We are halfway through August and September is barreling closer every day. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for our combined service and Annual Meeting on September 13. We will have worship at 9 a.m., potluck at 10 a.m. (no fish/shellfish), and the Annual Meeting at 10:30 a.m. If you are a ministry lead, please get me your update for the report.
Looking towards the fall, I have some Adult Formation options that I would like to run past you.
- We are currently watching The Chosen on Wednesday mornings. If you would be interested in watching The Chosen through the Fall, please sign up in the Parish Hall, or let me know.
- Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker Palmer. As we prepare for the general election in November, I’d love to read and discuss Parker Palmer’s Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit. Palmer explores five “habits of the heart” that can help us restore democracy’s foundations as we nurture them in ourselves and each other: (1) An understanding that we are all in this together. (2) An appreciation of the value of “otherness.” (3) An ability to hold tensions in life-giving ways. (4) A sense of personal voice and agency. (5) A capacity to create community. If you are interested, please sign up in the Parish Hall so we can schedule a time to meet that works for most.
- Book of Common Prayer 101: Have you ever had a chance to explore the wonders and delights of our prayer book? Do you know how it’s put together and meant to be accessible for everyone? Do you have questions? If so, please sign up in the Parish Hall to show your interest. I’ll then contact the interested to schedule a time and date for the group to meet.
- Instructed Eucharist: Each year I like to offer an Instructed Eucharist. This means that instead of a sermon on the readings, I instead talk about why we do what we do on Sunday. Why do the colors change? How do we pick the prayers? What is the history and theology behind washing the priest’s hands or adding water to the wine? I’ll cover this and more over three weeks: November 1, 8, 15. If you have a question about the service, please let me know and I’ll try to include the answer in my talks.
There is of course much more that is going on at St. Mary’s, and I hope you will continue to show up as your amazing selves in this truly blessed community.
Prayers and Blessings,
Mother Pippa