This Sunday, June 28th, Father Peter Whalen is scheduled to lead celebration of the Holy Eucharist outside at 510 Polk Street.

• This Sunday’s forecast: Scattered thunderstorms, 60% chance of precipitation. Check our facebook page for updates: @smmepiscopal
• We will continue to comply with the guidelines for safe distancing and those worship protocols issued by the Diocese.

What: Outdoor Single Unified Parish Service: Holy Eucharist led by Father Peter Whalen
When: Sunday, 28 June 9:00 AM (note earlier start time for the service.)
Where: Lawn of Tom and Celia Wallace, 510 Polk St. (corner of Polk and Cherry Street, 1 block east of Mulberry Avenue.)
Who: All are welcomed to join in worship. While we are worshiping outside, please plan to observe social distancing guidelines to protect others as well as yourself, wear a mask, and bring your own lawn chair and personal Book of Common Prayer if you have one.
What to bring: Wear your mask. Bring your own lawn chairs and personal copy of Book of Common Prayer, if available.
(Extra masks, Hymnals, BCPs and seating will be available as well as printed readings, order of service. )
Other Particulars: Wear a mask covering your nose and mouth to protect others, even while singing. While wearing mask, please maintain at least 6 ft social distancing from other masked individuals or at least 15 ft from unmasked whenever possible.
All baptised Christians are invited to receive communion. At this time, only the host (bread) is received and neither the common cup nor intinction is being practiced.
Pass the Peace by eye contact, nod and/or bow. Wear your mask while singing.
No Coffee Hour today.

For now, future Sunday services are also planned to be outside at this same location with Fr. Peter Whalen celebrating Eucharist.
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Daily Community Worship
All members of our parish are invited and encouraged though physically apart, to pray together daily at 8 AM, Noon and 6 PM for solidarity, to fortify our sense of community and to counter the uncertainty of these times. Let’s begin that today and do so whenever we are able.

While we are unable to all meet together for public worship, each of us can continue to draw strength through our individual and family prayer life.

Join us in prayer wherever you are as we continue to pray for our community, country, and world as together we fight the pandemic and the turmoil it is causing. Take part in an on line service to join your voices with others. And, don't forget to reach out to someone else with a call, a text, or message during this time of physical social distancing

The Book of Common Prayer is a rich resource, including Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Daily Devotions. ​​

Resources for personal worship, including links to on-line Book of Common Prayer, the Lectionary Page, and the Diocese website, are found in the Resources section at the bottom of this page.

Fr. Peter suggests especially The Supplication, BCP p. 154 and Prayers and Thanksgivings, BCP p. 814-841.
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Individuals are encouraged to attend on-line streaming worship if unable to attend in person.

• StMM is streaming Evening Prayer on the St. Mary Magdalene Facebook page, @smmepiscopal, using Facebook Live on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm. Kim has also recorded and uploaded hymns for each Sunday using the new organ. The links to lyrics for singing along at home are also provided.
• Links to other​ Churches in our Diocese currently offering streaming of their services can be found at:

https://edtn.org/worship-resources/

The transition to resume Regular Weekly Services has begun. Currently:

• ​Limited In-Person Services (off-site outdoor location)
• Wednesday Evening Prayer at 6:30 PM each Wednesday live on Facebook @smmepiscopal
• DOK and ECW each meet regularly using Zoom
• ECM are scheduled to meet this Saturday AM.
• Other uses of Parish Hall or Sanctuary should be scheduled in advance.

St. Mary Magdalene Updates and Announcements 6/25/2020

As of 6/21/2020, start time for Sunday service has moved to 9:00 AM to benefit from cool morning air.

