A Message from the Interim Dean & Upcoming Events!
Greetings St Mary’s Parish,
As we journey through Lent, let us reflect on the gifts that God has blessed us with. We all have interests, things we are good at, areas that energize us. St. Mary’s Vestry has put in place several different committees that will enable the parish to better meet the needs of both parish and mission. As I reflect on the gospel, our mission is to be the face of God to those around us. When we commit to the gospel, we commit to the way Jesus interacted with others; we commit to the ways Jesus stood up for and affirmed all people; we commit to the teaching of Jesus; we commit to the radical love that Jesus shared with all people. The committee structure gives each of us the opportunity to connect to the mission of Jesus. I invite you to pray and think, and reflect on how you would like to serve.
The list of committees that we are inviting the parish at large to volunteer for are:
- Stewardship
- Audit (requires an individual with a public accounting or finance background)
- Buildings and Grounds
- By-laws
- Christian Education
- Evangelism
We also have one vestry position open for a term that expires at the end of 2021.
Youth and Family is introducing Milestones Ministry to St Mary’s. This is a grand opportunity to celebrate a stepping stone or milestone in the lives of our children and support their parents as they renew their baptismal promises. Our first Miliestone will be the prayer milestone, and children and parents will put together a prayer box, learn about the power of prayer and all sorts of ways to connect with Jesus through prayer. Parents, grandparents and children are invited to join us on March 27th at 3:30pm. We will meet both on zoom and in person. Be sure to RSVP to Kenyetta (kthompson@stmarysmemphis.org or 901.779.9279) so that we can personalize your prayer books.
I look forward to growing with you all in the spirit of God and in the mission of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Rev Jean Vargo+
Upcoming Events Summary:
Wednesday Noonday Prayer
12 noon on Facebook Live
Conversation Café
Wednesdays 6:00 pm:
Meeting ID: 810 8055 9436
Passcode: 727488
Dial in
312.626.6799
Sundays 11:30 am:
Meeting ID: 876 4283 8422
Passcode: 286934
Dial in
312.626.6799
Stations of the Cross
Fridays 5:30pm during Lent in person in the nave and on Facebook live
During Lent, St. Mary’s is hosting a drive in Movie Theatre complete with popcorn and soda and more. Location: church parking lot. Sound: your car radio. Saturdays at first Dark, about 6:30pm we will show the following (movies may change due to availability.)
ADMISSION: canned pop top food for pop top ministries
Saturday, March 6th 4:51 pm Music with Claire Valine in-person and live streamed
Saturday, March 6th 5pm Worship in-person and live streamed
Sunday, March 7th 10am Worship in-person and live streamed
No reservations needed for in-person attendance. Limited to 30 COVID (family) units.
Sunday, March 7th 1pm Book reflection Rediscover Jesus (ongoing series)
Meeting ID: 978 535 9753
Passcode: stmarys
|
|
Sunday, March 7th, 2021
The Third Sunday in Lent
No reservations needed for in-person attendance. Limited to 30 COVID (family) units.
-
Saturdays Holy Eucharist Rite I at 5:00 pm Music for children led by Claire Valine begins at 4:51 pm.
-
Sundays Holy Eucharist Rite II at 10:00 am
Service offerings, including bulletins can be found on the Worship page of our website.
Lenten Musical Offerings
Every Monday during Lent, St. Mary's Music Ministry posts inspirational musical offerings of vocal solos and duets recorded in the cathedral. A related meditation is included.
|
|
Bishop's Visit 2021
Bishop Phoebe will visit the Cathedral on Sunday, June 6, 2021 at the 10 am Eucharist.
Anyone wishing to be baptized or confirmed that day, youth or otherwise, should call or text Rev. Jean at (402) 302-5600.
|
We are excited to have our new, state-of-the-art video system installed and working. And we are looking for volunteers to operate the system so that no one person has to be there all the time.
We have had some growing pains while we are learning the system and the finer points of live streaming. We are happy to have added a Saturday evening, Rite 1 service, which is broadcast live on our YouTube channel and available after that on demand. We have had issues with the live streams of the Sunday morning Rite 2 service. Please bear with us while we work through these problems.
We are staffing the video system with volunteers from the church. If you would like to assist, please let Scott Morrell know and we can get you trained with little effort.
Scott Morrell
gscottm@comcast.net
|
|
Hunger Ministry
Food ministry continues! Thank you for all the ways everyone is continuing to keep this ministry going through food and financial donations.
POP TOPS has been moved to Saturday 8am, and we are serving sausage biscuit sandwiches on Wednesday. We need sponsors for this breakfast--we will use all volunteers, no paid staff. We are asking if people would volunteer for the first, second or third Wednesday of the month. You may volunteer to buy the food, make the sandwiches and or serve the food.
