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They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze.
Genesis 3:8
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From The Rector
Dear friends,
This morning I met with Gretchen, a member of our church over coffee on the back terrace of the parish house. When she arrived and stepped into the building, neither of us were wearing masks because we are fully vaccinated. Perhaps you have had this kind of moment, when you are doing something that would have seemed completely normal in the past, but as you do it for the first time in a long time, it feels a bit awkward or strangely emotional. We brewed the coffee and as we sat down we laughed about how we were so out of practice at socializing over coffee.
While we chatted a couple of other people stopped by, one a member of St. Mary's and another a friend from Portsmouth. The friend said, "I'd like to come back and talk some more. Will you have coffee again at 10 on a Saturday?" "Why not?" I thought to myself. It seems like one of the best things we could do as we are in this time of transition.
Funny, it feels like something that we need to do, practice being together and socializing. We are out of practice. Starting in July, at 10 a.m. I invite people to sit under the trees in front of the Gibbs House for conversation. This is not an organized ministry. No one is in charge. There is no set up or clean up. It will simply be a time to be together. There will be seats. You are invited to bring your own coffee, tea or whatever you would like to sip. The point is to engage in the spiritual practice of being together.
As I listened to Gretchen, I heard so much about her life that I'd never have known. I now have a deeper appreciation of the experience she has had in her family over the past year of pandemic. I heard both the joy and challenges of her life right now. She told me what she feels called to do in ministry here at St. Mary's. Really, this was a pretty amazing and well-spent hour! Out of this time, new life will come for our church.
So please come on Saturdays, beginning in July at 10 a.m. We are going to call it Coffee Practice. Remember, there is no agenda, no preparation needed, no leaders other than the Holy Spirit. It seems to fit with how God is blessing us right now. The Spirit is moving among us as we listen for her, listen to each other, and bless what God is doing in our midst. Simple.
Don't forget that worship is now Sundays at 9 a.m. We will gather outdoors, online, and if the weather is bad (too hot or too wet) we will be in the St. George's Chapel. If you are not vaccinated, please wear a mask. See you under the trees.
Jennifer+
Worship
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Second Sunday After Pentecost
June 6
Sunday worship will be celebrated in person with lawn seating and drive in spaces. There will also be reserved seating for those who need it. For reserved seating please be in touch with Murry Edwards.
We always livestream on Facebook.
Inclement weather plan will include a livestream service and drive through Holy communion from 10:15 - 10:45.
Sunday Worship Links
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This Week's Leaders:
Eucharistic Minister
Jennie Nestlerode
Lector/ Intercessor
David Brierley
Altar Guild
Anne Wood
Livestream Videographer:
Marlo Pratt
Audio
David Brierley
Musicians
Julie Zecher
Michael Templeton
Preacher
The Rev. Laura Palmer
Celebrant
Rev. Jennifer Pedrick+
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A direct and compelling headline |
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O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Moving Forward
June
- Worship will be outside, weather permitting, Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
- If the weather is not suitable for outdoor worship, we will gather in the chapel with anyone who is comfortable doing so.
- All will maintain 3 feet of social distancing between households.
- Those who are not vaccinated will please wear masks.
- If we worship inside the chapel, drive - through Holy Communion will be offered outside the historic church from 10:15 - 10:45 for those who are unable to be inside.
- We will continue to offer a livestream of worship on Facebook live whether we are inside or out.
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Plans for Worship and Gathering |
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Trinity Rep. actor Joe Wilson, Jr. shown
here as MLK, Jr. in “The Mountaintop”,
will facilitate Frederick Douglass'
famous oration, June 27th in Bristol. Here
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Frederick Douglass July 5th Speech at Corinthian Hall Rochester, NY
To The Ladies Anti-slavery Society.
A Community Reenactment, June 27, 2021, 4 pm
Linden Place, Bristol, RI
Description of an Historical Reenactment,
Open Free To The Public
On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass gave a speech at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, held at Rochester, NY in Corinthian Hall. In a blistering oratory, Mr. Douglass told his audience, "This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn." He also asked, "Do you mean citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak today?" He accepted the invitation to speak on the 5th, but not the 4th of July. Douglass told the truth on that day, about the suffering of American slaves who had derived no benefit from the human rights ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
With a sense of its historical value, and the hope for new dignity in our present and future as a plural society, a reenactment of that speech will take place from 4pm – 6pm on the grounds of the Linden Place mansion in Bristol. This is the town where I grew up, proud of its longest consecutively held 4th of July celebration. As a youngster I was, for far too long, naïve and uneducated about the terrible exclusion of the descendants of slavery from the benefits of our founding documents and their great principles.
Joe Wilson, Jr. of Trinity Rep. will facilitate a shared oratory, encouraging audience members who wish to volunteer, to read a paragraph from the podium, making this a true community reenactment experience. This event will be outdoors with proper health protocols in place.
A significant number at St. Mary’s, led by our Social Issues and Service Committee, have participated in The Episcopal Church’s Sacred Ground Program to lift our awareness of the racial injustices that continue to plague our nation, and to participate in the healing of those with the guidance of the Church’s direction. Without question, attending this living reenactment is an opportunity for all to engage in knowledge, action, and understanding; critical components needed to stop a sordid past from being prologue to the present and future.
