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St. Mary's Episcopal Church
Stone Harbor, New Jersey
All are welcome. Please join us!
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Sunday Service - 10:00 am | |
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WELCOME HOME!
Worship with us:
Sunday Service Time: 10:00 am
in person and Live on Facebook
Ascension Sunday
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Prayer for the Feast of the Ascension
Almighty and Everlasting God,
whose blessed Son, our Savior Jesus Christ,
ascended far above all heavens that He might fill all things:
Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to His promise, He abides with His Church on earth, even to the end of the ages.
On this sacred day, as we commemorate His glorious Ascension,
renew our hope and fill us with your divine confidence.
Lift our eyes and our hearts heavenward,
not only to follow His majestic ascent
but to behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Grant us clarity to see Your promises fulfilled,
to recognize Christ's presence in our daily lives,
and to trust in His abiding love that guides us through every trial.
Raise our vision, that in looking upward,
we might also look inward and outward,
seeing the world as a place for Your grace to manifest through our actions.
As Christ ascends, let not our hearts descend into despair,
but soar with renewed vigor, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Help us to live in the eternal hope of our ascension with Christ,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
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A Prayer for All Mothers on Mother’s Day
Loving God, on this day of celebrating your love reflected in the lives of all mothers, we give you thanks for the mothers among us and those who have passed on, for their love, dedication, and the sacrifices they have made in nurturing and guiding us. Bless them with your own special love on this day.
We remember all those who have nurtured us, who have held us and taught us, who have been firm and kind, and who have followed your example in their daily lives. We pray that their lives may be graced with your peace and your protection.
May we reflect the love they have shown us by living lives of compassion, kindness, and bravery. Inspire us to love in full measure not just today, but every day, and to show our gratitude not merely in words, but through our actions and our lives.
We also pray for those who find Mother’s Day difficult. Comfort those who grieve, who face the day without their child or their mother, and give strength to those who yearn to be mothers. Let them feel your presence and find peace and solace in your unwavering love.
Bless all mothers today with joy and love; celebrate them for the gift of life and love they have shared with us.
In your holy name, we pray,
Amen.
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Strawberry Fest May 26th! | |
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Join Us for the Annual Strawberry Festival at
St. Mary's! 🍓✨
Come one, come all! We’re thrilled to invite you back to our much-anticipated Strawberry Festival on Sunday, May 26th at St. Mary’s! Last year, we welcomed over 300 guests, and this year, we aim to make it even bigger and better.
Date: Sunday, May 26th
Time: 6:00 - 8:00
Location: St. Mary's Church
Celebrate Community and Sweetness!
Dive into the sweetness with fresh strawberries, along with a myriad of homemade treats prepared by our loving community members. But that’s not all—our local merchants have outdone themselves this year with some incredible donations for our raffle baskets. It’s a chance to win big while supporting a great cause!
We Still Need Your Help!
To make this event as delightful as last year, we need generous donations of whipped cream, and we're also seeking small bowls, cups, and plates to serve up our strawberry treats. Every little bit helps in making this day special for everyone.
And don't forget, we will have a wash and prep party to prepare.
Why Join Us?
Not only is the Strawberry Festival a fantastic way to spend a day full of fun, laughter, and community bonding, it’s also a crucial fundraiser for our ongoing projects. Your participation means more than just a great time—it supports our community and our goals.
How to Get Involved:
Bring Supplies: Sign up in the Hall to bring goodies or essentials.
Enter the Raffle: Don’t miss out on our fabulous raffle baskets.
Volunteer: We always need extra hands!
Come for the strawberries, stay for the fun, and leave with a heart full of joy. We can’t wait to see you there!
For more information and to RSVP, please contact Lisa Lisala0329@gmail.com or Dina ziels@comcast.net
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Recovery Ministry at St. Mary's | |
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12 Step Meetings in the Church Hall
Monday 7:30 pm - Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Tuesday 8:00 pm - Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
(Tuesday, Alanon Summer Meetings start 5/28/24)
Tuesday 7:15 pm - Alanon Beginner's meeting in the Chapel
Tuesday 8:00 pm - Alanon meeting in the Chapel
Wednesday 7:00 pm Recovery Eucharist
June 26th, July 24th, August 28th
Thursday 7:00 pm - Big Book Meeting (AA)
(Friday Alanon Summer Meetings start 5/25/24)
Friday 10:00 am - Alanon
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Read, Reflect, Respond, Pray - Forward Day by Day is an inspiring daily devotional to begin your day with.
The May, June, July issue is now available 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 one to you, please let the church office know and we will be glad to send it.
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To All of our members and friends
Please consider making a donation or pledge for 2024 if you haven't already.
Your support of our mission and ministry is important to us.
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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.)
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Setting up a personal online banking "bill pay" option. The bank will mail the check for you to the church office.
