news: March 2014

Thursday, March 27, 2014

S. Mary's eNEWS for 3.30.14

Saint Mary’s Weekly News

March 30, 2014 – The Fourth Sunday in Lent

Our prayer concerns for this week

For healing: Michelle Bilodeau, Andre Casavant, Lynda Conner, Paula Gardner, Charlie Hunt, Kathryn Kuehn, Andrew Leighton, Mary Lygo, Roger Murray, Brian Pettingill, Peg Pierce, John Rich, Grace Robinson, Eileen Shortell, and John Unfricht.

For those deployed: For Shea Bickerstaff, serving with the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, for his family, and for all active-duty military personnel and family.

Stewardship - God's power at work within us!

Amen! Saint Mary's is truly blessed. Since we kicked off our annual pledge effort, 119 parishioners have pledged their support to help us carry out our ministries, and each day's mail delivers more completed pledge forms. Thank you to everyone who has shared their intentions with us. We hope to complete our annual campaign this week! The Stewardship Committee is making follow up phone calls. Please take a moment to complete the pledge form, and send it into the office. Every pledge counts!! Scan your form and email it; send it in the post or drop it by the parish office. We need everyone’s participation. Thank you!

2014 Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation Class forming now!

If there is anyone who feels called to receive the laying on of hands by Bishop Steve, please be in touch with Fr. Nathan right away. A group (youth and adult) is forming now to prepare for our Regional Confirmation with the Bishop on November 9.

Like us on Facebook and Twitter!

While we work on the re-development of our website, our Facebook page and Twitter feed are the best ways to keep up with parish news on the internet! Like us, follow us and be up to speed on our parish life! www.facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary AND @SMaryFalmouth

Youth Ministry Notes

Godly Play: Christian Formation for our young people

On regular Sundays from September to June, we offer a Montessori-based program called Godly Play to learn about God, the Bible, and the Church with our children. Family Chapel begins at 9:15am followed by Guiding RAY classes (age 4 through 5^th grade) begin downstairs in the Parish House at 9:30am. The nursery also opens at 9:15 for our infants and preschoolers.

FUN IS GOD High School group gathers monthly! Next one will be:

Saturday, April 26 , 2014, 8 – 10am Habitat for Humanity Walk/Run

Don’t White out your community come walk - based on Titus 3:1-5.

“The Middlers” meet from 9:30 to 10:35 AM

For our young people in Middle School, this special and fun group meets on the same schedule as the Guiding RAY classes, in order to make the group more accessible to even more of our young people. Newcomers are always welcome to join on any Sunday.

**TODAY, the Middlers are hosting Coffee Hour for all of us!**

Acolyte Training is set for next Sunday, April 6^th

On April 6^th at 11:30am, Father Nathan will hold a 2-hour training session for all those interested in becoming an acolyte (young or mature – all are welcome). Don’t miss out!

Greater Falmouth Young Life Introduction: Sunday, April 13

On Palm Sunday, there will be TWO opportunities to learn more about Young Life and to meet our new area staff person, Jordan Droge.

10 AM – Jordan, his wife Emily and their two daughters will be with us in worship and at Coffee Hour hoping to meet many of you.

7 PM – Young Life Dessert in the Oceanview Community Room. Everyone in the area is invited to come, meet Jordan, learn about Young Life and hear about ways that you can support this very exciting new ecumenical youth ministry in the Casco Bay area!

Serving The World

Habitat Sunday, next week: April 6^th

Yes, spring truly is coming! The HFH Falmouth Family 5Miler Run and Walk set for Saturday, April 26^th^. This year, the event will be a timed race with prizes for those who want to be competitive. Runners, walkers, families, children, pets, strollers.....all are encouraged to join this fun, annual event. S. Mary's will be hosting the Run/Walk, with Foreside Community Church as the turn around point. Once again, Party Palooza @ 8:30, post race refreshments and prizes....

