Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Saint Mary's eNEWS for 12.6.15

Saint Mary's Weekly News
December 13, 2015 – The Third Sunday of Advent

Today: Fr. David Illingworth returns
The Ferrell family is away for the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia and for a time to visit with family.  We are delighted to have Fr. David Illingworth return to Saint Mary's to preside, and also to have the Rev. Portia Hirschman assisting.  Thank you to both!

Celebrate Honor Serve!
 Thank you to the over 75 households who have pledged over $170,000 for 2016. We have a way to go to hit our goal of $265,000. It's a busy time of year here at Saint Mary's. Please remember to turn in your completed pledge form by the end of December! If we all do what we can, we will hit our goal! Pledging should be joyful not stressful. Consider what it possible for you and turn your form in today! If you've lost your form, they are available in the narthex of the church and at coffee hour or by contacting Beth Shaw (781-3366 or admin@smary.or). Some have asked about their 2015 pledging status. Beth is the go to person for that information too. THANK YOU!

Upcoming Events & Gatherings
SPARKLES NEWS
The Sparkles Fair is over for the year and this afternoon's Schola and Reception will mark the end of the Sparkles Season for 2015. We hope you will join us for the concert and gala reception.
         We were blessed with beautiful weather for the Fair.  We had lots of shoppers and we did very well financially (appears that we will clear more than $14000.). We showed a beautiful and welcoming face to the community, and we made new friends within the Parish family----just what the Sparkles Season is all about.  There are still some bags of Sparkles special coffee from Coffee by Design to purchase and a few of the new special Fr. James+ Ornaments.  
   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 ALL our section chairs and especially to the new folks on the team-----Jana Burke who joined Nadine Timberlake on publicity and who created our Sparkle Facebook page, Kathy Galen who joined MaryAnn Mclean in organizing the volunteers for Fair Day, Megan Akers organized the Family Advent Wreath Workshop and Garry Bowne who took on the Head Cashier position and was assisted by John Fournier. And, of course we could never do this without the men who help with all the moving and lifting.  And, most especially, we want to thank our hardworking and always smiling Parish Administrator, Beth Shaw.
  Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year from Onnie Hastings and Jan Mordarski --Sparkles Co-Chairs
Sparkles Benefit Concert: this Sunday, December 13, 4 PM
"Today's Light": a joyous celebration of the season.  The St. Mary Schola offers its annual SPARKLES Concert to benefit our parish family. If you want to experience the mystery of medieval song, the glory of early music, and hear some of Maine's best singers and players celebrate this season, please join us at 4:00 PM in the Sanctuary. Bruce will present a brief early music lecture at 3:30 PM.  After the concert, you are invited to an elegant reception to end the Sparkles season. Concert & Reception cost $20 adults; students are free.  Tickets are available on-line (www.stmaryschola.org), in the parish office or at the door IF there are tickets left.
 
Advent Caroling for all: Friday, December 11, 4:30 PM    
Adults and children of all ages are invited to gather at the Parish House on Friday evening for caroling at Falmouth by the Sea and Foreside Harbor, followed by a hearty meal (and singing for your supper...) at S. Mary's SOUPER SUPPER. All are welcome!
 
Back by popular demand – Cinnamon Rolls!
 At Sparkles, we quickly sold out of the delicious cinnamon rolls. You may recall we sold them individually, hot from the oven and in packages of 6, frozen. A small group of elves will see to it that we have another delivery in time for Christmas. On Sunday, December 20th, you'll be able to buy packages of 6 frozen cinnamon rolls for $10 on a first come, first served basis after the 8 o'clock and 10 o'clock services. They are perfect for baking off on Christmas morning!

"Be Still" : every Monday in Advent, 5:30 – 6:30 PM  
Especially for busy parents, a time to "Be Still" is offered each Monday of Advent (December 7, 14, & 21). This is time for quiet in the Father James Chapel. Time to breathe, re-center, reflect, to "be" with God. Come for five minutes, or come for the hour!
 
Wisdom Seekers book study: every Tuesday at 10:30 AM
Join us for our Advent book study, "Awaiting the Already." All are welcome and invited for this Advent season. FMI contact Deacon Christine: deacab@maine.rr.com, 653-2448.
 
Thursday Eucharist: every Thursday in the Chapel at 12 noon
This is a beautiful, informal time to gather at the Lord's Table with a meditation on the scriptures or the

"BE STILL" Every Monday in Advent
Pause for 10 minutes of prayer together. Everyone is welcome! You are also invited, wherever you may be, to STOP and PRAY with us in the Spirit at Noon for those in need, for our parish family, for our bishop Steve, and for your own daily life with God.

Christian Formation Notes
Guiding RAY  (Religious Adventures for Youth):   9:30 / 9:45 each Sunday   
At 9:30 AM, Family Chapel is a special time for families and children with Fr. Nathan in the Chapel. Guiding RAY classes begin immediately afterward at 9:45 AM.
NOTE: There will be no Guiding RAY classes on December 20 due to the Pageant!
The Nursery always opens at 9:30 AM for our youngest disciples and has returned to the Guiding RAY rooms in the lower level of the Parish House.
 
