Ministries, Committees & Guilds
Acolyte Ministry
Younger parishioners (aged eight and above) assist the clergy in celebrating worship during the school year. From lighting candles, to carrying the processional cross, and helping to prepare the altar. Our acolytes are a source of pride and joy. It is also a great way for children and youth to be part of our worship service and connect with the Saint Mary’s community. Youth may also earn community service hours. Acolytes have the Summer off.
Coordinator: Christie Rana
Stewardship Planned Giving: Alida Greely Brown Heritage Society
Secure your legacy and support our mission. This Society is made up of parishioners who have shared with us their plan to provide for St. Mary’s in their will, estate planning or other long term gifting options. Providing for a deferred gift in one’s longer term giving is pivotal in ensuring St. Mary’s long term fiscal health. There is an annual luncheon for members of this Society.
FMI: Janet Bowne or St. Mary’s Parish Manager
Altar Flower Guild
This highly-talented and deeply-committed guild creates floral arrangments on the Altar and throughout the chancel, nave, chapel and Easter Garden during the church seasons of Advent, Christmas and Easter. The florals may vary from year to year but the goal is that they support the worship services by provide beauty, freshness and solace to all. Their creativity and artistry are unparalleled. The flowers and supplies are found at local florists, shops and gardens including on our beautiful campus as well as parishioners’ own backyard gardens. New guild members are paired with an experienced member to learn the ropes. Prior experience not required. Extra hands are always needed and welcome.
Co-Chairs: Jessica LaPlante & Melissa Kane
Altar Flower Delivery Guild
Each week, the Altar Flower Delivery Guild delivers the floral arrangments designed by the Altar Flower Guild that have graced the altar to parishioners who are ill, homebound, or who are observing a celebration or a milestone. It’s one way of celebrating our Sunday worship to those for whom we have prayed.
Coordinator:
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is at the very core of our communal worship. Working in teams, the guild ensures that the table is set for each Eucharist including Sunday services, weekday chapel Eucharists, Mass on the Grass in the summer and weddings/funerals. It is a quiet mniistry but essential to the liturgy. Our members work in teams usually once a month. The team covers the week. Volunteering is flexible. We also care for the clergy’s vestments and linens used on the Altar. Twice a year around Advent and Easter we also polish up the silver that is used to set the table for Eucharist. We welcome all newcomers!
Chair: Mary Smith
Outreach Blood Drives
Saint Mary’s hosts Red Cross blood drives each year in our Auditorium. Blood drives are an important part of the Red Cross effort to save lives and keep our community healthy. In 2024, St. Mary’s ran a total of 11 blood drives at which 224 units of blood were collected which equats to 627 lives potentially saved. Volunteers welcome!
Coordinator: Joyce Verey
Buildings & Grounds (B&G)
The B&G team has long been known for its ability to accomplish great things using little money! These dedicated and active parishioners serve St. Mary’s by keeping the grounds clean, the heat on, the Rectory in tip top shape, and the church bells ringing. With three buildings, large lawns and many trees and shrubs on our beautiful campus there is always more to do, and we welcome others to join us. The B&G team organizes a Fall clean-up & Spring clean-up, which attracts many parishioners with rakes and leaf blowers in hand. In addition to other myriad of tasks, in 2024 B&G saved St. Mary’s an estimated $2,000 by removing leaves insteading of hiring a contractor to remove them.
Chair: Hugh Smith & Fred Webber
Budget & Finance Committee (BFC)
This committee is made up of parishioners who are CPAs, have finance experience or just like numbers. They are led by the Treasurer. They work together to review parish financial data; direct the preparation of the annual budget; recommend fiscal actions to the Vestry; and ensure that the parish financial records are independently audited each year.
Chair/Treasurer: Peter Guyton, Treasurer treasurer@smary.org
Pastoral C.A.R.E. Team
The Community Actively Reaching Everyone (CARE) team was started in 2016. The team meets monthly and is led by our clergy to care for other parishioners, concentrating on keeping track of parishioners who need special attention. A chart with names and types of pastoral care available, such as Meal Train, cards, visits, calls, rides, Helping Hands at Home, Prayer Partners, Prayer Shawls, etc are reviewed to determine the needs of parishioners. Open to all who feel called to help others in need. If you are in need, please contact Lee Snow or Reverend Jane.
Coordinator: Lee Snow
Pastoral Meal Train
Dozens of Saint Mary’s excellent cooks prepare and deliver meals to parishioners in need or when families and individuals find themselves unable to cook following surgery or recovering from illness or life-changing events, such as the arrival of a new baby. Without formal meetings, and relying on email, text and phone, we provide meals to numerous parishioners. In some cases it is a day or two and others it is weeks of providing meals seasoned with kindness and care. More cooks are always needed!