Join us on Habitat Sunday to learn more about Habitat for Humanity and how you can support the Greater Portland Chapter and participate in our Annual Falmouth Ecumenical Event. Nyapeni, a new Habitat homeowner, and Habitat will be offering an interactive lesson and crafts about HFH for all Guiding Ray children in lieu of Godly Play. If you'd like to register now as Runner/Walker, go to http://www.habitatportlandme.org click on "events" to find the Falmouth 5Miler.

For more information, please contact Anne LaFond - alafond@maine.rr.com, or 781-8820.

Habitat 5 Mile Run / Walk: Saturday, April 26^th

Start stretching and move those muscles! We are looking for lots of Saint Marian’s to be out walking and/or running in this event. Who knows? Perhaps you can even keep up with Nathan+ as he runs along!!

Meetings, Gatherings and Events

Lenten Soup & Salad Program: Wednesday evenings in Lent

Chanting for All: An Ancient Spiritual Practice for Contemporary Christians

There is still time for you to learn about the ancient practice of chanting from Fr. Nathan and Bruce Fithian during our Wednesday Lenten Supper Program! This Wednesday is the last Supper meeting,

Wednesday, April 9 at 7 PM: Everyone is welcome to come and join us as we chant the ancient office of Compline in the Church. This will be a beautiful and prayerful time!

Lenten St. Mary’s Schola Concert: Miserere Mei

Join the St Mary Schola for a 2014 Lenten Concert, Miserere Mei.

The concert features a full J.S. Bach cantata, an organ concerto by G.F. Handel, a Vivaldi recorder concerto, and a solo therobo piece by Robert de Visée. Highlighting the program are a capella pieces by Josquin des Prez, Thomas Tallis, and Orlandus Lassus. Also, for the first time, the Schola will perform choral work by a 20th Century composer, Francis Poulenc.

Concerts dates are: Friday, March 28, 7:30 PM at The Cathedral of St. Luke, Portland
Sunday, March 30, 7:30 PM at The Church of S. Mary, Falmouth
Tickets are available at the St Mary Schola website, www.stmaryschola.org, or at the door. Prices are $15/Adult, $12/Student or Senior, $40/Family Group.

The Book Group at Saint Mary's will meet on Monday, March 31 at 2 pm

Join the group to discuss Toni Morrison's "Beloved" novel which won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. The story takes place in post-Civil War Ohio and is about an escaped slave. Please call Kathryn Street, the host, 878-9641, for details. Everyone is welcome!

Saint Mary’s Garden Club Speaker: April 9, 6pm

Great Gardener Series Lecture: St. Mary’s Garden Club is sponsoring a key event the evening of April 9th in the Saint Mary’s auditorium. It’s the third annual Great Gardener Series and features a nationally known speaker (Amy Ziffer) who will speak on “A New England Cottage Garden”. For additional information and tickets go to greatgardenerseries.com and purchase tickets through PayPal or contact Lucy Ellis at 781-3423.

Pastoral Care

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 .

*** As of April 1, his new MAINE cell phone number will be 207-310-0268.***

Eucharistic Visitors take Holy Communion to those unable to worship with us on Sunday morning. The Eucharistic Visitor today is Stan Eaton. If you or someone you know would like Communion brought to them, please call the Parish Office. If you wish to learn more about this special ministry, feel free to speak with Deacon Christine.

