Saint Mary’s Weekly News
2 December 2018 – The First Sunday of Advent
Events & Happenings
Sparkles NEWS: The Sparkles Fair is December 1, 9 AM to 2 PM
Sparkles Week is officially here! All day Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, we will be setting up for the Sparkles Fair and Boutique. This is always a fun time, and we invite you to join us in the festivities. We also still need cookies and baked goods. Please bring those by NOON on Friday, November 20.
December 1, from 9:00-2:00 is the Boutique, Café, Cookie Walk, Bake Sale, and Sparkles Toyland. Volunteers will gather downstairs in the Youth Room at 8:00 for last minute instructions and a brief prayer. There will be coffee and doughnuts, a Sparkles apron, and Name Tag for all volunteers. Even if you didn’t sign up in advance, please join us for whatever time you have available. Just find Jana or Kathy, and we’ll find you a place to contribute.
PLEASE come shopping and bring your family and friends! Again this year, we are cooperating with Foreside Community Church with a raffle bowl at Skillins. When you pay for your purchases, you will be given a raffle ticket to drop in the bowl at Skillins. They will pull a winning ticket, and present the winner a $25 gift certificate! Skillins has again given us two live Christmas trees, so please thank them when you are there.
Don’t forget that we have our returning celebrity guests this year; Santa and Mrs. Claus. They’ll be down in the Guiding RAY area to take special requests from good boys and girls. It’s a great photo opp, so bring your phones and cameras. There will also be shopping for kids and by kids!
December 9 is the Sparkles Benefit Schola Concert, Christmas Story. The Sunday concert is followed by a gala reception, which officially ends the Sparkle Season. Tickets may be purchased at the door, in the office, or on-line. A duplicate concert will be performed in the Saint Mary’s sanctuary on Friday, December 7 with no reception.
December 14 is the annual Christmas Caroling at a local retirement center followed by Souper Supper. A great family event!
Advent Lessons & Carols: December 2 at both 8 and 10:15 AM
We look forward to our annual celebration in Advent with the Lessons and Carols Service on the first Sunday of Advent, December 2 by singing favorite hymns such as Hymn 60, Creator of the stars of night; People Look East; and Hymn 57, Lo! He comes with clouds descending. In addition to these Advent hymns, there are remarkable selections from the Saint Mary’s choir, the St. Cecilia Choir, the handbell choir plus special musical compositions and interpretations by our own David Vernier, Thomas Troeger, and Bruce Fithian.
What a wonderful way to begin the Advent season!
THANKS BE TO GOD FOR THE WONDERFUL GIFTS OF:
Tom Troeger, David Vernier and Bruce Fithian
RSCM Saint Cecilia and Angel Choirs
Saint Mary’s HandBell Choir
Priscilla Rigg, who leads the Youth and Hand Bell choirs
The Choir of The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary:
Sopranos: Alexandra Barr, Maria Belva, Nece Caratelli, Leslie Dolinger,
Patricia Mordecai, Toosie Smith
Altos: Linda Eaton, Molly Felton, Jamie Szal, Betsy Stoddard, Jane Tholen, Nadine Timberlake
Tenors: William Salomon, Jim Stoddard, David Vernier
Basses: Stanley Eaton, Greg Fergin, Kue John Lor, Rick Hirschman, Thomas Pettingill, Benjamin Pollard, Tim Szal
Contemporary Language at 8 AM in Advent & Christmas
Once again, in this season we will experiment with the use of contemporary language texts (called 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.
An Advent Quiet-but-not-Silent Morning: “Rest for your Soul” Sat., Dec. 15
You have probably seen materials or perhaps attended one of Deacon Christine’s Sunday morning Formation offerings about Presiding Bishop Curry’s invitation to The Way of Love: Practices for Jesus-Centered Life. You may have noticed that the 7th “way of love” (after Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, and Go) is REST. That is what our Advent Quiet Morning is all about. After the wonderful hub-bub of Sparkles and before Christmas is fully upon us, we’ll take a few hours to reflect on the ways God calls us to rest – with intention and creativity. We’ll focus on biblical and non-biblical injunctions to rest, a theme we need to keep in mind year-round. Sign- ups are outside the Guild Room, and are helpful for planning, but come even if you didn’t RSVP!
Schola Christmas Concert and Gala Reception: Sunday, Dec. 9
Preparations are well under way for the St Mary Schola Christmas Concert and Gala Reception on December 9. Your help is still needed to make it the success we have all come to expect. Sign-up sheets are located in the Parish Hall for those who are able to provide desserts, cheese/crackers, wine, or help with kitchen/serving duty. Tickets need to be bought prior to Sunday’s performance, and can be purchased from Maggie Gardner during coffee hour, from Beth in the parish office, or on line at stmaryschola.org.
AdventWord.org
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. Create an account and share your reflection on the daily meditation. Visit: http://adventword.org/
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. 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).
Saint Mary’s Advent Snowman Tree:
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, are hosting a “Snowman Giving Tree.” Snowman tags will be on the Christmas tree with a child’s gift request. Kindly take a tag, purchase item(s) on the tag, and bring back to Saint Mary’s. Unwrapped gifts should be back under the tree no later than December 16 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
Youth Ministry
It’s beginning to look a lot like…
…Pageant time! The Saint Mary’s Christmas Pageant will take place during the 10:15 am service on Sunday, December 23. Anyone interested in being involved in the Christmas pageant from narrators to sheep to stage hands, should contact Megan Akers GuidingRAY@smary.org There will be two pageant practices after church (with pizza!) on December 9 &16.
