Parish Newsletter

March 2023

The Observance of a Holy Lent

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. With this solemn admonition, and the imposition of ashes in the sign of the cross on our foreheads, the church invites us to the observance of a holy Lent. Every year this simple action is repeated millions of times throughout the world on Ash Wednesday, and yet how often do we take the time to reflect on the powerful significance of those words and gestures. Word, substance, symbol – what do they mean for us as a Christian people?

“You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Quoted from Genesis 3:19, these words summarize God’s punishment of Adam for his disobedience. They remind us that as a result of our own willfulness, and without benefit of God’s saving grace, our lives are worth no more than the dust of the earth upon which we walk.

Ashes are a physical reminder of this truth, but they also symbolized our fickle, human nature. The ashes for this service are traditionally made from burning the previous year’s Palm Sunday branches. The stark contrast between life and death is revealed as we painfully remember how the people’s shouts of praise at Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem are quickly turned to shouts of derision as they call for his death by crucifixion.

Word and substance come together and speak a terrible reality. That is, until we add the sign of the cross – the symbol of our immortality. The cross is our symbol of hope as we consider yet another strange juxtaposition: an instrument of cruel death becoming the means of eternal life. The cross of ashes, inscribed on our foreheads over the very cross which sealed us at our baptism, becomes for us a promise of eternal life as we turn once more to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I invite you to the observance of a holy Lent.

Faithfully,

Lenten Formation and Fellowship Opportunities

Please be sure to join us as we partner with our brothers and sisters at First Lutheran to pray and learn together during Lent. We are invited to First Lutheran every Wednesday night throughout Lent, for their Wednesday night worship,Sacred Journey.

The Sacred Journey (Via Sacre) is an alternative form of worship at First Lutheran Church. Held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM; it is filled with candlelight, time for meditation and prayer, Bible readings and sermon, and the sharing of Communion – and community. Each week may be a little different without any set liturgy, but there is plenty of music – both in the Taizé tradition and others with upbeat rhythms.

Lenten Lunch and Movie Series

We are excited to host our Lutheran friends here every Sunday afternoon throughout Lent for a simple lunch followed by a movie viewing and theological discussion afterwards.We had delicious taco soup and a lot of fun discussing the modern musical Enchanted last Sunday. All are welcome! We will serve lunch at Noon and begin the movie by 1:00 PM. Please click here to RSVP in advance.

Sunday, March 5

"The Bucket List"

Sunday, March 12

"Waking Ned Devine"

Sunday, March 19

"Chocolat"

Sunday, March 26

"Jesus Christ, Superstar"

Please feel free to print out and share the flier below. As always, all are welcome to join.

Other Lenten Resources

National Cathedral Links

Washington National Cathedral clergy offer a written meditation each day in Lent. "The path from ashes to Alleluia is one that we walk together, in community." Meditations are posted at 10 am eastern time. You can sign up to receive these reflections by submitting your email address here.

Fundraiser and Fun

Did you get your tickets yet?

Time is running out to purchase tickets to the

Celtic Music Concert followed by an Irish Happy Hour - The fun evening will take place on Sunday, March 12th!

The fabulous troupe of Saint Mary's Choristers are hosting this event so you know it is sure to be a fun and festive evening with beautiful music!

Click here or on the adjacent image to read more about it.

Search Committee Corner

We have received word from Timea Menyhart that she has made the difficult decision to resign as co-chairperson and member of the Rector Search Committee. We are thankful for all of Timea's hard work and talent she has shared with us and for her devotion to Saint Mary’s. Dorothy Savarese, a member of the committee, has agreed to assume the role of co-chairperson. We are grateful for her willingness to help lead the process of selecting our next rector.

Peter Scarafile

Search Committee Co-Chairperson

As your Search Committee continues their hard work, they are excited to begin the very important process of gathering YOUR feedback through the CAT survey tool. Please click here to read all about this important process.

Pastoral Care

We have 2 different articles from our Pastoral Care Team this month. The first article is from the Mayo Clinic explaining what heart tests are what they are used for. The Pastoral Care Team felt it was important to include an accompanying article on Recognizing Stroke Symptoms. The second article introduces the helpful acronym F.A.S.T in an effort to promote an increased awareness of the symptoms exhibited by someone experiencing a stroke. Knowledge is power.

EFM Interlude

Do you have questions about your Faith? EfM may just have the answers you are seeking. Please click here for an invitation from the EfM group that is meeting regularly at Saint Mary's.

Creation Care Column

The Rabbit

by Mary Oliver

Scatterghost,

it can’t float away.

And the rain, everybody’s brother,

won't help. And the wind all these days

flying like ten crazy sisters everywhere

can't seem to do a thing. No one but me,

and my hands like fire,

to lift him to a last burrow. I wait

days, while the body opens and begins

to boil. I remember

the leaping in the moonlight, and can’t touch it,

wanting it miraculously to heal

and spring up

joyful. But finally

I do. And the day after I’ve shoveled

the earth over, in a field nearby

I find a small bird’s nest lined pale

and silvery and the chicks ---

Are you listening, death? -- warm in the rabbit’s fur.

Volunteering Opportunities

Coffee and Conversations Build Community

We need your help! Please consider signing up to host a coffee hour after the Sunday 10:00 AM Service. Click here for the online sign-up and further information. Thank you, Thank you!

Angels' Treasures is Seeking Inventory

Is Lent your time to Marie Kondo your home? Is it time to de-clutter or get rid of all that doesn't serve you or bring you joy? Please consider donating your cast-offs to our fabulous thrift store and you can take comfort in the fact that your donations will directly impact our church outreach efforts. The store is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 to 3:00 PM. Thank you!

Making A House A Home

Thank you to everyone who so generously donated books for the bedroom bookcase we are gifting to the young man moving into our Habitat project house.

"The power of a book lies in its power

to turn a solitary act into a shared vision.

As long as we have books,

we are not alone." Laura Bush

Spring is Coming! Gardeners Wanted!

The Garden Committee is looking for new members. Join us for our once a month planning meetings. We are not that far away from warmer days when we will be gathering to do a big spring clean-up. We will be setting a date for our Big Spring Clean Day soon. Please consider attending our next event on,

Sunday March 19th

1:00 PM

Garden Committee Outing to Cape Cinema

to see the documentary on:

The Life and Gardens of Beatrix Farrand

Please email Allison if you would like to join the group.

Outreach and Service Opportunities

Earthquake Relief

Episcopal and Anglican church organizations are providing channels for supporting relief efforts in the aftermath of the Feb. 6 earthquake in Turkey and Syria that left tens of thousands dead and millions more in need of shelter, medical help, food and aid. Click here for more information from our Diocese.

Save The Date

The Daffodil Tea Returns!

Saturday April 15th 2023

1 Seating at 1:00 PM

Mark your calendars! Details will be forthcoming. An enormous thank you to Janis Umschlag and Jenni and Clyde Lennon for their generous spirits offering to lead this treasured Saint Mary's tradition.

Calling All History Buffs

Save the date for a special celebration at the Old North Church in Boston on Sunday, April 16th. Please click on the poster for more information. As the flier says, "Join us as we celebrate 300 years and commit ourselves anew to being shining beacons of light, justice and love!" There is a mass at 11:00 AM and later in the evening a special concert. Find details and purchase tickets: www.diomass.org/Old-North-300 Lantern Service proceeds to support the mission and ministry of the Old North congregation.

Celebrating Our March Babies

click here or the image below to see who has a birthday in March.