1895 Laurel, Saint Paul MN 55104

Saint Mary's Episcopal Church

1895 Laurel Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104

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 – January 7th, 2021

by

Weekly Worship Service

Sunday, January 10, 2021

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

Epiphany was on Wednesday, January 6. This year at St Mary’s we celebrate Epiphany on Sunday, January 10th. For the sermon we’ll be transported to breakout rooms and join in a participatory sermon. Join other St Marians to talk about Epiphany and the Magi/Wise Men.
 
First Reading:  Ephesians 3:1-12
Gospel:  Matthew 2:1-12
 
Please note that the Zoom information below is new for the New Year!
For the Zoom worship service on January 10, 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 I Service Bulletin – CLICK HERE
For the Epiphany Song Book – CLICK HERE

Worship Team

Epiphany Message from Bishop Craig Loya
Taken from Bishop Loya’s letter in the ECMN Weekly News:
“…Epiphany is about remembering how the light of Jesus was first revealed in the world, and is an invitation to consider the ways it continues to shine in the present darkness. In the coming Sundays, we’ll hear stories of how the light of God’s love was revealed in the life of Jesus, and be challenged to look for the ways it continues to show up in our own lives today….” 
 
What’s New?
    • Last week’s sermon by Rev Lydia Huttar Brown CLICK HERE.
    • For the remaining 5 Sundays during the Season after Epiphany, we will hear sermons from Bishop Loya and ECMN Missioners.  These sermons will be shared through our St Mary’s zoom services. 
    • On Sunday, February 7, Bishop Craig Loya will be visiting St Mary’s via Zoom and preaching. St. Mary’s Youth will also participate in the service and will hold their annual Super Bowl Fund Raiser.
Feedback is welcome!
We welcome your feedback and recommendations about worship services.
 
CLICK HERE  to give feedback. Thanks!

Update from Your Transition Team 

We continue preparing the materials we will share with prospective priest candidates.  We are on track with our original timeline.  Most recently, we received feedback from Vestry members, which we are incorporating into the materials. We will present the complete portfolio to the congregation before sending it to Bishop Loya for final review and posting. Details TBA.  The next meeting of the Transition Team is January 9th. Resources: 
 

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care Calendar for January 2021 
Mondays, Jan. 11, 18, 25
Pastoral Care Team Meeting 7:30 PM
 
Wednesday, Jan. 13 
Coffee and Conversation with Rev. Cindi 
Come, connect with your neighbors and check in!
10:00 AM, 7:00 PM
 
Friday, Jan. 22 
Elders & Evening Prayer 6:30 PM
 
Wed., Jan. 27 
Grief Circle (Prayer and Support) 7:00 PM
Grief and change are often isolating, but they don’t have to be.  
Join this circle for time to be heard, to connect with others, and to pray.
 
Jan. dates TBA:    
GLBTQ+ gathering
Alzheimers support group
 
We will also launch our new Prayer Chain this month….details TBA 
(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

Would you like to say THANK YOU?

Please join us in thanking everyone who is working so hard on behalf of our community by signing our online message board. The link is below. The site is easy to use and in addition to a written message, you can add photos and GIFs. Feel free to have fun with it!
 
You may consider dropping a note of gratitude for the amazing Pageant; perhaps you loved Community and Carols; or maybe you’d simply like to thank all of the folks that are working behind the scenes to bring St. Mary’s forward. If possible, please post one message on the board per family, as we have a limited number of posts.

Outreach Opportunities: 

January 24, 2021
Isaiah’s We Make Minnesota Virtual Launch
Please CLICK HERE for more information on the event and/or contact Ginny DeLuca for more information – ginnydeluca1736@gmail.com

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s  

Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups for the week of 1/8 – 1/14 

Sunday, January 10, 2021
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to follow.  
10:00 AM
 
Monday, January 11, 2021
Pastoral Care Team
7:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org or 612-998-5136
 
Wednesday, January 13, 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, January 13, 2021
Adult Choir
7:00 PM
If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact Vonda at musicdirector@saintmarysepiscopal.org
 
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Adult Ed./Book Study
7:00-8:30 PM
If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact Nina Johnson at nina@jazmn.net or 651-308-8663 
 
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click here to contact Julie
 
Thursday, January 14, 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 – December 31st, 2020

by

A Letter from the St. Mary‘s Vestry

Please look for another email from St. Mary‘s later today (December 31st) with a letter from the St. Mary‘s Vestry. Your attention and feedback is greatly appreciated.

