The Annunciation

 

Bishop Dabney Smith writes the Diocese of Southwest Florida on Worship - 19March2021

March 19 Letter on Worship from Bishop Smith

My dear friends, Before my late brother died last year, he informed me that our Grandpa Smith had his throat cauterized as a remedy during the last global pandemic of the 1918 Flu. I had never known until my 66th year that was why his voice sounded the way it did. As Spring arrives, we are now one year into this lengthy 21st century pandemic and I know that we are getting antsy, or restless and fidgety. Me too. We want normal. We want to assemble for worship. We want hugs and restaurants. Please know that I have had discussions with the Standing Committee, the Diocesan Deans and the Province IV Bishops to help me determine whether or not I should change the worship guidelines for our diocese. As the CDC keeps a moving target going, particularly as to the possibility of another medical surge, it does not seem appropriate at this time. But hopefully soon! I believe that freedom is coming. In the meantime, please continue to follow the guidance of your Rector, Priest-in-Charge, Vicar, or Senior Warden (when there is no priest) for your safe worship space decision. I have stated in the past that our church buildings may seat up to 50 percent of capacity for in-person gatherings, based on the local fire department’s safe number certificate for your sanctuary. Remember, this is only a requirement because building designs win and safety remains the main concern for our parishioners and our guests. As a reminder, we can always add another service, or worship outside, for even more space and flexibility. I look forward to in-person gatherings too. I really miss it in its fullness and comprehension. Keep up the vaccinations. I’ve had mine! Family gatherings and Church. What a blessing is coming. God Bless all of you. Thank you for your wonderful patience. May your completion of a Holy Lent provide you with Easter Hope in the Fullness of time.  Yours in Christ, The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith Fifth Bishop

 

2021 Holy Week Services

  

☩ Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church - Cathedral Road ☩ 

2021 Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday

8am ~ Online worship posted on our YouTube Channel. 

9am ~ Outdoor, In-Person, Eucharist with Palms. Front entrance of the church. Violin.

10am ~Indoor, In-Person, Eucharist with Palms. Violin and Organ.

Maundy Thursday

6pm ~ Online Worship  from St. Michael's Chapel on our YouTube Channel

Good Friday

12 noon ~ Online Worship from St. Michael's Chapel on our YouTube Channel

Easter Sunday

8am ~ Online worship posted on our YouTube Channel. 

9am ~ Outdoor, In-Person Eucharist.  Front entrance of the church. Violin and trumpet.

10am ~Indoor, In-Person Eucharist. Organ, violin, and trumpet.

We are hoping to either stream the indoor services or at least record them and have them available on our YouTube channel later.  Please contact our Rector, the Rev. Peter M. Carey with any questions, 434-242-6633 or at revpetermcarey@gmail.com.

☩ 630 East Cathedral Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128 ☩ 215.482.6300

www.stmaryscathedralroad.com

2021 Holy Week Schedule

 

☩ Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church - Cathedral Road ☩ 

2021 Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday

8am ~ Online worship posted on our YouTube Channel. 

9am ~ Outdoor, In-Person, Eucharist with Palms. Front entrance of the church. Violin.

10am ~Indoor, In-Person, Eucharist with Palms. Violin and Organ.

Maundy Thursday

6pm ~ Online Worship  from St. Michael's Chapel on our YouTube Channel

Good Friday

12 noon ~ Online Worship from St. Michael's Chapel on our YouTube Channel

Easter Sunday

8am ~ Online worship posted on our YouTube Channel. 

9am ~ Outdoor, In-Person Eucharist.  Front entrance of the church. Violin and trumpet.

10am ~Indoor, In-Person Eucharist. Organ, violin, and trumpet.

We are hoping to either stream the indoor services or at least record them and have them available on our YouTube channel later.  Please contact our Rector, the Rev. Peter M. Carey with any questions, 434-242-6633 or at revpetermcarey@gmail.com.

☩ 630 East Cathedral Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128 ☩ 215.482.6300

www.stmaryscathedralroad.com

Joshua Becker of "becoming minimalist" on 12 Simple Decisions for 2021

 From Joshua Becker...a great plan for 2020.

12 Simple Decisions to Make 2021 Better than 2020

by Joshua Becker

It’s about time to turn the page on 2020. And thankfully so.

What should we expect for 2021? Well, my guess is everything will start to feel a bit more normal—especially as the vaccine continues to roll out. But I’m not in control of the world, so how would I know for sure?

I am not in control of the world, however I am in control of myself… and you are in control of yourself. So even though we can’t control everything around us, we can control some things.

At the very least, we can control how we interact with the world around us. And many times, that makes all the difference.

To that end, in an effort to make 2021 a better year for everyone, here are 12 decisions we can all make as the new year begins:

1. Smile more.

I think we all miss seeing smiles in public spaces. Once the masks are off, decide to show more of those pearly whites every chance you get.

2. Complain less.

2020 was a year of dealing with life-and-death issues on an almost daily basis. In some ways, all the things we used to complain about seem so small now. So let’s decide to no longer complain about the small stuff.

3. Appreciate more.

I thought 2020 would be the year I got everything I wanted. Now I know 2020 was the year to appreciate everything I have. Decide now to carry that forward into 2021 and appreciate all the good around us in a more intentional way.

4. Connect more.

In 2020, we lost the ability to connect with others in-person—at coffee shops, churches, restaurants, concerts, sporting events, and even some family gatherings. Let’s never overlook the opportunity to connect with others again.

5. Own less.

When everything is taken away, we see what is most important. When it comes to recognizing what activities contribute to quality of life, accumulating physical stuff pales in comparison to the actual life-giving pursuits we are being forced to go without. Decide now to own less in 2021.

6. Encourage more.

2020 was a hard year for everyone! And all of us needed encouragement from time-to-time. Let’s give it freely in 2021—whether people ask for it or not.

7. Waste less.

Seems like we all learned the value of another day and another opportunity—because too many had their last one taken from them in 2020. Let’s decide now to not waste any day, any moment, or any amount of energy remaining.

8. Thank more.

Decide now to say “thank you” more often. You will be blessed, and the recipient will be blessed. Win-win.

9. Compete less.

One thing is for sure—we’re all in this world together. As a result, it’s too easy to see the world as competition against one another. Instead, let’s remember we’re on the same team, all trying to be the best versions of ourselves. If you want to compete, compete against who you were yesterday rather than the stranger down the street.

10. Understand more.

Not only was 2020 marked with a global pandemic and economic downturn, in many parts of the world (including my own) it was a year of political strife and division where a difference in opinion was often regarded as a difference in principle. It rarely is. Everyone will benefit—both sides—if we decide now to argue less and understand more.

11. Save more.

With the overnight shutdown/collapse of many businesses and a worldwide economy, 2020 showed the importance of having some financial savings in reserve. If you haven’t made saving a priority, decide to do it now. Here are some helpful steps to get there.

12. Love more.

Love your spouse. Love your kids. Love your friends. Love your co-workers. Love your neighbor. Love. The world needs more of it.

What does 2021 hold? I have no idea.