Saint Mary’s Weekly News
November 23, 2014 – Christ the King Sunday
We are all God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1Cor 3-9)
Thank you all for joining us on this journey of faith. By now you should have received a stewardship packet in your mail! Thank you to those who have already returned their completed pledge form for 2015. You can do so by dropping it in the mail, the collection plate or scan it and send it to Beth (admin@smary.org). And remember, you can choose how you’d like to give-- the timing and the method: check, or a transfer from your bank; OR via the secure web link on our web site. We are switching back to calendar year timing in response to your requests to fit more in line with household annual budgeting and to coincide with the tax year. The Vestry and the Finance Committee in concert with the Stewardship Committee are committed to a working to achieve a balanced budget. If all our parishioners could increase their pledges by 10 % we would achieve that goal and put St. Mary's on a sustainable path. Thank you for all you do for St. Mary's!
Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist: Wednesday, November 26 at 6 PM
Before the annual feast of Thanksgiving begins, come and gather together in community in the church to give thanks to God in prayer, in song, and at the Lord’s Table. This is an informal time when we will share together the things for which we give thanks.
HUGUES BASTION here to visit: Friday, November 28, 3 – 5 PM
The Outreach Committee is hosting a meet-and-greet reception with the founder and director of 'our' school in Haiti! We support and pray for Institution Univers each week. Come and meet the charismatic founder and director, Hugues Bastion, who is here on his first trip to Maine! If you are curious about the reason we are so enthusiastic about this school in Haiti, meeting Hugues will give you complete understanding! Drop by the Outreach Reception in the Guild Room and enjoy cheese, crackers, and liquid refreshments. After that, you are invited to enjoy a wonderful Souper Supper at 5pm in our Auditorium! A RARE and wonderful chance to experience a taste of Haiti and our Souper Supper program! FMI: call Becky Pride (781-4391) or Kelly Ianno (781-3498).
SPARKLES News - Join in the FUN!
Advent and the Sparkle Events begin ONE week from today (November 30th) with the beautiful Lessons & Carols during the 10am church service. That afternoon at 3pm is the
Advent Wreath Workshop, Potluck and the Lighting of the Memorial and Celebration Tree.
December 6 is the Sparkles Fair and Boutique from 9am – 2pm.
December 14 is the Schola Concert and Gala Reception at 4pm.
We hope you are planning to join with all the St. Marian's in these festive celebrations of the Season. You can STILL:
*Reserve your Schola Tickets
*Sign up for Caroling and the Souper Supper
*Bake cookies for the Cookie Walk and bake goodies for the Bake Sale
(needed by Friday, Dec. 5)
*Encourage friends and neighbors to come and shop and eat soup at the cafe.
Remember, the more funds we raise, the more GOOD we can do in the community!
The Sparkles Jewelry table needs your help before the big day
There are many ways to help! You could do simple tasks that don’t require any jewelry-making skill. We could form an assembly line group to complete the jewelry work. Then...You can work at the table on the big day. If any of this appeals to you, contact Barbara Bell at babsi821@gmail.com.
Like us on Facebook and Twitter! AND visit our revised website!
Would you like regular updates of what is happening at Saint Mary’s?
Then like us on FaceBook: www.facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary
Follow us on Twitter: @SMaryFalmouth And visit our website: www.smary.org
Serving The World
Preble Street Soup Kitchen: This SUNDAY, November 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. Preble Street serves many of the homeless in Portland, as well as others who cannot afford to buy food. We often serve up to 300 clients at a setting. We have a dedicated band of volunteers who find this work very rewarding. We are always looking for more people to help. We need people to (a) arrive 10:30 am 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 from 12:45 to 2 pm.
If you would like to join us, please contact Carla Birt at carlabirt@gmail.com , or Marian McCue at mmccue@maine.rr.com .
Saint Mary’s Advent Angel Tree
We look forward every year to having a Giving Tree! Here is an opportunity to become engaged in the spirit of giving this Christmas. Saint Mary’s, together with the Salvation Army, are hosting an “Angel Giving Tree. Angel tags will be on the Christmas tree with a child’s gift request. Kindly take a tag, purchase item(s) on the tag, and bring back to S. Mary’s. Unwrapped gifts should be back under the tree no later than December 12 with the tag on them to ensure the families receive them in time for Christmas. For more information contact Betsy or Jim Stoddard 829-2026 jbstod@myfairpoint.net
Don’t buy your coffee anywhere else! Support Souper Supper at S. Mary's
Fair Traded “Coffee by Design” Coffee on Sale Now!
