • The uncut version of the Thank You videos if you would like to grab a bowl of popcorn or other snack. (unedited version ~30 minutes), Click HERE.

If you have a hankering to put your thoughts about liturgy in the pot (on the Team, that is!), now is a good time to join the Worship Team. We’ll soon be planning Pentecost and then the long “Ordinary Times” season, running from May 30-November 21. All thoughts, all perspectives are welcome. Our next meeting is Saturday, May 8, 5-6pm. We’re meeting about every other week. If you’re interested, Click HERE.

Feedback is welcome!
We welcome your feedback and recommendations about worship services.

Click HERE to give feedback. Thanks!

Join the Saint Mary’s Re-Gathering Team!

Are you looking forward to a time when we can once again gather in-person? Are you interested in being a part of a Team to help make that happen?

As we work towards approval from ECMN of our Saint Mary’s “Plan for Re-Opening for Physical Worship”, we also need to work out the internal logistics of holding in-person indoor and outdoor gatherings. We are looking to expand our Re-Gathering Team to include:

  • Technology coordinator(s)
  • Volunteer coordinator(s)
  • RSVP coordinator(s)
  • Safety Trainer for all Volunteers and Building Users
  • Cleaning coordinator(s)

We are looking forward to creating a complete and vibrant Team to help make this happen. We would like to assemble this Team as soon as we can to be prepared when the time is right.

If you are interested in joining the Re-Gathering Team or have any questions, please email regathering@saintmarysepiscopal.org.

Now Easy Online Giving on Saint Mary’s Website

Now you can quickly and easily donate to Saint Mary’s online via credit or debit card, or by bank account! Our new, secure online e-giving program, established in conjunction with Vanco, is now available on the front page of the St. Mary’s website. Simply go to the website and click on “Contribute” in the heading or scroll down and click on “Give Online 2021 Stewardship” and you will be able to quickly make online donations. You can also use the following link: https://secure.myvanco.com/YNB0.

The Vanco e-giving service allows you to direct your giving to several different funds on either a one-time or recurring basis. One-time gifts involve three easy steps. If you want to establish recurring donations, such as weekly or monthly pledge donations to our general fund, you will need to set up an account through Vanco, which is also easy to do.

Credit and debit cards have a 2.75% administrative fee attached to each transaction, and payments via a bank account include a 1% fee. You can choose to cover these fees with your donation. Of course, you still have the option of mailing in your donations or setting up auto-pay through your bank, options which do not have administrative fees.

Following is a link (Click HERE) to instructions for donating through our new e-giving site, including screen shots and written instructions. Check out our giving site now on the Saint Mary’s website or at https://secure.myvanco.com/YNB0, and thanks for your donations, regardless of how you choose to give!

If you have questions or need more information, feel free to contact Rex Holzemer at rexaholzemer@gmail.com or 651-308-4895.

Annual Meeting Finance Update

Rex Holzemer, Treasurer, presented information at the April 25th Annual meeting regarding the 2020 budget and the budget and household pledge trend lines from 2018 to 2021. The documents shared at the meeting are included in the following link:

Click HERE for the 2021 budget document shared at the meeting.
Click HERE for the document on St. Mary’s UBS Investments shared at the meeting.

The 2021 budget has a projected deficit of ($23,232). As of March 31, 2021, pledge income is approximately $16,000 above budget. However, this is due in large part to parishioners who have paid half or their full annual pledge in the first three months of the year. We expect that the 2021 annual deficit may actually run even higher than projected, possibly closer to $30,000 once a permanent rector is hired and salary and benefits for the position are finalized.

The 2020 deficit was ($29,172). However, we were able to eliminate the deficit with the transfer of the $31,700 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan to the operating budget that St. Mary’s received and which was totally forgiven. The 2019 deficit was ($23,170), but this deficit was also eliminated with the transfer of a $25,000 grant to the operating budget from the GHR Foundation. We are not eligible for a second-round PPP loan, and the 2021 deficit will most likely have to be covered from reserves in the Heritage Fund (Click HERE regarding St. Mary’s UBS Investments for more information).

From a historical perspective, in the early 2000’s, St. Mary’s started to grow gradually, but consistently, both in terms of membership and overall budget. The peak year was 2018 when our total budget was $358,339, and we had 172 household pledges totaling approximately $255,000. Since that year, both our budget and household pledges have decreased significantly. Our 2021 budget is $244,909 and we have only 57 household pledges totaling $165,813.

Fortunately, the generosity of past parishioners has left us with reserves, so that we can sustain deficits, if needed, for several years as we rebuild our parish membership. However, if we go beyond 3 -4 years at the level projected for 2021, we will severely strain our reserves in the Heritage Fund, which has covered deficits in the past, as needed.

If you have questions or need further information regarding St. Mary’s budget, please feel free to contact Rex Holzemer, Treasurer, at rexaholzemer@gmail.com or 651-308-4895.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care Calendar for May 2021:

Compline (All Are Welcome)
Tuesday, May 4 and each Tuesday following at 8:30pm, all are invited to pray Compline in our Zoom prayer room. We will use the Prayer Book. This is a brief form of the Liturgy of the Hours, prayed before bedtime. All are welcome. Contact Rev. Cindi for details / the link.
pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org

Healing Circle
Healing Circles help us step out of ordinary time into a safe and accepting environment in which each of us can explore our own healing. All are welcome; please contact Rev. Cindi for more information and to get the link.

Join our Prayer Chain:
Pray with and for your friends and family at Saint Mary’s
Please contact Rev. Cindi if you would like to be included among those praying for
the needs of St. Marians or if you have a prayer request. (No meeting required)

For confidential prayer requests or to join any of these events:
Reach out to Reverend Cindi Brickson at
pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org for a Zoom Link

Outreach Opportunity: The Performance Collective

www.cfpampls.com/collective

Bookkeeper needed (volunteer) for an emerging group of local artists who are reimagining sustainable art practice. There are deep, systemic inequities in how and for whom performance is made in our local community. The Collective is an inclusive group of Twin Cities artist-activists, longtime leaders of the local arts community who are connected to each other through an urgent desire to advance our capability to change the world. We hold decades of producing experience, with the artistry, the curiosity, and the commitment to justice that will shape a new creative ecosystem: that sustainably supports artists and their work; where artists share investment, resources, risk, and reward; while dismantling racist, patriarchal, oppressive structures that prevent all artists from exercising full agency. We strive to open any barriers to entry for audiences, so that all can experience new voices, new stories, and build new capacities for understanding and taking action in the world. A more equitable system of performance-making can lead our communities toward equity and justice for all.

In order to take our next steps, we need someone with basic bookkeeping skills to maintain a monthly balance sheet for us and make a brief monthly report. 3-5 hours/month. For more details Click HERE or email jennieward2@gmail.com.

Mission Area Gatherings

You (yes, you) are enthusiastically invited and encouraged to attend your upcoming Mission Area Gathering. One of the recurring themes that came out of the discernment committees is that mission areas are crucial are for conducting experiments in discipleship, innovation, vitality, and story-sharing. We are called to be Christians together, and that means getting outside our faith community’s walls and finding out what our nearest Episcopalian neighbors are up to.

East Metro: Saturday, May 8 at 1pm – Register Click HERE

Healing Our City

Every morning, 8:00am

A diverse group of faith leaders from across Minneapolis have created Healing Our City, a virtual prayer tent. You are invited to join the Zoom call each day at 8am for a 20-minute prayer for healing and reflection. Click HERE to learn more and join people of all faiths, across Minneapolis and beyond, in prayer for healing and solidarity.

Relationships & Common Good

As we move through this Eastertide season, the vestry wanted to share with you, our beloved community, that we are preparing to partner with you on answering the following question: What would church look like that serves the common good for our Saint Mary’s community and strengthens our relationships? Come Easter, the season of rebirth and new growth, we will bring suggestions on how we might start to engage in community conversations around this question. In the meantime, if you have any thoughts or reflections, please share them with any member of the vestry, or email our wardens HERE.

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s
Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups
for the week of 4/30 – 5/6

Sunday, May 2, 2021
Worship with coffee hour to follow
10:00am
Link

Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Men’s Group
7:00pm
Click Here for more details on how to join

Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Caring for an aged loved one
7:00pm
Contact Rev. Cindi for details and link Click HERE

Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Compline
8:30pm
Contact Rev. Cindi for details and link Click HERE

Thursday, May 6, 2021
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click HERE.

Thursday, May 6, 2021
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service Via Zoom
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark
7:00pm
Link

Sunday School Online:
MiaLisa McFarland Millares will send out an email with readings, activities,
and links for videos and discussions to all on our Constant Contact list.
If you receive the Weekly email, you are on the list.

Visit the Saint Mary’s Calendars page for more information on what is happening.

 

Saint Mary’s Weekly – April 1, 2021

by

Worship Services this Week

Maundy Thursday – April 1, 2021

There are several options for you to choose from:

  • 7:00pm service at Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church in Sunfish Lake. To learn more Click HERE.
  • 7:00pm service at Christ Church in Woodbury. At home foot washing— Please have basin, pitcher of water and towel on hand. To join Zoom meeting, Click HERE:
    • Meeting ID: 830 9408 6729 Passcode: 027703
  • 7:30pm service at Saint Mark’s Cathedral. Susan will preach. If you would like to worship with Saint Mark’s Cathedral during Holy Week Click HERE for the schedule of services and for online registration.

Good Friday – April 2, 2021

There are several options for you to choose from:

  • 7:00pm Tenebrae* service at Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church in Sunfish Lake. To learn more Click HERE.
  • 7:00pm Tenebrae* service at Christ Church in Woodbury. Click HERE.
    • Meeting ID: 841 6184 8651 Passcode: 666575
  • Noon service at Saint Mark’s Cathedral. If you would like to worship with Saint Mark’s Cathedral during Holy Week Click HERE for the schedule of services and for on line registration.

*Tenebrae: Service of light to dark

Easter Vigil – April 3, 2021

Join the Family Friendly 4:00pm Zoom service from Saint Mary’s. Bring bells to
ring!! Email worship@saintmarysepiscopal.org for information on how to attend.

Easter Sunday – April 4, 2021

Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to Follow – 10:00am

This Sunday is Easter Sunday, and we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Get out of
your pj’s and put on your Easter finery!! Wear a bonnet, a hat, bunny ears; hold a
stuffed rabbit; have flowers on your screen with you…whatever makes you think of
Easter! Saint Mary’s will be hearing Bishop Loya’s Easter sermon. Alleluias and
Baptismal Covenant return. Spiritual communion will be celebrated. Join us to
celebrate the resurrection!

  • First Message: Acts 10:34-43
  • Gospel: Mark 16:1-8 Peter proclaims the peace of Jesus is for all.

For the Zoom worship service on April 4, 2021 Click HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 657179
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 915 5954 9145

To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 915 5954 9145
If asked for a passcode, use 657179

For the Easter Service Bulletin – Click HERE

Worship Team

Liturgy Matters at Saint Mary’s by the Rev. Susan M. Moss

The Easter Triduum is ahead of us now. Beginning at sundown on Maundy Thursday these three days celebrate the newness of life which flows from the the crucified, buried and risen Christ. While we’re beginning to “see the light at the end of the tunnel” and the hope of regathering face to face, Saint Mary’s will gather together virtually on Easter Sunday for the second time. It’s good to remember the encouragement in Presiding Bishop Curry’s Easter 2020 sermon. Acknowledging that we won’t be in church, singing favorite Easter hymns, he said

“ …it may not look like Easter. It may not smell like it. It may not feel like it. But, it’s Easter anyway.” The bishop likened the feeling to the first Easter: Jesus executed; his followers uncertain where God was; then the miracle of resurrection.
“Easter was about a tragedy that was turned into a triumph; about God working behind the scenes, invisibly, in ways that people didn’t know,” Curry said. “And if we work together with our God and together with each other we will find our way forward.”

Dear people of Saint Mary’s: Let us be strong and take heart.
Have courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Easter is coming.

What’s New?

  • To hear the meditation from Palm Sunday given by The Rev. Susan Moss, Click HERE.
  • During the Easter Season:
    • We will celebrate spiritual communion.
    • We will have 3 readings each Sunday: A reading from Acts, a non-Scripture message and the Gospel.
    • We will continue to have a question to talk about in Virtual Coffee Hour #1 on most Sundays, followed by a Social Virtual Coffee Hour.

Feedback is welcome!
We welcome your feedback and recommendations about worship services.

Click HERE to give feedback. Thanks!

Now Easy Online Giving Available!

Now you can quickly and easily donate to Saint Mary’s online via credit or debit card, or by bank account! Our new, secure online e-giving program, established in conjunction with Vanco, is available through the following link: https://secure.myvanco.com/YNB0.