Coordinator: Christie Rana
music ministry
Under the skilled direction of our inaugural Music Minister, James Kennerly, the Choir sings at our Sunday 10:15am Choral Eucharist from early September through mid June, as well as on Holy Days and other events throughout the year (e.g., Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Advent, Christmas, evensongs). The Choir’s primary mission is to enrich the liturgy through song. With a foundation of traditional Anglican music, we also embrace ancient chants, music from the Taize community, and compositions by our Music Minister. FMI: https://smary.org/music-ministry/
Music Minister: James Kennerley, Music Minister James@smary.org
Christian formation for children: Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
Children (PreK – 5th grade) are welcomed to Sunday workshops held during the 10:15 service in the lower level of the Parish House. Workshops are held from early September through mid June. Workshops are inspired by the Workshop Rotation Model. We also coordinate the annual Christmas Pageant and Ash Wednesday Children’s service. The Workshop Rotation Model provides a great opportunity for volunteers to lead a workshop. It takes a minimal time commitment of one month (3 – 4 Sundays). The lesson plan is provided and leaders may plan their own activity or work with our Family Minister to plan an activity. Also with the Rotation Model, workshop leaders have the chance to lead all ages (grades 1 – 5). It is also a great way to learn more about God and the Bible. No prior experience needed. FMI: https://smary.org/guiding-ray-our-christian-formation-program/ Nursery care is provided year round for our youngest parishioners (infant to 3 yrs old) with our steadfast and reliable Nursery Care providers. FMI: https://smary.org/nursery-care/ Volunteers are always welcome and needed for workshop leaders, workshop assistant leaders, bakers, gardeners, pageant directors/assistant directors, artists, and more.
Family Minister: Meg Hurdman, Guidingray@smary.org
Christian Formation for Adults
Adult Formation is offered at 9:15 between the 8am and 10:15am Sunday Euchartists. It is also a time for fellowship. Read the weekly eNews and the monthly AVE eNewsletter for updates. There are also additional opportunities for adult formation such as weekly bible & book studies (Wisdom Seekers, Merton group), weekend retreats, theological conferences, and other discussion groups, contemplative opportunities, such as Be Still on Sunday, Centering Prayer on Monday evenings, Advent Quiet Morning. Sign up for the monthly Episcopol Diocese of Maine eNewsletter (Dio Log) to find more opportunities: https://episcopalmaine.org/newsletter/
Interim Priest in Charge: The Rev. Jane Milliken Hague JaneMHague@smary.org
Churchyard
The Churchyard committee works closely with the Vestry, the B&G team and the Parish Manager to maintain and manage Saint Mary’s Churchyard, the Burial Garden, and Saint Mary’s Woods (a setting, forever natural, for the interment of cremated remains). The committee works closely with the Parish Manager in supervising the sale of plots, and arranging for the opening and closing of gravesites.
Chair: Valerie Kyros
Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors & Eucharistic Visitors
The ministry of the lector is to read the Scripture lesson, and sometimes lead the congregation in praying the appointed Psalm. Lectors come up from the congregation and do not vest. St. Mary’s provides some training, but Lectors do not need to be licensed by the Bishop. In 2024, we had about 24 lectors.
Eucharistic Ministers assist the Clergy by reading the Scripture lesson, leading the Prayers of the People, and administering a chalice at Communion. Eucharistic Ministers receive special training, and are licensed by the Bishop during each Advent upon recommendation of the Rector. In 2024, we had about 24 Eucharistic Ministers.
Eucharistic Visitors are specially trained and licensed by the Bishop to take the Reserved Sacrament to those parishioners unable to be present at the Eucharist. In this way, those who are ill or homebound are included as part of our Saint Mary’s family whether present or absent.
Facilitator/Contact Person: Becky Pride for Eucharistic Ministers or Lectors, Joyce Verey for Lectors, Deacon Matthew Simpson for Eucharistic Visitors.
Coffee Hour Ministry
Coffee Hour is held after each service. It is an opportunity for fellowship to bring parishioners together and to introduce newcomers and visitors to our parish. The earlier coffee hour has grown due to the Formation hour at that time. Some special events during coffee hour has included among others, Pancake Breakfast before Lent, Mother’s Day Ice Cream Social, and the Annual Meeting brunch. In addition to parishioners, various committees, ministries and guilds have hosted coffee hour. There are baked goods in the freezer for hosts to offer, coffee, tea, sugar, cream, etc are all set in the kitchen. It is a wonderful way to give back to St. Mary’s and is a minimal time commitment. Please consider hosting a coffee hour and becoming a part of this joyful ministry!
