St. Mary's Episcopal Church

Stone Harbor, New Jersey

All are welcome. Please join us!

WELCOME HOME!

Worship with us:

Sunday Service Time: 10:00 am

in person and Live on Facebook

We also accept donations via Venmo!

@StMarysStoneHarbor

http://www.venmo.com/u/StMarysStoneHarbor

When the Church is Under Siege, We Must Rise

Beloved in Christ,

There are moments in our life together when silence becomes complicity, and neutrality, a form of surrender. The attempt by the Township of Toms River to seize Christ Episcopal Church’s sacred ground through eminent domain is one of those moments. This is not merely a legal dispute—it is a spiritual battle over the soul of compassion, the right to serve, and the freedom to live out the Gospel without interference.

For over 160 years, Christ Church has been a beacon for the brokenhearted, the hungry, the unhoused, and the lost. Its ministries feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the weary, and proclaim the radical love of Christ—not just in word, but in deed. And now, under the guise of parks and pickleball courts, a community of faith is being targeted because it dared to say: Come, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and you will find rest here.

Let us be clear: this is a retaliatory act against a church choosing the Gospel over popularity, the cross over comfort. This is an assault on our collective ministry as the Body of Christ.

To remain passive is to risk setting a precedent where any congregation that dares to shelter the vulnerable may find its doors threatened, its land seized, and its mission silenced.

We cannot let this stand.

People of faith must rally. We must pray, yes—but we must also show up, speak out, write letters, and demand justice. The God we follow is not a God of passivity, but of holy resistance. Jesus overturned tables in the temple not to destroy it, but to reclaim it for righteousness.

So too must we rise now—not just for Christ Church, but for every church, synagogue, mosque, and sacred space that dares to live the commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself.

We fight not with hatred, but with holy defiance. We stand not for ourselves alone, but for the least of these. We raise our voices not for notoriety, but because the Spirit compels us to defend what is good, sacred, and true.

With unwavering hope and determined love,

The Very Rev. Allison Burns-LaGreca

HELP WANTED! Would you be able to provide a dessert for our delicious Strawberry Festival, or a theme basket for the Basket Raffle, or volunteer for set up, serving, or clean up the day of the event?



Please get in touch with Dina Ziemba 609-780-3142 or Lisa LaGreca 732-535-0851 to volunteer or for questions. Sign up sheets can be found in the parish hall. THANK YOU!

St. Mary's Outreach Ministry

From April through June, St. Mary's parishioners are invited to learn about and support Embrella, the important ministry of providing comfort and dignity to children who are in crisis and/or transition in the New Jersey foster care system. The Bag Project requests donations of the essential supplies required for moving, such as duffle bags, backpacks, personal care items, blankets and more. Situations often arise on a moment's notice and those most vulnerable should not be left with nothing but a trash bag for their belongings. We can make a difference at this crucial time in young peoples' lives. 

The Bag Project has an Amazon Wish List that you can link to here: Amazon.com. Most items cost as little as $10 to $20. 

The Wish List is set up like a gift registry. During checkout, there is an opportunity to add a message with your gift, and you may wish to type in, "A gift from St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Stone Harbor, NJ." 

You can also purchase items elsewhere and place them in the basket at church or drop them off at the County Department of Social Services, 3801 US-9, Unit 4, Rio Grande, NJ 08242. Call ahead 609-886-6200. 

Please make a donation to this important cause. Many thanks to Lisa LaGreca for bringing this organization to our attention. ALSO please remember the needs of The Branches Food Pantry are ongoing, so continue to support that mission if you are able. 

Both large and small print Forward Day by Day booklets for May, June, and July are now available in the church narthex. Please help yourself to a copy and feel free to take one for someone who may enjoy this devotional. If you would like us to mail one to you, please contact the church office. 609.368.5922

Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily inspirational meditations reflecting on a specific Bible passage, chosen from the daily lectionary readings as listed in the Revised Common Lectionary or the Daily Office from the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer.

The Christ Child Society of Cape May County Annual Spring Fling Luncheon will be held on Sunday, May 18th from 11:30 am to 3 pm at The Shore Club. Details may be found here.

The Angelus Chorus invites you to their Spring Concerts Dare to Dream to be held on May 16, May 18, May 19. Details may be found below.

Some ways to support St. Mary's

• Become a member
• Volunteer
• The Sunday collection plate
• Send a check payable to St. Mary's to:

St. Mary's Episcopal Church,

9425 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, NJ 08247

(Your envelope and number is not necessary, only your name.)

• Setting up a personal online banking "bill pay" option. The bank will mail the check for you to the church office.
• Online giving through our website at https://www.stmarysstoneharbor.org/

We have joined Venmo! If you have Venmo, you can donate to the church - @StMarysStoneHarbor

http://www.venmo.com/u/StMarysStoneHarbor

The baptismal covenant “is widely regarded as the normative statement of what it means to follow Christ” in these questions and answers, the congregation expresses the ways each of the faithful will live their faith both inside and outside the church walls.

The first four questions are patterned on the Apostles’ Creed, with the liturgy’s celebrant asking the people about their beliefs in each of the members of the Trinity, along with a concise understanding of their natures. Following these questions, the covenant includes five questions regarding how we, as Christians, are called to live out our faith: with firm commitment and a reliance on God’s help. (click on the picture to take you to a Larger Version)

Stay Connected through Bible Study

We offer two convenient times to fit your schedule:

10-11:30 AM or 7-8:30 PM.

This Bible study is more than just a class; it’s an opportunity to build deeper relationships with God and with each other. As we explore the Gospel of Luke together, we’ll strengthen our faith, grow in our understanding, and stay connected as a community, no matter where we are.

If you’re interested or have any questions, feel free to reach out to Tracy Rubin at tgrubin3@gmail.com or 781-856-2125.

To sign up, please contact Ali at office@ccneedham.org

or call 781-444-1469.

Let’s stay connected and continue our spiritual journey together!

Please join us for Coffee Hour on Sundays after service in the parish hall.

It is an opportunity to get together for relaxed conversation and fellowship over a cup of coffee.

If you would like to provide a snack for coffee hour, please pick a Sunday and sign up. Nothing elaborate, just a small snack to enjoy with coffee.

You can find the sign up sheet on the door to the kitchen.

Thank you!

CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR on our website for all activities taking place throughout the week.

Mark your calendar for Strawberry Fest Sunday, May 25th, 6 to 8 pm!

Acts 11:1-18

Revelation 21:1-6

John 13:31-35

Psalm 148

Tuesday - Friday 8:45 am Morning Prayer via Zoom

Sunday Service Time: 10:00 am

and Live on Facebook

Sr. Warden

Lillian Armstrong

Jr. Warden

Cheryl Lukens Oleferuk

Clerk of the Vestry

Dina Ziemba

Vestry

Cathy Johnson

Allyn Penkethman

Kate Rodriguez

Treasurer

Jack Olthuis

The Annual Report for 2024 may be downloaded here.