The Vanco e-giving service allows you to direct your giving to several different funds on either a one-time or recurring basis. One-time gifts involve three easy steps. If you want to establish recurring donations, such as weekly or monthly pledge donations to our general fund, you will need to set up an account through Vanco, which is also easy to do.

Credit and debit cards have a 2.75% administrative fee attached to each transaction, and payments via a bank account include a 1% fee. You can choose to cover these fees with your donation. Of course, you still have the option of mailing in your donations or setting up auto-pay through your bank, options which do not have administrative fees.

Following is a link to instructions for donating through our new e-giving site, including screen shots and written instructions. Check out our giving site now at https://secure.myvanco.com/YNB0, and thanks for your donations, regardless of how you choose to give!

If you have questions or need more information, feel free to contact Rex Holzemer at rexaholzemer@gmail.com or 651-308-4895.

A Message from Co-Warden Caroline Kaker:

Hello from your co-warden! Hopefully you read the announcement of Saint Mary’s upcoming Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 25th and have circled the date on your calendars. There is much to discuss and do, including the election our newest vestry members. Please plan to attend! While additional meeting logistics and details will be forthcoming, I would like to communicate now that the election slate will include a one-year warden position covering the third and final year of my 3-year term. I will be stepping down from my role and turning it over to someone new.

Read the whole letter HERE.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care Calendar for April 2021:

Pastoral Care Team
Monday April 5 at 6:30pm

Lent Book Club: WALKING THE WAY OF LOVE
Monday April 5 at 7:30pm to finish our book.

Healing Circle
Healing Circles help us step out of ordinary time into a safe and accepting environment in which each of us can explore our own healing. All are welcome; please contact Rev. Cindi for more information and to get the link.

Caring for an Aging Loved One
Tuesday, April 6, and each first Tuesday at 7:00pm: ongoing

Compline (All Are Welcome)
Tuesday, April 6 and each Tuesdays following at 8:30pm, all are invited to pray Compline in our Zoom prayer room. We will use the Prayer Book. This is a brief form of the Liturgy of the Hours, prayed before bedtime. All are welcome. Contact Rev. Cindi for details / the link.
pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org

Coffee & Conversation
Wed. April 14, and each second Wednesday of the month, ongoing
10am / 7pm reach out to Rev. Cindi to reserve a time and get the link

LGBTQ+ Community
Monday, April 19, and each third Monday, ongoing
6:30pm meets monthly for reflective conversation and community building

Join our Prayer Chain:
Pray with and for your friends and family at Saint Mary’s
Please contact Rev. Cindi if you would like to be included among those praying for
the needs of St. Marians or if you have a prayer request. (No meeting required)

For confidential prayer requests or to join any of these events:
Reach out to Reverend Cindi Brickson at
pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org for a Zoom Link

KIVA Loans on International Women’s Day

Saint Mary’s has participated in making loans to people around the world through KIVA for many, many years. As loans are re-paid, we’re able to re-loan that money again. As of March 8, 2021, $1200 from previously made loans had been re-paid. KIVA had a special program for International Women’s Day–loans made to women were matched! So, our $1200 turned into loans for $2400!! Paulette Briese, Mary Hinz and Julie Thomas got together and made loans to 17 women, ranging from $25 to $300. Loans were made to women in 10 different countries for things such as toilets, water pumps, land, school supplies and tuition, smart phones for distance learning, animals to raise and sell, seeds to plant and grow and supplies for traditional handicrafts. Our money is back at work! If you’d like to join the “loaning team”, let Paulette Briese know by Clicking HERE.

Outreach, ISAIAH

ISAIAH In-District (Zoom) Meetings

ISAIAH leaders from multiple locations are hosting In-District meetings with our local legislators during session. Saint Mary’s is in 64, and that In-District meeting with Wards 3 & 4 council members and State Representatives is April 15, 2021, 6:00-8:00pm,
registration: Click HERE.
Senator Erin Murphy (SD 64), House Rep. Dave Pinto (64B), St. Paul Council member Mitra Jalali (ward 4) and St. Paul Council member Chris Tolbert (ward 3) will be attending.

FAQs:
What are In-District meetings?
They are meetings organized and designed by ISAIAH volunteer leaders inviting their representatives into a co-governing conversation.

Why is it important?
It is an opportunity to hear how our representatives will be (or not be) champions of an agenda that honors our values.

Why attend?
It lets our representatives know that we are engaged and looking for their bold leadership and ongoing support of our agenda. It gives our representatives the support and documentation they need from our numbers and narratives as they communicate to colleagues and champion our agenda. It gives us an opportunity to participate more fully in our democracy.

How can I find my Saint Paul ward and MN senate district?
Saint Paul District Council and Ward Lookup Click HERE.

If you reside outside of STP senate district 64 see options below. Please invite friends and neighbors to join you! For more information, contact Ginny DeLuca- ginnydeluca1736@gmail.com

******************************************************************************
Attend an In-District Meeting in Your District/Ward

SD65A + Senator / STP Ward 1
Sun Apr 11 from 3:00pm – 5:00pm: Click HERE.
Confirmed: STP Council member Dai Thao, Senator Sandy Pappas

SD65B / STP Ward 2
Sun Apr 18 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm: Click HERE.
Confirmed: STP Council member Rebecca Noecker

SD66A+B, Senator / STP Ward 5
Sat Apr 17 from 10:00am – 12:00pm: Click HERE.
Confirmed: House Rep. Athena Hollins

SD67 + Ward 6
Fri. Apr 9 from 4:30pm – 6:00pm: Click HERE.
Confirmed: Representative John Thompson, Council member Nelsie Yang

SD38
Sat April 10 10am – 12pm: Click HERE.
Confirmed: None yet!

SD53
Sat Apr 24 from 10:00am – 12:00pm: Click HERE.
Confirmed: Senator Susan Kent

All other ISAIAH events and in district meetings here:
Click HERE.

Relationships & Common Good

As we move through this Lenten season of reflection and preparation, the vestry wanted to share with you, our beloved community, that we are preparing to partner with you on answering the following question: What would church look like that serves the common good for our Saint Mary’s community and strengthens our relationships? Come Easter, the season of rebirth and new growth, we will bring suggestions on how we might start to engage in community conversations around this question. In the meantime, if you have any thoughts or reflections, please share them with any member of the vestry, or email our wardens HERE.

March is Food Share Month

Saint Mary’s has a tradition of donating to our neighborhood food shelf at, Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul (I. A.) for the Department of Indian Works (DIW). If interested, you can go online to I.A. (Click HERE) to the “Donate” tab and select the DIW. You can also mail a check to them with DIW in the note line. You may also call to donate or to drop off food by calling Theresa Halverson-Lee at 651-789-3854. Another option is to donate to the Food Shelf of your choice.

Thanks for considering helping others in this especially hard time!

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s

Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups for the week of 4/2 – 4/8

Saturday, April 3, 2021
Children’s Easter Vigil (see additional information in Worship Services This Week above)
4:00pm

Sunday, April 4, 2021
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to follow.
10:00am
Link

Monday, April 5, 2021
Pastoral Care
6:30pm
Contact Rev. Cindi Click HERE

Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Men’s Group
7:00pm
For more information Click HERE

Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Caring for Aging Loved Ones
7:00pm
Contact Rev. Cindi for more information and a link, Click HERE

Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Compline
8:30pm
Contact Rev. Cindi for more information and a link, Click HERE

Thursday, April 8, 2021
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click HERE.

Thursday, April 8, 2021
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service Via Zoom
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark
7:00pm
Link

Sunday School Online:
MiaLisa McFarland Millares will send out an email with readings, activities,
and links for videos and discussions to all on our Constant Contact list.
If you receive this email, you are on the list.

Visit the Saint Mary’s Calendars page for more information on what is happening.

 

Saint Mary’s Weekly – March 18, 2021

by

Weekly Worship Service
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to Follow – 10:00 AM

This Sunday, the last Sunday in Lent, we’ll continue using the Lenten pattern we started on Lent 1. Announcements will happen at the beginning of the service; there will be fewer voices and less music; there will be moments of silence and a question posed for us to reflect on and share thoughts with others during our first breakout time. Julia Nerbonne will be our preacher.

  • First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
  • Psalm 119:9-16
  • Second Reading: Hebrews 5:5-10
  • Gospel: John 12:20-33

For the Zoom worship service on March 21, 2021 CLICK HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 657179
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 915 5954 9145

To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 915 5954 9145
If asked for a passcode, use 657179

For the Lent 5 Service Bulletin – CLICK HERE
For 2021 Lent Music Bulletin – CLICK HERE

Worship Team

Liturgy Matters at St Mary’s by the Rev. Susan M. Moss

The greater availability of vaccines, the increasing hours of daylight and the loosening of pandemic related restrictions, lift our spirits and increase our hope for more freedoms
and opportunities to re connect with friends and loved ones.

At the same time we grieve, for the second year in a row, unable to observe Holy Week and celebrate Easter face to face in the church. St Marians miss the sound of the organ, the music of the band, gathering around the altar-face to face to share bread and wine, the passing of the peace, and the warmth of a shared cup of coffee in the St Mary’s room amidst the energy of the children.

As we begin to prepare our hearts and minds for the drama of a second virtual Holy Week, I invite you to hold grief and hope together. You may find comfort in using your power of memory and imagination. While at home and on Zoom, close your eyes and picture yourself together with fellow parishioners, climbing the stairs singing All Glory Laud and Honor or Pave the Way with Branches as you process into the nave waving your palms.

Imagine too the little ones gathered around the altar eager to assist and the faces of caring members praying for each other. What do you miss? What do you look forward to when we are able to safely re gather in the church?

Holy One, accompany us in these challenging times. Be near to us in our grief and in our hope, and we prepare to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Amen.

What’s New?

  • If you’d like to listen to the sermon given by The Rev. Carol Arney on Sunday, March 14, Click HERE.
  • Would you like to participate in the Sunday worship services? Would you like to be the “Welcomer”/Announcement Leader? a Reader? the “People”? Would you like to sing with the choir? If so, send an email to: worship@saintmarysepiscopal.org Your gifts are needed and would be welcomed! All ages invited!!
  • DON’T MISS OUT!!! SIGN UP FOR YOUR HOLY WEEK BAG NOW!! Although we won’t be meeting in person, the Worship Team is planning ways we can walk through Holy Week together. Holy Week bags will help us do that. The bags will contain directions for setting up a prayer altar at home as well as reading material and objects that will bring to mind the events of Holy Week. Bags can be picked up at St Mary’s the afternoon of Saturday, March 27th or they can be delivered to your home that afternoon! If you’d like a Holy Week bag, please send your request to pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org indicating how many palms you want and if you’ll pick up your bag or would like it delivered. (If you’d like delivery, please include your address and phone number.)
  • See Holy Week zoom plans below & watch for more information next week:
    • Palm Sunday (3/28/21) service planned by St Mary’s Worship Team and will include a virtual procession in your home with palms to wave.
    • Maundy Thursday & Good Friday: St Mary’s is invited to join Christ Church in Woodbury or St Anne’s Church in Sunfish Lake or St Mark’s Cathedral
    • Easter Vigil: 4pm Children’s Easter Vigil.
    • Easter morning: one service at 10am, planned by St Mary’s Worship Team.

Feedback is welcome!
We welcome your feedback and recommendations about worship services.

CLICK HERE to give feedback. Thanks!

2021 Sundays in Lent – Images

The Worship Team would like images to screen share during “Moments of Silence” during our 5 Sundays in Lent. If you have images of any kind (drawings, paintings, photos, videos, stained glass, mosaic, etc.) that conjure up thoughts of God’s Promises as indicated below…and you’d like to share them with the St Mary’s community…please send them to Brian Nerbonne at Michigander_guy@yahoo.com by the Friday before the Sunday they would be used. If you’d like to read the lessons to get your creative juices flowing, check lectionarypage.net website.

03/21/2021
God’s Promise – a new covenant with Israel
Jesus as man suffered, through this suffering
and obedience he became salvation.
Jesus must die like the wheat grain in order to
bear much fruit – so we can believe.

