Staying Connected

WELCOME HOME!

Worship with us:

Sunday at 9:00 am

in person and Live on Facebook

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Mother is on Retreat the week of May 8th

There is No Morning Prayer.

Tuesday - Friday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom

Healing services are held at St. Barnabas and

St. Mary's on a rotating schedule every third Thursday.

The next service will be at St. Mary's on May 18th at 6 pm.

Rector's Corner

In the Gospel, according to Mark 6:31-33, Jesus said to them,

' Come away with me. Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest for a while.' Many people were coming and going. They could not even eat.

So they went away in a boat to a lonely place by themselves.

Living a holy life requires intentionality and discipline. Retreats, renewal, and rest are not just nice-to-haves; they are essential practices for living. By making time for these practices, we nourish our souls, deepen our relationship with God, and become better equipped to serve others and live out our calling.

As Christians, we often get caught up in the busyness of life and forget to take time for rest and reflection. The Gospel story of Jesus taking his disciples away to a quiet place to rest is a powerful reminder of the importance of the Sabbath.

Jesus recognized that his disciples were tired and overwhelmed and invited them to come away with him and rest for a while. He understood that rest and renewal were essential to their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus' example and make time for rest and Sabbath. This means setting aside time for prayer, meditation, and reflection and taking breaks from work and other activities.

Resting and renewing our spirits is not a luxury; it is a necessity for a healthy and fulfilling life. When we neglect rest and Sabbath, we become exhausted and burnt out, unable to serve God and others effectively.

Retreats like the one I will be going on next week provide a space for us to disconnect from the stress and distractions of daily life and focus on our relationship with God. Whether it's a silent retreat, a guided retreat, or a retreat focused on a specific aspect of spirituality, the time away can be transformational. It allows us to deepen our understanding of ourselves, our faith, and our purpose.

Retreats also provide a space for Renewal. Engaging in spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, and reading scripture renews our faith and helps us stay connected to God. Additionally, engaging in activities that bring us joy and fulfillment can also renew our spirits and help us feel more alive.

Jesus' invitation to come away and rest is a powerful reminder of the importance of Sabbath rest in the Christian life. Let us follow his example and make time for rest, renewal, and reflection in our busy lives.

Stewardship Minute

Remember to pledge your support!

Pledge Now!

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 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/

Visit our Website

We're having a Painting Party and you and your friends are invited!

Join us in St. Mary's parish hall Saturday, May 6th at 6 pm (doors open 5:45) for a fun get together while we show off our creative sides.

No painting experience necessary! The teachers will guide you through the steps to produce a springtime daisy picture on canvas.

$30 at the door. Proceeds benefit The Branches Outreach.

RSVP saintmarysstoneharbor@ gmail.com so we can know how many easels to have on hand, or sign up on the bulletin board in the parish hall. Hope to see you there!

St. Mary's annual berry delicious Strawberry Festival is still a few weeks away but preparation is underway now! Please think about how you can help with this very successful fundraiser which benefits the church budget. Can you make or serve desserts, set up or clean up? Would you love to create a basket for the raffle? A sign up sheet is posted in the parish hall or contact Dina Ziemba. Please spread the word. Flyers are available. Call the church office if you'd like a few to circulate in your area.

Forward Day by Day

The May, June, July edition of Forward Day by Day daily devotional, both large and small print, is now available in the church narthexes. Please help yourself and take one for someone who would enjoy receiving it. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please let the church office know and we will be glad to send one.

Membership at St. Mary's

Membership at St. Mary's consists of several different groups of "members." Some are Confirmed Communicant Members or who have transferred their membership by Letter of Transfer to St. Mary's. Some are Baptized into St. Mary’s or have requested that their names be entered in the Parish Register. Others are “members” by virtue of the fact that St. Mary’s is their church—the Christian community of which they are a part and where they worship regularly. Still, others are “summer members" or friends of St. Mary's. Many are part of St. Mary’s life, worship at St. Mary’s when in town, and support St. Mary’s financially. Canonically, they are not members in the legal sense, but they are every bit as much members of our parish family as those who are official members.

