St. Mary’s Episcopal Church makes every effort to shape its ministry based upon the mission and vision set forth in the Strategic Plan for the Diocese of Vermont. The Strategic Plan defines five themes that we have been striving to set into motion:

 Formation, Liberation, Communication, Connection, and Celebration for 2007

 St. Mary’s members have continued to reach out to our community and do God’s work in the following ways in 2007 as defined by these themes:

 Formation

• Our 2007 Lenten program was INCONVENIENT TRUTH from the Acadamy Winning film by AL Gore. We viewed the film followed by two discussion sessions.
• Our sabbatical journey was from July 1 to October 28, during this time we focused on Baptismal Ministry, prayer life, and outreach.
  
• Our fall Christian education program was titled REACHING IN TO REACH OUT. We looked at ways that St. Mary's reaches out to the community.
  
• EFM (Education for Ministry) continues on Tuesday Nights at St Micheal's in Brattleboro. Please see Thad if you are interested in more information

 Liberation

• Continued support of the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry
• Sponsoring an ecumenical bear in the Mount Snow/Haystack Regional Chamber of Commerce’s BEARS IN THE VALLEY fundraising for our local charities.
• Continued support for Habitat for Humanity
• Continued support of local diocese and global efforts via Episcopal Relief & Development and United Thank Offering to help feed, clothe and house people in need

 Communication 

• Secure media in local press covering our various activities and outreach
• Communicated to the world outside our door with a brand new sign!
• Mountain Messenger - Newsletter published as needed
• New Website

 Connection

• Continued to participate in diocesan activities and conferences
• Several of our members attended and were filmed at the Wading in the Waters Baptismal Ministry in Montpelier
• Established more connections with our community by offering meeting space to Bone Builders and the Local Real Estate Assoication
• Continued to offer space to AA 3 meetings per week
• Continued with our project with Seaman’s Church Institute by knitting hats, etc for seamen (“Christmas at Sea”)
• Continued to participate in and offer celebration space for “Blessing of the Animals” as part of St. Francis’ Day.

 Celebration

• Celebrated new baptismal font with St. Peter's Bennington.
• Congregation celebrated a Holy Union of two of our members
• Continued to give thanks to God for our many blessings by supporting many of the above listed activities.