Saint Mary’s Weekly – January 28, 2021

This will be the 4th Sunday After the Epiphany and the focus will be “Revelation in Transfiguration”. The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya will be our preacher. The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya was consecrated the X Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota on June 6, 2020.  Bishop Loya served as Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska from 2013-2020, and was the Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas from 2009-2013.

 

 

“…I spent yesterday reading Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s newest
book, Love is the Way. In it, he calls us to embrace a universal love as
the way forward as individuals and a nation. His understanding of what
love is, how we find God, and how love has the power to change the
world and see us through these challenging times is deeply grounded in
his own very real experiences of both suffering and hope….” (excerpt
from Bishop Loya’s message in the 1/19/21 ECMN Weekly News)

Have you looked at the St. Mary’s calendar?  Almost every day there are events on the calendar, and more are being added as the weeks go by. Our community is alive with so many opportunities to be together in community – book club, pastoral care, Tweeners, choir to name but a few.

 

A year ago, most of us had never heard of Zoom and now it’s a way of life for many of us. Work meetings, online school and yes, St. Mary’s on Sunday mornings and beyond.

 

While Zoom may not work for everyone and it’s certainly not a substitute for in person gatherings, it does afford us the chance to participate together and see each other.

 

The Communications Committee is taking the opportunity over the next few weeks to showcase some of what’s happening at St Mary’s in this virtual world we live in.

 

Sunday mornings find many of us gathered in front of our computer, tablet or phone Zoomed in to the 10:00am worship service coming live into our homes, cabins or wherever we might be on a Sunday morning. These services are put together by the Worship Committee and a group of volunteers each week who read prayers and lessons, provide music and make sure our technology is up and running. We’ve learned a great deal about ‘being live’ and providing a thoughtful and uplifting service each week. While we have had a few glitches, it is all part of the process that makes St. Mary’s an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.

 

As we move forward together, take a look at our calendar and see where you can Zoom into St. Mary’s to enrich the fabric of our community with your presence.

Pastoral Care Calendar for January/February 2021

Fridays (ongoing) 

Elders & Evening Prayer 6:30 PM

 

Monday, Feb. 1

Pastoral Care Team Meeting 7:30 PM

Caregiving for Aging Loved Ones 7:00PM

 

You are invited to join any of these events: 

 

Our initial review of the second round of PPP loans just being made available indicates that we will not be eligible for another PPP loan in 2021.  Our current working budget for 2021 has a projected deficit of approximately (32,000+), so this is of significant concern given we will need to utilize reserves if we cannot either increase pledge income or further reduce expenses.  

 

We have already reduced expenses by approximately $45,000 in 2021 compared to 2020.  Further reductions are being considered, but another $32,000+ in reductions would effectively disable our services and staffing.  We currently have only $166,000 in 2021 pledges from 60 households, so the projected pledge income we have included in our current 2021 working budget is $170,000, $30,000 less than in our 2020 budget.   In 2020, we received approximately $187,700 in pledge income, or ($12,300) under our budgeted pledge income of $200,000.  

 

We will continue to provide updates as we work to identify further budget reductions and manage what will be another challenging year financially for our community.  Any additional pledges or contributions will be greatly appreciated!! 

 

If you have any questions regarding the 2021 budget, or input related to revenue or expenses, please feel free to contact Rex Holzemer, Treasurer, at either 651-308-4895 or rexaholzemer@gmail.com.

6:30 PM

7:00 PM

Please email Jim Wheeler if you have any questions or 

would like to get the Zoom link.

7:00-8:30 PM
If you would like to join us, or have any questions, please contact