Weekly Reflections
Weekly Reflection - 6/26/24
St. Mary's Reflection:Amy Nachman, Vestry Member
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20
I recently attended my 45th college reunion. At the risk of sounding too much like Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino exclaiming " get off my lawn", I was astounded by how disconnected the students were walking to classes on the shores of Lake Michigan. Alm…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 6/12/24
St. Mary's Reflection: Natalie Hala, Parish Verger & Liturgist
Unmoored Society: What do we do?
We are living amid societal disharmony on a planet that shows severe signs of negligence and misuse. Bereft of many of our accustomed cultural buttresses that have shielded us from toxic behaviors, buffered us from political extremism and protected the honored pillars of trusted institu…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 6/6/24
St. Mary's Reflection: Mike Stafford, Youth Director
"This trip... has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. My faith has grown so much from living and learning amongst [the children of the Nambale Magnet School] and from playing and praying with them. I have two really big takeaways that I've learned from these beautiful kids that I want to share. The first is that whi…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 5/28/2024
St. Mary's Reflection:Eric Choate, Director of Music
This coming Sunday we have the opportunity to recognize our choirs-all three of them. One of the hallmarks at St. Mary's is that we not only have a superb Parish Choir, but we have chorister programs for children and youth. Uniquely, our Children and Youth Choirs sing every Sunday during the academic year-a rarity in the Episcop…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 5/20/24
St. Mary's Reflection: Lynne Dombrowski, Vestry Member
There is no 'they', only 'us'.
We are part of a large fellowship called the human race.
This above-quoted phrase has been popping into my head lately when I am watching or reading the news. It is disturbing to me how often people today are actively promoting hate in our society by demonizing other groups of people because of th…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 5/15/24
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. Eric Metoyer
'The Saints before us, the Saints among us,'
'Saint: A holy person, a faithful Christian, one who shares life in Christ. The term may also indicate one who has been formally canonized or recognized as a saint by church authority. In the New Testament, the term is applied to all faithful Christians (see Acts 9:32, 26:10).' (The Episcopal…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 5/7/24
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. Kira Austin-Young
Celebrating our Sunday School Teachers
Here at St. Mary's, we are heading into the time of year where we recognize and celebrate many of our ministries. This Sunday, we acknowledge our Sunday School teachers. In celebrating Sunday School teachers and their ministry, it's essential to recognize the profound impact they have on the li…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 4/30/24
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. Kira Austin-Young
Why Bishops?
This Saturday, March 4th, the Rev. Austin K. Rios will be ordained and consecrated as a bishop in The Episcopal Church at a service taking place at Grace Cathedral. Beginning with Bishop Marc's announcement of his retirement to the diocese in July of 2022 and his call for a bishop coadjutor, the process has taken almost…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 4/24/24
St. Mary's Reflection:The Rev. Eric Metoyer
The Story of Peter and Annie Cassey, Saints of California
Eons ago, Br Scott Michael Pomerenk and I co-chaired the Racial Reconciliation Task Force for the Diocese of California, called by Diocesan Convention to study the impact and benefits of slavery in the Episcopal Diocese of California. In that work of investigating antebellum Califo…
Read More »Weekly Reflection-4/13/2024
St. Mary's Reflection: Heather Coyne, St. Mary's Parishioner
In Matthew 25, Jesus very clearly names that how we treat "the least of these" - those who are sick, hungry, naked, lonely, and in prison - is how we treat Jesus. Hebrews 13:3 implores us to "Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them." When we care for the ones looked down on by society, we…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 3/26/2024
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. David Erickson
The Journey of Holy Week
The journey of Holy Week unfolds as a sacred passage through time, a narrative deeply rooted in faith, a path marked by profound sorrow and radiant joy, encapsulated in the rhythms of life, death, and resurrection. It is a pilgrimage of the soul, a testament to the depth of divine love, and a mirror reflecting …
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 3/19/2024
St. Mary's Reflection: Linda Woodworth, Junior Warden
During Lent, we are called to make room for and share God's presence with others. Some practice fasting or taking on a new habit. Others follow a spiritual guide or series of conversations with others. These practices are intended to turn us away from an inward focus on ourselves and create space to serve others. By turning …
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 3/12/2024
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. Kira Austin-Young
The Bishop is Coming! The Bishop is Coming!
This coming Sunday, March 17th, Bishop Marc Andrus will preach and preside at all three of our morning liturgies in addition to joining us for a reception in between the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. With his impending retirement and the ordination of our Bishop-Elect Austin K. Rios, this w…
Read More »Weekly Reflection 3/7/2024
St. Mary's Parish Choir and Chamber Orchestra, together with the Schola Cantorum of St. Dominic's, come together to present Bach's Passion According to St. John this Sunday at 5:00 p.m.
I would like to share with you about its context and construction:
On Good Friday of 1724 (300 years ago this year), J.S. Bach's St. John Passion was first performed at St. Nicholas Church in Le…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 2/26/2024
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. David Erickson
God, Relationship, and Story
"The heart of God is relationship, and the doorway to relationship is story." Rev. Ed Bacon
My friend and mentor, Ed Bacon, gave me this wonderful quote many years ago that continues to inspire and instruct me. We believe in a Trinitarian God. A god whose core is three individuals in dynamic relationship. T…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 2/22/2024
St. Mary's Reflection: Russell Fudge, Senior Warden
I am deeply honored to be selected for the position of St. Mary's Senior Warden for the coming year. My immediate predecessor, Gloria Galindo, has bequeathed to me a Vestry that has been, and I fully expect will continue to be, a joy to work with and prepared to advance the St. Mary's community in the coming year.