Please contact the church office if you would like to receive membership forms to be added to our data base.

email: SaintMarysStoneHarbor@gmail.com

You may sign up on our website here.

We welcome you to join us!

Happy Birthday to

Penelope King on May 6th, and

Betty Lou Darley on May 8th!

Happy Anniversary to

Charles & Gloria Parker on May 7th and

Julie & Henry Schellenger on May 11th!

If you would like to be remembered on your birthday or anniversary, please give us your information so we may add you to our data base. Email the church office: jultaylor9425@gmail.com or call 609-368-5922

Coffee Hour

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 on the sheet on the door to the kitchen. Nothing elaborate is required, just a small snack to enjoy with coffee. Thank you!

Altar Flowers

Dedicating altar flowers in honor or memory of, or in thanksgiving for a loved one is a wonderful way to remember someone. If you would like to do so, please sign up on the chart on the bulletin board in the parish hall. After the service, you may take the flowers to enjoy or give.

News from St. Barnabas

St. Barnabas Cares Food Pantry

is celebrating their 15th Anniversary

with an Open House on Sunday,

June 4th from 1 to 3 pm. All are invited to learn about Hunger in

Cape May County and reducing food waste.

Refreshments will be provided.

Question? call 609-886-5960

Click here to view the flyer.

Updated list of needs at The Branches

The Branches Outreach and the Food Pantry continues to feed a lot of people.

Branches is in need of BIG containers of soup (crockpot size) or large casseroles they can keep in the freezer - even something as simple as a large Stouffer's lasagna.

You may bring any casseroles or soup over to The Branches at their new location - 201 Hirst Ave., Rio Grande, NJ - daily from 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM,

If you can't get to Rio Grande, please contact Dina Ziemba 609-780-3142.

She will be happy to pick up your food and take it to The Branches.

ALSO The Branches food pantry is in need of the following: paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, large trash bags (50 gallon), sugar, artificial sweetener, coffee, tea, packages of cookies peanut butter, jelly, salad dressing, feminine products, suncreen, sun protection lip balm, and cases of bottled water.

The Food Pantry is open M-W-F from 9-12 and is located at 1304 Rt. 47 So., Rio Grande, Unit AJ.

Many thanks !!!

Branches offer food, help and more in Rio Grande

Here is a link to a great article printed about The Branches in the Atlantic City press on April 25th!

St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop

Looking to refresh your summer rental or have a room that could use an updated piece of furniture? Then you might want to check out the new FURNITURE SHOP at St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop!

Gold Winner of the 2022 Best of the Jersey Shore thrift shops, the Furniture Shop is a great addition to the home goods, housewares and clothing shops at This 'n That.

And remember the thrift shop when you're spring cleaning and re-organizing. Household items, furniture and clean usable clothing are welcome!

Store Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

Donation days: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am - 3 pm and on the

1st Saturday of the month 10 - 3 pm.

Location: St. Mary's This 'n That

1304 Rt. 47 So., Rio Grande, NJ 08242 609-886-7272

Follow them on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/St-Marys-This-N-That-Thrift-Shop-268676343298636/

John Curtis and Cape Classical Artists

Mark your calendar for the next Cape Classical Artists concert!

On Sunday, May 21, 3:00 pm, enjoy the Beverly Trio, an exciting variety of music of oboe, viola and cello

All concerts are free of charge to the public and are produced in partnership with and held at Cold Spring Presbyterian Church. If you would like to become a sponsor, visit our home page and click on the “Donate” button. 100% of all contributions go directly to the support of our series. The concerts are live-streamed on our YouTube channel.

Visit our website, www.CapeClassicalArtists.com for:

• a link to our YouTube channel

• directions to the church

• a copy of the concert program

• information on becoming a sponsor for yourself or your business

Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 6th - Jane Carol's Ordination 11:00 am at the Cathedral

Saturday, May 6th - Painting Party at 6 pm

Monday, May 8th - 13th - Mother Allison on Retreat

Wednesday, May 17th - Vestry meeting 6:30 pm via Zoom

Thursday, May 18th - Healing service at St. Mary's 6 pm

Sunday, May 21st - 3 pm Cape Classical Artists presents Beverly Trio