Messenger
ST.
MARY?S-ON-THE-HIGHLANDSEPISCOPAL
CHURCH
Who do YOU say that I am?
By The Rev H Huey Gardner
Thelectionaryismovingusthrough asection of Matthew that I find particularlyimportant In thecomingweeks,wewill hear about Jesuswalking on thewater andPeter attemptingto walk toHim.Wewill hear Jesusremind peopleof thedifferencebetween what weput into our mouthsandthewords that comeout of our mouths,andfinally,what I believeisthemost important question askedof thedisciplesandus Jesusturnsto Hisfollowersandsays, ?Who do yousaythat I am??(Matthew16:15)
MatthewpresentsthisquestionalongsidethePharisees' demandfor aspecific sign that Jesusisthelong-awaitedMessiah.ThePhariseeswanted?easy,?but Jesusasksabout trust,faith,andbelief.
Sometimesit isverydifficult toexerciseeven ameasureof faith and trust I seethisaspect of our human existencein hospital rooms,in complicated familysituations,and evenwhen lifeisslippingawayfromalovedone It can bedifficult to entrust our livesandthesituationsweall encounter to our Savior andMessiah
However,HolyScripturecontainsmanydescriptionsof situationsinwhich a person can choosewhether to believeor not TheseincludeThomaspondering theaccountsof otherswho claimtohaveseen theresurrectedLord;Peter attemptingtowalk on thewater;andPeter'sstatement to thelameman,"We haveno goldor silver ?wecan offer youChrist " (Acts3:6)
When I contemplatethequestion askedof Peter in Matthew'sGospel ??Who do yousaythat I am???I can answer, ?Messiah,Son of theLivingGod?But thenthequestion I ask of myself is,?Can I let JesusBE theMessiah,Son of theLivingGod??Thisthought capturesthetension in mypersonal spiritual life I can sayyes,HeIStheMessiah,but will I allowHimto BE theMessiah?
AllowingJesustoact and function astheMessiah isat theheart of our faith Howmuch of our liveswill weentrust to thisyoungrabbi who defeatsdeath,savesPeter,and whoseteachingsprovokemanyto respond,?Wehavenever heard anythinglikethisbefore??(Mark 2:12,Luke5:26)
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VISION OF ST MARY?S-ON-THE-HIGHLANDS St.Mary?swillofferawiderangeof worship,educationandoutreachexperiencesthatdrawpeopleclosertoChrist.
MISSION OF ST MARY?S-ON-THE-HIGHLANDS St.Mary?smissionistoserveGodbyproclaimingtheGospelof JesusChristwithintheParishandintotheworldbyworshipinginthe Anglicantradition,byfaithfullyadministeringthesacraments,andbyministeringtothespiritual,emotional,andphysicalneedsof ourParishfamilyandourcommunity.
TheConfessionof SaintPeter byPaulo Medina(2024)
Thursday, August 20
12:30 PM / Living Room
Making the Broken Beautiful
Join us for our August gathering as Kaki O?Flinn explores the Japanese art of Kintsugi as a metaphor for how precious we are when we are restored after great sorrow Kintsugi involves repairing pottery with gold, rejoining the broken pieces to create something even more beautiful As we do every month, Who Knew?invites you to listen,ask questions, and learn together.
Contact Kaki or Emily Rushing for more information or to suggest a topic for future gatherings.
SummerReadingViewing!
Tuesday, August 11
Noon in the Living Room
Richard Ahlquist and Jimmy Wiygul will be taking us through the theology of an exciting ?who dunnit?movie,Wake Up Dead Man?AKnivesOut Mystery, which is available on Netflix
We won't watch the movie together, but take note of the time of a scene that you would like to discuss with the group We will have the movie available to skip to a few scenes to refresh our memory as we discuss.
Lit t l eGreen Lending Library Reminder
We've noticed that some of our most popular books have found loving homes? but haven't quite found their way back.We know how easy it is for a good book to end up on a bedside table or bookshelf, especially during a busy season!
We work hard to keep the library stocked with current and meaningful titles,so if you've finished a book, we'd be grateful if you'd return it so someone else can enjoy it too When you borrow a book, please sign it out on the clipboard beside the cart, and when you bring it back, simply mark your name off the list That small step helps us keep track of the books and keeps the library flourishing
Thank you for helping make the Little Green Lending Library a place where good books can continue to be shared throughout our parish
Boththe Little GreenLending Libraryand the St.Mary'sLibraryare located inthe Parish Office area onLevel 1of DrennenHouse.
St. Mary's Day: Sunday, August 16
Celebrate with Special M usic, Potluck Lunch, and M ore!
