Monday, December 22, 2014

Saint Mary's eNEWS for 12.21.14

 

Saint Mary’s Weekly News

December 21, 2014 – The Fourth Sunday of Advent


 

Stewardship 2015 Update

We are all God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Cor. 3:9)

With just over a month left in our stewardship campaign, we continue to see the pledge forms coming in!! Thank you!!!! Currently we are at $144,500  from  79  parishioners! Our campaign ends on January 25th at the Annual Meeting.  As the year end approaches, we do know that many in our community want to make a gift of securities or stocks. Here’s the process to follow: Please ask your broker to contact both Saint Mary’s (Beth Shaw, 781-3366) and our agent, Merrill Lynch so that your gift is credited properly. Without notifying us, the transfer comes in anonymously and can cause frustration to the donor, especially at tax time. Our account is at Merrill Lynch, Lad Taylor, broker, 207-871-1922; DTC: 5198 and account number: 824-04053. And remember, no matter how you give or how much you give, all gifts are meaningful!!

Serving The World

Emergency Fuel Fund

Please consider making a special offering to enable our support of those who need help with their heating bills this winter. Envelopes are available in the Prayer Books and in the Narthex. Thanks from the Outreach Committee and all those who you will help!

 

Preble Street Soup Kitchen:  Next SUNDAY,  December 28

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 .

Christian Formation Notes

Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)

There will be NO Guiding RAY classes next week, due to Christmas vacation. Family Chapel will also not be offered. The Nursery will remain open for our youngest disciples in the Kneeler Room beginning at 9:45 AM.

Youth Ministry

The Middlers (Middle Schoolers group) will be taking a break until January 11.

Young Life Club also on break until the New Year. Stay tuned for details!

High School Service Group: December 26 and 28

Time to prepare for two of Saint Mary's established outreach programs:  Preble Street Soup Kitchen (Dec. 28) and Souper Supper (Dec. 26)  Please see the Sign-Up Table outside the Guild Room.  Or contact Anne LaFond (alafond@maine.rr.com or 781-8820) with your dates/times or any questions you might have.

Meetings, Events & Notes

Wisdom Seekers Small Group: Tuesdays at 11 AM in the Guild Room

Everyone is welcome to join this open Bible study and discussion group led by Deacon Christine. Come and learn more about the Gospels! 

Healing Eucharist: every Thursday at 12 noon in the Chapel

Next gathering will be Thursday, January 8. All are welcome!

Creative Persons Retreat prep meeting: Sunday, January 4 at 11 AM

All of those planning to attend the Retreat in New Hampshire on Jan. 16-18 are called to meet together in the Chapel to discuss logistics for the trip.

To Protect and Serve: A Dialogue on Police & Community Relations

Wednesday, January 14 at 6 PM here in Saint Mary’s Auditorium.

Falmouth Police Chief Ed Tolan and other officers will be present to speak with the community about police training and accountability, issues involving law enforcement in our area, and to answer any questions from the public. All are welcome!

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, please speak with Deacon Christine ( deacab@maine.rr.com ).

Prayer Concerns for this week:

For healing: the Leighton family, Jean, Bill Cloud, Judy MacDonald, DeeDee Fournier, Cindy Horton, Clare Marie, Sandy Pauly, Suzanne Bauer, Michelle Bilodeau, Paula Gardner, Arthur Markos, Peg Pierce, Wendy Pierce, Dennis Pike, Ann Tholen. 

For those deployed: for Mark Winter, and for all active-duty military personnel and their families.

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).

