Weekly Worship Service
Sunday, November 27, 2022 – The First Sunday of Advent
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 service – 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 Service Bulletin – Click HERE
For the Fall service song sheet – Click HERE
We invite you to view the November 20 sermon video – Click HERE
NOTE: There will be a printed version of the Weekly at church on Sundays if you would like to pick one up for someone who is not receiving it electronically or see someone new who is not yet on our mailing list.
What’s In the Weekly?
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Covid Health Policy
A Message from the Stewardship 2023 Leaders
Stewardship 2023 Q & A
Gingerbread Houses
Christmas Pageant
Christmas Greens and Poinsettias
Education
Food Drive for Department of Indian Works Food Pantry
Angel Tree
Prayers
Meet with Rev. Lindsey
Little Food Pantry Donations
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Covid Health Policy
Updated November 22, 2022
- Masks covering the nose and mouth are required indoors.
- Anti-bacterial wipes will be available to wipe the mic in between speakers, for those who wish to do so.
- We encourage the use of hand sanitizer before and after the Peace.
- Passing the peace with respect for people’s different comfort levels. Please check each person’s color dot and/or ask 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 shake hands and potentially open to hugs
- Wine will be served from the “pourable chalice”, so bring your small glasses or take a paper cup from an usher.
- Following the service, during Social Hour please keep your mask on when not actively consuming food or beverages.
As we begin to wrap up our stewardship season, we hope the talks from the Vestry members and co-chairs as to “Why they make a pledge to St. Mary’s this year” was inspirational and helpful to you when you considered making your own pledge decision. The short summaries of each talk are now posted on the bulletin board outside the nave. Read them again, if you’d like.
Here are our goals for this stewardship campaign and our current numbers as of Tuesday, November 22, 2022:
- GOAL: 100% participation of current households…CURRENT TOTAL: 90% (66 households, 59 pledging)
- GOAL: $185,000……………………………..……….CURRENT TOTAL: $150,111
As you can see, we are about $35,000 below our goal. So, if you haven’t pledged yet, please do so BEFORE the end of November. The Finance Committee will be meeting on December 1 to prepare a budget for 2023. It is so important for us to know what our financial picture looks like for 2023, and each pledge makes a difference. No pledge is too big or too small!!! Thank you for your prayerful consideration in this stewardship season.
If you have already turned in a pledge, THANK YOU for doing so!! We appreciate your commitment to St. Mary’s and your pledge helps give us a concrete amount to put in the 2023 budget.
- We have set a target of pledges totaling $185,000. This will likely still put us in a deficit budget situation, but it is a decent increase over last year and we feel an obtainable goal.
- We are looking for 100% of active households to make a pledge. We feel that we have a strong community here, and hope that you all will show your commitment through a financial pledge.
- We are asking that all pledges are received by November 14th. This will allow us to set our budget using true pledge information.
- You can submit a pledge electronically through this link https://forms.gle/HVcrTHfVVrMhrkvF7
- Paper forms are available in the pews at church
- If you would like a paper form mailed to you, contact one of the stewardship chairs.
- You can pay by check, via automatic payments through your bank, electronically through Vanco on the website, even cash in an envelope!
- You can pay on a schedule that best fits you – from weekly to once a year.
- Check the website for all the information on how to give. How to give – Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church (saintmarysepiscopal.org)
Sign Up for Gingerbread Houses and the Christmas Pageant!
We also have planned to do Gingerbread houses on December 4, 2022 right after church! Anne and George Green have always been instrumental in this incredible event. I will also be helping them to make it great! Please let us know if you plan to be there for Gingerbread houses and if you plan to make a house. It is a great event, and we want to make sure we are prepared for the right number of people. Sign Up Here
Thanks!
Mia
I am trying to get a sense of how many kids I have to work with for the Christmas pageant. I need at least a quorum to make a play in person (which I would like to do). Please let me know if you plan to be in the Christmas Pageant…because the script I create will be based on the number of kids that I have to work with!
Christmas Pageant Practices
- We start practicing on Sundays during the Sunday School Time Slot 9:15-9:50 on 11/27, 12/4, 12/11 (3 and up welcome)
- The main MANDATORY and most important practice is on Saturday, December 17, 9:00-12:00pm (Little kids will come at 10:30am.)
- Christmas Pageant will be held on Sunday, December 18, 2022, either during or immediately after the service depending on what Reverend Lindsey would prefer. Stay tuned.
- I will need parent help for this event – assuming we have enough kids to do this in person!
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns!
Christmas Greens and Poinsettias
Please fill out the Google form in the weekly bulletin or hard copy in the back of the church and leave your donation in the church plate or send it to St. Mary’s by December 18, 2022.
Thank you.
Ginny
Education
Faith Formation for Children, Youth, and Families
Youth Group & Activities for 2022-23
Families with kids 0 through 6th grade
Food Drive for Department of Indian Works Food Pantry
in partnership with Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul
- Drop off healthy, quality food to Saint Mary’s between Sunday, 11/20 to Sunday 12/11.
- Make a financial donation directly! The pantry’s skilled buyer will stretch every dollar to its limit!
We have the information for 20 children from Hamline Elementary school, the school to which our Galtier children were sent when their school closed. Each angel on our tree, which will be up in St. Mary’s room on November 27, will have a number (no names for privacy), gender, grade, clothing sizes, and the child’s teacher recommendation of a game/toy or book. We also would be happy to have contributions for gift certificates which the school social worker can give out during the year as she becomes aware of special needs. School is out for winter break early this year so we need all gifts returned by Sunday, December 11. Checks may be mailed to St. Mary’s or put in the offering plate at the back of the nave, noting Angel Tree in the memo line. Thanks to all in advance for your generosity and making Christmas morning special for a child who otherwise might have nothing.
Prayer Requests & Pastoral Care
Please pray for those on Saint Mary’s prayer list: 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.
Meet with Rev. Lindsey
Rev. Lindsey wants to get to know you! Our new priest is continuing to meet with everyone in the congregation. You can meet with her as an individual* or family; at church, on Zoom, or for a home visit. Rev. Lindsey has updated her calendar through November for meetings. 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.
Little Food Pantry Donations
Please help keep the pantry full! Food Insecurity and the threat of eviction are both on the rise in the Twin Cities. We are needing an increase in donations to match the need. Also, please take food if you need it. This is a project in the spirit of mutual aid. Fill the pantry when you can, receive from the pantry when you need it.