St. Mary's Evangelical Lutheran Church

Dear Brother and Sisters in Christ,

As we get to the end of our Eastertide celebrations, I am reminded that within Jesus’ ministry there are seasons. A beginning in which he assesses the religious situation around him, and in His baptism takes on the mission of the Kingdom of God given to Him by His Father. There is a season of calling the disciples, showing them His Vision, and training them to bring the Kingdom to others. Then a new season began, where Jesus sent the spirit to equip his disciples for what was ahead and let them know His time with them was coming to an end so that grace could be accomplished. It was a message that was hard to hear and difficult to give. But Jesus assured the disciples they were up to the task. After His resurrection, once again he reminded them that they would be the ones to preach the good news to a world that needed it so badly. And he then told them that He would not leave them comfortless, but the Holy Spirit would be with them as they went forward.

The Seasons of ministry in the church are much like this. Our leaders join us, and we journey together. We assess the community's need for the church. We learn and equip ourselves to bring the Kingdom of God to all, based on our gifts and talents. But sometimes the world changes or throws us a curveball that requires adaptation and different gifts and abilities. And sometimes those changes come in our own lives.

When I started at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church, I hoped to bring some energy and new vision of possible ministries to the parish. I was happy to find a church filled with people who loved Jesus and their community and their church and who extended outside their doors to others. The pandemic began an unexpected season in our life together, but we adapted, and the Synod provided some resources for us to continue through it. Still. It is the people of St. Mary’s that continues to be its strength for ministry.

Likewise, my family and I went through a change of season in our personal lives, as we lost Aida and gained grandchildren. But the most profound changes were in Rudy’s and my health. The stress of the last three years has hastened the need for medical care for him, and that medication and diet alone will not be enough to control my medical issues. I must step back from ministry in order to recover. This is not a decision I make lightly. I have grown to care for each and every one of you at St. Mary’s. And there is still much I want to do. But other gifts and energy than mine will make that happen.

And so, in consultation with Bishop Gohl, I will be retiring from active ministry at the end of August 2022. We will have a celebration of our time together, with the Bishop coming to give thanks. But you will not be left comfortless. The Synod has ideas already how to continue forward, working on this in July. Meantime, I will continue to empower you all as best as I can for the re-emergence of the church into a place that needs us so badly. Rudy and I are grateful for your support and prayers and continue in hope with you. Thank you for all that you are, and we celebrate all that you will be.

Yours In Christ,

Pastor Linda

Beginning February 16th, masks and face coverings will be optional inside St. Mary’s Parish Hall and Sanctuary in accordance with local, state, and CDC recommendations. Masks continue to be strongly recommended at St. Mary’s for those who are unvaccinated.

Please be respectful to those who are more comfortable with deciding to continue masking, regardless of positivity rates or their vaccination status.

The Maryland Department of Health has issued a public health advisory strongly recommending that all non-vaccinated individuals over the age of 2 years continue to wear face coverings in all indoor settings and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

COVID-19 positivity rate drops below 4%. The substantial declines in the Maryland’s key health metrics continue as the COVID-19 positivity rate has dropped to 3.77%—down 87% since peaking last month. COVID-19 hospitalizations have dropped to 751—down 78% since peaking last month. Maryland continues to report the lowest COVID-19 case rate of any state. Official data is available at coronavirus.maryland.gov.

If you are feeling unwell, please stay home.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pastor Linda.

We are the Silver Run/Union Mills Lions Club, and we need your help. Our Club was started in 1961 and we are coming up on our 60th Anniversary. We are looking for new members and need you.

Our community service includes work to help both the economic underprivileged and victims of disaster. We assist community residents in need by loaning hospital equipment, arranging eye tests and glasses, donating to our local food pantry in Silver Run, and providing financial support for various community projects and organizations through fundraising campaigns. Proceeds are donated to various Lions International Programs involving vision research, health care services, and other area organizations that lend their hands and expertise to community betterment and safety. Our two $1,000 scholarships are now in memory of John Hopkins and John Leister and are for high school or vocational students in the 21158-zip code area. Annual fund-raisers include Basket Bingo and a Corn Roast.

Meetings are held 6:30 pm the second and fourth Thursday of each month at our Lions Club Park on Old Hanover Road. The Lions' Motto is: We Serve.

For more information, please contact: Terrie Bath E-mail: tc@qis.net, Phone: 410-346-6311 or Thelma Stonesifer E-mail: tjstoney@comcast.net, Phone: 410-346-7721.

St. Mary's is an assembly of Christian believers who gather together in the community of Silver Run. We are a collection of people with different needs and concerns, yet we are called to a unity which grows from joining together in worship of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Each of us has different God-given talents which we are called to use to witness to our faith in God's love revealed through Jesus Christ. We are called and empowered by the Holy Spirit to invite others to share in our faith in Christ and to welcome them into the life of our congregation.