Saint Mary's Weekly News
March 26, 2017 – The Fourth Sunday in Lent
We welcome the Rev. Dr. Rob Voyle to Saint Mary's this weekend!
Rob was born and raised on a farm in New Zealand and now lives in the woods of Oregon. He has a degree in aeronautical engineering, a degree in clinical psychology, and degrees in counseling and theology! Rob has been ordained for more than 20 years and has focused in ministry on interim pastoral leadership and counseling.
Rob is with us to teach in small groups formats on Friday and Saturday and also to preach the Gospel with us on Sunday. He is the author of our Lenten small group series on Learning the Art of Forgiveness. We are very blessed to have Rob with us for this special weekend of learning and worship. Come to any or all of the events – and bring a friend!
Teaching Others How to Forgive: Friday, March 24, 9:00 AM – 3 PM
Designed for professionals, but open to all who want to gain practical tools on leading others to a place of sustainable forgiveness. It can be done! And perhaps there are few things in life more important than this. Held here at Saint Mary's with Rob Voyle.
Discerning Your Core Purpose: Saturday, March 25, 9:30am – 3:30 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. $60 per person; financial aid is available. Open to all, so invite a friend!
Lenten Small Groups week 4: 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 evening at 6 PM (begins with a soup supper)
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 will be 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. Most Sundays, coffee is already made (thanks to Hugh Smith!), so hosts would do a simple set up and clean up. Remember the importance of Coffee Hour is the gathering together of our parish family. 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 – a – Thon: 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, 11am: 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?
Trends in refugee resettlement mirror the conflicts and tragedies that are happening worldwide. Historically, refugees in Maine have come from over 30 countries. Current refugee populations that are coming to Maine are from Somalia, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Burma, Iran, and Iraq. (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 code: SMARY 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): 9:45 AM
All systems are go as our children gather each Sunday morning after Family Chapel to learn the stories of the Bible. 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.
This Sunday in Guiding RAY: Julie Otte and Dee Dee Fournier will be talking with the kids about the origin of Easter eggs. They will hear a story about the origin of Ukrainian eggs and about 
how the designs and colors represent feelings such as love, happiness, hope, dread and despair; all the emotions that we experience during the mystery of Easter. The older kids will continue working on their model of the Temple. As they work, they are learning the history of the Temple and how it relates to our modern day worship. The kids will add the Temple to the Easter fire during the Easter Vigil. Curious to see how the Temple is progressing? Come down to the Guiding RAY space and check it out!
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: NEW DATES – June 10 and 11
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: Ginny Stelk, Lynne Shepherd, Marsha Jewett, Chuck Horton, Bob Armitage, Larry Bennett, Charlie Dayton, Sarah Gorman, Talie Harris, Roger Murray, Tri Nguyen, Emily Otte, Stewart Stalnecker, Karon Velek and Bucky.
Other Prayer Concerns this week: For Grace Brown at our diocesan youth retreat, for Averyl Hill as she prepares for baptism.
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 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
Monday 27 12noon Noonday Prayer – wherever you are
6:30pm T'ai Chi in auditorium
Tuesday 28 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 29 9:00am BNI group in auditorium
6:00pm Lenten Study - Soup & Discussion group
6:00pm SinG in the auditorium
Thursday 30 12noon Noonday Prayer
1:00pm Caring Circle
3:00pm Lenten Study group at Oceanview
Friday 31 9a – 4p Lifeline Screening
12noon Noonday Prayer – wherever you are
Saturday, Apr 1 9:00am
Sunday 2 The Fifth 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
4:00pm The St. Mary's Schola Lenten Concert & Donor reception
Beth Shaw
Parish Manager
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
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