A community of Christian worship, well-being and service
 Social Distancing ~ Spiritually Connecting
The week of Nov. 21 - Nov. 27
From the Rector
Dear Friends and Members,

At last Thursday evening's meeting I asked our vestry members to focus as specifically as they could on giving thanks for something in their personal lives and at St. Mary's. As you can imagine, many of us are thankful for family, loved ones and our health. We are also thankful for the relationships and the ministry we share in Christ here at St. Mary's.

Specific thanksgivings for St. Mary's included the new offering of Evening Prayer which had a "soft start" this week on Facebook live at 5:30; the many people who lead and participate in our outdoor worship and those who are joining us online; the pastoral care team that continues to reach out in countless ways to our members; the beauty of our grounds as we have transitioned to another season; the generous response many have made to our annual giving campaign; the lay leaders and staff who are working so hard to keep everything moving forward, those who are preparing our church for an Advent and Christmas like no other; and the lessons we are learning from all that feels so challenging in 2020.

I have seen members and friends touched by the ministry of this church. Recently I witnessed the weakness or deep pain of someone met with love as another member dropped off a meal. I see the women preparing the altar weeks in advance for a filmed service in the historic church. Someone is making Advent wreaths for those who are homebound, and someone else is making our first ever outdoor Advent wreath. Some are getting ready for a children's story hour on Mondays. This weekend, a team has prepared "Advent kits" complete with home devotions, Advent Calendars, and supplies for making a wreath at home.Get yours at worship or stop by the office Tuesday or Wednesday this week.

In these and countless other ways your ministry is making God real in visible, felt ways. I understand the words of St. Paul's to the Ephesians,

" I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus
and your love toward all the saints,
and for this reason I do not cease
to give thanks for you
as I remember you in my prayers."
Ephesians 1:15

Most of us will experience Thanksgiving differently this year, without travelling, or gathering family in from afar. There is a certain solemnity and gravity as we acknowledge the grief and loss many are suffering. Perhaps this is a time to practice our gratitude and find ways to express it as never before. Sharing thanks is a healing practice. When we are grateful, it lessens the sting of many other emotions. I am grateful for all of you and this will bring joy to my table and my prayers.

In Christ and with gratitude, Jennifer+

COVID-19 Updates and Announcements from the Rector

Weather permitting, St. Mary's will continue to worship outdoors and film for those at home. In the event of inclement weather, we will film indoors with a small team of worship leaders and audio visual team. When worship is moved inside for filming on Sunday's, I will offer drive through Holy Communion from 11:45 to 1 p.m.

We ask that as you gather for worship you do not socialize. I know this is very difficult, but it is what our governor has asked us to observe. These are not simple times, but please know that all we are doing is out of an abundance of caution and care for each other and the wider community. Jennifer+


Worship

"I was a stranger and you welcomed me . . . Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
MATT 25 

Worship Ministry Schedule, Sunday Nov. 22nd
Christ The King

Music
Michael Templeton and Julie Zecher

Lector/Intercessor
Ann Gizzi

Altar Guild
Sheila Benevides

Eucharistic Minister
Jennie Nestlerode

Livestream Videographer
Marlo Pratt

Flowers
Elise LaParle Garcia

Audio
David Brierley

Officiant/Preacher
Rev'd Jennifer Pedrick+



Worship Notes
Sunday Service Time 10:30

 
Indoor Worship - At this time we are not able to safely offer indoor worship. In the future when our governor and bishop support indoor worship, we have plans ready to go. 

Drive in and/or bundle up 
We want to encourage people to pack your cars with warm blankets, hats, gloves, and anything else that will increase your comfort and joy at worship. We have increased the amount of space for cars to drive-in for worship. Tune your FM radio to 88.7 for sound.
Christ The King, Sunday Nov. 22
Outdoor service live at 10:30 am.

Advent I - November 29 - Mark your calendars now!
Sunday morning 10:30 - worship online from the historic church. Drive through Holy Communion from 11:45 - 1 p.m. at the historic church. During announcements Paul Westrom will give a brief virtual tour of the interior and share plans for the next phase of our renovation.

Advent I - Sunday, November 29, 2020, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM.  Advent Lessons and Carols outdoors, with a service of light.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." Isaiah 9:2.

This will be a beautiful way to begin the season of Advent together. You may drive in, or bundle up and sit on the lawn to enjoy this beautiful service of reading, music and light. We will light the trees for the first time at this service.

Daily Evening Prayer on Facebook live - Coming soon, lay leaders will be praying the evening office at 5:30 p.m. daily online. You do not have to have facebook in order to particpate in these daily prayers. If you can not make it at 5:30, the service will be recorded and remain on the St. Mary's Facebook page. Watch for it.

Wednesdays in Advent - Drive in for Evening Prayer in the lights at 5:30. Stay in your car to participate in a brief service of Evening prayer and recorded music. Tune in on FM 88.7 from the parking lot, or participate online on our Facebook page.

Online Worship will continue - We are now offering our Sunday worship in real time on Facebook live. In addition, we post the recording on our Youtube channel as soon as it is available. The links are below and in each newsletter. We are truly in need of people who can be trained to record the video. Please contact the rector if you can help with this. 

