1895 Laurel, Saint Paul MN 55104

Saint Mary's Episcopal Church

1895 Laurel Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104

Saint Mary’s Weekly – December 17, 2021

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Weekly Worship Service
Sunday, December 19, 2021

  • First Message: Micah 5: 2-5a
  • Gospel: Luke 1: 39-45    
10:00am – Eucharist Worship Service In-person and via Zoom with social time to follow for those worshipping in person outside and in the entryway and a Zoom social gathering for those worshipping virtually. The Rev. Lydia Huttar-Brown will be the celebrant and preacher.

For those joining virtually, 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.

To join the 10am worship on December 19, 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 December 19th Service Bulletin – Click HERE
Lighting of Advent Wreath Candles – Click HERE
For the Advent Songbook – Click HERE

What’s in this Weekly?

Worship Team

Vestry Update

Christmas Greens & Poinsettias

Children and Youth

Outreach

Prayers in the Weekly

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s

Worship Team

Thank you Vonda for all of your contributions to Lessons and Carols at Saint Mary’s!

Photo by Jennifer Wedel
 

What’s New?

  • To listen to the Lessons and Carols celebration, Click HERE.
  • Remember to bring your “cup” to receive wine during communion. Small paper cups will also be available.
  • Starting this Sunday, December 19, there will be one kneeler on the main floor to the left of the altar for those who prefer to kneel to receive bread and wine.
  • 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 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 Minneapolis–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. (This Sunday!)
 
Thank you.
 
Ginny DeLuca

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

Youth Group:
No Youth Group for the next two weeks. Youth Group will resume on January 5th, 2022.
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:
No Tweeners for the next two weeks. Tweeners will resume on January 6th, 2022.
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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“All Our Good Holiday Giving” Update

Message from Nina Johnson: 

We’re still collecting donations to the annual holiday event for families in need, called “All Our Good Holiday Giving”.

With all of the generous donations from St Marians so far, I have collected 50 gift cards! Because the need is so great, my goal is to donate 150 gift cards for families and kids who continue to be hit hard by racial injustice and the pandemic.

Many many thanks to those who have helped us get this far!  ~ If you haven’t donated yet and would like to join in this beautiful effort, please do, at any time! 

You may make a cash donation to me and I will make sure it gets to the families!

PayPal: @ninacjohnson
Venmo: Nina-Johnson-115
Check: to Nina Johnson, 418 Macalester St, St Paul, 55105

Feel free to contact me at nina@jazmn.net or 651-308-8663 if you have any questions. Thank you so very much!

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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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 12/17 – 12/23

Sunday, December 19, 2021
Hybrid Eucharist Worship Service
10:00am
Link

Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Finance Committee Meeting
6:30pm
For more information Click HERE

Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Compline
7:30pm
Link

Thursday, December 23, 2021
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information. Click HERE.

Thursday, December 23, 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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