St. Mary's is a growing parish, with about fifty active members and one-hundred twenty-five persons on the membership roster. An influx of both youth and families has created an evenly balanced "cross-generational" congregation. Youth ministry is one of St. Mary's largest potential growth areas, given the sixty thousand students attending local colleges.
Being the only Episcopal Church in Utah County, members come not only from Provo, but several come from forty or more miles away. Parishioners range from a capable group of "new" (less than one year) members to about one-third long-time (over ten years) members, allowing the parish to provide a variety of services, events, and programs with devoted leaders regularly stepping forward. Although members of St. Mary's are part of a religious minority in Utah, they are very welcome as prayerful Christians in the community, and participate in numerous multi-denominational programs and services.
Members of the congregation are involved in their community in many ways; some serve on the Utah Valley Ministerial Coalition, Board of Directors of Food and Care Coalition, Utah County Board of Health, and various diocesan committees. Parishioners work in the community as professors and students at BYU and Utah Valley State College, healthcare workers, construction and utility workers, homemakers, and in many other capacities.
Approximately one quarter of parishioners were raised in Utah, and on average, members have lived in Utah County nine to ten years. Almost half have extended family in Utah, and most work in Utah County as well.
Nine out of ten parishioners perceive the overall well-being of the parish to be in the good to very good range.
Being the only Episcopal Church in Utah County, members come not only from Provo, but several come from forty or more miles away. Parishioners range from a capable group of "new" (less than one year) members to about one-third long-time (over ten years) members, allowing the parish to provide a variety of services, events, and programs with devoted leaders regularly stepping forward. Although members of St. Mary's are part of a religious minority in Utah, they are very welcome as prayerful Christians in the community, and participate in numerous multi-denominational programs and services.
Members of the congregation are involved in their community in many ways; some serve on the Utah Valley Ministerial Coalition, Board of Directors of Food and Care Coalition, Utah County Board of Health, and various diocesan committees. Parishioners work in the community as professors and students at BYU and Utah Valley State College, healthcare workers, construction and utility workers, homemakers, and in many other capacities.
Approximately one quarter of parishioners were raised in Utah, and on average, members have lived in Utah County nine to ten years. Almost half have extended family in Utah, and most work in Utah County as well.
Nine out of ten parishioners perceive the overall well-being of the parish to be in the good to very good range.
Parish Ministries
The minstries described below are examples of the continuing and dynamic ministry of the people of St. Mary's. Many are long standing, some are new and a few are in a transitional state as we are led by The Lord.
Acolytes: The parish draws from a group of dedicated children and adults who serve as acolytes and crucifers.
Altar Guild: There are several committed members of St. Mary's who faithfully provide the support and preparation of the altar for each of the church services along with the special care required of the linens and vestments.
Angel Tree: This is a ministry to provide Christmas gifts to the children less than eighteen years of age who have a parent in prison. Over the past four years, the number of lives touched by this ministry has increased.
Balloon Fest: Over the past four years, St. Mary's Balloon Fest has added to the color and fun of the Provo July 4th parade. Parishioners from six to seventy-plus years of age hand out hundreds of free balloons for children attending the parade. Ice water, rest room facilities, and parking are provided to guests and parade goers, as the church is only a block from the parade route. It is a special treat to see many city blocks of the parade route covered with multicolored balloons emblazoned with "St. Mary's Episcopal Church".
Blessing of the Animals: At the time of St. Francis of Assisi Day, the parish sponsors a Blessing of the Animals in the yard surrounding the church. The whole county is invited by means of an active advertising campaign. As many as thirty animals and forty parishioners, plus many other county residents, have been on hand for the brief prayer service, the individual blessing, and a sprinkling of holy water over the pets by priests. The pets, which have included horses, ferrets, llamas, chickens, pigs, snakes, cats, dogs, and even a praying mantis, receive a certificate attesting to the blessing.
