Dahlia Days at Saint Mary's

Celebrating 10 Years of Amazing Grace Camp

 "A" is for August, Anticipation, and "Amazing Grace"

The anticipation is rising for the Amazing Grace staff and volunteer mentors. We are preparing to welcome fifteen new and returning children from across the cape and southeastern Massachusetts who have experienced a family members incarceration to our 11th annual weeklong camp experience. We work with staff at Camp Burgess in Sandwich and take full advantage of their 300 acres of forest and meadows as well as Spectacle Pond. During the week, campers swim, do arts and crafts, learn to care for farm animals, navigate the high rope courses, climb a rock wall, hike in the woods, go boating, ride the zip line, play capture the lantern and so much more.  

Over the past decade, we have expanded programming which now includes year round activities. The children love staying connected to each other and the mentors while playing miniature golf, ice skating, cooking, doing crafts, exploring museums, and more. We also have expanded our residential camp experiences so that our "Amazing Kids" can continue to participate in the Amazing Grace community for as long as they choose. In addition to AGI for new campers age 8-11, we offer AGII for returning campers age 12-15, Mentors-In-Training for campers age 16, and a Junior Mentors Experience for campers age 17. Last year we celebrated when one of our first campers became a mentor!

Saint Mary’s incubated and launched Amazing Grace in 2013 with the goal of breaking the cycle of family incarceration. After each talking independently with the Rev. Libby Gibson about developing some form of prison ministry, Bernice Winthrop, Ross Anderson, Carol Bolstad, and Hilary Green collaborated to found Amazing Grace of Cape Cod. Eleanor Braun became Project Manager and over sixty Saint Mary's parishioners helped offer the first one-week camp experience for thirteen children in the summer of 2014. Amazing Grace of Cape Cod Inc. incorporated as an independent 501(c)3 in 2015. Since our founding, Amazing Grace has welcomed 82 children from 63 families.

Living with the trauma of a family member’s incarceration has deep impact. Numerous studies have found that individuals whose parents have committed crimes are at least two to three times more likely to become incarcerated themselves. This increases exponentially when other family members, especially brothers and sisters, are incarcerated. In addition to the increased likelihood of being incarcerated, seventy percent of children with incarcerated parents are reported to struggle with emotional or psychological disorders including difficulty forming attachments and problems with authority, anxiety, grief, low-self-esteem and aggression. Feelings of shame are often reinforced by peer bullying. Teachers often do not challenge, encourage, or assist the students of incarcerated parents. This stigmatization by peers and teachers also leads to increased risk of academic failure and a higher chance of dropping out of school.  

The Amazing Grace board and staff believe we can heal some of the trauma and hurt children with incarcerated family members experience by building stable, care-filled relationships with adult mentors and engaging these young people in self-esteem building activities with peers that share the experience of a family member’s incarceration. Thanks to our donors and grants, we are able to offer our pathway of programs cost-free, enabling our children to participate in activities their families often cannot provide. We believe that participation in these programs and the relationships they maintain enable our kids make choices that ultimately help them avoid jail.  

Saint Mary’s parishioners continue to be active as members of our board (Carol Bolstad, President; Richard Galbrath, Treasurer; Lisa Barr, Secretary), as mentors at camp and during the once-a-month activities, and supporting our staff behind the scenes; Bev Parke leads a special group of quilters who provide lap quilts each summer for every 8-11 year old AG Camper! Saint Mary's has maintained financial support each year covering the cost of at least three campers. Saint Mary's also manages the Eleanor Braun Memorial Fund which provides a financial gift to our Amazing Kids when they graduate from High School.

Want to visit camp or get involved? I'd love to talk with you. Feel free to call me at 617-669-8411. You can also learn more from our website: https://amazinggracecapecod.org

Julie Lytle, Executive Director, amazinggracecapecod@gmail.com

Meet & Greet Sessions

Meet and Greets with Father Michael Continue:

We have added more opportunities to meet with Father Michael Horvath. If you have not signed up to attend an event yet, please take another look at the on-line sign-up. There are meet and greets scheduled in parishioners homes as well as in Walden Hall. Click here for the online sign-ups. Your hosts will reach out to you with any specific information or directions a day or so before the gathering. Please be sure to sign-up in advance to help our hosts plan. Thank you!