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Online giving through our website at https://www.stmarysstoneharbor.org/
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St. Mary's Membership Audit | |
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Dear Beloved Members and Friends of St. Mary's,
As we continue to navigate the evolving journey of our parish community, we find it increasingly important to understand and embrace who we are and where we are headed. With this goal in mind, we will soon undertake a Membership Audit. This process is essential in helping us gain a clearer picture of our congregation, which in turn will guide our decisions and initiatives moving forward.
At St. Mary's, membership has traditionally been based on the sacrament of Baptism, a beautiful and inclusive marker of our faith. However, this broad criterion, while spiritually significant, poses practical challenges in distinguishing between Active and Non-active members, especially given our unique position as a seasonal church community.
Our aim is not merely to update records but to deepen our connection with each one of you. We understand that this audit may lead to inadvertent errors, such as mistakenly categorizing active members as nonactive, particularly among our seasonal members who cherish St. Mary’s as their spiritual home away from home.
We ask for your patience and understanding as we undertake this necessary step towards better stewardship of our community resources and more effective ministry. If you are a seasonal member, or if there are any concerns about your membership status, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to me at your earliest convenience. Ensuring your inclusion and recognizing your valued part in our community is paramount to us.
Thank you for your continued support and for the love and grace you share with our community. Together, we strive to make St. Mary's a beacon of faith and fellowship, rooted in the love of Christ and dedicated to serving each other and the world around us.
With gratitude and prayers,
Mo. Allison+
Rector, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
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Who Are Members?
The Episcopal Church does have membership criteria. These aren’t meant to say who is "in" or who is "out", but instead, to establish who has taken an intentional step to be part of a worshiping community and who is either still discerning or someone we should invite to join us on this faith journey!
Church membership is defined by the canons of the Episcopal Church, specifically Title I, Canon 14 and Title 1, Canon 17 along with the Diocesan Constitution Article XIV and Canon 5.
That said, there is only one standard of membership in the Church, which is Baptism.
Baptism
In the Episcopal Church a member is a person who has received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism (with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit) whether in the Episcopal Church or another Christian Church, and whose baptism has been duly recorded in the Episcopal Church.
If you have been baptized, it should be recorded in the Church Register (a book used to keep track of such things). If you know you were baptized but don't know if it was ever recorded in that church’s Register, you can contact them and ask, or you may provide the church, city, and approximate date to the Parish Administrator and they will look into it. If we find it wasn’t recorded, your baptism can be recorded in our Church Register, and even if it was recorded at another church, we would like to add you to the list of “Baptized” in our Church Register.
Communicant / Adult Communicant
A Baptized Member (i.e. baptism is recorded) who receives Holy Communion at least three times during the preceding year is a Communicant. A Communicant who is at least sixteen years of age is considered an Adult Communicant.
Communicant in Good Standing
A Communicant who, for the previous year has been faithful in corporate worship at St. Mary's (i.e. you come to church, unless for good cause are unable to do so) and have been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God is a Communicant in Good Standing. “Giving” is most easily reflected by monetary gifts but isn't required to be.
Being a Communicant in Good Standing is often the criteria for being elected to leadership positions. You also are required to be a Communicant in Good Standing to be a Convention Lay Delegate, which is why after an election we provide a form to the Diocesan Office on which the Rector, Warden or Clerk affirms that you are.
If you are Not a Communicant in Good standing, you will be removed from the "Active membership database"
What about Confirmation and Reception?
You may have noticed the membership criteria above doesn't include Confirmation or Reception. This is because Confirmation isn’t about membership, but the mature public affirmation of faith and the commitment of an individual to the responsibilities of their Baptism, and Reception is a way for those confirmed in another denomination to be formally welcomed into the Episcopal tradition.
***Membership Transfers from Another Episcopal Parish***
Members of the Episcopal Church (Baptized, Confirmed, or Received) are usually recorded in the parish register of the church where they worship. If you would like your membership transferred from another Episcopal church to St. Mary's, please contact our Parish Administrator. She will contact your previous church and arrange for a transfer of your “letter", as it is often called. Upon completion, we will record your name in our parish register. If for some reason your name was not recorded in that church’s register, the rector may approve registration in our parish register.
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St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop | |
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Are you spring cleaning - cleaning up and cleaning out? St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift and Furniture Shop welcomes your household goods, clothing and furniture in good useable condition.
Donations may be dropped off on the first Saturday of the month, and Tuesdays and Thursdays 10-3. We appreciate all you give.
Located in the Village Shoppes, 1304 Rt 47 South, Rio Grande.
609-886-7272
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 4 pm
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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!
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Sunday Service - 10:00 am | |
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- May 19th Vestry Meeting
- May 26th, Strawberry Festival, 6 to 8 pm
- May 27th, Memorial Day Celebration
- June 2nd, Diocese of NJ Pride Sunday
- July 6th, Worship at the Beach 5:30 pm
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Tuesday - Friday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom
Sunday Service Time: 10:00 am
and Live on Facebook
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