St. Mary's Episcopal Church

    Let's say you have visited St. Mary's and have liked what you have experienced. Perhaps you signed the guest book and are getting our newsletters and weekly emails. Perhaps you've even taken LeeAnne (the priest here) or someone else up on their offer to go out for coffee. Maybe you were so brave as to let us wine and dine you at one of our newcomer parties. Now you're thinking - I like this place!  I want to officially be a part of this community! 

That is just wonderful and we welcome you whole-heartedly!

Welcome  welcome!

Here is what happens next: 

For everyone there are some consistent things that will happen once you decide to become a member.

- you will receive information about making a financial contribution

- you will be added to a coffee hour team

- if you have small children, you may be asked to take a turn helping the professional nursery staff on a Sunday morning

- you will be added to our weekly email list (tell us if you would rather not be)

1. 
   

   -  LeeAnne or Paulette or a member of the newcomer committee will invite you to have coffee and get to know you a bit better.  One of the things she will ask is, if you belong to another faith community, to make sure to say goodbye to them.
   

At St. Mary's we want to be welcoming of all sorts of people, and of course that means that we offer a variety of ways to become a member.

For the shy 

'don't make a fuss and don't even think about asking me to stand up in front of people'

member wannabe:

Easy!  We are glad to have you with us. We won't chase you around. You are very welcome to hang out in the back row, receive what you need, give what you can. To contribute to ourcommunity life, there are all sorts of ministries that need to be done around 

here that are especially suited to the not-overly-social type, such as stickering our newsletters, puttering around the building fixing things, writing thank you notes, etc. Maybe you have time in your life to develop a one-on-one relationship with someone unable to make it to Sunday morning church, that would be wonderful. All you need to do is let LeeAnne know and she can hook you up with what fits your preferences. Plus if you can stand it you are welcome to attend one of our newcomer parties, those are fun and not overly huge.

For the 

'Go ahead and make a fuss, I can't wait to make friends and roll up my sleeves'

        member wannabes:

Wonderful!  For you there are more options. Come to a newcomer party and meet others just joining or who have been here for a long time. Stand up in church and let us welcome you with an official prayer. Volunteer to help set up any of our parties, or work the food shelf, or join the Armchair Theologians, or work with the Sunday school children-so many opportunities!

For the

'I like the traditional things that come with being an Episcopalian'

member wannabe:
Great!  Twice a year at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis the Bishop will hold a special service to Confirm or Receive new Episcopalians. It is a good experience to worship in that big place and to have the Bishop lay hands on your head. Speak with LeeAnne if you are interested in this service.