A Christian community of all ages

grounded in

worship, well-being, and service.

December 7- December 13, 2024

From the Associate Rector

Dear Friends,

I snuggled a new baby on Monday. 

Those of you who came out to hear The Good Living Band at St. Mary’s this summer will remember that their female singer spent most of the concert sitting down because she was nearing the end of her second trimester of pregnancy. Elizabeth and Adam welcomed baby Lennon into the world in early November, and I was honored that they let me visit to meet him this week. 

You can tell from the picture he’s totally smitten with me...maybe.

There’s something about spending time with a new baby that brings the noise of the world around us down to a whisper. Perhaps it’s because we so treasure sleep with newborns, but the whisper is more a spiritual one than a practical one. Stepping into a home with a new human in it is like stepping into another world - one that revolves around sleeping and feeding and rocking. The rhythm of each day is determined by the smallest person in the room. I spent many precious moments with baby Lennon resting against my heart while I took a turn rocking and swaying, and it made everything in my world feel a little more holy.

In her sermon on Sunday Jennifer talked about our longing for God.  As we move into this brief and sacred season of Advent, I find myself longing for the peace I felt on Monday: swaying and breathing and helping this baby to know that he is wholly and completely loved. 

I truly believe that if we are serious about practicing peace this Advent, we can transform any of our moments into holy ones. We can remember that God is always close. We can quiet ourselves so that we hear God’s whispers. We can take a deep and centering breath and remember that we are wholly and completely loved. Peace is possible - always.

Faithfully,

Meaghan

Highlights

in the

Coming Weeks

Events in blue are special Advent events.

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

Christmas Flowers

If you'd like to honor, remember, or give thanks for someone during the Christmas season, you can do so by donating Christmas flowers.

Envelopes will be available with the greeters at weekend worship or in the church office.

The deadline to submit donations is Sunday, December 15. If you have questions, contact Karen Laroche.

Well-Being

“Blue Christmas”

This dark time of year is not a happy time for many people. They are missing loved ones, or just feeling alone and “blue.” All are welcome to pray, share, and light a candle against the dark night that surrounds us, and to take that light in their hearts.

Join us for “Blue Christmas”service on Wednesday, December 18, at 6 p.m. at Trinity Church, Newport. For more information contact Noel Robinson.

Festive Potluck Coffee Hour

Join in our festive Christmas potluck coffee hour on Sunday, December 29 following the jazz Christmas Lessons and Carols.

We will be providing hospitality to the parish as well as to visitors who will join us to celebrate Christmas with the Lois Vaughan Quintet.

All skills and talents are needed -- preparing food, setting up, cleaning up -- as we share in fellowship.

Signup online to share your talents with the community. If you have questions, contact Murry Edwards.

Service

The MLKCC needs help distributing the gift cards and toys that we have been collecting over the past weeks. If you are available to volunteer, email or call Rebecca Richard (401.846-4828 ext. 103) at the MLKCC.

Click on the Workshop 2024 image to see when volunteers are needed.

1200! -- Number of children anticipated to be served for the Santa's Workshop

This Sunday, December 8 is the last time to bring in gift cards or new, unwrapped toys for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center's Santa's workshop. The Center is encouraging us to support their families in several ways.

• Purchase toys once again!!! A suggested toy shopping list is available online.

• Donate gift cards in $25.00 increments for the 'teens and 'tweens. Please buy gift cards from the following stores:
• Walmart
• TJ Maxx/Marshalls
• Old Navy
• GameStop
• Amazon
• Ulta Beauty

• Purchase gift cards in the amount of $10.00 to Stop and Shop and Shaw’s to help support families in need of holiday food.

Thank you in advance for your love and generosity. If you have any questions, please contact Judy Hall at 401-924-4252 or via email.

Soup Kitchen Ministry

St. Mary's will host the Soup Kitchen at St. Paul's UMC in Newport on Thursday, December 12.

Please share in this ministry by making meatloaf, baking a dessert, offering to cook or serve, or helping with buying and transporting the food to St. Paul's.

As we shared a Soup Kitchen meal at the Family Dinner in November, we understood how this is a perfect opportunity to "love our neighbors."

Signup to help online or contact Dave Ferkinhoff with questions.

St. George's Lessons and Carols

On Friday, December 13, St. George's School will host its annual Lessons and Carols. The school choir, directed by Dr. Kate Longo, will be joined by the Choir School of Newport County. This beautiful service is held in the chapel on campus at St. George's.

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

Stay Connected:

http://www.smcportsmouth.org/