St. Mary's Episcopal Church

Stone Harbor, New Jersey

All are welcome. Please join us!

Sunday Service - 10:00 am

Staying Connected

WELCOME HOME!

Worship with us:

Sunday Service Time: 10:00 am

in person and Live on Facebook

Third Sunday of Easter

We are now accepting donations via Venmo!

@StMarysStoneHarbor

http://www.venmo.com/u/StMarysStoneHarbor

Rector's Corner

Seeing the Sacred in Everyday Moments

In the gentle unfolding of our daily lives, amidst the ebb and flow of routine and the unexpected, we often find ourselves yearning for a deeper connection. Our lives, woven with various threads of responsibilities, hopes, and dreams, sometimes overshadow the sacred encounters that quietly present themselves.

As we reflect on the words from our Collect this Sunday, "O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work," we find a call to awaken to the presence of Christ in all aspects of life. This prayer invites us to shift our perspective, to cultivate an awareness that allows us to see the holy in everything from our morning routines to our interactions with others.

Beholding Him in Daily Interactions

Consider how Christ made Himself known in ordinary interactions, turning water into wine at a wedding, speaking with a Samaritan woman at a well, or feeding thousands with a few loaves and fishes. These miracles were not just displays of divine power, but intimate moments of connection, revealing His nature as Emmanuel, God with us. In our own lives, every conversation, every shared meal, and every moment of support is an opportunity to experience and reflect God’s love.

The Holiness of Daily Bread

In the very act of breaking bread—something so foundational and routine—Jesus chose to reveal His identity to His disciples. This was not merely an act of eating, but one of revealing, sharing, and fulfilling. Every meal, then, becomes a sacrament, a visible sign of an invisible grace. As we sit at our tables, may we see them as altars, places where heaven and earth meet in the breaking of bread and the sharing of stories.

Sustained by Faith

It is through the eyes of faith that we can behold Him in all His redeeming work. Faith opens our eyes to see Christ in the care we receive from others, in the beauty of nature, in art, and in music. It helps us recognize His hand in the quiet, often overlooked blessings—the comforting warmth of the sun, the reassuring smile from a stranger, or the invigorating taste of clean water.

Actionable Steps

Let us then, as a community committed to seeing Christ in all, take actionable steps to cultivate this sacred awareness:

Engage in Daily Reflections: Spend a few moments each day in silence, contemplating where you might have seen God in the ordinary moments.

Create and Share: Write, paint, or express creatively how you have encountered God in your daily life. Share these revelations with our community to inspire and uplift.

Practice Hospitality: Extend your table, literally or metaphorically, to others. Share a meal or a conversation and discover the divine in the presence of another.

As we continue on our journey together, let us pray for the grace to keep our eyes, and our hearts, open to the divine mysteries that unfold in the ordinariness of our lives. Let the prayer of our Collect not just be words we recite, but a lived reality that deepens our connection to Christ and to each other.

Blessings,

Mo. Allison+

Sunday Service - 10:00am

Ladies' Tea with the Bishop

Church of the Advent, 612 Franklin St., Cape May, will be hosting the Bishop at a tea sponsored by the five Episcopal Churches in Cape May County on Sunday, May 5 at 4 pm.

Each church will be making their own name tags with the name of the church on them. When you arrive, please find St. Mary's tags and add your name to one.

If you would like to contribute food for the tea, please let Carol Obligado cobligado@aol.com

609-972-1820 at Advent know.

Slate of 4 bishops announced for 28th presiding bishop of

The Episcopal Church

Nominees are bishops

Barker, Gutiérrez, Rowe and Wright

The Episcopal Church’s next presiding bishop will be chosen this June from a slate of four nominees, whose names were released April 2: Nebraska Bishop J. Scott Barker, Pennsylvania Bishop Daniel G.P. Gutiérrez, Northwestern Pennsylvania Bishop Sean Rowe and Atlanta Bishop Robert Wright.

Those four bishops – and any additional candidates nominated by petition – will be presented for election at the 81st General Convention, which convenes June 23-28 in Louisville, Kentucky. The nominees’ names will be formally submitted June 25 during a joint session of the House of Bishops and House of Deputies. On June 26, the bishops will elect, and deputies will be asked to confirm, the church’s 28th presiding bishop, who will succeed Presiding Bishop Michael Curry beginning Nov. 1.

“We appreciate the many Episcopalians who prayerfully set us on our way to discerning this slate of nominees,” Alaska Bishop Mark Lattime said in a news release announcing the slate. Lattime and Steve Nishibayashi, a lay leader in the Diocese of Los Angeles, are co-chairs of the Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop. The committee began its work in the fall of 2021.

The committee’s slate is marked by geographical and racial diversity, though it includes no women or LGBTQ+ nominees. The nominee bishops also draw on a range of experiences in seeking to become presiding bishop for the office’s next nine-year term.

Barker, 60, has led the Omaha-based Diocese of Nebraska since 2011. The diocese’s 53 worshipping communities span the full state, where Barker was born and raised. A graduate of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, Barker was ordained to the priesthood in 1992 and served for 10 years in Omaha and 10 more years in the Diocese of New York before returning to Nebraska as bishop.

