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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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Lenten Schedule
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Morning Prayer
Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 am, St. Mary's chapel during Lent – join us for 15-20 minutes of prayer as we begin our day with the Lord.
Noonday Prayer
Wednesdays at Noon, The Branches (Rio Grande)
Healing Services with Holy Communion
Wednesdays, Feb. 24, Mar. 10 and 24 at 7:30 pm,
St. Mary's
Thursdays, Feb. 18, Mar. 4, 10 & 18 at 10 am,
St. Barnabas' chapel
Second Sundays Contemporary Worship
Sunday, March 14 at 7 pm, The Branches (Rio Grande)
Stations of the Cross
Friday, March 12th, 7:30 pm at St. Mary's
Palm Sunday—March 28th
8 AM and 10 AM Service at St. Mary's
Maundy Thursday—April 1
7:30 pm at St. Barnabas parish hall
Good Friday—April 2
12 Noon, Solemn Celebration of the Lord‟s Passion at St. Mary's
7:30 pm Service of Healing at St. Mary's
The Great Vigil of Easter—Saturday, April 3
time to be announced, at St. Mary's followed by blessing of Easter foods in the parish hall
Easter Sunday—April 4
6:30 AM Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service,
30th St. & Beach, Avalon
Holy Eucharist at St. Mary's 8 AM, 9:30 AM & 11 AM
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| Thrift Shop Expansion Grand Opening March 6
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St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift & Furniture Shop has expanded! More space for more merchandise! Come visit on Saturday, March 6th. View our beautiful new shops, enjoy refreshments, and maybe find a bargain you can't resist. As always, donations and volunteers are welcome! Call 886-7272 to arrange a pick up.
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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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St. Mary's together with St. Paul's and Our Saviour Lutheran Church will host homeless famlies from this program the week of March 21st. Volunteers will be needed to prepare dinner, sleep over, and for social time. Please contact Nancy Runzer or the church office to volunteer. Click here to read about Family Promise of Cape May County.
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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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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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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, bread & fruit is served on Wednesdays at 12:15 pm 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, or call 886-7272 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 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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