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Choir: St. Mary's has a grass-roots choir drawn from enthusiastic members of the congregation and directed by a parishioner. While small in size, the choir is big in spirit and embraces the scripture to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord." In addition to leading the congregation through the music every week, the choir participates in special programs, teaches the congregation unfamiliar hymns, and sings an anthem once a month on Choir Sunday. Choir rehearsals are generally held the hour prior to the main service. St. Mary's also enjoys an amiable working relationship with local university and community musicians outside the parish who provide soloists and expanded choirs on a seasonal basis.
Church Weekend Camp-Out: The parish has held a church weekend camp-out every summer for the past four years. The camp sites have been in particularly beautiful settings in the great Utah outdoors. Thirty to forty members of the parish attended each one. The fun includes Dutch oven cooking, barbeques, games, hikes, wading in creeks, fireside sing-alongs, and worship services.
Episcopal Ladies' Fellowship (ELFs): All women, young and not-so-young, of St. Mary's are welcome to attend ELFs. Generally between four to fifteen women gather on the third Thursday of each month. Outings range from movies, shopping trips, and dinners in fun and exciting restaurants to in-gatherings in people's homes with book reviews, potlucks, fondues, scrap booking and holiday parties. Occasionally, the group meets in a bookstore or in St. Mary's parish hall. The ELFs group is a "fun, kick-back" opportunity to get to know other women and form lasting friendships.
Inquirers: Instruction is available for special Inquirers classes whenever there has been a request. These sessions include instruction by clergy for those who decide to be baptized or confirmed. Over the recent years, about four persons each year have participated in numberous classes; many of the participants continue to the active in St. Mary's parish life.
Lay Readers and Lectors: A dedicated group of lay persons read the weekly scripture lessons. This important ministry is open to younger and older readers.
Men's Fellowship Breakfast: A small but lively group of several men of the parish find time in their busy schedules to meet monthly for breakfast in town. Conversation is varied and the food filling.
Newcomer's Program: The Newcomer's Program is centered on welcoming visitors warmly. A folder of information is available for those who wish to know more about St. Mary's. A member of the parish sends a welcoming note to each person who signs the guest book.
Prayer Ministry: Connected by e-mail, this group is coordinated by a faithful parishioner. The group shares prayer concerns for the church, the community and the diocese. Members of the prayer ministry meet monthly for discussions and at times, a speaker-led topic.
Skiing Outing: Each year the parish sponsors a ski outing, normally at the Sundance Ski Resort. As many as twenty-five members of the parish have participated each year. It is fun for all who come to enjoy the late winter weather, which is almost always warm and sunny. The skiers ski, the snowboarders ride, the eaters eat, the talkers talk, and all enjoy. The sun deck is a wonderful place to just sit and chat while the more active members of the parish enjoy the slopes.
Spiritual Development Group: This is a monthly class, which developed from an earlier healing minstry concept. It is a monthly class, presently held on Sundays after church. Recently, the class has forcused on a variety of topics: hands-on healing using therapeutic touch and Reiki; the twelfth chapter of the book of Revelation; prayer methods; and avoiding negative relationships. Upcoming areas of interest include planning for death with no regrets, finding the spiritual in all things, and expanding spiritual experiences. Generally, there are six to ten participants at each gathering, and all who are interested are welcome.
Sunday School: The children's Sunday school began the fall semester of 2005 with energetic new leadership. In the recent past, there has been a wide group of children ranging in age from two to fifteen years old, with perhaps one to three members in each age range. Classes meet during the first part of the service, and the children join the service during the passing of the peace. We celebrate a children's service on the fourth Sunday of the month - the readings and prayers are read by the children, and the crucifer and acolytes are children as well.
There is also an early Christmas Eve service designed to engage the children in liturgical experience in celebration of the nativity.
St. Mary's Website: Recently a very talented member of the parish has taken on the role of Webmaster for the St. Mary's Episcopal Church website. Information regarding the mission of the church, a listing of various parish leaders, a wonderful synopsis of the St. Mary's beautiful stained glass windows, plus a guide to the service times can be found on the website. Often, there are additional pieces of historical information added to the website regarding special services, such as in the Lenten season. Links to other church-related and diocesan websites and activities are frequently added.
