Staying Connected: July 24,2020

Sunday Service

8:00 am and 10:00 am

via ZOOM

https://zoom.us/j/259359235

CALL: 1-646-558-8656 then enter meeting id: 259 359 235 #

MAKE YOUR PLEDGE DONATION HERE

Rector's Corner

Dear Family in Christ,

The Life and ministry here at St. Mary’s, continues to Flourish, to date we have held 210 services since our building was closed. This past Saturday Tom Werkheiser and I joined together to present a Musical Lectio Divina which was seen by more than 355 people, David played a concert on Wednesday via Facebook Live, I Baptized baby Cleo Estelle on Monday on the Beach with the beautiful ocean water, our Virtual

Adult Formation led by Father Gorman continues to enrich the lives of many, we wrapped up a seven week book study with St. Barnabas on the Color of Compromise and continue weekly to engage in our lectionary study, and that’s not all. Our website has been rebuilt with all you need to connect virtually and stay engaged (if you need help connecting, please reach out) - our Thrift Shop is open, and The Branches continues to serve all those in need.

We sure have been busy!

The Finance Committee, The Vestry and Stewardship all met in the last two weeks to plan for our future and address the impact of the COVID-19 closures.

It is important for you to know that recently the virus has personally affected the lives of a few of our members. This has given us pause in moving our plans along too quickly. Based on our surveys and these recent events we have decided not yet to submit our plans to the diocese and to continue online. We are hopeful that we will have a better sense of how deeply the vacation season has affected us all in regard to this virus by our next meeting in August. Know that we are walking in step with other Episcopal Parishes our size and doing everything we can to prepare for a time we can meet in person.

Until such time I wish you peace, good health and safety!

Blessings in Christ,

Mo. Allison+

Musical Lectio Divina

Tune into FaceBook Live

every Saturday at 5:30 pm

for a reading of the Gospel and hymns.

This week:

Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

City Of God, Amazing Grace, Come Thou Font Of Jesus

Yaweh The God Of MySalvation

Music with David

Dear Friends,

Last week I discussed some of the ways counterpoint can be used, and how those uses can influence the shape of a composition. Today I will show you how a related device, called sequencing, can also be used in composition.

A sequence always begins with a motive (a short musical idea). This motive, once presented in its original form, can then be “recycled” by means of transposition (repeating its pattern while changing its pitch). This process can be used extensively, and from it a long sequence can emerge.

For this Sunday’s prelude, I will play the main theme from Bach’s Fourth Organ Concerto. This piece makes extensive use of sequencing. Listen for its clear, festive motives, and how they are continually developed throughout the composition.

Enjoy the music - and until we meet again, take care and stay well!

David

Virtual Adult Formation

Weekly questions for our Virtual Adult Formation can now be found on our WEBSITE.

Make a Difference for Racial Justice

At the July 9th Clergy Town Hall, Bishop Stokes spoke about the work of New Jersey Together, “a growing broad-based, multi-faith coalition in northern New Jersey. We challenge ordinary people in our region to identify problems facing their neighborhoods and city, connect individuals and organizations to multiply their power, and mobilize people to bring about creative and effective change.”

New Jersey Together is planning a statewide virtual action of faithbased & non-profit groups focused on racial and criminal justice. They are focusing on 4 concrete legislative proposals that have bipartisan support and which, if passed, will begin to mitigate the ongoing impact of systemic racism in New Jersey

The Bishop and a goodly number of people from our Diocese participated in the first preparatory Zoom meeting. He urged the clergy and others to participate in the next

event on Monday, July 27th. More details and registration links are at

https://www.njtogether.org/july27)

As you'll see, the organizers are hoping for a team of from 3-10 people from each organization. Mo. Allison has registered and hopes that others will join her. This is a

chance for us to do more than protest or share our concern on social media. This is a chance to make a real and practical difference.