From the Rector: The Members of Saint Mary's

In the Episcopal Church all laypersons are members of the congregation in which they were baptized, where their baptism was recorded or where their membership has been transferred.  All members are expected to be confirmed or received by a bishop and to receive the laying on of hands; but this is not a requirement for membership.  In addition there are minimum requirements about the reception of Holy Communion, corporate worship and for "working, praying and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God."

The Episcopal Church has been an inclusive community, at least on paper.  One sign of this is that once a person becomes a member of this church we have no way of removing a person from the register of members as long as a person is alive.  A parish can record a person as inactive, but that does not remove him or her from membership, only from the status of being "in good standing."

For several months Kevin Farley, with assistance from Walter Morton, has been working on the list of active members in good standing.  The reason for this is the need to introduce the newest of the canonical registers, "The Register of Baptized Persons."  (Canonical registers are those required by the canons of the Church.  They are the registers of Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages, Burials, Communicants and, now, Baptized Persons.)

PRAYER LIST . . . Your prayers are asked for Jack who is hospitalized and for James, Carol, Olga, Helen, Margaret, Shirley, Hannah, Dawn, Bryn, Mary, Lucille, Frances, André, Edgar, Helen, Beatrice, Timothy, Eleanor, Hendrick, Anjel, Andra, Diana, Elizabeth, Michelle and Andrea.

GRANT THEM PEACE . . . May 29: 1992 Robert William Anderson; May 31: 1995 Louis Stephen Stancill; June l: 1993 Kenneth William Cloughley, Jr.

LITURGICAL NOTES . . . The Sunday Proper: Acts 11:19-30, Psalm 33:1-8, 18-22, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:9-17 . . . 9:00 AM Celebrant: Father Gerth, Preacher: Richard Lawson; 10:00 AM Celebrant & Preacher: Father Breidenthal, 11:00 AM Celebrant & Preacher: Father Gerth, 5:00 PM Celebrant & Preacher: Father Gerth . .  Confessions will be heard on May 27 by Father Gerth . . . Confessions will be heard on June 3 by Canon Garrison.

TRANSITIONS . . . Dan Fannon's last service as our interim organist will be the Solemn Mass on Ascension Day.  We will take time at the reception following the Mass to thank Dan for his work here since last fall.  He has played powerfully and we are very, very thankful for his ministry among us.  Godspeed, Dan!  We look forward to occasions which will bring you back to Saint Mary's.

AROUND THE PARISH . . . Father Allen Shin attended a Leadership in Ministry seminar Monday, May 22, through Wednesday, May 24, in Massachusetts.  Father Shin will be on vacation Thursday, May 25, through Wednesday, May 31 . . . Father Gerth, Father Shin and Mr. Jon Bryant will represent the parish at the Diocesan Convention on Friday evening, June 2, and Saturday, June 3.  The convention is being held this year in Kerhonksen, New York . . . Attendance last Sunday: 141.

WEDNESDAY EVENING EDUCATION . . . The Wednesday Evening Series with Father Breidenthal, Mr. Richard Lawson and Father Shin continues!  A new series from June 7 through July 26 will examine scriptural passages that are difficult, challenging and controversial.  Each class will deal with one passage.  Various interpretations and their theological perspectives will be examined and class discussions will be encouraged.  Various methods of biblical interpretation will also be introduced.

This week at Saint Mary’s

Sunday                     

10:00 AM        The Rector's Class in Saint Benedict's Study

Wednesday                 

7:00 PM          Jesus of History and Faith in Saint Benedict’s Study

The topic this week is “Jesus Seminar: Issues and Agenda” with Father Robert Schwarz, doctoral student at the General Theological Seminary.

The Calendar for the Sixth Week of Easter

Monday                              Rogation Day

(Memorial Day Holiday - One Mass only at 12:15.)

Tuesday                               Rogation Day

Wednesday                         The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Thursday                             Ascension Day

Friday                                  The Martyrs of Lyon

Abstinence Dispensed

Saturday                             The Martyrs of Uganda (Monthly Requiem)

The Parish Clergy

The Reverend Stephen Gerth, rector, The Reverend Allen Shin, curate, The Reverend Thomas Breidenthal, assistant, The Reverend Arthur Wolsoncroft, The Reverend Canon Maurice Garrison, The Reverend Amilcar Figueroa, assisting priests, The Reverend Canon Edgar F. Wells, rector emeritus.