From the Rector

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

In January, shortly after returning home to Arizona, my mother was suddenly diagnosed with cancer. Despite many years of walking with others through family crises and illnesses, this came as a huge shock to me and my sisters. After the shock came dread, then a war-room like strategizing as to how best to care for mom, led primarily by the unstoppable Lauren.

We all brought our gifts to the table, and I was so impressed by my sisters' ability to ask critical and insightful questions. Once the schedule of treatments was established, we all volunteered to take a week to be with mom during and after her treatments. It was decided that I should take the one closest to Mother's Day. 

In the beginning, we all feared the worst and imagined helping mom with basic daily tasks after her treatments. Happily, she really took to the treatments, and only had mild discomfort afterward. So for me, coming out for the fifth of six treatments, it has been not so much an exercise in physical nursing, but rather a time to reconnect with my mother in a new way. I said to her, "you know, the last time we were in a doctor's office together, you were taking me." It has been a holy time to cherish all that has been, and to see a little of what the future will bring. 

It wasn't just us kids, but work colleagues, neighbors, her doctor and nurses, and the prayers of the people of St. Mary's that have sustained her. Mom is beyond grateful for this outpouring, and we are all immensely relieved and just a little dumbfounded that after three and a half months, the unsinkable Linda Robÿn's PET scan revealed that the cancer is gone from her body. I get emotional even thinking about it.

Our lives are defined by many things, including how we meet the challenges that the universe throws our way. I am so grateful that my sisters and I had the ability to press pause on our day to day lives for a week at a time to care for our mother in her time of sickness and uncertainty. Family is one of life's greatest blessings, and though relationships can get strained, it is worth the effort. In the words of our bishop, "the most important thing we do is care for one another." "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

Blessings,
Father Rick

Dear Friends,

It has become a tradition at St Mary's to provide financial support to local children who otherwise would not be able to have the experience of camp or enjoy so many of the fun Summer activities that most of us take for granted.  Last year, through your generosity, we were able to support 21 children in the local camp at a cost to us of $15,350. Each year the cost of living goes up, and for many of these families there's not much left after providing the basics.

This year, about a month ago, a letter went out to the parents whose children are registered for free and reduced cost meals due to low and uncertain incomes. We offered a sponsorship for a maximum of 20 children. We have those twenty children already! The cost has gone up by $100 per student, to $700 for the first child and $600 for siblings. The cost of the optional Friday trips amounts to $178 per student: Splashdown, White Castle, High Exposure [rock climbing], Bowling, and Boulders Baseball. The Bounce trip will be free to campers. Not all students will opt for every trip, though they will be in the minority!  If they can afford it, we are asking the parents to pay $200 for the first child and $100 for each sibling as their part towards the fees and Friday trips.  

St Mary's would be grateful for any donations of whatever size to help us fund this year's campers. Checks should be made out to St Mary's Outreach, with memo ‘Camp’, or you can donate online, with the memo ‘Camp’.

All are welcome to come to our first barbecue and film on the Great Lawn on May 31st, which will mark the start of our appeal. 

Thank you for your support which will give five weeks of fun to twenty local children!

                Sincerely Sue Heywood, St Mary's Outreach Chair

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