Saint Mary’s Weekly News
For March 3, 2013: The Third Sunday in Lent
Eat Bread to Raise Dough - Saturday, 12noon to 6pm
Please join us and others in our community at Panera Bread by the Maine Mall to support FHS exchange program to Beijing this Saturday, March 2nd anytime from 12 pm to 6pm. Bring a copy of the attached flyer or pick one up just outside the Guild Room and Panera Bread will donate a percentage of its sales to help our own Se Ferrell, Blair Lindberg and others in their exchange with our new sister school in Beijing.
Godspeed will not be held this Saturday morning as Fr. Nathan and many S. Mary’s men are on their snowshoeing adventure. Please feel free to get out and enjoy this wonderful snow on your own!
Acolyte Training: **It's not too late**
The last Training class will be held this Sunday, March 3 at 11:30 am. Youth 8+ years and adults are welcome. We are in special need of older youth who can carry the cross. This last class will be approximately 1 hour with practice carrying candles and setting the altar for communion. Acolytes generally serve once per month from Sept – June. FMI contact: Tricia Wheeler at tjwheel@maine.rr.com.
Newcomer's welcome Gathering this Sunday afternoon - March 3rd, 4-6pm
On Sunday, March 3rd, a gathering to welcome all "Newcomers & Old Friends Returning" will be held at the residence of Susan & Bryan Dench, 295 Foreside Rd, Falmouth. This is an entire family event. If you are new or relatively new or returning to S. Mary's, please come so that you enjoy a warm welcome and good fellowship.
If you plan to attend or have any questions, contact Mary Ann McLean (781-4871 or e-mail mmclean3@maine.rr.com.)
For those who will miss Downton Abbey and have Sunday nights free…
..a 10-part miniseries, airing on The History Channel beginning March 3, retellin the stories of the Bible in a way that appeals to a young audience. “The Bible” premieres Sunday, March 3, at 8 p.m. on The History Channel. “It really is family programming. It’s for young. It’s for old. And equally importantly it’s for teenagers.” Says directory Mark Burnett. “Next year, the Bible will be really popular in Hollywood. I mean, the first one that’s coming out is ‘Noah,’ with Russell Crowe, [and] Spielberg is working on ‘Moses.’”
Stewardship
By now you should have received the annual request for pledged financial support. Your pledge is the foundation upon which all the ministries and activities at S. Mary’s are built. Remember, the pledge year has now changed – beginning now on April 1 - in order to allow parishioners to prayerfully consider financial stewardship during Lent. However, we still need support for the current period; as we have indicated in the past, please continue your pledge from last year for these 3 months (January thru March). And then starting in April, parishioners will start fulfilling the new pledge. This may be a little confusing, so if you have questions, please contact Greg Unfricht (865-9031). Our collections are behind compared to last year, mostly due to confusion about this change in pledge period. Hopefully this confusion will soon subside and we will be back on track. Thank you so much for your vital support of S. Mary’s, through which God is working to bless our community and the world. Here are our 2013 Pledge results so far:
Wednesday Evening Lenten Series: March 6, 13, 20
“How to Pray without Ceasing.” What does this mean? Is it even possible? Join your parish family for a 5-week study opportunity led by Fr. Nathan. See below FMI.
Thursday Lenten Conversations with our Deacon: “Resilience”
In our ever changing lives, one thing is certain and that is that God is with us! Nothing is so certain as change and coping with change is very difficult. Our help is in God who teaches us resilience. On Thursdays at noon in Lent, Deacon Christine will guide a conversation about resilience based on a collection of articles from "Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life" Copies of each week's article will be available outside the Guild room in advance of each session. Please come!
Are you ready for “Lent Madness”?
Vote for your favorite saint! Who will win “The Golden Halo”? Join this fun parody of “March Madness” throughout the season of Lent to learn about the saints and to support your favorites in this on-line competition. See www.lentmadness.org.
Calling All BOOKS!
Please deliver all books by next Sunday, March 10th, at the latest!!
Please sign up to help in whatever way you are able on sign-up sheets outside the Guild Room. Please take books, puzzles, DVDs down the elevator or stairs to the teen rooms to the left of the elevator as you exit the elevator. You will see plenty of books in there. [NO VHS, no encyclopedias, no textbooks, no magazines please.]
- WE NEED strong backs on Thursday night, March 14, from 4 to 6 to set up tables and move boxed books from the lower level to the auditorium. Also, keep in mind that we need books boxed to go to The Salvation Army on Sunday, March 17th at 11:45.
- All hands on deck please!! Also, there is a sign-up sheet to pre-order Barbara Bell's FABULOUS Irish soda bread - a full or half loaf! Italian White Bean, Minestrone, and Tomato Basil soups will also be for sale on the 16th, as will all of our parishioners wonderful baked goodies at the bake sale!!
Young Life Introductory Meeting for Parents
Are you excited about the idea of having a strong, energized youth ministry here in the Falmouth area? Do you want to know how you can help to make this a reality? Then come out for a meeting with Fr. Nathan, Bjorn Anderson from Young Life, and interested adults from across Falmouth. Come and learn about the very successful Young Life approach, and let’s dream together about what we can do to impact the spiritual health of our young people. Monday, March 11, 7 PM in the Guild Room.
