Saint Mary’s Weekly News
January 13, 2013: Epiphany 1: The Baptism of Christ
“What Makes Us Come Alive Spiritually?” Tuesday, Jan. 15, 7-9 pm
“Everyday Spirituality: Finding Serenity” Wednesday, Jan. 16, 9 am - Noon
These are 2 workshops with the visiting author, spiritual director and retreat leader the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas offered by St. Alban’s Church in Cape Elizabeth (885- Shore Road). All are welcome to join in either session and gain wisdom for life.
Open Forum on Marriage Equality
After many years of prayer and discussion, the Episcopal Church has discerned that God’s ongoing work of manifesting the divine mercy to all people is intended to include people of all sexual orientations. This includes the blessing of same-sex unions in those places where it is provided by law, such as Maine. All those with questions or concerns about what this means for Saint Mary’s are invited to come to one of the following dates for an opportunity for frank and respectful dialogue about this new possibility in the Church.
v Monday, January 21 (MLK, Jr. Day), 7:00 pm in the Guild Room
v Thursday, January 24, 12:00 noon in the Guild Room
How to Budget with Wisdom
Two Wednesdays (January 23 and 30) at 7 PM in the Guild Room. Everyone is invited for a two-week session with Fr. Nathan and personal financial counselors from the parish. We will explore biblical guidance for managing our finances, use tools for developing household budgets, and discuss ways to grow our capacity for generous giving. Please invite friends, family and neighbors who might benefit from this discussion.
Offering Envelopes for 2013 - Can be found in the Guild Room
Our Stewardship Campaign in 2013 will take place during Lent, but offering envelopes for the entire year are available to those who have used them previously or those who have requested them. If you would like to have the parish provide you with offering envelopes, you may sign-up for these in the Parish House or in the Narthex of the church.
Men’s Overnight Snowshoe Adventure
Calling all Saint Mary’s men of all ages to join Nathan up in Carrabassett Valley for an adventure in the snow around the Bigelow range and Flagstaff Lake! Thursday evening (Feb. 28) to Saturday afternoon (March 2). Interested? Send him an e-mail at nathanferrell@smary.org .
Legacy Project Update
The floors in the auditorium and kitchen are GORGEOUS (but still inaccessible.) Check them out through the windows and from the thresholds! We are scheduled to have the kitchen back on January 22 and the auditorium in time for the annual meeting. Huge progress in the new administrative/chapel wing: painting, flooring, trim...transformations each day! Progress downstairs as well. We are on budget and on schedule for turnover in early March!
There is still a need and still time for parishioners who have not yet joined this effort to do so! Please contact Beth Shaw, admin@smary.org or Jennifer Gregg, jenniferanngregg@gmail.com for more information!
S. Mary’s goes to St. Elizabeth’s on Tuesday, January 15
This Tuesday is the next morning that S. Mary’s is assigned to volunteer at the St. Elizabeth Essential’s Pantry. St. Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry is a welcoming, no-barrier program of distribution of non-food essentials to the most needy among us, regardless of religious affiliation. The pantry is opened every Tuesday from 9:30am to 11am in the Lower Parish Hall of Saint Luke’s, Portland. Volunteering there is a great way to get involved. With questions, please call Betsy Elliman at 899-1039, betsyelliman@msn.com or Judith Brooks at 781-2097, brooksjk@maine.rr.com.
S. Mary’s Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin will take place on Sunday, January 27th, 2013, beginning at 10:15 in the morning. There will be one liturgy, with hymns, at 9:00, followed by a brunch and the Annual Meeting. Not only will this bring the “two congregations” together, but the meeting won’t last well into the afternoon. There will be child care and activities for kids in the undercroft; volunteers will be needed to supervise the children. If you are available to help, please e-mail Julie Morrison at jmorrison500@yahoo.com
A new and updated S. Mary's Member and Friends Directory will be distributed at the Annual Meeting on January 27. So we can be assured we have your most recent address, phone number and email address, drafts will be available at coffee hours for the next two Sundays. Please help us out by checking for accuracy or by adding additional contact information. Also, you can use this directory for networking! See below.
Networking Opportunity!
Are you looking for clients? For bridge partners? Golf partners? Seeking to learn knitting or other fine skills? I bet there are other parishioners who are interested! Expand your professional and social networks by offering a few words about your vocation and/or avocations for publication in the 2013 S. Mary’s Members and Friends Directory! Email the information to Beth Shaw at admin@smary.org by January 20.
Brunch Help Needed
Hospitality will be serving brunch on Jan. 27th just prior to the annual meeting. We will need strong people to set up tables, and chairs; and kitchen assistance on the morning of the 27th; and most importantly clean-up after the event. We'll need donations of fruit, breakfast breads, and juice. Sign Up sheets are in the Guild Room. It would be great to see some new faces in the kitchen!! Thank you and contact Anne LaFond alafond@maine.rr.com or 781-8820 if you are available.
Godspeed – Saturday morning prayer & fellowship & winter sports group! On Saturday, January 19, let’s gather at the Falmouth Nature Preserve (Foreside Rd) at 8 am for skiing and snowshoeing. All are welcome.
Open Door – Every Tuesday morning from 8-9 am, Fr. Nathan will be “live” on Twitter for open dialogue and discussion. Feel free to send a question or start a community conversation. It’s easy and everyone is welcome to join in.
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 .
The Learning Works refugee clients thank you for your generous donations of warm clothing and backpacks. They are prepared for the cold season with you help.
There will be no Youth choir rehearsal following church today, January 13th
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 Paul Engel.
Note: The January AVE was emailed on December 31st. There have been 2 reports of not having received it. If you did not receive the January AVE email, please contact the parish office either by reply to this email or by calling 781-3366. Thanks
This Week’s Calendar at Saint Mary’s – January 2013
Sunday 13 8:00am The First Sunday after Epiphany: Traditional Eucharist
9:30am Guiding RAY opens downstairs
10:00am The First Sunday after Epiphany: Contemporary Eucharist
Monday 14 6:00pm Stewardship Meeting in the Guild Room
Tuesday 15 8:00am Open Door - Twitter live with Fr. Nathan
9:00am S. Mary’s volunteers at St. Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry
10:00am Order of St. Luke in church
1:00pm Staff meeting
4:00pm Prayer Chain meeting
7:00pm AA in Church
7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Wednesday 16 7:00pm Vestry
Thursday 17 10:30am Weekday Worship – Morning Prayer in the church
4:00pm Boy Singers of Maine
7:00pm Choir Rehearsal
7:30pm Men’s AA in the Guild Room
Friday 18 5:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Saturday 19 8:00am Godspeed outdoors group at Falmouth Nature Preserve
9:00am Boy Singers of Maine
Sunday 20 8:00am The Second Sunday after Epiphany: Traditional Eucharist 9:30am Guiding RAY opens downstairs
10:00am The Second Sunday after Epiphany: Contemporary Eucharist
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