Finance Update

Several large, six-month pledge donations were received in February. As a result, pledge donations for the month of February were approximately $15,000 over budget. Expenses in February were approximately $3,700 under budget. Despite the large donations in February, our projected budget deficit for the year is still expected to be approximately ($27,000), as the large donations were for multiple months. See the attached financials for the exact income and expenses as of the end of February CLICK HERE.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care Calendar for March & April 2021:

Pastoral Care Team
Mondays at 6:30 PM, ongoing

Lent Book Club: WALKING THE WAY OF LOVE on Mondays during Lent at 7:30 PM

Healing Circle
Tuesday, March 30 7:00 PM

Caring for an Aging Loved One
Tuesday, April 6, and each first Tuesday at 7:00 PM: ongoing

Evening Prayer (All Are Welcome)
Tuesday April 13, and each second Tuesday of the month, ongoing
8:00 PM this is a change to a once a month format and an invitation for all to join us.
Evening Prayer Rite 2 from the BCP reach out to Rev Cindi for the Link, or if you need a Book of Common Prayer

Coffee & Conversation
Wed. April 14, and each second Wednesday of the month, ongoing
10 AM / 7 PM reach out to Rev. Cindi to reserve a time and get the link

LGBTQ+ Community
Monday, April 19, and each third Monday, ongoing
6:30 PM meets monthly for reflective conversation and community building

Join our Prayer Chain: pray with and for your friends and family at St. Mary’s.
Please contact Rev. Cindi if you would like to be included among those praying for
the needs of St. Marians or if you have a prayer request. (No meeting required)

You are invited to join any of these events:
Reach out to Reverend Cindi Brickson at
pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org for a Zoom link

For confidential prayer requests, reach out to Rev. Cindi at pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org

Getting to Know You!

You have seen the names associated with a number of these committees that are working hard to put together our worship services, music, pastoral care, our search for a new rector, our finances, good communication, as well as our vestry, but you may not necessarily know the faces. For the next couple of weeks we will try to highlight one of those groups and this week we have Family, Children, and Youth Programing!

Top Row: MiaLisa, Trevor
2nd Row: Carmen, Rose

Contact MiaLisa if you have questions about these programs HERE.
 
Thank you for all you do to keep Family, Children, and Youth Programs going!
Easter Vigil Notice to Parents:

Hello Families with kids that are planning to be a part of this year’s Easter Vigil. As you know, it is a digital Easter Vigil which involves videos of the kids. If you have kids that are in Sunday school and Tweeners (and anyone else who joins in our Easter Vigil fun) we are inviting two other churches to participate in the event this year. As such, there will be three Episcopal church congregations in attendance. We do plan to record the Easter Vigil and share the link with the invited churches afterwards. We want to make sure you are aware of this fact and give your consent to allow your child to be a part of this year’s Easter Vigil. We will be sending out consent forms to document your acknowledgement of this fact and your approval to allow your child to be part of this year’s Easter Vigil.

If you have any concerns, please contact MiaLisa to discuss options! HERE

New Form for submissions for Weekly, Website, Calendar, and Social Media:

Moving forward, please give our new Google form a try when submitting information needed for the various platforms of communication St. Mary’s has (Weekly, website, calendar, etc). You can find the form HERE.

If you have any questions with this form please email the Communications Team HERE.

Relationships & Common Good

As we move through this Lenten season of reflection and preparation, the vestry wanted to share with you, our beloved community, that we are preparing to partner with you on answering the following question: What would church look like that serves the common good for our St. Mary’s community and strengthens our relationships? Come Easter, the season of rebirth and new growth, we will bring suggestions on how we might start to engage in community conversations around this question. In the meantime, if you have any thoughts or reflections, please share them with any member of the vestry, or email our wardens HERE.

March is Food Share Month

St. Mary’s has a tradition of donating to our neighborhood food shelf at, Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul (I. A.) for the Department of Indian Works (DIW). If interested, you can go online to I.A. (Click HERE) to the “Donate” tab and select the DIW. You can also mail a check to them with DIW in the note line. You may also call to donate or to drop off food by calling Theresa Halverson-Lee at 651-789-3854. Another option is to donate to the Food Shelf of your choice.

Thanks for considering helping others in this especially hard time!

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s
Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups
for the week of 3/19 – 3/25

Sunday, March 21, 2021
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to follow.
10:00 AM
Link

Monday, March 22, 2021
Pastoral Care Team
6:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at
pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org or 612-998-5136

Monday, March 22, 2021
Book Club
7:30 PM
The Pastoral Care Team will host the book club during Lent. Please join us in reading and discussing WALKING THE WAY OF LOVE by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and others. We will meet on Mondays of Lent. We invite you to join us for one or any of the weeks, as your schedule and interest allows.
For more information: pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org

Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Vestry
Vestry Meetings are open to all Saint Mary’s members. The Saint Mary’s Vestry usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM. (Note: If you are a member of Saint Mary’s and would like to attend this meeting via Zoom, please contact Jim DeLuca or Caroline Kaker for the Zoom access code at wardens@saintmaryepiscopal.org)

Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Adult Choir
7:00 PM
If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact
Vonda at musicdirector@saintmarysepiscopal.org

Thursday, March 25, 2021
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click here to contact Julie

Thursday, March 25, 2021
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service Via Zoom
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark
7:00 PM
Link

Sunday School Online:
MiaLisa McFarland Millares will send out an email with readings, activities,
and links for videos and discussions to all on our Constant Contact list.
If you receive this email, you are on the list.

Visit the St. Mary’s Calendars page for more information on what is happening.

Saint Mary’s Weekly – March 11, 2021

by

Weekly Worship Service
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to Follow – 10:00 AM

This Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent, we’ll use the Lenten pattern we started on Lent 1. Announcements will continue at the beginning of the service; there will be fewer voices and less music; there will be moments of silence and a question posed for us to reflect on and share thoughts with others during our first breakout time. The Rev. Carol Arney will be our preacher.

  • First Reading: Numbers 21:4-9
  • Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
  • Second Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
  • Gospel: John 3:14-21

For the Zoom worship service on March 14, 2021 CLICK HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 657179
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 915 5954 9145

To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 915 5954 9145
If asked for a passcode, use 657179

For the Lent 4 Service Bulletin – CLICK HERE
For 2021 Lent Music Bulletin – CLICK HERE

Worship Team

Liturgy Matters at St Mary’s by the Rev. Susan M. Moss

This week, for your consideration, I’m sharing an excerpt from a recent post by The Episcopal Church Foundation called Hybrid Church-A Way Forward for Church Leaders by The Rev. Tim Schenck.

…In reflecting on what a post-pandemic church will look look, I was struck by a comment made during our online clergy conference for the Diocese of Massachusetts this year by Dr. Melissa Perrin, a clinical psychologist from Chicago. She talked about the distinction between resuscitation and resurrection. It’s not a new concept, but it’s one that feels particularly relevant as we begin to look towards the future. To resuscitate someone, or in this case an institution, is to bring it back to what it once once. It’s to revive something and attempt to return it to its former state. Resurrection, however, is different. It acknowledges that after a life-altering experience, things will never be the same. Resurrection by definition implies death. Certain things must die in order for new life to take hold. Following, say, a pandemic in which everything we’ve known and clung to for generations has been flipped over, you can attempt a resuscitation. But even if you’re able to temporarily resuscitate an organization, it will eventually still fade away. That’s simply the nature of resuscitation — it’s not a permanent solution. Resurrection, rather than resuscitation, is the model I believe the church must embrace in order to move forward in a post-pandemic world. As much as we might hope for it to be so, things will never fully return to the way they once were — not fully anyway. And so we must reflect upon that which has died, name it, grieve it, and then embrace new models of being church in the days, months, and years ahead. As disconcerting as this may be, there is hope in resurrection. There’s a reason resurrection is the very bedrock of our faith. Resurrection can be as scary as it is life-giving. Think about those first disciples who came face-to-face with the resurrected Jesus. They were terrified! Indeed, at one point they thought they had seen a ghost. But once they embraced and moved past the fear, a new way of being unfolded before their very eyes; a new freedom rooted in salvation emerged. This is helpful to keep in mind as we enter what may well be a destabilizing period of death and resurrection

The open question of resuscitation vs. resurrection demands that we ask ourselves whether we will seek to return to the model of “the way it’s always been” or whether we will allow the Spirit to break open our hearts to new ways of being church?

What’s New?

  • To listen to the Sunday, March 7 sermon by Rev. Susan Moss, CLICK HERE.
  • Although we won’t be meeting in person, the Worship Team is planning ways we can walk through Holy Week together. Holy week bags will help us do that. The bags will contain directions for setting up a prayer alter at home, reading material and objects that will bring to mind the events of Holy Week. Bags can be picked up at St. Mary’s the afternoon of Saturday, March 27th or they can be delivered to your home that afternoon! If you’d like a Holy Week bag, please email to pastoral care email address indicating how many palms you want and if you’ll pick up your bag or would like it delivered. (If you’d like delivery, please include your address and phone number.)
  • Would you like to safely (masked and practicing social distancing) deliver Holy Week bags to parishioners on Saturday, March 27th? If so, please send an email to the Worship Team using the feedback email shown below.
  • Worship plans during Holy Week:
    • Palm Sunday (3/28/21) is being planned and will include a virtual procession in your home with palms to wave.
    • Maundy Thursday: St. Mary’s is invited to join Christ Church in Woodbury (foot washing at home) or St. Anne’s Church in Sunfish Lake via Zoom at their 7pm services.
    • Good Friday: A 7pm service is being discussed, either planned by St. Mary’s or joining another congregation.
    • Easter Vigil: Planning for a 4pm Children’s Easter Vigil is underway.
    • Easter morning, one service at 10am, planned by St. Mary’s Worship Team.
  • As you can tell, there’s lots of planning going on! And right on the heels of Holy Week is Easter season to plan for. If you have an interest in worship and would like to help shape worship during the Easter season, please use the feedback link below to let us know of your interest. There is always room for new voices and fresh perspectives! The Worship Team meets from 4:30-6:00pm on Saturdays.

Feedback is welcome!
We welcome your feedback and recommendations about worship services.

CLICK HERE to give feedback. Thanks!

2021 Sundays in Lent – Images

The Worship Team would like images to screen share during “Moments of Silence” during our 5 Sundays in Lent. If you have images of any kind (drawings, paintings, photos, videos, stained glass, mosaic, etc.) that conjure up thoughts of God’s Promises as indicated below…and you’d like to share them with the St Mary’s community…please send them to Brian Nerbonne at Michigander_guy@yahoo.com by the Friday before the Sunday they would be used. If you’d like to read the lessons to get your creative juices flowing, check lectionarypage.net website.

03/14/2021
God’s Promise – whining Israelites, still God
saves them from the snakes when they turn to
him.
God’s gift of grace to faithful. God sacrifices
Jesus (Son), a gift for us.
Light comes to save.

03/21/2021
God’s Promise – a new covenant with Israel
Jesus as man suffered, through this suffering
and obedience he became salvation.
Jesus must die like the wheat grain in order to
bear much fruit – so we can believe.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care Calendar for March & April 2021:

Pastoral Care Team
Mondays at 6:30 PM, ongoing

Lent Book Club: WALKING THE WAY OF LOVE on Mondays during Lent at 7:30 PM

Healing Circle
Tuesday, March 30 7:00 PM

Caring for an Aging Loved One
Tuesday, April 6, and each first Tuesday at 7:00 PM: ongoing

Evening Prayer (Elders or NOT!)
Tuesday April 13, and each second Tuesday of the month, ongoing
8:00 PM this is a change to a once a month format and an invitation for all to join us.
Evening Prayer Rite 2 from the BCP reach out to Rev Cindi for the Link, or if you need a Book of Common Prayer

Coffee & Conversation
Wed. April 14, and each second Wednesday of the month, ongoing
10 AM / 7 PM reach out to Rev. Cindi to reserve a time and get the link

LGBTQ+ Community
Monday, April 19, and each third Monday, ongoing
6:30 PM meets monthly for reflective conversation and community building

We have launched our new Prayer Chain, a ministry that anyone can support!
Please contact Rev. Cindi if you would like to be included among those praying for
the needs of St. Marians or if you have a prayer request. (No meeting required)

You are invited to join any of these events:
Reach out to Reverend Cindi Brickson at
pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org for a Zoom link

For confidential prayer requests, reach out to Rev. Cindi at pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org

Update From Your Search Committee

1. Curious about our next steps? Questions about this whole process? Thoughts to share about your hopes for the future? Join the Search Committee from 9:15-9:45 am (BEFORE the service) on the first Sunday of every month, for the discernable future. A few of us will be hanging out in zoom, and we’re delighted to chat with you!

2. All materials to be able to post our open Rector position have been submitted to ECMN for publication! Thanks for all the ways you in our community have shared your experiences of our past and hopes for the future, as we prepare to step into that future together!

3. The final version of the “OTM” (the character-limited form that is input into the database of open positions) can be found HERE.

As always, you can send any questions, concerns, or thoughts to transitionteam@saintmarysepiscopal.org. We are so excited to take these next steps in our community journey together!

