THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT.

February 21, 2021

TODAY AT ST. MARY’S

10.30  A.M. MORNING PRAYER WITH HYMNS AND SERMON. Beth  preaching.

• GODLY PLAY for children 3-6 years via zoom. Today’s story is ‘Lent-Thirty Pieces Of Silver’ Matthew 26:14 – 27:5.

• FAITHQUEST (for children 7-13 via zoom). Today we continue with the story of Jacob and Esau with a Divine Diversions workshop  – led by Len.

1.00 P.M. “BENEDICITE” WALKING GROUP meets this afternoon under the Lych Gate at ST. Mary’s  for a guided prayer walk . “O ye ice and snow bless ye the Lord, Praise Him and Magnify Him for ever!”

4.30 P.M. FASTING FOR FEEDING. Today we will be joining together on zoom to cook Sweet Potato. and Chick Pea Stew. Please see attached recipe for ingredient list. To join in, please go to: this link . 

PARISH LIFE NOTES

ST. MARY’S ANNUAL MEETING was held last Sunday afternoon via video conference with 40 parishioners in attendance. We received the 2020 Annual Reports and Financial Statements, and approved the budget of $224,996 for the coming year. Beth was the Rector’s appointment for Churchwarden, and Mary was the elected Churchwarden. Returning to serve on the Vestry this year are: Katherine, Bob, Nathaniel, Alanna, Tom. New members of Vestry are: Andrew and Ben. Special thanks to Dave for chairing the meeting, and to Janice, who retired from serving as churchwarden.

PLEDGE FORMS FOR 2021. The churchwardens ask that parishioners fill out and return paper pledge form that was mailed out, or fill out the pledge form on the parish web-site. Financial commitment is not only part and parcel of our out discipleship of Jesus Christ as expressed in our Rule of Life (BCP, p. 555), but is vital for the health, and well being for our parish, and assists the Vestry in stewarding our parishes finances. 

BUILDING UPGRADE. This week saw the installation of a new sound system for St. Mary’s with enhanced audio recording capability and the installation of new lighting in the lounge/ meeting room. Our thanks to Terry for overseeing this work.

BIBLE STUDY ON THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS with Henry meets on zoom this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.  Please contact Henry for advance readings and zoom link.

ASH WEDNESDAY
February 17, 2021

TODAY AT ST. MARY’S

7.00 P.M. Penitential Service with Hymn and Sermon. Claude Schroeder preaching.

KEEPING A HOLY LENT

BAPTISM IN THE ARTS  STUDY GROUP

with Beth meets this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. This group is going to look at how baptism has been portrayed in the arts as a way of understanding the role our baptism plays in our lives and in our culture writ large.  We will be looking at visual arts, poetry, literature, film, and music. Reading for our first session are below:

FASTING FOR FEEDING

Next Sunday afternoon at 4.30 p.m. will be our first on-line Fasting for Feeding Community Kitchen, where will be cooking Sweet Potato Chick Pea Stew! Please see attached recipe for ingredient list. To join in, please go to: this link . 

“BENEDICTE” WALKING GROUP

will meet this Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. under the Lych Gate at St. Mary’s “O ye ice and snow bless ye the Lord, Praise Him and Magnify Him for ever!”

BIBLE STUDY ON THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS

with Henry begins next Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The Letter to the Hebrews is a wonderful explanation as to how the ancient Israelite sacrificial liturgy is superceded by the one that is introduced to us via the life, ministry and death of Jesus Christ. Please contact Henry for advance readings and zoom link.

THE LAST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
February 14, 2021

GLORY BE TO JESUS CHRIST! GLORY BE TO HIM FOREVER!

TODAY AT ST. MARY’S

10.30  A.M. MORNING PRAYER WITH HYMNS AND SERMON. Claude Schroeder preaching.

Godly Play for children 3-6 years via Zoom. Today’s story the Parable of ‘The Great Banquet’ Luke 14:15-24.

Children’s Lenten Alms. For our Children’s Lenten Alms Family Ministries has chosen City Kidz. We will be collecting alms for City Kidz, an organization that exists to help children living in low-income communities by providing inspirational experiences and personal relationships.

3:00 P.M. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING via Zoom (see below).

PARISH LIFE NOTES

ANNUAL MEETING takes place today at 3:00 p.m. on Zoom. The purpose of this meeting is to receive ministry reports from 2020, review 2020 financial statements, receive proposed budget, and elect parish officers for 2021. Members of the congregation who have been baptized and attained the age of 18 years and regularly attend services at St. Mary’s are encouraged to attend and entitled to a vote on motions. To access the meeting, please go to:: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82611913486?pwd=YzVleGpXMGZ0NjZ1dGtIdE9XREhDQT09

KEEPING A HOLY LENT. Packages containing a pastoral letter from the Rector, prayer and study materials and information on Lenten offerings have been mailed out and hand delivered this week end. 