If you have questions about how to help, contact Deacon Drew Woodruff: 901.336.1103 or dewverger@aol.com
Help & Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Click here for a list of local and national groups offering help & support.
|
|
|
|
Pastoral Care & Community Life
|
Our clergy and pastoral care teams are active and available to you.
Please call the church (901-527-3361), contact
Interim Dean Jean Vargo (jvargo@stmarysmemphis.org 402-302-5600) or Deacon Drew Woodruff (dewverger@aol.com).
Phone calls of connection, love, and check in are going out all week to our members and especially to our members who do not use email or the internet. If you'd like to join in the phone chain, please let Drew Woodruff know.
Also, Let us pray for you! If you have names that you would like the community to pray for, please continue to send them through the "Contact" page on our website by 12 pm Wednesdays and we will gather them for Sunday prayers.
Live Weekly Prayer Services
Wednesday Noonday Prayer 12 noon on Facebook Live
Stations of the Cross Fridays 5:30pm in person in the nave and on Facebook live
"Can You Help?" Network:
If you know of jobs available and can help our people find employment that would be a gift:
We have a high school graduate who is online for college classes but needs a job. Vet Assistant, or anything that stimulates the brain!
We also have a senior graduating in computer program and engineering from Vanderbilt, who has a certificate in cyber security.
If you would like to have us post your job needs call Rev Jean+. If you have some leads for work please call Rev Jean+. 402-302-5600
|
|
Cathedral Vestry
Welcome to the new Vestry members! At the Annual Parish meeting, the parish elected Julie Byrd, Tim Baker and Justin Price to the Vestry. Julie Byrd will serve as Senior Warden. Congratulations to each of you, and may the spirit continue to guide and bless the Vestry Leadership as we move forward in 2021. The annual meeting was dynamic, interactive, and filled with the spirit of God. Thank you to each of you for your input, prayers, and trust in the leaders of our parish.
If you are interested in serving on the Vestry, please contact Rev. Vargo (jvargo@stmarysmemphis.org 402-302-5600) or call the church office at 901-527-3361.
|
|
Thank you for your generous gifts to the mission of St Mary’s! Your gifts of time and talent and finance make it possible for St Mary’s to engage in the continuing mission of our Lord and Savior here at 700 Poplar and around the world!
Three Ways to Donate:
2. You may also donate securely through the Give+ mobile app. Search "GivePlus Church" in the App Store or Google Play to find and download.
3. You may also mail a check to the Cathedral office at 692 Poplar Ave. 38105
|
|
Children & Youth
Greetings,
Many of you will have your Lent in a Bag arrive at your homes soon. Below are instructions.
Here are two suggestions for using the contents of this bag:
1. Choose one night of the week and invite those around your table to pick one of the symbols as a starting point for conversation for the whole group, including children.
2. For your own devotion, daily or weekly, choose one of the symbols for your own reflection as you make your way through the season of Lent.
Sand
“Just between his baptism and the beginning of his adult ministry, Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days, ‘to be tested’. What constitutes wilderness in your life? What have you learned there? What might you learn there?”
Rock
“While in the wilderness, Jesus was invited to transform stone into bread. Though he resisted the temptation there and then, he became justly renowned for feeding people who were hungry for food, or for love, or for a word of encouragement, or for simple acceptance. Might there be a stony place in you that needs transforming? Some attitude or habit that, with a little attention, might even become a gift for you and others?”
Human Figure
“Because Jesus was, as we confess, fully human, he gets us, understands us from inside our skin, and knows from experience that we’re each capable of great things, Godly things. And no matter what we do, he keeps on inviting us to join us in his work which has become our own. As you enter this Lent, what might you plan to do over these 40 days so that come Easter you will more closely reflect the Christ who lives in and through you?”
Candle
“Lent begins in the dimness of late winter and ends with the burst of bright spring. Jesus is, according to John’s gospel, ‘The Light of the World’ and that Light insists: ‘You are the light of the world. Don’t be hiding under some bushel basket.’ So where do you shine? How do you keep your light lit?”
Christian Education
Virtual Christian Adult Formation Offerings:
Sundays 1pm Bible study: During Lent we will read and reflect on the book Rediscover Jesus. Rev. Jean will lead a reflective discussion on the book, joined by Dr. Jerry Harber.
Meeting ID: 978 535 9753
Passcode: stmarys
Spiritual Resources
|
|
The Episcopal Bookshop at 672 Poplar Ave. in Memphis is open from Wednesdays from 10 am -2 pm. We will look forward to seeing our customers and friends. Following Bishop Phoebe's guidelines of masking, small numbers, and social distancing, we are once again able to providing you with the special items we have always carried-books, religious items, gifts, Christian jewelry, church candles, prayer books, etc. If anyone wishes to remain in their car, we will be happy to offer curbside service.
Episcopal Bookshop phone: 901-527-5684
Manager Sanda Smith
|
|
St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral
700 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38105
901.527.3361
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|