The Examen: Healing Service for the New Year
with Laying on of Hands Sat. Jan. 1, 2022 at 5:30 pm
Staying Connected
WELCOME HOME!
Join us this weekend for worship.
Sunday at 9:00 am in the sanctuary, or
The service is also posted on our website
A Note on COVID-19
Beloved in Christ,

My heart is heavy for our nation, state, and community as we endure this latest wave of COVID-19. I have heard from many who have either been exposed to or have currently been diagnosed from near and far. The good news is that vaccines are working to keep these cases, overall, from requiring serious hospitalization. Thank you for doing your part in becoming vaccinated. I have once again returned to wearing a mask whenever I am out in public and am mindful of every interaction for your safety and mine.
I will continue to offer in-person services. However, if you are vulnerable or fearful of attending, I urge you to take good care of yourself, be safe, and participate from home. If you prefer a personal visitation, avoiding gatherings, please contact me and I will come to you where you are following the service.

Be safe, be well, and be at peace,
Mo. Allison+
551-697-6133

"A Challenge for the Epiphany"

So here we are at the beginning of a new year. Maybe resolutions aren't so wonderful, but we should always seek to improve ourselves, so here's a challenge for you to think about. The wise men kept their gaze fixed on the heavens, waiting for a new star to come. Consider this: how many stars are there? And you're going to see a new one appear? However, when Jesus' star appeared, they were able to recognize and follow it.

That's the first challenge: keep an eye out for epiphanies. Some are small, such as the star. Some are enormous, such as Jesus arriving on Earth! Both were signs of God, and both were easy to overlook. All around us, people are having epiphanies. Perhaps you've had one. I know some people think asking God for signs is heretical, but I believe God does provide them on occasion.

I once knew a woman who was looking to buy a car and prayed to God to reveal to her which one to get. She was walking through the dealership when she noticed one with a butterfly sticker. She was a big fan of butterflies, so she regarded it as a sign from God to buy that car!

When I arrived at St. Mary's and noticed the window in my office was of a woman with two children and a dachshund at her feet, I knew I was home. It captured me and reminded me of God's presence in my life and on my journey.

These examples are somewhat banal, yet Scripture has examples of God working in situations that appear insignificant to others but are significant to those for whom God acted. So, teach yourself to be on the lookout for God moments – small epiphanies. Consider how your life will alter once you learn to seek for and recognize God's activity all around you!

Sometimes epiphanies necessitate more than merely noticing them. They could be interpreted as a call to action. This was demonstrated to Moses by the burning bush. It was beautiful evidence of God's presence, yet God called Moses to release his people from Egypt at that very moment. The star the wise men saw was more than simply a pretty sight; it was a summons to action: go forth and locate the newborn king.

The second challenge is to develop the habit of looking for epiphanies or indications of God's presence in your life and to be ready to respond if one of them turns out to be a call from God to go somewhere or do something. It doesn't have to be something spectacular. Have we passed someone who appeared to be in need of conversation or who appeared to be having a particularly difficult day, but we didn't say anything? Then we come to regret it. When the moment of God's appearance arrives, it can be difficult to acknowledge it.

But the great thing is that when we begin to pay attention and notice God's presence around us, and when we begin to obey when we sense the nudge of the Holy Spirit to act, to commit we become nothing less than living epiphanies for others! So that one day, when you're in church and asked to mention God moments or epiphanies, you may respond, "There was a time I was in need, and someone came along who helped me out of nowhere!"

The world is full of epiphanies, whether it's a new star in the sky or the birth of a child. Let us make a resolution to be more attentive this year. And let us resolve to act when called upon this year. Finally, that is how God's kingdom enters this earth – little by little. Never let those opportunities pass us by.

In an effort to be more attentive to the epiphanies and revelations over the past year I am offering a service of healing with laying on of hands using the prayer and meditation process of the Examen. It's something I use in my own life daily, and feel the spirit's call to share it with you now. We will begin this starting this Saturday at 5:30 and will repeat this every first Saturday of the month.