Worship this week at St. Mary's
You may watch the service in real time, Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. at https://www.facebook.com/smcportsmouth/
A recording will be available at this site soon after worship has finished on Sunday morning.
The link to this week's   Bulletin Here.

Our weekly video worship services will be posted on our website by Monday morning at 9 a.m. at the latest.

Collect For The Feast of Christ The King
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Click here for the  
      We are on Track 2.


To submit a prayer request to our parish prayer list email Karen Laroche, parish administrator.

St. Mary's
Outdoor Worship In The Fields


Thank you to our Worship Coordinator  Marlo Pratt and the teams that make our outdoor worship possible.

Welcome Team 
Murry Edwards, Judy and Bill Hall, Lee Ferriera, David Spengler, Jennie Nestlerode, Tara and Gretchen Alaniz.


Worship Team 
The Rev. Jennifer Pedrick,
Michael Templeton,
Sheila Benevides,
Julie Zecher. 


Production Team:
David Brierley, Hailey Pratt,  
Connor Pratt, Murry Edwards, 
Mattie Gustafson, Carol Brierley, Scott Preuitt.


Safety and Parking Team
David Brierley, George LeBlanc, Steve Bakios, Lynn Carlson LeBlanc, Ray Edler, and Harry Gustafson

Set up/Break Down:
Jon Walker and Matt Spohn





Well Being



Volunteers Lighting The Way--Advent To Epiphany





Melanie and Jenny Williams, Connor and Marlo Pratt













Harry Gustafson and George Carlson and Jon Walker










Jon Walker
Decorating trees from utility bucket

Service


Do you need groceries, errands or help with something else? 
If you need anything please contact the head of our Pastoral Care Team, Pauline Davis. There are many people who can help.  Her email address is here. You may also phone her at 401-871-1453, but she would prefer an email if you are able.




Christmas Giving Tree
With many families struggling we hope to share the spirit of Christmas by providing gifts to local children in need. Gifts will be distributed through the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport, RI, http://www.mlkccenter.org.

In an effort to reduce handling items, the Center is encouraging donors to give gift cards in $25.00 increments. Please consider purchasing gift cards to stores on the Island such as Walmart, Island Books, Barnes and Noble, Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Job Lot. The Center is also collecting gift cards in the amount of $10.00 to Stop and Shop.

The deadline to donate gift cards is November 29th
We will have two envelopes, one for groceries and one for Christmas gift cards at the Welcome Table thru Sunday, November 29th. In addition you may mail or bring gift cards to the office. Thanks to Judy Hall for coordinating this effort. You may be in touch with her with questions: 401-924-4252 or at woofer64@yahoo.com.
Ministries at St. Mary's Campus
Given the current increase in local COVID-19 infection rates, all indoor meetings and ministry must be scheduled and approved by the rector in advance. 

We encourage virtual gatherings and meetings as a way of staying connected.

The Wednesday knitters group meeting is not gathering until further notice.
Twenty Five Handmade Hat/Scarf Sets Donated To The Seamen's Church Institute
Since 1919, The Seamen's Church Institute at 18 Market Square in Newport, has offered hospitality and numerous services to men and women who work or live on the ocean. They are also a Warming Center for many people during the cold weather. The St. Mary's Prayer Shawl Ministry and, St. Mary's members Gladys Mae Walsh and Sally Vanicek, handmade and donated 25 hat/scarf sets and 8 hats to the Seamen's Church Institute.




Feeding our Neighbors in November
During the month of November, we will be conducting a targeted food donation collection for the MLKC. Our targeted items are Pre-made Pie Crusts and Canned Pie Fillings such as apple, pumpkin, cherry and blueberry. These items will be distributed at the food pantry prior to Thanksgiving. You can bring items to worship and leave them at the Welcome Table. Thanks for all you do.
For further information please contact Judy Hall.

Communication & Announcements
If you lead a ministry and wish to share information, please send the content (which should include relevant information, time, date, place, and contact person with email) to:
St. Mary's Leadership and Staff
VESTRY OFFICERS:

Sr. Warden: Murry Edwards: srwarden@smcportsmouth.org
Jr. Warden: Paul Westrom: jrwarden@smcportsmouth.org
Treasurer: Chris Bartlett:  treasurer@smcportsmouth.org 
Clerk: Mattie Gustafson:  vestry_clerk@smcportsmouth.org 


STAFF:

Rector: The Rev. Jennifer L. Pedrick jennifer@smcportsmouth.org
Parish Administrator:Karen Laroche karen@smcportsmouth.org
Pastoral Musician: Michael Templeton michael@smcportsmouth.org
Property Manager: Jon Walker jon@smcportsmouth.org



Our buildings are currently closed due to the Covid - 19 pandemic.
Our grounds, churchyard and outdoor labyrinth are open for walking and prayer.
IMAGE CREDITS ~ Outdoor Worship: Raymond Edler and Murry Edwards
Sarah Gibbs with Mask: Murry Edwards
Watercolor: Richard Grosvenor.