online at https://www.facebook.com/www.stmarysstoneharbor.org at 9 am.

www.stmarysstoneharbor.org

Dearest St. Mary's family,

My heart is full of gladness! Thank you all who participated in making this year's annual meeting such a joyous occasion. From food and fellowship to the meeting at hand, everything was spectacular. We continue to have much to celebrate with all we have overcome, and we are ready and even more so, enthusiastic about our journey ahead. The Holy Spirit combined with the spirit of each of you truly is an inspirational gift to all.

Thank you once again to our vestry members who have served with great dedication. We are eternally grateful for your willingness to give of your time, talent, and treasure, and many thanks to all of you who continue to serve in our many ministries and outreach.

If you were unable to be with us at the annual meeting, I shared a video presentation, which I am including in this email, which shows the vibrant life of St. Mary's over the past year. Please do take the time to watch and see all that we are doing, and then come, take your place, and be a part of building a City of God!

Blessings in Christ,

Mo. Allison+

A copy of the annual report may be downloaded here.

Copies are also available in the parish hall. Please help yourself.

Dear Family,

As you are aware, we are experiencing a winter season that is unlike any other in the recent past. We are once again preparing for a large storm to hit our small barrier island. We are expecting anywhere from 12-18 inches of snow and we do expect flooding in town.

Currently, we are making preparations to close the thrift shop.

Evening Prayer will be canceled for Saturday, and Sunday's service will go on. However, if the roads are not clear, or it is unsafe to travel, I encourage you to stay home Sunday and participate online.

The doors of St. Mary's and our building will remain open for anyone who needs a dry, warm, safe space to ride out the storm. As long as there is the internet, we have TV and Movies, and Hot beverages are always available. Please call or text Mo. Allison's Phone if you are coming to the hall for safe shelter. 551-697-6133

Our snow and ice removal for the year has thus far tallied $3,070.00. We are expecting this storm and its clean-up, should we get the predicted inches, to add another $2,500.00. This exceeds our expected budget line expense. We humbly ask, if you are able, to consider making a donation to help address the cost of clean-up. We would be grateful for any donation you can make at this time. For checks, you may write "Snow Removal" in your memo section, and on Paypal, you may note the same.

Thank you for your consideration. Please stay safe and warm.

Warm blessings,

Mo. Allison+

551-697-6133

All clergy and deputies are invited to attend one or more of the pre-convention hearings to learn more about the budget, resolutions, and canons being presented at the convention.

Meetings will be held via Zoom on the following dates. Register here: https://dioceseofnj.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEucuCtqjMuGdVj8mvHlm76t-sG7eH1bh7X

3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

 

Perhaps the greatest of the many medieval theologians, Thomas was the son of a prominent Italian count. He joined the Dominican Order against the will of his family. He studied at Monte Cassino and at the Universities of Naples, Cologne, and Paris, earning a Master's degree. Virtually his entire life was spent teaching and writing.

His greatest work was the Summa Theologica, a masterful systematic statement of doctrine. It was by no means an immediate success, but time has proven it to be one of the finest intellectual expositions of the Christian faith ever composed. Some three centuries after his death, he was declared a “Universal Teacher” by the church. He was particularly concerned about the relationship of faith and reason. He successfully reconciled the philosophy of Aristotle with Christian doctrine.

Thomas"s intellectual genius was matched by a deep devotion to the Lord and by a rich spiritual and ethical life. He wrote many hymns, seven of which appear in The Hymnal 1982 (numbers 310, 311, 314, 320, 329, 330, and 331).

O God, by whose Holy Spirit is given to one the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, and to another the word of faith: We praise your Name for the gifts of grace imparted to your servant Thomas, through whose teaching we know you better. Amen.

Almighty God, you have enriched your Church with the singular learning and holiness of your servant Thomas Aquinas: Enlighten us more and more, we pray, by the disciplined thinking and teaching of Christian scholars, and deepen our devotion by the example of saintly lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Stone Harbor doesn't usually have much snow but this year has been exceptional, and another storm is forecast for this weekend!

Snow removal and salting our sidewalks and steps has put a huge burden on the church budget, totaling to date $3,070! If you could lend a hand with this expense,

it would be very much appreciated!

A new edition of Forward Day by Day, Daily Devotions for Disciples, for February, March, and April, has arrived. Copies both large and small print may be found in the narthex. Please help yourself. We would also be glad to mail you a copy. Call the church office 609-368-5922 or email [email protected]

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.

Cynthia Schweickhardt on January 28th, Mary Lucile Johnston on January 29th!

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!

January 29th: Evening Prayer is Canceled.

February 3rd and continues weekly: Holy Hour Devotion at 3 PM (chapel)

February 5th: Celebration of Life with Holy Eucharist for Dorothy Haig, 11:00 am.

Feb. 5th: Examen, meditation, and prayer. A service of Hope and Healing with the laying on of hands at 5:30 pm (chapel)

February 12th: Vestry Mini-Retreat 10 am–2:00 pm

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

Sunday 9:00 AM Live on Facebook

Services, studies, and service bulletins may be accessed on our website: www.stmarysstoneharbor.org