Gutiérrez, 59, has led the Philadelphia-based Diocese of Pennsylvania since 2016. It is one of five dioceses in the state. A native of New Mexico, Gutiérrez earned a diocesan certificate in Anglican Studies through the Trinity School for Ministry and has a master’s degree in theological studies from St. Norbert College. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2008 in the Albuquerque-based Diocese of the Rio Grande and served there as canon to the ordinary, chief operating officer and chief of staff before he was elected bishop of Pennsylvania.

Rowe, 49, has led the Erie-based Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania since 2007, and he also serves as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Western New York through a partnership the dioceses established in 2019. He previously served as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Bethlehem from 2014 to 2018. Originally from western Pennsylvania, Rowe is a Virginia Theological Seminary graduate and was ordained to the priesthood in 2000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania, where he served in congregational ministry until his election as bishop. He currently serves as parliamentarian of the House of Bishops and Executive Council.

Wright, 60, has led the Diocese of Atlanta since 2012. The diocese, based in Georgia’s capital city, has 120 worshipping communities across the northern half of the state. A Navy veteran and graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, Wright was ordained to the priesthood in 1999 in the Diocese of New York. At the time of his election as bishop, he had served the previous 10 years as rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta. Since 2020, he also has hosted the popular podcast “For People” on faith and life.

Sunday Service 10:00 am

Join Our Volunteer Family at

St. Mary's This n' That Thrift Shop!

Are you looking to make a difference in your community? Do you have a passion for sustainability, helping others, and being part of a caring, vibrant team? St. Mary's This n' That Thrift Shop in Rio Grande is eagerly seeking volunteers to help us continue our mission of supporting our community through love, service, and compassion.

As a vital part of St. Mary's outreach, our thrift shop not only provides affordable goods to those in need but also fosters a sense of unity and care within our community. Every item sold and every dollar earned goes back to helping our neighbors and supporting St. Mary's ministries.

We're Looking for Volunteers Who:

Have a heart for service and a desire to make a positive impact.
Enjoy working in a team environment, bringing joy and compassion to both the job and our customers.
Can help with various tasks, including sorting donations, pricing items, creating displays, and assisting shoppers.
Are available for a few hours a week or month—every bit of help makes a significant difference!

Why Volunteer With Us?

Connect with a diverse group of people united in their desire to serve others.
Experience the joy of giving back and making a real difference in your community.
Be part of a supportive and loving community that values each individual's contribution.
Gain valuable experience in retail operations, customer service, and community service.
Whether you're looking to share your talents, connect with like-minded individuals, or simply give back in a meaningful way, St. Mary's This n' That Thrift Shop offers a welcoming and rewarding volunteer experience.

Ready to Join Us?

If you're interested in volunteering or want to learn more about our mission and how you can contribute, please visit us at St. Mary's This n' That or contact us at 609-886-7272.

Let's make a difference together, one donation, one sale, one smile at a time.

Thank you for considering volunteering with us. Together, we can continue to spread love, support, and kindness throughout our community.

Sunday Service - 10:00 am

Stewardship Minute

To All of our members and friends

Please consider making a donation or pledge for 2024 if you haven't already.

Your support of our mission and ministry is important to us.

Some ways to support St. Mary's

Become a member
Volunteer
The Sunday collection plate
Send a check payable to St. Mary's to:

St. Mary's Episcopal Church,

9425 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, NJ 08247

(Your envelope and number is not necessary, only your name.)

Setting up a personal online banking "bill pay" option. The bank will mail the check for you to the church office.
Online giving through our website at https://www.stmarysstoneharbor.org/

Visit our Website

We have now joined Venmo! If you have Venmo, you can donate to the church - @StMarysStoneHarbor

http://www.venmo.com/u/StMarysStoneHarbor

St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop

Are you spring cleaning - cleaning up and cleaning out? St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift and Furniture Shop welcomes your household goods, clothing and furniture in good useable condition.

Donations may be dropped off on the first Saturday of the month, and Tuesdays and Thursdays 10-3. We appreciate all you give.

Located in the Village Shoppes, 1304 Rt 47 South, Rio Grande.

609-886-7272

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 4 pm

Forward Day by Day

The spring edition of Forward Day by Day for February, March and April 2024 is available in the church narthex in both large and small print booklets.

Please help yourself and take one for a friend. If you would like, we would be happy to mail a copy to you. Just email or call the church office.

Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily inspirational meditations reflecting on a specific Bible passage, chosen from the daily lectionary readings as listed in the Revised Common Lectionary or the Daily Office from the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer.

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour is held after service every Sunday in the parish hall. It is an opportunity to get together for relaxed conversation and fellowship over a cup of coffee. If you would like to provide a snack for coffee hour, please pick a Sunday and sign up. Nothing elaborate, just a small snack to enjoy with coffee. You can find the sign up sheet on the door to the kitchen. Thank you!