LOVE - WORSHIP - SERVE
LOVE - WORSHIP - SERVE
GROW DEEPER
BIBLE AND BOOK STUDY GROUP
St. Mary's Bible & Book Study Group is held every Tuesday at 10:00 am. It is a time where we not only study the bible, but other books as well. Nearly all of the non-biblical books have a solidly Christian bent. The faithful attendees gather for two hours to pray for one another, enjoy coffee and treats, and then dig into the weekly lectionary lessons-or the latest book offering. Sessions are typically clergy-led.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Participants can suggest books for the group to read as well as lead/facilitate a session. There are also opportunities for the coffee and treats hospitality ministry.
Contact:
Iantha Wessel (402) 426-8054
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
The Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK) is a spiritual sisterhood of women dedicated to a life of Prayer, Service and Evangelism. We have made a commitment to Jesus as our Savior, and we follow Him as Lord of our lives. We are an Order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church, churches in communion with it, or churches in the Historic Episcopate. Today our membership includes women in the Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA) and Roman Catholic churches. The vision statement for the DOK is as follows: Empowered by the Holy Spirit, our vision as Daughters of the King is to know Jesus Christ, to make Him known to others, and to become reflections of God's love throughout the world. The St. Mary’s-Blair chapter is the "Heirs of Grace."
Volunteer Opportunities:
Those considering joining the Order should speak to Nan Smutko or the Rector.
Contact:
Nan Smutko (402) 672-8408
GODLY PLAY
The use of Montessori's approach to education has been adapted to Godly Play in order to stimulate children's active participation in story and ritual and to awaken their creativity for the learning of the language, sacred stories, parables, liturgical action and silence of the Christian tradition. This is the most appropriate kind of language to cope with the existential limits to our being and knowing. The objective of Godly Play is to nourish the spiritual and moral development of children and approach spiritual formation as playful orthodoxy. The tradition of orthodoxy, when combined with the creativity of play, allows for the integration of what are often thought of as opposites and make room for God to become manifest in the community of children. The vision of Godly Play is to create a positive, long-term approach to religion in the world by teaching the Christian religion to children in a way that deeply centers them and keeps them open to others and the future in creative ways.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Individuals are always welcome to help underwrite new Godly Play kits and curriculum materials.
Contact:
Amy Purdy (402) 289-4020
S.M.A.R.T. CHURCH SCHOOL
St. Mary’s Adolescent Religious Team, or S.M.A.R.T., is once-a-month church school for junior and senior high school students. Originally created as a modified Journey to Adulthood (J2A)-styled curriculum, the small group is led by three parish lay leaders who are responsible for lesson plans and the teachings. Oftentimes the parish priest will drop by for sessions too.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Individuals are always welcome to help underwrite new curriculum materials.
Contact:
Rhonda Dick (402) 660-7250
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vacation Bible School is a week-long Christian learning experience for kids in grades pre-K through 8th grade. During the week (usually the second week in June) the kids gather for a quick dinner at 5:30 p.m. and then begin VBS from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. They will learn about various Bible stories through reading, arts and crafts, and music. There is also a time at the end of each evening where the children will share God Sightings for that day. On the last day of VBS is when the finale presentation is offered to parents and grandparents. Following the children’s offering, the bible vacationers join together for a family fun night at the Blair Swimming Pool.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Many different parishioners and friends of St. Mary’s join together every summer to help produce VBS. There are opportunities to provide the evening meal, to man a craft station, or be an adult team leader. Additionally there are numerous opportunities to donate needed items based upon the year’s VBS theme.
Contact:
Nicole Cloudt (402) 618-5679