I fully believ…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 2/13/2024
St. Mary's Reflection: Natalie Hala, Parish Liturgist & Verger
Hear our Prayer: The Great Litany
Thomas Cranmer, compiler of The Book of Common Prayer and the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury, was burned at the stake in 1556. Crafting liturgy is known to have its occupational hazards.
St. Mary's marks the change of liturgical seasons on Feb. 18, the First Sunday of Lent, w…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 2/6/2024
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. Kira Austin-Young
Preparing Our Hearts for Lent
Our official Lenten preparations begin this Sunday with our Shrove Sunday pancake breakfast at 10 a.m. as we feast before our Lenten fast begins, and I hope you'll join us for this fun and joyful meal. The liturgical season of Lent begins this year on February 14th, which is also Valentine's Day. After …
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 1/31/2024
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. David Erickson
Annual Meeting: Participating in the Extraordinary Ordinary!
This Sunday, 2/4, at 11:20am, Lunch to Follow
Now you are called to work as pastor, priest, and teacher, together with your bishop and fellow presbyters, and to take your share in the councils of the Church.- BCP pg.531. Ordination of a Priest
During a priestly service of ordin…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 1/18/2024
St. Mary's Reflection: Nicole Elliott, Vestry Member
Over the last few weeks, as many of us have settled back into our pre-holiday season routines, I have been struck by the number of times I have heard the expression, "We put away Christmas" or "Christmas is put away." This often is followed by some reference to life returning to regular programming (or "the grind," as I also h…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 1/9/2024
New Year, New You? - The Rev. Kira Austin-Young
Happy New Year! As we leave the festivities of Christmas behind and return to our regular schedules of school and work, the new calendar year offers a chance to reflect on the past year and potentially set resolutions or intentions for the next one. New Year's resolutions are famous for being abandoned with researchers suggesting tha…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 12/20/2023
St. Mary's Reflection: Linda Woodworth, Vestry Member
I recently saw a quote attributed to 'anonymous' - "let's approach Christmas with an expectant hush, rather than a last minute rush." This message embodies for me the heart of the Advent season - quietly preparing, waiting and listening - being present in the current moment. However, this is also one of my biggest challenges.
Th…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 12/13/2023
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. Kathy Guin, Assisting Priest
What is your favorite time of day? I love the early morning hours, when the quiet, stillness brings a calmness to my spirit. During this Advent, I have been focusing more on the first moments of the day as I begin to wake up. Trying to wake slowly, seeking to be open to drawing closer to the Divine. I begin my wakefulnes…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 12/6/2023
St. Mary's Reflection:Marla Perkins, Music Associate
Comfort
"Comfort Ye!" soars out the lone tenor voice opening G. F. Handel's Messiah. Then twice more, stronger, longer, with both gentleness and command, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God." (Isaiah 40:1)
Eleven minutes into Arcangelo Corelli's "Christmas Concerto" in G minor, Op. 6, No.8, lies a most tender movem…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 11/30/2023
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. David Erickson
Wishing You a Wonderful Advent - Full of Christmas Cheer!
This coming Sunday the church year begins again with the season of Advent, a wonderful time of expectation and preparation for the coming of the Christ child on Christmas.
The world around us, though, is not waiting for Christmas at all. One of the radio stations in my car is al…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 11/20/2023
St. Mary's Reflection:Barbara Bernard, Vestry Member
A General Thanksgiving
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonderful life, and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on e…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 11/7/2023
St. Mary's Reflection: Lilly Riveron-Lewis, Altar Guild Member
A Performer's Reflection on Altar Guild
When I first joined Altar Guild in September, 2021, I was struck by how much the set of tasks before and after each service reminded me of my time in the performing arts world (specifically in ballet). There's so much that goes on behind the scenes to make the curtain go up, so to…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 10/10/2023
There is so much darkness... there is also light
A Reflection by The Reverend David Erickson
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5
If I am honest, sometimes the darkness is overwhelming. The terrible violence in Israel and Gaza is horrific. And we know it is only beginning. In the background of this most recent eruption is the war in Ukrai…
Read More »Weekly Reflection -10/5/2023
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. Kira Austin-Young
Read, Mark, Learn, and Inwardly Digest: Studying the Bible Together
As part of my ordination to the priesthood, I declared that I believe "the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation." Generally speaking, Episcopalians are not known for our Biblical knowle…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 9/28/2023
St. Mary's Reflection: Russell Fudge, Vestry Member
"Ska.nonh" (Peace and Wellness) From Tully Lake
Each summer Emily and I spend part of our summer at our cottage within the Tully Lake Park Association on Tully Lake in central New York State. The Association celebrates 1888 as the date of its founding.
SOME BACKGROUND
>From the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 9/20/2023
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. Kira Austin-Young
Ministry of the Baptized
In the Catechism of the Episcopal Church, found towards the end of the Book of Common Prayer, the answer to the question "Who are the ministers of the Church?" is "The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons." (BCP pg 855) Lay (i.e., non-ordained) people are not listed first by…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 9/12/2023
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. David Erickson
Oh What a Mess!! Grace in all Life's Circumstances
'Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.'
…
Read More »Weekly Reflection - 8/21/2023
Amy Nachman, Vestry Member
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and …
Read More »Weekly-Reflection - 6/8/2023
St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. Kira Austin-Young
A Reflection on Pride
My first year at Pride as an Episcopal priest, I wondered whether I should even be there, if my presence has an official religious person mattered. After all, every June my social media feeds were full of my colleagues at Pride festivals, marching in parades, and bedecked in rainbow paraphernalia. Though my chu…
Read More »