THIS WEEK at Saint Mary’s

Sunday 30 8:00am The Fourth Sunday in Lent: Traditional Eucharist

9:00am Coffee Hour in the auditorium

9:15am Family Chapel – for all families and children

9:15am Art and Faith Discussion group

9:30am Guiding RAY begins and the Middlers gather

10:00am The Fourth Sunday in Lent: Contemporary Eucharist

7:30pm St. Mary’s Schola Lenten Concert at Saint Mary’s Church

Monday 31 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

Tuesday April 1 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

1:00pm Staff meeting in Guild Room

7:00pm AA in Auditorium

7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room

Wednesday 2 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

3 - 6pm Wednesday Afternoon Learning at S. Mary’s

6:00pm Lenten Soup & Salad Series: Chanting for All

Thursday 3 10:30am Wisdom Seekers Bible Study

12noon Healing Eucharist in the Chapel

4:00pm Boy Singers of Maine

6:00pm Dowers in the Guild Room

7:00pm Choir rehearsal

Friday 4 Parish Office Closed on Fridays

12noon Noonday Prayer – wherever you find yourself

5:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room

Saturday 5 9:00am Boy Singers of Maine

2:00pm Memorial Service for Willard Libby

Sunday 6 Habitat Sunday

8:00am The Fifth Sunday in Lent: Traditional Eucharist

9:00am Coffee Hour in the auditorium

9:15am Family Chapel – for all families and children

9:15am Art and Faith Discussion group

9:30am Guiding RAY begins and the Middlers gather

10:00am The Fifth Sunday in Lent: Contemporary Eucharist

11:30am Acolyte training with Father Nathan

Thursday, March 20, 2014

S. Mary's eNEWS for 3.23.14

Saint Mary’s Weekly News

March 23, 2014 – The Third Sunday in Lent

Our prayer concerns for this week

For healing of body, mind and spirit: Marion & Vincent Abramo, Michelle Bilodeau, Lynda Conner, Janet Corey, Paula Gardner, Kathryn Kuehn, Andrew Leighton, Mary Lygo, Roger Murray, Brian Pettingill, Peg Pierce, John Rich, Grace Robinson, Eileen Shortell, and John Unfricht.

For those deployed: For Shea Bickerstaff, serving with the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, for his family, and for all active-duty military personnel and family.

God's power at work within us!

Amen! Saint Mary's is truly blessed. Since we kicked off our annual pledge effort, 108 parishioners have pledged their support to help us carry out our ministries, and each day's mail delivers more completed pledge forms. Thank you to everyone who has shared their intentions with us. We hope to complete our annual campaign by the end of March. The Stewardship Committee is making follow up phone calls. Please take a moment to complete the pledge form and send it into the office. Every pledge counts!! Scan your form and email it; send it in the post or drop it by the parish office. We need everyone’s participation. Thank you!

Kneelers were made for our knees!

The beautiful works of art that grace our church and provide a cushion for our knees during time of prayer suffer when shoes are put on them. The grit and dust works its way into the needlepoint and can slowly wear away at the stitches; repairs can only be made when the kneeler is taken apart and reupholstered. Please also be very careful not to drip candle wax on them (pushing the kneeler under the chair gets it out of harm's way), and please don't use the kneelers as a table when using markers and crayons. The Kneeler Guild thanks you very much!

Youth Ministry Notes

“The Middlers” meet from 9:30 to 10:35 AM

**Next Sunday, March 30^th, the Middlers are hosting Coffee Hour for all of us!**

Middlers will be gathering on Saturday, March 29^th at 2pm in the SM kitchen to help bake.

Godly Play: Christian Formation for our young people

FUN IS GOD High School group gathers monthly! Next one will be:

This Sunday, March 23, 2014, 1:00-6:00 (youth, choose all or part of event) In response to a recent article in The Forecaster about the needs of the Falmouth Food Pantry, the youth are changing their focus and event to collect canned food and rolls of toilet paper for the FFP.

12:45 meet at Expo for free Red Claws game: 1:00-2:30 ish

2:45 drive to Falmouth Food Pantry

3-5 At Falmouth Food Pantry to contribute food and TP, to stock shelves and enjoy snacks together. Why? God absolutely wants us to have fun by serving others and ourselves! ("love thy neighbor AS thyself”)

Acolyte Training will be on April 6^th

On April 6^th at 11:30am, Father Nathan will hold a 2-hour training session for all those interested in becoming an acolyte (young or mature – all are welcome). Don’t miss out!

Serving The World

Book, Bake and Soup Sale in support of Outreach: Saturday, March 22

As part of our 2014 Outreach Project, S. Mary's is holding its Book, Bake & Soup Sale on Sat., March 22^nd, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. WE NEED YOU to:

Ø Join us from 4-6: 30pm TODAY ( Thursday) to set things up and bring books upstairs,

Ø Tell your neighbors, friend and family to all come and buy books, baked goods and delicious soups to support the Outreach projects on Saturday - in fact, send them the attachment telling them all about it!