Sunday, August 16,will beaspecial dayhereaswecelebratethefeast dayof our patron saint,St.MarytheVirgin.Hereiswhat wehave plannedfor our 10:30 AM worship service:
- Special Music! TheSt Mary'sChoir andJohn Lowewill be joinedbybrass,timpani,andorgan
- Introduction of Our Newest Members
PLUS! Immediately following the 10:30 AM service, everyone is invited to Randolph Memorial H all for a Potluck lunch! St. Mary'swill providethefriedchicken andbeverages Attendeesare askedto bringsidedishesanddesserts:
- If your last name starts with A-D,pleasebringasalador appetizer to serve8-10
- If your name starts with E-S, pleasebringasidedish to serve8-10
- If your last name starts with T-Z,pleasebringadessert to serve8-10.
Remember to wear your favorite shade of blue to honor the mother of our Lord!
Seeking Breakfast Team Members!
A coupleof our breakfast teamsneed additional helpers! Thedutiesare simple? mostly helpingin the kitchen,settingup thebuffet tables, and/ or helpingwith cleanup.Each team servesonceeveryfive (5) weeks,so it isan easytimecommitment.It isalso afun wayto get involvedandget to knowothers!
Interested?Contact MelodieElamat melodie@stmarysothorgor 205-881-1261
Instructed Eucharist
Sunday, August 2
On the2nd,our 10:30servicewill bearegular RiteII communionservicewith additional commentarythat providesthehistorical,theological,andsymbolic context of theprayers,postures,andrituals.It will help thosenewto theEpiscopal Church better understandtheserviceandwill enrich theworship of long-timemembers.
Children'sMinistries
Make sure you are in church on the 9th! Special prayers will be offered for students and teachers as the new school year begins Backpack tags will be available, along with lunchbox prayers for parents to pick up and use throughout the year to encourage students.
Built for a Purpose is a fun day for 3rd-8th grade boys tocreate,sing,besilly,andlearn about Jesus Through hands-on activitiesand Biblical teaching,boysdiscover they areuniquemasterpiecescreatedbyGodfor Hisglory Usingtools,playinggames,andlearningnewskillsarepart of theday.Built for aPurposehelpsboyslearn about Jesus inawaythat affectstheir lives.Theyleavewith reminders of theGodwho made,loves,saves,anddesiresa relationshipwith them $60 per camper
Children entering3K andtheir parentsareinvitedto AtriumOrientation tolearn moreabout Catechesisof the GoodShepherd,our approach to children?sChristian formation at St.Mary?s! Meet us in the Level 1Atrium (Room 205) on the Children's H all of Drennen H ouse, 9:45-10:30 AM
Questions?Contact KatieDewees(katie@stmarysoth.org).
All catechistsareinvitedtospendtimeintheatriabefore September! Help spruceupthespacesor reviewlessons.
Doors open 9:30 AM-11:30 AM on these Wednesdays: August 19, 26, and September 2. Join us if you can!
Questions?Contact EmilyBall emily@stmarysothorg
Serving as volunteers for Built for aPurposealso offers men achanceto invest in thenext generation,teaching God'sWordand demonstratingHischaracter through relationships. Men and Senior H igh boys areneededto leadbuildingprojects,games,cooking,worship,andBible teaching
ContactEvanPezantfordetails:evan@stmarysoth.org
To sign up a CAMPER:
Click here or Scanbelow
To sign up as a VOLUNTEER: Click here or Scanbelow
Last month we enjoyed our Created for a Purpose summer arts camp with 55 girls and over 40 volunteers. Wecooked,painted,sculpted,sewed, andpapered,creatingmasterpiecesand rememberingthat Godisthetrue creator andweareHISmasterpiece.
Thanks to the women who made all this possible! We look forwardto next year!(Savethedate:July26-30,2027)
Check outafewof ourpicturesonpage6!
A WelcomeFelt Round theWorld
It isn? t often that weat St.Mary?sontheHighlandsfindourselvesin the companyof amultitudeof bishopsfromplaceslikeHonduras,Colorado, andNewYork City,alongwith clergyandparishionersfromacrossthe Dioceseof Alabama On Friday,June26,wehostedsuch an event in our veryown Randolph Memorial Hall. It washistoricandinspiring.Nearly 120guestsattended,includingour PresidingBishop,theMost Reverend Sean Rowe,all thereto welcomeRichard T Lawson, our 13th Bishop of Alabama,andhisfamily.
