The Episcopal Church in the United States is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion of 70 million people in churches that trace their origins to The Church of England. Anglican, or Episcopal, theology and faith draw equally upon Scripture, historical tradition, and human reason. We seek to find, understand, embrace, be nurtured in, and live out the Good News of God in our daily lives.The clergy and people of St. Mary's hope you find spiritual and emotional sustenance in this tradition.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE PARISH RETREAT - Friday, May 18 thru Sunday, May 20 Susan Parsons and Kim Pitzer, Retreat co-chairs Please mark your calendar for Friday, May 18 through Sunday, May 20 for St. Mary’s Annual Parish Retreat at the Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg. This much loved tradition is a time for parishioners of all ages, from all services, to come together and enjoy fun and fellowship in beautiful Sonoma County. Hiking, dancing, eating, cheese tasting, worshiping in the Ranch’s lovely historic chapel, dropping into quiet contemplation, exploring Healdsburg, doing crafts, and playing games – do it all or just enjoy sitting with a book.
The cost includes comfortable lodging, all meals, crafts and other supervised activities for the kids, and entertainment. It’s an incredible value. Registration forms are available at www.smvsf.org and in the bulletin.
We also need volunteers to help at the Ranch; please contact Kim Pitzer at
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or 650-344-3247 if you can help. See you at the Ranch!
The Lenten Series, Living Our Faith: Applying Christian Ethics in Our Daily Lives, will challenge us to explore the implications of applying Christian values in practical day-to-day situations. Four of the five programs will be held on Monday evenings, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a hosted simple soup supper in Fowler Hall and followed by presentation and discussion. The final program will be held in Fowler Hall between the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services on March 25th.
Monday, Feb. 27th. The Rev. Dr. Jay Emerson Johnson will begin the Living Our Faith
Monday, March 5th. Parish administrator Roni Crews will facilitate a conversation about Unintended Consequences: Christian Ethics and Decisions About the Environment.
Monday, March 12th. Bring in the Clones?: Christian Values and Bioethics.
Monday, March 19th. Can we be both ethical and successful in today’s competitive business environment? St. Mary’s parishioner Loren Kieve will lead Everything I Need to Succeed in Business I Learned in Sunday School.
Sunday, March 25th.Old friend Bishop William E. Swing will return to St. Mary's to preach at the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services on Sunday, March 25th. Between those services he will share his vision for the United Religions Initiative.
St. Mary's publishes a newsletter called the Cow Hollow Church News. You can view the latest issue online by clicking the link below. You will learn the latest news, activities and view pictures from the many activities in our community. Previous issues can also be viewed by clicking on the month you want.
St. Mary's Annual Meeting was held on Sunday, January 29, 2012. The Parish published the Annual Report, which was distributed at the meeting. If you were unable to attend, you can read the Annual Report online. Click here for the pdf file.
Lenten Reader
As part of the Lenten Season, a number of churches prepare a Lenten Reader of day-by-day meditations, prayers and thoughts. Saint Mary's Adult Education Committee is considering having the members of the parish prepare a Lenten Reader for next year. To gauge the parish's interest and to show what we might like to do, we have obtained permission from St. Albans School, in Washington, D.C., to reproduce, with current Lenten dates, the Lenten Reader its Vestry prepared in 2002. We think you will find their selections to be both timely and timeless.
The Rectory All newcomers to St. Mary's are welcome at the newcomers' reception to be held on Sunday, March 4, 2012, from 3:00-5:00, at the rectory at 124 7th Ave. between Lake and California. The reception is casual in every sense: dress, food, discussion, It is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with clergy, other newcomers, and a cross-section of parishioners and to find out more about the church and its many ministries. Please RSVP as soon as possible to Roni Crews, parish administrator, at the church office either by e-mail,
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, or by phone 415-921-3665 in order that we will have a headcount of attendees.
Children are welcome. If you are a newcomer, please make every effort to attend! We look forward to greeting you there!
Membership Commitment
This is stewardship season when St. Mary's asks you, in grateful response to God's many blessings, to make a financial pledge for the year 2012 so that we can plan for and carry on our many ministries. We very much hope that you have chosen to make St. Mary's your spiritual home, and that you will become official members by giving financially, as well as with your gifts of time and talent. Our stewardship vision this year is that every person who finds spiritual renewal at St. Mary's joyfully makes a commitment to the parish. You can click below to download a copy of the Membership Commitment form.
