A Christian community of all ages

grounded in

worship, well-being, and service.

From the Associate Rector

Dear Friends,

On this Fourth of July weekend, I would like to call to your minds two paintings of our nation’s first president.  The first, entitled The Apotheosis of Washington, was painted in 1865 in the dome of the rotunda of the US Capitol by the Greek-Italian artist Constantino Brumidi. The word “apotheosis” literally means “among the gods” and depicts George Washington as if he were ascending into the heavens to be surrounded by symbolic deities from classical mythology.  I feel quite confident in asserting that the painting would have both embarrassed and disturbed Washington.

Embarrassed because such exaltation dramatically contrasted with the simplicity and humility with which Washington approached his public office. For example, as the revolutionary war was drawing to a close there was a move by some of his officers to force a coup to have him made emperor or king. Washington strongly rebuked them, rebuffed the move and simply returned home to Mount Vernon. Some years later, as he was entering office as president the question was raised as to how he should be addressed. He rejected such titles as “Your Excellency” “His Highness”. and affirmed the decision for the simple title “Mr. President” which persists to this day. Both in giving up command of the Continental Army and in choosing to resign the presidency after two terms, he was eager to return to humble life as a citizen and farmer.

Disturbed because the fresco shows Washington surrounded by Roman divinities such as Ceres, Mercury and Venus. It was common for Renaissance art, which the fresco echoes, to depict mythological deities, but this would not have fit in with Washington’s religious sensibilities. He probably would have regarded it as blasphemous. While by no means a pious evangelical Christian, Washington, unlike many of his fellow founders, appears to have been a conventional 18th century church-going Anglican. It is estimated that he typically attended church an average of one a month though he rarely received communion. He differed from the deists among the Founding Fathers, believing in a God who took and ongoing providential interest in the divine creation. While Washington was private about his religious attitudes and rarely mentioned Christ in his writings, it is reported that Washington’s nephew witnessed him kneeling prayerfully with a bible in front of him.  

Which brings me to the second painting, The Prayer at Valley Forge, a 1976 work by the artist Arnold Friberg. The painting depicts Washington kneeling in the snow during the army frigid encampment in Pennsylvania at a low point of the

Revolutionary War. Whether the event it depicts actually happened is a subject of debate. Many historians consider it a legend, but there is every reason to believe that Washington might have prayed in the midst of this bleak time for his army.  The painting is on display at the Museum of the Bible in Washington.  The image is sometimes used to bolster the argument by some that our country was founded to be a Christian nation.  Using Washington to affirm such a position would have to confront Washington’s views expressed in his well-known letter in response to the Jewish congregation at Truro synagogue in Newport, supporting liberty of conscience and freedom of religion.  

All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.  It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights.  For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

This weekend in our scripture readings we have two images of humility. The prophet Zechariah foresees the messiah coming for Israel as a Prince of Peace.  While victorious, he does not come in cruel conquest on a magnificent chariot but “humble and riding on a donkey”.  In our gospel, Jesus makes clear his special relationship with God which he wished to share with others.  Sharing in this relationship was not meant to be a heavy burden for Jesus’ followers but a “rest” for souls which Jesus in all humility offers to others.

Humility should come to us as an authentic gift of faith.  Christians are called to lives of faithful service rather than lording it over others or trying to control them.  On this weekend we are reminded what history teaches: authentic heroes are those who, like George Washington, are willing to set themselves and their status aside rather than demanding honor, tribute and servile fawning. Whenever we pray an honest prayer, we can be humbling ourselves before God and affirming that God is God and we are not.  In that spirit then, on this Independence Day weekend, I commend to this this prayer from our Book of Common Prayer:

O Judge of the Nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who on the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines.  This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessings,

Greg

Remembering Bob Creaney

October 28, 1944 - July 1, 2026

On Wednesday, longtime member, Bob Creaney died after a long decline. His death was anticipated and he and his family had the gift of sharing time together over the past week. Andrea, his devoted wife of 59 years, along with his children and grandchildren gathered from near and far to do the tender work of giving thanks for Bob's life, sharing laughter and tears, and saying goodbye with words and hugs. We believe that the last food and drink that Bob consumed was Holy Communion. We gathered again at the hospital to say the prayers at the time of death.

