Saint Mary’s Weekly News
December 10, 2017 – The Second Sunday of Advent
Welcome to the Rev. Jonathan Appleyard!
Jonathan Appleyard, our celebrant and preacher today, and Ruth, his wife, make their home in Woolwich where they tend their garden, chickens, and visiting children and grandchildren. As a Rector, he has served parishes in Brunswick and Bar Harbor. He has guided vestries and congregations on retreats and during periods of challenge, reflection and transition. He comes to us while working with Nathan and the Wardens as they prepare for the Rector's Sabbatical in 2018. Jonathan says, "I wake, most mornings, open to being surprised." Let’s give him a warm Saint Mary’s welcome!
Contemporary Language at 8 AM in Advent & Christmas
Once again, in this season we will experiment with the use of contemporary language texts (Rite II) at our 8 AM Eucharist. It is important for everyone to become accustomed to these texts, as the old Elizabethan texts will be discontinued at some point in the future. Change is continuous, though it is difficult at times. Please speak with Nathan+ if you have thoughts or concerns about this experiment.
Wanted: A coffee Hour host for next week, Sunday, December 17. Contact Betsy Stoddard at 829-2026 or jbstod@myfairpoint.net
Stewardship 2018: God’s Work, Our Hands
Thank you to all who have sent in their pledge form. To date, we have received 72 pledges totaling $168,884. toward our goal of $285,000 and 170 pledges.
$ 28,670. Since last November, we have spent this amount on maintaining our buildings and grounds--including plowing and lawn services as well as important capital projects to ensure the church building, parish hall and rectory are safe and welcoming. Our Buildings and Grounds (B & G) Committee works very hard to stay on top of all of the projects from re-caning the church chairs to overseeing projects like repointing the stone work on the front of the church. We are lucky that some projects are done by talented members of B & G. Twice a year, parishioners join in to help with the grounds clean up. Still other projects can only be done by outside contractors. Your pledge ensures we can continue to maintain our buildings and grounds. This beautiful place was given to us by those who came before us and in turn, we want to hand it to the next generation better than we received it.
Please take a moment to complete your pledge form for 2018. Return it confidentially to Beth Shaw, Parish Manager by email (admin@smary.org), in the collection plate on Sunday (please put your form in a sealed envelope) or mail to Beth at Episcopal Church of Saint Mary's, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth, ME 04015. You may elect to pay your pledge annually, quarterly, monthly or weekly. You may also arrange for automatic transfer directly from your bank. If you'd like to pay your pledge using stocks or appreciated securities, you'll find instructions on our web site, click on the "support" tab. Thank you for considering a pledge for 2018.
Please pray for the Bishop search process!
God of Grace, we give you thanks for all of the blessings of our common life and ministries as the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, and for our leaders who are guiding us through this season of change. Grant to the Discernment and Transition Committees open hearts, minds, and spirits as they receive the Holy Spirit's gifts of faith, hope, and love to aid their work. We ask also that you send courage and vision to our next bishop of Maine as she or he discerns your call. Amen.
Advent is upon us. How do you make it meaningful?
Be part of the Anglican Communion’s Global Advent Calendar. It’s an innovative way to engage in the season of Advent with people all over the world. Simply respond to the daily meditation emailed to you with images and prayers that speak to your heart. To learn more, Visit: http://adventword.org/
Advent Faith Family Formation: Join us for devotions & fellowship
Advent is a time of waiting and longing as we anticipate the birth of Jesus in the manger on Christmas. On Sundays during Advent between the 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. hour all are invited to participate in an Advent Faith Family formation.
We have purchased large coloring posters and an accompanying devotional guide to help us journey our way through Advent together as a community.
The posters explain different parts of scripture and are a wonderful way to educate during Advent because the illustrations show the depth of the story. Please join us during this hour for Faith Family Formation and let’s allow art and creativity to be our guide as we make our way through the Advent season of preparation and waiting.
The poster that we will be working on for Advent 2 (December 10) is titled "PREPARE". When we think of John the Baptist, we may imagine that no one could miss him because he was so eccentric. But he was also out in the wilderness, and while people came to him to be baptized, there were probably many others who weren’t paying enough attention to know about him.
John’s message to the people of his day, and to us, is to “Prepare!” And that is what we do during Advent – we are preparing ourselves, our families, our communities, for the birth of love into this world.
In the poster we will be working on this Sunday, we have John the Baptist, out in the wilderness by the River Jordan, ready to baptize those who would make the journey to be baptized. Please join us in this opportunity to deepen relationships among people of all ages.
Serving the World
Saint Mary’s Advent Snowman Tree: Due this weekend
We look forward every year to having an Advent Giving Tree! Here is an opportunity to become engaged in the spirit of giving this Christmas. Saint Mary’s, together with the Salvation Army, from the Christmas tree with a child’s gift request. Please bring back the unwrapped gift to Saint Mary’s under the tree no later than December 10 with the tag on them to ensure the families receive them in time for Christmas. For more information contact Betsy Stoddard 829-2026 jbstod@myfairpoint.net
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!
Serving the needs of citizens in Falmouth and surrounding communities for over 25 years. Food and supplies may be dropped off at Saint Mary’s on Sundays or in the Parish House anytime during the week. FFP is always in need of hot and cold cereals; canned meats and fish; canned soups (especially healthy and low sodium; canned fruit (especially light or in juice.) Thank you for your generosity and compassion!