Coming Events

Our Annual Evensong Service at Saint Andrews Church will be held on August 25 at 5:00 PM.

Saint Mary’s Choir will sing Evensong with Father Michael preaching at St.Andrew’s in Hyannis Port on August 25 at 5:00pm. This Choral Evensong will be dedicated to past members of the Saint Mary’s Choir who are now singing in the “Heavenly Choir”. Please join us for this special night of music and remembrance.

The 1891 Society ~ Saint Mary’s Church Library Talks:

Sunday, August 18, at 11 am in the church library,

“You and Your Spouse/loved ones- Know the what ifs”

Learn how to be prepared to handle the hurdles of the first year of being a widow/widower or being alone and the resources available to you. This informal session will be led by Linda Gadkowski, Certified Financial Planner ® and Kathey Parcells, CPA. Handouts will be provided. Please R.S.V.P. to Allison at community@stmarys-church.org

Save The Dates!

A 3 Part Educational Forum - Sept. 8, 15 and 22

Putting Our Affairs in Order - Planning today for the living of tomorrow

Please join us for a 3-part Educational Offering of Saint Mary's Church for adults of all ages, recognizing the gift we give to ourselves and those we love - parents, children, and others when we plan today for the eventualities of tomorrow.

Sundays 11:30 - 1:30 in Walden Hall

A light lunch will be provided

• September 8 - Legal & Financial Considerations
• September 15 - Living Considerations
• September 22 - End of Life Considerations

More details to follow.

Lutheran and Episcopalian Friends

We continue to build our collaboration and friendship with the First Lutheran Church in West Barnstable. You are always invited to participate in the following regular meetings at First Lutheran Church:

• Tuesdays - Silent Meditation Group meets at 12pm 
• Wednesday Nights - Sacred Journey (Via Sacre) Worship Service. Potluck Supper at 6:00 PM and Worship at 7:00 PM

Learn more about everything that is happening at First Lutheran Church by visiting their website.

Voices From Our Parish



A Note of Gratitude from Father Scott

Dear friends,

As I write this, my heart is full: with gratitude and affection for each one of you and for the time we were blessed to experience as a community and family during these past two years. I keenly felt your trust and support right from the very beginning and throughout our journey, culminating in the extraordinary expressions of love and thanksgiving you bestowed upon me in the final days we shared. Taken together, I am left without sufficient words to fully express the indelible mark you have left on and in my heart. And so today let me simply say "Thank You" to each and every member of the Saint Mary's Community for being the generous people whom God created you to be and for welcoming this parish priest into your midst. As we turn the page, and enter the next phase of our respective life journeys, I pray that we will continually ask God to guide us in the ministries to which we are each called; trusting in God's wisdom, abiding in God's presence, and confident in God's promise to be with us always. And so, as we sang and prayed at the conclusion of our farewell liturgy, "Together met, together bound, we'll go our different ways, and as God's people in the world we'll live and speak God's praise." (The Hymnal 1982, #304)

Faithfully and Fondly,

Scott+

Creation Care Corner by Pastor Russ



Offshore wind power (OSW) is very much in the news these days. Giant wind turbines with blades longer than a football field are going up in the waters south of the Vineyard. The first of these wind farms – Vineyard 1 – is now operational, with the power cable coming ashore at Covell Beach, a short walk from my house. Eventually, the plan is to have hundreds of these wind turbines generating enough power to supply 400,000 homes with clean electricity. 

           But wind energy is controversial. Plans to construct two more wind farms with cable landings on Craigville Beach and Dowse’s Beach have been opposed by some residents of Centerville and Osterville. Recently, fragments of a turbine blade that broke and fell into the ocean have washed up on the southern beaches of Nantucket. Residents were furious and called for a full investigation.

