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Sunday
Readings
Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation
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Welcome to St. Mary's!
We are a vibrant Episcopal church, located on the barrier island of Stone Harbor. Our congregation includes 180 households from the Seven Mile Beach and offshore communities. We are active throughout the year with a variety of church functions, substantial outreach projects, a choir, and an energetic youth program.
And we are growing, beyond our island home into Cape May County...
- through Partners in Ministry, an exciting initiative with St. Barnabas by the Bay Mission, Villas,
- the realization of a thrift shop in Rio Grande and its expansion with a furniture annex, and
- the establishment of a partnership center, The Branches, a common space for St. Mary's and St. Barnabas to do ministry in Cape May County effectively. These ventures are moving us forward in hope, growing the ministry of the Episcopal Church in Cape May County.
 We invite you to join us as we strive to accomplish God's work and to discover his presence among us. We welcome you to St. Mary's website, and hope that you will join us at St. Mary's in worship!
The Rev. John W. Sosnowski, Rector
The Rev. Debra K. Bullock, Assistant to the Rector and Vicar of St. Barnabas
The Rev. Ronald Lockhart, Assisting Clergy
Celebrating our Centennial 1910 - 2010
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 News
&
Notes
Check the calendar for upcoming dates
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Help those affected by Haiti earthquake
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Following a catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, Episcopal Relief & Development is reaching out to the Diocese of Haiti to both address immediate needs and prepare for long term rehabilitation work. ERD has disbursed emergecy funding to the Diocese of Haiti to help meet critical needs such as food, water and shelter for those affected. They are standing ready to support the country's ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts in the days to come. Please pray for the more than three million people who have been affected by the earthquake. To give monetary help to ERD, checks payable to Episcopal Relief & Development may be sent to PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. Click here for the link for Episopal Relief & Development to read about their efforts and see how you can help.
HEALING FOR HAITI- A special service of music and prayer featuring an outstanding array of instrumentalists and singers will be held on Sunday, Feb. 7th at 3 pm at Cape Island Baptist Church, Cape May. An offering will be taken for the American Friends Service Commmittee who has sent $100,000 for medical needs and 10,000 meals for 100 days.
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| Souper Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7th
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Wear your favorite team jersey and enjoy some soup & bread at coffee hour after the 10 AM Service next Sunday as our Church School participates in Souper Bowl Sunday! They will be collecting donations at both services for the Soldiers in Iraq and the children in Haiti. They ask that you also bring a canned good or food item for the local food pantry.
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 We look forward to 2010 - our Centennial year! Check for special events throughout the coming year as we celebrate St. Mary's. If you missed us in the Stone Harbor Christmas Parade, click on the boat for a picture/video.
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 Thank you to all who supported our Advent giving tree project, made donations towards our Christmas food boxes, helped with the hot lunch program through the United Way in Wildwood, and provided gifts for the thrift shop "Unique Boutique."
Our goal was met and we were able to provide 100 families with Christmas dinner and many extra pantry staples thanks to the generosity of this congregation, the many friends of St. Mary's, and the deep discounts given by Shop-Rite in Rio Grande. Neither snow, pouring rain, sleet or high winds kept our volunteers from getting the job done! Click on the truck for a glimpse of their work at The Branches.
St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop "Unique Boutique" was a sell-out success in so many ways! Our visitors shopped and enjoyed a buffet lunch & Christmas desserts. Fellowship abounded. Everyone - our workers and guests - had the best time!
St. Mary's is blessed with a congregation who gives so generously of time, money & talent.
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 Church School continues for our young people on Sundays at 10 AM. If you would like to enroll your child or help with the program, contact Dina Ziemba, our Church School Director, or call the church office.
Click on the picture to see picture video of the children's Christmas Pageant 2009.
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| Children's Community Treble Choir
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Our Treble Choir - children's choir - is open to everyone in the community. Whether or not your family is a member of St. Mary's or any other church, we invite your child to join us for this unique opportunity. Boys and girls are welcome, ages 8 to 13. No prior musical experience is necessary. Learn, have fun, make new friends! The choir rehearses one hour per week and sings at the 10 AM Service on several occasions from October through May. For more information, click here, contact the church office or our organist/choir director, JoAnne Blackwelder.
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Women's Bible Study
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Busy Women's Coffee & Bible Study Group!
What: Uppity Women of the Bible
When: Mondays at 5:30 PM
Where: The Branches
Uppity Women of the Bible is a DVD-based series featuring Hebrew Bible professor Dr. Lisa Wolfe. Combining careful scholarship with humor and fresh insights, Dr. Wolfe presents a lively, thoughtful discussion of Ruth, The Song of Songs, and Judith in 10-15 minute snippets (a sample segment can be viewed here).
Please feel free to invite your women friends and be sure to let us know if you'll be coming by. Click here to join the group and learn more.
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Lenten Program
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All are welcome to join us on Thursday, Feb. 18th and for six Thursdays during Lent for a Lenten Study based on the book, Life on the Vine, by Philip Kenneson. We begin with a soup & bread supper at 6 pm; study follows at 6:45 pm. If you would like to purchase a copy of the book in advance, sign up in the parish hall, or contact the office.
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Movie Night
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Join us at The Branches for a movie & discussion night every 3rd Sunday of the month at 7 pm. Movie on the big screen, donations accepted, official price tag is $0. Bring your own snacks and a beverage or 50 cents for a can of soda from the fridge! Check The Branches page for the monthly selection.
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Weekly events
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D'Vine Time - Looking for companionship, an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a friend to share a joy with, then drop by for coffee & conversation every Wednesday & Saturday from 10 AM to Noon.
Midweek Prayer - A brief noonday service of prayer & quiet reflection is held on Wednesdays - everyone is welcome!
Community Lunch Program - A simple meal of hot soup is served on Wednesdays after the prayer service. Stop by to enjoy lunch, or help out!
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St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shops & Heavenly Scavengers, Rio Grande
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Are your possessions taking over your house? Do you have things you have never used, or will never use again? Clothing you have saved, but haven't worn for the past five years? Then let us help you rid your home of clutter. St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop and Furniture Annex in Rio Grande is doing a booming business and is always in need of merchandise. Your donations of clean, good quality household items, furniture, linens, and clothing may be brought to St. Mary's Parish Hall, dropped off at the Thrift Shop 886-7272, or call 889-6909 to arrange for a pick up.
You can feel good about this too - all proceeds fund projects addressing affordable housing in Cape May County; the shops are providing a good place for our neighbors to get items they need at very affordable prices; and you're recycling!
Our original outreach initiative - Heavenly Scavengers - is also now located adjacent to the thrift shops in Rio Grande, making it easily accessible to agencies and their clients.
Like to get involved? If you have a few extra hours a week, another pair of hands is always welcome! Call the shops or the church office to volunteer, or stop on by - you might find a bargain you can't resist!
Location: Village Shoppes, 1304 Rt. 47 So. Rio Grande, NJ (in the back row of the Shoppes, on Vermont Ave. at 2nd St.) -click here for map
Thrift Shop - 609-886-7272 Furniture Annex & Heavenly Scavengers - 609-889-6909
Hours for both shops: Monday thru Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM (closed Sunday)
The cold temperatures have brought about a great need for warm covers - blankets, afghans, quilts, comforters. If you have warm linens or clothing tucked away that you no longer need, please drop them off at the shops, or contact the office for a pick up. Thank you!
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St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 9425 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor, New Jersey 08247 - 609-368-5922
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