Rooted in the past, reaching for the future
We welcome Assisting 
Bishop Bud Shand to our 10:00 AM Service on May 24, 2026, the Day of Pentecost
While here, he will confirm one adult confirmation into the Episcopal Church.
Please join us to celebrate this adult’s commitment to his faith and the Church and welcome the Bishop during his yearly visit to our parish.
Dear Parishioners,
Yesterday, we joyfully sang “Alleluia!” as we celebrated Easter Sunday and the Resurrection of our Lord.
It was certainly an unusual and unpredictable weather day. Early morning rain at 5:30 AM required us to cancel our beloved Riverfront Sunrise Service. As it turned out, the skies cleared just in time for when the service would have begun—one of those moments that reminds us how little control we truly have! I know how meaningful this tradition is to many of you, and I share in your disappointment. So much preparation goes into that service—not only on my part, but also by the Altar Guild and our Parish Administrator. Our Junior Warden, Jim Kondracki, was already on his way to set up chairs when the cancellation was called, and a few faithful parishioners even arrived. It was, without question, a difficult decision.
Yet, as the day unfolded, so did the grace of the moment.
The sun emerged, and thanks to some quick coordination—especially by my wife Karen and a few helpers—we were able to hold our much-loved Easter Egg Hunt right on schedule at 9:45 AM. Rich Gilbert delighted everyone as the Easter Bunny, bringing smiles, laughter, and plenty of photo moments. The children’s joy was unmistakable, and their baskets were filled to the brim with candy-filled eggs.
Then, just as we concluded the 10:00 AM service, the winds picked up and the rain returned in earnest—sending parishioners and visitors scurrying to their cars! Through it all, we adapted, adjusted, and carried on together. And that, perhaps, is the real Easter message—hope, resilience, and joy, even when things don’t go as planned.
I am deeply grateful for the flexibility, good spirit, and faith of this parish community. With heartfelt appreciation, I want to thank all who helped make Holy Week and Easter so meaningful:
• Carol Weisel and Linda Gibeck, for leading the Monday evening Vesper Service with prayer and music
• Joel Alarcon, Shelly Ray Alarcon, Alex Bi, and Rose McFassel, for enriching our worship with beautiful music
• Our Eucharistic Ministers and Acolytes, led by Carol Weisel and Mac McMullin respectively, for their reverent service at the altar.
• The Ushers, led by Chris Inmon, for their warm welcome and gracious assistance
• The Lectors—especially Andy Flood and Karen Schaeffer—for bringing the Passion narrative to life, and Tom Kenny for his organization of the lectors
• Valerie Manges and Judy Coudon, for preparing the Easter eggs; Melissa Cook MacKenzie, for arranging the bunny suit; and Rich Gilbert, for joyfully serving as our Easter Bunny
• Patty Wood, for leading a Church School program for children during the first half of the 10:00 AM Easter service
• The Flower Committee, for the stunning decorations throughout the church and grounds
• George Kaplan and MacKenzie Strobel, for faithfully providing our livestream services
• Our Vestry leadership, office staff, and the entire parish community, whose collective efforts made our celebration so special
And can you believe it? For 320 years, this faithful parish—and those who came before us—have gathered at this altar to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are good at it! What a profound and humbling legacy we share.
This Easter holds special meaning for me personally, as it will be my final one with you at St. Mary Anne’s. I am especially grateful to share it with such a faithful and loving parish community. Thank you for being part of it.
With gratitude and Easter joy,
Father John
Sunday, March 29 | 8:00 AM and 10:00AM Services Our beautiful Palm Sunday Service celebrates Jesus’ triumphal entry in Jerusalem and marks the start of Holy Week. We start our services on Hoopes Court (outside the side entrance doors of the church) with a Procession of the Palms. We process into the church for the Service with a reading of the Passion.
Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 3 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM You are welcome to pray the Stations of the Cross this Lent. This self-led, powerful 14-step prayer journey walks through Christ’s Passion and death. This moving devotion offers a chance to deepen your relationship with Jesus, reflect on his sacrifice, and find comfort in his love.
Monday, March 30 | 7:00 PM Vesper Prayer Service features candlelight in our darkened sanctuary, soothing music, and beautiful prayers. Led by Eucharistic Lay Ministers Carol Weisel and Linda Gibeck.
Wednesday, April 1 | 12:00 Noon Fr. John will celebrate Holy Eucharist and offer prayers for healing.
April 2 | 6:30 PM Our traditional Maundy Thursday service marks the beginning of the final act of the Passion narrative. We remember Jesus sharing the Passover meal with his disciples before going to the Garden of Gethsemane. The service concludes in silence as the altar and sanctuary are stripped.
April 3-4 | 9:00 PM begins after the Stripping of the Altar, and will continue throughout the night until noontime on Good Friday. The Watch commemorates the time Jesus spent in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was arrested, and as he asked his disciples, “Can you not watch with me one hour?”
Parishioners volunteer to “keep watch” in our sanctuary for one hour segments so that the continuous vigil of silent prayer is maintained. To sign up for the Night Watch, please contact the church office at 410-287-5522 or sign-up after Sunday services.
April 3 | 12:00 Noon Good Friday stands at the heart of the Christian faith. On this solemn day we remember when Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross for the salvation of the world.
Date: Sunday, February 15
Time: 11:30AM
Place: Parish Hall
Menu:
Baked Ziti (with sausage, meatballs or meatless)
Tossed Salad
Bread
Beverages
Assorted desserts
Dress:
We encourage you to wear festive Valentine attire (red or pink!)
Cost:
Generous free-will offerings are kindly requested and appreciated. Proceeds to benefit the SMA Food Pantry.
Reservations are Required: We will comfortably accommodate 84 diners in our Parish Hall for this luncheon, so please reserve your spaces or a table for your family (6-8). Please reserve your spots by calling our parish office at 410-287-5522 or office@stmaryanne.org.
The Annual Meeting is rescheduled for Sunday, February 8 following the 10:00AM Sunday Service that day. All parishioners are encouraged to attend this important yearly meeting to vote for Vestry members, the Mission budget, and to be presented the new budget for 2026.
Please note: There is one service that day–at 10:00AM.
