2010

Rally Day Sept. 12

On Sunday, Sept. 12, St. Mary's will kick off the new school year in Godly Play, Confirmation, and in adult education. There will be special music, special treats, and an excitement about returning after summer that is difficult to quantify. But the summer of 2010 is past, and the Spirit of God calls us to new adventures that are just now coming into view.

Adult education will begin with a presentation and discussion by Dr. Erik Cressman on "Health Care and End-of-Life Decisions." It will meet in the Undercroft, as usual, while confirmation students and Godly Play students will meet in Guild Hall. Kids' Choir with Naomi will meet at 9:40 in the nave (inside the church).

 

Ladies Night Out Friday Sept. 17

Nancy Rotramel is inviting St. Mary women (and friends) to gather at her house, 7890 72nd St., Cottage Grove, for an evening of relaxation, food and friendship. Plan to bring some goodies to share and all items (men wouldn't know much about this!) related to relaxation and pampering. Please plant on coming about 5:30 or6 and let her know (651-458-9513) or nancy.rotramel@state.mn.us if you plan to attend, or need directions.

Thrift Sale Oct. 8-9

Invite your friends and neighbors to join you at the St. Mary Thrift Sale, which will be in Guild Hall, Friday Oct. 8, 11 to 7, and Saturday, Oct. 9, 9 to 3. This is the same weekend as the St. Croix Valley Apple Festival, so there will be both traffic and excitement in the neighborhood.

Be sure to let Nadine Brix know you will help (set up, tear down, or assist during the sale). You may contact her at 651-777-6991 or njbrix@yahoo.com.

Committees and Group Meetings

Sept. 1: Music and Liturgy and Choir; Sept. 8: Knitting for Others and Choir; Sept. 22: Choir; Sept. 29: Stewardship and Choir.

Music Schedule

Senior Choir rehearsal begins Sept. 1 and people new to the choir will be particularly welcome this new school year.

St. Mary’s Anticipates Sesquicentennial in 2013

The History Committee, under the able leadership of Michael Mackner, continues to discuss plans for raising awareness of St. Mary’s rich history, while planning for its 150th anniversary in 2013. The Vestry has authorized the Committee to proceed in seven specific areas: (1) Complete a written booklet on the history of St. Mary’s; (2) Create an archival framing of original documents, for display in the Undercroft or some similar place; (3) Record and update data on the St. Mary’s Cemetery; (4) Consider erecting a lich gate commemorating the 150th anniversary; (5) Consider an appropriate redesign of the front entrance of the church; (6) Repair the stained glass windows; and (7) Capture oral histories from within the church community (and beyond).

11:00 a.m. Services

Bluegrass Mass -- You are invited to join us the first Sunday of each month for a Bluegrass Mass at 11:00 a.m., preceded by a Potluck Brunch in Guild Hall at 9:45. Bluegrass is indigenous American music that is now appreciated around the world. The words are from the Book of Common Prayer, but all music is genuine bluegrass.

Celtic Mass -- Our Celtic Mass will be celebrated the fourth Sunday of each month. The liturgy includes prayers and music that date back centuries, including a Declaration of Faith found in "St. Patrick's Confession," believed to have been written in 450. The music (Welsh, Gaelic, Irish, etc.) and the instrumentation such as penny whistle and 12-string guitar provide a uniquely Celtic flavor to this new (but not-so-new) form of worship, and take us back to our Anglican roots back in Wales and Ireland.

Old-Tyme Gospel Service -- Please join us for an Old-Tyme Gospel Service any third Sunday of the month at 11:00 a.m. The liturgy is based on Rite II in the Book of Common Prayer, but the Old-Tyme flavor will be evident in a variety of gospel music culled from American experience, both north and south. A special six-voice choir provides full harmony. Be sure to bring your friends and neighbors!