Weekly Worship Service

Sunday, January 3, 2021

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

On the second Sunday after Christmas, the Rev Lydia Huttar Brown will preside and preach.  There will be lots of Christmas carols included in this service, so please join other St Marians and give voice (muted, of course!) to many of the beautiful carols that enrich this season.
 
First Reading:  I John 3:1-2                      
Gospel:  Matthew 2:19-23
 
Please note that the Zoom information below is new for the New Year!
For the Zoom worship service on January 3, 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 Christmas 2 Service Bulletin – CLICK HERE
For the Christmas 2 Song Book – CLICK HERE

Would you like to say THANK YOU?

Please join us in thanking everyone who is working so hard on behalf of our community by signing our online message board. The link is below. The site is easy to use and in addition to a written message, you can add photos and GIFs. Feel free to have fun with it!
 
You may consider dropping a note of gratitude for the amazing Pageant; perhaps you loved Community and Carols; or maybe you’d simply like to thank all of the folks that are working behind the scenes to bring St. Mary‘s forward. If possible, please post one message on the board per family, as we have a limited number of posts.

Worship Team

Christmas Message
 
     When the song of the angels is stilled,
       When the star in the sky is gone,
         When the Kings and princes are home,
           When the shepherds are back with their flock,
     The work of Christmas begins:
       To find the lost,
         To heal the broken,
           To feed the hungry,
             To release the prisoner,
               To rebuild the nations,
                 To bring peace among people,
                   To make music in the heart.
 
     Howard Thurman,”The Work of Christmas”: The Mood of Christmas & Other Celebrations, 1985
 
What’s New?
  • Last week’s sermon by Rev Carol Arney CLICK HERE.
  • A few folks requested to include the link again for the Pageant from the December 20th, 2020 service CLICK HERE as well as the Lego Gospel CLICK HERE!
  • Epiphany is on Wednesday, January 6. There are 6 Sundays in the Season after Epiphany, starting on January 10th. The Worship Team is currently working on those worship services.
  • On Sunday, February 7, Bishop Craig Loya will be visiting St Mary‘s via zoom and preaching.
Feedback is welcome!
We welcome your feedback and recommendations about worship services.
 
Click HERE to give feedback. Thanks!

Update from Your Transition Team 

On Sunday, December 20th we met with the vestry to present the narrative part of the Ministry Portfolio (which we affectionately call the “two-pager”). You can watch a recording of our presentation HERE (video will play in your browser window).  We plan to present the complete portfolio to the congregation before sending it to Bishop Loya for final review and posting. Details TBA.  
 
The next meeting of the Transition Team is January 2nd. We would love to hear from you — email us at transitionteam@saintmarysepiscopal.org.

Pastoral Care

Is there something on your mind? 
In your heart?
 
For confidential prayer requests, reach out to Rev. Cindi at: pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org
 
The Pastoral Care Team meets (by Zoom) on Mondays at 7:30 PM.  All are welcome!  
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link.
 
How to contact Rev. Cindi: pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org or 612-998-5136
 
The Pastoral Care Team is looking for your prayerful support. 
We are beginning a prayer chain ministry!  If you would like to join the chain, or would like more information about how it will work, please reach out to Rev. Cindi.
Come pray with us!

In a Hurry? Donate by Credit Card! 

It’s the end of the year. If there are  too many things to do and not enough time, you can make a year-end or Christmas donation to St. Mary‘s quickly by credit card. Just click on the link below and it will take you to the St. Mary‘s site where you can donate using any credit card. Be aware that a fee of 2.9% of your donation will be deducted from your donation.  
 
 
Have enough time and want your entire donation to go to St. Mary‘s with no fee (that’s our preference too!!)? Mail a check with your year-end or Christmas donation.  We check the mail daily, so it’s safe to send in donations via U.S. mail. Send your check to the following address:
 
St. Mary‘s Episcopal Church
1895 Laurel Ave.
St. Paul, MN  55104 
 
Regardless of how you choose to donate, we appreciate it—-a lot!! 
 
Questions? Contact Rex Holzemer, Treasurer, at 651-308-4895 or rexaholzemer@gmail.com.

