St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church
April 30, 2020
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Dear Friends in Christ,
Late last week, Bishop McLoughlin announced that public worship and all parish gatherings in the Diocese of Western North Carolina remain suspended until the end of May. You can read the Bishop's statement -
HERE
. This decision means that the earliest we will be able to gather again will be Pentecost Sunday, May 31st.
Opportunities to gather for worship, study, and fellowship will continue to be offered via Zoom. We are also considering what our parish life will look like when we are permitted to re-open for worship and other gatherings; social distancing and limits on assembly size will be a part of our common life for some time. I look forward to sharing more details in the weeks to come.
Above all, know that each of you remain in my prayers.
Faithfully,
Andrew+
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May 3, 2020
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Morning Prayer
Online at 10:00AM
To join us on Zoom, simply click the link below.
You will be asked to enter your name and e-mail address.
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Sunday Coffee Minute
Are you missing the opportunity to connect with
St. Mary's friends during Coffee Minute?
So are we!
After worship on Sunday, join us at 10:45AM for a virtual Coffee Minute on Zoom.
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This will be set-up as a meeting so that we can see and hear one another, and small groups will be created and rotated so that we are able to mingle with different individuals and families.
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Daily Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer will be offered each weekday morning at 8:30AM in a Zoom meeting room, allowing us to see and hear one another. Click the button below to join.
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Online Giving to St. Mary of the Hills
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Thank you for your continued generous support of St. Mary of the Hills!
Even as we practice social distancing and refrain from gathering for the health and safety of one another, the mission and ministry of the Church is ongoing - Worship, Christian Formation, and Outreach to our community continue in this season.
Please continue to remember us with your generous financial support.
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Gifts can also be received via mail at P.O. Box 14 Blowing Rock, NC 28605.
Joe Raulerson, Financial Secretary, can speak with you about setting up recurring payments to fulfill your pledge. You may reach him via e-mail at [email protected].
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This Sunday in the Rector's Forum we will be talking about reading
the book of Acts together as a parish during the season of Easter. This week, we will be discussing Acts 4:32-8:40. All are welcome!
Join us on Sunday morning at 9:00AM on Zoom.
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I wonder...
For those with children in the home, or the young at heart, click above to watch and engage with a video of the Godly Play story of 'The Parable of the Good Shepherd.'
In Sunday's Gospel passage, Jesus uses the image of a good shepherd to describe himself and illustrate God's tender love for us.
We will also read Psalm 23, identifying God as our shepherd,
our ever-present provider and protector.
This is one of the great stories of our faith, told every year in the season of Easter.
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Joy and Sorrow in our Parish
+ Milo Henry Sawyer was born Tuesday, April 7th in Berlin, Germany. Proud grandparents are Otis and Jean Sawyer. We pray in thanksgiving and joy with the Sawyer family.
+ Myra Thacker, mother of Jay Thacker, died Friday, April 17th in Lexington, NC. A funeral was held on April 22nd and obituary may be viewed online -
HERE
. We remember Jay, Christine, Evan, and their family in our prayers.
As we become aware of births and deaths connected to the life of our parish community, this will be a space to share those announcements, as we have permission, so that we can pray for and support one another amidst all life's seasons. Please contact Fr. Andrew to share announcements of birth or death connected to your family.
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Many organizations in our community are working to meet the needs of our community in these days, most especially those who are experiencing food insecurity.
Below are links to several resources serving our community.
Clicking on the logos below will take you to each agency's website, where you can learn more about their services or make a contribution.
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Diocese of Western North Carolina
Resource Page
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The Diocese of Western North Carolina has set-up a resource page on their website, including online prayer resources, links to parishes in our diocese offering worship virtually, as well as public health resources.
Check out this excellent resource page by clicking the button below.
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An Easter Message from our Bishop
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