St Mary Anne's Church

Rooted in the past, reaching for the future

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • About Us
      • Our Beliefs
    • Location
    • Building & Grounds
      • Churchyard & Memorial Garden Regulations
      • The Thompson Memorial Crocus Lawn
    • Parish Administration
      • Clergy
      • Parish Committees
      • Staff
      • Vestry
    • St. Mary Anne’s History
      • Who was St. Mary Anne?
  • Worship
    • Service Times
    • Liturgy & Sacraments
      • Baptisms
      • Funerals
      • Weddings
    • Worship Ministries
    • Prayer
      • Forward Day by Day Devotional
      • Lectionary Page
      • The Daily Office
  • Music
    • Worship Music
    • St. Mary Anne’s String Studio
  • Events & Fellowship
    • News
    • Calendar
    • Annual Events
      • Christmas Cookie Walk
      • Family Train Day
      • Wreaths Across America
    • Fellowship
      • Coffee Hour
      • 2:42 Men’s Group
      • North Elk Coffee House
      • The ECW
      • The St. Mary Anne’s Gardeners & The Green Team
  • Annual Garden Market
    • About our Event
      • Vendor Information
        • No Invasive Plants
      • Garden Market Sponsorship
        • Sponsorship Levels for the Garden Market
  • Formation
    • Child Formation
    • Youth Formation
      • St. Mary Anne’s Dream Big Scholarship
    • Adult Formation
  • Outreach
    • Food Pantry
    • Help & Mission
      • Pastoral Care
      • St. Mary Anne’s Quilters
    • Recovery Ministry
    • Senior Ministry
  • Give
    • Stewardship
    • Donate

2020 Parishioner Advent Reflection Day 17

December 15, 2020 by St Mary Anne Admin

Waiting for Christmas!
As a child growing up in Unionville, PA, I remember Christmas “waiting” with my 5 siblings as a time that took way too long and might never get here. But mom and dad were poor and they made it a time for Santa wishes, stockings (real, not fancy ones) hanging by the fireplace, a nicely lit and decorated tree, visits to and from family, and a special occasion in many ways. They loved us, and Christmas day included the opening of a couple of gifts, retrieving the orange, nuts and candy from our stockings, and a special dinner.
I lived with my parents in the village until I graduated from Goldey Beacom College in 1954, at which time l moved to Washington, D.C. and worked for the FBI for two years and decided to follow my sister, Ruth, back to Unionville. I attended Unionville Presbyterian (one that was within walking distance from my home) until 1960. I was baptized, became a member, and still never experienced Advent.
In 1960 I married George Ulary, moved to North East, where I had spent long summers at Red Point Beach in my family’s cottage, and became a member (where I was married) of Harts Methodist Church. George had been a member of this church since being carried to services on a pillow as a baby. We attended with our three girls until the Hills moved in as neighbors and Father Shand became the priest at St. Mary Anne’s. We enjoyed amazing adult Bible lessons from Emma Wood, Ethel Leverdge, and Florence Ulary, but still no Advent. We began letting our three girls go to youth group meetings with our neighbor, Melissa Hill, after her confirmation with Father Shand. All three baptized and confirmed as Episcopalians. We took turns attending church as a family, sometimes one of us would go to SMA — mostly me!
I became an Episcopalian in 1982 and was introduced to the season of Advent.  Thanks be to God!
Hallelujah!
I found my Christian family and home. Christmas Eve service was smells, bells, and all the pomp worthy of a birthday celebrating a king. It was awesome! The waiting was worth the best gift everyone should have. God lit up my life when he sent the Lord Jesus Christ to me. It is the only hope for each of us, and it is the only gift I wish for you all! No more waiting is necessary!   Merry Christmas!
Mary Ulary

Filed Under: Advent Reflections

Contact Us

Office

410.287.5522
office@stmaryanne.org
315 South Main St.
North East, MD 21901
Hours: 9am – 12pm M-F

Food Pantry

410.287.2230
outreach@stmaryanne.org
Hours: 9:30am – 12pm M-W-Sat

Service Times

Sunday 8:00AM: Rite I Service with Holy Eucharist

Sunday 10:00AM: Rite II Service with Holy Eucharist

Follow Us

Facebookyoutube
Our Video Gallery

Recent News

  • ECW 2025 Covered Dish Picnic
  • May Coffee House Performers, Lisa & Lori Brigantino
  • Introducing our new Quilt Raffle!
  • Easter Egg Hunt
  • Holy Week & Easter Schedule
  • April Coffee House Date Change
  • Easter Flower Offering
  • Wednesday Women
  • North East Hunger Appeal
  • North Elk Coffee House April Performer-Brody Bond

Copyright © 2025 · Enterprise Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in