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 .
9:30 - 10:00 Formation time Fr. Nathan will be joining us for Family Chapel and sharing his passion for St. Nicholas. All are welcome!
This week in Guiding RAY, we begin our Advent journey with lessons about how Isaiah Promised and Jesus Fulfilled. We will learn about the kind of Messiah that Isaiah taught us to look for, why God sent the Messiah into the world, and how we know Jesus is the one we have been waiting for.
The Nursery opens at 9:30am for our youngest disciples in the Guiding RAY area every Sunday morning for the later Eucharist. Please contact Alison Hayward, ajhmcmonagle@gmail.com, if you are able to assist her with nursery care.
YOUNG LIFE of Casco Bay: Mondays at 7:31 PM
Where? New place! 41 Stapleford Dr in Falmouth
Who? Falmouth & area High School Peeps kickin’ it all together
Why? New friends! And crazy fun. FMI, visit www.younglifecb.com
Saint Mary’s RSCM Youth Choirs
Recently the Youth Choir Program has divided into two choirs to adjust to the age groups of the children. Both choirs will be singing Advent & Christmas carols.
St. Cecilia Choir (open to all ages 8-15) rehearse in the choir room on Tuesdays 4:30-5:30pm and will learn about hymns, canticles, effective singing and reading music techniques as well as music theory.
Angel Choir (open to all ages 4-7) join the St. Cecilia choristers on Sundays from 9:30-10am. With the use of flash cards, they will learn the first steps of reading music and will sing tunes and refrains of familiar hymns & carols.
Gatherings & Events
Advent ADULT Formation groups: 9:30 AM on Sundays
There are two options for grown-ups during Advent:
1. Henri Nouwen Advent Reflections in the Kneeler Room
2. Advent Guided Meditations in the Chapel
Anyone is welcome to join either group on any Sunday. Come to learn more about God and to build connections with one another within the Body of Christ.
Sparkles NEWS:
BE OF GOOD CHEER! If you were unable to shop at the Sparkles Fair on Saturday, there is still time for you to do so. All items have been moved into the Guild Room, and will be there until Thursday, December 6. Please shop there today, and through the week.
You may pay by cash or check. Just place your payment in the Honor Box. Many items have been marked down, and we would really love to have the room empty before cleanup on Friday.
Our last Sparkles events for the year are next Friday, December 7, and Sunday, December 9 with the beautiful music of the Schola Concert in the sanctuary. The Sunday concert is followed by an elegant reception hosted by Nadine and Bob Timberlake. Tickets may still be purchased at the door, online, 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 S. 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: Tuesday mornings at 10:30 AM
This Bible study group meets on Tuesdays at 10:30 AM in the Guild Room. Everyone is welcome! We will look at our Advent 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: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays 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: Gary Conway, Erin Ferrell, Chandra Lowe, Loretta Rhodes, Tristan, Bucky, Henry Hamilton, Harold Otte, Parker Carson, Stewart Stalnecker, Peter Horne, Theresa Violette, Nolan Farris, Frank Rheaume.
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 2 The First Sunday of Advent (Year C,1)
8:00am Advent Lessons & Carols (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:30am Formation for All Ages and Choir rehearsals
10:15am Advent Lessons & Carols (followed by Coffee Hour)
Monday 3 10-11:30 Garden Club Workshop
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
6:30 pm Bell choir rehearsal
Tuesday 4 7 - 9am BNI in the auditorium
9:30a - 1p Art Group in the Auditorium
10:30am Wisdom Seekers
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
12:45pm Staff meeting
3:30PM Executive Committee meeting
4:30 pm St. Cecilia choir rehearsal
6:00pm Schola rehearsal in the sanctuary
7:00 pm AA in the auditorium
7:30 pm Al-Anon in the Chapel (6:30pm Beginner’s Al-Anon)
Wednesday 5 9a - 2pm Mainely Weavers in the Auditorium
9:30-12n Garden Club Workshop in the Lower Level
11:00AM Falmouth House and Legacy Center Eucharists
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
6:00PM ORI/Dowsers in Auditorium
6 – 8 pm SinG rehearsal in the Chapel
Thursday 6 ST. NICHOLAS DAY
12noon Chapel Eucharist
1:00pm CARE Team in the Chapel
2:00pm Merton Group in the Chapel/Kneeler Rm
5 - 7pm Common Ground – How To Keep Advent at Home
7:00pm SM Choir rehearsal
Friday 7 Parish Offices are closed on Fridays Fr. Nathan away 12/7-8 for Navy drill duty
12noon Noonday Prayer – stop and pray where you are
5:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
7:30pm St. Mary Schola Concert – A Christmas Story
Saturday 8 9a - 2p Jaysa in Auditorium, Guild, & Kitchen
10a-1p Oratorio Chorale rehearsal in sanctuary
Sunday 9 The Second Sunday of Advent
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:30am Formation for All Ages and Choirs rehearsals
10:15am Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
11:45am Pageant Practice with Pizza
4:00pm Sparkles Concert: St Mary Schola presents A Christmas Story followed by a festive reception
Beth Shaw
Parish Manager
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