I also am calling all to prayer for a Holy Hour Devotion to sit with Christ, to pray for the State of our World, Nation, and Community, and for those, especially on our prayer list. We will host this Holy Hour of Prayer and Devotion at 3:00 PM on Thursday afternoons in the Chapel.

COVID threw a wrench in our approach to Eucharistic Visitation. I will meet with our Eucharistic Ministers to compose a list of all who are in need of Eucharistic Visitation and Ministers will be sent on the fourth Sunday of every month accompanied by either myself or Jane Carol, our Deacon Intern. My goal is to see and meet the needs of all of you more regularly and in an orderly fashion so no one is missed. I humbly ask for your forgiveness for where I have fallen short during these unprecedented times.

The New Year gives us an opportunity to not merely Examen ourselves, but also an opportunity to Examen ourselves as Community. What have we done well? What have we not done well? What can we do to be better? For this, I need your input and participation. Where would you like St. Mary's to grow? What is your dream or vision for St. Mary's in the future?

I am well pleased with all we have done, and how we have grown outward in the community, but there is more work to be done.

In this new year may your Epiphanies be numerous, may your love grow more deeply in kindness, may forgiveness, compassion, and mercy sustain you, and may God Bless you with His everlasting grace.

In Christ’s love and light,
Mo. Allison+
You may call Mo. Allison for a pastoral visitation at 551-697-6133.
A Magical Christmas Eve
The Christmas Eve service was simply magical. The Holy Spirit was alive and moving through our church pews with fierce love and magnificent joy and splendor. We wish to once again send a huge THANK YOU to Kyle, the String quartet musicians, Cheryl and the Choir along with our two additional voices. The evening was absolutely glorious. A special thanks to our Altar Guild, Julie, and all who volunteered to beautify our church for this special evening and season.

If you missed the service, take a moment to watch and listen. It is well worth your time, you will not regret it.
Help Needed
If you are able and available to take down the greens please contact Lou for scheduling.
Acolytes, Altar Servers and Eucharistic Ministers
Training and review with Mo. Allison is postponed.
Call the office or email to
Schedule your Epiphany House Blessing
Mother Allison is scheduling Epiphany House Blessings for January 6th and 7th. You may also receive your blessed chalk and blessing bag after service this Sunday.

Epiphany (also known as Twelfth Night, Theophany, or Three Kings Day) commemorates a time-honored Christian custom of "chalking the doors." The ritual's formula – is simple: take any color chalk and write the following above your front door: 20 x C x M x B x 22

The letters have two distinct meanings. For starters, they are the initials of the Magi — Caspar, Malchior, and Balthazar — who came to see Jesus in his first home. They also shorten the Latin phrase "Christus mansionem benedicat," which means "May Christ bless the house." The "+" signs signify the cross, while the "20" at the start and "22" at the conclusion represent the year. Taken as a whole, this inscription is performed as a plea to Christ to bless those dwellings and to stay with those who live in them throughout the year.

Chalking the doors is a centuries-old tradition all across the world, however it appears to be less well-known in the United States. It is, however, a simple ritual to embrace and a wonderful practice in which we commit our year to God from the start, seeking His blessing on our houses and all who live, work, or visit them.

In actuality, the timing for chalking the doors varies slightly. It is done on New Year's Day in various regions. It is most typically performed on the traditional Feast of the Epiphany, the Twelfth Day of Christmas. The chalking is usually done after the Epiphany Service, however it can be done at any church, home, or habitation. Traditionally, the blessing is performed by either a priest or the family's head of household. This blessing can be conducted simply by writing the inscription and saying a short prayer, or it can be performed more extensively, involving music, prayers, processions, incense burning, and the sprinkling of holy water.

Many Epiphany Services include the distribution of satchels of blessed chalk, incense, and containers of Epiphany water (holy water blessed with particular benefits for Epiphany). These can then be taken home and utilized to carry out the ritual. Another common practice is to save a few grains of Epiphany incense until Easter to burn beside the Easter candle.

Traditions such as chalking the doors assist us to live our Faith more concretely and serve as an external expression of our devotion to Our Lord. Our homes are also where many of us will make the greatest spiritual strides, via daily prayer, spiritual reading, and work offered as an oblation to God.