           I find myself torn by these controversies. God gave us this beautiful planet to tend and care for; but climate change, caused by the burning of fossil fuels, threatens our world. Wind and solar power are important because they offer carbon free energy that will benefit us all. But many are concerned about the impact of this new technology on our lives, our beaches and our communities. 

           It is important for decision makers to know where people stand on this issue. The University of Connecticut is inviting us to participate in a research study to better understand attitudes of residents and property owners about proposed cable landfalls, cable corridors, and electrical substations in the Town of Barnstable. This study is not funded by offshore wind developers. It is anonymous and takes less than 10 minutes. Our participation will help increase knowledge about local preferences.

           If you are concerned about these issues, please consider participating in this survey. Here is the link. If it doesn’t work when you click on it, you can cut and paste it into your browser.

https://s.uconn.edu/barnstable

Pastoral Care Column

This month the Pastoral Care Team is sharing an article on what you need to know when you or someone in your life is facing a knee or hip replacement surgery for a second time. Please click here or on the image below to read the full article.

Monthly Creation Care Sheet

Another member of our Creation Care Ministry, Amy Crocker has shared these monthly creation justice action ideas or reflections that corresponds with the liturgical/seasonal calendar Click here for the August ideas and inspiration.

A Summer Art Gallery

The Saint Mary's Art Committee welcomes contributions of art made by parishioners and their families -- photos, paintings, and crafts of all kinds. Please be sure to take a look at some of the beautiful creations mounted in the parish office hallways as well as in the Walden Hall hallways. We anticipate a new rotation of artwork shortly. Thank you for helping us celebrate and appreciate our artists.

Aging Gracefully By Pastor Russ

I woke up early Sunday morning with Arlo snoring in my ear. Reaching over carefully to the nightstand, I retrieved my reading glasses and cell phone. I figured Arlo could use a little more snoozing while I checked my email. As soon as I clicked on mail, a message popped up from people I have not seen or talked with for 50 years! It was from two of my confirmation students at the very first church I served, in Mount Union, Pennsylvania. John and Barbara, who reconnected and married in 2021, are still at the little brick church on the corner: St. Luke Lutheran Church, where I spent the first six years of my ministry.

It turns out that several of those confirmands – the largest confirmation class in the history of the church – still live in that little town on the Juniata River. They talked about their memories of those days – about how much fun they had growing up in the St. Luke family. Singing, retreats, picnics, hikes, New Year’s Eve parties – it all left a lasting impression on them.

The church has been without a pastor for many years. They depend on supply pastors who rotate through St. Luke. John is now the church council president (a Lutheran variation on the senior warden), and the kids I knew back then are working to breath new life into their church. They are aided by a former seminary student of mine who helps out when she can. Their email was to invite me to come back for a visit, to preach in my old pulpit, and to help them think through ways to help the church grow and bring in new members. And they are determined. They are rewriting the church constitution – which I helped the church to write in 1976 – to conform to the ELCA model constitution. And they are developing a strategic plan to help renew the church.

I can’t tell you how overwhelmed I was that seeds I had planted 50 years ago had sprouted and grown into a new generation of church leaders that still remember what a green seminary graduate had tried to do a lifetime ago. It makes me wonder how many of the seeds we have sown through life have taken root and grown in ways we would never have expected. Looking back over our lives they might not seem all that exciting. But we have no idea how the people whose lives we touched may have grown and blossomed from knowing us. The Spirit works in mysterious ways – and is always full of surprises.

Okay, Arlo, time to get up…..

Laurel Galvin was one of the host families honored at this weeks Cape League baseball game. Laurel is pictured above with the four Hyannis Harbor Hawk players who have been living with her this summer. The Cape League games schedule can be accessed here.

Volunteering and Outreach

In-reach Volunteer Opportunities

Hosts Needed for Lemonade on the Lawn

After the 8:00 AM once a month

After the 10:00 AM every Sunday - contact Hub Mathewson for more information and see the sunroom bulletin board to sign-up.

