Celebrate Sundays With Us
We're worshipping online and not in-person this Sunday (9/20) as we do our part to keep people safe from COVID-19.
This Sunday, we have a special guest. The Rev. Kerri Meyer most recently served as Associate Rector of St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco but returned home to the Midwest in September of 2019. She now runs an organic fruit farm near Hutchinson, Minnesota, where she and her spouse hope to cultivate a new Episcopal agrarian ministry where Christians reconnect with Creation through shared work, worship, learning and justic-making.
And if you are unable to join us Sunday, here is a link to some of Rev. Kerri's previous words and excellent work.
It's a 9:30 AM Service. To get the link, email webmaster or use the Prayer Request link on the home page. Then on September 27th, Rev. Tom Garrison will be preaching on Matthew 21 on the topic "Who Do You Think You Are, Mr. Big Stuff?" to borrow a phrase from the Soul Train song of the 1970s. Speaking of that era, Pastor Garrison might own up to why he got sent to the Principal's office.
The signboard at Saints Martha and Mary Church. this week features a quote from Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. With all the challenges we face in the world, he knows that sometimes it can feel a little daunting to do something about them. His advice: Do what you can. Start where you are.
Or as Paul says in Philippians 2, God "is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure." No, we cannot do everything, but neither must we refuse to do the something we can do, to paraphrase William Everett Hale of the Lend A Hand Society. So, do what you can. Start where you are. Love your neighbor with no exceptions, and ask God to help you do the rest.
Finally, a big thank you to all who made last week's outdoor service possible
Special Notice: No In-Person Church Service September 20
Just a reminder that during this time of pandemic, Saints Martha & Mary is worshipping online for the most part.
The Rev. Kerri Meyer will lead us in a service of Morning Prayer.
If you cannot join us, the Washington National Cathedral regularly offers an online service at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time). Simply go to https://cathedral.org to watch it. Be the church where you are, and God's peace go with you this day and always.
As always, we want to hear your prayers concerns and special requests at www.mandm.org. And we have a Special Request of you for Prayer.
Also note that our new Bishop, The Right Rev. Craig Loya, is asking each of us to set aside intentional time every Tuesday noon between now and the election to pray for peace, for justice, and for love. This is, he says, a fractious time, with deep divisions. He asks us to remember we serve a God of hope and we must witness to the Way of Love. “While the gospel is never partisan—it does not endorse one candidate or party platform”—Bishop Loya says, “the gospel is always political, meaning it is always concerned with the way people are treated . . . This is not a time,” he says, “for us to be timid in announcing that Jesus is always present with those who are cast down and cast aside, that Jesus affirms and values the inherent worth and dignity of every human being. . .” Specifically, the Bishop asks the Minnesota Episcopalians will pray Noonday Prayer every Tuesday between now and election day to pray for our nation. You can use the form available here, or simply use your Book of Common Prayer wherever you are.
This health emergency will pass if we mask up, wash our hands frequently, stay home when we’re sick, and continue to pray both for those who come down with the virus and those medical personnel responding to the pandemic. Simply be kind to others. You can check the Episcopal Church in Minnesota website for more information on the church response. Here’s a helpful link to the MN Department of Health (that will lead you to other resources) of things we can all do to make a difference.
We close with a prayer offered by one of our clergy colleagues in San Francisco:
Lover and Creator of the Universe, in this time of uncertain peril and perilous fear, renew the world in steadfast love, instruct and guide human hearts in the ways of justice and mercy, bring clarity to our vision and hope to our souls. Heal every ailing body, and soothe every anxious soul, for your love’s sake. Amen.
We are blessed. Let us be a blessing to others.
What We Stand For
The four pillars of Episcopal belief are Scripture, Reason, Tradition & Experience. We believe we are called to love everyone, with no exceptions. Our's is an ancient faith, but a modern one too.
Scripture
Each week we have readings from the Bible and we listen for the inspired Word of God. Sermons (homilies) are based on the weekly scripture readings, but because the Good Book was written by humans we draw on knowledge and reason to interpret the Bible’s meaning—and not literal interpretation of every word.
