“A community of Christian worship, well-being, and service” is the mission statement at St. Mary’s. And members are reminded through worship that God’s love and Jesus’s teachings are for their spiritual well-being and a model for service.
In 2019, St. Mary’s adopted “Invite Welcome Connect” as a way to share our mission with others. It’s not a program, but a way of shifting our church culture toward a focus on evangelism, hospitality and empowering the laity for ministry. We have done things from putting up a new sign, flying a rainbow flag alongside our Episcopal Church flag and improving our website, to hosting community-wide events like “Trunk-or-Treat” and Sacred Ground, a race and faith series. We have retrained our greeters to welcome members and guests, with special invitations and welcome bags for first-time guests. We have worked hard to find opportunities for current and new members to engage in our community. Leaders listen carefully for members’ needs and gifts. New and seasoned members come together in ministry — whether in Bible study, race-and-faith dialogue circles, the soup kitchen, children’s ministry, the altar guild or almost anything we do.
St. Mary’s, 324 East Main Road, Portsmouth; 401-846-9700; the Rev. Jennifer Pedrick, rector; Bishop’s visitation February 23. website