St. Mary's Episcopal Church

Stone Harbor, New Jersey

All are welcome. Please join us!

WELCOME HOME!

Worship with us:

Sunday Service Time: 10:00 am

in person and Live on Facebook

We also accept donations via Venmo!

@StMarysStoneHarbor

http://www.venmo.com/u/StMarysStoneHarbor

A Season of Thanksgiving and Gratitude

Dear Friends in Christ,

This past week, I’ve been hearing stories of ovens working overtime and kitchens filled with the joyful buzz of baking as parishioners and community members prepare for our first Cookie Stroll. Across our homes, people are rolling dough, frosting cookies, and packaging these sweet treats with care—all to create a truly special experience for our parish and community.

One person shared with me, “Every year, as I bake, I think about the smiles my cookies will bring and how it’s such a small but meaningful way to give back.” It’s a reminder of the beauty of gratitude expressed through action. These cookies represent more than a delicious tradition; they are symbols of love, generosity, and the power of community coming together for a shared purpose.

As we approach Thanksgiving, let us reflect on the many ways God’s blessings flow through our lives. Much like the Cookie Stroll, the season of Thanksgiving invites us to recognize the gifts we’ve received and find ways to share them with others. Whether it’s through a batch of cookies, a kind word, or a helping hand, every small act of gratitude and giving becomes a reflection of God’s abundance.

Scripture reminds us to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This can be challenging at times—especially in seasons of difficulty or transition—but gratitude has the remarkable ability to transform our hearts. When we pause to give thanks, even in challenging moments, we open ourselves to the presence of God and the blessings we might otherwise overlook.

This Thanksgiving, I encourage you to embrace gratitude as a spiritual practice. Set aside a moment each day to name what you are thankful for—a warm home, the laughter of loved ones, or the joy of being part of this wonderful parish family. Let your gratitude inspire action: share your blessings with someone in need, offer a prayer of thanks, or join in community efforts like the Cookie Stroll, where every contribution makes a difference.

As we prepare for the Advent season, may our hearts be filled with the joy of giving and the peace that comes from knowing we are all part of God’s great work in the world.

Thank you for being part of this vibrant and faithful community. Your prayers, generosity, and acts of love make St. Mary’s a shining light of hope and grace for so many.

Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with joy, peace, and the abundant love of Christ.

With a grateful heart,

Mo. Allison+



Share your vision of the words "Walk in Love." 

As we enter stewardship season at St. Mary's, we are embracing the theme "Walk in Love" by sharing photographs of what that means to us. Whether pets, families, places, or things, share an image and explain what it means to you. We'll have some elves working behind the scenes to create ornaments featuring the photos to hang on our Tree of Love Christmas Tree in the parish hall. The picture holders are round and images will be trimmed down to 2.8 inch circles, and there can be one on each side of the ornament. You can bring your photographs to church and we will trim them down, or make a scan of the photograph and return it to you. If you prefer to submit a digital photograph, please send it to Mother Allison.

You will receive this year's stewardship appeal in the mail next week, and we ask that all pledges be turned in by Friday, December 6th. On Sunday, December 8th, we will have a festive coffee hour to celebrate the success of our stewardship campaign, and maybe, just maybe, Mother Allison will put together one of her wonderful video storybooks. 

We hope for 100% participation both in pledging and in sharing your photographs! 

Lillian B. Armstrong, Sr. Warden

By now you should have received this year's stewardship letter in the mail, if we have a mailing address for you! We hope you will drop your pledge card in the mail or into the offering plate this coming Sunday or on December 1st, which is the first Sunday of Advent. The December 6th deadline allows us to include pledge income in the 2025 budget, and we certainly hope you can make a pledge either equal to last year's or a little bit more, or better yet, for the first time! 

You are also invited to submit a photograph depicting what "Walk in Love..." means to you. You can drop it off in the office or send it to Mother Allison via email. We will make it into an ornament to hang on our Tree of Love Christmas Tree in the Parish Hall and Mother Allison will include it in a presentation during our festive coffee hour on Sunday, December 8th, celebrating our Stewardship drive. 

Becoming a pledging member of St. Mary's is an important step as you walk in faith and gratitude for God's gifts and blessings. Many thanks to our devoted members for your support. 

Lillian

We are planning to make St. Mary's "first annual" Cookie Stroll the best possible cookie stroll and fundraiser! Your help will make it possible.

We need:

Bakers - sign up on the sheet in the parish hall or email Dina Ziemba to let her know that you plan to bake.

Decorators - Currently the parish hall kitchen is under construction and not looking its best. People to "decorate" and make it cheery would be very welcome.

Volunteers - to help the day of the sale.

Thank you!!

The November, December, January issue of Forward Day by Day is now available in both large and small size booklets, in the church narthex. Please help yourself to a copy and feel free to take one for a friend who may enjoy having it. If you would like us to mail a copy to you, please let the church office know and we will be glad to send it.

Some ways to support St. Mary's

• Become a member
• Volunteer
• The Sunday collection plate
• Send a check payable to St. Mary's to:

St. Mary's Episcopal Church,

9425 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, NJ 08247

(Your envelope and number is not necessary, only your name.)

• Setting up a personal online banking "bill pay" option. The bank will mail the check for you to the church office.
• Online giving through our website at https://www.stmarysstoneharbor.org/

We have now joined Venmo! If you have Venmo, you can donate to the church - @StMarysStoneHarbor

http://www.venmo.com/u/StMarysStoneHarbor

Stay Connected through Bible Study

We offer two convenient times to fit your schedule:

10-11:30 AM or 7-8:30 PM.

This Bible study is more than just a class; it’s an opportunity to build deeper relationships with God and with each other. As we explore the Gospel of Luke together, we’ll strengthen our faith, grow in our understanding, and stay connected as a community, no matter where we are.

If you’re interested or have any questions, feel free to reach out to Tracy Rubin at tgrubin3@gmail.com or 781-856-2125.

To sign up, please contact Ali at office@ccneedham.org

or call 781-444-1469.

Let’s stay connected and continue our spiritual journey together!

Coffee Hour is held after service every Sunday in the parish hall.

It is an opportunity to get together for relaxed conversation and fellowship over a cup of coffee.

If you would like to provide a snack for coffee hour, please pick a Sunday and sign up.

Nothing elaborate, just a small snack to enjoy with coffee.

You can find the sign up sheet on the door to the kitchen.

Thank you!

CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR on our website for all activities taking place throughout the week.

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

Psalm 93

Revelation 1:4b-8

John 18:33-37

Tuesday - Friday 8:45 am Morning Prayer via Zoom

Sunday Service Time: 10:00 am

and Live on Facebook