Announcements:

Harry Eichhorn and the Atlantic Wind Ensemble

Present

A Mid Winter Concert
Sunday, February 5, 2012 3:00PM in the church
There will be a free will offering to benefit the outreach ministries of St. Mary’s

SPIRITUAL RENEWAL AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

At the annual meeting it was mentioned that we needed to select a theme for our Spiritual Renewal & Capital Campaign and we’d welcome suggestions from the parish. We are looking for a theme that is easy to remember, yet one that conveys faith, commitment and action. The Campaign committee has been working with the following suggestions:

Forward Through Faith
Faith Lives
Acting On Our Faith
Faith In Action
Growing In Faith
Faithing Forward In God's Hands
Journey with Faith

If you’d like to make a suggestion, please put it in the suggestion box (on top of the piano in Farnsworth Hall). Lynn will collect the suggestions and present them at the next meeting of the Spiritual Renewal & Capital Campaign committee on February 2.

Deirdre Smerillo
Communications Committee, chair

Feasibility Study Results

Thanks again for making the Feasibility Study a great success. As promised at the 10/16/2011 meetings with Jeff Knauer, here is the full report from the St. Mary's Feasibility Study. Stay tuned for further messages as we begin to implement the findings of the study. Click here to view the full report.

Click here to view the progress that is being made:

~ The Feasibility Study Committee ~

STEPHEN MINISTRY

The Stephen Ministers will meet on Wednesday,
February 1st at 6:30PM in the Jones Room.

SECOND SATURDAY

The Parish Life Committee presents: Second Saturday, WINE AND CHEESE PARTY on Saturday, February 11th at 7:00 pm in the Jones Room. The committee will supply the cheese and crackers. Please bring a bottle of wine to share for a great wine tasting event.

BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW

The next meeting of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew is Sunday February 12th
following the 10:00 a.m. worship service in the Jones Room.

FORWARD IN FAITH

The Forward in Faith group will meet in the Jones Room on Wednesday,
February 15th from 6:00-8:00PM.

PANCAKE SUPPER

“MARK YOUR CALENDARS”
Tuesday, February 21st

"The Last Week"

Have you ever wondered what the final week of Jesus on earth was like? Come and listen to two renowned biblical scholars tell and explain the last week of Jesus' life on earth as given in the Gospel According to Mark. Come take a journey to Jerusalem. Follow the footsteps of Jesus as he made his way to Calvary. For five Thursday evenings, we will engage in discussions prompted by the writings of Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan . We will use their book: "The Last Week", and supplement the discussions with a slide show of the Via Dolorosa [The way of the Cross], taken from our Rector's sabbatical trip to the Holy Land. Come for a time of prayer, reflection and education on the most significant week in Christian history.

If you wish to acquire the book and read ahead of time, you can find a paper back version at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com for $10.98. We will begin with soup and bread at 5:30PM, and start the discussion at 6PM, ending at 7PM. The dates for this Lenten program are: March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th. There will be a sign up sheet in Farnsworth Hall so that we can prepare for the correct number of participants.

INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK

St. Mary’s will be hosting the guests of IHN the week beginning Sunday, February 26th through Sunday, March 4th. Volunteers are needed to prepare meals (delivered by 6:00 pm), spend time in fellowship with the families and their children as evening hosts (6:00 pm - 8:30 pm), and overnight hosts are needed (8:30 pm to 6:00 am). If you are able to volunteer some time, please sign up in Farnsworth hall. For more information please speak to Janet Daniels or email her at goldeey@aol.com.

OUR DEAR RUTH KIEB Many years ago Ruth Kieb purchased a white festival chasuble and stole for our tapestry frontal in loving memory of her husband William. Today the set is 30 years old and quite worn. The altar guild would like to purchase a new set in loving memory of both Ruth and her husband. If you would like to make a donation towards the set please make your check out to St. Mary’s and indicate ILM of Ruth and William Kieb.

COFFEE HOUR HOSTS / OBLATION BEARERS

We would like as many of our families as possible to take part in Sunday services. Posted in Farnsworth Hall is a schedule of the remaining Sundays for 2011. There are still a few open dates that we would like to fill. Please consider scheduling a date near the birthday of a family member, an anniversary or a day that’s special to you and your family. If you would like more information please contact Cherisse in the parish office.

SPECIAL HANDMADE CROSSES

Lillian Ferrie has handmade beautiful small silk ribbon crosses that will be displayed for sale on Sunday mornings. The proceeds will go to St. Mary’s Society.

HANDICAP PARKING Please remember that the church parking lot is used for handicapped parking ONLY during Sunday services.

TENT CITY NEEDS

The folks in tent city are in desperate need of the following items: paper plates, plastic spoons, knives and forks, paper cups (hot and cold) and paper napkins. Under the circumstances they are not able to wash their eating utensils and disposable items are necessary. Please deposit your donations in the Tent City box in the parish hall.

OUTREACH COMMITTEE If you would like to join the outreach committee please speak to JoAnne Montanti or email her at jamontanti3@comcast.net.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE – BE A FAMILY MENTOR Your encouragement and support can make a real difference in the life of a low-income, formerly homeless family that is struggling to become more self-reliant. The IHN PLUS Mentoring Program was developed to extend the services of The Interfaith Hospitality Network. It connects volunteer mentors with families who are trying to create more positive futures. The mentor builds a committed, trusting relationship with a couple or individual. The focus of the relationship is on helping families develop a clear picture of what they want and planning the steps they can take to bring their dreams into reality. No special skills are required – just a willingness to draw on your own life experience, to listen and to help others. 1-2 hours per week for one year plus initial training class is required. Classes starting soon! Want to learn more? Contact IHN at 732-736-1550 or ihnplus@gmail.com.

STRESS AND ANXIETY GROUPS
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. John 14: 27

Research has shown that anxiety and stress lead to feelings of depression, increased worry, fatigue, illness and decreases in life satisfaction. How do we cope in an anxious world? How can we have the peace to which Jesus refers? Come and learn how to deal with anxiety and stress in a more effective way consistent with your faith. Anxiety & Stress groups are forming now. These groups focus on cognitive skills and behavioral techniques proven effective in combating worry and anxiety within the context of the Christian faith.

Weekly sessions for 6 consecutive weeks 30/session ($180 total )

Offices of Joseph M. Springer, Ph.D.
2517 Highway 35, Building H, Suite 205,
Manasquan, NJ, 07736
Facilitator: Mel Bennett, M.A., Licensed Associate Counselor
For more information call 908-902-3161