Ø Help pack books on Sunday after church to give to the Salvation Army truck at 11:30am.

Preble Street Soup Kitchen: This Sunday, March 23

The Fourth Sunday of each month, Saint Mary’s prepares and serves a hot meal to the clients at the Preble Street Soup Kitchen. We need people to (a) go around 10:30 to help with the cooking and set-up; (b) to arrive about 11:45 to assist with table service; and/or (c) to help with clean-up beginning at 1:00. Bless you. Questions? Please call Marian McCue at 761-1936 or mmccue@maine.rr.com

Meetings, Gatherings and Events

Greater Falmouth Young Life Dessert: Sunday, April 13, 7-8:30 PM

You are cordially invited to attend this Young Life Dessert in the OceanView community room (20 Blueberry Lane, Falmouth). Young Life is a non-denominational, Christian outreach to high school and middle school students, which has been active in Portland and Freeport for many years. In the coming months, a Young Life staff veteran will be moving to Falmouth to begin Young Life ministry in our community as well as to strengthen the existing ministry in surrounding communities. The goal of Young Life is to provide adolescents with caring adult role models, fun and life-giving ways to spend time, and the basic information about the Christian faith. Come to this event to learn about Young Life, meet the new staff leader (Jordan), and hear how you can help support this vital new ministry. Please RSVP to Fr. Nathan at nathanferrell@smary.org and visit www.younglife.org for more information.

Lenten Soup & Salad Program: Wednesday evenings in Lent

Chanting for All: An Ancient Spiritual Practice for Contemporary Christians

Can you talk? If so, then YOU can chant! Come and learn about the ancient practice of chanting from Fr. Nathan and Bruce Fithian during our Lenten Supper Program which begins on Wednesday, March 12, at 6 PM in the Auditorium. Each week, we will all learn to chant portions of the ancient monastic Compline office, which we will all chant together on April 9 at 7 PM. No musical knowledge or skill is required. If you learn this, then you can begin to chant all of your daily prayers and discover a new way to draw close to God in this ancient practice. Four more gatherings: March 19 & 26, April 2 & 9.

What are your unique God-given Spiritual Gifts? Come find out!

Concluding this Sunday: March 23, 4 - 6pm

Join Fr. Nathan for these two sessions where we will study the biblical understanding of spiritual gifts and explore how our personal passions and styles are used by God for the benefit of others. Every person has a special role to play in God’s mission, and each one of us needs to find this!

Lenten St. Mary’s Schola Concert: Miserere Mei

Join the St Mary Schola for a 2014 Lenten Concert, Miserere Mei.

The Book Group at Saint Mary's will meet on Monday, March 31 at 2 pm

Pastoral Care

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 anytime on his cell at 609-410-7573.

Eucharistic Visitors take Holy Communion to those unable to worship with us on Sunday morning. The Eucharistic Visitor today is Ginny Stelk. If you or someone you know would like Communion brought to them, please call the Parish Office. If you wish to learn more about this special ministry, feel free to speak with Deacon Christine.

THIS WEEK at Saint Mary’s

Sunday 23 8:00am The Third Sunday in Lent: Traditional Eucharist

9:00am Coffee Hour in the auditorium

9:15am Family Chapel – for all families and children

9:15am Art and Faith Discussion group

9:30am Guiding RAY begins and the Middlers gather

10:00am The Third Sunday in Lent: Contemporary Eucharist

10:30am Preble Street Soup Kitchen volunteer work begins

4:00pm Spiritual Gifts Discovery Workshop

Monday 24 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

Tuesday 25 The Feast of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary

12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

1:00pm Staff meeting in Guild Room

7:00pm AA in Auditorium

7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room

Wednesday 26 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

6:00pm Lenten Soup & Salad Series: Chanting for All

Thursday 27 10:30am Wisdom Seekers Bible Study

12noon Healing Eucharist in the Chapel

4:00pm Boy Singers of Maine

6:00pm Dowers in the Guild Room

7:00pm Choir rehearsal

Friday 28 Parish Office Closed on Fridays

TEC High School Diocesan Retreat- Fr Nathan facilitating through Sunday

12noon Noonday Prayer – wherever you find yourself

5 - 7pm Community Souper Supper - All are welcome!

5:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room

7:30pm St. Mary’s Schola Lenten Concert at the Cathedral

Saturday 29 9:00am Boy Singers of Maine

Sunday 30 8:00am The Fourth Sunday in Lent: Traditional Eucharist

9:00am Coffee Hour in the auditorium

9:15am Family Chapel – for all families and children

9:15am Art and Faith Discussion group

9:30am Guiding RAY begins and the Middlers gather

10:00am The Fourth Sunday in Lent: Contemporary Eucharist

7:30pm St. Mary’s Schola Lenten Concert at Saint Mary’s Church

Beth Shaw

Parish Administrator

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary

43 Foreside Road (Route 88)

Falmouth, ME 04105

207-781-3366

www.smary.org

Thursday, March 13, 2014

S. Mary's eNEWS for 3.16.14

The Men’s Snowshoeing trip for this Thursday pm - Saturday has been cancelled.

There is an All-Parish Saturday Snowshoe hike instead. Let’ either meet at 8amin the S Mary’s parking lot to carpool to Bradbury Mountain or meet at the base of the mountain at 9am. Jim Kane will lead the expedition to the clearing at the top of the hill. Should be a gorgeous and relatively warm day!

All ages, all genders, all number of legs Welcome!

***LAST CALL FOR BOOKS: DUE THIS TUESDAY at the latest!***

PLEASE DELIVER ALL BOOKS TO THE PARISH HOUSE

by the end of TUESDAY at the latest!!

Saint Mary’s Weekly News

March 16, 2014 – The Second Sunday in Lent

Our prayer concerns for this week

For healing: Michelle Bilodeau, Peter Bramhall, Lynda Conner, Janet Corey, Paula Gardner, Kathryn Kuehn, Andrew Leighton, Mary Lygo, Roger Murray, Brian Pettingill, Peg Pierce, John Rich, Grace Robinson, Eileen Shortell, and John Unfricht.

For those deployed: For Shea Bickerstaff, serving with the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, for his family, and for all active-duty military personnel and family.

God's power at work within us!

Amen! Saint Mary's is truly blessed. In the past two weeks, over 90 parishioners have pledged their support to help us carry out our ministries, and each day's mail delivers more completed pledge forms. Thank you to everyone who has shared their intentions with us. If you haven't sent your pledge form in, there's still time. The Stewardship Committee has started to follow up with phone calls. Scan your form and email it, send it in the post or drop it by the Parish Office. We need everyone’s participation. Thank you!

2014 Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation Class forming now!

Youth Ministry Notes

Godly Play: Christian Formation for our young people

“The Middlers” meet from 9:30 to 10:35 AM

**Next Sunday, the Middlers will be hosting Coffee Hour for all of us!

FUN IS GOD High School group gathers monthly! Next one will be:

Sunday, March 23, 2014, 1:00-6:00 (youth, choose all or part of event) In response to a recent article in The Forecaster about the needs of the Falmouth Food Pantry, the youth are changing their focus and event to collect canned food and rolls of toilet paper for the FFP.

12:45 meet at Expo for free Red Claws game: 1:00-2:30 ish

2:45 drive to Falmouth Food Pantry

Acolyte Training will be on April 6^th!

On April 6^th at 11:30am, Father Nathan will hold a 2-hour training session for all those interested in becoming an acolyte (young or mature – all are welcome). Don’t miss out!

Serving The World

Book, Bake and Soup Sale in support of Outreach: Saturday, March 22

As part of our 2014 Outreach Project, S. Mary's is holding its Book, Bake & Soup Sale on Sat., March 22^nd, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. WE NEED YOU to: donate books, videos, games & puzzles; sort books; sell books; BAKE for the bake sale; clean-up. Please sign up to help in whatever way you are able and willing. There are sign-up sheets outside the Guild Room. Regarding books, games or puzzles: Please leave all donations downstairs on the HUGE table in the big storage room. Please, NO used textbooks, encyclopedia sets, or magazine sets.