• ​For the foreseeable future, Sunday services will continue meeting outdoors 9AM at the Wallace’s, 510 Polk St., using guidelines for safe distancing and worship protocols of the Diocese.
• Nate Carley is scheduled to perform a vocal solo this Sunday, June 28th.
• All parishioners, friends and family are welcome at StMM worship services. Please wear a mask, maintain at least 6’ social distancing from other masked individuals or 15 from unmasked.
• Bring a lawn chair and BCP. Extra masks, BCPs, hymnals and seating are available as needed. No Coffee hour until further notice.
• All baptized Christians are invited to receive communion. Currently, only the host (bread) is received; neither common cup nor intinction is practiced at this time.
• Hymnals are available at Sunday services; music is played and led by Kim Sutton.
• 6:30 PM Wednesday evening prayer continues to be livestreamed on StMM’s FaceBook page and recorded services posted there.
• Rain showers interrupted outdoor service Sunday, June 21st, and worship was convened inside the Parish Hall with Fr. Peter celebrating Eucharist with twelve attending. Service was livestreamed to StMM’s Facebook page where it was recorded and is available for all to enjoy Fr. Peter’s sermon.
• In the future, we will attempt to contact folks ASAP via email, etc., if the location is changed and will livestream to FaceBook so all may participate.
• Daughters of the King (DoK) ends their 14-week Wellness/Contact Call campaign this week. The aim was for everyone in our directory to be called weekly and regularly, regarding wellness and unforeseen needs to be addressed. DoK certainly merits our congratulation, thanks, and appreciation. Please express your gratitude to them.
• Parishioners who require assistance (rides, meals, groceries, errands, etc.) due to illness or other difficulty, please contact Celia Wallace, Claire Root, or other DoK members.
• The North Wall Capital Campaign Kickoff letter was emailed and will be followed by a stamped mailing soon. Please participate and contribute.

• Open patio estimated completion date is ~July 4th. Floor is poured, block wall laid, and roof trusses may go up this week!

· Be careful if you visit the area. The terrain is irregular, and footing may be an issue.

• St.MM Episcopal Churchmen (ECM) first meeting of 2020 is scheduled for 8:00AM, Saturday, July 12. Please mark your calendars and simonize your watches. Fellowship, general discussions, and a planned workday. We welcome willing workers and helpful suggestions; clipboards are available for supervisors and seating for advisory staff.

• For pledges and/or donations to StMM, please use direct deposit or mail checks to: Treasurer, St. Mary Magdalene EC, PO 150, Fayetteville, TN 37334. Thank you for your support.
• The parish office is open by appointment; voicemail and email are monitored regularly Contact Jim R. to access the parish hall, office, or sanctuary. Sunday services are outside at 9:00AM beginning this week.
• Hands of Mercy charity continues as a resource for those in need of canned goods, dry goods, dehydrated foods, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. Drop off any purchased items on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Hands of Mercy on Easy Street at the east end of Maple Street.

• The current StMM directory was emailed to parishioners this week. Please review the contact information; email Jim (He sent email.) with corrections, additions, changes, deletions or suggestions. If you did not receive a copy, let him know or email church office. A hard copy of the directory is scheduled to be published following this review.
  • Please contact Jim if you have information or items of interest to be included in the StMM Weekly Update.

• Updates in worship opportunities will be posted, here, on Facebook, and included in email announcements as available.
• ​Contact the Junior Warden if you wish to take on one or more of these smaller individual tasks which can be completed in compliance with appropriate social distancing, either personally or by sponsoring a pro. There is work to be done, but protecting those we serve, including parishioners and community requires it be done safely!
• Check with sponsoring organization for updates on cancellations/schedules for use of the facilities.
• For other access to the parish hall, please contact Junior Warden (Jo) or the Clerk of the Vestry (Jim) to help ensure appropriate social distancing is maintained
• Be a Hands of Mercy Volunteer. More information and opportunities can be found on their website. Check link below in Resources. There is a serious need for food at this time.​
  

Access to Church Back Yard still Limited due to North Wall Renovation Work
​Estimated completion is ~ July 4th. For safety, please stay out of the area until construction is finished.
Additional updates and plans for resuming in-Church worship with appropriate precautions will be posted as available. The Bishop has released guidance from the Diocese on the Diocese website in a document entitled, "The Wilderness Road", for the parish as we begin the journey down an unpredictable road to our new normal means of worship and working to fulfill God's mission for us.
Please Check our Facebook page, @smmepiscopal, for more opportunities to interact, including online Evening prayer and Hymns.
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(Please contact thru phone or email.)
Office Hours:
​ by appointment only.
Phones and email are monitored on regular basis.

Church Location*:
​106 E. Washington Street
Fayetteville, Tennessee
Parking lot is adjacent to Parish hall on Washington.

Mailing Address**
(Please send donations by banking bill pay or check to this address:
St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 150
Fayetteville, TN 37334

​Office Phone: (931) 433-2911
​Email: office@smm-episcopal.net

* UPS and FedEx deliveries should be addressed to the physical location, not US Mail.
**for US Mail. The Post Office only delivers mail for PO Box users addressed to that box.

​When conditions allow removal of current restrictions on meetings in confined spaces, we plan to resume our previous regular times and location of worship at the corner of Elk and Washington.

