For January 7, 2018 – The Baptism of our Lord
Winter Mission Morning – NEXT Sunday, January 14 at 9 AM!
Please consider donating gently-used or new winter scarves for those in need
Please join together in celebrating the true spirit of Martin Luther King weekend by sharing his dream to come together in love and service! Following the usual 8am Eucharist, join us in the auditorium at 9am for prayer and scripture, then continue with hands-on projects, designed for all ages and inclinations and are to bless and help others. We'll gather again at 11:30 for a quick lunch and you'll be home by noon!
--Work with Milestone Foundation in Old Orchard (adults only and sorry, but you won't be back in time for lunch...)
-- Moving cut and split wood from the outside to a shed for a Food Pantry neighbor in need (Family Friendly)
--Sprucing up and installing new shelf paper at the Falmouth Food Pantry (Family-Friendly)
--Visiting residents of The Cedars (family-friendly)-
--In-House project - Age-appropriate video about Martin Luther King and preparing cold-weather kits for neighbors in need (to be distributed through the Falmouth Food Pantry) (family Friendly)
2018 Offering Envelopes are here!
You can pick up your packet outside the Guild Room in the Parish House. 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 or fill out a pledge form and check the box for envelopes.
God's Work. Our Hands.
Thank you to everyone who has made their pledge for 2018. To date we have $220,342 in pledge commitments for 2018 from 104 households. Praise God for your faithful and generous support!
$54,808. This is what we send to the Diocese for episcopate and assessment allowing the diocese to function and assist all parishes in the State. With the new year dawning, thank you for making the mission and ministries at Saint Mary's possible. We are truly blessed. Your volunteer hours and financial support has enabled us to celebrate, honor and serve God.
We still have a significant gap to close to reach our goal of $285,000 and 170 pledging families. It's a busy time, but please take time to complete your pledge form before the end of the year. If you're new to Saint Mary's and would like a pledge form, you'll find them in the church and parish house, as well as online. Once completed, please return your pledge form confidentially to Beth Shaw, Parish Manager in the collection plate (please seal it in an envelope), via email at admin@smary.org or via USPS at 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth 04105. Together we can use our hands to do God's work. Whether you've been with us for 1 week or 50 years, we thank you. Thank you for enriching our community. Happy New Year.
Time to update the Saint Mary's Member and Friends Directory!
Time to update all of your information. We need it ready to distribute on January 28! Please check one of the draft copies at the back narthex of the church, outside the Guild Room or circulating on clipboards during coffee hour for your correct emails, cell phone and of, course, your address, etc. Or call Beth in the parish office (781-3366) with any changes or updates.
A Networking Opportunity!
Are you looking for clients? An electrician? Golf or ski partners? Seeking to learn knitting or other fine skills? I bet there are other parishioners who are interested! Expand your professional and social networks by offering a few words about your vocation and/or avocations for publication in the 2018 Saint Mary’s Members and Friends Directory! Email the information to Beth Shaw at admin@smary.org by January 22.
Events and Happenings
Centering Prayer Workshop: January 13 and 20: 9:30 – 10:15am
Centering Prayer is not a “skill” or “special knowledge” but it helps to have some practice. So, we’ll gather with Merle Marie Troeger on two Saturday mornings to explore different avenues into the heart of centering prayer and then spend some time sitting with the Mystery that is God. There is no specified “outcome” other than the spiritual rewards and risks of being on Holy Ground together. You are welcome to come to one or both sessions. Each can stand on its own, but you might enjoy the cumulative effect of attending both. There is a sign-up sheet, but it’s not necessary.
Faith Family Ice Skating: Monday, January 22, 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Come anytime during the evening to join your parish family for outdoor ice skating at the Lee Twombly Pond in Falmouth. There will be hot chocolate, hot teas, cookies and snacks by the fireplace. Bring your own skates or rent them from Family Ice Center. It’s great fun for all. All are welcome!
Annual Meeting Faith Family Event: January 28, at 9:30 AM
“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.” From our Constitution and By-laws.
DIFFERENT THIS YEAR! No more long lines and waiting. Everyone will be able to quickly come in and gather for a delicious brunch. When everyone is seated, our brief business meeting will begin. After this, everyone is invited to join in intergenerational discussions at each table designed to grow community. Childcare will be available, and the Holy Spirit will be guiding us! Come be part of this very special day in our community life. Family-friendly and open to all!
Youth Ministry
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 Sunday in Guiding RAY we will be reading Genesis 1:1-5. As we learn about the first day of creation, we will be talking about how we appreciate the beauty and variety of the world God created for us. We will wonder about how we can care for God’s Creation and how we can thank God for all creation.
The older Guiding RAY kids will have their final "Paul" lesson with Meg Hurdman before they embark on their next journey, "Peter". Please join us!
RSCM Parents and Youth Dinner: Wednesday, Jan 10 at 5:30 PM
Calling all RSCM families to come together for a festive spaghetti dinner this Wednesday in the auditorium. This will be a great opportunity to get to now one another and enjoy fellowship as well as discuss exciting plans for the spring season. There will be a short rehearsal with the children in the choir room ( in preparation for their singing at our Annual Meeting on 1/28), and Bruce will share refreshments with the parents. There is a lot of beautiful music to look forward to!
Falmouth YOUNG LIFE Club: On Christmas break Gatherings will start up again mid-January on Mondays at 7:31 PM.
FMI, visit www.cascobay.younglife.org .
Serving The World
Souper Supper: 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month – 1/12 & 1/26
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).
Community Care & Nurture
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.
Wisdom Seekers: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
This Bible study group meets weekly in the Guild Room. Everyone is welcome! We are now discussing each week’s Advent scriptures in depth.
Chapel Eucharist: on break until January 25
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.
Prayer Concerns for this week: Nolan Farris, Douglas McCormack, Lee Lamphere, Arthur Markos, Patti Braswell, Richard Harris, 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 7 The Baptism of our Lord
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:15am RSCM Angel Choir in the Chapel
9:45am Nursery opens
9:45 am Guiding RAY gathering with classes to begin at 10am
10:00am Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
Monday 8 10:00am Garden Cub board meeting in the Guild room
6:00pm PCC rehearsal in Auditorium
Tuesday 9 7 - 9am BNI in the auditorium
10:30am Wisdom Seekers in Kneeler Room
12 – 3pm College Club Holiday Tea in Guild Room
12noon Noonday Prayer
3:30pm Executive Committee meeting
7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room (Beginner’s Al-Anon 6:30pm)
7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Wednesday 10 9:30am Art Group
10:00am Falmouth House Eucharist at Oceanview
12 noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
1:00pm Get Stitching group
5:30pm RSCM Dinner with parents and youth
6:00pm SinG rehearsal in Chapel
Thursday 11 No Chapel Eucharist on January 11 or 18
12noon Noonday Prayer
6 – 8pm Oratorio Chorale in the Sanctuary
6 – 10pm Portland Land Trust Movie at 7pm
7:00pm Saint Mary’s choir rehearsal
Friday 12 12noon Noonday Prayer – stop and pray wherever you are
5:00pm Community Souper Supper
5:30pm Al-Anon meeting in the Guild Room
7:00pm Classic Cinema presents Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt
Saturday 13 9:30am Centering Prayer Workshop in the Fr. James Chapel
Sunday 14 Winter Mission Morning
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist
9:00am MISSION MORNING – Gather for community projects
11:30am Return to Auditorium for lunch
Beth Shaw
Parish Manager
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
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