Special Events in September

• Sunday, September 13 marks the return of two Sunday services, at both 8AM and 10AM. Sunday school registration will be available following the 10AM service, and the Sunday school teachers will be available to answer questions.

• On Sunday, September 20 following the 10AM service is our third annual “Welcome Back BBQ” for all St. Mary’s members and especially our new members. Like last year, this will feature a catered lunch from Blue Ribbon BBQ Restaurant, and games and activities for youth and their families.

• September 20 is also the start of the youth Christian Education Program and Acolyte Program. Like this past year, classes for older youth (Grades 4-6) will start at 9AM, while younger youth (K-3) will begin in church for the 10AM service and then be escorted to their class during the second hymn.

• September 27 will be a special music Sunday with Peter Lea-Cox from England once again joining us as a guest conductor for the 10AM service, and also hold an adult educational forum following the 10AM service.

Diocesan Congregational Resource Day

This year's Diocesan Congregational Resource Day will be held at Bentley University in Waltham on Saturday, September 26. Members of St. Mary's who are interested in learning more about best practices from Diocesan staff and other parishes are welcome to join our parish delegation - we will pick up the registration fee - contact Mary Green to let her know of your interest.

This year’s theme is Discipleship, and the workshop topics include a number of ministries which we have identified as important to St. Mary’s, including youth, stewardship, property and outreach.

Margaret Schwarzer is leading a 1:30 PM workshop, “Work to Sustain the World & Ways to Sustain the Workers,” with representatives from Bethany House, an Episcopal retreat center in Arlington, MA. Elisabeth Rippy serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bethany House.

For more information please click here

Registration is now open for this year's Congregational Resource Day at Bentley University in Waltham, a day of workshops to help develop skills and give you spiritual and practical help for joining God's mission in the world. Bring a team from your parish with participants from the vestry, Sunday school teachers, stewardship committees, outreach and mission committees, youth leaders, welcoming committees, webmasters, newsletter editors, EFM participants, building & grounds committee, confirmation mentors and adult education committees. There is something for everyone! All three bishops will be with us for workshops, conversation and reflection.

Photo Archive: Annual Picnic 2005

Rector Search - Procedure for Candidates

The Search Committee has begun to "accept names" for consideration for our next rector.

Prospective candidates for Rector should go to the following page of our website for the most up-to-date information on our Rector Search:

http://st-marys-episcopal.org/Rector_Search.html

Funeral Service for David Hodgdon

A funeral service for Andrew Hodgdon's father, David Hodgdon, will be held on Wednesday, August 19th, at 11am. Refreshments will follow in the parish hall.

Our prayers are with Andrew and his family.

Photo: Peter in Oman

Updates for August 16 - 30, 2009

Update for the Week of Sunday, August 16, 2009
Sunday, August 16
9:45am Childcare
10:00am Holy Eucharist
Preacher & Celebrant: The Reverend Ms. Margaret Schwarzer
11:00am Punch-on-the-Lawn
Monday, August 17
8:00pm AA (6:30 newcomers)
Tuesday, August 18
7:30pm Vestry Meeting

Update for Week of Sunday, August 23
Sunday, August 23
9:45am Childcare
10:00am Holy Eucharist
The Reverend Ms. Margaret Schwarzer
11:00am Punch-on-the-Lawn
4:00pm Wedding
Monday, August 24
8:00pm AA (6:30 newcomers)

Update for the Week of Sunday, August 30
Sunday, August 30
9:45am Childcare
10:00am Holy Eucharist
Celebrant & Preacher: The Reverend Ms. Margaret Schwarzer
11:00am Punch-on-the-Lawn
Monday, August 31
8:00pm AA (6:30 newcomers)

Good News: August 2, 2009

The Good News from August 2 is now available for download:

Good_News_2009_August_02.pdf

This issue includes a short article in memory of Larry Walton, and an article adapted from Margaret Schwarzer's recent sermon "Injustice Happens, So Does Grace".

The Reverend Laurance Washington Walton, 76, of Fort Myers, Florida died July 12, 2009 of pneumonia. Larry served as Rector of St. Mary’s from 1977 to 1991, after having been a supply priest during the summer months while his predecessor, The Reverend William Berndt, ran Camp O-At-Ka. It was during his tenure that St. Mary’s evolved into a lay-led parish.

Larry graduated from George Washington University 1955, earned a Masters in Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary and a Masters in Counseling at New York University. Among his prior assignments, he served in the Episcopal Church, Nicaragua. He was fluent in Spanish. Larry’s last volunteer job was as Rector of Santa Maria Virgen, in El Salvador, where he initiated the vibrant sister-parish relationship with St. Mary’s that survives today.

A memorial service will be held at Church of the Good Shepherd, Wareham, 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2009. His survivors include his wife, Joan of Fort Myers, and a daughter, Patricia Walton McGarry of Wareham.

Update for Sunday, August 9, 2009

Sunday, August 9
9:45am Childcare
10:00am Morning Prayer - Preacher: CJ Coppersmith
11:00am Punch-on-the-Lawn
Monday, August 10
8:00pm AA (6:30pm newcomers)
Tuesday, August 11
6:30pm West Gallery in Parish Hall
Sunday, August 16
9:45am Childcare
10:00am Holy Eucharist
Celebrant & Preacher: The Reverend Ms. Margaret Schwarzer
11:00am Punch-on-the-Lawn

Photos: B-Safe Program Outreach During the Week of July 27, 2009

During the last week of July, many parishioners came together to support the Diocesan’s B-Safe Summer Program. B-Safe is a program started by St. Stephens in the South End that supports intercity children during the year and through the summer with academic enrichment and so much more. St. Mary’s hosted lunch for 3 days at the summer camp located at the Epiphany School in Dorchester. They served lunch to almost 60 children + another 15 councilors each day. The meals were prepared at church each morning. There was much fellowship shared in the kitchen during the chopping and packing. Meals were then brought over to the camp site to be served. Several children from St. Mary’s participated each day. The children seemed to love the opportunity to help out. Thanks to the generous donations of many parishioners, healthy, fresh lunches were served each day. In addition, St. Mary’s organized a field trip to the Peabody Essex Museum on Friday for the group. Reports from the head of the Epiphany School B-Safe program is that our lunches were among the best of the summer and that the tour of the PEM was great. 25 families from St. Mary’s volunteered their time, donated food or helped to sponsor the field trip on Friday. Many, many thanks go out to all these families that participated. If you would like more information on this program or would like to be involved next year, please contact MaryJane Burgess at maryjane520@verizon.net or Alicia Bowman @ alicia.bowman@comcast.net.

Below are photos of the youth and the ten St. Mary's volunteers this past Friday. Due to the rain, the planned outside activities were substituted with a trip to the Peabody Museum and games in the basement of St. Peter's Episcopal in Salem, MA.