Regular Times of Worship in the Church (on hold):
Sunday Morning: Holy Eucharist
8:00 A.M. (No music)
10:30 A.M. (with Music)
​
Wednesday Evenings 6:30 P.M.:
​Evening Prayer* (Currently offered on Facebook live & posted on our Facebook page) @smmepiscopal
(*or Holy Eucharist as scheduled)

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No bulletin this week. Order of worship will be provided on site.
The Readings for Sunday are:

• Jeremiah 28:5-9
• Psalm 89:1-4,15-18
• Romans 6:12-23
• Matthew 10:40-42

​Currently, No Sunday Services are planned @ 106 E. Washington location.
​An outside service is being offered at an off-site location (Thank you to our hosts!) to meet social distancing requirements. In case of rain, updates will be posted on facebook @smmepiscopal, here, and by email.
For those uncomfortable or unable to attend in person, please consider taking advantage of offered on-line Services

​Reminders:

• St.MM office can be contacted by phone or email and while formerly staffed 9AM-12 Noon on Wednesdays and Thursday, during this period the office will be closed with staff working from home, but phones will be monitored. Please work with Jim or email office@smm-episcopal.net for additions/changes to calendar, administrative items and/or bulletin.
• Note: St.MM uses only PO Box 150 for US mail delivery. The mail is picked up at the main Post Office, not delivered directly to the church. FedEx and UPS can deliver to our 106 East Washington Street address, but USPO regulates postal patrons with PO boxes to only receive mail addressed to that box. Mail addressed to the street address will not be delivered. Please coordinate before sending anything directly to the church building to make sure someone will be there to receive it.
• Please verify Community meetings & events schedule with Sponsors.
• Normally recurring meetings include:
  • Cub Scout meetings 5:30-7:00PM in the Parish Hall, Tuesdays except 2nd Tuesday of the month.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous meets 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall on Mondays and Thursdays.
• Reminder: Last person leaving the building is responsible for ensuring all unneeded lights are turned off and all exterior doors are locked. This includes both side and front doors of church, and all three exterior doors at parish hall! You may not have opened it, but someone else may have.

Opportunities

• Photos needed! If you have digital photos of recent StMM events (or take any pics in the future), please forward to StMM email: office@smm-episcopal.net to possibly be included on our St.MM FaceBook page.

Other

• Rector’s Discretionary Fund is supported by the First Sunday plate offering. While many in our community are experiencing additional economical impacts, plate offerings are limited due to service limitatioms. Checks are appreciated and may be mailed to St.MM's postal address. Designated donations to the Discretionary Fund are always welcome and may be given at any time. The Fund supports local assistance to individuals for grocery, gasoline and heating bills. Two primary methods currently used are: 1. St.MM also provides Outreach funding to Hands of Mercy, primarily for assistance with utilities. (During this period of unusual need and very limited resources, SMM is providing additional funds to Hands of Mercy for food distribution as well.) Hands of Mercy has the resources to review applications and qualify requesters based on income and actual need. 2. St.MM has been a long time supporter and staffer of Good Sam (currently closed) which provides grocery staples and utility assistance. Cash and checks are welcomed in addition to, or to allow bulk purchase of foodstuffs, including our assigned Mac&Cheese and canned fruit! ​Volunteering opportunities also exist, as Hands of Mercy continues their efforts.

​Readings for each Sunday can be found in the Lectionary Pages.

Churches in our Diocese currently offering streaming of their services can be found at:
https://edtn.org/worship-resources/
​
​ Additional Resources for personal worship, including links to on-line Book of Common Prayer, the Lectionary Page, and the Diocese website, are found in the Resources section below.

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 OUR HISTORY The first congregation was organized by A. S. Thomas, a banker from Columbia, Tennessee.  Early communicants were confirmed by the Rt. Rev. Charles T. Quintard.  For a time, services were held in various homes and at the courthouse.

The cornerstone of the church was laid on September 22, 1881 and that first Eucharist was celebrated in the unfinished Church of St. Mary Magdalene on May 4, 1884. The minutes of the Guild of St. Mary Magdalene (the forerunner of the current Episcopal Church Women) state that the church was dedicated on St. Mary Magdalene's Day, July 22, 1884 and in 1890 the mission became a parish.

