1895 Laurel, Saint Paul MN 55104

Saint Mary's Episcopal Church

1895 Laurel Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104

Saint Mary’s Weekly – January 28, 2022

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: St. Mary’s continues Virtual Services until the end of February

Weekly Worship Service
Sunday, January 30, 2022

  • First Message: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
  • Gospel: Luke 4:21-30
10:00am – Virtual Eucharist Worship Service via Zoom. The Reverend Susan Moss will be the celebrant and preacher. Stick around after the service for a Zoom social gathering.
No in-person service. Worship is via Zoom only.
To join the 10am worship on January 30, 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 January 30th Service Bulletin – Click HERE
For the Epiphany Songbook – Click HERE

What’s in this Weekly?

Worship Team

Keeping our community safe and healthy

Opportunities to serve St. Mary’s

Finance Committee

Search Committee

Children and Youth

Outreach & Education

Prayers in the Weekly

Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s

  • New!: The Evening Compline Service has moved from Tuesday nights to Monday nights at 7:30pm.
  • New!: The Thursday evening Contemplative Service will be Zoom only until the end of February and will then be reassessed.

Worship Team

Liturgy Matters at St. Mary’s from Paulette Briese, Chair of the Worship Team

The Worship Team will soon be looking ahead and planning for worship services during Lent. Over the past 14 or so months, we’ve tried very hard to have elements in every service that would be familiar to each and everyone of you. Knowing our one worship service can’t be “all things to all people”, we still wonder what people are longing for. So, we’re asking you…asking you to let us know what it is you’re yearning for and why this is important to you. Please use the feedback “Click HERE” below and respond by February 8th so we’ll have your thoughts before our next meeting. Thank you for sharing your yearnings with us.

What’s New?
  • To hear The Reverend Debbie Brown’s homily given at St Mary’s on January 23, Click HERE.
  • At the January 25th meeting of the Vestry, the decision was made to continue “Zoom Only” services through the month of February, with Ash Wednesday (March 2) tentatively being our first hybrid (In-person & Zoom) service. The COVID numbers in Ramsey County continue to be high and keeping people as safe as possible is our primary concern. The Vestry will review and reassess at the February 22nd meeting.
  • Come to Zoom church and see faces you may not have seen for awhile. Even though it’s been great to have both the Zoom and in-person worship options, it’s also nice to have the community gathered all together.
  • Do you know about “Lent Madness”?? What’s “Lent Madness” you say? Stay tuned!!

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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St. Mary’s continues Virtual Services through the end of February

The COVID wave may soon be peaking, but we have a ways to go before it dissipates. On Tuesday, January 25, the St. Mary’s vestry discussed whether to resume holding in-person worship services. We have continued to watch the cathedral, which has said they will not return in-person until case rates approach 100. Right now in Ramsey County we are over twice that rate. With this in mind, the vestry has decided to continue with virtual services through the end of February. Our first in-person service is slated to be on Ash Wednesday, March 2, in time for the start of Lent.
 
We recognize that this news may disappoint some people. In-person worship is an important ritual and social function for many of us, and it is hard for virtual services to fully replace that experience. We all hope conditions improve by March so that we can follow through on the plan to return to in-person. Until then, we hope to have you join us online for services.
 
Sincerely,
 
The St. Mary’s Vestry

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Ask not what St. Mary’s can do for you – ask what you can do for St. Mary’s

What gifts and talents has God given you? How might you be called to share your time and talents to build up the body of Christ at St. Mary’s? Where is the Spirit calling you to serve?
 
If you have been at St. Mary’s awhile, you have certainly heard the phrase, or perhaps more importantly seen the actions – “It takes a village.” In spite of a pandemic there is so much going on at St. Mary’s and many hands are needed to help keep our village thriving. Would you like to get to know St. Marians better and what makes the church “tick”? Below are some of the immediate opportunities to serve at St. Mary’s as well as some of the upcoming opportunities. Please feel free to be curious and ask questions about these positions and step up if one seems right for you or provides an opportunity to grow and to get to know your community better.
 