Via Media Presentation(s): A group of parishioners recently participated in the Via Media discussion groups with lively and enriching results.
Women of St. Mary's: All women of the church are invited members of this group. At present, there is a small and vital core group that provides the energy for an annual rummage sale. The rummage sale is designed more as a service to the needy than as a fund-raiser, since most of the prices are low enough to be affordable for even the most needy. The women meet monthly for lunch and have provided well-known speakers for a large, open-to-the-public spring luncheon.
Youth Ministry: A vital group of young people, ages ten to seventeen, have been metting for youth activities on the fourth Friday of each month. Fun activities have been game night, baking, and Hungarian egg decorating prior to Easter, and socializing with meals. Several of the youth members participate in retreats and summer camps sponsored by the Diocese of Utah, at Camp Tuttle. As the group grows, members plan to be more involved in diocesan and perhaps regional events.
Outreach Evangelism Ministries: St. Mary's outreach occurs in many ways. The parish reaches out to the community by providing a home for several meetings a week of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), as well as the AA and Na district meetings, Alanon, Up With Kids (a children's dance group) and a local music group, the Shape Note Singers. There is a dedicated parishioner sponsor who interacts with these groups on a regular basis.
Members of St. Mary's collect supplies and food for local and international needs. The children's Sunday school collects and delivers food and supplies to the Food and Care Coalition once a month.
The parish also regularly supports the Provo House of Hope and the Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), and once or twice a year there are special in-gatherings for exceptional needs. Additionally, the parish supports the rector's discretionary fund with a regular monthly amount of $200.
Other Community Minstries of Parish Members: Parish members volunteer as grief counselors, community activists, and hospital assistants. They also serve in the following organizations:
Advisory Committee for the Senior Companion Program
American Red Cross
Central Utah Women & Children's Advisory Board
Community Action
Food and Care Coalition
Health Values Subcommittee of Healthy Utah Valley
Rocky Mountain Parish Nurse Ministries of Utah
Senior Companions
Utah County Board of Health
Women's Crisis Cent
Woodland Hills City Council
Recreation, Culture, Education and Health
Recreation: Utah Valley has much to offer everyone who lives within or visits this strikingly beautiful area. There are a variety of ways to invest recreation and leisure time, and cultural and educational amenities also abound.
Utah is known for the "greatest snow on earth," and the secret was let out of the bag after Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. There are nine world-class ski resorts within an hour drive from the middle of Provo.
The Olympic venues are spread out along the Wasatch front and are open to the public. They offer opportunities to utilize the facilities for activities from open skating to league events in hockey and curling. A trip to the mountains in the winter can provide adventure and excitement for everything from ice climbing and snowmobiling to cross-country skiing and tubing.
Utah County provides a treasure trove of recreational activities, including golfing, rock climbing, rappelling, camping, hiking, river rafting, and hot air balloon riding.
Imagination is the only limit to the outdoor adventures available in Utah. For those who enjoy the calming melody of a running stream, the Provo River can provide solace as well as world-class fly-fishing.
Thanksgiving Point in nearby Lehi, has a children's museum, the largest dinosaur museum in the world, plus a world-class display of acres of colorful year-round gardens.
Acolytes: The parish draws from a group of dedicated children and adults who serve as acolytes and crucifers.
Altar Guild: There are several committed members of St. Mary's who faithfully provide the support and preparation of the altar for each of the church services along with the special care required of the linens and vestments.
Angel Tree: This is a ministry to provide Christmas gifts to the children less than eighteen years of age who have a parent in prison. Over the past four years, the number of lives touched by this ministry has increased.
Balloon Fest: Over the past four years, St. Mary's Balloon Fest has added to the color and fun of the Provo July 4th parade. Parishioners from six to seventy-plus years of age hand out hundreds of free balloons for children attending the parade. Ice water, rest room facilities, and parking are provided to guests and parade goers, as the church is only a block from the parade route. It is a special treat to see many city blocks of the parade route covered with multicolored balloons emblazoned with "St. Mary's Episcopal Church".