Coordinator: Robin Webber
Kneeler Guild
The needlepoint kneelers in our church are designed, stitched and assembled by this guild. The Guild meets routinely in the Sanctuary to clean and reorganize the kneelers into their correct positions. The kneelers are divided into the Old and New Testament and are grouped into stories or seasons of the year or single verses. We welcome new volunteers to help us care and maintain the kneelers.
Chair: Jan Mordarski
Pastoral Memorial Reception Committee
This committee offers tangible pastoral care at a time of grief and loss. Preparing a delicious “Silver Tea” service after a funeral or memorial nourishes both body and soul. The committee relies on the talent of many volunteers who shop, cook, bake, make tea sandwiches, pour tea and coffee, set up, take down, clean up. This committee is equally adept at receptions from 25 to 200. It is a true labor of love.
Co-Chairs: Alice Brock & Joyce Verey
Christian Formation – Middlers
Open to all young people in Middle School (grades 6 – 8). Join Family Chapel at 10am with Guiding RAY in the lower level of the Parish House. At 10:15am head to the Youth room in the lower level of the Parish House to play games, eat snacks, and laugh a little. FMI: https://smary.org/the-middlers/
Leaders:
Office Angels
This group of volunteers work in the Parish Office on a rotating basis to support the Parish Manager by greeting visitors, answering the phone, photocopying, collating and other clerical duties. Our mission is to free up the Parish Manager’s time so she can focus uninterupted on bookkeeping and other tasks that take a lot of concentration. We currently have about 14 angels who work in the office plus 6 proofreaders for the monthly AVE newsletter. Angels are a convivial bunch, and the highlight of the year is the annual “spring luncheon.”
Coordinator: Jan Mordarski
Outreach Committee
The mission of the Outreach Committee is to lead the Parish in responding to local, state, national and global needs. We focus on those lacking food, housing and those who are in physical and emotional need, giving special attention to programs that enable people to overcome these conditions in order to improve their lives. In addition to making decisions as to which organizations receive a percentage of all collected pledges to St.Mary’s, the Outreach Committee coordinates and engages the Parish in “hands on” volunteer opportunities and coordinates our monthly Mission focus. Some Outreach activities includ among others, sandwiches for Milestone Recovery Center, volunteering at St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center, gather food and donations for Falmouth Food Pantry, helping New Mainers learn English through In Her Presence, hosting a picnic in conjunction with United Recovery Fund. In 2024, St. Mary’s through the Outreach committee provided donations to 10 different organizations both local, regional and global. St. Mary’s through the Outreach committee also provided grants to 8 local and regional organizations.
Committee: Bonny Rodden (Chair), Anne LaFond (Vice Chair), Vanessa Record, Betsy Parks-Stamm, Ben Parks-Stamm, Stan Eaton, Maureen Hale & Marian McCue with Deacon Matthew as spiritual advisor and role model.
Pastoral Prayer Partners Ministry
This group of people commit to pray daily for parishioners and friends whose names (and needs) have been shard with them, St. Mary’s and the CARE Team. They pray for people nearby and far away and for the concerns of the larger world. If you feel a calling to pray for those in need, please join us.
Coordinator: Becky Pride
Pastoral Prayer Shawls Ministry
This ministry knits shawls using large needles and a very simple pattern that involves three rows of three – representing the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son & Holy Ghost. They are called prayer shawls because the work is initiated with a prayer and shawls are blessed prior to being given. The shawls are given as gifts of love to our graduates, as comfort to parishioners and friends in the hospital, new mothers and others. You do not need to be an accomplished knitter to learn how to create these practical messages of love and comfort. Packets with all needed supplies are available in the Parish Office. We are running low on shawls and are in need of replenishment. Please join our ministry.
If you would like to request a prayer shawl, it will be provided. If you or others are in need of comfort, please contact the CARE Team, Reverend Jane, Deacon Matthew or Prayer Partners.
Coordinator: Ginny Stelk
Outreach Souper Supper
Saint Mary’s “Souper Supper” provides nutritional and spiritual nourishment to members of the greater Portland community on the 2nd & 4th Fridays of each month from 5 – 7pm. There is no charge for this meal. This Outreach effort is supported through sales of specialty bags of Coffee By Design coffee to Saint Mary’s parishioners. Volunteers are always needed to join the Souper Supper team to shop, prep, set up, serve, and clean up.
