Saint Mary's Episcopal Church

05/27/2026

🩵🩵 RAKAD Dance Camp will be returning to the St. Mary's this summer! See info below on their program and how to register for the June 22-24 session to be held in our parish hall! 🩵🩵

05/14/2026

It's that time of year again when most of our ministries take a break during the summer months of June-August. Take a look at the list to see if your ministry group event/activity is on break so you don't waste gas (although we do have a beautiful river view for a mobile lunch...and I hear you have a pretty cool parish administrator willing to chat with you should you pop in for an unexpected visit!) Have a great summertime everyone!

You can also double-check our regularly updated calendar online: www.smgcs.church/calendar

05/06/2026

Shands Bridge Closure info for 5/15 - 5/17.

FROM FDOT: As part of routine maintenance, the Shands Bridge (State Road 16) will see a continuous closure May 15-17.

The bridge will close at 9 p.m. Friday, May 15 and is expected to reopen by 4 a.m. Sunday, May 17. During the closure, drivers should use the Buckman Bridge or the Memorial Bridge (Palatka) as a detour and plan additional time to reach their destinations.

Stay informed about lane closures and roadwork in your area by following FDOT District 2 at on X, at FDOT Northeast Florida on Facebook, or by visiting nflroads.com.

Drivers seeking real-time traffic alerts may visit www.FL511.com or download the FL511 app.

04/22/2026

FYI...detailed wildfire update. We give thanks for all of the responders fighting this fire during such a windy and dry spell, and we also lift everyone up in prayer who has been affected in any way.

4/22 9:30 AM WILDFIRE UPDATE:
The fires in southern Clay County/northern Putnam County are a combined 4,186 acres and are 55% contained. Hundreds of responders from multiple counties and the state continue to fight this fire. Here are the latest updates:

- No roads in Clay County are closed.
- The fire continues to remain south of Green Cove Springs (Sweat Road), and east of Highway 17 to the county line. We’ll post an updated detailed map as soon as possible.
- We are pushing out a lot of information. Please take the time stay up to date on the latest about this fire.
- The smoke has pushed north past Green Cove Springs, and the air quality is diminishing. Please avoid the area where the fire is - the smoke along the highway is heavy.
- For those that are vulnerable to respiratory issues, please stay indoors. Recirculate your AC while driving.
- Clay County IS STILL UNDER A BURN BAN. This means absolutely no outdoor burning, except for grilling. You can learn more at claycountygov.com
- Now is a good time to look at the defensible space around your home - a 30 foot buffer from your home to wooded areas is a good rule of thumb.
- Ask yourself if you’re wildfire ready. To learn more, visit bewildfirereadyfl.com
- There are NO NEW VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS in place aside from Varney Road and Woodard Lane, and officials have not deemed it safe to return to those areas.
- Please DO NOT fly drones above the fire or the water. It prevents emergency aircraft from fighting this fire.
- Please do not come look at the fire. It’s not safe!
- Avoid boating on the St. Johns River, as planes are actively gathering water to fight the fire.
- We appreciate the offers to come volunteer. At this time, we have enough resources, and we’ll let our community know if the need arises.
- We also appreciate the offers for prepackaged food and drink donations for our crews! We will gladly accept them at the Clay County Fairgrounds Cattlemen’s Arena!
- The Call Center is taking questions about this fire. That number is 877-CLAY-EOC.
Florida Forest Service- Jacksonville District Clay County Sheriff's Office, Florida

04/07/2026

PLEASE NOTE: There are no events/meetings/services this week Monday-Friday, except for our docent tours on Friday & Saturday.

Worship Services will be held at 8:30 & 10:30 AM on Sunday 4/12.

If you leave a voicemail on the office phone we will respond when we return. If you need a more prompt response, please email us at [email protected] Thanks!!

04/03/2026

We are so proud this was such a successful Lenten campaign of our DOK chapter.

04/02/2026

While we pray and work for peace, our siblings in the Holy Land will continue to serve God’s people with hospitals, schools, orphanages, and humanitarian aid programs. These ministries serve people of all faiths without distinction, bearing witness to the power of hope and healing across divides.

By supporting life-giving ministries in the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, including St. George’s, Baghdad; the eye clinic in Ras Morbat, Yemen; the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza; and numerous other institutions identified by their dioceses, you are ensuring that our siblings in Christ are not forgotten.
Thank you. The Good Friday Offering affirms the dignity of the poor, the war-torn, and those in desperate need as God’s ministry is done. Thank you for spreading hope’s message through your gifts and prayers.

Learn more, and make a gift here: https://iam.ec/3PjtAmA

03/26/2026

Traffic Report for upcoming week. SR23 will open on April 1st

Two updates from FDOT regarding the First Coast Expressway and the Buckman Bridge:

The final two ramps at the First Coast Expressway (State Road 23) and State Road 16 will open to traffic Wednesday, April 1.

With the ramps open, drivers will be able to enter southbound First Coast Expressway from State Road 16 and exit from northbound First Coast Expressway onto State Road 16. Opening the ramps is expected to alleviate traffic congestion related to the Clay County Agricultural Fair, which runs from April 2 through April 12.

Additional project information, including construction estimates and toll rates, is available at FirstCoastExpressway.com.

Buckman Bridge: As part of a project to replace the finger joints on the Buckman Bridge, continuous southbound double lane closures are planned Friday, March 27 through Monday, March 30, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting.

Two lanes of I-295 South over the Buckman Bridge will close at 10 p.m. Friday and reopen by 4 a.m. Monday. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes if possible and plan additional time for travel.

Green Cove Springs Police Department