ASH WEDNESDAY devotions for the Home Church will be sent out this Tuesday, along with Zoom links and materials for small group studies.

FASTING FOR FEEDING. Next Sunday afternoon at 4.30 p.m. will be our first on- line Fasting for Feeding Community Kitchen, where will be cooking Sweet Potato Chick Pea Stew! Please see attached recipe for ingredient list.

PLEDGE FORMS FOR 2021. The churchwardens ask that parishioners fill out and return paper pledge form that was mailed out, or fill out the pledge form on the parish web-site. Financial commitment is not only part and parcel of our out discipleship of Jesus Christ as expressed in our Rule of Life (BCP, p. 555), but is vital for the health, and well being for our parish, and assists the Vestry in stewarding our parishes finances. 

THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY began in the early 1990’s in the USA and is now practiced beyond North America.  This ministry began in 2008 in the parish family of St. Mary’s Anglican in Regina.  Prayer shawls, knitted or crocheted, throw-size or scarf-size, are made by a group of knitters on a regular basis, as a way to provide tangible evidence of the loving, prayerful support of the congregation for someone in need.  Someone may be blessed with a prayer shawl when they are college-bound and leaving St. Mary’s, are in a crisis, facing surgery, critically ill or dying. They may also receive one when they are expecting a baby, recently bereaved or in a seniors’ residence.  The repetitive nature of knitting allows the knitter to meditate and pray with every stitch – every inch of the yarn passes through their fingers, knowing that it will eventually embrace another. Crafters choose soft yarn in order to provide comfort to the recipient and their work is blessed at a worship service before it is presented.

If you would like to be one of our knitters or wish to gift a prayer shawl, please contact Norma or Kate. 

THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY.
February 7, 2021

GLORY BE TO JESUS CHRIST! GLORY BE TO HIM FOREVER!

TODAY AT ST. MARY’S

10.30  A.M. MORNING PRAYER WITH HYMNS AND SERMON. Henry is preaching.

GODLY PLAY (for children 3-6 years via zoom.) Today’s story the Parable of ‘The Good Samaritan’ Luke 10:25-37. 

FAITHQUEST via zoom (for children 7-13 via zoom). Today we continue with the story of Jacob and Esau with a Pray  per View lesson – led by Clara.

PARISH LIFE NOTES

ANNUAL MEETING. The Annual Meeting of the Whole Congregation will be held on Sunday, February 14  at 3:00 p.m. via video conference. The purpose of this meeting is to receive ministry reports from 2020, review 2020 financial statements, receive proposed budget, and elect parish officers for 2021. Members of the congregation who have been baptized and attained the age of 18 years and regularly attend services at St. Mary’s are encouraged to attend and entitled to a vote on motions. Annual Reports, Financial Statements, Agenda, and instructions for joining the meeting will be emailed out next week. 

RETIREMENT OF BISHOP. Please see the attached letter from Bishop Rob regarding his upcoming retirement from ministry as our Bishop.

LENT 2021. Plans are coming together to enable us to keep a Holy Lent. These include prayer and study materials as well as  “Fasting for Feeding” initiative in the home, Zoom study groups, and scheduled prayer walk.   Materials and further details will be included in a package  to the parish next week. 

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY. The prayer shawl ministry began in the early 1990’s in the USA and is now practiced beyond North America.  This ministry began in 2008 in the parish family of St. Mary’s Anglican in Regina.  Prayer shawls, knitted or crocheted, throw-size or scarf-size, are made by a group of knitters on a regular basis, as a way to provide tangible evidence of the loving, prayerful support of the congregation for someone in need.  Someone may be blessed with a prayer shawl when they are college-bound and leaving St. Mary’s, are in a crisis, facing surgery, critically ill or dying. They may also receive one when they are expecting a baby, recently bereaved or in a seniors’ residence.  The repetitive nature of knitting allows the knitter to meditate and pray with every stitch – every inch of the yarn passes through their fingers, knowing that it will eventually embrace another. Crafters choose soft yarn in order to provide comfort to the recipient and their work is blessed at a worship service before it is presented. If you would like to be one of our knitters or wish to gift a prayer shawl, please contact Norma or Kate. 

ST. CUTHBERT’S REGIONAL PRAYER MEETING – next month’s gathering is Monday, February 8 at 6:30 pm by Zoom. Newcomers are welcome. For the Zoom link, please contact Kate.