It wasagrandunfoldingof hospitalityfromstart to finish It took vision, orchestratedmovement,and theunparalleledgiftsof manypeople What transpiredwasholyandabundantlyevident. Emily Gardner andher teamfromEmilyGardner Designscreatedan indoor portrait of creation,Eden-likein style Vaughan McGehee and her staff at Vaughan andCompanyCateringofferedadelectablefarm-to-tablefeast Cahaba River Strings serenaded guestsastheyenteredtheLivingRoomfor drinksand small bites. Theservers,greeters,bartenders,andparish leaders beamedwith cordiality. H uey Gardner and Richard Ahlquist wovediocesan trivia,history,andprizesinto laughter andnewlyfoundcommonalitiesamongtheguests Weendedwith ComplineandablessingfromthePresidingBishop Blessedwewereandareaswestep into thisnewtimein history,under thegraceof our God
Gratefully,
Photosbelowcourtesyof TuckerManning
Getting Ready for Christmas (! )
We are starting to collect funds for our Glen Iris Bag Packing project in December ALL your generousdonationsgo toprovidingmealsfor thechildren of Glen IrisElementarySchool.Packingbagsfor 800+ studentscostsaround$5500, which includesall thefood,thebagswebuy,andtheU-Haul truck to deliver them Everypennyisso important andtrulymeanstheworldto thesechildren Please help usreach our goal anddonatethissummer!! To donate, visit https:/ / onrealm.org/ StMarysonH ighla/ give/ GlenIris or mail your check to Rhea Pelekis in the Parish Office
AND!! SavetheDateforSaturday,December12,forbagpackingatStMary?s.Welook forwardtoseeingyouthere,andTHANKYOU!!
Our July in Pictures
Summer fun, service, and celebrations!
BELOW: Several membersof our parish visitedAmistandMission in Cochabamba,Boliviato bondwith the children of theSt.Mary's-sponsoredcasaCopaCabana.
BELOW: HueyGardner hostedthe JulyBook Club discussion of Jane Austen'sEmma. Thegathering includedan Afternoon Tea presentedbyPamStone
St. Mary?s Cursillo Community
We'vegot alot of great thingsgoingon inour Cursillocommunityat St.Mary's,and we'dlovefor youto beapart of it!
- Interested in attending Cursillo?We'd loveto help youget started Contact our Parish Lay Rector, Christy Parsons,on Realmfor moreinformation
- Already a Cursillista?Besuretojoin theSt Mary'sCursillogroup onRealmto stay connectedwith upcomingevents,important dates,andcommunityupdates
2026: Cursillo #241Thursday,October 8- Sunday,October 11,2026
2027: Cursillo #242Thursday,April 8- Sunday,April 11,2027
Cursillo#243Thursday,September 9- Sunday,September 12,2027
Cursillo#244Thursday,November 4- Sunday,November 7,2027
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AllowingChrist to BE theMessiah requiresusto entrust our livestothepower Hebringsinto theworld This power isall about theoldbeingmadenewandabout the thingswecast down beingraisedupthrough thepower of theMessiah
Aswehear thissectionof Matthewin themonthof August,listen for thequestion Christ asked of Peter,and then ponder howmuch of your lifeyouhaveentrusted to thisMessiah,theSon of theLivingGod.
Also from Huey: Rector'sBible Studies
Resuming in September
TheTuesdayand Wednesdaygatheringswill begin theweek of September 15and16. As westart,I want to sharea book I havereturnedto manytimes: David Gibson?sTheLordof Psalm 23 I hopethat between nowand mid-September youwill consider findinga copyandreadingit
I think youwill enjoywhat youfind --- Christ as shepherd,companion,and host It hasdeepenedmy understandingof who theMessiah is.
Transitions
Births
Brooking Ann Corona
Daughter of Alex and Vivian Corona Granddaughter of Allen Yeilding
Great-granddaughter of Pat Yeilding
Born June 29, 2026
Marriages
Baily Martin and Jefferson "Jake" Cummings
Daughter and son-in- law of Margaret and Gordon Martin July 11, 2026
New Members
Knox and Molly Wilder
Caroline Lee
Rest In Peace
Robert Bryan Ratliff
Brother of Kim Ratliff
July 3, 2026
Preaching Schedule
August 2: The Rev Deacon Kaki O'Flinn
August 9: The Rev Richard Ahlquist
August 16: The Rev H Huey Gardner
August 23: The Rev Deacon John I Kennedy, MD
August 30: The Rev. Richard Ahlquist
Thisnumber isonly active on the weekends. Weekday Pastoral Emergency Callsshould be directed to 205-933-1140.
1910 12th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35205
TheRev. H. Huey Gardner Rector
huey@stmarysoth.org (205) 933-1140 x109
TheRev. Richard Ahlquist Associate Rector richard@stmarysoth.org (205) 933-1140 x110
TheRev Deacon Kaki O?Flinn Deacon
kaki@stmarysoth org (205) 933-1140 x397
TheRev Deacon John I Kennedy, Jr. MD
Episcopal DIOALA Chaplain to UAB Medical Center UAB episcopal@gmail com (205) 386-7076
TheMessenger isamonthly newsletter of St. Mary?s-on-the-Highlandsto inform readersabout what ishappening in and around our parish community. Visit us on-line at stmarysoth org