Emma B., Laura-Lee Brown, Ginny DeLuca, Joe McManmon, Cathy McNaughton, Catherine Neuschler, Joanna Schnedler, Jennie Ward, Jennifer Wedel, Jane Wells

New Online Giving System Coming Soon!

This week, the Vestry approved the recommendation of the Finance Committee to implement a new online giving and payment processing system in conjunction with Vanco. Vanco has been in the business of assisting nonprofits, schools and churches improve their communication and donation systems for 30 years. We intend to have this new system in place within the next several weeks. It will make it easy to give both online and through a mobile application. Look for more information and updates soon!!

New Form for submissions for Weekly, Website, Calendar, and Social Media:

Moving forward, please give our new Google form a try when submitting information needed for the various platforms of communication St. Mary’s has (Weekly, website, calendar, etc). You can find the form HERE.

If you have any questions with this form please email the Communications Team Here.

Relationships & Common Good

As we move through this Lenten season of reflection and preparation, the vestry wanted to share with you, our beloved community, that we are preparing to partner with you on answering the following question: What would church look like that serves the common good for our St. Mary’s community and strengthens our relationships? Come Easter, the season of rebirth and new growth, we will bring suggestions on how we might start to engage in community conversations around this question. In the meantime, if you have any thoughts or reflections, please share them with any member of the vestry, or email our wardens HERE.

Assistance Requested

Do you have Word Press skills? Would you like to content on the St. Mary’s website updated? If you fit into either or both of these categories, the St. Mary’s Communication Team could use your assistance in the upcoming weeks as we try to make some updates. Please email communications@saintmarysepiscopal.org if you are interested.

Resources:

ECMN News

If you are interested in hearing from the Bishop, finding out about Education, Events, and Training, and what is happening in the Episcopal Church of Minnesota, please subscribe to the ECMN News weekly email – CLICK HERE

Bishop’s Series for Parents and Caregivers

Hi ECMN Parents, Caregivers, and Ministry Leaders,

Following the Bishop’s Summit in December, we heard a clear ask for more opportunities to gather and support one another as parents and caregivers in ECMN.

So we’ve pulled together some key professionals who can speak to the intersection of faith formation and home dynamics in the context of this ongoing pandemic.

Anyone in ECMN who is in a supporting role for young people is invited to the following series of zoom gatherings.

Bishop’s Series for Parents and Caregivers
Hosted by ECMN, St. Mark’s Cathedral, and St. John in the Wilderness

Family Trauma and the Pandemic
Sunday, March 28 @ 4-5pm
The Rev. Sarah McCaslin, MS, MDiv, LCSW

Home Dynamics: Connection & Conflict
Sunday, April 25 @ 4-5pm
Speaker TBD

Come expecting to:

  • Hear from an expert on the topic
  • Meet other parents and caregivers from other Episcopal faith communities in breakouts
  • Debrief with a Q&A time with your Bishop and the presenter
  • Learn about more opportunities across ECMN

Nobody can do this alone. We are working really hard to make sure this transformational community across the state is connected and surrounded by support for the long haul. We hope you can join us for one or all of these gatherings.

Outreach:

Opportunities for Line 3 Engagement

As soon as the spring melt comes to the rivers of northern Minnesota, Enbridge is poised to drill their Line 3 pipeline under the headwaters of the Mississippi. This pipeline is a climate disaster, a threat to the drinking water we all depend on, and a direct violation of the treaty rights of the Anishinaabe people.
President Biden can stop Line 3. We need to make clear to this administration that leading on climate means building a world where water is sacred, treaties with Native nations are respected, and where rural communities have access to safe and sustainable jobs. Time is of the essence, and we need communities of faith and spiritual practice to come together now to protect the sacred.
Join us on Thursday, March 11 as we Rise by the Mississippi to Stop Line 3! RSVP here:

Gather at the Scenic Overlook park in St. Paul overlooking the river for rally, songs, and prayers to Stop Line 3. We will then march along the river to make our presence felt. Indigenous Water Protectors and allies are putting their bodies on the line up north to disrupt construction. Let’s show them that they are not alone.

Street parking is available in the St. Paul neighborhoods nearby the overlook park, which is located just north of the Ford Parkway bridge.
Masks and social distancing are expected of all attendees. Bring art and signs. Wear warm clothes and rain boots for whatever weather that March in Minnesota will throw at us. Your RSVP helps us make sure we can fully support everyone who comes. Thanks, and see you there!

WHAT: Rise by the River to Stop Line 3
WHEN: March 11, 2021 at 3pm
WHERE: Scenic Overlook, Mississippi River, St. Paul
615 Mississippi River Blvd S
St. Paul, MN 55116
United States
Google map and directions Click HERE.

For more information please click HERE.

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s
Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups
for the week of 3/12 – 3/18

Sunday, March 14, 2021
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to follow
10:00 AM
Link

Monday, March 15, 2021
Pastoral Care Team
6:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at
pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org or 612-998-5136

Monday, March 15, 2021
Book Club
7:30 PM
The Pastoral Care Team will host the book club during Lent. Please join us in reading and discussing WALKING THE WAY OF LOVE by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and others. We will meet on Mondays of Lent. We invite you to join us for one or any of the weeks, as your schedule and interest allows.
For more information: pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org

Thursday, March 18, 2021
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click here to contact Julie

Thursday, March 18, 2021
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service Via Zoom
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark
7:00 PM
Link

Sunday School Online:
MiaLisa McFarland Millares will send out an email with readings, activities,
and links for videos and discussions to all on our Constant Contact list.
If you receive this email, you are on the list.

Visit the St. Mary’s Calendars page for more information on what is happening.

 

Saint Mary’s Weekly – March 4, 2021

by

Weekly Worship Service

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to Follow – 10:00 AM

This Sunday, the third Sunday in Lent, we return to the Lenten pattern we started on Lent 1. Announcements will continue at the beginning of service; there will be fewer voices and less music; there will be moments of silence and a question posed for us to reflect on and share thoughts with others during our first breakout time.
 
First Reading:  Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Gospel: John 2:13-22
 
Please note that the Zoom information below is new for the New Year!
For the Zoom worship service on March 7, 2021 CLICK HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 657179
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 915 5954 9145
 
To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 915 5954 9145
If asked for a passcode, use 657179
 
For the Lent 3 Service Bulletin – CLICK HERE
For the Lent 2021 Music Bulletin – CLICK HERE

Worship Team

Liturgy Matters at St Mary’s by the Rev. Susan M. Moss, Transition Priest
 
Astonishingly, a full one year ago was the last time most we were in each other’s actual (not virtual) presence for worship. Since then, St. Mary’s and ECMN faith communities across Minnesota have been adapting to a new covid world; a world in which so much that was familiar has now been profoundly disrupted.
 
Now, with vaccination rates rising and hospitalizations rates lowering, we are beginning to turn our hearts and minds to what post covid worshiping will look like. ECMN clergy are reaching out to each other for support, inspiration and practical ideas in a manner and at a rate I have never seen before.
 
As St. Mary’s moves forward in this new world while in the midst of a rector’s search, how might next decisions about worship be made? What principles and values will guide decisions for the near term future?
 
Presiding Bishop Curry continues to point us to the democratic principle of E Pluribus Unum- one, out of many. He points us to Roman statesman Cicero who said “When each person loves the other as much as himself, it makes one out of many.” “…love for each other,” the Presiding Bishop adds, “is the way to make e pluribus unum real. Jesus of Nazareth taught us that.”
 
Going forward in uncharted territory, let the Spirit guide the people of St. Mary’s, that we may honor one another and serve the common good in matters of liturgy.
 
What’s New?
  • The Worship Team is currently planning services for Holy Week. Here’s what we know now and more information will come as we finalize plans.
    • Palm Sunday (03/28/21) is being planned and will include a virtual procession in your home with palms to wave.
    • Maundy Thursday: St. Mary’s is invited to join Christ Church in Woodbury via Zoom at their 7pm service. Other options may be available.
    • Good Friday: A 7pm service is being planned.
    • Easter Vigil: Planning for a 4pm Children’s Easter Vigil is underway.
    • Easter morning: One service at 10am
  •  As you can tell, there’s lots of planning going on! And right on the heels of Holy Week is the Easter season to plan for. If you have an interest in worship and would like to help shape worship during the Easter season, please use the feedback link below to let us know of your interest. There is always room for new voices and fresh perspectives!
Feedback is welcome!
We welcome your feedback and recommendations about worship services.
 
CLICK HERE  to give feedback. Thanks!

2021 Sundays in Lent – Images

The Worship Team would like images to screen share during “Moments of Silence” during our 5 Sundays in Lent. If you have images of any kind (drawings, paintings, photos, videos, stained glass, mosaic, etc.) that conjure up thoughts of God’s Promises as indicated below…and you’d like to share them with the St Mary’s community…please send them to Brian Nerbonne at Michigander_guy@yahoo.com by the Friday before the Sunday they would be used. If you’d like to read the lessons to get your creative juices flowing, check lectionarypage.net website.
 
03/07/2021
God’s Promise – through commandments, 
Israelites struggle
God is wiser than our wisest.
Jesus upset with commercial-ness of 
worship/sacrifice – rebuild in 3 days
 
03/14/2021
God’s Promise – whining Israelites, still God 
saves them from the snakes when they turn to
him.  
God’s gift of grace to faithful. God sacrifices 
Jesus (Son), a gift for us.
Light comes to save.  
 
03/21/2021
God’s Promise – a new covenant with Israel
Jesus as man suffered, through this suffering 
and obedience he became salvation.
Jesus must die like the wheat grain in order to 
bear much fruit – so we can believe.

Pastoral Care
The Pastoral Care team invites you to send cards of support and caring to Anne Green during her recovery. They may be sent to:
 
Anne Green
502 Lynnhurst Ave E #704
St Paul MN 55104
 
Pastoral Care Calendar for March 2021
Mondays (ongoing) Mar. 8, 15, 22, 29
Pastoral Care Team 6:30 PM
 
Mondays (ongoing) Mar. 8, 15, 22, 29
Book Club 7:30 PM
The Pastoral Care Team will host the book club during Lent. Please join us in reading and discussing WALKING THE WAY OF LOVE by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and others. We will meet on Mondays of Lent. We invite you to join us for one or any of the weeks, as your schedule and interest.  
 
Tuesday, Mar. 9
Evening Prayer (Elders or NOT!) 8:00 PM
This is a change to a once a month format and an invitation for all to join us.
Evening Prayer Rite 2 from the BCP
Reach out to Rev Cindi for the Link, or if you need a Book of Common Prayer
 
Wednesday, Mar. 10
Coffee & Conversation 10:00 AM / 7:00 PM
Each second Wednesday of the month (ongoing)
Reach out to Rev. Cindi to reserve a time and get the link
 
Tuesday, March 30
Healing Circle 7:00 PM
 
Tuesday, April 6
Caring for an Aging Loved One 7:00 PM
Each first Tuesday (ongoing)
 
Monday, April 19
LGBTQ+ The Third Monday starting April 19 and ongoing 6:30 PM
For reflective conversation and community building
 
We have launched our new Prayer Chain, a ministry that anyone can support! 
Please contact Rev. Cindi if you would like to be included among those praying for 
the needs of St. Marians or if you have a prayer request. (No meeting required)
 
You are invited to join any of these events: 
Reach out to Reverend Cindi Brickson at 
 
For confidential prayer requests, reach out to Rev. Cindi at pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org

Update From Your Search Committee:

1. Curious about our next steps? Questions about this whole process? Thoughts to share about your hopes for the future? Join the Search Committee from 9:15-9:45 am (BEFORE the service) on Sunday, March 7th. A few os us will be hanging out in zoom, and we’re delighted to chat with you! (This will be a monthly opportunity, on the first Sunday of every month, for the discernable future.)
 
2. All materials to be able to post our open Rector position have been submitted to ECMN for publication! Thanks for all the ways you in our community have shared your experience of our past and hopes for the future, as we prepare to step into the future together!
 

3. The final version of the “OTM” (the character-limited form that is input into the database of open positions) can be found HERE.

As always, you can send any questions, concerns, or thoughts to transitionteam@saintmarysepiscopal.org. We are so excited to take these next steps in our community journey together!
 
Emma B., Laura-Lee Brown, Ginny DeLuca, Joe McManmon, Cathy McNaughton, Catherine Neuschler, Joanna Schnedler, Jennie Ward, Jennifer Wedel, Jane Wells

New Online Giving System Coming Soon!