Outreach Opportunities: 

January 24, 2021
Isaiah’s We Make Minnesota Virtual Launch
Please CLICK HERE for more information on the event and/or contact Ginny DeLuca for more information – ginnydeluca1736@gmail.com

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary‘s  

Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups for the week of 12/31 – 1/7 

Thursday, December 31, 2020
Saint Mary‘s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click here to contact Julie
 
Thursday, December 31, 2020 
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service Via Zoom
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark  
7:00 PM
 
Sunday, January 3, 2021
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to follow.  
10:00 AM
 
Monday, January 4, 2021
Pastoral Care Team
7:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org or 612-998-5136
 
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Saint Mary‘s Men’s Group
7:00 PM
Please email Jim Wheeler if you have any questions or would like to get the Zoom link.
 
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Adult Ed./Book Study
7:00-8:30 PM
If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact Nina Johnson at nina@jazmn.net or 651-308-8663 
 
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Saint Mary‘s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click here to contact Julie
 
Thursday, January 7, 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 – December 24th, 2020

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CLICK HERE to watch a Christmas message from Bishop Loya and his family and read his letter to the ECMN community below. 

 
 
Beloved in Christ, 
 
When I was a child, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas meant that my grandmother would make dozens of tamales, a traditional Mexican dish of  meat and spices wrapped in dough and baked inside a corn husk. When the labor-intensive process was complete, it seemed like my family would eat almost nothing else for days. They were the outward and visible sign of the bottomless love my grandmother had for me and my sisters. To this day, when I eat tamales, it’s as if that seven-year old boy and his loving grandmother are with me in the midst of whatever lies in front of me.  
 
Christmas is like that, too. At Christmas, we don’t simply recall past events, we re-member Jesus, love coming among us in its fullness in a way that allows us to fully participate in that love right now.  
 
In the reading from Isaiah appointed for Christmas Eve, the prophet writes, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Isaiah was writing to people who were wandering in the deepest imaginable darkness. Their homes had been destroyed, they had been dispersed in a strange and foreign land, and the worship of God as they knew it had been rendered impossible. They felt abandoned, destitute, completely without hope. They had experienced the Ancient  Near East’s version of 2020 on steroids.  
 
And yet, Isaiah offers a bold and brazen word of hope. In the face of disaster and destitution, he prophesies in the present perfect tense. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” The seeing that began in the past is not confined there, but continues uninterrupted into the present. He is inviting the people of Israel to remember what God has done, the ways they have seen God’s  light, in order that they might call those past deeds into the present to carry them into God’s future.  
 
In the deep darkness of 2020’s winter, we do not have to look to some imagined  future to find the light of hope. This Christmas, as ever, we are invited to look back, to God’s unfailing faithfulness to God’s people from the beginning of creation. Through patriarchs, matriarchs, prophets, and apostles. Through the saints of history and the saints who sit next to us in our pews, occupy the square next to us on Zoom, teach in our classrooms, or cook in our grandparents’ kitchens. Through the heroic work of health care workers. Through the weary distance-learning parent who finds a way to carry on. Through the window birthday parties for the aged and lonely in nursing homes. Through weeknight virtual Compline and small groups that allow us to let go of our attempts to keep it all together. 
 
In this year of darkness, I have seen a great light in every single one of you. We have seen a great light in one another. This Christmas, eat your tamales, dearly beloved, and remember. Remember, God is faithful. Remember, we have seen a great light. Remember, a light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not, will not, and cannot overcome it. 
 
Merry Christmas, 
 
The Right Reverend Craig Loya 
X Bishop 
Episcopal Church in Minnesota 
 
(From ECMN News: The Great Light email of December 22, 2020)

Christmas Eve Worship & Gathering Options

Thursday, December 24

Please join fellow St. Marians via Zoom for a few Christmas Eve Service options. On Thursday, December 24th we will gather as a community to participate in one of the services from the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.
 
  • 5:00 PM Family Service: The Nativity story with a service of carols and prayers featuring a menagerie of live animals. 
  • 6:15 PM St Mary‘s Coffee hour for everybody & anybody!! Stay for 5 minutes or 45 minutes or any amount of time in between!!
  • 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Eucharist, a service of readings from Scripture, favorite hymns, seasonal choral and instrumental music and preaching by The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Washington.
For the Zoom Christmas Eve services on December 24, 2020 CLICK HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 458490
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 957 8585 8549
 
To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 957 8585 8549
If asked for a passcode, use 458490

Weekly Worship Service

Sunday, December 27, 2020

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

On the first Sunday after Christmas, the Rev Carol Arney will preside and preach.  There will be lots of Christmas carols included in this service, so please join other St Marians and give voice (muted, of course!) to many of the beautiful carols that enrich this season.
 
