Saint Mary’s Weekly News
January 31, 2016 – The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
The Feast of the Presentation: Candlemas celebrated February 4 at 12 noon
Our regular Thursday Eucharist this week will be dedicated to Candlemas. If you wish to have your home candles blessed, please bring them to the Chapel on Thursday.
2016 Vestry and Staff Retreat: Saturday, February 6
Please hold us up in your prayers as your leadership team and staff gather on Saturday to prepare for this year’s work together and to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the parish.
Celebrate Honor Serve
Thank you the 138 parish households which have pledged for 2016. We are VERY close to reaching our pledge goal of $265,000. If you haven't turned in your completed pledge form, PLEASE take a few minutes to do so. Meeting our pledge goal means our programs will have the funding needed to continue. It means our buildings will continue to be warm, inviting and able to support our programs and community. Thank you!
Annual Meeting &Vision Event: Sunday, January 31, 9 AM to 12 Noon
“Any person age fifteen years or older who has attended and supported the Church for six months and accepts its Constitution shall be considered a voting member of the Parish.” So state our Constitution and By-laws. Everyone is invited for this special event, even if you are not voting. Brunch will be supplied, childcare will be available, and the Holy Spirit will be guiding us! Come to learn about what is in store for us in 2016.
2016 Offering Envelopes are here!
Please pick up your envelopes today! If you forgot to check the box on your pledge form, but would like envelopes, simply sign-up for them on the Table outside the Guild Room.
Serving The World
Souper Supper: 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month
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.
Calling all BOOKS! Book, Bake and Soup Sale: March 5 from 9am – 1pm
WE NEED YOU for our Book, Bake, Soup Sale! Please sign up outside the Guild Room for the part you wish to play in our parish-wide Outreach project. It's so much fun in the midst of winter to come together with BOOKS, SOUPS, and BAKED GOODS! Any questions call Babs Bell regarding soups, Elizabeth Heinzman regarding the baked goods, and Becky Pride regarding the books. ALL proceeds go to our mission work here and in the world. DATE: Saturday, March 5th! [Please drop off books now, and contact Becky if you wish to sort now. Sorting is an ongoing project that you can do at your own pace and convenience.] Please leave all book donations downstairs on the HUGE table in the big storage room. Please, NO used textbooks, encyclopedia sets, or magazine sets.
Become a Hospice of Southern Maine Volunteer
If you are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer, and would like more information, please contact our volunteer department. You may phone (207)289-3652 or visit www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org and click on Volunteering. Please inquire asap
Email: volunteer@hospiceofsouthernmaine.org. Volunteers help form the heart of hospice. Their dedication and compassionate care support the well-being of our patients and their families in immeasurable ways. Volunteers are needed in your community. Trained hospice volunteers provide an average of 3-4 hours per week of non-medical assistance and support to patients and families, including the following: Emotional support to patients and caregivers; Respite care to allow caregivers time to themselves; Assistance with light household chores, light meal prep or family concerns; Help with errands.
Save the Date: February 28 will be our next Mission Morning
We will gather again at 9 AM in the Auditorium for prayer and scripture. Then we will go out for hands-on projects to spread God’s goodness, love and joy in our community. After this, we return to the Auditorium for Communion and lunch. All are welcome!
Christian Formation
Family Chapel “Alleluia” banner & palm burning: next Sundays at 9:30 AM
On next Sunday, February 7, in Family Chapel, Fr. Nathan and the children will “put away” the ALLELUIA banner and will also burn last year’s palms to create ashes for Ash Wednesday.
The Middlers: in transition
The Middlers program is on hold until two new leaders are found. We are hoping soon to hire two young adults to lead the group every Sunday from now until June. Until then, youth are welcome to hang out in the Youth Room. But they are asked not to stay there during the Eucharist, but rather come and join their families in the liturgy. Thank you!
News & Events
Sparkles News:
Do your Valentines Day paper shopping!! In front of the kitchen you will find some lovely cards and paper items for purchase just in time for Valentine’s Day!!
Also there are a few bags of Sparkle Blend coffee and two gift baskets. The Honor Box is right there and suggested prices, so please help us to not have to store anything!!
February 10 is Ash Wednesday: The Invitation to a Holy Lent
There will be multiple opportunities for everyone to observe this special day of fasting, prayer and self-denial. In addition, if anyone would like ashes brought to a homebound member, please call the Parish Office right away. Our Ash Wednesday services will be:
v 12noon: Ash Wednesday liturgy – in the Chapel
v 4pm: Ash Wednesday for Children and Youth – in the Chapel
v 6pm: Ash Wednesday liturgy with music – in the Sanctuary.
Now’s the time to bring in your palms from last year to burn for use on Ash Wednesday. There will be a basket by the entrance to the Guild room.
Lenten Community Project: Growing a Rule of Life
Workbooks are available now for everyone at Saint Mary’s! Pick yours up in the Parish House and make plans to participate in a small group to share the process with others.
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.
If you need an immediate response (and on weekends), his cell phone is always the best.
Prayer concerns for this week: David & Patricia Stanchfield, Jonathan Cornwell, Angelica Barrett, Michelle Bilodeau, Gardner Bilodeau, Connie Dayton, Janet Dorman, Ben Folsom, David Pagenkopf, Gay Freeman, Olive Galen, the Gaston family, Sarah Gorman, Lynn Hathaway, Cindy Horton, Chandra Lowe, Shelly Maher, Roger Murray.
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 31 The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
9:00am ONE Contemporary Eucharist
(No Guiding RAY classes – all ages worship together!)
10:00am Brunch in the Auditorium - all are invited
10:30am Annual Meeting and Vision Event (to end around 12 noon)
Monday, Feb 1 12noon Noonday Prayer – in the Chapel
5:30pm Be Still in the Fr James Chapel – All invited
Tuesday 2 Fr Nathan at Clergy Day in Gardiner
9:30am Art Group in the Auditorium
10:30am Wisdom Seekers in the Guild Room
12noon Noonday Prayer – in the Chapel
1:00pm Get Stitching group
3:30pm Executive Committee Meeting
6:30pm Beginner’s Al-Anon
7:00pm AA in the Auditorium
7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Wednesday 3 Fr Nathan at Casco Bay CAN Faith Leaders Forum at Pineland Farms
12noon Noonday Prayer – in the Chapel
6:00pm Women’s Choral Group rehearses in Auditorium
6:30pm ORI meeting the Guild Room
Thursday 4 12noon Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
4:00pm Boy Singer of Maine rehearsal
7:00pm Saint Mary’s Choir rehearsal
Friday 5 Parish Office is closed
12noon Noonday Prayer – stop and pray wherever you are
5:30pm Al-Anon meeting
Saturday 6 9:00am Staff &Vestry Retreat in the Parish House
9:00am Boy Singers of Maine rehearsals
Sunday 7 The Last Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00am Traditional Eucharist
9:00am Coffee Hour
9:30am Family Chapel –Burn the Palms and Bury the ALLELUIA!
9:45am Guiding RAY
10:00am Contemporary Eucharist
11:00am Coffee Hour continues
12 noon Memorial for Jack Heinzman, Sr. in the Fr. James Chapel
Beth Shaw
Parish Administrator
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