Blessing of the Animals: At the time of St. Francis of Assisi Day, the parish sponsors a Blessing of the Animals in the yard surrounding the church. The whole county is invited by means of an active advertising campaign. As many as thirty animals and forty parishioners, plus many other county residents, have been on hand for the brief prayer service, the individual blessing, and a sprinkling of holy water over the pets by priests. The pets, which have included horses, ferrets, llamas, chickens, pigs, snakes, cats, dogs, and even a praying mantis, receive a certificate attesting to the blessing.
Choir: St. Mary's has a grass-roots choir drawn from enthusiastic members of the congregation and directed by a parishioner. While small in size, the choir is big in spirit and embraces the scripture to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord." In addition to leading the congregation through the music every week, the choir participates in special programs, teaches the congregation unfamiliar hymns, and sings an anthem once a month on Choir Sunday. Choir rehearsals are generally held the hour prior to the main service. St. Mary's also enjoys an amiable working relationship with local university and community musicians outside the parish who provide soloists and expanded choirs on a seasonal basis.
Church Weekend Camp-Out: The parish has held a church weekend camp-out every summer for the past four years. The camp sites have been in particularly beautiful settings in the great Utah outdoors. Thirty to forty members of the parish attended each one. The fun includes Dutch oven cooking, barbeques, games, hikes, wading in creeks, fireside sing-alongs, and worship services.
Episcopal Ladies' Fellowship (ELFs): All women, young and not-so-young, of St. Mary's are welcome to attend ELFs. Generally between four to fifteen women gather on the third Thursday of each month. Outings range from movies, shopping trips, and dinners in fun and exciting restaurants to in-gatherings in people's homes with book reviews, potlucks, fondues, scrap booking and holiday parties. Occasionally, the group meets in a bookstore or in St. Mary's parish hall. The ELFs group is a "fun, kick-back" opportunity to get to know other women and form lasting friendships.
Inquirers: Instruction is available for special Inquirers classes whenever there has been a request. These sessions include instruction by clergy for those who decide to be baptized or confirmed. Over the recent years, about four persons each year have participated in numberous classes; many of the participants continue to the active in St. Mary's parish life.
Lay Readers and Lectors: A dedicated group of lay persons read the weekly scripture lessons. This important ministry is open to younger and older readers.
Men's Fellowship Breakfast: A small but lively group of several men of the parish find time in their busy schedules to meet monthly for breakfast in town. Conversation is varied and the food filling.
Newcomer's Program: The Newcomer's Program is centered on welcoming visitors warmly. A folder of information is available for those who wish to know more about St. Mary's. A member of the parish sends a welcoming note to each person who signs the guest book.
Prayer Ministry: Connected by e-mail, this group is coordinated by a faithful parishioner. The group shares prayer concerns for the church, the community and the diocese. Members of the prayer ministry meet monthly for discussions and at times, a speaker-led topic.
Skiing Outing: Each year the parish sponsors a ski outing, normally at the Sundance Ski Resort. As many as twenty-five members of the parish have participated each year. It is fun for all who come to enjoy the late winter weather, which is almost always warm and sunny. The skiers ski, the snowboarders ride, the eaters eat, the talkers talk, and all enjoy. The sun deck is a wonderful place to just sit and chat while the more active members of the parish enjoy the slopes.
Spiritual Development Group: This is a monthly class, which developed from an earlier healing minstry concept. It is a monthly class, presently held on Sundays after church. Recently, the class has forcused on a variety of topics: hands-on healing using therapeutic touch and Reiki; the twelfth chapter of the book of Revelation; prayer methods; and avoiding negative relationships. Upcoming areas of interest include planning for death with no regrets, finding the spiritual in all things, and expanding spiritual experiences. Generally, there are six to ten participants at each gathering, and all who are interested are welcome.