Music – Vonda Humburg
Technical Assistance – William Welsh & Brian Nerbonne
 
For the Zoom worship service on December 20, 2020 CLICK HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 330173
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 921 8033 3901
 
To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 921 8033 3901
If asked for a passcode, use 330173
 
For the Christmas 1 Song Book – CLICK HERE

Worship Team

Christmas Message
“My suggestion is that you separate mystery from history and then enter into and enjoy the mystery of the season.  Dream of Peace on Earth and Goodwill among men and women, and then dedicate yourself to bringing that vision into being.”  John Shelby Spong
 
Christmas Eve–December  24
We will “zoom” together to services at the National Cathedral AND have the opportunity to visit with our St Mary‘s friends.
 
Christmas Day–December 25
No service from St Mary‘s.  If you would like to attend a Christmas Day service via zoom, here are a couple choices:
    • St John the Evangelist–10 am Festival Service with the pageant as the Gospel.  Check their website (stjohnsstpaul.org) for further information.
    • St Mark’s Cathedral–10 am ECMN Festival of Lessons and Carols, featuring faces and voices from across the state, bringing the ECMN family together to celebrate Christmas. Available on Vimeo and Facebook. For the bulletin for the service CLICK HERE.
What’s New?
-The Pageant from the December 20th, 2020 service CLICK HERE
 
Feedback is welcome!
We welcome your feedback and recommendations about worship services.
 
Click HERE to give feedback. Thanks!

Update from Your Transition Team 

Last Sunday we met with the vestry to present the narrative part of the Ministry Portfolio (which we affectionately call the “two-pager”). You can watch a recording of our presentation HERE (video will play in your browser window).  We plan to present the complete portfolio to the congregation before sending it to Bishop Loya for final review and posting. Details TBA.  
 
The next meeting of the Transition Team is January 2nd. We would love to hear from you — email us at transitionteam@saintmarysepiscopal.org.

Pastoral Care

Is there something on your mind? 
In your heart?
 
For confidential prayer requests, reach out to Rev. Cindi at: pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org
 
The Pastoral Care Team meets (by Zoom) on Mondays at 7:30 PM.  All are welcome!  
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link.
 
How to contact Rev. Cindi: pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org or 612-998-5136
 
The Pastoral Care Team is looking for your prayerful support. We are beginning a prayer chain ministry!  If you would like to join the chain, or would like more information about how it will work, please reach out to Rev. Cindi.
Come pray with us!

In a Hurry? Donate by Credit Card! 

It’s the end of the year. If there are  too many things to do and not enough time, you can make a year-end or Christmas donation to St. Mary‘s quickly by credit card. Just click on the link below and it will take you to the St. Mary‘s site where you can donate using any credit card. Be aware that a fee of 2.9% of your donation will be deducted from your donation.  
 
 
Have enough time and want your entire donation to go to St. Mary‘s with no fee (that’s our preference too!!)? Mail a check with your year-end or Christmas donation.  We check the mail daily, so it’s safe to send in donations via U.S. mail. Send your check to the following address:
 
St. Mary‘s Episcopal Church
1895 Laurel Ave.
St. Paul, MN  55104 
 
Regardless of how you choose to donate, we appreciate it—-a lot!! 
Questions? Contact Rex Holzemer, Treasurer, at 651-308-4895 or rexaholzemer@gmail.com.

Finance Committee Update

November Donations Reduce Deficit!

Pledge income in November was almost $14,000 above the budgeted amount. It was very welcome news after October when pledge income was well below budget. The donations positively impact our projected year-end deficit. The linked chart (CLICK HERE) outlines the key financials as of November 30, 2020.  
 
If donations in December keep pace with the projected levels for December, we could end the year with a deficit around $10,000 less than projected, in other words, a deficit of approximately ($21,000) instead of the projected deficit of ($31,190). Once we apply the $31,700 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan to the 2020 operational budget that we received in April, which should be 100% forgiven, we could actually end the year with a small surplus. We are very fortunate to have received this forgivable loan. 
 
Feel free to contact Rex Holzemer via e-mail (rexaholzemer@gmail.com) or phone (651-308-4895) if you have questions or want additional information.