The ministry shared by Bob, his family and the clergy at the time of his death was sacred. This was possible because his family reached out and invited the church to offer prayers, sacraments and pastoral support. This makes all the difference at such a vulnerable time. We formed a web of prayer and decision making that felt like a raft, supporting Bob and his family as they move through this passage. Whenever members of the church are facing these tender times, it is a gift for the church and the family to connect. We easily planned the next steps, the funeral and celebration of Bob's life.

Thank you to our staff who worked together in haste to settle details. Thank you to worship leaders who quickly mobilized their teams for the funeral. And thank you to our collation leaders who have begun their planning for next Saturday's hospitality.

Bob's funeral will be held in the historic church on

Saturday, July 11 at 11 a.m.

It will be followed by burial in the churchyard and a collation in the parish hall.

If you are a member of St. Mary's, please consider attending the funeral and contributing to the collation. Sign up is below.

You may remember Bob's signature red clothing, red right down to his sneakers. Usually, Mickey Mouse was somewhere in his ensemble. All are invited to join his family in wearing red and Mickey themed attire as we remember him, give thanks for his life and commend him to God.

Faithfully, Jennifer+

Link for collation signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B094CA9AE2FA3FB6-64677833-collation

Weekly worship is on

Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and

Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Christian Meditation is weekly

on Saturdays, 4:00 - 4:45 p.m., Southside Classroom, Lower Level, Parish House

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

Click on the image above for the service bulletin for this weekend.

Join us in worship at 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays or 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. The liturgical ministers for our worship services are listed in the bulletin.

Worship on Sundays at 10:00 is live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Use the comment section to say hello if you use Facebook.

You also can listen to the Gospel reading and sermon at your convenience on Apple Podcasts and Podbean. They are available by 6:00 p.m. on Monday.

We are trying to make better connections between those who are in person and those who are at home.If you miss worship on Sunday and just want to hear the sermon, you can listen to it online.

Prayer requests for individuals can be added to the prayers of the people for weekend worship and in the daily prayers of our prayer team by contacting Parish Administrator, Karen Laroche. We typically keep people in the prayers for one month.

Patriotic Lap Robes for Vets

In addition to making prayer shawls, baby blankets, hats, scarves and mittens, the St. Mary’s prayer shawl ministry crafts red, white and blue lap robes to honor veterans. Any veteran who is in hospice care can receive one of these lap robes.

The knitters have donated 9 lap robes so far this year to the We Honor Vets program, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association and the Office of Veteran Affairs. Each patient receives the lap robe as well as a Certificate of Appreciation, a pin, and a salute from an active duty or retired military person.

Mary Kay Lundburg coordinates St. Mary's contributions with hospice. If you have any questions about this program, contact Mary Kay.

New Member Ministry Meeting

Are you someone who enjoys welcoming visitors to St. Mary's and sharing the good news of our community? Or are you a newer member who would like to provide insight and feedback about your experience joining our church?

All are welcome to join us at a New Member Ministry meeting on Sunday, July 12th after the 10:00 a.m. service (around 11:15) in the Adult Education Room in the Parish House.

We will discuss new ways to invite, welcome, and connect individuals to the St. Mary's community as well as plan for our next new members' weekend.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Nancy Kimble.

Community Garden Blessing

Sunday's weather was perfect for another beautiful blessing as we gave thanksgiving and prayer for for the community garden growing season ahead. The morning was perfect for strolling through the garden and seeing what is sure to be another great year for providing fresh vegetables to our community and garden goodness to each other. 

The community garden is in its 15th growing season. Thank you to Elise LaParle Garcia for leading this ministry for 12 years (or three quarters of its existence). Along with growing plants and food, Elise has offered an opportunity to grow community as the garden welcomes members and friends of St. Mary's.

The garden gate is always open - stop by and check it out!

For all other types of communication:

Contact the Rector if you'd like it verbally announced at worship. 

Contact Parish Associate for Administration Karen Laroche to be included in writing in the weekly worship bulletin.

Image credits: Richard Grosvenor, Historic Church, watercolor, used with permission.

Stay Connected:

http://www.smcportsmouth.org/