WEEKLY eNEWS

October 31, 2026



All Saints' Day

Dear Friends,



I can recall with surprising detail the Saturday morning in October of 2000 when my stepfather, Bill, died. I always know the year of his death because I was pregnant with my second child, Bella. His death had been peaceful, but entirely unexpected.

As my husband, Mike, my three-year-old, Lydia, and I made the trip to Boston where he lived with my mom, I remember our conversations in the car. Lydia wanted to know if Grampa Bill would be with a friend's recently deceased dog. From the back seat she asked, "Will Grampa Bill be running around in heaven with Austin Lily?"

While I loved this image, I had no idea what I believed about her suggestion. I could not say with certainty that they would be running around, playing catch in heaven, though I do remember saying, "I hope so!"

I also remember that in addition to the grief I felt, I was sad that Bill would not meet or be able to hold or play with Bella after her birth. He had been such a good grandpa to Lydia. I hoped that somehow Bella and Bill would be able to connect in a spiritual way, perhaps with God in another age. I wondered if this is how life happens when we are baptized in the communion of saints.

Often, when loved ones die—just as in times of joyous celebration—we live with a bit more depth and curiosity. There is something about death and new life with God that stirs deep questions within us. As Christians, these times of holy disruption, whether in grief, joy, or mystery, are often times of connection and hope. The moments that surround such events are good teachers—a fertile place where seeds of faith are planted and take root.

November 1 is the feast of All Saints' Day. It is a rare moment when the connections between the living and the dead—the past, present, and future saints of God—meet here on earth. In Celtic spirituality, this is often called a "thin place."

When you come to worship this weekend, we will experience this thin place together in two profound ways:

• Remembering Our Beloved Dead: We will honor our family and friends who have died. Please bring photos of your loved ones to church with you; we will place them at the altar during the service as we lift up their names.
• Welcoming New Life: We will celebrate the Holy Baptism of our two youngest, newest members of the Body of Christ: Thomas David Borges and Sora May Hunter-Hadley.

"It is a rare moment when connections between the living and the dead -- the past present and future saints of God meet here on earth."

Thin places can be actual places—a churchyard, a place in nature, a church, an altar, or another holy space. Thin places can also occur in time, as on the feast of All Saints', anniversaries, or other moments set aside for prayer and reflection.

In these thin times and places of deep reverence, we are often reminded that we are not alone; we are a part of a great communion in the Body of Christ. This communion is a community beyond anything we can imagine. It includes capital "S" Saints, as well as regular saints like Grampa Bill and those remembered in the photos you will bring to the altar this week.

This communion includes all the baptized—you and me, and all those with whom we pray in heaven and on earth. And this week, in the thin place at the baptismal font, Thomas David and Sora May will join the great communion of saints.

We are a thick community of unnumbered saints! Let the feasting begin.

In Christ, 

Jennifer

P.S. Following our feasting at Holy Communion, we will continue our celebration at a special coffee hour hosted by Lauren Lema for the newly baptized! Our feasting continues in the parish house. Thank you Lauren!

For Reflection

1. As we prepare to place photos on the altar, take a moment to picture the "regular saints" who passed the faith down to you. What is one specific way their spiritual legacy lives on in your daily choices?

2. Are there any times or places that feel as if the veil between the physical and spiritual world is thinner than usual? What are they?

3. What is a holy disruption you have experienced recently, and what did it invite you to notice?

Because You Give

REAL PEOPLE, REAL IMPACT

Our 2027 annual giving campaign, “Step into the Circle,” invites each of us to reflect on the gifts we receive through St. Mary’s and how our own giving helps sustain this community.

Every gift, large or small, helps make the work of St. Mary’s possible.

Make your pledge online.

Two Weeks at a Glance

Our Google calendar is updated and now available on our new website.

For a full listing of St. Mary's events, check our Google calendar.

You're Invited

November Family Dinner

We'll provide the turkey and gravy, and you bring the sides for a potluck Thanksgiving Family Dinner on Wednesday, November 4.

Our evening will be centered on giving thanks, sharing gratitude for all that God has done, and enjoying one another’s company with some good old-fashioned family fun!

This is one Family Dinner you won’t want to miss. We hope to see you there!

Details and signup are online. RSVP by 9:00 PM Sunday, 11.1.

If you'd like to host the December dinner and have questions, contact Jerry Culver.

Celtic Spirituality

Greg and Jennifer complete their four- week series on Celtic Spirituality Sunday at 11:15 in St. George's Chapel in the Parish House.

No registration or previous attendance is necessary, so please join the circle and learn more about how the sacred and ordinary are intertwined.

Come Worship with Us

WEEKENDS AT ST. MARY'S

5:00 PM, SAT | Holy Eucharist

Historic Church

10:00 AM, SUN | Holy Eucharist

Historic Church

Click on the image above for the Saturday service bulletin.

Click on the image above for the Sunday service bulletin.

4:00 PM, SAT | Christian Meditation

Lower Level | Parish House

Don't forget your photos -- no larger than 8x10 for worship this weekend!

Ministry Opportunities - Help Wanted

Sign Writer

The St. Mary's sign on East Main Rd. is a primary way that we communicate with the wider community about what we are doing here. 

For three years Sara Barker has had a ministry of inserting the changing messages. Thank you Sara for your care in sharing the good news on the sign!

We need a new sign writer.  The staff comes up with the wording and the sign writer inserts the letters, typically once or twice a month. If you are able to offer this monthly ministry, please be in touch with our Pastoral Administrator, Karen Laroche.

Holiday Lighting Ministry

Since Advent of 2020 we have been lighting our St. Mary's campus as a ministry to our local community as well as adding beauty for all who enter our grounds. 

Marlo Pratt had the original vision for this ministry during COVID and for six years she and her family have continued the tradition. We thank her for her ministry of lighting the way and for passing the torch!  



We need a new coordinator and team to light up St. Mary's. If you are willing to coordinate or help out with the decorating, we have supplies and support for you. Either way, please be in touch with Jr. Warden, John Corbishley. 

Have an announcement?

Please use this form to digitally share information about your ministry. This enables those who are working on the eNews, website, and Facebook (and other social media) to have the information in one place and accessible to everyone who needs it. The deadline for publication in eNews is noon on Wednesday before publication on Friday. If you have questions, please contact website@smcportsmouth.org.

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/