Outreach Opportunities: 

January 24, 2021
Isaiah’s We Make Minnesota Virtual Launch
Please CLICK HERE for more information on the event and/or contact Ginny DeLuca for more information – ginnydeluca1736@gmail.com

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary‘s  

Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups for the week of 12/25 – 12/31 

Sunday, December 27, 2020
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to follow.  
10:00 AM
 
Monday, December 28, 2020
Pastoral Care Team
7:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at 
 
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. 
NO Sunday school December 20th or 27th!
 
Visit the St. Mary‘s Calendars page for more information on what is happening.

Saint Mary’s Weekly – December 17th, 2020

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Weekly Worship Service

Sunday, December 20, 2020

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

Today’s Service and Christmas Pageant will be led by the Youth of St. Mary‘s.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath Candle – The Welsh Family
Music – Rachel, Elias, Jim May, and Vonda Humburg
Technical Assistance – William Welsh
 
For the Zoom worship service on December 20, 2020 CLICK HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 330173
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 921 8033 3901
 
To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 921 8033 3901
If asked for a passcode, use 330173
 
For the service bulletin for the 12/20 service,  CLICK HERE

Worship Team

 
Advent Message
This Sunday, December 20, Advent IV, the Candles of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love will be lit.  The lighter of the candles will say: “Christ, be our light.  As we light this candle of love for all God’s people, we remember your commandments.  You call us to love God and love our neighbors.  Come to us in this time of Advent.  May the light of your love be born anew in us.”  The response is:  “God, fill us with love.  Love is patient, love is kind.  Love is not envious or boastful or rude.  Love does not insist on its own way.  Love rejoices in the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, endures all things.  God, bless us with love.”
 
What can I expect at St. Mary‘s Worship services?
All the worship services in Advent are planned and led by parishioners…there will be no priest presiding and there will be no communion or spiritual communion. During the first three Sundays in Advent we worshipped in the style of each of our Sunday services.  This Sunday, Advent IV, we’ll have a Youth led service AND the Christmas pageant.  Please join the youth for this very special service.
 
What’s New?
  • Because of concerns about privacy issues, the full worship services will not be shared.
  • Sermons will continue to be shared.
  • Sermon from the December 13th, 2020 service CLICK HERE

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

Click HERE to give feedback. Thanks!

Christmas Eve Worship & Gathering Options

Thursday, December 24

Please join fellow St. Marians via Zoom for a few Christmas Eve Service options. On Thursday, December 24th we will gather as a community to participate in one of the services from the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.
 
5:00 PM Family Christmas Eve Service
6:15 PM St. Mary‘s Christmas Eve Community Fellowship
7:00 PM Traditional Christmas Eve Service
 
For the Zoom Christmas Eve services on December 24, 2020 CLICK HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 458490
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 957 8585 8549
 
To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 957 8585 8549
If asked for a passcode, use 458490

Update from Your Transition Team 

We continue meeting weekly to prepare the materials we will use in our priest search: a two-page “letter” to prospective priests; and answers to specific questions from the Office for Transition Ministry of the Episcopal Church. This week we will present the letter, revised after the recent community meeting, to the vestry to get their feedback. 
 
Other info:
  • We are on schedule with our general timeline, which you can see HERE
  • The information we shared at the community meeting CLICK HERE 
  • Introductory messages from transition team members CLICK HERE

Pastoral Care

Is there something on your mind? 
In your heart?
 
For confidential prayer requests, reach out to Rev. Cindi at: pastoralcare@saintmarysepiscopal.org
 
The Pastoral Care Team meets (by Zoom) on Mondays at 7:30 PM.  All are welcome!  
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link.
 
How to contact Rev. Cindi:
 
The Pastoral Care Team is looking for your prayerful support. 
We are beginning a prayer chain ministry!  If you would like to join the chain, or would like more information about how it will work, please reach out to Rev. Cindi. Come pray with us!

Your Christmas Offering? 

One of our parishioners asked recently about whether we’ll be taking up a Christmas offering. Absolutely!!  However, given COVID-19, Santa won’t be dropping by your home to pick it up!  You’ll need to make a special effort to get it to St. Mary‘s.  That special effort involves some of your time to make out a check, find an envelope, put on a stamp and get it in the mail.  Please put “Christmas Offering” in the note section of your check so we code it appropriately in your individual contribution record.   And, yes, the address to send it to is the same as that for your regular contributions that you mail to St. Mary‘s:
 
St. Mary‘s Episcopal Church
1895 Laurel Ave. 
St. Paul, MN  55104
 
Of course, for those of you on auto-pay, you can certainly send a Christmas donation via auto-pay, as well, or send a separate check via mail.  We check the mail daily, so sending any regular contributions or special Christmas offerings is safe through the mail. 
Thanks everyone for your continued financial support!   
Rex Holzemer, Treasurer
651-308-4895

Finance Committee Update

November Donations Reduce Deficit!