Immediate opportunities to serve:
Altar Guild – Join the team that helps prepare the Altar and Sanctuary for worship and other services. Kitty McFarland – mcfarlandkitty274 at gmail.com
Saint Mary’s Weekly – If you like communication and have some editorial skills, please join the team in creating the Weekly. We’ll be hosting a training session on Thursday, February 10th at 7:30pm if you are interested. We’ll also be recording the training for those interested, but unable to join. Communications Team – communications@saintmarysepiscopal.org
Stewardship Committee – Are you interested in helping St. Mary’s grow? Are you wondering where our money comes from? If you answered YES to these questions, our community is asking each of you to consider whether participation with the Stewardship committee could be your ministry at St. Mary’s. Cindy James – james.c.a at comcast.net or Jim Wheeler – james.jw.wheeler at gmail.com
Finance Committee – If you have an interest in helping guide the finances of St. Mary’s, please consider joining the Finance Committee. All St. Mary’s members are welcome to sit in on the monthly Finance Committee meetings. finance@saintmarysepiscopal.org
Technology (Worship Assistance) – Join the team that keeps the audio working and Live Stream accessible to those attending worship virtually. Commitment is a Sunday every month or two based on your availability. Todd Reemtsma – todd.reemtsma at gmail.com
Technology (Equipment & Infrastructure) – Someone with knowledge or interest in networks and equipment to work with the Buildings & Grounds Team to improve and maintain our network at St. Mary’s. building@saintmarysepiscopal.org
 
Upcoming opportunities to serve:
Warden(s) – 1 or 2 people to serve a term-limit of no more than 3 years. Elected at the 2022 Annual Meeting.
Vestry Members – 2 or 3 new Vestry members to replace outgoing Vestry members with a 3-year term. Elected at the 2022 Annual Meeting.
Treasurer – Appointed during the first meeting of the 2022-23 Vestry.
Vestry Clerk – Appointed during the first meeting of the 2022-23 Vestry.
 
Please note that most committees – Worship, Communications, Finance, Buildings & Grounds – can be joined at any time that you might be interested.
 

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2021 Annual Contribution Statements

2021 annual contribution statements will be sent out via e-mail by January 28th. If you do not have a current e-mail address on file, please send your current e-mail address to Rex Holzemer, Treasurer, at rexaholzemer at gmail.com. If necessary, a hard copy of an annual contribution statement will be mailed to any parishioner without an e-mail address on file.
 
If you think there are any inaccuracies on your statement or you have questions, please feel free to call or e-mail Rex Holzemer, Treasurer, at 65I-3O8-4895 or rexaholzemer at gmail.com.
 
Thanks to each of you for your generosity and financial support of St. Mary’s in 2021!
 

Saint Mary’s Annual 2022 Finance Report

Greetings St. Mary’s Community,
 
In an attempt to get information out to all parishioners regarding our 2021 and 2022 budgets as soon as possible, the Vestry has decided to send out the Annual Finance report via e-mail immediately rather than wait until an annual meeting can be scheduled. An update on St. Mary’s finances will still be provided at the annual meeting.  
 
We have some good news! Due to pledge income coming in higher than expected in 2021 and significantly lower than expected expenses, as well as excellent gains on our investments, we ended 2021 with a $48,189 surplus. This surplus has been moved to contingency reserves to cover any future budget deficits.
 
The challenging news is that our projected budget deficit for this year is ($84,176). This is due to the fact that the Vestry has committed to hiring a full-time priest to assist in rebuilding our parish community, and we have 9 fewer household pledges in 2022 compared to 2021.
 
We continue to have a very committed parishioner base. With continued commitment and leadership from our parishioners, the Vestry is hopeful and confident we will indeed be a thriving, vital community again in the future. It likely means we will run deficits for the next couple of years or so. However, given our solid reserves thanks to those who came before us, we can manage such deficits during the rebuilding process.  
 
Attached (link below) is a simplified 2-page annual report from our Finance Committee that is a quick read and important for all St. Mary’s members to understand. Please take time to read through it. If you have any questions regarding our budget or finances, please feel free to call or e-mail Rex Holzemer, Treasurer, at 651-308-4895 or rexaholzemer at gmail.com.  
 
My personal thanks to each of you for your continued financial support of St. Mary’s and for your commitment to this community!
 
Rex Holzemer, The Finance Committee, and The St. Mary’s Vestry
 
 

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Search Committee

Update from the Search Committee
We’ve finished our first, short interviews (on Zoom) with candidates. We are conducting second interviews, also on Zoom. We’ve also asked each candidate to answer a short essay question, we’ve listened to recordings of their sermons, and we are answering thoughtful questions from the candidates. Each candidate brings different gifts and experiences to the table, and we are excited to have deeper discussions about our community’s needs and their strengths. After the second interviews, finalists will visit with the search committee in person for more mutual discernment. God be in our ears and in our listening!
 
Prayers for the Search Committee and Candidates
Dear Saint Marians:
 
As the Rector’s Search begins anew, let us remain constant in prayer for members of the Search Committee and the candidates who have come forward.
 
Faithfully, 
 
Susan
The Rev. Susan M. Moss
 
 Let us pray:
 

Lord Jesus Christ you are the Light of the World!

May your Holy Spirit continue to  guide and illumine the discerning hearts and minds of the Saint Mary’s Search Committee and rector candidates, in the search for a faithful pastor who will care for your people and equip us for ministries in your name.  Amen.
 