Souper Supper: 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month
Our free suppers in our Parish House Auditorium open to anyone and everyone. 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. And we are always looking for more servers to join the Souper Supper Team. FMI, contact Jennifer Gregg (jenniferanngregg@gmail.com or 781-2665).
Youth Ministry
Falmouth YOUNG LIFE Club: Mondays at 7:31 PM
Where? 5 Quiet Lane in Portland (off of Summit St)
Who? Falmouth & area High School Peeps come kick it @ the BEST thing happening on a Monday night GUARANTEED!
Why? New friends! FMI, visit www.younglifecb.com
Our journey to Bethlehem has begun!
Saint Mary's pageant is in rehearsal! Rehearsal this Sunday for all pageant and Angel and RSCM choir participants will be held in the church from 9:00 - 9:50. Please be prompt as we have a long way to travel in order to get to Bethlehem in time to celebrate our Savior's birth.
The retelling the Nativity story in scripture and carols will be presented during the 10:00 a.m. service on Christmas Eve. FMI, contact Heather Gale at hpgale@earthlink.net.
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
Our Guiding RAY programs for all young people ages 1 to 14 have begun with exciting plans for the program year! We gather all together beginning at 9:45am with classes beginning at 10am. For more information on Guiding RAY, please visit our website www.smary.org . The Nursery opens at 9:45am for our youngest disciples in the Guiding RAY area every Sunday morning for the later Eucharist.
This week in Guiding RAY
We will be preparing our hearts for Christ's return as we learn about John the Baptist and how he helped prepare the way for Jesus Christ. Thank you to Penny Guyton and Rayle Ainsworth for leading this week.
Our older Guiding RAY kids will be joining Meg Hurdman and learning how Christmas is celebrated in Mexico. They will learn about poinsettias and pinatas and what it means when you greet someone by saying, "Feliz Navidad".
In the past couple weeks in Guiding RAY, we created "pocket Advent wreaths". These are available for those who were not able to join us to take and create at home. There are also extras for parishioners who might like a little remind of the peaceful season we are in along with advent prayers and meditations. Feel free to take a purple bag found in the office wing outside the Chapel.
Gatherings & Events
Sparkles NEWS: BE OF GOOD CHEER!
Our last Sparkles event for the year is next Sunday, December 10 with the beautiful music of the Schola Concert in the sanctuary. The concert is followed by an elegant reception hosted by Nadine and Bob Timberlake. Tickets may still be purchased online, at the door, or in the Parish Office.
Your Sparkles Chairs, Jana Burke and Kathy Galen want to thank all of you who have helped to make this year’s Sparkles a great success. Sparkles is an important fund-raiser for Saint Mary’s programs, and it is also a wonderful and fun way for us to work together, get to know each other better, and to provide another outreach into our community.
Thank you, and a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!
Community Care & Nurture
Wisdom Seekers: a look at Advent readings
This Bible study group meets on Tuesdays at 10:30 AM in the Guild Room. Everyone is welcome! We will look at our Advent scripture readings in depth.
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, our bishop, and our own daily life with God.
Communicating with Nathan+
Feel free to contact Fr. 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 on weekends or when he’s away on vacation.
Prayer Concerns for this week: Meikle P., Rose B., Peter C., Grace Robinson, Hannah Russell, John Lund, Nolan Farris, Douglas McCormack, Lee Lamphere, Arthur Markos, Patti Braswell, Richard Harris, Brooke Welch-Frehsee, Ellen Hitchcock, Frank Rheaume, Stewart Stalnecker
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 10 The Second Sunday of Advent
Celebrant & Preacher – Rev Jonathan Appleyard while Ferrell family attends Army-Navy game.
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist
9:00am Coffee Hour with Advent Formation for all
9:00am RSCM Youth Choirs and Pageant Practice in the Chapel
9:45am Nursery opens
10:00am Guiding RAY classes begin
10:00am Choral Holy Eucharist followed by Coffee Hour
4:00pm Sparkles Schola Christmas Concert & Reception
Monday 11 9 – 11am Garden Club Workshop
10a – 2p Garden Club Silver Tea
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
Tuesday 12 9a - 12n Art Group in the Auditorium
10:30am Wisdom Seekers in Guild Room
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
1:00pm Get Stitching group
6:30pm Beginner’s Al-Anon
7:00pm AA in the Auditorium
Wednesday 13 9 – 11am Garden Club Workshop
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
12:30pm Staff Meeting
Thursday 14 12noon Chapel Eucharist in the Chapel
6:00pm Dowsers potluck in the auditorium
7:00pm Saint Mary’s choir rehearsal
Friday 15 Parish Office is closed
12noon Noonday Prayer – wherever you are
4:00pm Christmas Caroling to Foreside Harbor (gather in Parish House)
5 – 7pm Community Souper Supper
5:30pm Al-Anon to meet in Guild Room
Saturday 16 9 – 11am Altar Guild clean-up
Sunday 17 The Third Sunday of Advent
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist
9:00am Coffee Hour with Advent Formation for all
9:00am RSCM Youth Choirs and Pageant Practice in the Chapel
9:45am Nursery opens
10:00am Guiding RAY classes begin
10:00am Choral Holy Eucharist followed by Coffee Hour
2:00pm Music Partners
Beth Shaw
Parish Manager
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
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