This week, the Vestry approved the recommendation of the Finance Committee to implement a new online giving and payment processing system in conjunction with Vanco. Vanco has been in the business of assisting nonprofits, schools and churches improve their communication and donation systems for 30 years. We intend to have this new system in place within the next several weeks. It will make it easy to give both online and through a mobile application. Look for more information and updates soon!!

Getting to Know You!

You have seen the names associated with a number of these committees that are working hard to put together our worship services, music, pastoral care, our search for a new rector, our finances, good communication, as well as our vestry, but you may not necessarily know the faces. For the next couple of weeks we will try to highlight one of those groups and this week we have the Vestry Team!
 
Top Row: Susan Moss, Laura-Lee Brown, Todd Reemtsma, Trevor Sannes
2nd Row: Rex Holzemer, Paulette Briese, Caroline Kaker, Cindy James
3rd Row: Jim DeLuca, Nina Johnson, Lisa Stratton*, Brian Nerbonne
Bottom: Rev. Cindi Brickson*, Jennie Ward**, Jim Wheeler
*Guest
**Vestry Clerk
 
The Vestry Team meets monthly on 4th Tuesday of the month from 7:00-9:00pm.
The Vestry Team has also been meeting every Sunday from 8:00-9:00pm for planning. 
Contact the Wardens wardens@saintmarysepiscopal.org for the link if you’d like to join us.
 
Approved minutes from past meetings can be viewed HERE.
 
Thank you for all you do Vestry Team!

Assistance Requested 

Do you have Word Press skills? Would you like to content on the St. Mary’s website updated? If you fit into either or both of these categories, the St. Mary’s Communication Team could use your assistance in the upcoming weeks as we try to make some updates. Please email communications@saintmarysepiscopal.org if you are interested.

Resources: 

ECMN News
If you are interested in hearing from the Bishop, finding out about Education, Events, and Training, and what is happening in the Episcopal Church of Minnesota, please subscribe to the ECMN News weekly email – CLICK HERE
 

Bishop’s Series for Parents and Caregivers

Hi ECMN Parents, Caregivers, and Ministry Leaders,

Following the Bishop’s Summit in December, we heard a clear ask for more opportunities to gather and support one another as parents and caregivers in ECMN. 
So we’ve pulled together some key professionals who can speak to the intersection of faith formation and home dynamics in the context of this ongoing pandemic. 
Anyone in ECMN who is in a supporting role for young people is invited to the following series of three zoom gatherings. 
 
Bishop’s Series for Parents and Caregivers
Hosted by ECMN, St. Mark’s Cathedral, and St. John in the Wilderness
 
Family Trauma and the Pandemic
Sunday, March 28 @ 4-5pm
Home Dynamics: Connection & Conflict 
Sunday, April 25 @ 4-5pm
Speaker TBD
 
Come expecting to:
  • Hear from an expert on the topic
  • Meet other parents and caregivers from other Episcopal faith communities in breakouts 
  • Debrief with a Q&A time with your Bishop and the presenter
  • Learn about more opportunities across ECMN
Nobody can do this alone. We are working really hard to make sure this transformational community across the state is connected and surrounded by support for the long haul. We hope you can join us for one or all of these gatherings. 

Outreach: 

Opportunities for Line 3 Engagement
 
1. Sign this nationwide petition asking President Biden to take action to stop the pipeline. We have thousands of signatures and the list is growing – adding your name shows the power and breath of the Stop Line 3 movement. 
 
2. If you identify as clergy or as a faith leader or spiritual leader, please sign this faith and spiritual leader petition!
 
3. Share the Nationwide Petition and the Faith and Spiritual Leader Petition with your friends and communities. This our moment to show the Biden administration that as people of spirit, faith, and conscience, we expect our elected officials to help us build a world where water is sacred, where Native treaty rights and Native sovereignty are respected, and where rural areas have access to sustainable jobs and community wealth.

Faith Reflection Writers Wanted:

The organization ISAIAH MN is seeking volunteer Faith Reflection writers.
 
We’re looking for more voices to write the faith reflections. This is an opportunity to get published and help make meaning of our current world and events through the lens of Islamic and Judeo Christian faith Traditions. If you have a heart for telling God’s story through written word, please email us at isaiah@isaiahmn.org

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s  

Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups

for the week of 3/5 – 3/11

Monday, March 8, 2021
Pastoral Care Team
6:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at 
 
Monday, March 8, 2021
Book Club
7:30 PM
The Pastoral Care Team will host the book club during Lent. Please join us in reading and discussing WALKING THE WAY OF LOVE by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and others. We will meet on Mondays of Lent. We invite you to join us for one or any of the weeks, as your schedule and interest allows.  
 
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Evening Prayer (Elders or NOT!)
8:00 PM
If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact
If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact
 
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click here to contact Julie
 
Thursday, March 11, 2021 
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service Via Zoom
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark  
7:00 PM 
 
Sunday School Online:  
MiaLisa McFarland Millares will send out an email with readings, activities, 
and links for videos and discussions to all on our Constant Contact list.  
If you receive this email, you are on the list. 
 
Visit the St. Mary’s Calendars page for more information on what is happening.

Saint Mary’s Weekly – February 25, 2021

by

Weekly Worship Service

Sunday, February 28, 2021

Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to Follow – 10:00 AM

Sunday will be the second Sunday in Lent and our Contemplative Service is being highlighted. Although that service isn’t a Sunday morning service, it offers a fourth option of being together in worship. This service is available via Zoom on Thursdays at 7pm.
 
First Reading:  “Ever Shining Light”…Mark S. Burrows, printed in bulletin
Second Reading:  “Fire”…Judy Brown, printed in bulletin
Gospel: Mark 8:31-38
 
Please note that the Zoom information below is new for the New Year!
For the Zoom worship service on February 28, 2021 CLICK HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 657179
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 915 5954 9145
 
To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 915 5954 9145
If asked for a passcode, use 657179
 
For the Lent 2 Service Bulletin – CLICK HERE
For the Lent 2021 Music Bulletin – CLICK HERE

Worship Team

Liturgy Matters at St Mary’s by the Rev. Susan M. Moss
 
During Lent the Spirit drives us into the wilderness to search out our truth.
I’m told that on some wilderness trails there are often boxes where a hiker can drop off what s/he does not need or…take supplies that are needed. 
 
As you travel this 40 day trail, what can you leave behind that no longer serves you? What will you continue to carry? 
 
What do you need?
 
What’s New?
  • To listen to the 2-21-21 sermon by Rev. Susan Moss, CLICK HERE.
  • A new question will be posed during the Sunday service. Our first Coffee Time gives us an opportunity to talk with others about our thoughts in response to that question. Second Coffee Time will be social. 
  • The Worship Team is planning Holy Week services and soon will be talking about services during the Easter season (April 4-May 16). If you would like to participate in planning these services, please use the feedback link below to let us know of your interest.
  • St. Mark’s Cathedral is starting to gather for in-person worship services with an initial maximum of 25 people and many other safety restrictions.  St. Mary’s is working on a gathering plan to submit to ECMN for approval. This is the first step in making a return to in-person worship in the building possible. Even after ECMN approval is received, there are many other things to consider before St. Mary’s would conduct worship services in the building. There are currently no set dates and we will be looking for feedback as we proceed.
     
Feedback is welcome!
We welcome your feedback and recommendations about worship services.
 
CLICK HERE  to give feedback. Thanks!

2021 Sundays in Lent – Images

The Worship Team would like images to screen share during “Moments of Silence” during our 5 Sundays in Lent. If you have images of any kind (drawings, paintings, photos, videos, stained glass, mosaic, etc.) that conjure up thoughts of God’s Promises as indicated below…and you’d like to share them with the St Mary’s community…please send them to Brian Nerbonne at Michigander_guy@yahoo.com by the Friday before the Sunday they would be used. If you’d like to read the lessons to get your creative juices flowing, check lectionarypage.net website.
 
02/28/2021
God’s Promise – first barren, then fruitful, 
because faithful
Jesus must suffer, we must trust in the plan, be
faithful.
 
03/07/2021
God’s Promise – through commandments, 
Israelites struggle
God is wiser than our wisest.
Jesus upset with commercial-ness of 
worship/sacrifice – rebuild in 3 days
 
03/14/2021
God’s Promise – whining Israelites, still God 
saves them from the snakes when they turn to
him.  
God’s gift of grace to faithful. God sacrifices 
Jesus (Son), a gift for us.
Light comes to save.  
 
03/21/2021
God’s Promise – a new covenant with Israel
Jesus as man suffered, through this suffering 
and obedience he became salvation.
Jesus must die like the wheat grain in order to 
bear much fruit – so we can believe.

Pastoral Care

The Pastoral Care team invites you to send cards of support and caring to Anne Green during her recovery. They may be sent to:
 
Anne Green
502 Lynnhurst Ave E #704
St Paul MN 55104
 
Pastoral Care Calendar for March 2021
Mondays (ongoing) Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Pastoral Care Team 6:30 PM
 
Mondays (ongoing) Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Book Club 7:30 PM
The Pastoral Care Team will host the book club during Lent. Please join us in reading and discussing WALKING THE WAY OF LOVE by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and others. We will meet on Mondays of Lent. We invite you to join us for one or any of the weeks, as your schedule and interest.  
 
Tuesday, Mar. 9
Evening Prayer (Elders or NOT!) 8:00 PM
This is a change to a once a month format and an invitation for all to join us.
Evening Prayer Rite 2 from the BCP
Reach out to Rev Cindi for the Link, or if you need a Book of Common Prayer
 
Wednesday, Mar. 10
Coffee & Conversation 10:00 AM / 7:00 PM
Reach out to Rev. Cindi to reserve a time and get the link
 
We have launched our new Prayer Chain, a ministry that anyone can support! 
Please contact Rev. Cindi if you would like to be included among those praying for 
the needs of St. Marians or if you have a prayer request. (No meeting required)
 
You are invited to join any of these events: 
Reach out to Reverend Cindi Brickson at 
 
For confidential prayer requests, reach out to Rev. Cindi at pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org

Update From Your Transition Team

FIRST, GRATITUDE: we are so grateful for all the ways that you have stepped into conversation with us; have expressed your reflections, needs, and inspirations about St. Mary’s; and have provided a rich and deep trove of experience for us to distill into a call for a new priest. 
 
SECOND, OUR GROUP’S NAME: The title of our group, Transition Team, was given to us by the ECMN when we formed in August. St. Mary’s is undergoing a lot of “transitions” these days, and we want to avoid confusion. We were called, and chosen by the Wardens, to be a Search Committee to find our next permanent rector.
 
THIRD: CALL DOCUMENTS: We received strong positive feedback from Bishop Loya and the ECMN regarding our search materials, which we have shared with you previously. We made a couple of changes in response. We are still in process on the Ministry Portfolio. HERE is the final version of the Community Overview (two-page letter). Once these documents are finalized and submitted to ECMN, the job will be posted and open for responses for one month. ECMN will forward candidates to the Search Committee.
 
FOURTH, MONTHLY CHECK-IN: We welcome any thoughts you might have about this “Community Overview” document – and we use this opportunity to kick off a Monthly “Search Committee Check-in Meeting.” On the first Sunday of every month (starting March 7th), members of the Search Committee will be available on the worship zoom link from 9:15-9:45 (BEFORE the service) to share updates, to answer questions, and to listen to your reflections. We plan to continue this monthly session until we have hired a new rector. We will continue to post major updates via this weekly email.
As always, you can send any questions, concerns, or thoughts to transitionteam@saintmarysepiscopal.org. We are so excited to take these next steps in our community journey together!
 
Emma B., Laura-Lee Brown, Ginny DeLuca, Joe McManmon, Cathy McNaughton, Catherine Neuschler, Joanna Schnedler, Jennie Ward, Jennifer Wedel, Jane Wells

New Online Giving System Coming Soon!

This week, the Vestry approved the recommendation of the Finance Committee to implement a new online giving and payment processing system in conjunction with Vanco. Vanco has been in the business of assisting nonprofits, schools and churches improve their communication and donation systems for 30 years. We intend to have this new system in place within the next several weeks. It will make it easy to give both online and through a mobile application. Look for more information and updates soon!!

Getting to Know You!

You have seen the names associated with a number of these committees that are working hard to put together our worship services, music, pastoral care, our search for a new rector, our finances, good communication, as well as our vestry, but you may not necessarily know the faces. For the next couple of weeks we will try to highlight one of those groups and this week we will start with the Worship Team!
 
Top Row: Terry Alewine, Rev, Susan Moss, Paulette Briese
2nd Row: Anne Hanson, Nina Johnson, Ginny DeLuca
3rd Row: Brian Nerbonne, Jim May, Cathy McNaughton
Bottom: Rev. Cindi Brickson, Vonda Humburg
Missing: Anne Green, Lisa Stratton
 
The Worship Team meets weekly on Saturdays from 4:30-6:00pm. Contact Nina Johnson at nina@jazmn.net for the link if you’d like to join us.
 