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

NEW! Pre-Tweeners Group on Wednesday from 6:30pm – 7pm:
We just started a group for kids who are K-2nd grade.  Any child in that age group is welcome to join.  We will be having a question of the day, talk about our lows and highs and then do a show and tell.  All children K-2 are welcome to join. Please contact Mia for the link! 
 
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. Stay tuned to our text chain. Kat will inform the group if YG will be virtual or in person. Contact Mia if you need to be added to the group.
 
Tweeners:
Join Mia and Emily for Tweeners on Thursdays from 7-7:45pm. The meeting will be virtual. Please contact Mia for the link!
 
NEW! Family Service on Sunday at 9:00am:
We are piloting a family church service on Sunday January 30, 2022 from 9am-9:20am. Anyone is welcome to join the service. The link is below. The service will have:
  • Intros
  • Welcome
  • 3 Breaths
  • Song
  • Story
  • Question for the kids
  • Activity
  • Prayer
  • Call to Action
Topic: Family Church
Time: Jan 30, 2022 09:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
 
Join Zoom Meeting
 
Meeting ID: 890 7277 9543
Passcode: Fun
 

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Outreach & Education

Making a difference in the world – KIVA Loans

This is a Report from the Xemuji Group in Guatemala. St Mary’s made a loan to this group and the group is re-paying the loan. Thanks to The Reverend Susan Moss for the translation.

Mayan women, textile weavers, are those who, for the most part, stick to tradition wearing typical traditional clothing. This is why Felipa, 64, stands out. She is an entrepreneur, married and mother of 10 children between the ages of 14 and 41. 

Felipa says because her large family is so large, her children could only attend school for 6 years. To generate her own income while not neglecting her children’s upbringing, Felipa decided to weave belts typical [of the region] to sell in the community market.

Felipa’s children are married, so she needs to generate her own income to defray the cost of her home’s basic services.

That’s why she acquired the third Kiva loan last March.

Thanks to the new financing, Felipa could actually buy a variety of good quality yarns and another back strap loom.

There are nine women that gave life to the Xemuj Community Bank. This group of women are in solidarity with one another and are motivated… investing capital into their textile businesses and
raising animals.

They have little or no formal education so the loan program, informal education and the health service “Microcrédito Plus” gives them monthly education training.

Studying finance allows these women to be able to effectively invest capital into their businesses and to save part of their earnings for an emergency. 

In matters of health, they were visited by nurses from the institution who visited their homes every two months.

They also were able to become familiar with their rights and duties as women, mothers and spouses.

Thanks to all who have given loan to Kiva, these women move forward creating a more prosperous and sustainable future.

 

Faith & The Way of Love: Finding Hope in Troubled Times (Part of the Faith & Life Series from St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN)

We have heard from the office of Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, that he has put his travel plans on hold for the foreseeable future, and therefore will not be with us in person for our Feb. 1 Faith & Life event with him.

We will still hold this event virtually on the same date and the same time—Tuesday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m., Central time. You can watch Bishop Curry deliver his presentation live at faithandlife.org/livestream.

  • We encourage you to submit written questions in advance, or during the event at the link above, or via email to social@spdlc.org.

Since we recognize that some people may still want to gather to watch this presentation together in a more public space, we will also hold an in-person viewing of the event at St. Philip the Deacon. This will be held on a large screen in our sanctuary, and—as always—attendance is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

 

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 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

Hello my dear friends,

If you would like to stay updated on my dad’s health situation and don’t use Facebook, I will be posting updates on CaringBridge too.

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

Much love,

Claire Horton

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Upcoming Events at Saint Mary’s
Opportunities for Worship, Education, Choir, & Meet Ups
for the week of 1/28 – 2/3

Sunday, January 30, 2022
Virtual Family Church Service
9:00am Service
Link

Sunday, January 30, 2022
Virtual Worship Service
10:00am Service
Link

Monday, January 31, 2022
Compline (Now on Mondays!)
7:30pm
Link

Tuesday, February 1, 2022
St. Mary’s Men’s Group (Virtual this month)
7:00pm
For more information Click HERE

Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Pre-Tweeners
6:30pm
Contact Mia for more information. Click HERE

Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Youth Group
6:30pm
Contact Mia for more information. Click HERE

Thursday, February 3, 2022
Tweeners
7:00pm
Contact Mia for more information. Click HERE

Thursday, February 3, 2022
Saint Mary’s Dinner Group
Contact Julie Thomas for more information – julieandcats at comcast.net

Thursday, February 3, 2022
Thursday Evening Contemplative Service
Led by Erika Scheurer and Anna Clark
7:00pm
Link (please note that the Contemplative Service will be Virtual Only until the end of February and then reassessed)

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

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