Outermost Voice

St. Mary of the Harbor

OUTERMOST VOICE

August 2018

Crazy, Never Ending Parade

The "season" as it is euphemistically known by local full time residents, is coming to a conclusion. Many of us will take a deep breath, relieved to have made it through another hectic summer on the Outer Cape. And like a nice long therapeutic soak in a tub filled with warm water, those of us who are still here after Labor Day will ease into the familiar rhythm of life in the "off season."

Contrary to what the locals say, the off season is not just the months between Labor Day and Memorial Day. It is a time for us to step off the treadmill to which we are tethered. The off season is a restorative period of time when we are able to regain perspective and refocus our attention away from the deadlines and demands of life. It is also that point in life when we come to terms that we cannot do everything or be everything to everyone.

The off season is not a vacation from life though. As Jesus reminded his disciples when he invited them to come away with him to a deserted place to rest, the off season is necessary for a healthy spiritual life. Jesus' invitation has to do with letting go of those things that leave you wearied, worried and worn out.

Someone rightly pointed out that exhaustion is the body's way of telling us that it is time for a change in pace. The thing is, we don't have to wait for the off season. We can step off the treadmill any time we want. In this crazy, never ending parade called life, remember to take a deep breath. Jesus says it is good for us. And who are we to argue with God?

Terry+

Carol

With Carol's permission, I want to update you on recent developments. Some of you already know but for those who don't, Carol was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago and is undergoing treatment. As such, she rightly made the decision to focus on her health and is no longer working in the office at St. Mary's.

With Carol's departure, we are having to cope without the one person in the parish who knows everything and everyone. We remain in touch and she sends her love to everyone at St. Mary's.

Looking ahead, interviews have been conducted with a candidate for the church office position. Until someone is hired, Joan Gibbons, Judy Dozois and I are taking care of office related matters. It should come as no surprise to anyone that it takes three people to do the work Carol was doing.

In the meantime, the church office is no longer open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you have a question or need something, please let me know. You can email me at [email protected] or call the church office at 508-487-2622 and leave a voicemail.

Please keep Carol, Bob and their family in your prayers. If you would like to send a card, Carol's address is 7 Willow Drive, Provincetown 02657.

Terry+

Summer Weddings at St. Mary of the Harbor

Kevin Hardy & Julizabeth Sosa's wedding began with a spirit filled procession from Joan and Al Marsh's home down the street from St Mary's.

Diana Hardy's son Kevin and his beautiful bride Jules

Wedding receptions with a water view are the best

On a hot day, what is a bride to do?

Why, take a dip in the harbor of course!

Chris Carlson and his lovely bride Andrienne Jones

(Chris' father Bill is St Mary's organist-choirmaster)

Adrienne surrounded by friends

Chris and Adrienne's reception

Sparklers, revelry and love lit up the beach

Big Sound in a Small Church

The Sidney Sussex College Choir in Cambridge, England was in concert at St. Mary's in July. Selections ranged from Bach to Dolly Parton. The choir concluded the concert with the Star Spangled Banner.

Our thanks to parishioners who hosted our 25 guests and made it possible for them to visit Ptown.

Choir members taking in the view before the concert

Automatic Door Installed

The church recently installed an automatic door to make it easier for parishioners and visitors to access the church. Please note: to prevent damage to the hydraulic mechanism, do not try to force the door to close by pushing on it. The door is set on a timer and will close on its own.

Back to Back Annual Fundraisers

Are Big Successes

Congratulations to everyone who worked this year on the Art & Spirit Event in July and the Summer Fair in August. Both events exceeded the previous year in revenues generated. After expenses, Art & Spirit netted $15,221 and the Summer Fair brought in $11,858. Together, that represents around 13% of total annual revenues for St. Mary's. The events help insure the financial viability of St Mary's and enables us to meet our 10% goal for Outreach each year.

Andi Sawyer presents a work by Michael Walczak

As always, the baked goods table was a hit with buyers

Financial Update

Mike Sutila, Treasurer

Healthy financial statements supported by parishioner pledges and gifts are an indication of a vibrant, viable church. St. Mary's financials speak for themselves. Year-to-date pledge and plate income is up from this time last year by $42,022 while total income is up $32,750. Operating expenses are also up from last year by $12,022 with the lion's share of that being expensed to Building and Grounds. Year-to-date net income is $13,223 compared to last year's ($7,504) loss.

Your commitment to the mission and ministry of St. Mary of the Harbor is a testament to your love for this church. Thank you for your generosity.

Mike

Annual Pledge Drive

St. Mary's annual pledge drive continues. We are are about two thirds of the way in meeting our goal of 82 pledges totaling $150,000. To date we have 54 pledges totaling $107,118. There is still time to pledge. It is easy. You can fill out the pledge form and put in the collection plate on Sunday or mail it. You can also email your pledge to St. Mary's treasurer at [email protected]

Rectory Task Force 2.0 Formed

In June, the first Rectory Task Force presented its findings regarding ongoing issues with the church's rectory to the congregation. Three options were presented:

1) Renovate the building as a single home for the priest

2) Renovate and divide the building into two units, using one unit for a rectory

3) Sell the rectory

Concurring with the RTF's recommendations, the Vestry tabled option three and commissioned a second Rectory Task Force to evaluate recommendations one and two in detail and report back to the parish within one year.

