Our Virtual Choir sounds amazing!

We heard so many positive comments about last week’s version of “Holy, Holy, Holy” we thought you might like to hear it again!

We encourage you to listen to this beautiful hymn and visit our YouTube channel to hear more from our Virtual Choir. Each Sunday we play their newest hymn during our Offertory and then embed it in our weekly recorded Sunday Services.

Alex Bi, their talented Choir Director, is the creative, musical genius who began the Virtual Choir early in the pandemic. The choir members sing from the comfort of their homes and send in their recordings to Alex. He mixes their voices together, orchestrates and arranges the background music, and we benefit from this harmonious effort.

We all miss singing in church, but the committed and talented work of this group is a lovely and unique alternative for us during this time. We think this group deserves a standing ovation!

Carol Weisel, Elizabeth Torregrossa, Rick Waterhouse, Amanda Summers Marr, Barbro & Wayne Pollock

Dawn Rodenbaugh, Donna Boyd, Mary Neureither,Joy & Ron Himmel, Judy Coudon and Alex Bi!

If you want to join in, Alex or Carol Weisel will guide you through the easy process. You can call in the church office and submit your name for more details (410-287-5522).

Rick Waterhouse!

For a number of years, 8AM parishioner, Rick Waterhouse, played the guitar and sang a Communion song during our 8:00 Sunday morning worship services. This Lenten Season, Rick is once again sharing his talent with the parish.

Last week he played, sang and recorded, “Get Behind Me Satan” and this week sings, “Acceptable in Your Sight”. You can hear his original music on our recorded Sunday services.

 

We anticipate a glorious Easter celebration in our sanctuary this year, so our Flower Committee is starting to plan their altar and church flower decorations.

At this time, we seek donations to help offset the costs of flowers and materials.

The  Easter flower envelopes are now in the church. If you do not have an envelope and wish to donate, you may donate online or mail a check in any amount made payable to St. Mary Anne’s and marked “Easter Flowers”.

Be sure to include the name(s) of those you would like to remember, honor or for whom you are thankful. In order to have names included in the Easter bulletin, please respond by Monday, March 29.

 

We are happy to report that the COVID positivity rate in Maryland is in decline thanks to a combination of vaccines and safe protocols.

Although the Cecil County Health Department allows up to 50% capacity in churches at this time, we continue to maintain caution and limit our attendance. However, our current limit will now increase to 30 at each service, and we hope by Easter to revise this limit assuming numbers continue to improve.

Be assured, we intend to continue with our safe protocols for the foreseeable future. Those protocols include masks, hand sanitizers and social distancing. We also have the HVAC air purification system in place. We work to keep our worship safe for you and your family.

To make a reservation, contact our church office at 410-287-5522 or office@stmaryanne.org. As we have found over these past few months, some forget to make a reservation. We encourage reservations but do not want you to miss church if you plan to attend.

2021 SMA Garden Market Cancellation

It is with sadness that we share that the 2021 St. Mary Anne’s Garden Market is being cancelled this year due to the pandemic.  Progress is being made with vaccinations and we currently have other hopeful signs regarding the pandemic’s metrics that give us hope that we may be turning another corner on this pandemic.  However, we are unable to predict when the Governor and our Diocese will change policy that precludes large gatherings, and when people will feel safe and willing to attend them.  We look forward to possibilities later this year to replace this important event and fundraiser and look forward to making the 2022 Garden Market extra special.

We continue with our COVID Protocols:

• We require all attendees to wear a mask during church services.
• Hand sanitizers are available in visible locations.
• Social distancing is required and we limit services to 25 participants (not including worship team) at this time.
• We do not share the chalice (wine) and distribute wafers only.
• Singing without a mask is not allowed at this time.
• We installed an HVAC air purification system in the church that destroys 99% of all viruses, bacteria, allergens and mold.
• We also utilize an electrostatic sanitizer between services.
• All church activities that involve food and beverages are not allowed at this time.
• The majority of our meetings are accomplished over Zoom.

We are confident that our aggressive protocols provide a safe worship experience.