The building was destroyed in 1952 as the result of a tornado.  Following the tornado, the nine families with 33 active members, who were the church family of St. Mary Magdalene, rebuilt the church on the same spot but rotated 90 degrees to the south. A FAITHFUL CONGREGATION REBUILDS...Bishop Barth officiated at the laying of the cornerstone of the present church on June 7, 1953.  The first parish hall was built in 1960; it was divided into Sunday School rooms in 1985 when a new parish hall was added.  In 1982,  St. Mary Magdalene celebrated its Centennial, and buried a time capsule to be opened in 2007.
At the regular meeting of the Mission Council on December 11, 1991, the members voted unanimously to apply to the Diocese of Tennessee at the 169th Convention for parish status.  In the calendar year 1991, the church became financially independent of the Diocese of Tennessee.   In January 1992, it obtained parish status.

CLERGY From the time of its founding until about 1920, the church was served by full-time resident clergy.  From 1920 to 1955 it was served by seminarians and supply clergy from the University of the South at Sewanee.  During these years without a priest, the church was forced to go from "parish status" (being entirely self-supporting) to "mission status" (depending on the diocese for financial support).  The church did not have a resident priest again until 1955.

Clergy Who Served St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church:
F.A Davenport, Prentice A. Pugh, Dr. H.R. Howard, James F. Plummer, Wm. G.G. Thompson, Henry James McGehee, Rowland Hale, Peter McKinnon Dennis, Francis R. Starr, Erle Homer Merriman, John Fernsley, E.P. Bartlam, B.B. Ramage, C.A. Cole , A. Bailey Hill, Sterling Tracy, A.C. Killeffer, George A. Fox, D. Troy Beatty, William Sanders, J.M. Northrup, Arthur Freeman, H.F. Keller, Sanford Garner, Ellis M. Bearden, S. W. Toal, Francis M. Osborne, Thomas E. Dudney, John T. Deforest, Jr., James R. Cullipher III, A.F. Schwenk, David H. Fisher, C.M. Galbraith, Robert L. Beasley, William A. Jones, Jr, Clark M. Baker, J.L. Postel, Charles W. Livermore, J.E. Waller, William T. Patten, Richard N. Walkley, Buckley H. Robbins, Henry W. Lancaster, Jr., Charles Randall Dunnavant, Ben H. Shawhan, William J. McNeely, Douglas Girardeau, James L. Rogers, Gerard S. Moser, Homer Le Grand, Al Scoggins, "Randy"  Hoover-Dempsey, Harry B. Bainbridge, III, William H. Ralston, Julie Anna Johnson, James C. Pappas, Jason S. Terhune
IVY FROM CASTLE The ivy which grew on the walls of the old church until it was destroyed was brought from Kenilworth Castle, the home of Sir Walter Scott, in England.  "Rev. Hale," the second Rector at the church was an Englishman and on various trips back to England he brought articles to be used in the church.  These items were slightly damaged in the tornado, but were restored and are still in use today.  A huge brass eagle, whose out-spread wings held a large Bible, was purchased by the Rev. Hale and is still in good condition.  Suspended from the exposed, aged, wooden rafters above, the chancel of the original church were seven brass lamps with red glass chimneys enclosing candles.  The lamps represented the seven churches of Asia.  They were demolished by the tornado and one was blown through the wall of the rectory next door.  Even before the disastrous tornado of 1952, another tornado had damaged the church slightly in 1890, but it was evidently not very serious.
ORGAN FROM MEMPHIS There was also a unique organ in the original church which came from Christ Church in Memphis.  During the War between the States, this organ was seized from Christ Church by drunken soldiers who took it into the streets of Memphis and danced by its music.  Later it was retrieved and sent to St. Mary Magdalene where it was used for many years.  The unusual feature of the organ was that it was pumped by hand, and a person had to be behind it grinding before it would emit a sound.  Early members of the church report that if a sound did not come from the instrument, it was usually found that the little boy organ grinder had fallen asleep. THE ALTAR
(THIS PORTION OF HISTORY WAS TAKEN FROM THE REV. ROWLAND HALE'S PERSONAL NOTES ON THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF ST. MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH, OF WHICH HE WAS THE SECOND RECTOR.)The current altar has been present in the church since its inception.  The altar is a memorial to the Rev. C.C. Parsons and the Rev. John M. Schwar who fell victims to the Yellow Fever in 1878.  This memorial was the gift of the mother of the Rev. Rowland Hale, Rector.  It is the work of Geisler & Co. of New York.  It is of oak with carved panels, the center one showing the "Agnus Dei" (Latin) for "Lamb of God."   The Rev. C.C. Parsons and the Rev. John M. Schwar are among the clergy remembered with Constance and her Companions as the Martyrs of Memphis on September 9th in the liturgical calendar.  

Resources
​Click on the following images to open a new page.

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