Sunday School: The children's Sunday school began the fall semester of 2005 with energetic new leadership. In the recent past, there has been a wide group of children ranging in age from two to fifteen years old, with perhaps one to three members in each age range. Classes meet during the first part of the service, and the children join the service during the passing of the peace. We celebrate a children's service on the fourth Sunday of the month - the readings and prayers are read by the children, and the crucifer and acolytes are children as well.
There is also an early Christmas Eve service designed to engage the children in liturgical experience in celebration of the nativity.
St. Mary's Website: Recently a very talented member of the parish has taken on the role of Webmaster for the St. Mary's Episcopal Church website. Information regarding the mission of the church, a listing of various parish leaders, a wonderful synopsis of the St. Mary's beautiful stained glass windows, plus a guide to the service times can be found on the website. Often, there are additional pieces of historical information added to the website regarding special services, such as in the Lenten season. Links to other church-related and diocesan websites and activities are frequently added.
Via Media Presentation(s): A group of parishioners recently participated in the Via Media discussion groups with lively and enriching results.
Women of St. Mary's: All women of the church are invited members of this group. At present, there is a small and vital core group that provides the energy for an annual rummage sale. The rummage sale is designed more as a service to the needy than as a fund-raiser, since most of the prices are low enough to be affordable for even the most needy. The women meet monthly for lunch and have provided well-known speakers for a large, open-to-the-public spring luncheon.
Youth Ministry: A vital group of young people, ages ten to seventeen, have been metting for youth activities on the fourth Friday of each month. Fun activities have been game night, baking, and Hungarian egg decorating prior to Easter, and socializing with meals. Several of the youth members participate in retreats and summer camps sponsored by the Diocese of Utah, at Camp Tuttle. As the group grows, members plan to be more involved in diocesan and perhaps regional events.
Outreach Evangelism Ministries: St. Mary's outreach occurs in many ways. The parish reaches out to the community by providing a home for several meetings a week of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), as well as the AA and Na district meetings, Alanon, Up With Kids (a children's dance group) and a local music group, the Shape Note Singers. There is a dedicated parishioner sponsor who interacts with these groups on a regular basis.
Members of St. Mary's collect supplies and food for local and international needs. The children's Sunday school collects and delivers food and supplies to the Food and Care Coalition once a month.
The parish also regularly supports the Provo House of Hope and the Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), and once or twice a year there are special in-gatherings for exceptional needs. Additionally, the parish supports the rector's discretionary fund with a regular monthly amount of $200.
Other Community Minstries of Parish Members: Parish members volunteer as grief counselors, community activists, and hospital assistants. They also serve in the following organizations:
Advisory Committee for the Senior Companion Program
American Red Cross
Central Utah Women & Children's Advisory Board
Community Action
Food and Care Coalition
Health Values Subcommittee of Healthy Utah Valley
Rocky Mountain Parish Nurse Ministries of Utah
Senior Companions
Utah County Board of Health
Women's Crisis Cent
Woodland Hills City Council
Recreation: Utah Valley has much to offer everyone who lives within or visits this strikingly beautiful area. There are a variety of ways to invest recreation and leisure time, and cultural and educational amenities also abound.
Utah is known for the "greatest snow on earth," and the secret was let out of the bag after Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. There are nine world-class ski resorts within an hour drive from the middle of Provo.
The Olympic venues are spread out along the Wasatch front and are open to the public. They offer opportunities to utilize the facilities for activities from open skating to league events in hockey and curling. A trip to the mountains in the winter can provide adventure and excitement for everything from ice climbing and snowmobiling to cross-country skiing and tubing.
Utah County provides a treasure trove of recreational activities, including golfing, rock climbing, rappelling, camping, hiking, river rafting, and hot air balloon riding.
Imagination is the only limit to the outdoor adventures available in Utah. For those who enjoy the calming melody of a running stream, the Provo River can provide solace as well as world-class fly-fishing.
Thanksgiving Point in nearby Lehi, has a children's museum, the largest dinosaur museum in the world, plus a world-class display of acres of colorful year-round gardens.