1895 Laurel, Saint Paul MN 55104

Saint Mary's Episcopal Church

1895 Laurel Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104

Saint Mary’s Weekly – August 5, 2022

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Weekly Worship Service

Sunday, August 7, 2022  –  Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

10:00am – Hybrid (In-Person and Zoom) Eucharist Service

After the service, a Zoom social gathering will be held for those worshiping virtually, and a social gathering outside (in the entryway in inclement weather) for those worshiping in-person.

To join the 10am worship on August 7, 2022 – Click HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 277625
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 818 4016 4967

To join by cell phone only (voice only, no video),
call: 312-626-6799
Enter Meeting ID 818 4016 4967
If asked for a passcode, use 277625

For the August 7 Service Bulletin – Click HERE

For the Pentecost and Summer service song sheet – Click HERE

We invite you to view the July 31 sermon video –  Click HERE

What’s in this Weekly?

Meet with Rev. Lindsey

Outreach

Announcements

Prayers & Pastoral Care in the Weekly

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s

Meet with Rev. Lindsey

Rev. Lindsey want to get to know you!  By the end of August, our new priest is hoping to have met with everyone in the congregation.  You can meet with her as an individual* or family; at church, on Zoom, or for a home visit.  Click HERE to find a time that works for you to meet with Rev. Lindsey Briggs.

* If you are a youth, please sign up with an adult.

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Outreach

School Tools Drive

Each year we join with Interfaith Action of St. Paul and other congregations to collect school tools to help supply 9 local programs serving low income families.

This year the drive runs through Sunday August 14. Items can be dropped off in the box in the church entrance, or donations can be made to the ‘Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul‘ organization online. Search for ‘School Tools’ when on the site.

Items of high need for donations include:
Pencils, crayons, markers, spirals, composition notebooks, folders, and notebook paper.

Questions can be directed to:
Rainy Morgan at: Morgan55105 at yahoo.com

Thanks in advance for considering this helpful project to support needy kids!

Provide Relief and Help Communities Recover from Flooding and Fires

A message from the Episcopal Relief and DevelopmentDeadly flooding and fires in southern and western parts of the US are displacing thousands and creating a financial burden on the most vulnerable. Episcopal Relief & Development is working with church and local partners to provide help where it’s needed the most. Your swift response and compassionate gift to the Episcopal Relief & Development Disaster Fund will provide supplies to help communities in Kentucky, Virginia, Missouri, California and other places make a full and sustained recovery. Visit episcopalrelief.org to make a contribution today.

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Announcements

Saint Mary’s COVID Protocols (updated 6/30/2022)

  • Masks covering the nose and mouth are still required indoors.
  • 6’ physical (also known as “social”) distancing will not continue.
  • Lay Leader or Officiant will continue to read important announcements from lectern, including those from the Weekly Email, from the basket at the back of sanctuary and from the chat. Individual parishioners go to floor mic to request prayers. Anti-bacterial wipes will be available to wipe the mic for those who wish to do so.
  • Bread and wine will be distributed for communion. Wine will be served from the “pourable chalice”, so bring your small glasses or take a paper cup from an usher.
  • Communion will take place at the center aisle, either standing or kneeling.
  • Small processions are back.
  • Use Acolytes again (with parental permission)
  • Singing with masks in place!
  • Passing the peace with handshakes – yes, can do this. We need to respect that people have different comfort levels. Please check each person’s color dot and/or ask re their preference.
    • RED • dot – maintain social distance (peace sign, air hug)
    • YELLOW • dot – more comfortable coming closer (a wave, or a fist or elbow bump as a greeting)
    • GREEN • dot – willing to be close and are potentially open to hugs
Senior Quilt Presentations
It is that time of year again– QUILTS FOR SENIORS.  It has been a Saint Mary’s Tradition to pass out beautiful homemade quilts (courtesy of Anne Green’s talented quilting and assisted by Cathy McNaughton).  These quilts have beautiful squares from our favorite prayers and reminders of Saint Mary’s.  Annually, we wrap our seniors in the words of our tradition in the presence of their parents and guardians so they know they are loved and embraced as they spread their wings into the next chapter of their lives.
This year, we recognize our seniors:  Charlie, Emma, and Rachel. Charlie and Rachel will be recognized on August 7th, and Emma will be recognized on August 14th.  Please join us to honor them.
 

July Vestry Meeting Summary

There have been ongoing issues at church with the internet that has caused problems with live-streaming Sunday worship services. Josh McCallister was kind enough to come back and walk through with us the various wireless routers in building.  It was determined that the wireless routers were not the issue. Our internet service provider, Comcast, was called and a technician sent. They determined that our main router was in need of replacement. Fingers are crossed that we have that issue solved.

We discussed different ways that the church could support Rev. Lindsey now that she has been around for a few months and identified some things.

  • There is no air conditioning in the offices, making it very difficult to impossible to work there on warm days. We will look into repair/replacement of the old non-functioning system.
  • Administrative tasks- the last time we had a paid administrator was 2015.
    • Lindsey will compile a task list for further discussion on how best to have them completed, and by whom.

The Vestry is planning a retreat for October 2. Canon Blair Pogue will be a guest speaker. The focus of the retreat will be to provide tools to the vestry in their role as spiritual leaders of the church.

There is interest in how and when to communicate about changes in church membership, such as when someone tells us they will no longer be attending St. Mary’s. The vestry will have further discussions about ideas such as periodic ceremonies acknowledging transitions, both departures and welcoming of new members.
 
Jane Wells is ready to re-retire from her service as a deacon. Rev. Lindsey will work with Jane to plan a date to thank Jane for her service during worship, with a celebration to follow.

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Prayer Requests & Pastoral Care

Please pray for those on Saint Mary’s prayer list: Don; the Horton family; Bishop Craig Loya as he leads the ECMN; ECMN; all front-line workers; teachers and those who support children and youth in education; all who have had hardships because of Covid; all who are homeless, unemployed, or struggling financially; doctors, nurses, caregivers, and all who care for the sick or dying; all who work for new systems of justice and equity; all those who are in need of some extra love, grace, peace, and good energy; all who are in need of prayer.

If you would like a name to be added to Saint Mary’s public prayer list or special prayer shared, please email Claire at clairehorton97 at gmail.com. The prayer list will be updated weekly, and all prayers will remain on the list for one month unless otherwise requested.

CaringBridge for Don Horton
If you would like to stay updated on my dad’s health situation, I will be posting updates on his CaringBridge site.

Website Link:  https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/donhorton

Thanks,
Claire Horton

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Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s
Opportunities for Worship, Education, & Meet-Ups
for the week of 8/5 – 8/11

Sunday, August 5, 2022
In-person and Virtual Worship Service
10:00am
Link

Thursday, August 11, 2022
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group
6:00pm
Contact Julie Thomas for more information – julieandcats at comcast.net

Thursday, August 11, 2022
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark
7:00pm
Link (please note that the Contemplative Service returns to In-person and Virtual!)

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

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