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
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