Pledge income in November was almost $14,000 above the budgeted amount. It was very welcome news after October when pledge income was well below budget. The donations positively impact our projected year-end deficit. The linked chart (CLICK HERE) outlines the key financials as of November 30, 2020.  
 
If donations in December keep pace with the projected levels for December, we could end the year with a deficit around $10,000 less than projected, in other words, a deficit of approximately ($21,000) instead of the projected deficit of ($31,190). Once we apply the $31,700 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan to the 2020 operational budget that we received in April, which should be 100% forgiven, we could actually end the year with a small surplus. We are very fortunate to have received this forgivable loan. 
 
Feel free to contact Rex Holzemer via e-mail (rexaholzemer@gmail.com) or phone (651-308-4895) if you have questions or want additional information.

Solar System is Operational! 

The solar panels installed on the church roof this past summer are finally connected and producing electricity!  On Thursday, December 10th, Xcel completed testing, commissioning and meter installation for the system and it is now operational.  Some final work related to internet monitoring of the system will be completed next week, but that does not affect the ongoing operation of the solar panels.  
 
As has been communicated previously, St. Mary‘s is leasing this system from Monarch Solar, so all costs associated with installation and maintenance of the system are the responsibility of the solar company.  We are guaranteed a 20% reduction in our electricity costs during the 25-year lease period.  The lease contract allows for St. Mary‘s to purchase the system at fair market value after six years. 
 
Have questions?  Want more information?  Feel free to contact Rex Holzemer via e-mail (rexaholzemer@gmail.com) or phone (651-308-4895).

St. Mary‘s Music and Food

Did you miss the St. Mary‘s Community and Carols presentation last Sunday? 
Or perhaps you enjoyed it so much that you want to watch it over and over again? Please click on the following link to see it again – CLICK HERE
Thank you Vonda, Erika, Jim May, and all the contributors, readers, musicians, and singers!
 
Did you get a chance to try any of the traditional St. Mary‘s Lessons and Carols recipes?
In case you missed it last week, HERE are the recipes that were shared
and a photo from the Ward/Reemtsma household of Roast Pork with Cherry Sauce,
Apple & Greens Salad, and Wild Rice.

Recipes shared by Julie Thomas.
(Thank you, Julie!)

If you are looking for more music to enjoy during the Christmas season, please check out the schedule of holiday broadcasts on Classical MPR with the option to stream several of the concerts at your convenience. CLICK HERE

Outreach Opportunities: 

January 24, 2021
Isaiah’s We Make Minnesota Virtual Launch
Please CLICK HERE for more information on the event and/or contact Ginny DeLuca for more information – ginnydeluca1736@gmail.com

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary‘s  

Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups for the week of 12/18 – 12/24 

Sunday, December 20, 2020
Worship via Zoom with Coffee Hour to follow.  
10:00 AM
 
Monday, December 21, 2020
Pastoral Care Team
7:30 PM
Contact Rev. Cindi for the Zoom link at 
 
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
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,  December 23, 2020
Adult Ed./Book Study
7:00-8:30 PM
If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact 
Nina Johnson at nina@jazmn.net or 651-308-8663 
 
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Christmas Eve Services & Community Gathering
5:00 PM Christmas Eve Family Service
6:15 PM St. Mary‘s Community Fellowship
7:00 PM Christmas Eve Service
 
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.  
NO Sunday school December 20th or 27th!
 
Visit the St. Mary‘s Calendars page for more information on what is happening.

Welcome to our new online news section!

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Missed announcements this week? Looking for a link to an online activity? Looking for information about the Transition Team’s work? Here’s your new spot to find all this . . . and more!

If you’re searching for information about something specific, you can type that topic or name into the search bar (in the right side bar) and all posts that concern that topic will be shown to you, in a list starting from most recently published. You may not find much here yet, but week by week, this archive will grow. 

Contact communications@saintmarysepiscopal.org any time with questions, comments, and feedback. We love to hear from you!