A Christian community of all ages

grounded in

worship, well-being, and service.

January 3 - January 9, 2026

Resisting the Darkness

In her Christmas sermon, Jennifer invited us to

. . . practice resistance. 

We Resist the darkness - the people who walk in darkness see the light as we practice joy, hope, and peace.

Singing is resistance. So we sing whole heartedly and with great joy. And we sing together. Because…

Community is resistance - we gather for worship and so much more. We take care of each other. We who know we belong, we offer welcome to all people, without exception. We laugh and cry together. We play and pray together, we eat together, work together, serve together. Because…

Service is resistance. We practice humble and practical service beyond our community. This reminds us always that love is the most powerful force in the universe. It kindles our hope. 

This first eNews of 2026 offers us many opportunities to practice resistance. Especially note the January Family Dinner which offers us the chance to serve as make Blessing Bags to distribute. Likewise, the Ministry Fair offers time to find to serve inside of our walls as well as beyond.

Please join in the opportunities that are available in the coming weeks to practice resistance at St. Mary's.

Highlights in the Coming Weeks

Saturday, 1.3 - -

• 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. -- Christian Meditation. Southside classroom, Parish House.
• 6:00 -- Bites and Beverages, Parish House.

Sunday, 1.4 -- Tuck Fund deadline. Apply online.

Monday, 1.5 -- First round of ministry reports due.

Tuesday, 1.6 -- 6:00 p.m., Celebration of New Ministry for the Reverend Canon Meaghan Brower, Trinity Church, Newport.

Wednesday, 1.7 -- 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Family Dinner details. Signup to help and signup to attend.

Thursday, 1.8 -- Soup Kitchen, St. Paul's UMC, Newport.

Friday, 1.9 -- 11:00 - noon, Bible study resumes. Adult Ed room, Parish House. Will be on Matthew 26:1 - 27:56.

Sunday, 1.11 -- 11:15 -- noon, Ministry Fair, St. George's Chapel.

For a calendar of all of St. Mary's activities visit our website.

Worship

Click on the image for this week's bulletin.

Join us in worship at 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays or 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. The liturgical ministers for our worship services are listed in the bulletin.

Worship on Sundays at 10:00 is live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Use the comment section to say hello if you use Facebook.

You also can listen to the Gospel reading and sermon at your convenience on Apple Podcasts and Podbean. They are available by 6:00 p.m. on Monday.

We are trying to make better connections between those who are in person and those who are at home.If you miss worship on Sunday and just want to hear the sermon, you can listen to it online.

Prayer requests for individuals can be added to the prayers of the people on Sunday mornings and in the daily evening prayers by contacting Parish Administrator, Karen Laroche. We typically keep people in the prayers for one month.

Well-Being

Ministry Fair

Come join in St. Mary's community life at our Ministry Fair on Sunday, January 11 at 11:00 in the St. George's Chapel.

The fair offers an excellent opportunity for new and old members alike to see how they can connect and serve at St. Mary's. You will be able to learn about a ministry, signup to serve, and even connect a name with a leadership face!

The ministry leaders are excited to share with you what is happening at St. Mary's and have creative ways to do so. See firsthand how you can share your time and talent as an active member of our community. Your participation is vital to the life

of St. Mary's. Join us for fellowship and refreshments, and discover how you can make a difference through service.

Service

Thank you . . .

St. Mary's members donated 467 pounds of nourishing non-perishable food to the MLK Center Food Pantry in November, our largest amount this year. Thanks to all who left donations in the entries to the church and Parish House.

The MLK Food Pantry serves all in need throughout Newport County.

See you at the Ministry Fair on January 11!

Jon Edwards

Other Community Events

St. Mary’s members Fiona and Jude Somarriba are performing in Newport Children’s Theater’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and would love to see their St.Mary’s family there!

Click on each picture for details.

For all other types of communication:

Contact the Rector if you'd like it verbally announced at worship. 

Contact Parish Associate for Administration Karen Laroche to be included in writing in the weekly worship bulletin.

Image credits: Richard Grosvenor, Historic Church, watercolor, used with permission.

Stay Connected:

http://www.smcportsmouth.org/