Thank you for all you do Worship Team!

Assistance Requested 

Do you have Word Press skills? Would you like to content on the St. Mary’s website updated? If you fit into either or both of these categories, the St. Mary’s Communication Team could use your assistance in the upcoming weeks as we try to make some updates. Please email communications@saintmarysepiscopal.org if you are interested.

Resources: 

Lenten Series from St. Matthews
Next Tuesday, March 2 at 7 pm Don Samuels will talk about what has been happening on Minneapolis’ North Side since George Floyd was killed. For the Zoom Link CLICK HERE.
 
ECMN News
If you are interested in hearing from the Bishop, finding out about Education, Events, and Training, and what is happening in the Episcopal Church of Minnesota, please subscribe to the ECMN News weekly email – CLICK HERE
 
 

Hi ECMN Parents, Caregivers, and Ministry Leaders,

Following the Bishop’s Summit in December, we heard a clear ask for more opportunities to gather and support one another as parents and caregivers in ECMN. 
So we’ve pulled together some key professionals who can speak to the intersection of faith formation and home dynamics in the context of this ongoing pandemic. 
Anyone in ECMN who is in a supporting role for young people is invited to the following series of three zoom gatherings. 
 
Bishop’s Series for Parents and Caregivers
Hosted by ECMN, St. Mark’s Cathedral, and St. John in the Wilderness
 
Fostering Coping & Resiliency in Our Homes 
Sunday, February 28 @ 4-5pm
 
Family Trauma and the Pandemic
Sunday, March 28 @ 4-5pm
Home Dynamics: Connection & Conflict 
Sunday, April 25 @ 4-5pm
Speaker TBD
 
Come expecting to:
  • Hear from an expert on the topic
  • Meet other parents and caregivers from other Episcopal faith communities in breakouts 
  • Debrief with a Q&A time with your Bishop and the presenter
  • Learn about more opportunities across ECMN
Nobody can do this alone. We are working really hard to make sure this transformational community across the state is connected and surrounded by support for the long haul. We hope you can join us for one or all of these gatherings. 

Outreach: 

Opportunities for Line 3 Engagement
 
1. Sign this nationwide petition asking President Biden to take action to stop the pipeline. We have thousands of signatures and the list is growing – adding your name shows the power and breath of the Stop Line 3 movement. 
 
2. If you identify as clergy or as a faith leader or spiritual leader, please sign this faith and spiritual leader petition!
 
3. Share the Nationwide Petition and the Faith and Spiritual Leader Petition with your friends and communities. This our moment to show the Biden administration that as people of spirit, faith, and conscience, we expect our elected officials to help us build a world where water is sacred, where Native treaty rights and Native sovereignty are respected, and where rural areas have access to sustainable jobs and community wealth.

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s  

Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups for the week of 2/26 – 3/4 

Sunday, February 28, 2021
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to follow.  
10:00 AM
 
Monday, March 1, 2021
Pastoral Care Team
6:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at 
 
Monday, March 1, 2021
Book Club
7:30 PM
The Pastoral Care Team will host the book club during Lent. Please join us in reading and discussing WALKING THE WAY OF LOVE by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and others. We will meet on Mondays of Lent. We invite you to join us for one or any of the weeks, as your schedule and interest allows.  
 
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Men’s Group
7:00 PM
Vestry Meetings are open to all Saint Mary’s members. The Saint Mary’s Vestry usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM. (Note: If you are a member of Saint Mary’s and would like to attend this meeting via Zoom, please contact Jim DeLuca or Caroline Kaker for the Zoom access code at wardens@saintmaryepiscopal.org)
 
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Adult Choir
7:00 PM
If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact
 
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click here to contact Julie
 
Thursday, March 4, 2021 
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service Via Zoom
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark  
7:00 PM 
 
Sunday School Online:  
MiaLisa McFarland Millares will send out an email with readings, activities, 
and links for videos and discussions to all on our Constant Contact list.  
If you receive this email, you are on the list. 
 
Visit the St. Mary’s Calendars page for more information on what is happening.

Saint Mary’s Weekly – February 18, 2021

by

Weekly Worship Service

Sunday, February 21, 2021

Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to Follow – 10:00 AM

 
This will be the first Sunday in Lent. Can you think back to a year ago when we were in the Sanctuary during Lent? If so, maybe you remember that we put away all the bright, shiny things and brought out wooden crosses and offering plates and pottery for all services. The Worship Team is trying to create that same sense of simplicity in our Lent Zoom services. We hope the flow/pace of the service will feel a bit slower, a bit more thoughtful and contemplative. So, you’ll notice some changes in the service. (See “What’s New” below for more info.)
 
First Reading: Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-9
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22
Gospel: Mark 1:9-15
 
Please note that the Zoom information below is new for the New Year!
For the Zoom worship service on February 21, 2021 CLICK HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 657179
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 915 5954 9145
 
To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 915 5954 9145
If asked for a passcode, use 657179
 
For the Lent 1 Service Bulletin – CLICK HERE
For the Lent 2021 Music Bulletin – CLICK HERE

Worship Team

Liturgy Matters at St Mary’s by the Rev. Susan M. Moss
 
Liturgy means “the work of the people.” I have been learning how true this is for you.
 
Your voices on worship and what is important to you, are represented in the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church: Overview carefully composed by your Transition Team.
 
The Worship Team has been working hard to represent these values in this extraordinary time of Covid-19.
 
In matters of Worship: 
What are you seeing now that you were not able to see pre-pandemic? 
What is the Spirit saying to St. Mary’s?
What should be maintained? 
What should change? 
Be left behind? 
What new insights might the Spirit be revealing?
 
What’s New?
  • To listen to the 2-14-21 sermon by Missioner Sarah Barnett, CLICK HERE.
  • HELP!!! Calling all artists, photographers, videographers, “image makers” of all kinds. Please see the “2021 Sundays in Lent – Images” article below.
  • What will be different in our worship services during Lent? Announcements will be at the beginning of the service so they don’t interrupt the flow of the service at the end…so don’t be late! There will be fewer voices in each service. There will be less music. There will be two “Moments of Silence”, one after the sermon and one at the end of the service (like a quiet recessional). Our first coffee time will give us an opportunity to talk with others about a question based on the theme for the day-kind of 7:45am style! There will be a second coffee time for socializing! It’s a lovely service and we hope you’ll join us! 
  • The Big Lenten Prayer Tent: For the season of Lent, Bishop Loya invites each of us in ECMN to practice discipleship through daily prayer: 5 minutes every day, inviting the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Let’s join with other congregations and other people throughout ECMN in prayer during this season of Lent. CLICK HERE for more information.
     
Feedback is welcome!
We welcome your feedback and recommendations about worship services.
 
CLICK HERE  to give feedback. Thanks!

2021 Sundays in Lent – Images

The Worship Team would like images to screen share during “Moments of Silence” during our 5 Sundays in Lent. If you have images of any kind (drawings, paintings, photos, videos, stained glass, mosaic, etc.) that conjure up thoughts of God’s Promises as indicated below…and you’d like to share them with the St Mary’s community…please send them to Brian Nerbonne at Michigander_guy@yahoo.com by the Friday before the Sunday they would be used. If you’d like to read the lessons to get your creative juices flowing, check lectionarypage.net website.
 
02/21/2021
God’s Promise – first trial through water, 
baptism, then promise in rainbow – NOAH
Jesus Baptism and then 40 days in desert
 
02/28/2021
God’s Promise – first barren, then fruitful, 
because faithful
Jesus must suffer, we must trust in the plan, be
faithful.
 
03/07/2021
God’s Promise – through commandments, 
Israelites struggle
God is wiser than our wisest.
Jesus upset with commercial-ness of 
worship/sacrifice – rebuild in 3 days
 
03/14/2021
God’s Promise – whining Israelites, still God 
saves them from the snakes when they turn to
him.  
God’s gift of grace to faithful. God sacrifices 
Jesus (Son), a gift for us.
Light comes to save.  
 
03/21/2021
God’s Promise – a new covenant with Israel
Jesus as man suffered, through this suffering 
and obedience he became salvation.
Jesus must die like the wheat grain in order to 
bear much fruit – so we can believe.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care Calendar for February 2021
Fridays (ongoing) Feb. 19, 26
Elders & Evening Prayer 6:30 PM
 
Monday Feb. 22
Pastoral Care Team 6:30 PM
 
Mondays (ongoing) Feb. 22 (Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29)
Book Club 7:30 PM
The Pastoral Care Team will host the book club during Lent. Please join us in reading and discussing WALKING THE WAY OF LOVE by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and others. We will meet on Mondays of Lent. We invite you to join us for one or any of the weeks, as your schedule and interest.  
 
Let’s stay in touch! Join Rev. Cindi, St Mary’s Pastoral Care Minister, for Coffee (or tea?) and Conversation with a few other St Marians (via Zoom.)  The next conversations will be on March 10th, at 10 AM and 7 PM.
 
We have launched our new Prayer Chain, a ministry that anyone can support! 
Please contact Rev. Cindi if you would like to be included among those praying for 
the needs of St. Marians or if you have a prayer request. (No meeting required)
 
You are invited to join any of these events: 
Reach out to Reverend Cindi Brickson at 
 
For confidential prayer requests, reach out to Rev. Cindi at pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org

2021 Budget and Pledge Numbers

The Vestry approved a 2021 working budget for the first six months of 2021 at its January meeting. The budget has a projected annual deficit of ($26,832.40), in spite of the fact that the overall 2021 budget was reduced by almost $47,000 from last year. It was determined that making further reductions would result in unacceptable consequences for staffing and programs.  
 
The Finance Committee recommended only a six-month budget due to the significant budget changes anticipated by the hiring of a permanent rector and likely resumption of in-person services later this year. Another six-month budget covering the last half of 2021 will be forwarded to the Vestry by the Finance Committee in late Spring. 
 
The 2021 Stewardship campaign resulted in a total of 57 households pledging $165,813 for 2021. This is 10 households fewer than 2020, when 67 households pledged $176,542. The 2021 working budget is based on a slightly higher number of $170,000 in pledge income than pledged for 2021 to date, so if total pledge income does not increase to that level by the end of the year, or expenses are higher than projected, we will have a larger deficit than currently projected for 2021. 
 
Pledge income for January was approximately $5,000 under budget, while expenses were right on budget, so we have unfortunately fallen behind our projected budget in the first month of this year. However, pledge income for the first half of February is running a bit higher than expected.

Resources: 

ECMN News
 
If you are interested in hearing from the Bishop, finding out about Education, Events, and Training, and what is happening in the Episcopal Church of Minnesota, please subscribe to the ECMN News weekly email – CLICK HERE
 
 
Hi ECMN Parents, Caregivers, and Ministry Leaders,
Following the Bishop’s Summit in December, we heard a clear ask for more opportunities to gather and support one another as parents and caregivers in ECMN. 
So we’ve pulled together some key professionals who can speak to the intersection of faith formation and home dynamics in the context of this ongoing pandemic. 
Anyone in ECMN who is in a supporting role for young people is invited to the following series of three zoom gatherings. 
 
Bishop’s Series for Parents and Caregivers
Hosted by ECMN, St. Mark’s Cathedral, and St. John in the Wilderness
 
Fostering Coping & Resiliency in Our Homes 
Sunday, February 28 @ 4-5pm
 
Family Trauma and the Pandemic
Sunday, March 28 @ 4-5pm
Home Dynamics: Connection & Conflict 
Sunday, April 25 @ 4-5pm
Speaker TBD
 
Come expecting to:
  • Hear from an expert on the topic
  • Meet other parents and caregivers from other Episcopal faith communities in breakouts 
  • Debrief with a Q&A time with your Bishop and the presenter
  • Learn about more opportunities across ECMN
Nobody can do this alone. We are working really hard to make sure this transformational community across the state is connected and surrounded by support for the long haul. We hope you can join us for one or all of these gatherings. 

Outreach: 

Opportunities for Line 3 Engagement
 
1. Sign this nationwide petition asking President Biden to take action to stop the pipeline. We have thousands of signatures and the list is growing – adding your name shows the power and breath of the Stop Line 3 movement. 
 
2. If you identify as clergy or as a faith leader or spiritual leader, please sign this faith and spiritual leader petition!
 
3. Share the Nationwide Petition and the Faith and Spiritual Leader Petition with your friends and communities. This our moment to show the Biden administration that as people of spirit, faith, and conscience, we expect our elected officials to help us build a world where water is sacred, where Native treaty rights and Native sovereignty are respected, and where rural areas have access to sustainable jobs and community wealth.

