Saint Mary's Weekly News
3 February 2019 – Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
· March 31 Common Ground: Meet the Candidates virtually and discuss with our Electing delegates - See below
· 2019 Souper Bowl of Caring - Sunday February 3 - See below
· Sunday Formation - February 3 - See below
If you weren't able to attend the Annual Meeting, here are a few key points we'd like to share:
· We ended 2018 with a small surplus. Thank you to everyone who helped advance our mission and ministries and allowed us to end the year without a deficit. We are truly blessed and appreciate all our parishioners do to help our community.
· We hope to collect all the pledges in the next few weeks. Please complete your pledge form as soon as possible and send it confidentially to Beth Shaw, admin@smary.org.
· The Vestry meets to plan the year at a Leadership Retreat on Feb. 2. We will be orienting our new Vestry members and reviewing your feedback.
As always, we appreciate hearing from you! Contact Father Nathan or Senior Warden, Jim Kane or Junior Warden, Janet Bowne with your thoughts!
2018 Annual Stewardship: Grace Given
Thank you to the 95 households who have sent in pledge intentions totaling $220,261. Now that we are in the calm season of Epiphany, please give pledging some thought and help us reach our pledge goal of $285,000.
So make your gifting to Saint Mary's count, pledge today! Thank you!
Serving the World
2019 Souper Bowl of Caring - THIS SUNDAY
Help the kids of Guiding RAY (and other groups around the country) change the nation's largest weekend of football into the largest weekend of caring. Please remember to bring in your soup cans for the SOUPER BOWL OF CARING this Sunday so that we can help those who are hungry and those in need.
Guiding RAY kids will be collecting cans of soup as a way to demonstrate our love of neighbors. Through this mission, we will learn what it's like to make a positive difference in the world – as we work to collect food for the hungry and gain compassion for those in need.
Be part of this movement that is sharing God's love with those in need. Please give generously leading up to Super Bowl Sunday (February 3). Every can of soup (low-sodium preferred) we collect will be donated to the Falmouth Food Pantry, our Souper Bowl of Caring charity of choice.
Next Sunday! Winter 2019 Mission Morning - February 10th
Experience God in Others
Join your fellow parishioners at 9:15am for Mission Morning (in lieu of the 10:15 service) on Sunday, October 21, following the 8am Eucharist! Once again, we will offer opportunities for parishioners of all ages, abilities and "comfort zones." You are invited to gather in the Auditorium at about 9:15 am (directly following the 8am service) for a short reflection, after which we will disperse in small groups into the community for various projects through which to seek God in Others. Snacks and refreshment will be available throughout and following the activities, so please consider returning to S. Mary's when you are done for fellowship!
The nursery will be available for our youngest parishioners (up to 3 ½ years) from 9--noon.
9:15am (following 8am service) : Meet in Auditorium for Send-Off
• Tag and Distribute Warm Scarves in Portland-
Hang them on trees and light posts! (All ages!)
• Caring for Neighbors! Help parishioner with indoor projects (adults only)
• Deliver Flowers and Visit with Residents at The Cedars (All ages!)
• In-House Project at Saint Mary's: Following a short presentation
from Falmouth Food Pantry, make and tag more scarves, to be donated to
Falmouth Food Pantry (ages 4 and up)
Throughout until noon: Breakfast and luncheon snacks and beverages available for all!
Souper Supper: 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month (2/8 and 2/22)
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).
St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center: long underwear & coats needed
The next opportunity for Saint Mary's mornings at St. Elizabeth's is Tuesday, February 19, 8:30 am to 11:00 am at St. Luke's Cathedral, State St. Portland. We will welcome anyone who would like to volunteer to help.
We are currently doing a drive for new long underwear for St. Elizabeth's as well as warm winter coats and boots for adults, especially large sizes. Children's winter clothing is always welcome. The drop off box is in our Parish House near the sign-up table.
Questions? contact Betsy Elliman at 207-400-6871 or betsyelliman@msn.com
Calling All Books!! Book, Bread, & Soup Sale:
March 16, 9 AM to 1 PM
We are accepting donated books for the sale. Please NO magazines, text books or encyclopedias, and take your books down to the big store room or the hall way outside the store room. If you would like to help, please let Betsy (jbstod@myfairpoint.net) or Jan (janmordarski@gmail.com). We are sorting now, but will have sign-up sheets later for help with the sale itself.
Youth Ministry
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
Our Guiding RAY programs for all young people ages 0 to 14. We gather all together beginning at 9:30amfor Formation in the lower level of the Parish House with classes beginning at 10am. For more information on Guiding RAY, please visit our website www.smary.org .
The Nursery opens at 9:30am on a regular Sunday, but not today 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.
During the 9:30 - 10:00 Formation time, we will finish up our soup collection and register our soup cans to combine them with the national total. GO SOUP!
Our families are planning a field trip to the Falmouth Food Pantry to deliver the soup we collect for the Souper Bowl of Caring and learn more about how the pantry helps those in need.
We will travel over caravan style after the 10:15 service. All are welcome to join us!
