Life at St. Mary's

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The Sacred Art in our Sacred Space

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St. Mary’s has quite a collection of art in its building. Some of the pieces are memorial gifts from parishioners, and some are gifts of thanksgiving from members, or groups like the Altar Guild or Quilter’s Guild. But this project details those art pieces that were commissioned and designed specifically for St. Mary’s. Some are permanent installations, but others are seasonal and appear only once a year.

In September, I began a project of gathering information about these pieces of art, which included the liturgical occasion or inspiration for the piece,

Click “Read More” to read the entire article.

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March Vestry Report to the Parish

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We are excited to publish the year’s first monthly vestry report to the parish. We began our new year as a vestry—and the Lenten season—with our annual retreat in Florence, beginning Friday evening, March 6 and ending Sunday, March 8, 2025. We welcomed four new members—Jessica Barnhart, Aimee Lodge, Tim Williams, and Court Wirth—and spent the first evening getting to know one another over a delicious meal prepared by our senior warden, David Turner. Afterward we played a fun team-based game involving “spies” using code words to prevent assassins from ending the game!

Read the full report by clicking “Read More.”

Mary Magdalene in the Gospel of John: A Case of Textual Suppression?

The women of St. Mary’s are excited to announce a can’t-miss opportunity to hear from Dr. Elizabeth Schrader Polczer, a theological scholar who happens to have been baptized right here at St. Mary’s. On Sunday, August 11, 2024, St. Mary’s will host Dr. Schrader Polczer in the sanctuary at 3:30 PM. Cost will be $20 or a sliding scale fee. She will talk on her research into Mary Magdalene and her findings after researching early Christian copies of the Gospel, especially John chapter 11.

Dr. Schader Polczer is a graduate of Duke University, and her groundbreaking research has uncovered new evidence about Mary Magdalene. Her peer-reviewed articles have been included in the Harvard Theological Review (2017) and other prestigious publications.

Read more about this exciting event by clicking “Read More.”

Renovation Update February 24, 2024

Another Renovation Update – Construction begins in March!

  • Demolition is scheduled to begin the first week of March! With the exception of the roofs, we hope to have most of the project completed by July! Availability of supplies and lead time on items like the lift (elevator) will impact some of the timing. 

  • The demolition, asbestos abatement, and installation of new flooring, carpentry, etc. is being phased by area to attempt to ensure the least amount of disruption possible. 

  • Staff are beginning to reach out to impacted ministries as the timeline becomes clear. 

  • Our number one priority is to keep handicap accessibility to the sanctuary on Sundays throughout the project. 

Questions? Reach out to a committee member to chat: Terrie S, the Rev. Bingham Powell, Flossie B, or Louise Fortuna.

Renovation Update February 7, 2024

Main Level Renovation project continues to move ahead. Some of the milestones met and upcoming are listed below.

  •  The Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract has been submitted to St. Mary’s and signed off on

  • Construction permit obtained for the project

  • The sub-contractors are in the process of ordering materials and obtaining timelines for their delivery

  • McKenzie Commercial is putting together the project time line and once the lead time on material and equipment is obtained, they will be working with St. Mary’s remodel committee to determine the best timing and least disruptive way to begin demolition.

Feel free to contact any of remodel committee with any questions; Flossie B, Louise F, Bingham+ and Terrie S.

Renovation Update November 12, 2023

Now that we have successfully completed our fundraising, we are getting close to the start of construction. We do not have a schedule yet; the contractor is working on that. 

From this point forward, expect regular updates on progress as we get closer to construction. Here are a few updates: 

To read the update, click “Read More.”

Brave and Bold Biblical Women and What They Teach Us

St. Mary’s Women’s Retreat—Spring 2023

Brave and Bold Biblical Women and What They Teach Us

Saturday, June 3, 10 AM to 3 PM

(Gather as early at 9:30 AM; Optional no-host dinner follows at the Public House in Springfield)

Eugene Yacht Club, Fern Ridge Reservoir

Click “Read More” for details and a link to register.

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Inviting Children and Youth Around the Altar at the Eucharist

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Inviting Children and Youth Around the Altar at the Eucharist

For decades, at our 9:30 a.m. Sunday service, we have invited children and and youth to come up around the altar for the Eucharistic prayer. The COVID pandemic put a stop to this practice. Some of you may have forgotten, and others may have never experienced this practice. The reasons we invite children and youth to come forward around the altar are multiple:

Click “Read More” to read the rest of this article.

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Update on our Covid-19 policies

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The Vestry has decided that starting on Sunday, September 11th, our 9:30 service and its activities will become mask optional. This change is due to now universal vaccine eligibility. Everyone 6 months and older who wants to be vaccinated can finally access the vaccine. The last group to become eligible was the under-5s, who could get their first dose in mid-June. Depending on how quickly families were able to get that first dose and which vaccine they received, children in this age group started to become fully vaccinated in early August, with many more coming up to full vaccination throughout August and September.

Please click “Read More” to read the entire update on our Covid policies.

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St. Mary's Organ Renovation

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Since returning to the sanctuary for worship services, many parishioners have commented on the sound of our organ. Several have spoken to our Music Director and Organist, John Jantzi, and have asked if something has changed. Your ears do not deceive you! During the first two years of the pandemic, the sanctuary was not as heavily used, offering a unique opportunity to renovate the organ.

To read the entire article about our organ renovation, click “Read More.”

A One-Year Reflection

As I look forward to this next year and all the continued growth and expansion it offers, I am excited, humbled, and proud to be a part of this amazing community. I am truly blessed by the supportive team of clergy and staff, and all of you who show me your genuine care.

Read Ryan’s entire reflection by clicking “Read More.”

Masking Update

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Dear friends in Christ,

I am writing you today to talk about upcoming changes to our Covid protocols. As you have likely heard, the state will be removing the mask mandate on March 12th in response to the continuing good news regarding Covid cases and hospitalizations across the state. As of today, Lane County has moved into the low-risk category according to the CDC guidelines and we continue to see the seven-day average of cases drop. These improvements do not mean that the Covid pandemic is over. Whether this is a new normal or a calm between storms, we do not yet know.

Click “Read More” to read Bingham’s entire letter regarding masking.

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Vestry Report for September

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Our September meeting started with a reflection from Thomas Merton about our need for relationships. Due to the myriad ways the pandemic has led us to acknowledge and treasure our interconnectedness, this reflection resonates with us deeply. Merton understands that we do not and cannot exist in isolation and that it is precisely our relationships that give our lives meaning. He writes: “we do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone—we find it with another.” This statement speaks to us of how fellowship with other people brings us closer to God and helps us to know God better.

The Vestry is St. Mary’s elected governing body. They meet monthly throughout the year. Please click “Read More” to read their entire update for September.

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Guest Preacher - Author Cara Meredith On Sunday, February 22nd, we will have a special guest preacher at the 9:30 and 11 AM services. Cara Meredith, a Pacific Northwest native, is the author of “Church Camp” and “The Color of Life.
A picture from Christmas past! 🎄 St. Mary’s kids singing 🎵 at a party? or a retirement home? Maybe someone who remembers can tell us!

Worship. Serve. Grow in Faith.