Staying Connected

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Sunday at 9:00 am in person and Live on Facebook

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Rector's Corner


Allow Christ to bring his light to our darkness. 


This time of year, it's hard not to notice the sun setting sooner and rising later. Perhaps our drive home is becoming steadily darker, or our morning routine needs the aid of a lamp. Our bodies likely notice this seasonal shift - we long for sunlight and need it for our physical health. I know my joints are stiff and achy this time of year.


So, too, our minds and souls may be longing for light. Every person here is likely confronting some darkness. It may be tangible darkness like sickness, the loss of a job, or a broken relationship. Perhaps it is more creeping darkness, such as the pressure of constant business, the challenge of forming your children in virtue, or the difficulty of building authentic friendships in a world geared toward the superficial. Maybe it's just profound sadness. This internal darkness can weigh more heavily this time of year as well.


Take a moment to imagine yourself in a dark room. 

Then imagine a lit candle appears in the doorway and enters. What happens to the darkness? Can you see the light scattering the darkness? Can you picture the darkness fleeing before the light?


This is the promise of Advent. It is the promise of a candle in a dark room. The promise of the dawn breaking over the horizon. It is the promise that the darkness cannot stand in the presence of even a tiny light.


This season, then, is a season marked by the growing light. 

As we enter Advent, we become watchers, searching for rays of hope, eagerly awaiting the dawn.


This is not simply a time for shopping and parties. Jesus warns us about such activity and the blindness it can produce. Instead, he calls us to be attentive and ready in a fundamentally different way. Just as we focus on the light of our Advent wreath each Sunday, we are called throughout this season to focus on Christ's light. We are invited to allow Christ to bring his light to our darkness. We are called to stay awake to God, who draws near.


Now is the time for us to awake from slumber, to throw off the works of darkness, to put on the armor of light, and to stream toward the highest mountain, where we can see Christ's light most fully. Let us prepare together for the coming of Christ and celebrate together this Sunday.


A Prayer for Advent


We are waiting, O God, for the day of peace. Give us the will to bring that day through our own simple goodness and hope. Fill us with a patient desire that our work may be holy, and our holiness bright, through the Christ for whose coming we long, and the Spirit in whose presence we live. Amen

A direct and compelling headline



Statement from the Bishop of New Jersey and the Chairperson of the LGBTQ+ Commission of the Diocese of New Jersey Concerning the Recent Mass Shooting in Colorado Springs, Colorado


Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland

Festival of Trees


The Women's Civic Club of Stone Harbor will be hosting the 3rd Annual Festival of Trees on November 25th (10:00am - 8:00pm) and 26th (10:00 am - Noon) at 96th Street and the Beach. The Winter Wonderland Festival of Trees will feature trees and wreaths decorated and donated by area merchants and organizations. The two-day event will showcase creatively designed trees and wreaths on display for viewing and a silent auction. The community is invited to walk through the exhibit and silently bid on their favorites.

Proceeds to benefit Holy Redeemer Food Pantry, Shriners Hospitals for Children and the WCCSH building improvement and maintenance.

Tree Lighting and Caroling


Friday at 5:45 pm

96th Street

Episcopal 101 Formation this Advent

Charlene Snyder is leading Episcopal 101


Sunday's thru Advent following service.


We Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.


As constituent members of the Anglican Communion in the United States, we are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church and are part of the third largest group of Christians worldwide.


We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world. We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church.


Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.


We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.


Come and learn more about who we are in our Faith.

A Vestry Minute

St. Mary's is interested in hearing from any parishioner who may be interested in running for the positions of Senior Warden, Vestry Member, delegate to Diocesan Convention, or delegate to Atlantic Convocation in 2023. To learn more about these positions, please contact Mo. Allison or a member of the vestry.


A brief overview of the responsibilities of each position is listed below:


Senior Warden: The Senior Warden is the lay leader of the parish. He or she, together with the Rector and Junior Warden, form the Executive Leadership team and should be visible to the parish.


Vestry Member: There is typically one vestry meeting monthly, on the third Sunday, after the 9 am Eucharist. Vestry members will be expected to take on leadership roles for the various goals and objectives that the Vestry sets. The Vestry members are the financial stewards of the parish, and as such, they need to review the financial reports provided by the Treasurer and ensure the parish's resources are used wisely. 


Delegates to Diocesan Convention: The Diocesan Convention is a day-long meeting where Deputies represent their parishes by voting on amendments to the Diocesan Constitution and Canon Law, Diocesan resolutions, and for delegates to represent the diocese at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church of America. Before the convention, the diocesan staff holds several preview meetings throughout the diocese and online to review the proposed amendments to the canons and proposed resolutions that will be voted on at the convention. 

 

Delegates to the Atlantic Convocation: The Atlantic Convocation is a single 2-3 hour meeting once a year where the Bishop and diocesan staff share information about diocesan programs and initiatives. Delegates may be asked to vote for Atlantic Convocation officers in the years when elections are held. Delegates may be asked to share information about diocesan programs with our parishioners.

The Diocesan Nominating Committee requests that all the baptized people of our Diocese review the lists of offices to be filled by election, and recommend candidates appropriate for those offices. 


The completed Nomination Recommendation Form

is due by December 31, 2022.

