Special Events at St. Mary's

St. Mary’s enjoys a variety of parish activities, including the following events: 

§  Posadas is a traditional Mexican Advent celebration of the pilgrimage made by Mary and Joseph seeking an inn to spend the night on the eve of Christ’s birth.  Members of our KFC youth group act out the parts.  Parishioners make up the crowd following them around the church until they finally are allowed entrance in the parish hall.  A party awaits with traditional Mexican dishes as well as a piñata for the children. 

§  Mardi Gras is a truly joyous event at St. Mary’s, complete with a pot luck dinner, crafts for children which include designing and decorating their own masks, a live jazz band, and ends with a piñata for the children who each try to be ‘the one’ who releases all the candy inside.

§  Maundy Thursday Dinner begins with a ceremonial washing of the feet (a hand is used), is followed by a wonderful dinner, and ends with the stripping of the altar.  It is a beautiful yet solemn reminder of the beginning of Jesus’ suffering.  This is followed by an all-night vigil that ends with the service at noon on Good Friday.  A lovely and very moving Tenebrae service with music and Bible readings is held Good Friday evening. 

§  For Pentecost, the church is alive with red balloons and each service is followed by a brunch in the Parish Hall. 

§  Summer brings St. Mary’s summer parish picnic. Now with the nicely landscaped inner courtyard off the Parish Hall, St. Mary’s official grilling experts have a place to show off their talents.  A brief parish meeting follows and it is at this time that four new members of the vestry are elected. 

§  Lessons and Carols, directed by our music director Dr. Richard Nance, is held at the beginning of Advent.  This program is an annual favorite and is a wonderful way to prepare for our Lord’s birth.  St. Mary’s young people provide the refreshments in the narthex following this special event.