If 50 families bought just 1 bag a month, we could support our Souper Supper community fellowship effort! …. and support fair trade practices by local owners…..and get GREAT organic coffee! Win! Win! Win!
Join the Souper Supper Team: the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month
We offer free community suppers on the second and fourth Fridays of each month in the auditorium of S. Mary’s Parish House. The dinners, which are available to the public at no charge, are served in a family-style setting and consist of a hearty soup or entree, salad or vegetable, bread, homemade desserts and beverages. We’d love to have you join us for a wonderful fellowship dinner or to help out in setup serving or clean-up. FMI: contact Jennifer Gregg jenniferanngregg@gmail.com.
Emergency/Fuel Discretionary Fund
As the winter approaches and the temperatures drop, let’s not forget to lend assistance to those that are struggling to stay warm. Emergency/Fuel Fund envelopes can be found in the hymnals in each pew. Thank you on behalf of the Outreach Committee and those you will help.
Christian Formation Notes
Godly Play: Christian Formation for our young people
On REGULAR Sundays from September to June, Guiding RAY offers Godly Play, a program that helps children to explore their faith through story, to gain a religious language and to enhance their religious experience through "wonder" and play during which they learn about God, the Bible, and the Church.
Family Chapel with Fr. Nathan begins at 9:30 AM in the Chapel and is open to everyone.
Guiding RAY classes (age 4 through 5th grade) follow this at 9:45 AM in the Guild Room.
The Nursery also opens at 9:30 AM for our infants and preschoolers and this week will be held in the Ruth White Room.
The Middlers meet in the Rectory living room from 9:30 AM until approximately 10:35 when they join everyone in the church for Holy Communion.
The Moth @ Saint Mary’s: 9 AM every Sunday in the Auditorium
Modeled after the popular radio show, this is simple storytelling by fellow parishioners. Get to know others in your parish family at a deeper level, and perhaps share a laugh or two. Led by Andrea Myles-Hunkin and Erin McGee Ferrell. All are welcome to stop in and join the group on any given Sunday, and feel free to come in late, if necessary.
Youth Ministry
Young Life Club: every Wednesday at 7:17 PM !
Every Wednesday night at 2 Town Landing Rd (the Hurdrich family house), all high schoolers are invited to come and bring a friend. You can park in the town lot across from the Town Landing Market.
High School Service Group: November 23 and 28
The S. Mary's High School Community Service Group is a vehicle for service, fellowship and spirituality for high schoolers. This new group will focus on two of S. Mary's established outreach programs: Preble Street Soup Kitchen (on the 4th Sunday of every month) and Souper Supper (on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month.)
There are sign-up sheets on the sign-up table outside the Guild Room. Or, please contact Anne LaFond (alafond@maine.rr.com or 781-8820) with your dates/times or any questions you might have.
Meetings, Events & Notes
Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols: Sunday, November 30 at 10 AM
New this year, we will celebrate this special liturgy in the morning rather than the afternoon. Come and hear the story of salvation told in the Word and in song as we begin the season of Advent.
Advent Potluck & Workshop: Next Sunday! November 30 at 3 PM
Start off the season of Advent in the best way! Learn about the meaning of Advent. Come and make your own Advent wreath to use at home. Pick up resources for daily Advent prayers to use with your wreath. Bring a main dish, side or dessert to share. Then help us to light the Memorial Tree. FMI: Megan Akers ( meganakers@maine.rr.com )
SIGN-UP now at the Parish House table.
Advent ‘Memorial and Celebration’ Tree: November 30 at 4:30 PM
Please fill out the green insert to celebrate your loved ones by remembering them and giving thanks for them. The Tree Lighting is on Sunday, November 30 following the Advent Potluck & Workshop which starts at 3 PM (see above). Also find the insert forms on a table at each door of the parish house.
Sparkles Concert – Sing We Noel
On December 14 at 4pm, the St. Mary’s Schola offers its annual SPARKLES Concert to benefit S. Mary’s Church. This year, the Schola presents Sing We Noel, a joyous celebration of the season. This program includes medieval processions, a mystical chant by Hildegard bon Bingen, magnificent motets by Praetorius and Schütz, as well as haunting masterworks by Poulenc. Bach’s invigorating Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-flat Major will feature the splendid string soloists, accompanied by harpsichord and lute. The conc3rt will conclude with the entire Schola ensemble of singers and musicians coming together to perform a joyful Christmas anthem by Purcell. Enjoy the concert and a gala reception for price of entry: $15 adults; $12 seniors and students; $40 family. Tickets available on-line ( www.stmaryschola.org), from Beth Shaw in the parish office.