Born into slavery in February 1817, his birth date into American history is September 3, 1838 when, disguised as a sailor, Douglass escaped by boarding a northbound train of the Baltimore, Philadelphia, Wilmington line, destined to become a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York, famous for his oratory and incisive antislavery writings. Many members of the abolitionist movement were amazed that this former slave could self educate into such a great writer and orator.
You can hear this eloquence for yourself, in person on June 27th. St. Mary’s members who choose to attend will be inspired.. It is a timely opportunity to experience an action advocating for social justice.
On the Linden Place events link below, reserve your free tickets to this event. Click on the BUY TICKETS button (they are free). Hope to see you there.
Respectfully,
Ray Edler
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Daily Evening Prayer on Facebook live
Lay leaders are praying the evening office at 5:30 p.m. daily online via Facebook Live. You do not need to have Facebook in order to participate in these daily prayers. If you can not make it at 5:30, the service will be recorded and remain on the St. Mary's Facebook page.
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If you would like to add someone to the prayers of the people, to be included in the Sunday morning prayers and in the daily evening prayers, please contact Parish Administrator, Karen Laroche. We typically keep people in the prayers for one month.
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Calling all Teens, College Students
and Parishioners
We are looking for some volunteers to help with filming our Church services on Sunday mornings. If you can volunteer in the months of June, July, and August, please contact Marlo Pratt. You will be trained and supported. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
or text @ 813-957-1511
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Plan Your Vaccination
The more people who are fully vaccinated the sooner the pandemic will end. Our commitment to vaccination is not only for ourselves and our loved ones, it is for the greater good. Getting vaccinated is a way of loving your neighbor as yourself.
The CDC has clearly outlined how much more is possible and safe when we are vaccinated. Please take a look at this guidance which is so encouraging as we seek to regather with fewer restrictions.
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Safe Church Training
As we begin to serve more in person, it is the perfect time to resume and renew our Safe Church Training process. Safe church training promotes safe ways of interacting with children, youth and adults in the church.
Safe Church Training is a required certification program for clergy, all licensed lay ministers, including Licensed Eucharistic Visitors, vestry members, worship leaders, pastoral care ministers, employees, and those who volunteer in programs for children and youth. The new guidelines include many lay people in leadership positions who may not have been previously required to participate in this training. If you are someone who offers ministry at St. Mary's, you may soon hear from Karen Laroche, our Parish Administrator who is coordinating our training. In light of the audit we will need to do, please complete your training by June 24.
Please know that this process is important for at least two reasons. The first is that it is required of our parish that we comply with The Episcopal Church and diocesan requirements. The second is that as we regather, the safety and well-being of our members, leaders, and those whom we serve is a priority.
Thank you in advance for your participation. Jennifer+
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Important Notice
St. Mary's will be closed to cars June 14 - 16 as we are resurfacing some of the driveways and parking areas.
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Rhodeside Revival Coming Soon |
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Rhodeside Revival will be a way to make a difference! Rhodeside Revival is Rhode Island's curbside composting program that brings your home's food scraps away from the landfill and into the garden. This organization is local and committed to helping the environment and community in preventing landfill waste and related harm to the environment. St. Mary's will soon be a drop off hub offering St. Mary's and the local community a convenient drop off location. Learn more about this great organization at https://rhodesiderevival.com/about-us/
Stay tuned for more information.
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Forward Day By Day
The new Day by Day books are in and will be available at the Welcome Table Sunday Mornings. Please pick one up!
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Update Message From The Soup Kitchen |
Soup Kitchen News For June
Hello fellow Soup Kitchen volunteers. Just a note that we will again be doing two distribution days. Some
of the organizations that were offline due to COVID restrictions are coming back, and some places are
starting to do hot meals again. St. Paul’s is not allowing us to do that yet so we are still in bagged meal
mode this month. But change is coming so please be prepared to jump in to help when we get back into full hot meal mode. I’ll let you know when that is, as soon as I hear we can.
Here is the link to sign up genius link to volunteer:
In peace and with love for all you do,
Dave Ferkinhoff
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MLK Food Collection
We are collecting food on Sunday mornings for the MLK center. Please leave your donations at the Welcome table, The team there will assist you in drop off at the appropriate place.
Thank you for all your generous contributions.
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Do you need groceries, errands or help with something else?
Contact the head of our Pastoral Care Team, Pauline Davis. There are many people who can help. Her email address is here. You may also phone her at 401-871-1453, but she would prefer an email if you are able.
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Communication & Other Announcements
If you lead a ministry and wish to share information, please send the content (which should include relevant information, time, date, place, and contact person with email) to:
The Rector if you'd like it verbally announced at worship,
the weekly worship bulletin
Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action) If you have a photo or image that is always welcome.
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St. Mary's Leadership and Staff |
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VESTRY OFFICERS:
STAFF:
Our buildings are currently closed due to the Covid - 19 pandemic.
Our grounds, churchyard and outdoor labyrinth are open for walking and prayer.
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Watercolor: Richard Grosvenor. |
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