Mary of The Marsh

By Sam Barber

Dear friends,

Every year on the Fourth Sunday of Easter our lessons focus on the imagery of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. But this notion of God as shepherd existed long before Jesus’ earthly ministry, as we call to mind the beginning of one of our beloved Old Testament psalms, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

In my experience I have found that it can be helpful and instructive to hear familiar stories retold in fresh ways, sometimes by different voices, and possibly with new audiences in mind. Such is the case, I believe, with the two examples I have shared below.

The first is taken from a Bible storybook for children; the second from a 1970’s translation of the Bible intended to reach a “contemporary” audience. Both are attempts to begin to describe in simple, everyday language, what it means to be in relationship with God as our shepherd.

As you read each of these texts I invite you to let them simply come to you “as they are,” without comparison to tellings or translations that may be dear to your heart. Invite God to speak to you through the fullness of the language, especially in its simplicity, and discover anew how God loves us and claims us for God’s own. Enjoy!

The Rev. Scott P. Bellows, Interim Priest



The Good Shepherd (John 10:1-21)

Many people wondered, “Who is Jesus? Where did He come from?” They kept asking the same questions over and over again. Jesus knew this and gave them His answer. “I am the Good Shepherd.” Then He painted a word picture for them. That way they would know why He had called Himself the Good Shepherd. “I am the gate for the sheep.” The shepherd stands at the gate to the pasture. He knows which sheep are his own and lets his sheep pass through the gate. He keeps away all the wild animals who would hurt his animals. "The good shepherd does everything he can to take care of his sheep. He would even die to save them. Because the sheep are his, he does not run away when a wolf comes. He never leaves his sheep to be destroyed. That’s what someone who is just hired for the job might do. “I am the Good Shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me. I lay down My life for the sheep. I lay down My life so I can take it up again. This is something the Father lets Me do.” Many of the people felt good when they heard Jesus say that. They wanted to believe in Him as the very own Good Shepherd.

(from The Children’s Bible Story Book, retold by Anne de Graaf, © 1990, Anne de Graaf and Scandinavia Publishing House)

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;

I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in fields of green grass

and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.”

He gives me new strength.

He guides me in the right paths,

as he has promised.

Even if I go through the deepest darkness,

I will not be afraid, Lord.

For you are with me.

Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.

You prepare a banquet for me,

where all my enemies can see me;

You welcome me as an honored guest

and fill my cup to the brim.

I know that your goodness and love

will be with me all my life;

and your house will be my home

as long as I live.

(from Good News Bible, © 1976, American Bible Society)

Coming Events

Ministry Notes

Search Committee Corner

The Search Committee continues with their excellent work. They appreciate your support, participation and prayers through this journey.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

Pastoral Care

Your Pastoral Care Team is sharing a timely article on Fall Prevention.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE

Creation Care Column

Pastor Russ reminds us that the month of May is a great time to think about steps we can take to help the honeybees and other pollinators. The Saint Mary's Garden Committee voted to observe No Mow May on our front lawn as a way of promoting the concept.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE

Daffodil Tea - A Terrific Time

One last time to say THANK you to the team of people who came together and worked so very hard to host a tremendous Tea.

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Garden Committee News

All the Spring rain has been good for the gardens but, of course it is also good for the weeds.This is the busy season for our garden volunteers and we are always looking for more helpers. Please email Allison if you are interested in joining the fun. CLICK HERE FOR A GARDEN UPDATE

Solar

Hopefully you received a letter in the mail detailing the newest Buildings and Grounds initiative to increase Saint Mary's Solar Energy capacity. Please consider pledging what you can to help us achieve this exciting goal of lowering our carbon footprint and saving in utility costs. Click here for the letter detailing the initiative and click the image below for a pledge card you can print out at home. We will also have pledge cards available in the sunroom. We are thrilled at the response so far please consider supporting this goal if you haven't already.

Serving Saint Mary's

There are so many different ways for you to volunteer at Saint Mary's; coffee hour, Angels' Treasures, liturgical participation, Garden Committee, Flower Guild, Video Streaming, Miracle Kitchen, Altar Guild, Faith Family Kitchen, Pastoral Care, Creation Care... the list goes on. Please click on the corresponding images below for the online signup sheets or the contact email. You can also always reach out to Allison and let her know if you are interested in learning more about one of our ministry groups. Thank you ALL for all you do to enhance our church community.

Serving Others

There are so many different opportunities to serve those less fortunate in our Cape Cod community. Did you know that the Cape Cod Council of Churches has a fabulous website that is a great resource for those who are looking to volunteer?

You can also subscribe to their monthly newsletter here. The Saint Mary's Outreach Committee donates time and treasure to many of the agencies the council serves such as, A Baby Center, Faith Family Kitchens, The Hands of Hope Outreach Center (Food Pantry and Thrift Store), The Covenant to Care For Foster Families, as well as Homeless Ministries like, Youth Street Reach and many others. Click here to read the CC Council of Churches April newsletter.

Socks for Souls

Please remember to drop off your sock donations in our sunroom for our combined outreach with First Lutheran in the month of May. We will collect socks through May 26th so they can be distributed to the homeless at the Street Reach the following week.

Looking For A Good Candidate

Mr. Patrick Ramage has resigned from the Vestry, and it is with deep appreciation that we thank him for his dedication and service to the Vestry; Patrick’s local knowledge, insight and dry sense of humor will be sorely missed. But because Patrick has resigned, we need to post a help wanted advertisement:

Barnstable Village –

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is seeking to fill a Vestry position for June 2023 – January 2024; this person must:

• Be able to join the Vestry for six (6) Thursday meetings (5p-7p) in the St. James room plus one “weekend retreat” in September.
• Not be related to a sitting member of the Vestry, staff or Search Committee.
• Have internet access to send and receive church documents, use of a personal printer is helpful, but not necessary.
• Be an active member of the church, age 18 and above. 

If this sounds like you, or someone you believe would be a good addition to the Vestry, please submit your/their name and contact information to the Junior Warden, Ms. Marian Ferguson at [email protected] by Thursday May 4, 2023. 

Thank you!

A Joyous Day!

Thank you to everyone who helped with our Habitat Home. It was an incredible day! Sarah and her son Jack were so touched by the love and care the Saint Mary's community exhibited in helping this house become their home with the beautiful handmade quilt presented by Bev Parke and the bookcase full of special books for Jack. It was an incredible day of dreams realized for Sarah and Jack, the proud new owners of this beautiful home.

Congratulations are in Order!

Thank you to Our Senior Warden Brad Goodwin for sharing this photograph he captured from the Celebration of the Installation of The Rev. Michael V. Bousquet as the ninth Rector of St. John's in Westwood.

More Celebrations

Parishioner Kyle Lazzarri is pleased to announce his graduation from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell with a Bachelor of Business degree. Kyle and Wanda have extended a warm invitation to our entire parish family to join them in celebrating on May 14,2023 at 12:00 PM at a backyard barbecue PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE INVITATION.