The slate of nominees for the

 13th Bishop of New Jersey

The slate of nominees for the 13th Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey are:


  • The Rev. Canon Dr. Dena Cleaver-Bartholomew, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Rhode Island


  • The Rev. Canon Dr. Sally French, Canon for Regional Ministry and Collaborative Innovation, Diocese of North Carolina


  • The Very Rev. Troy Mendez, Dean, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Phoenix, Arizona


  • The Rev. Dr. Janine Schenone, Rector, Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, San Diego, California


  • The Rev. Dr. Mauricio Jose Wilson, Rector, St. Paul's Episcopal Church Oakland, California


Information on the nominees including a minute video introduction, resumes and sermons are found at www.bishopsearchnj.org


Candidates will visit locations around the Diocese in early January for meet and greet sessions that will allow clergy and congregants to engage directly with them before the Electing Convention.


The Electing Convention will be held on January 28, 2023, starting at 10 AM at Trinity Cathedral and via Zoom. More information on both the meet and greets and the convention will be available in mid-November.


The release of the slate also marks the beginning of the 30-day petition process, details of which can be found on the NJ Bishop Search Web site. That process will close at 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 29.

Stewardship Minute

God’s Blessings


The Scriptures call each of us to a deeper awareness of the wonders of God’s blessings, the gifts that God has showered on us in so great an abundance, and to the challenge to use those gifts and talents creatively and responsibly.

Pledge Now!

PLEASE NOTE: If you are using the paper form you received in the mail to pledge, please return the letter size copy you received. The small slip of paper is for you to keep for your records.

Some ways to support St. Mary's


  • Become a member


  • 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.



Please note: Offering envelopes have been discontinued. Only your name is needed in order for the counters to record your giving.

Visit our Website

Christmas Poinsettias

poinsettias.jpg

As always, poinsettias will help to make our church even more beautiful for the Christmas season. If you would like to dedicate a plant in memory of, or in thanksgiving for, a loved one, please send a note with the following information to the church office by mail or the offering plate on Sunday.

In memory of: ____________

In thanksgiving for: ____________

By: _____________________

Providing a donation will also be very much appreciated. Thank you!

Forward Day by Day

Large print editions of the November, December, January Forward Day by Day, Daily Devotion booklets, are now available in the church narthex. Please help yourself and take one for a friend who might enjoy receiving a copy.


If you would like a copy mailed to you, please let the church office know and we'll be glad to send one.

Ministry Volunteers Needed

Ushers and Greeters

The ministry of ushering is a crucial part of worship because it is one of the most visible ministries in the church. In Christ, you have received God’s unconditional love, and in Christ, you are called to extend that same unconditional love to others. Although an usher’s love is no stronger than the love found in the whole congregation of the body of Christ, nevertheless, the usher performs a major role in ensuring that people see and experience that love.


The ushers distribute bulletins and greet worshipers, making every attempt to make them feel welcome and at ease. The ushers are also available to answer questions of anyone needing assistance.


Please contact Mo. Allison or Julie if you are interested.

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

OR

You may sign up on our website here.


We welcome you to join us!

New Church Directories

New Church Directories have been printed and are available in the parish hall. Please help yourself to a copy.

If you are not in the Directory and would like to be, please let the church office know. If your information needs correction, please also let us know.

Happy Anniversary to

Dean & Beth Blair on November 28th

and

Janet & Norman Proulx on November 30th!

If you would like to be remembered on your birthday or anniversary, please let the church office know so we can add you to our data base.

If you would like to honor a loved one on their birthday or anniversary with altar flowers, please sign up on the altar flower chart in the parish hall. The flowers can be taken from the altar after worship. 

Sunday Altar Flowers

The flowers on the altar last Sunday were given

by Sandra Harmon-Weiss in loving memory of Richard Weiss,

this Sunday by Melanie Pfizenmayer for Marissa Debsay.

St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop

Gold Winner of the 2022 Best of the Jersey Shore

Looking for a special gift, something unique, or a few more Christmas decorations? Come check out the GOLD Winner of the 2022 Best of the Jersey Shore thrift shops - St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop! And remember the thrift shop when you're doing your fall cleaning. Household items and clean usable clothing are welcome!

Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

Donation days: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am - 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/

Do you have a free turkey, ham or chicken?

The holidays are here. We at Branches have much to be grateful for. However, there are those who are struggling to feed their families. Our Food Pantry is working hard to meet the needs of these folks. If you have a turkey, ham, or chicken that you have received as a bonus from your supermarket, we would appreciate it if you would donate it to our Food Pantry. You can leave your donation at Branches Food Pantry M-W-F from 9-12. Or, you can bring it to our new Branches building at 201 Hirst Ave. from 8:30-1:30, M-F and Sat. from 10-12. Thank you in advance if you are able to help us meet the needs of so many who are struggling during these difficult times. As we always say at Branches, “We could not do what we do without you.”

Upcoming Events

Sundays after worship (except on Vestry Sunday)- Adult Forum Book Study for Advent - Episcopal 101

Join Mother Allison and Pastor Eloise for Caroling 'round the Clock - Saturday evening before the Christmas Parade on 96th St. at the Clock.

  • November (Date TBD) Thanksgiving service/breakfast
  • November 25th-26th (Women’s Club Festival of Trees Donation)
  • December 17th – 7:30 pm at Cold Spring Presbyterian, Production of Handel's Messiah with John Curtis, and Mo. Allison as Narrator
  • December 21st – Blue Christmas

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.

1 Advent

November 27, 2022

Isaiah 2:1-5

Romans 13:11-14

Matthew 24:36-44

Psalm 122

Worship Services

Tuesday - Thursday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom

Sunday 9:00 AM in person (church)

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