Saint Mary’s Weekly News
February 25, 2018 – The Second Sunday in Lent
Maine’s Bishop Search Process: Your chance to have a voice
You have heard our prayer for the discernment process for the next Bishop of Maine. You can participate by taking a few minutes in the next few days to fill out this survey. Feb 28 deadline. www.surveymonkey.com/r/mainebishopsearch
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. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Serving The World
Welcome, New Mainers - March 4, 4-5:30 pm in the Auditorium!
We welcome our speaker, Ekhlas Ahmed, followed by a reprise performance of the popular Pihcintu multi-cultural children's chorus. Learn of Ms. Ahmed's inspiring journey--from her flight as a teenager from Darfur to her career as an educator in Maine and activist for refugee youths. Learn more about how we can help these brave and committed New Mainers transition successfully to life in their beloved adopted country. After the presentations, enjoy refreshments (international fare!) and chat with those who have sought safety in America and who are working so hard to make their and our communal lives better. Free and open to the community. Any donations benefit Pihcintu. FMI: Jennifer Gregg, jenniferanngregg@gmail.com; 650-1462.
Souper Supper: 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month - 2/23
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
St Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry
St. Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry is an exciting mission effort of The Episcopal Diocese of Maine. Supported by eight local Episcopal Churches, including St. Saint Mary’s, St. Elizabeth’s celebrated the 12th year distributing non-food essentials, clothes, and small household items to the most needy among us.
It’s a place where every week we can be Christ for others as we see Christ in others. The Pantry is a non-barrier program serving on average 250 individuals each week, many of whom are immigrants and refugees for whom English is not their primary language.
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 : This week in Guiding RAY we are going to learn that rules are cool! God gave us some rules to live by and it is important for us to learn these rules and to obey them!
The older Guiding RAY kids are ready to embark on their voyage to learn all about Peter. If you know anyone in grades 5-8 please encourage them to join Meg Hurdman on this incredible journey.
Calling all middle and high schoolers: two awesome weekends coming up!
REACH for kids in grades 6-8 is in Gardiner on March 2-4 and CALLED TO SERVE for high schoolers is in Bath on March 16-18. Both of these events are hosted by Maine Episcopal Youth Events, and everyone is invited. If you have questions, you can reach Sara D'Angio White at 502-7742 or sdangiowhite@gmail.com. Register & find out more at maineyouth.org.
The Royal School of Church Music Choirs
Each Sunday the Angel Choir and St. Cecilia Choir will meet at 9:15 in the downstairs Choir room to sing under the inspired leadership of Priscilla Rigg.
Following the 10 o'clock service, the youth choir children will meet in the downstairs Art Room for snacks and an enjoyable 30 minutes to learn the fundamentals of music and singing, using the highly acclaimed RSCM workbooks. To learn more, send a message to RSCM@smary.org .
Young Life Club: Mondays at 7:31 PM
At 56 Quiet Lane in Portland (off of Summit St). High schoolers from every town are invited to come together for crazy fun and to meet new friends. Young Life includes everyone – no questions asked! Each Club ends with a 5 minute inspirational talk about the love of God in Christ. Don’t miss it!
Events and Happenings
Be Still: Monday evenings 5:30 – 6:30, beginning February 19
There is no more precious season than Lent to search for moments of peaceful communion with God in the Father James Chapel. Through chanting, meditation, scripture reading and silence, we can promise that you will leave the chapel with a sought-for peace, calm and renewal. Please join us!
Centering Prayer: Friday mornings 7am beginnings February 16
Start your Friday with a few quiet moments in the Chapel or with silent guided centering prayer or enjoy the simple silence as the morning sunlight fills the chapel. However you spend your time or however long your stay, give yourself the Lenten gift of quiet prayer time with God in sacred space.
The Good Book Club: began February 11, but you can catch up
All around the world, Episcopalians will read the Gospel according to Luke during Lent and the Book of Acts during the Great 50 Days. Join the movement as we explore the entire story of Jesus’ life as told by Luke and the experiences of the earliest disciples as shared in Acts. There are a ton of resources available to assist and inspire you at this website: www.goodbookclub.org.
Lent Madness: beginning February 15 Join in the fun and learning!
Lent Madness began in 2010 the Rev. Tim Schenck came up with this unique Lenten devotion. In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints. The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen, and so forth to the Elate Eight, the Faithful Four and finally the Golden Halo is awarded on Holy Wednesday. Brackets are available at http://www.lentmadness.org/ or outside the Guild Room in the parish house.
The MOTH Storytelling at Saint Mary’s: Sundays at 9:15 AM
Gather in the Guild Room. A story sharing opportunity for parishioners around various topics. Drop in at any time. Topics include: your first job, summer camp,
favorite pets, learning to swim… FMI, contact Erin McGee Ferrell 856.630.9832
Saint Mary’s Schola presents: 'Masterworks of Lent' March 11, 4pm
This beautiful Lenten concert will be in our Sanctuary on Sunday, March 11 at 4 pm with repeat evening concerts on March 9 at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception and March 13 at St. Luke's. This is a concert in which the great tenabrae service from holy week will feature some sublime motets by the Renaissance master, Gesualdo. and greatly loved anthems from our Anglican tradition and from J. S. Bach' sacred Lenten music repertoire.
The concert will conclude with the oratorio by Giacomo Carissimi, Jona, which brings to life Jonah's dramatic story of sea storms, sea monsters and redemption, complete with period instruments. Tickets can be purchased on line at stmaryschola.org or at the door.
Community Care & Nurture
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: Thursdays 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.
Prayer Concerns for this week: Karen Mynahan, Sally Rigg, Theresa Violette, Nolan Farris, Douglas McCormack, Lee Lamphere, Arthur Markos, 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 25 The Second Sunday in Lent
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:15am The MOTH at Saint Mary’s
9:15am RSCM Choirs rehearse in the Choir Room
9:15am Ushers meeting – in the Chapel
9:45 am Guiding RAY gathering - classes begin at 10am
10:00am Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
Monday 26 12noon Noonday Prayer – in the Chapel
4:30pm T’ai Chi in the auditorium
5:30pm Be Still in the Fr James Chapel
6:00pm Portland Community Chorus rehearsal in auditorium
Tuesday 27 7 - 9am BNI in the auditorium
9:30am Art Group using the Auditorium
10:30am Wisdom Seekers in Kneeler Room
12noon Noonday Prayer – in the Chapel
1:00pm Staff Meeting
3:30pm ExCom meeting
1:00pm Get Stitching group
6:00pm Schola Rehearsal in Sanctuary
7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room (Beginner’s Al-Anon 6:30pm)
Wednesday 28 4 - 6pm RSCM choirs & families dinner & rehearsal
6:00pm SinG rehearsal in the Chapel
Thursday, Mar 1 12noon Noonday Prayer – in the Chapel
7:00pm Saint Mary’s choir rehearsal
Friday 2 Parish Offices are closed on Fridays
7:00am Coffee & Lenten Prayer in the Fr James Chapel
12noon Noonday Prayer – stop and pray wherever you are
5:30pm Al-Anon meeting in the Guild Room
Saturday 3 1 - 5pm Adoption Group in the auditorium & Guild Room
Young Life meeting
Sunday 4 The Third Sunday in Lent: Faith Family Sunday
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:15am The MOTH at Saint Mary’s
9:15am RSCM Choirs rehearse in the Choir Room
10:00am Faith Family Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
4:00PM Welcome, New Mainers! event with Pihcintu Choir
Beth Shaw
Parish Manager
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
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