Deidre Malloy, Bruce Cagwin, Mark Weinress and Andrea Sawyer were appointed to form RTF 2.0 and commissioned to look at structural, architectural and space planning issues, prioritize plumbing, electrical and other repairs to the building, and to prepare separate detailed budgets outlining costs for each option .

Letter from Birmingham Jail

St. Mary of the Harbor is joining other congregations from the Nauset Interfaith Association to mark the 50th anniversary of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s death. Over a period of four weeks, we will look at the implications of Dr. King's letter that he penned while in jail in Birmingham.

Though Dr. King's words were written long ago, they remain relevant today, especially at a time in our nation's history when overt racism is being normalized and injustice continues to spread unabated.

Bruce Mason and Sharon Inger will serve as facilitators for the group. Meetings will run from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on four consecutive Thursdays:

October 4

October 11

October 18

October 25

The Biblical Ministry of Hospitality

There is a verse from Peter's letter to the early church commissioning Christians to "offer hospitality." * This is a vital ministry that St. Mary's has taken to heart. Each Sunday, a small, faithful group of parishioners insures that there is an opportunity for fellowship for visitors and parishioners after church in the parish hall. Being few in number, we need help to continue this ministry. We need you to sign up as a volunteer. To learn how you can serve as a minister of hospitality, talk with Ollie Ahmuty, Carol Pesiri or Terry.

* 1 Peter 4:9

Strength for the Journey

Saturday's 8:30 a.m.

From the earliest days of the church, the ministry of healing was expressed in prayers, annointing with consecrated oil and the laying on hands. St. Mary's invites all who suffer in body, mind or spirit to experience the power of God's healing love in this place where one finds strength for the journey.

Vestry Update

Vestry Actions for May through July 2018

authorized Clerk of the Vestry to seek proposals from local property management companies to service St. Mary of the Harbor
commissioned Rectory Task Force 2.0 to further investigate RTF 1.0's recommendations for Options 1 & 2 (renovating the rectory)
authorized Terry to seek bids for replacement screens for rectory and replacement of two upstairs windows in the parish hall
authorized requests for proposals from Coastal Engineering and RamJack to evaluate the seawall and make recommendations to the vestry regarding what can be done to protect the property from future tidal surges

The church's financials and minutes from vestry meetings are posted on the church's website. They can be located by linking on the following link under "Events, News and Reports" menu bar at the top of the webpage. Here is the link:

http://www.stmaryoftheharbor.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=206

Garden of Eden

According to Genesis, life began in a garden. We may be a long way from Eden but for many people, St. Mary's churchyard is little slice of it. While small in size, the churchyard requires consistent maintenance to keep it weeded and pruned.

St. Mary of the Harbor's oasis by the sea needs a gardener or two or more to care for the plants and flowers. How about you?Gardening is good not only for the soul, it is good for you health. When working with Mother Nature, you get the best of both worlds.

Please ask Terry or Joan Gibbons about serving on St. Mary's Garden Committee.

Ministry of All Believers

You don't have to be ordained by a bishop to be a minister. Every baptized person is a minister of the gospel. That doesn't mean you have to be able to preach a sermon. There are many opportunities at St. Mary of the Harbor where you can exercise a ministry. Here are just a few:

Healing Ministry at Saturday or Sunday services

Serving on the Altar Guild

Singing in the choir

Leading the Prayers of the People on Sunday

Reading the lessons at a worship service

Serving as a usher

Hospitality and Fellowship

Garden care

Leading a bible discussion group

Volunteering for St. Mary's Community Luncheons

Serving on the Art & Spirit, Summer Fair, Finance, or Outreach Committees

Writing / editing articles for the OuterMost Voice

Photographing important events at the church

Volunteering at the Summer Fair or for the Art & Spirit Auction

Every Christian has God given talents. Please talk with Terry to explore how best to use yours.

Stay in touch. Get the latest diocesan wide news at this link:

http://diomass.org/news-pubs/by-category/Diocesan%20News

Parishioner Directory

Click on the following link to view the latest parishioner directory. Once the file is opened, you can save it to your computer's hard drive for future access.

Parishioner Directory

Please email us at [email protected] or call 508-487-2622 for corrections to your contact information.

Paypal

Online giving is now available for people who are interested in making pledge payments or one time gifts electronically. Access it through the church's website at www.stmaryoftheharbor.org where you will find a "Donate" button on the menu bar at the top of the page and to the right. Click and it will take you to Paypal where you can make your donation. Contact Mike Sutila at msutila@chasemachine if you have questions.