Christmas Pageant FULL Dress Rehearsal:  Saturday, December 19 at 3 PM
All hands on deck! FMI: please contact Julie Otte at 781-2322 or juliemomotter@aol.com

Youth Ministry
Young Life Casco Bay: Club on Mondays at 7:31 PM
You're crazy to miss it! All area high schoolers are invited to crash the Herdrich's home at 2 Town Landing Rd in Falmouth (the corner of Foreside Rd and Town Landing). Park in the corner lot across from the Market. Bring ALL of your friends!
 
Advent for the Middlers: Christmas Around the World
Open to all youth from 6th to 12th grades. Gather at 9:30 AM in the Youth Room on the Sundays of Advent to learn how Christmas is celebrated in other countries with their own unique traditions which we will explore with special food, activities and games particular to each culture. Questions? Call or email Meg Hurdman 400-9011 or hurdman@maine.rr.com.
The Focus on Nov 29 and Dec. 6 was on Ethiopia and Germany.
Dec. 13: Focus will be on Mexico, learn about poinsettias and piñatas and what it means when you greet someone by saying, "Feliz Navidad".
Dec. 20: Meet briefly for hot chocolate with cinnamon and special snacks and learn how the wise men/three kings represent foreign counties and cultures paying homage to Jesus. Then attend Saint Mary's children's Christmas pageant at 10 AM.

Serving The World
Saint Mary's Snow Angel Giving Tree: Sunday is the deadline!
Thanks to everyone who took tags and didn't miss the opportunity to become engaged in the spirit of giving. Unwrapped gifts should be back under the tree no later than December 13 with the tag on them to ensure the families receive them in time for Christmas.  For more information, contact Betsy or Jim Stoddard at 829-2026 or  jbstod@myfairpoint.net
 
Souper Supper: 2nd and 4th Fridays, December 11 and 25
Our free suppers in our Parish House Auditorium open to anyone and everyone continue as usual in the month of December. Please consider dropping in sometime between 5 – 7 PM on either evening for dinner served in a family-style setting and consisting of a hearty soup, salad, bread, homemade desserts and beverages.   FMI or to join the Souper Supper team, contact Jennifer Gregg  jenniferanngregg@gmail.com .

Community Care & Nurture
If You Have to Spend Time in a Hospital… 
Please make sure that you register yourself as a member of The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary in Falmouth! MMC no longer keeps track of general religious affiliation, but only membership in a specific congregation. And make sure to call S. Mary's and let us know!
Communicating with Father Nathan 
Feel free to contact Nathan+ at any time if you wish to speak with him. You can call or text his cell anytime at 207-310-0268   or e-mail him directly at nathanferrell@smary.org
Prayer Concerns for this week:  Rick Bartlett, Michelle Bilodeau, Gardner Bilodeau, Tim Blanchette, Janet Dorman, Gay Freeman, Olive Galen, Sarah Gorman, Lynn Hathaway, Cindy Horton, Chandra Lowe, Mary Lygo, Shelly Maher, Roger Murray, Lynne Shepherd and Jim Whittemore.                                                                                          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).
 
Christmas 2015 at Saint Mary's
Children's Christmas Pageant: December 20 at 10AM
Christmas Eve: Family Eucharist at 4 and 6pm, Choral Candlelight Eucharist at 9pm
Christmas Day:  Holy Eucharist with carols at 10am
 
This Week at Saint Mary's
Sunday         13    8:00am     Holy Eucharist: using Rite II in Advent
                             9:00am     Coffee hour begins
                             9:30am     Family Chapel – in the Chapel
                             9:30am     Middlers:  Christmas around the world
                             10:00am     Choral Holy Eucharist
                             11:00am   Coffee hour continues
                             3:30pm     Pre-concert lecture in sanctuary
                             4:00pm     Sparkles Schola Christmas Concert & Gala Reception
Monday        14    9:30am     Garden Club
                             12noon    Noonday Prayer in the Chapel 
Tuesday        15    9-12:30     Art Group in Auditorium
                             10:30am   Wisdom Seekers Advent Study: "Awaiting the Already"
                             12noon    Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
                             1:00pm     Get Stitching in the White Wool Room
                             1:00pm     Staff meeting
                             3:00pm     Pastoral Partners meeting
                             7:00pm     AA in auditorium
                             7:30pm     Al-Anon meeting – in Guild Room  (6:30pm -Beginner's Al-Anon)
Wednesday   16    12noon    Noonday Prayer in the Chapel 
                             6:00pm     Vestry meeting
                             6:00pm     Women's Oratorio chorale in the Chapel
Thursday      17    12noon    Thursday Eucharist in the Chapel
                             4:00pm     Boy Singers of Maine rehearsals
                             7:00pm     Choir rehearsal
Friday           18    Parish Office is closed on Fridays
                             12noon    Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
                             5:30pm     Al-Anon meeting
Saturday       19    9:00am     Boy Singers of Maine rehearsals
                             3:00pm     Pageant Full Dress rehearsal – any and all are invited
Sunday         20    8:00am     Holy Eucharist: using Rite II in Advent
                             9:00am     Coffee hour begins
                             9:30am     Middlers:  Christmas around the world
                             10:00am     Christmas Pageant and Choral Holy Eucharist
                             11:00am   Coffee hour continues
 

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