This Sunday in Guiding RAY, This week in Guiding RAY we will began our 6th rotation on the Books of the Bible. During this rotation we will talk about how the Bible is the inspired Word of God, meaning it did not come from man, but from the Will of God. This series of lessons will help familiarize children with the Bible, how it came to be, and the importance of it in our lives.
Saint Mary's RSCM Youth Choirs:
The Youth Choir Program has two choirs to adjust to the age groups of the children.
St. Cecilia Choir (open to ages 8-15) rehearse in the choir room, Tuesdays 4:30-5:30pm
Angel Choir (open to ages 4-7) join the St. Cecilia choristers on Sundays from 9:30-10am.
Young Life Dodgeball Tournament: Monday, Feb. 4
ALL area teens are being called together for an epic winter dodgeball showdown! Begins at 7:31 PM in the gym at First Baptist Church of Portland (Wash. Ave and Canco Rd). The winning group gets pizza DELIVERED to them at school! FMI, visit www.younglifecb.com
Gatherings & Events
Common Ground Potluck & Presentation: 5 - 7 pm on Thursdays
This in how Common Ground works:
5 - 7pm Potluck dinner. Take a break from cooking a whole meal. Bring a dish or just eat what we have. Enjoy fellowship and discussion. Open to everyone!! Food will be available throughout this time.
5:45pm Group presentations and discussion. Topics will vary or be seasonal.
→Thursday, January 31 - Meet the Candidates! Virtually that is! Watch the Bishop candidates videos, join a lively discussion, and be a part of the future of the Episcopal Church in Maine.
→Thursday, February 7- Acupuncture. Have you wondered about acupuncture and its benefits? Join us to hear from parishioner, Maureen Manetti, to learn about acupuncture. Maureen is an experienced acupuncturist who can demystify this ancient practice and show you how it can help you.
→Thursday, February 14 - Game Night Game Night! Do you love to play board games, card games, trivia games: cribbage to canasta...Jenga to Jeopardy. Join us for a fun night of laughs and good fun.
ADULT Formation groups: 9:30 AM on each regular Sunday
1. "A Testament of Devotion"
Each week we will read and discuss key points from this remarkable text. Five chapters will take us to the start of Lent. No advance reading needed. All are welcome to join the spiritual conversation with Nathan+ in the Guild Room
2. Guided Meditations in the Chapel: "The Way of Love"
A regular gathering for prayer and discussion in the beauty of our Chapel. Current topics cover the 7 practices of The Way of Love. Everyone is welcome.
Mardi Gras Messy Church Pancake Supper
and Variety Show at Saint Mary's: March 3, 4-6 PM
Mark this date on your calendar! Start rehearsing!
Entertainment at its finest on the Sunday before Mardi Gras!
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!
Community Care & Nurture
Please pray for our Bishop search process! Election on Feb. 9
God of Grace, we give you thanks for all 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 our candidates Kenneth, Thomas, Anne, Rachel and Janet the Holy Spirit's gifts of faith, hope and love. We ask also that you grant discerning hearts, minds, and spirits to the Transition Committee and all the delegates to the Electing Convention. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Visit the Bishop Quest page of the Diocesan website for interesting information of each of the candidates and let our delegates know your opinion (Rick Hirschman, Marian McCue, Stan Eaton, and Bonny Rodden)
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: 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: Karon Velek, Angelica Barrett, Pat Mordecai, Priscilla Rigg, Madeline White, Robin Parady, Dawn Peterson, Erin Ferrell, Chandra Lowe, Loretta Rhodes, Tristan, Bucky, Stewart Stalnecker, 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 - February
Sunday 3 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:30am Formation for all ages – Adults and Youth
9:30am Healing Team information meeting
10:15am Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
Monday 4 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
6:30 pm Bell choir rehearsal
7:00pm Portland Community Chorus rehearsal in auditorium
Tuesday 5 7 - 9am BNI in the auditorium
9:30a - 1p Art Group in the Auditorium
10:30am Wisdom Seekers
12 noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
12:45pm Staff meeting
4:30 pm St. Cecilia choir rehearsal
7:00 pm AA in the auditorium
7:30 pm Al-Anon in the Chapel (6:30pm Beginner's Al-Anon)
Wednesday 6 9a - 2p Mainely Weavers
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
6 – 8 pm SinG rehearsal in the Auditorium
6:00pm ORI in the Guild Room
Thursday 7 12noon Chapel Eucharist
1:00pm CARE team meeting
2:00pm Merton Group in the Chapel
5 - 7pm Common Ground – Learn about Accupuncture
7:00pm SM Choir rehearsal
Friday 8 Parish Offices are closed on Fridays
12noon Noonday Prayer – stop and pray where you are
5:00pm Souper Supper at Saint Mary's - All Welcome!
5:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
7:00pm Classic Cinema in the Guild Room
Saturday 9 9:00 am Electing Convention – Bangor
Sunday 10 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:15am Mission Morning– ALL ages gather for community projects
11:30am Return to Auditorium to share stories and food
Beth Shaw
Parish Manager
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
