Thursday, March 16, 2017

Saint Mary's eNEWS for 3.19.17

Saint Mary's Weekly News

for March 19, 2017 – The Third Sunday in Lent


 

Discerning Your Core Purpose: Saturday, March 25, 9:30am3:30 pm

Spend a day on retreat here at Saint Mary's with renowned speaker, priest, coach, author and psychologist Rob Voyle. He will lead us all in a journey of discovering and claiming the unique calling to ministry that God has given to each of us. Coffee, snacks and lunch are included. Don't worry about the cost – just come and be engaged! Donations up to $60 are encouraged, but do what you can. Open to all, so invite a friend!

Lenten Small Groups week 3:  Learning the Art of Forgiveness

Participate in one session or each session throughout Lent. The groups meet as follows:

1.        Wisdom Seekers: Tuesday mornings at 10:30 AM

2.        Nathan's Group: Wednesday evenings at 6 PM

            3.         Oceanview Group: Thursday afternoons at 3 PM

 

"BE STILL" with God

You are cordially invited to the Father James' Chapel on Monday evenings from 5:30-6:30 pm throughout Lent to spend quiet moments with God.  There is no program.  This time and space are reserved for you to grow your relationship with God and Creation. Come for 5 minutes or come for an hour.  Bring something to read and contemplate...or not.  Just come, and "be still."   God will do the rest.

Sunday Coffee Hour: Hosts Needed!

We need volunteers for the 10am service Coffee Hour. Please keep in mind that

Coffee Hour is meant to be a quick parish gathering with coffee and juice available for children, along with a couple of store bought or home baked treats. We need your involvement. The sign-up sheet is on the table in the hallway . .

Kindly consider this ministry once or twice a year. Contact Betsy Stoddard, 829-2026 jbstod@myfairpoint,net if you have questions. Thanks.

Time to reserve your tickets for the Great Gardener Series: April 6

"Color Gardens:  Beautiful Perennial Combinations from Spring through Frost"  The guest speaker, Maria von Brincken, specializes in beautiful spaces and colorful flower gardens using native and ornamental plants.  5pm social time including complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages with presentation at 6pm.  For ticket or more information visit the St. Mary's Garden Club website or visit http://www.greatgardenerseries.com/

 

Annual Bridge aThon: Fri., April 21, 12:30-4pm - Reserve your table now!

Enjoy an afternoon of bridge - or any card or table game for four - at Saint Mary's.

Good fellowship, sumptuous refreshments, prizes for high scorers, all for price of admission ($48.00 per table/$12 per person) Call Beth Shaw 781-3366 to reserve your spot!  Please share this with any Bridge player you know!

 Don't play Bridge or cards?  For those who can't or don't wish to play cards that day, we would greatly welcome tea-snacks (tea sandwiches, sweets, savories) for this event. 

Sign-up sheet is outside the Guild Room or contact Betsy Stoddard or Jan Mordarski if you can help. 

 

SM Book Club - Monday, March 27:  I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced

Serving the World

"For I was a stranger and you made me welcome…." Matthew 25:35

 During this season of Lent, Saint Mary's will endeavor to become more knowledgeable about the Greater Portland community of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, and to discern how we as individuals and as a parish may share God's love by becoming positively engaged.

Did you know...the difference between Refugees and Asylees?

Refugees seeking protection from fear of persecution are brought to the U.S. via the U.S. Refugee Resettlement program only after thorough vetting including interviews and interagency investigations and screenings to confirm their refugee and security status.  This process generally takes several years.

Asylees seek protection from fear of persecution after they have been admitted provisionally to the U.S. on a student or work visa or as undocumented persons.  They petition the U.S. government for asylum and vetting ensues, mirroring that of the refugee. (Source:  Catholic Charities Immigration and Refugee Services, Maine)

FMI: see Jennifer Gregg, Anne LaFond, or Becky Pride.

Good Friday Blood Drive: April 14, 8 AM – 1 PM

There are many reasons to give blood. WE do it on Good Friday as a way to remember the blood given for us by our Lord Jesus on the Cross. Mark your calendars now for a special opportunity to share the gift of life with others. Here in our Parish House Auditorium. Sign-up at the website below with the sponsor codeSMARY www.redcrossblood.org/findadrive

Maine Interfaith Advocacy Days: March 27 and 28

This is designed to bring people of all faiths together in our state capital to worship, learn, and advocate effectively with Maine's legislators on the issues of hunger, homelessness, health care, and climate justice. It is sponsored by the Maine Episcopal Network for Justice and the Maine Council of Churches among others. FMI, see this website (http://mainecouncilofchurches.org/) .