Our children in church
The Guiding RAY Leadership Team is developing new quiet baskets for the children in church. Please look through your toy baskets at home and bring in any coloring books (gently used is fine), drawing books, notebooks, pencils, crayons, lacing cards, magna doodles, etc. Any quiet, interactive activities are most appreciated. Please note we cannot use play-doh, moon sand, markers, or any other items that may damage the kneelers. Anything we can't use will be donated to Goodwill or to Guiding RAY.
Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation
Everyone who might be interested is invited to our initial meeting in the Parish House on Thursday, March 21, at 7pm. We will discuss our preparations for this special event. Please bring your questions to this meeting, or contact Fr. Nathan in advance.
Bishop Stephen will visit with us on Sunday, October 6 at 5 PM (the Maine Marathon day) in order to celebrate the Eucharist and to offer the laying on of hands. Everyone who wishes to do one of the following is encouraged to join in preparations for this celebration:
· To confirm their baptismal identity as followers of Christ
· To be received into the fellowship of The Episcopal Church from another denomination
· To reaffirm their trust in God and their commitment to life in Christ
Safe Church Trainings this Spring
The Diocese of Maine is sponsoring three Safe Church Training programs which include healthy church practices concerning the safety of ministry with adults, protection of children and youth, and elder abuse prevention. Participants will build an awareness and strive to make our churches safer places for all generations. For complete information about Diocesan Policies and Procedures, the schedule of trainings, and links to register for training, visit tinyurl.com/DioMaineSafeChurch
Scheduled trainings: Saturday, March 16 at St. Columba’s in Boothbay Harbor; Saturday, April 13 at St. George’s in Sanford; and Saturday, May 11th at Trinity Church, in Castine.
Haiti Trip this Fall!!
If you want to help change the world, there will be a week-long HAITI TRIP in November to work in a school across the border from the Dominican Republic. See Becky Pride for details.
Godspeed
Saturday morning prayer & running & winter sports group! If there is snow, we will gather for snowshoeing and Nordic skiing tours in front of the Parish House on Saturday mornings at 8 am. Watch the E-News for weekly updates.
Communicating with Fr. Nathan
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 .
Emergency Fuel Discretionary Assistance
As the winter continues and the temperatures drop, let’s not forget to lend assistance to those that are struggling to stay warm. Requests for help come frequently to our office. Emergency Fuel Fund envelopes can be found in the hymnals in each pew. Thank you on behalf of the Outreach Committee and of those you truly need the help.
We have just learned that the Falmouth Food Pantry is requesting blankets for families who are forced to keep the heating bills as low as possible.
Youth Center Ministry needs you!
Jim Stoddard, Marian McCue, Bruce Fithian and Becky Pride had another joy-filled and fun time at the Long Creek Youth Center this past Thursday. Our 17 young men are so appreciative and polite. This is such a safe and rewarding ministry! Please consider joining us as a team member once a month for an hour and a half. We would be so grateful if you did so. We played bucket ball, bean bags, Life, Yahtzee, Connect Four, and just talked ... oh, and we ate lots of cookies and drank soda!! See any of us for more information.
Eucharistic Visitors take Holy Communion to those unable to worship with us on Sunday morning. The Eucharistic Visitor this week is Stan Eaton.
Next Sunday, March 10th – Daylight Savings Time Begins
Set your clocks ahead 1 hour before going to bed next Saturday night, March 9th
so you don’t miss church next week!
Wednesday Evening Lenten Series:
March 6, 13, 20
“How to Pray without Ceasing”
Join your parish family for a 5-week study opportunity led by Fr. Nathan. Together we will read “The Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Desert Prayer That Tunes the Heart to God”, a book by Frederica Mathewes-Green. After a simple meal of soup, salad and bread, we will join in a group discussion of this book and what it means for our daily lives. The books can be purchased for $8 each. Scholarships available.
Here’s How it Works:
Each week, two or three people prepare soup or beans. Other participants bring a salad, bread, or beverage. Please sign up in the Guild Room, so we know how much soup to prepare. (You can sign up for every week, or for those that fit your schedule.)
6:00 Simple supper for all
6:45 Group discussion begins
7:30 Closing prayer and clean-up
7:45 Clean-up and out the door!
This Week’s Calendar at Saint Mary’s – March 2013
Sunday 3 8:00am The 3rd Sunday in Lent: Traditional Eucharist
9:30am Guiding RAY open downstairs in Parish House
10:00am The 3rd Sunday in Lent: Contemporary Eucharist
11:30am Acolyte training – in church
4:00pm Newcomer’s Welcome Gathering – at the Dench’s home
Monday 4 6:00pm Stewardship Team meeting
Tuesday 5 8:00am Open Door - Twitter live with Fr. Nathan
10:00am Order of St. Luke in church
1:00pm Staff meeting
7:00pm AA in Auditorium
7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Wednesday 6 6:00pm Lenten Soup, Salad & Program - All welcome!
Thursday 7 10:30am Weekday Worship – in the Chapel
7:00pm Choir Rehearsal
7:30pm Men’s AA in the Guild Room
Friday 8 5:00pm Community Souper Supper
5:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
7:00pm Classic Cinema
Saturday 9 8:00am Godspeed outdoors group (weather permitting)
Sunday 10 8:00am The 4th Sunday in Lent: Traditional Eucharist
9:30am Guiding RAY opens downstairs in Parish House
10:00am The 4th Sunday in Lent: Contemporary Eucharist
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