Monday, December 3, 2012

S. Mary's eNEWS for 12.2.12 - Advent!!

Saint Mary's Weekly News

For December 2, 2012 – The First Sunday of Advent

 

 

The 12th Annual Advent Giving Tree –This year, they are Needs - not Wants

S. Mary's will once again be sponsoring several local families again this Christmas.  Maureen Merrick Hale has provided us with a "wish list" and all "wished for" items from Woodford's Family Services case workers and will be displayed as ornaments on a special "Giving Tree" in the Parish House; One can't help but notice that this list has changed over the past few years; they are asking for clothes, boots, essentials – not so many toys. Please consider making a donation of a new or "like new" gift for a family in need. If you intend to make a purchase please TAKE the giving ornament OFF the tree as this will prevent duplicate buying. Then, unwrapped gifts (with the attached ornament) should be brought to the Parish House by Dec.19th.  For those who are unable to shop for gifts, gift cards or checks payable to Woodfords Family Services (memo Advent Giving Tree) are also great. The case managers can then take parents shopping to select items for the children.  Gift Cards & checks can be given to Beth Shaw or Maureen Hale.

Your generosity will help put joy into the holidays for these special families. 

The staff of Woodford's will distribute your gifts to the families. If you have any questions, please contact Maureen (Merrick) Hale at 781-2209, cell 650-9073 or mmerrick@maine.rr.com.

 

Videographers and Photographers needed!

Saint Mary's needs parishioners who will regularly record our events and gatherings in pictures and video, so that we can share these with one another and the world. If you are willing and able to do this, please contact Fr. Nathan (see below).

 

Having  a hard time looking for a gift for the person that has everything??

Honor them by supporting a child in Child Fund International or Episcopal Relief and Development  in their name.  Check out the catalogs in the guild room, on the bulletin board and Beth's office to see the many ways you can help and honor your loved one.

 

Legacy Update

We are SPARKLES - READY!  As of this week-end, the Auditorium is fully accessible, painted, clean and ready for activity!  True, the ceiling work remains, but do come to visit!  (And yes, the associated bathrooms are fully functional as well…with doors!)

The Mother Window is scheduled for re- installation in the church next week.  Throughout the lead-up to the SPARKLES fair, work will continue downstairs in the Parish House as Ledgewood finishes the "arts and crafts" room.  Work on the choir rehearsal room proceeds apace with turnover scheduled for January 1.   All the while, work continues in the new administrative/chapel wing.  Wow!!  Guided tours continue each Sunday.  Don't be shy:  reach out to Dick Miller after the 8am service and George Barrett, Chuck Horton or Jennifer Gregg after the 10am. 

 

Our SPARKLES and ADVENT NEWS

Today, Sunday, December 2nd begins the Advent Season. 

     Advent Wreath-making Workshop    We kick off the Advent season with this wonderful tradition at 3pm.  Plan on bringing the family and creating a tradition to bring home.  We will supply all that is needed (a $10 contribution would help defray costs) but if you have greens (branches of 8 - 24" in length of juniper, hemlock, cedar or fir - but NOT pine) and garden clippers that would be helpful. 

Together we will create an Advent Wreath to bring out to Father James' grave and remember him on this two year anniversary of his death and celebrate his life during his favorite time of year.

     Advent Lessons & Carols and Tree Lighting   We welcome the season with a service of Advent Lessons & Carols at 4:00 in the Sanctuary and then go outside and light the Memorial & Celebratory Tree that honors our loved ones.   During the Tree Lighting, we will also be commemorating Father James' life among us and lay a wreath in his memory.  Join us.

     Sparkles Needs You!

We still need help with baking, cooking, arranging, selling, cashiering, cleaning up  both before and after the Fair.   Almost anything you would like to do---Sparkles has a job for you!!   Sign-up sheets will be in the Guild Room all this week, so PLEASE stop in and volunteer for a position.

     Sparkles Boutique --  The last collection time for the boutique Dec. 1st ) between 9am and noon.  Support the Sparkles Fair by donating your new and gently used treasures.  A tax deduction form will be provided.   

     New this year! SPARKLES BUCKS ----- Sparkles Bucks are being sold in $10.00 amounts at coffee hour after each service. You can use them yourself or give them as a gift certificate.  A small discount will be offered for multiples of ten. They are a wonderful way to give a gift to encourage someone else to come if you cannot shop on December 8th yourself.  Sparkles Bucks may be spent only on items from the boutique.

     Sparkles Concert 4 pm December 16  -  "Magnificat"

The month of December ushers in the Advent season, and one of its most celebrated texts is Mary's gentle hymn, the Magnificat.  Interspersed throughout the evening will be readings from the King James Bible, and poetry from masters of all ages read by Saint Mary's new rector, the Reverend Nathan Ferrell. If you want to experience the mystery of medieval song, the glory of baroque music, and hear some of Maine's best singers and players celebrate this season, please join us at 4:00pm on Dec. 16th in the Sanctuary. After the concert you are invited to an elegant reception to end the Advent Sparkle Season.    Tickets are $15.00 for adults, $12 for seniors and students and a family cap of $40.00 and are available on line at stmaryschola.org, the parish office or coffee hours or at the door.