The chalking of a home's doors encourages Christians to devote their lives at home to God and others. Seeing the emblems above our doorways might help to remind us, as we go about our daily lives, that our homes and all those who live in them belong to Christ. It also serves as a remembrance of the warm welcome given to Jesus by the Magi. We should endeavor to be as hospitable to all visitors who come to our homes!
Congregational Meeting
Nominations are Happening Now

St. Mary's Annual Congregational Meeting
January 23, 2022
following service
We will elect:

Vestry
Convention Delegates
Convocation Delegates

The finances and annual budget will be presented.

If you are interested in running for any of the above, please contact Mo. Allison or a member of the vestry.
2022 Altar Flower Chart
The 2022 Flower Chart is now posted on the bulletin board in the parish hall. Altar flowers are a wonderful way to honor loved ones throughout the year. Choose a date on the chart and fill in the name of who you would like remembered and by whom. A donation may be sent to the church office. Flowers may be removed after the service and taken home or delivered to a shut-in.
Amazon.Smile
If you shop on Amazon, please remember The Branches can receive a percent of your purchase. It's easy! Simply go to this link https://smile.amazon.com/ch/26-2710178 and shop with your Amazon account as usual. A percent of your purchase will automatically be given to The Branches. Thank you!
Come one, Come All!
Benefit Brunch at FINS.
Congratulations to
The Branches!

The Branches has been chosen to be a recipient of a 2022 Fins Sunday Social Event to be held on Sunday, January 9th from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm!
Enjoy Brunch or Lunch including entertainment. The Branches will receive 50% of the total revenue collected during the event.

So, come out and enjoy a delicious meal and help support The Branches at the same time!

Fins' location is:
142 Decatur St., Cape May, NJ 08204
Happy Birthday to

Holly Best on January 1st
and Michael DeLorey on January 1st!
Contribute to St. Mary's
mission and ministry.
As we rapidly approach the end of another year, we are praying and seeking the Lord’s will for the year that will soon be upon us.

Setting a budget for our church means that we take the time to evaluate the programs that we have been running, explore new possibilities, and talk with our finance people about what it will take to accomplish our goals in the new year.

While we have people in place to help us make these decisions, it is important to remember that we are a body, and each of us has a role to play in bringing the Gospel to a lost and dying world. Stewardship is not just about our financial gifts, but also about using the physical gifts and talents that the Lord has given us to help to advance the Gospel.

We are asking each of you to consider three things over the next few weeks.

• Will you prayerfully consider a year-end gift to the General Fund?

• Will you pray over your finances for the coming year and ask the Lord what He would have you give in 2022?

• Will you identify one area of ministry where you would be willing to step out in faith? This can be anything from serving as a greeter one Sunday a month, hosting a coffee hour, or joining the vestry or finance committee.

We look forward to serving with you in 2022!

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Your dedication to St. Mary's through your communal worship and financial support during these challenging times
helps us to continue in our mission and ministry.

Ways to donate are:

  • The Sunday collection plate

  • Send a check payable to St. Mary's to:
St. Mary's 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.


Mark your Calendars
Looking Forward...
January 2nd: (POSTPONED) Altar training following the 9:00 am service.
January 6th and continues weekly: Holy Hour Devotion at 3:00 PM (chapel)
January 6th and 7th: Epiphany House Blessings
January 9th: The Branches Fundraiser at Fins
January 11th: 5:00 pm Finance meeting
January 11th: 7:00 pm The Branches Board Meeting
January 16th, Following the service, vestry meeting
January 23rd: Following the Service Annual Meeting
February 12th: Vestry Mini-Retreat 10 am–2:00 pm
12 Step Meetings in the Church Hall

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Monday at 8:00 pm
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Tuesday at 8:00 pm

Alanon Friday at 10:00 am

CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR on our website for all activities taking place throughout the week.
Lectionary Text for
The Second Sunday after Christmas
Worship Services
Saturday 5:30 pm (Chapel)
Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church)
Sunday 9:00 AM Live on Facebook
Services, studies, and service bulletins may be accessed on our website: www.stmarysstoneharbor.org