Something about the communal religious experience seems to matter. Something powerful takes place there, something that enhances health and well-being; and it is something very different than what comes from solitary spirituality.
Americans are rapidly giving up on church. Our minds and bodies will pay the price.
Something about the communal religious experience seems to matter. Something powerful takes place there, something that enhances health and well-being; and it is something very different than what comes from solitary spirituality.
Studies show small, rural churches can still thrive if they focus on the needs of their community.
• Small, rural churches can still thrive if they focus on the needs of their community.
• Fixation on youth, contributions and attendance can be counterproductive.
• Rural churches have a better chance if they work from a sense of possibility rather than fear.
The percentage of white mainline Protestants in the general population is HIGHER than the percentage of white evangelicals.
I don’t have the exact numbers at hand, but I am fairly certain that there hasn’t been a time since 1980 when the percentage of white mainline Protestants in the general population was HIGHER than the percentage of white evangelicals. That’s at least four decades – maybe longer. But this is a genuine shift away from white evangelicalism toward mainline Protestantism. | Diana Butler Bass
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Fr. Scott is hosting Wednesday Morning Worship and Kaffeeklatsch at 9:30 each week.
Fr. Scott is hosting Wednesday Morning Worship and Kaffeeklatsch at 9:30 each week. We’ll gather for a simple service of Holy Communion followed by coffee and conversation. Topics will include current events, Bible study, local happenings, or anything else we decide to bring up. Stop by and join us when you can!
Bishop Craig Loya will visit St. Mary’s on Sunday, June 20th. Bring your lawn chair for a special baptismal liturgy in the Memorial Garden at 9:30 AM to welcome him. The Bishop will host a town hall style conversation at a reception following the service. Join us to give Bishop Craig a genuine St. Mary’s welcome!
We are following a plan to safely reopen our doors and worship in person.
Welcome back to indoor worship!
We are following a plan to safely reopen our doors and worship in person. Our first priority remains the spiritual and physical wellbeing of our parish community. We are confident that, as Bishop Craig Loya has said, we are “learning to negotiate risk with love.”
Masks are recommended for all worshipers regardless of vaccination status. We encourage worshipers to use personal discretion and to respect the space and choices of those around them. People who are sick or have been exposed to someone with Covid-19 should stay home.
We recognize that everyone is not yet ready to resume indoor activities. For those choosing to stay safe at home or are otherwise unable to attend, we will continue to livestream the service on our YouTube Channel each Sunday.
Click on the image below to visit our YouTube Channel to watch livestreamed worship each Sunday at 9:30 AM. Missed the service? Recordings are available to view at any time.
