1895 Laurel, Saint Paul MN 55104

Saint Mary's Episcopal Church

1895 Laurel Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104

Saint Mary’s Weekly – December 10, 2021

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Weekly Worship Service
(NOTE: The 4pm Lessons and Carols will be taking the place of the 10am Worship Service)
Sunday, December 12, 2021

  • First Message: Zephaniah 3:14-20
  • Gospel: Luke 3:7-18    
8:00am – Virtual Adapted Morning Prayer Worship Service via Zoom led by Steve Andrews with social time to follow.
For the 8am Zoom worship service on December 12, 2021 Click HERE
If asked for a passcode, enter 171895
If asked for a meeting ID, enter 878 4182 3048
 
For the 8am Service Bulletin – Click HERE
 
3:30pm – Come to Lessons and Carols early and enjoy a peaceful time of listening to or humming or quietly singing carols.
4:00pm – Lessons and Carols In-Person and via Zoom.

Please join via Zoom in the link below and the Zoom Host will share the Live Stream. This will allow all of those attending virtually to interact during the service.

For Lessons and Carols Zoom viewing on December 12, 2021 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 Lessons and Carols Bulletin – Click HERE
Lighting of Advent Wreath Candles – Click HERE
For the Lessons and Carols Songbook – Click HERE

What’s in this Weekly?

Worship Team

Vestry Update

Christmas Greens & Poinsettias

Children and Youth

ECMN Missioner for Children, Youth, and Camp

Outreach

Prayers in the Weekly

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s

Worship Team

Lessons and Carols at Saint Mary’s

Come one, come all this Sunday, December 12th at 4pm and fill your holiday season with a time of reflection, song and love. We are anticipating so much this season of Advent…the call for a new rector/priest, renewal and revival of our focus, the opportunity for worship innovation and yes…the birth of a child named Jesus!  
 
Everyone has been working so hard to make this live worship something to remember. As we carefully rise up from the blanket of isolation caused by the COVID pandemic, we get this special night to celebrate and anticipate the birth of Jesus.  
 
Yes, it is true, this will not be the same Lessons and Carols service of the past, it is something similar, yet new. The choir will be your voice, the band will be your joy, the solo instruments will bring you that feeling of home, and our love will surround you! Our elaborate meal must be simplified for safety reasons and instead…a plate full of cookies for each household to take home as you leave the service. A sweet feast to remember why we are all drawn to Saint Mary’s and why we call these walls home.
 
Remember, there is no 10am worship this Sunday, we are asking you to join us later in the day to worship through scripture and song. Come early and join us in singing some carols quietly behind your masks at 3:30pm that day. Then Lessons and Carol’s at 4pm, Sunday, December 12th!!!
 
All are welcome,
Vonda

What’s New?

  • To listen to The Reverend Susan Moss’ December 5th homily, Click HERE.
  • Winter temps are now with us and the Worship Team has discussed how to do Social Time for in-person worshippers in a COVID-safe way. Here’s what we came up with! Some folks may still want to gather outside, and that’s just fine…feel free to gather in front of the entrance as you’ve done in the past or in the “garth” (which would give you some protection from the wind). People can also stay inside and gather in the entryway area with the front doors and doors to the “garth” open for good air flow…even better protection from the wind and hopefully a little warmer than outside. Let’s give it a try…and please give us your feedback and other ideas.
  • Virtual Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve…you won’t want to miss this one!! Come in person or attend via Zoom and participate in St. Mary’s Christmas Eve worship. One service only at 4:00pm, with Christmas carols starting at 3:30pm.
  • Worship Schedule (All 10am and 3:30/4:00pm services are both in-person and virtual.)
    • Sun—Dec 12…..8am adapted Morning Prayer–Advent 3 (Zoom only)
    • Sun—Dec 12….3:30pm carol singing; 4pm Lessons & Carols—Advent 3 (The Rev. Susan Moss, officiant)
    • Sun—Dec 19….10am Eucharist—Advent 4 (The Rev. Lydia Huttar Brown)
    • Fri— Dec 24……3:30pm carol singing; 4pm Eucharist—Christmas Eve with virtual Christmas pageant (The Rev. Susan Moss)
    • Sat— Dec 25…..No service
    • Sun—Dec 26…. Let’s Zoom together to St. Mark’s Cathedral in Mpls–More info to come                       
    • Sun—Jan 2…….10am Bishop Loya’s Christmas sermon, Christmas carols, & Morning Prayer

Feedback is welcome!
Expect changes as we try things, see how they work and make improvements! Your feedback is more important than ever before to help us know what’s working well and what isn’t. Please send your thoughts, ideas, suggestions to the Worship Team.

Click HERE to give feedback. Thanks!

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Vestry discussion of COVID rates and in-person services

At our November vestry meeting, we discussed the elevated COVID rates and how that might affect St. Mary’s in-person worship. It is hard to miss the news that COVID rates have spiked to levels not seen since this time last year. Thankfully this year vaccines are available and significantly reduce the risk of serious illness for people who are vaccinated.
 
We have heard questions from some members of the congregation about whether in-person services would or should continue at this time. I reached out to Cindi Brickson, knowing that she was part of the diocese’s development of COVID guidelines. She is also tapped into things happening around the diocese in her new role. I learned there is currently only one congregation in MN that Cindi knows of that has stopped having in-person services. The rest, including the cathedral, have chosen to emphasize their requirements around masking, social distancing and people not coming to church if they are sick or have a recent known exposure.
 