Thank you!

Angels Treasures is on Facebook!

If you are on facebook please take a peak at our Angels' Treasures Facebook page. We will try to keep the feed fresh with photos and information highlighting the constantly changing inventory. Please check out our Facebook Page Here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553985862261

Please LIKE OUR LIKE It, FOLLOW us and SHARE it with friends near and far.

It's Summertime and the shoppers are flowing.....

Angels' Treasures has been super busy these last few weeks. The volunteers who work so hard helping our little shop run so smoothly do not always get the attention and credit they deserve. We are very grateful to each and every one of them as their hard work directly supports Saint Mary's and the Outreach we are able to do in our Cape Cod community. The Angels are a mixture of our own parishioners and volunteers from the community. It is hard work and we are truly grateful for their commitment. We could not do it without our angels.

Thank you Angels!

• Janis Umschlag - Manager
• Sarah Nixon
• Meri Colbert
• Annda Flynn
• Deb Lippard
• Helen Prothero
• Helen Malone
• Kim Wolfe
• Chris Low
• Helen Hinkley
• Pamela Avila-Smith
• Sharon Donegan
• Maryann Anthony
• Erin Seymore

Saint Mary's Garden Committee News

This is the perfect month to highlight our Cutting Garden. Just behind the Carlaw House (little brick house with the golden angel on top) we have a beautiful cutting garden that is used by our Flower Guild whenever possible in the altar arrangements. Elizabeth Betti in particular has worked tirelessly in this area of the garden. if you have a moment take a stroll over there after church and you will be treated to beautiful dinner plate dahlias, snap dragons, cosmos, gladiolas and more. Thank you Elizabeth!

Seeking More Members!

We are always in search of more volunteers to help out in the gardens. Our next Garden Work Day is scheduled for 10, 2024 at 9:00 AM. We also have a Garden Committee Meeting Scheduled for Monday August 14, 2024 at 4:00 PM.

Saint Mary's Gardens are for ALL and All are ALWAYS welcome!

Out-reach Volunteer Opportunities

Saint Mary's Backpack Drive Begins!

It is hard to think about it right now but, September and school starting is just around the corner. Each year the Cape Cod Council of Churches coordinates a Back to School Backpack Drive to help the families serviced by the Hands of Hope Food Pantry. This drive has grown over the years with additional requests from school guidance counselors, school nurses and others in the community who notice children in need.

This year Saint Mary's committed to provide 20 high quality backpacks for teens and older children who need backpacks capable of transporting laptops and tablets. Our Outreach Committee already purchased the backpacks to ensure consistent quality and now we are looking for your financial contributions to help fund this commitment.

Please consider, Sponsoring a Backpack with a $20 donation.

We will be collecting funds for our backpacks until August 28,2024.

Please be sure to clearly designate in the memo line of your check or on your envelope that this money is intended for the Backpack Drive. You are welcome to drop money off in one of our drop boxes outside the Parish Office doors.

We will also be looking for the following physical items to fill these backpacks. A collection bin will be set up inside the sunroom for these donations starting this coming weekend. Thank you in advance for your support!

• *Basic #2 Pencils
• *Ballpoint Pens (blue or black ink)
• *Highlighters (any color)
• *Single and/or Multiple Subject Spiral Notebooks - prefer college ruled but not necessary.
• *Sticky Note Pad
• *Small Notebook/Assignment Book/Planner
• *Colored Pencil Set
• *Colored Marker Set (thin)
• *Ruler
• *Kleenex and/or Hand Sanitizer

Any questions, please contact Allison Bresette.

Calling all local singers and performers!

We are looking for local talent to perform in a concert, to benefit Amazing Grace Camp!

We have some talent in our congregation at St Peter’s, but we would love to expand and add some new voices in our cause! The Amazing Grace Camp is a program started at St Mary’s Episcopal to provide free camperships to kids with one or more parents incarcerated.