Outreach committee: Bonny Rodden (Chair), Anne LaFond (Vice Chair), Vanessa Record, Betsy Parks-Stamm, Ben Parks-Stamm, Stan Eaton, Maureen Hale & Marian McCue with Deacon Matthew as spiritual advisor and role model.
Outreach St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center
The Jubilee Center is a welcoming, no-barrier distribution of non-food essentials (e.g., household & kitchen items, diapers, dental care, feminine hygiene, paper goods, bedding, winter coats/boots and more) to people in need in the Portland area, regardless of religious affiliation. The Jubilee Center is open every Tuesday from 9 to 11am in the lower level of the Parish Hall of the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke, Portland. Saint Marians assist with the distribution once every 6 weeks. Donations from parisioners are also collected in the St. Mary’s Parish House then delivered to the Jubilee Center on a weekly basis. Please bring your donations to the Parish House. We always welcome new volunteers when we assist with distribution at the Jubilee Center. Please consider taking time out of your busy day for 2 hours once every 6 weeks to help our neighbors and New Mainers in need.
Coordinator: Stan Eaton
Stewardship Committee – Annual Pledge Campaign
The committee manages our annual pledge campaign. It works to raise funds needed to support our Outreach Ministry, Music Ministry, committees, guilds, programs and operating expenses, such as personnel, buildings and grounds, utilities, office supplies, Diocesan assessment, cleaning costs, professional fees and more. This committee also hopes to create within all Saint Marians a more holistic understanding of Stewardship: fiscal, environmental, and personal. Pledges represent 61% to 62% of our total expected income. Loose offerings and Non-Pledge donations are generally 7%. Pledges are critically important to our financial planning. Regardless of the amount of a pledge, pledging shows tangible support of St. Mary’s now and in the future. In 2024, 132 households pledged. We welcome new committee members year round.
Chair: Janet Bowne
Ushers
Ushers greet and assist parishioners and visitors as they arrive to celebrate Sunday worship. They also count and record the number of people present in the Sanctuary and Parish House, distribute the Sunday bulletin, collect and present the offering during the service, straighten up the church after each liturgy, and count and submit funds from the offering plates. In addition to regular Sunday mornings, our ushers really “earn their wings” during Advent, Christmas and Holy Week, where people quite literally line the walls and it is “standing-room only”! We currently have about 24 ushers. We welcome new recruits year-round. We pair experienced ushers with new ushers for training. It is not a significant time commitment and it is a wonderful opportunity to experience our services from a slightly different perspective. Usually each person only ushers once a month, and if you can’t make your scheduled time, others are always available to cover for you.
Chair: Tom LaPlante, Junior Warden jr.warden@smary.org
Christian Formation Wisdom Seekers Bible Study
The Wisdom Seekers meet weekly (except in July) on Tuesdays at 10:30am for a Bible Study. The meetings are either in person, Zoom or hybrid form. As a rule, we study Scripture appointed for the upcoming Sunday, examining the historical background, how people living at the time understood God’s message, and what is it saying to us today. By doing so we study the history of both the Christian church and the Jewish people who study the Torah, or the first five books of the Bible (the Old Testament). Recently, we studied the Islamic branch of our Abraham tree. Clergy facilitated a book discussion of “When the Moon Split,”a biography of the Prophet Mohammed. All are welcome to join anytime of the year.
Leader: Nadine Timberlake
Fellowship & Fundraising Events
Summer Soiree & Auction is typically held on the second Saturday in August. It is a wonderful summer event for parishioners and friends to experience S. Mary’s in a relaxed, informal, family-friendly setting. Volunteers are welcome. This is a large and important event for our parish family.
Sparkles is what we do before and during the Advent season! The purpose and hope is to welcome the broader community to St. Mary’s and to provide an opportunity for all parishioners to come together in work and play as we prepare for Christmas. Sparkles events include, among others, Advent Lessons & Carols, Advent Wreath-Making Workshop, Kyros Memorial Tree Lighting, and the Sparkles Fair.
Book, Bake and Soup Sale is held in Winter (usually March). We collect used books and puzzles that we sell to the broader community. There are also baked goods and soups for sale. All funds raised are used for mission work, grants & donations coordinated by the Outreach Committee.
And there’s always an opportunity for more!
There’s a place for you here!
If there is a ministry, committee or guild that interests you, contact the chairperson, one of the Wardens or a Vestry member for more information. Find the list of Our Wardens and Vestry here: https://smary.org/our-leaders/