Godspeed – Saturday morning prayer & running group with Fr. Nathan. Gather at the Parish House at 8 AM any Saturday morning for a time of spiritual encouragement and physical exertion! The runs will be tailored to the abilities of those who gather, but be prepared to be pushed a bit – with mutual love and support, of course.

 

Fr. Nathan Ferrell:  Feel free to contact Fr. Nathan at any time if you wish to speak with him. You can e-mail him directly at nathanferrell@smary.org, or call him on his cell at 609-410-7573. Follow him on Twitter @FatherNate or visit his blog at www.fatherferrell.blogspot.com

 

Open Door open conversation time with Fr. Nathan (@FatherNate) on Twitter. Every Tuesday morning from 8 to 9 AM, Fr. Nathan will be live on Twitter and ready to answer any questions that you may have. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea), log in to Twitter, and join the group conversation.

 

WANTED: Men interested in an overnight backcountry nordic skiing and/or snowshoeing experience at one of the Maine Huts & Trails in the Carrabassett Valley.  Fr. Nathan is planning a possible trip for Friday-Saturday, March 1-2, and is looking for a few other hearty men to join him! Willing to consider it? Send him an email at nathanferrell@smary.org .

 

Guiding RAY  (Religious Adventures for Youth)

Our Sunday morning children's program has classes for Preschool through 6th Grade and Nursery Care for children under 3.  The theme for 2012-13 is God's Covenants.   We hope that parents will drop children off to the Guiding RAY spaces in plenty of time us to get started at 10am and for them to be able to get over to the church and not interrupt the 10am liturgy.  The children join their parents in church for Communion.  Watch for our intergenerational services when we all come to church together and worship as a community - great lessons for our young parishioners as well as our seasoned parishioners. 

 

Pageant Practice Continues

All S. Mary's children (4 years and older) are welcome to be part of our Christmas Pageant. Directed by Heather Gale and Jen Means, the Pageant will be incorporated into our 10:00 am worship service on the 4th Sunday of Advent, December 23rd. Pageant practice will be held after church AND during Guiding RAY on Sunday mornings.  ALL rehearsals will be held IN the church building immediately following the 10 o'clock service, except those during Guiding RAY time. Children will be asked to attend 4 (out of 5) after-church rehearsals and NO rehearsal will be held on Thanksgiving weekend. Remaining practice dates are as follows:  December 2nd, 9th and 16th.  A mandatory full dress rehearsal will be held on Saturday, December 22nd at 3:00 pm and is a great time to invite grandparents or neighbors to witness this special performance.  If you have any questions please contact Julie Morrison, jmorrison500@yahoo.com.

 

S. Mary's Youth Choir:  Under the direction of Betsy Stoddard and the accompaniment of Bruce Fithian, the children (ages 5-13) meet every Sunday immediately following church.  Children should meet up front in the pews.  We are currently practicing for our Christmas services.  If your child doesn't read, we utilize the Suzuki method of listening, listening, listening.  CD's are available upon request for families to listen and learn.

 

Wanted:  Warm winter coats, boots & glasses for Learning Works

We thank everyone who has donated warm clothing for our refugees.  However, we still need more winter coats/jackets, warm sweat shirts and winter boots. These refugees arrive with no warm winter clothes and have never seen snow or experienced icy walkways.  We also need reading glasses. Please put your donations in a marked box in the church vestibule.  FMI call Jean Wandel 781-4940. 

 

Coffee Hour Hosts Needed    

Consider hosting a coffee hour in the Guild Room following the service (either by yourself or with another family.  A feast is not needed – just a tidbit to enjoy with the coffee that is already made.  FMI, contact Betsy Stoddard at 829-2026 by e-mail at jbstod@myfairpoint.net .

 

Eucharistic Visitors take Holy Communion to those unable to worship with us on Sunday morning.  The Eucharistic Visitor this week is Ginny Stelk.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

This Week's Calendar at Saint Mary's - December 2012

 

Sunday              2        8:00am    The First Sunday of Advent: Traditional Eucharist

                                   10:00am  The First Sunday of Advent: Contemporary Eucharist

                                   10:00am  Guiding RAY workshops in the Guiding RAY spaces

                                   3:00pm   Advent Wreath-making Workshop

                                   4:00pm   Advent Lessons & Carols followed by

                                                  Memorial & Celebratory Tree Lighting and laying of                                                                       Father James Memorial Wreath.

Monday               3      1:00pm   Garden Club Tea in the Guild Room

Tuesday               4      9 - 11am   S. Mary's  volunteer at St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry

                                   10:00am  Order of St Luke in church

                                   7/7:30pm AA in church/Al-Anon in Guild Room

Wednesday          5      6:00pm   Schola rehearses in church

                                                  Sparkles set-up begins in Parish House

Thursday             6      10:30am  Weekday Worship in the church

                                   7:30pm   Men's AA in the Guild Room

Friday                 7      5:30pm   Al-Anon in the Guild Room

Saturday              8      8:00am    Godspeed - Run with Father Nathan

                                   9a - 2p     SPARKLES FAIR

Sunday               9       8:00am    The Second Sunday of Advent: Traditional Eucharist

                                   10:00am  The Second Sunday of Advent: Contemporary Eucharist

                                   10:00am  Guiding RAY workshops in the Guiding RAY spaces

                                                          Altar Guild Clean-up

 

 

 

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