 

Youth Ministry

Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth): 9:30 / 9:45 AM   

Family Chapel begins at 9:30 and all are welcome! After this, the children head downstairs to learn the stories of the Bible and to have some fun. FMI on our Guiding RAY or Godly Play programs, please visit our website  www.smary.org.

The Nursery is open for our youngest disciples in the lower level of the Parish House beginning at 9:30 AM every Sunday.

Help Wanted!  We want your clean wood scraps!  We're building the Temple! As Soon as Possible, please!! Thank you!

Young Life Club:  Every Monday night at 7:31pm

Every single high school student in the Casco Bay area is INVITED to gather for an amazing Club.  This is crazy fun and growing each week. FMI: visit www.younglifecb.com or call Jordan Droge at 805-453-1999

2017 Class for Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation

This is a wonderful time to learn about the Church, the Episcopal Church and reaffirm your Christian faith. Anyone who might be interested in discussing preparations to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, please contact Fr. Nathan. A meeting date will be announced following the expressed interest. 

Who should state their interest to join this class?  Those who wish:

·         To confirm their baptismal identity as followers of Christ

  • To be received into the fellowship of The Episcopal Church from another denomination
  • To reaffirm their trust in God and their commitment to life in Christ

2017 First Communion: May 6-7

Baptism is the only requirement to receive Communion. However, this Class is intended for children in grades 1-4 who want to learn about the meaning of Communion and who want to be part of our fun First Communion liturgy. We need a group of at least 5 to make this work. If interested, please contact Fr. Nathan or Megan Akers.

Community Care & Nurture

Chapel Eucharist: every Thursday in the Chapel at 12 noon

This is an informal time (in a beautiful space!) to gather at the Lord's Table with a meditation on the scripture or the saint of the day and prayers for healing.

Noonday Prayer: every other weekday in the Chapel

Pause for 10 minutes of prayer together. You are also invited, wherever you may be, to STOP and PRAY with us in the Spirit at 12 noon for those in need, for our parish family, for our bishop, and for your own daily life with God.

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  but know that email is checked rarely during the weekends or when he's away.

Prayer Concerns for this week:  Marsha Jewett, Chuck Horton, Bob Armitage, Larry Bennett, David Bates, Charlie Dayton, Sarah Gorman, Talie Harris, Allie Matthews, Roger Murray, Tri Nguyen, Emily Otte, Stewart Stalnecker, Jim Stoddard, Karon Velek and Bucky.    

 IF YOU WANT TO ADD NAMES TO THE PRAYER LIST, write them on the Sunday Prayer List in the Narthex or contact the Parish Office.

 

 

 

This Week at Saint Mary's

Sunday               19   The Third Sunday in Lent

                                  8:00am          Contemplative Eucharist

                                  9:00am          Coffee hour

                                  9:30am          Family Chapel and Nursery opens

                                  10:00am          Choral Eucharist

                                  11:00am         Coffee hour

Monday             20   12noon          Noonday Prayer – wherever you are

                                  6:30pm          T'ai Chi in auditorium

Tuesday             21   9:30am          Art Group

                                  10:30am            Wisdom Seekers Lenten Study group

                                             12 noon             Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

                                  1:00pm          Staff meeting

                                  1:00pm          Get Stitching group

                                  4:00pm          Pastoral Partners

                                  6:00pm          Schola Rehearsal in church

                                  7:00pm          AA in the auditorium

                                  7:30pm          Al-Anon in the Guild Room (6:30pm Beginner's Al-Anon)

Wednesday             22    9:00am               BNI group in auditorium 

                                  12noon          Noonday Prayer

                                  6:00pm          Lenten Study -  Soup & Discussion group

                                  6:00pm          SinG in the auditorium

Thursday            23   12noon          Chapel Eucharist 

                                  1:00pm          Caring Circle

                                  3:00pm          Lenten Study group at Oceanview

Friday                24   Rob Voyle Weekend: Parish Office is closed on Fridays 

                                  9:00am          Teaching Others How to Forgive

                                  12noon          Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

Saturday            25   9:30am          Discerning Your Core Purpose – all welcome!

Sunday              26   The Fourth Sunday in Lent:  with Rev Dr. Rob Voyle preaching

                                  8:00am          Contemplative Eucharist

                                  9:00am          Coffee hour

                                  9:30am          Family Chapel and Nursery opens

                                  10:00am          Choral Eucharist

                                  11:00am         Coffee hour

 

 

 

 

Beth Shaw

Parish Manager

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary

43 Foreside Road

Falmouth, Maine  04105

207.781.3366

 

 

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