 

This Week at Saint Mary’s

Sunday       21           8:00am          The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Traditional Eucharist

                                  9:00am          Coffee Hour  &  The Moth @ Saint Mary’s

                                  10:00am          Christmas Pageant and Contemporary Eucharist

                                  11:00am             Coffee Hour continues

Monday       22          Annual Report deadline

                                  12noon           Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

Tuesday       23          11:00am          Wisdom Seekers

                                  12noon           Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

                                  1:00pm           Get Stitching group

                                  6:30pm           Beginner’s Al-Anon in the Chapel

                                  7:00pm           AA in the Auditorium

                                  7:30pm           Al-Anon in the Guild Room

Wednesday    24       THE EVE OF THE NATIVITY

                                              12noon          Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

                                  4:00pm          Family Christmas Eve Eucharist

                                   6:00pm          Family Christmas Eve Eucharist

                                   9:00pm           Choral Candlelight Christmas Eve Eucharist

Thursday           25    THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

                                  Parish Office is closed

                                  10:00am                Christmas Day liturgy

Friday                 26   Parish Office is closed on Fridays

                                  12noon           Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

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

                                  5:30pm           Al-Anon meeting

Sunday               28   8:00am            The 1st Sunday of Christmas: Traditional Eucharist

                                  9:00am            Coffee Hour

                                10:00am           The 1st Sunday of Christmas: Contemporary Eucharist

                                11:00am               Coffee Hour continues

 

FYI: Beth Shaw will be on vacation next week (Dec. 29 to Jan. 2)

The Parish Office will be closed for the holidays on December 25-26 and January 1-2

The Parish Office will be staffed limited hours (aim of 10am – 2pm)

 

 

 

Beth Shaw

Parish Administrator

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary

43 Foreside Road

Falmouth, Maine  04105

207.781.3366

 

Thursday, December 11, 2014

S. Mary's eNEWS for 12.14.14

Saint Mary’s Weekly News

December 14, 2014 – The Third Sunday of Advent

 

Sparkles NEWS for December 14

          The Sparkles Fair is over for the year. Despite the less than ideal weather, we did well financially, showed a beautiful, welcoming and friendly face to the community,  and made new friends within our Parish family – just what the Sparkle Season is all about.

There are still baskets left filled of coffee and soup mix in the Guild Room. 

          So many of you helped to make this all happen and we offer our heartfelt thanks to ALL.  We would like to offer special thanks to a few folks without whom we could not do this: Jessica LaPlante (boxwoods) and Babs Bell (jewelry) stepped in as new chairs and did amazing work.  Other special thanks go to "The Hunks of Saint Mary's" and our section chairs: NormaJean Brillant, Mary Ann Mclean, Barbara Murray, Shelly Maher, Jennifer Gregg, and our very special Beth Shaw.

          This Sunday afternoon will be the Schola Concert and Reception, and we offer special thanks, also, to Nadine and Bob Timberlake for being chairs of the reception. It promises to be lovely.    MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Blessed New Year from Onnie Hastings and Jan Mordarski,   Sparkle Co-Chairs.


December 14th   is the Sparkles Benefit Concert

Sing We Noel a joyous celebration of the season.  The St. Mary Schola offers its annual SPARKLES Concert to benefit Saint Mary’s Church.  This program includes medieval processions, a mystical chant by Hildegard von 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 splendid string soloists, accompanied by harpsichord and lute.  The concert 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) or at the door.   St. Mary’s Schola Concerts also held at the Cathedral of St. Luke on Friday evening, December 12 and in Brunswick on Tuesday, December 16; visit the Schola website for more information.

Advent Quiet Day: “COME TO THE QUIET”

Saturday, December 20 from 9 AM to 12 Noon. YOU are invited to take ONE, TWO or THREE hours in quiet retreat for your own spiritual growth during this Advent season. Led by Deacon Christine and meeting in the Chapel, this is time set aside for you to spent intentional time with God and to prepare yourself for the celebration of Christ’s birth.

 

Stewardship 2015 Update

We are all God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Cor. 3:9)

Thank you!! Our total keeps growing. We have reached $130,620 pledged by 72 families to support our mission and ministry.  Please take a moment during this busy time of year to contemplate your support for St. Mary’s. We’re hoping to complete our campaign by the January 25th at our Annual Meeting.  If you need a pledge form, please contact Janet Bowne (janetbowne@maine.rr.com; 781-3844) or Beth Shaw, Parish Administrator (781-3366 admin@smary.org) and we’ll send one to you. On  the pledge form, you can indicate how you wish to set up your payment, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually. We also provide instructions on stock transfers for those wishing to make a gift of securities. Thank you for your support!!