Preble Street Soup Kitchen: next Sunday, March 23

Serving Habitat for Humanity, but staying with us

A group of 14 students from Philadelphia University will be working on the Freeport Habitat House next week (March 17 - 23) and will be preparing their breakfast and dinner at S. Mary’s and staying evenings in the lower level of the Parish House. If you see them around our campus, be sure to welcome and thank them for their service.

Meetings, Gatherings and Events

Lenten Soup & Salad Program: Wednesday evenings in Lent

Chanting for All: An Ancient Spiritual Practice for Contemporary Christians

What are your unique God-given Spiritual Gifts? Come find out!

Today and next Sunday: March 16^th and 23^rd, 4 - 6pm

Pre-session Prep: Pick up a Spiritual Gifts Experience Assessment today!

Lenten St. Mary’s Schola Concert: Miserere Mei

Join the St Mary Schola for a 2014 Lenten Concert, Miserere Mei.

Concerts dates are: March 28, 7:30 PM at the Cathedral of St. Luke, Portland
March 30, 7:30 PM at the Episcopal Church of S. Mary, Falmouth
Tickets are available at the St Mary Schola website, www.stmaryschola.org, or at the door. Prices are $15/Adult, $12/Student or Senior, $40/Family Group.

The Book Group at Saint Mary's will meet on Monday, March 31 at 2 pm

Pastoral Care

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 anytime on his cell at 609-410-7573.

Eucharistic Visitors take Holy Communion to those unable to worship with us on Sunday morning. The Eucharistic Visitor today is Deacon Christine. If you or someone you know would like Communion brought to them, please call the Parish Office. If you wish to learn more about this special ministry, feel free to speak with Deacon Christine.

THIS WEEK at Saint Mary’s

Sunday 16 8:00am The Second Sunday in Lent: Traditional Eucharist

9:00am Coffee Hour in the auditorium

9:15am Family Chapel – for all families and children

9:15am Art and Faith Discussion group

9:30am Guiding RAY begins and the Middlers gather

10:00am The Second Sunday in Lent: Contemporary Eucharist

1:00pm Guiding RAY Leadership Team review meeting

4:00pm Spiritual Gifts Discovery Workshop

Monday 17 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

5pm The Habitat volunteers from Philadelphia Univ. arrive for the week

Tuesday 18 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

1:00pm Staff meeting in Guild Room

6:00pm Vestry Meeting at the LaFond’s home

7:00pm AA in Auditorium

7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room

LAST CALL for Books for Saturday’s Book Bake & Soup Sale

Wednesday 19 Fr Nathan at Fresh Start meeting in Waterville

12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

1:00pm Kneelers Guild meeting

3 - 6pm Wednesday Afternoon Learning at S. Mary’s

6:00pm Lenten Soup & Salad Series: Chanting for All

Thursday 20 AVE Deadline – for April edition

10:30am Wisdom Seekers Bible Study

12noon Healing Eucharist in the Chapel

4:00pm Boy Singers of Maine

7:00pm Choir rehearsal

Friday 21 Parish Office Closed on Fridays

12noon Noonday Prayer – wherever you find yourself

5:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room

Saturday 22 9 -- 1pm BOOK, Bake & Soup Sale

Sunday 23 8:00am The Third Sunday in Lent: Traditional Eucharist

9:00am Coffee Hour in the auditorium

9:15am Family Chapel – for all families and children

9:15am Art and Faith Discussion group

9:30am Guiding RAY begins and the Middlers gather

10:00am The Third Sunday in Lent: Contemporary Eucharist

4:00pm Spiritual Gifts Discovery Workshop

Beth Shaw

Parish Administrator

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary

43 Foreside Road (Route 88)

Falmouth, ME 04105

207-781-3366

www.smary.org