Wisdom Seekers: every Tuesday at 11:00 AM in the Guild Room
***NOTE THE CHANGE IN TIME! Everyone is welcome to join this open Bible study and discussion group led by Deacon Christine.
Healing Eucharist: every Thursday at 12 noon in the Chapel
All are welcome for a brief, informal time of Communion with a group discussion of the Scriptures or the life of a saint, prayers for healing and the laying on of hands.
Noonday Prayer every other weekday in the Chapel
This takes 10 minutes and all are welcome. You are also invited, wherever you may be, to STOP and PRAY at 12 noon for those in need, for our parish family, for our bishop, and for your own daily life with God.
Get Stitching: every Tuesday at 1 PM
This group is gathering at the church EVERY TUESDAY AT 1:00pm to stitch. Some are knitting prayer scarves, some making dryer balls, some quilting, some making mitten, or socks, or vests. We help each other and chat about whatever we want. There is laughter as well as concern for our world. Everyone is welcome to an hour (and a half) of productive fellowship.
Pastoral Care
Communicating with Father Nathan
Feel free to contact Nathan+ at any time if you wish to speak with him. You can e-mail him directly at nathanferrell@smary.org or call his cell anytime at 207-310-0268.
Eucharistic Visitors
These are trained ministers who take Holy Communion to those unable to worship with us on Sunday morning. The Eucharistic Visitor this Sunday is Deacon Christine Bennett. 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 very special ministry and how you might get involved, speak with Deacon Christine ( deacab@maine.rr.com ).
Prayer Concerns for this week:
For healing: Sandy Pauly, Sasha & Chris Bartlett, Suzanne Bauer, Michelle Bilodeau, Terry Cassavant, Lilian Davidson, Paula Gardner, Kathryn Kuehn, Arthur Markos, Patrick Miller, Peg Pierce, Wendy Pierce, Dennis Pike, John Reny, Ann Tholen.
For those deployed: for Mark Winter, and for all active-duty military personnel and their families.
THE SUNDAY PRAYER LIST
If you arrive on a Sunday with an urgent prayer need, please stop and write it on the Sunday Prayer List found on the desk in the Narthex. These names will be remembered at Noonday Prayer in the Chapel throughout the week and added to the following Sunday’s Prayers of the People and Prayer Concerns.
IF YOU WANT TO ADD NAMES TO THE PRAYER LIST, write them on the Sunday Prayer List found in the Narthex or contact the Office (781-3366 or smary@smary.org).
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This Week at Saint Mary’s
Sunday 23 8:00am Christ the King Sunday: Traditional Eucharist
9:00am Coffee Hour & The Moth @ Saint Mary’s
9:30am Family Chapel & The Middlers
9:45am Guiding RAY classes begin
10:00am Christ the King Sunday: Contemporary Eucharist
11:00am Coffee Hour continues
Monday 24 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
Tuesday 25 11:00am Wisdom Seekers
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
1:00pm Get Stitching group
1:00pm Staff meeting
3:00pm Food For The Soul at Foreside Harbor
6:30pm Beginner’s Al-Anon in the Guild Room
7:00pm AA in the Auditorium
7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Wednesday 26 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
6:00pm Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist
Thursday 27 THANKSGIVING DAY Parish Office is closed
Friday 28 Parish Office is closed on Fridays
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
3 – 5 pm Hughues Bastion Meet & Greet – in Guild Room
5 – 7pm Community Souper Supper – all are welcome!
5:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Saturday 29 9:00am Boy Singers of Maine rehearsal
11:00am Wedding in the Church
Sunday 30 8:00am The First Sunday of Advent: Traditional Eucharist
9:00am Coffee Hour & The Moth @ Saint Mary’s
9:30am Family Chapel & The Middlers
10:00am The First Sunday of Advent: Advent Lessons & Carols
11:00am Coffee Hour continues
3:00pm Advent Wreath Workshop, Pot-luck followed by the
Memorial and Celebration Tree Lighting!
Beth Shaw
Parish Administrator
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
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