 

Saint Mary’s Advent Snowman-Angel Tree

Thanks to all who were able to answer this call to fulfill a child’s Christmas wish.  Unwrapped gifts should by now be back under the tree in the foyer of the auditorium 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

 

Serving The World

Emergency Fuel Fund

Please consider making a special offering to enable our support of those who need help with their heating bills this winter. Envelopes are available in the Prayer Books and in the Narthex. Thanks from the Outreach Committee and all those who you will help!

 

Christian Formation Notes

Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)

There will be NO Guiding RAY classes next week, due to the Children’s Christmas Pageant at 10 AM. Family Chapel will also not be offered.

The Nursery will remain open for our youngest disciples in the Kneeler Room beginning at 9:45 AM.

 

Youth Ministry

Young Life Club: every Wednesday at 7:17 PM !

LAST CLUB BEFORE CHRISTMAS BREAK! This Wednesday night at 2 Town Landing Rd (the Herdrich 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:    December 12, 26, 28

This group serves as a vehicle for service, fellowship and spirituality for all high schoolers.  We 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.)  Please see the Sign-Up Table outside the Guild Room.  Or contact Anne LaFond (alafond@maine.rr.com or 781-8820) with your dates/times or any questions you might have.

 

Meetings, Events & Notes

Wisdom Seekers Small Group: Tuesdays at 11 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.

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 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 very special ministry and how you might get involved, feel free to speak with Deacon Christine ( deacab@maine.rr.com ).

Prayer Concerns for this week:

For healing: Bill Cloud, Tom Donaldson, Judy MacDonald, DeeDee Fournier, Cindy Horton, Clare Marie, Sandy Pauly, Suzanne Bauer, Michelle Bilodeau, Paula Gardner, Arthur Markos, Peg Pierce, Wendy Pierce,  Dennis Pike, Ann Tholen. 

For those deployed: for Mark Winter, and for all active-duty military personnel and their families.

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).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


This Week at Saint Mary’s

Sunday          14  8:00am      The Third Sunday of Advent: 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     The Third Sunday of Advent: Contemporary Eucharist

                           11:00am       Coffee Hour continues

                           4:00pm      Sparkles Concert: “Sing We Noel” by the St. Mary Schola,           followed by a gala reception

Monday         15  11a-2p      Garden Club Silver Holiday Tea

                           12noon    Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

                           6:00pm    Vestry Meeting (rescheduled from Wednesday)

Tuesday       16    11:00am   Wisdom Seekers

                           12noon    Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

                           1:00pm    Get Stitching group

                           1:00pm    Staff meeting

                           1:00pm    Kneelers group

                           2 - 4pm     Facebook Marketing for Churches Webinar

                           4:00pm    Pastoral Visitors

                           6:30pm    Beginner’s Al-Anon in the Chapel

                           7:00pm    AA in the Auditorium

                           7:30pm    Al-Anon in the Guild Room

Wednesday    17  January AVE deadline

                           12noon    Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

Thursday       18  12noon    Healing Eucharist in the Chapel

                           4:00pm    Boy Singers of Maine

                           7:00pm    Choir rehearsal

Friday            19  Parish Office is closed on Fridays

                           12noon    Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

                           6-9pm       FHS Basketball Team dinner in auditorium

                           5:30pm    Al-Anon meeting

Saturday        20  9am – 12   Advent Quiet Day: Come to the Quiet 

                           3:00pm      Pageant Full Dress Rehearsal – All Welcome

Sunday          21  8:00am      The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Traditional Eucharist

                           9:00am      Coffee Hour  &  The Moth @ Saint Mary’s

                           10:00am     The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Christmas Pageant and Contemporary Eucharist

                           11:00am       Coffee Hour continues

en

 

 

Beth Shaw

Parish Administrator

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary

43 Foreside Road

Falmouth, Maine  04105

207.781.3366