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s  

Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups for the week of 2/19 – 2/25 

 

Friday, February 19, 2021
Elders & Evening Prayer
6:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at 
 
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to follow.  
10:00 AM
 
Monday, February 22, 2021
Pastoral Care Team
6:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at 
 
Monday, February 22, 2021
Book Club
7:30 PM
The Pastoral Care Team will host the book club during Lent. Please join us in reading and discussing WALKING THE WAY OF LOVE by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and others. We will meet on Mondays of Lent. We invite you to join us for one or any of the weeks, as your schedule and interest allows.  
 
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Vestry Meeting
7:00 PM
Vestry Meetings are open to all Saint Mary’s members. The Saint Mary’s Vestry usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM. (Note: If you are a member of Saint Mary’s and would like to attend this meeting via Zoom, please contact Jim DeLuca or Caroline Kaker for the Zoom access code at wardens@saintmaryepiscopal.org)
 
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Adult Choir
7:00 PM
If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact
 
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click here to contact Julie
 
Thursday, February 25, 2021 
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service Via Zoom
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark  
7:00 PM 
 
Sunday School Online:  
MiaLisa McFarland Millares will send out an email with readings, activities, 
and links for videos and discussions to all on our Constant Contact list.  
If you receive this email, you are on the list. 
 
Visit the St. Mary’s Calendars page for more information on what is happening.

Saint Mary’s Weekly – February 11, 2021

by

Weekly Worship Service

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to Follow – 10:00 AM

This will be the Last Sunday after the Epiphany and the focus will be on the “Final Revelation”. This will be our last sermon provided by ECMN (Episcopal Church in Minnesota) and the preacher will be Sarah Barnett. Sarah serves as a resource for mission and ministry with children, youth, camp, and young adults. She also assists in the development of children’s and youth ministry for faith communities across ECMN. She coordinates and convenes ECMN Children’s and Youth Ministry Commissions and provides support and networking opportunities for adults who work with youth.
 
First Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-12
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Gospel: Mark 9:2-9
 
Please note that the Zoom information below is new for the New Year!
For the Zoom worship service on February 14, 2021 CLICK HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 657179
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 915 5954 9145
 
To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 915 5954 9145
If asked for a passcode, use 657179
 
For the Last Service Bulletin of Epiphany  – CLICK HERE
For the Revised Epiphany Song Book – CLICK HERE

Worship Team

From The Right Reverend Craig Loya’s 2/9/21 Message : What does love look like?
 
I encourage you…to be asking the question as individuals, as families, and as faith communities, what does love for the earth look like? What does love for our nation’s first people’s look like? What does love for my neighbor who disagrees with me look like? Those questions will animate our lives, help us become the fullest and truest versions of who God has created us to be, and lend whatever short life we have been given to God’s project of healing and saving the whole world. What does love look like?
 
What’s New?
  • To listen to the 2-7-21 sermon by Bishop Loya (apologies for missing the recording of the first portion), CLICK HERE.
  • To see and hear the 2-7-21 “Lego Gospel”, CLICK HERE.
  • In preparation for Ash Wednesday (Feb 17th), you may pick up ashes and instructions in front of St Mary’s on Sunday, February 14th, 2-3pm or contact Rev. Cindi Brickson (pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org).  Please join us at 7pm on February 17th for the Ash Wednesday zoom service. Zoom link, bulletin and info will be sent on Monday, February 15th.
  • The Big Lenten Prayer Tent: For the season of Lent (February 17th – April 3rd), Bishop Loya is inviting each of us in ECMN to practice discipleship through daily prayer: five minutes every day, inviting the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Let’s join with other congregations and other people throughout ECMN in prayer during this season of Lent.  CLICK HERE for more information.
     
Feedback is welcome!
We welcome your feedback and recommendations about worship services.
 
CLICK HERE  to give feedback. Thanks!

Vibrant and Thriving in a Virtual World

This week we highlight the St. Mary’s Men’s Group (SMMG)
When:  7:00PM the first Tuesday of every month
How:    Zoom online
For link and information contact: Bill Turner at BillTur719@aol.com
SMMG Vibrant and Thriving Message
SMMG Vibrant and Thriving Message
Our Saint Mary’s Men’s Group (SMMG) meets each month on the first Tuesday at 7:00pm – all are welcome!  Please stop in for some fellowship and conversation; we’d love to see you.
 
Having a mixed heritage which derives, at least in part, from a prior iteration as “theology and a pint”, we were in a pattern of rotating locations to a different brew pub each month. As the local scene closed, opened, closed, and so-on, we adapted with a mix of Zoom and a few safe and successful outdoor gatherings. We carefully selected brew pubs with big patios with lots of available real estate, so we can spread out and still be together. Also, we added extra events and we looked for new ways to stay in touch!
 
The Zoom SMMG gatherings have several pros & a few cons, as inherent to the platform, but have been pretty well attended with a frequent crowd and a few bonus drop ins from time to time. While we are constrained to just one conversation at a time, the chances to connect are completely worthwhile and everyone gets a chance to share updates and tell their stories. 
 
The video has offered some benefits, such as virtual tours of the backyard projects – we’ve seen some beautiful landscaping, gardens in bloom, and decks progressing through construction. It’s a very personal touch that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
 
With all of us more isolated than we’re used to or want to, we were looking for more ways to stay in touch. After some discussion, the merits of text and email were a bit pale (we all get enough of those!). At the suggestion from Dan, we decided to try the “Marco Polo” app to record and share short video messages. Throughout the month, there are active individual and group conversations going on and people share anything on their mind – a view while on a run, a glimpse of the walk with a dog, a skyline at sunset, a progress report on the solar panel installation, and even some contemplative and harder messages. The video brings so much more depth to the conversation; it’s been a great option and a way to stay in touch.
 
If you’re interested, you are welcome – it would be great to see you in a Zoom or on the Marco Polo video chats. Even if you just want to listen in or ease into the group, please reach out and let’s stay in touch! 
 
This isolation is hard on everyone, so while we need to keep our distance, there is no need to be alone all the time. We hope to see you at a future gathering!
 
P.S. The St. Mary’s Men’s Group will be holding a Special Mardi Gras gathering on Tuesday, February 16th at 7PM. Please join if you can.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care Calendar for February 2021
Fridays (ongoing) Feb. 12, 19, 26
Elders & Evening Prayer 6:30 PM
 
The Pastoral Care Team will host the book club during Lent.  Please join us in reading and discussing WALKING THE WAY OF LOVE by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and others. We will meet on Tuesdays of Lent.  We invite you to join us for one or any of the weeks, as your schedule and interest.  
 
We have launched our new Prayer Chain, a ministry that anyone can support! 
Please contact Rev. Cindi if you would like to be included among those praying for 
the needs of St. Marians or if you have a prayer request. (No meeting required)
 
You are invited to join any of these events: 
Reach out to Reverend Cindi Brickson at 
 
For confidential prayer requests, reach out to Rev. Cindi at pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org

Communications Team Update

While we haven’t said a lot or really had a chance to introduce ourselves, the St. Mary’s Communications Team has been hard at work the last couple of months and would like to take the opportunity to provide everyone with some updates and to solicit feedback.
 
St. Mary’s Weekly
We’ve been working hard to make sure that all of the information that you need to know about what is happening at St. Mary’s goes into one Weekly email with the exception of the weekly Family, Children, and Youth email and the daily St. Mary’s Mornings. We will be implementing a form for submission of articles to the Weekly in the upcoming weeks to try to do a better job of keeping track of information.
 
St. Mary’s Website
We know that the website needs some work and we’re going to do our best to make some content updates in the next couple of weeks to get it up to date and a useful resource for St. Marians and visitors to the site. We would appreciate suggestions immediately and feedback as we make changes.
 
St. Mary’s Social Media
We put the St. Mary’s Facebook page on hold back in November and will be starting a gradual return as we go into Lent. We will do our best to make sure that the content provides information and inspiration and represents who we are.
 
We would love to hear from you to help us make sure that we are communicating with all St. Marians in the manner that they prefer. Please drop us a line at communications@saintmarysepiscopal.org.
 
The St. Mary’s Communications Team – Beth Varro, Cindy James, Steve Andrews, Todd Reemtsma, and Trevor Sannes

Souper Bowl of Caring

It’s not too late to support the Youth Group with their fundraiser through the Souper Bowl of Caring. This year the youth voted to help Second Harvest Heartland with their funds– since they are struggling and we need every organization possible to help people with hunger right now. The fundraiser will be running for a couple of weeks instead of for a day to allow for all the donations to go through.
  
 
Check out the website, the logo created by youth group, the organization we are donating to and give generously to help those in need!

Resources: 

ECMN News
 
If you are interested in hearing from the Bishop, finding out about Education, Events, and Training, and what is happening in the Episcopal Church of Minnesota, please subscribe to the ECMN News weekly email – CLICK HERE
 
 
Hi ECMN Parents, Caregivers, and Ministry Leaders,
Following the Bishop’s Summit in December, we heard a clear ask for more opportunities to gather and support one another as parents and caregivers in ECMN. 
So we’ve pulled together some key professionals who can speak to the intersection of faith formation and home dynamics in the context of this ongoing pandemic. 
Anyone in ECMN who is in a supporting role for young people is invited to the following series of three zoom gatherings. 
 
Bishop’s Series for Parents and Caregivers
Hosted by ECMN, St. Mark’s Cathedral, and St. John in the Wilderness
 
Fostering Coping & Resiliency in Our Homes 
Sunday, February 28 @ 4-5pm
 
Family Trauma and the Pandemic
Sunday, March 28 @ 4-5pm
Home Dynamics: Connection & Conflict 
Sunday, April 25 @ 4-5pm
Speaker TBD
 
Come expecting to:
  • Hear from an expert on the topic
  • Meet other parents and caregivers from other Episcopal faith communities in breakouts 
  • Debrief with a Q&A time with your Bishop and the presenter
  • Learn about more opportunities across ECMN
Nobody can do this alone. We are working really hard to make sure this transformational community across the state is connected and surrounded by support for the long haul. We hope you can join us for one or all of these gatherings. 

Outreach: 

Opportunities for Line 3 Engagement
 
1. Sign this nationwide petition asking President Biden to take action to stop the pipeline. We have thousands of signatures and the list is growing – adding your name shows the power and breath of the Stop Line 3 movement. 
 
2. If you identify as clergy or as a faith leader or spiritual leader, please sign this faith and spiritual leader petition!
 
3. Share the Nationwide Petition and the Faith and Spiritual Leader Petition with your friends and communities. This our moment to show the Biden administration that as people of spirit, faith, and conscience, we expect our elected officials to help us build a world where water is sacred, where Native treaty rights and Native sovereignty are respected, and where rural areas have access to sustainable jobs and community wealth.
 
  • Do you believe that our community is measured by how we treat those most in need?
  • Are you a person of faith, who is moved to ensure safe housing for all?
  • Are you a state legislator, a county commissioner, or a city council member whose work has been transformed in these trying times?
Our Mission: Everyone, without exception, deserves a safe, decent, accessible, and affordable home.   
 
 
Parks, hotels, and shelters are filling up with the homeless. There is nowhere near enough affordable housing to meet our needs. The crisis of housing is magnified by the crisis of COVID, and the crisis of the economy, and the crisis of institutional racism.
 
Let us come together, as community members and elected officials, to talk about our vision to end homelessness and share our ideas for how to make that a reality. Let us come together to mobilize power to do what it takes to make a safe HOME a reality for everyone.
 
MICAH (Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing) will present its legislative agenda and we will hear from a member of our community directly affected by the housing shortage. We will ask our elected officials to share their visions and their commitments to action.
 
We are strong when we bring together people of values, of faith, of caring. We act on our shared values for shelter and affordable housing, undoing racism, and building opportunity in every neighborhood. MICAH leaders across our city are daily making our vision reality. We must continue to advocate for stronger housing policies at the State, the County, and the City level.
 
RSVP with your name, phone number, legislative district or street address, and the number attending to us at MicahBrkfst@comcast.net
 
Friday, February 12, 2021    8am-9:30am

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s  

Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups for the week of 2/12 – 2/18 

Friday, February 12, 2021
Elders & Evening Prayer
6:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at 
 
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to follow.  
10:00 AM
 
 
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Finance Committee Meeting
6:30 PM
Contact finance@saintmarysepiscopal.org for the Zoom link
 
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
St. Mary’s Men’s Group – Special Mardi Gras Edition
7:00 PM
Contact Bill Turner (billtur719@aol.com) for the Zoom link
 
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Virtual Ash Wednesday Service
7:00 PM
Zoom link, bulletin and info will be sent on Monday, February 15th
 
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Adult Ed./Book Study
7:00-8:30 PM
This is the final meeting for this book. If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact Nina Johnson at nina@jazmn.net or 651-308-8663 
 
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group

Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click here to contact Julie

Thursday, February 18, 2021 
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service Via Zoom
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark  
7:00 PM 
 
Sunday School Online:  
MiaLisa McFarland Millares will send out an email with readings, activities, and links for videos and discussions to all on our Constant Contact list.  
 
