A Christian community of all ages

grounded in worship, well-being, and service.

May 18 - May 24, 2024

From the Associate Rector

Dear Friends,

During the pandemic there were so many people who stepped forward to provide ministry to this community in creative and beautiful ways. I didn’t work at St. Mary’s at the time, but my family came to church here. I remember the day I came home and a bag of Advent Wreath supplies were hanging on my back door. It was a welcome reminder to us of the community that we loved dearly. 

One of the ministries that emerged during that time was that Carol Brierley and a group of dedicated lay leaders in our parish started to offer Evening Prayer on Facebook every night. That ministry has continued for years, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who has often opened my Facebook page to see the loving faces of Carol and David Brierley, Jennie and Isaac Nestlerode, Paul Westrom, Anne Wood, Mattie Gustafson, John Corbishley, Michael Templeton, Mary Weyhing and Dave Ferkinhoff. Seeing these faithful leaders over the years has brought me comfort, and the consistent prayers of this group have been a beautiful offering. 

Our last online Evening Prayer service will be offered next Friday, May 24. We offer our profound thanks to Carol and all of the leaders of this ministry. This idea was born at a time where the church had a need, and people heard the call to meet that need. 

This weekend we will celebrate Pentecost together at church, remembering the day the Holy Spirit swept into the room where the disciples were gathered and lit up their hearts. We’ll hear Jesus assure us that he sends the Spirit, the Advocate, to be with us always in truth. 

The Holy Spirit is always at work in our community, compelling us to pay attention to the needs of the church and lighting us up to do what we must to meet those needs. One ministry is coming to a close at St. Mary’s, but what is the Spirit calling us to next? Where do we feel lit up to do God’s work in our community and in the world? 

I am eager to see how the Spirit guides and inspires us towards what is next for St. Mary’s. She never disappoints!

With gratitude,

Meaghan

For a calendar of all of St. Mary's activities visit our website.

Join us for our first Fruits of the Spirit ~ Fruits of the Summer event, a concert by Caroline Cotter. A native Rhode Islander, Caroline has performed around the country and world!

Bring your own snacks, dinner, or drinks for a "picnic dinner" in St. George's Chapel.

Please RSVP so we can be sure to provide enough seating.

You can familiarize yourself with Caroline's music on Spotify.

Or those who want to share a favorite recipe!

We are looking forward to all the memories our parish will be creating together this summer, and to commemorate the Fruits of the Summer theme, we would like to invite you to share a favorite recipe which features a summer fruit. If your recipe is a family favorite, please share your memories/photos around the dish and why it is special.

We will compile all the recipes and share them in early September, both as an electronic link or a hard copy. While our events together will feature berries, peaches, and apples, remember that not all fruits are sweet- tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, eggplants all qualify! Please email all recipes to Jennifer Zanetti, and the deadline for submissions is August 15th.

Well-Being

Many thanks to our May wine and cheese hosts, Carole Nicodemus and Marlo Pratt.

After helping host Gordan Stenning's collation, Carole and Marlo hosted a wonderful wine and cheese event following the 5:00 service on May 4. They are truly "church kitchen ladies."

Faith & Friends Book Group



Join us as we discuss "The Universal Christ."  We are using contemplative practices to listen fully and deeply to each other and the spirit as we transform our visions of Jesus and Christ.  

Because of the discussion format, you do not need to have read previous chapters to join in the group. You don't even need to have read the chapters for this week, but your appreciation of the discussion will be enhanced if you have!

For Wednesday, May 22, we will be discussing chapters 3 and 4.

The book can be purchased online. If you are not able to purchase a copy, please let either Meaghan Brower or Jenny Williams know!

Wednesdays at 5:00 pm through June 26 in the Parish House, Lower Level.

Tuck Fund Scholarship Applications Due!

Members or children of members are eligible to apply for the Tuck Fund Scholarship for trade school, technical school, professional certification, or undergraduate or graduate school. A member of the parish means that an applicant has received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, is registered as a member of the parish, is a regular worshiper in the parish, and that the member or the applicant's family is not in arrears in the fulfillment of the pledge to support the Parish.

Tuck Fund applicants demonstrate a willingness to engage in an ongoing relationship with St. Mary’s as evidenced by their commitment to our mission: worship, well-being and service.

The deadline for this application is June 1 for summer school and the fall semester and January 4 for the spring semester.  

Apply online!

Questions? Contact us at tuckfund@smcportsmouth.org.

Service

Last month, St. Mary's members and friends donated 90 pounds of nutritious food and useful personal care and household products to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center Food Pantry, which serves all of Newport County.

Please consider dropping off donations at church, which each week are brought to the Center by member volunteers. All items are welcome, but the Food Pantry is in particular need of

• canned protein (e.g. tuna, beef stew),
• nut butters, olive / canola / peanut oils,
• canned / bagged beans, and
• tomato sauce / canned tomatoes.

If you have any questions, please contact Jon Edwards.

For this year's Day of Service will support the needs of the food and housing insecure, St. Mary's will work along with the Church Beyond the Walls in Providence to provide a worship service and meal on Saturday, June 29.

A team of 10 - 12 will prepare the sandwiches, salads, dessert, etc. at St. Mary's from about 9-11 a.m. on the 29th. Another team of 8 will bring the food to Providence, assist with setting up for worship, serve the meal and clean up the site. Those who go to Providence will need to be at the Diocese Office by 12:30 (carpooling from St. Mary's possible) to prepare for worship at 2:00. They will serve a meal at 2:45, assist with clean up, process the day, and leave Providence at 4:00.

WHAT DO WE NEED NOW? Please email Lynn Carlson ASAP if you are willing to help with either of these two teams.

The Choir School of Newport County is conducting a HYMNATHON, on

Friday, May 31, 2024 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and continuing Saturday, June 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 1956 Main Road, Tiverton, RI.

During this 10-hour period, the choristers will sing one verse of each hymn in the Episcopal Hymnal, 1982 for 720 hymns in all and ending with the National Anthem.

Sing along from out in the pews! Or join in online! Enjoy exploring new hymns, or grumbling about ’em!

Proceeds from the Hymnathon will support the Choir School of Newport County’s educational tour to Argentina, August 18-27, 2024.

An informational brochure with fun instructions, descant index, favorite hymn time calculator, and a pledge form with livestream location are available online.