The call is simple: Offer Your Gifts to God and to the St. Mary's community by becoming involved!

Christian Community

The primary mission of the Christian Community Committee is to build and strengthen the life of St. Mary’s by hosting events and activities that bring the broader community of the parish together. These events include such annual occasions as the Church Picnic in the fall, the Advent Dinner at the beginning of the Church year, the Mardi Gras Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, and the Parish Retreat at the Bishop’s Ranch, among other activities. The Christian Community Committee is a particularly wonderful way to get to know many people across the spectrum of the parish. Volunteers are needed to coordinate individual events; to take part in planning and implementing the larger programs, such as the Retreat; and simply to assist in planning for and putting on the various gatherings and meals. For more information, please contact Lisa Carey or Steven Currier..

Christian Formation for Children and Youth

Children and youth are a precious part of life at St. Mary’s. Numerous rich and stimulating programs create an exciting experience for our younger parishioners as they grow in their faith. In addition to the wonderful Church School (on Sunday mornings) and Creation Time (during the Unplugged Sunday evening service), and the Youth Group for teenagers, the St. Mary’s formation program for children and youth also includes such annual events as the Bible Times Market, the celebration of the feast of Santa Lucia in December, and the visit by the Three Wise Men during Epiphany. The primary goal of the Christian Formation Com­mittee is to assist the Church School Directors behind the scenes, and to provide as strong and vital a program as possible for our younger brothers and sisters. Parishioners can help in this area by teaching Sunday School or serving as assistant teachers or substitutes; by helping coordinate the many annual events; by serving as a leader or support person for the Youth Group; and by helping the committee co-chairs ensure that everything runs smoothly on Sunday mornings and afternoons. To offer your help, please contact either Belle McBride or Liz Parkinson.

Christian Formation for Adults

This Parish Council committee strives to offer a balance of programs for adults in our parish community, using as its framework the cornerstones of the Episcopal faith: scripture, tradition, and reason. Offerings include Lenten programs each spring, special speakers on Sunday mornings and afternoons, one-time or ongoing classes held on weeknights, the annual Inquirers’ Classes for newcomers, and the weekly Monday morning Bible Study. In addition the Adult Christian Formation program coordinates Foyer Groups—gatherings of eight to 10 people who meet in individuals’ homes to become better acquainted—as well as the Spiritual Hikes that take place once or twice a month in the beautiful Bay area. Help is always welcome by serving on the committee itself, offering ideas and creativity to enhance our ministry; by coordinating one of the programs or series held each year; and by participation in any or all of the educational programs. To become involved, please contact Joe or Marisa Jennings.

Communications

The Communications Committee provides information to the parish about what is happening in and around our church community. We do this by producing the monthly Cow Hollow Church News and maintaining and enhancing the church’s web site; by creating advertising in local newspapers and monitoring parish publications and signage; and, in general, by pondering how communication can best be done within the parish and beyond. This task is much larger than any two co-chairs can handle! If you have gifts you would like to use in enhancing our web site, in writing articles for the newsletter or other publications such as the Annual Report created for the Annual Parish Meeting in January, in working with local papers or merchants, or simply in supporting the co-chairs in finding creative ways to spread the good news of life at St. Mary’s, please contact the office at 415-921-3665.

Newcomer Welcome

Every year, many individuals, couples, and families visit St. Mary’s for the first time, and many eventually become members of the parish. The Newcomer Welcome ministry seeks to provide a warm introduction to the church, and to help newcomers become incorporated into our common life. We do so by hosting receptions several times through the year at the Rectory, and by greeting visitors and guests before and after Sunday services. We also try to help newcomers find their way into the Church School, Foyer Groups, or any other program or ministry that would help them feel at home at St. Mary’s, and begin to participate in our rich parish life. If you would like to serve as a Sunday greeter or to make phone contact with newcomers; if you would like to help with the receptions or invite new people to—and spend time with them at—some of the Christian Community events, then please contact Tim or Ilia Smith.

Outreach

Compassion for and service to others is at the heart of the Christian life and of the ministry of St. Mary the Virgin. The mission of the Outreach Committee is to give all parishioners the opportunity to serve the underserved, to help alleviate hunger and homelessness, and to extend God’s love in myriad ways. We do this by participation in such programs and ministries as Rafael House, Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, the San Francisco Night Ministry, the Bayview Mission, the Golden Gate Nursing Home and many others. We also take part in the annual Episcopal Charities Walkathon, Night of Light Dinner, and Ride to Emmaus. If you are being called to serve or cook meals at Rafael House; to coordinate our participation in Rebuilding Together; to lead our efforts supporting Episcopal Community Services and Canon Barcus Community House; to revive and lead the Baby Shower for newborns at St. Luke’s Hospital; to take part in the monthly worship service at Golden Gate; to participate in the committee’s deliberations on where we as a parish can best serve the world and the community; or to serve in any capacity, join this committee. Stephanie Lehman, co-chair.

Pastoral Care

Just as our Outreach ministry seeks to assist those in need in the larger community and world, so does the Pastoral Care Committee provide assistance and support for those in our parish family who are experiencing difficulty, trial, or transition. The Pastoral Care team provides food for those recovering from surgery or childbirth, rides to the hospital or to doctors’ appointments, cards and calls to check on the homebound, and similar ministry. Care is offered to parishioners in many circumstances: to those in acute need or with long term needs; to those confined to their homes; and to widows, widowers, and new moms. This is the perfect place for those with compassionate hearts and willing hands to offer food, rides, or companionship to the sick and recovering, to pray for those in want, or to participate in the Eucharistic ministry by becoming a Visitor; and help is always needed, as well, in writing cards, visiting those in need, and staying in contact with parishioners. Lisa Vance, co-chair.

Stewardship

The Stewardship Committee has a simple goal: to inspire all of us to be more generous with our time, talent, and treasure in response to God’s great generosity to each of us. The Stewardship team coordinates the annual pledge campaign to support our parish budget, and seeks to inform members of the opportunity to provide for the church in estate planning; but, at least as importantly, also strives to remind everyone that stewardship involves the use of all of our gifts and talents. You are invited to offer your talents to the Stewardship ministry by participating in the creation and implementation of the annual pledge drive, and follow-up efforts; by coordinating the planned giving efforts; by writing articles for the newsletter or the Sunday bulletin insert highlighting particular ways people can be good stewards of their various gifts; and by participating in our various recycling efforts. Interested? Please contact Sandy Stadtfeld.