Visit the St. Mary’s Calendars page for more information on what is happening.

Family, Children & Youth Programming February 7-February 14

by

Dear All:
 
Here is your informational email on all Children’s and Youth events for the week.
This email has in it Sunday School options, Tweeners info, Youth Group info, Beginnings Info and some fun Parish-wide events.
 
*PLEASE NOTE THE LINKS WILL NOT BE SHARED ON THE WEBSITE. PLEASE REFER TO THE EMAILED INFORMATION OR CONTACT MIALISA FOR THE LINK AT MIALISA@SAINTMARYSEPISCOPAL.ORG*
 
Sunday School Options for Families: 
 
Option #1 Sundays from 9:00-9:45am
 
Bishop Loya will be joining us for Sunday Sunday School this week. We plan to do a show and tell. Children should bring an object that reminds them of church or God and be prepared to answer why the object is important to them and why it reminds them of church or God! See you on Sunday!
 
 
Option #2 Parent Led
 
Tweeners
Tweeners -thanks for the help with the Souper Bowl of Caring skit! I think the whole parish will enjoy it at church on Sunday. Next week we plan to conclude the mystery of Bigfoot (As per request).
 
Youth Group
Last week the youth played Code Names (which was awesome…thank you Julie Phillips). This coming week we plan to do another paint session. Bring your artsy crafts selves.
  • Parents please make certain that your youth is participating in your presence (ie not locked in a room). We may have youth break into breakout rooms in groups of three and will not have an adult for each section. According to Safe Church, this is okay so long as youth are in a space where they are all alone.
 
 
Blessings
MiaLisa McFarland Millares
Children’s and Youth Director
Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church

Saint Mary’s Weekly – February 4, 2021

by

Weekly Worship Service

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Worship via Zoom and Community Gathering with Bishop Loya Following – 10:00 AM

This will be the 5th Sunday After the Epiphany and the focus will be “Revelation in Transfiguration”. We will welcome The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya, X Bishop of Minnesota, who will be our preacher. (See What’s New? below for further information.) This is also Souper Bowl Sunday and our youth (along with Bishop Loya) will lead our worship service. They will also invite us to participate, as they’ve done for many, many years, in the Souper Bowl of Caring. (See article for further information.)
 
Psalm 147:2-3
First Reading: Isaiah 40:21-31
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
 
Please note that the Zoom information below is new for the New Year!
For the Zoom worship service on February 7, 2021 CLICK HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 657179
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 915 5954 9145
 
To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 915 5954 9145
If asked for a passcode, use 657179
 
For the Epiphany 5 Service Bulletin – CLICK HERE
For the Revised Epiphany Song Book – CLICK HERE

Worship Team

Epiphany Message from an article in “Progressing Spirit” by Rev. Deshna Shine entitled What Pulls at Your Heart:
 
We must maintain hope.  At the heart of Christianity and the path of Jesus is Wild Hope, living and loving with abandon. As John Shelby Spong says, “live fully and love wastefully.”
 
“If God is the source of love, as I believe God is, then the only way you can worship God is by loving. Not by being right, but by loving. By loving wastefully. The image in my mind is an old sink in the basement, that you plug up the drains and you turn on all the [taps] and the water overflows the boundaries and goes all over the floor and fills up every crack and cranny… and never stops to ask whether that crack deserves this living water. You love because love is what you have to do, not because somebody deserves the love. You love wastefully.”
 
Radical love, patience and trust require hope and we must maintain that burning light within if we are going to be a real part of transforming our communities and world. Hope tells us that there will always be more living water within to pour out of us.
 
What’s New?
  • For the 1-31-21 sermon by The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya to ECMN, CLICK HERE.
  • Bishop Loya is making his congregational visit, which happens once every 2 to 3 years, to St Mary’s this Sunday, February 7th.  This will be his schedule:
^    9:00am…..Time with the children in Sunday School
^  10:00am…..Participate in and preach at worship service
^  11:00am…..Join us for a Community Meeting
^  12:00pm…..Break
^    2:00pm…..Time with the St Mary’s Vestry
  • In preparation for Ash Wednesday (Feb 17th), ashes and instructions will be available to be picked up on Sunday, February 14th, 2-3pm.
Feedback is welcome!
We welcome your feedback and recommendations about worship services.
 
CLICK HERE  to give feedback. Thanks!

Souper Bowl of Caring

On Sunday, February 7, 2021 the Youth Group will kick off their fundraiser through the Souper Bowl of Caring. Each year the youth pick a charity and have a fundraising event on Super Bowl Sunday. This year, needless to say, things are a bit different. We cannot have our signature pots with the Super Bowl team logos on them; but we are still having a fundraiser. The youth voted to help Second Harvest Heartland with their funds– since they are struggling and we need every organization possible to help people with hunger right now. We will be running the fundraiser for a couple of weeks instead of for a day to allow for all the donations to go through.  If you want to get a quick head start on donating, here is the website where Souper Bowl of Caring is tracking our online donations!  We will share the link again on Sunday along with a poll to see which Super Bowl team you think will win!
  
 
Check out the website, the logo created by youth group, the organization we are donating to and give generously to help those in need!

Vibrant and Thriving in a Virtual World

This week we highlight Elders and Evening Prayer from Pastoral Care

When:  6:30pm every Friday
How:    Zoom online
For link and information contact: pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org
 
Pastoral care takes many forms at St Mary’s. In addition to the traditional way we think of pastoral care, the Rev Cindi Brickson, Pastoral Care Minister, is broadening that definition. One of the ways she is doing that is by offering a series of Zoom get-togethers around various topics from GLBTQ, to Caring for Aging Parents, to prayer services.
 
Pastoral Care is a contemporary term for an ancient model of emotional, social and spiritual support.
 
This past week on Friday, January 29th, was Elders and Evening Prayer.  Announced in the online St Mary’s Weekly, a spoken Evening Prayer service was offered by Rev Brickson. The attendees consisted of elder members of the parish for whom the flow of the service provides a calming reverence to the end of the day. After a check-in period, attendees participated through readings and spoken canticles throughout the service.
 
This bow to other services outside of the normal Sunday morning is a nod to what the Episcopal church and St Mary’s in particular has to offer the community.
 
If Evening Prayer speaks to you, join us on Fridays at 6:30pm as we move forward together, vibrant and thriving in a virtual world.

Pastoral Care

Please keep Jennie Ward and her family (Todd, Max, and Theo) in your prayers as she recovers from a significant and startling health crisis.  If you would like to keep updated, please visit:
 
To provide other support:
 
******
Pastoral Care Calendar for February 2021
Fridays (ongoing) Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26
Elders & Evening Prayer 6:30 PM
 
Monday, Feb. 8
Pastoral Care Team Meeting 7:30 PM
 
Wednesday, Feb. 10
Coffee & Conversation 10:00 AM / 7:00 PM
 
The Pastoral Care Team will host the book club during Lent.  Please join us in reading and discussing WALKING THE WAY OF LOVE by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and others. We will meet on Tuesdays of Lent.  We invite you to join us for one or any of the weeks, as your schedule and interest.  
 
We have launched our new Prayer Chain, a ministry that anyone can support! 
Please contact Rev. Cindi if you would like to be included among those praying for the needs of St. Marians or if you have a prayer request. (No meeting required)
 
You are invited to join any of these events: 
Reach out to Reverend Cindi Brickson at pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org for a Zoom link
 
For confidential prayer requests, reach out to Rev. Cindi at pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org

Finance Updates:

2020 Contribution Statements E-mailed

Year-end 2020 contribution statements for donations to St. Mary’s for the period January 1, 2020 thru December 31, 2020, were e-mailed to all contributors on Monday, January 25th.  Printed statements were mailed on February 2nd to any household for which we do not have an e-mail address.
 
Please note that any 2020 contributions that were received either by mail or electronically after December 31, 2020, will be reflected in your 2021 contribution statement. 
 
If you note any inaccuracies in your 2020 statement, please contact Rex Holzemer, Treasurer, at 651-308-4895 or rexaholzemer@gmail.com.  
 
We are very grateful to everyone that has continued to provide financial support to St. Mary’s over this past year. Thank you!!     

 

Missing Phones!

Two black desk phones we are leasing from Comcast have gone missing at St. Mary’s and we need to find the phones or pay Comcast for them.  Please help us find our phones!  
 
It’s possible the two phones may have mistakenly been put out in the lobby area last year for people to take if they wanted, along other items we no longer needed.  If anyone has them or knows where they might be, please contact Rex Holzemer, Treasurer, at 651-308-4895 or rexaholzemer@gmail.com.  A phone amnesty program is in place, so no questions asked!!  We just need to find them as soon as possible.  Thanks for your help!

Resources: 

Hi ECMN Parents, Caregivers, and Ministry Leaders,

Following the Bishop’s Summit in December, we heard a clear ask for more opportunities to gather and support one another as parents and caregivers in ECMN. 
So we’ve pulled together some key professionals who can speak to the intersection of faith formation and home dynamics in the context of this ongoing pandemic. 
Anyone in ECMN who is in a supporting role for young people is invited to the following series of three zoom gatherings. 
An email with a zoom registration link will follow this one next week. It’s flexible – so in the meantime just save the date if you are interested in one or all three. 
 
Bishop’s Series for Parents and Caregivers
Hosted by ECMN, St. Mark’s Cathedral, and St. John in the Wilderness
 
Fostering Coping & Resiliency in Our Homes 
Sunday, February 28 @ 4-5pm
 
Family Trauma and the Pandemic
Sunday, March 28 @ 4-5pm
Home Dynamics: Connection & Conflict 
Sunday, April 25 @ 4-5pm
Speaker TBD
 
Come expecting to:
  • Hear from an expert on the topic
  • Meet other parents and caregivers from other Episcopal faith communities in breakouts 
  • Debrief with a Q&A time with your Bishop and the presenter
  • Learn about more opportunities across ECMN
Nobody can do this alone. We are working really hard to make sure this transformational community across the state is connected and surrounded by support for the long haul. We hope you can join us for one or all of these gatherings. 

Outreach: 

  • Do you believe that our community is measured by how we treat those most in need?
  • Are you a person of faith, who is moved to ensure safe housing for all?
  • Are you a state legislator, a county commissioner, or a city council member whose work has been transformed in these trying times?
Our Mission: Everyone, without exception, deserves a safe, decent, accessible, and affordable home.   
 
Parks, hotels, and shelters are filling up with the homeless. There is nowhere near enough affordable housing to meet our needs. The crisis of housing is magnified by the crisis of COVID, and the crisis of the economy, and the crisis of institutional racism.
 
Let us come together, as community members and elected officials, to talk about our vision to end homelessness and share our ideas for how to make that a reality. Let us come together to mobilize power to do what it takes to make a safe HOME a reality for everyone.
 
MICAH (Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing) will present its legislative agenda and we will hear from a member of our community directly affected by the housing shortage. We will ask our elected officials to share their visions and their commitments to action.
 
We are strong when we bring together people of values, of faith, of caring. We act on our shared values for shelter and affordable housing, undoing racism, and building opportunity in every neighborhood. MICAH leaders across our city are daily making our vision reality. We must continue to advocate for stronger housing policies at the State, the County, and the City level.
 
RSVP with your name, phone number, legislative district or street address, and the number attending to us at MicahBrkfst@comcast.net
 
Friday, February 12, 2021    8am-9:30am

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s  

Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups for the week of 2/5 – 2/11 

Friday, February 5, 2021
Elders & Evening Prayer
6:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org or 612-998-5136
 
Sunday, February 7, 2021
Worship via Zoom with Bishop Loya Community Time to follow.  
10:00 AM
 
Monday, February 8, 2021
Pastoral Care Team
7:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org or 612-998-5136
 
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Coffee and Conversation with Rev. Cindi
10:00 AM & 7:00 PM
Please reply to Cindi at pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org to reserve your space and get the Zoom link
 
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Adult Choir
7:00 PM
If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact Vonda at musicdirector@saintmarysepiscopal.org
 
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click here to contact Julie
 
Thursday, February 11, 2021 
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service Via Zoom
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark  
7:00 PM