The vestry of St. Mary’s has decided to follow that same approach. We know that for many, in-person worship is very important for both spiritual and social reasons. We feel that by following our requirements, we can minimize the risk of spread at church. We are asking that anyone who attends church services mind those requirements to the letter so that we can continue to keep everyone safe. Our virtual option continues to be available for Sunday services, and we hope people take advantage of that option if they have reason not to attend in person.
 
Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions, or suggestions about how we can make sure our services remain safe.
 
Brian Nerbonne, warden

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Deck St. Mary’s Halls with Christmas Greens and Poinsettias!

Please fill out the Google form (Click HERE) and leave your donation in the church plate or send it to St. Mary’s by December 19, 2021.
 
Thank you.
 
Ginny DeLuca

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St. Mary’s Children’s and Youth for Fall

Youth Group:
Join Kat for youth group on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm-8:00pm We are excited that the youth will be back in person again this year! Just a reminder that Youth Group is for young people who are 7th through 12th grade.
 
Tweeners:
Join Mia and Emily for Tweeners on Thursdays from 7-7:45pm. Please note that Tweens will be on THURSDAY and not on WEDNESDAY due to the availability of the tweens that expressed interest! The meeting will be virtual. Please contact Mia for the link!
 
Help Tweeners Raise Money for the Hallie Q Brown Community Center
Tweeners are still trying to raise $300 and we are at $205.  Help the Tweeners meet their goal and combat food insecurity. Donate on this link!
 
Family Advent Resources:
Parents, here are some advent resources that emphasize ideas that can work well for your Family Advent adventures at home. There are some great ideas in the newsletter for each week. Each week emphasizes advent in a different country! Take the time to learn about traditions in the Philippines, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Norway. They also give ideas for creating together (a craft), serving together (family service) and exploring together! Enjoy this time together as a family, bringing church into your home this Advent season. 
 
 

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Missioner Job Description Conversation

  • Children’s & Youth Listening Session
  • December 16, 7pm | Online
  • If you are involved in ministry with young people, families, or intergenerational formation in ECMN, you are invited to participate in the process for hiring a new Missioner for Children, Youth, and Camp. On Thursday, December 16, ECMN will be hosting a Zoom listening session to discuss the values that you would like to see reflected in the job description for this missioner. What does ECMN need in a missioner for children, youth, and camp? What does your faith community need from this missioner to in order thrive in the area of children, youth, and intergenerational ministry? Leaders in all aspects of these ministries are welcome, including parents and invested teens. Please be sure to share this invitation with all in your community involved in youth ministry. If you are unable to make this Zoom session, there will be a survey that can be filled out on your own time. 
 

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“All Our Good Holiday Giving” Update

Message from Nina Johnson: 

My organization, the Racial Justice Network, co-sponsors an annual holiday event for families in need, called “All Our Good Holiday Giving”. 

In 2020 we welcomed over 300 adults and children and gave away over 1,600 toys, books, and gift cards in 2 hours. This year, due to the huge demand, we’re doubling the length of the event and hope to double the amount we can give away.  

Last year St Marians donated 100  $10 gift cards, and this year I told the planners that our community could donate 200 gift cards. So far 11 people have made donations, and we have 47 cards to give to families. Many thanks to those who have helped us get this started! 200 cards is an ambitious goal, but I know we can do it, St. Mary’s! Please give as much as you can- the need is great. 

You may give $10 gift cards from Target, Cub or Walmart, or give money and I’ll take care of getting the cards. Please contact me at nina@jazmn.net or 651-308-8663 and let me know how much you’d like to give. Thank you!

Event details: 

“All Our Good Holiday Giving”
Saturday, December 18
11:00am-3:00pm
Zion Baptist Church
621 Elwood Ave N, Minneapolis
Hosted by Zion Baptist Church, We Win Institute, and Racial Justice Network

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The Angel Tree is Back!

Saint Marians, it is time to sign up for the Angel Tree gifts again.  This is an opportunity to purchase a gift for a child at Galtier School.  There are options for giving clothing of a specific size or toys based on the child’s interests. We are doing this a little differently this year. Sign Up on this link below by filling out your Name, Phone number and email and then bring the gift you signed up for in a gift bag to Saint Mary’s by 4pm on December 12.  After Lessons and Carols the Youth Group plans to pack up the gifts to get them ready for distribution.  
 
 
Or if you would like to contribute but simply cannot go shopping you can give a check or a gift card from Target, Walmart or Cub in increments of $10.  Please sign up to give a check or gift card here. 
 

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Prayer Requests

Please pray for those on Saint Mary’s prayer list: Don; Anne; Kirby; Amara; Steven, Bishop Craig Loya as he leads the ECMN; all frontline workers; teachers and those who support children and youth in education, all who are thinking about getting or waiting to get a COVID vaccine or booster; 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 who are in need of prayer.

If you would like a name to be added to Saint Mary’s public prayer list, please email claire1412@gmail.com. The prayer list will be updated weekly, and all prayers will remain on the list for one month unless otherwise requested.

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Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s
Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups
for the week of 12/10 – 12/16

Sunday, December 12, 2021
Virtual Morning Prayer via Zoom
8:00am
Link

Sunday, December 12, 2021
Lessons and Carols In-Person and via Zoom
3:30pm carols; 4:00pm service
Link

Monday, December 13, 2021
Worship Team Meeting via Zoom
4:45pm
For more information Click HERE

Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Compline
7:30pm
Link

Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Youth Group
6:30pm
Contact Mia for more information. Click HERE

Thursday, December 16, 2021
Tweeners
7:00pm
Contact Mia for more information. Click HERE

Thursday, December 16, 2021
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click HERE.

Thursday, December 16, 2021
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark
7:00pm
Link

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

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