It’s a great cause and we hope to make enough money to pay for a campership: ($1000)

Come sing with us! Tentative date: Saturday late in Sept. or in Oct.

For more info call Linda Martin: 508 364 5437.

Community Events

Announcing the Cobb’s Hill Concert Series

The Unitarian Church is celebrating its new Steinway Model B Grand Piano by offering 6 concerts of classical music starting in July and running through December 2024. Click here for a complete list of all the concert performers.

Tickets are $25 each or $125 for the 6 concerts in the series

tickets are available here or at the door.

The Barnstable Village Association invites you to:

The Jailhouse Jams

Every Wednesday, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

July 3 – August 21, 2024

Bring your blankets, beach chairs and dancing shoes to the outdoor stage at Barnstable County Courthouse! They have a food truck from Mom and Pops there or you can order a pizza from the Barnstable Market and dine on the hill. It is a great way to spend a summer evening. Every Wednesday night from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

2024 Concert Schedule

Aug. 7: Fred Clayton Band

Aug. 14: Willie J. Laws Band

Aug. 21: Funktapuss

Tales of Cape Cod - 2024 Programs

Our neighbors across the street at the Olde Colonial Courthouse have a full schedule of fabulous authors and speakers throughout the Summer and into the Fall. Please click here to see the full schedule of stimulating talks. Every Monday night from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Saint Mary's shares our parking lot on these evenings.

Supporting Our Church

Legacy Giving

1891 Society members help grow our endowment which in turn, supports Saint Mary’s community outreach, contributes to key programs and protect the church from unanticipated adverse financial circumstances. Most importantly, the commitment from members of the 1891 Society, empowers future generations of Saint Mary's parishioners to make visible the extraordinary light that comes from God.

In each monthly newsletter, we plan to hear from current members of the 1891 Society about what becoming a legacy donor to Saint Mary's has meant to them personally.

Recognizing Our 1891 Society Members

A Note from Dorothy Savarese:

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

Maya Angelou

Why am I a member of the 1821 Society? Because St. Mary’s has been one of the greatest gifts in my life. For over two decades, through many life changes, St. Mary’s has been a center of gravity in my life. I have gratefully accepted its many blessings.The opportunity to use the material gifts I have received in life to help ensure that this vital spiritual community will continue to serve and to remain for the next wave of seekers is a privilege.

Please click here to read the Vestry minutes from the June 13, 2024 meeting. Please note that minutes are not published until approved at the subsequent Vestry meeting.

Our Episcopal Church

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry urges action in letter to President Biden regarding conflict in Gaza

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry sent a letter to President Joe Biden today urging ceasefire and other actions as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the U.S.

In addition to mentioning recent attacks against al Ahli Arab Hospital, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, the letter highlights four resolutions (D007, D009, D012, and D056) passed by the 81st General Convention related to Israel and Palestine.

“Just last month, The Episcopal Church’s governing body passed a number of resolutions on Israel and Palestine, urging on all to call on your administration to take strong and decisive action,” the letter reads. “We share these calls below and urge you to do everything in your power to move forward with not only a ceasefire plan, but to ensure a sustained commitment to the people of Gaza as they rebuild, as well as accountability for human rights abuses, violence, and illegal land seizures.”

Read the full letter online.

To learn more about The Episcopal Church’s response to the conflict in the Holy Land, including the latest statements from ecumenical and interfaith partners, please read this resource page.

The National Cathedral

Celebrates 50 Years of Women’s Ordination

Have you listened to the National Cathedral's new podcast, Crossroads yet? This month they hosted a special conversation with The Rev. Jo Nygard Owens, who is The Rev. Rose Logan Duncan, Canon for Worship and The Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas, Canon Theologian and Dean of Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. They both reflect on the challenges that women have faced in ministry and explore the intersectionality of gender, race, and sexual orientation in the struggle for equal standing in the priesthood. Click here for a link to the podcast.



Saint Mary's Episcopal Church

3055 Main Street

P.O. Box 395

Barnstable, MA 02630

Phone: (508) 362-3977