Thursday, November 7, 2019

Saint Mary's eNEWS for 11.10.19

Saint Mary’s Weekly News

10 November 2019 – The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost


Annual Fall Clean-Up 

Saturday, November 9,   9am-12 noon

 Grab your rakes and gloves!  We need “all hands on deck” to work together to clean up our campus before winter. Coffee, drinks and snacks provided. Questions? Contact Jim Stoddard jbstod@myfairpoint.net    Rain date:  Nov 16

 

Common Ground: every Thursday potluck & conversation

  How Common Ground works:

5 – 7 pm  Potluck-style dinner. Take a break from cooking a whole meal. Bring a dish or just eat what we have. If you are not hungry, come anyway to enjoy the fellowship and discussion. Open to everyone!

5:45 pm    Gather for a conversation on important issues for our community.

Common Ground on Nov 7:  Honoring Our Veterans:  Come, share and hear the stories of our Veterans

Common Ground on Nov 14:  Partners for World Health with our own Joyce and Len Verey and staff from PWH. Learn about this amazing local non-profit!

Common Ground on Nov 21:  Q & A with Bishop Brown                                     Join us for this unusual sit down with our bishop as he joins us for our weekly potluck and talks about his ministry.  This special Common Ground is followed by a regional Confirmation and Communion liturgy here at 7 PM.

 

STAND SUNDAY for Foster care: November 10

Visit the Auditorium on Sunday morning to learn more about the great need for foster homes in Maine, to watch a video and see pictures of children in the state’s care. Fr. Nathan will also lead a conversation about this at the 9:30 Formation.

Sunday Formation:  9:30 – 10 AM

Everyone is invited to gather on Sunday mornings in either of two groups – a prayerful group meeting in the Chapel, and a discussion group meeting in the Auditorium.

  • Coffee and Conversation  in the Auditorium with Fr. Nathan
    • Nov 10Foster Care in Maine
    • Nov 17Video Interview with Jean Vanier of L’Arche
    • Nov 24The 6 Christian Traditions
  • Be Still in the Fr James Chapel:  Meditation, Prayer & Discussion (led by Merle Marie Troeger, Jennifer Gregg and Becky Pride)

Acolytes needed!  New training TODAY!   November 10

Young people (age 8 and up) as well as adults are invited to become acolytes. Our acolytes help the clergy to lead worship on Sundays and Holy Days, and they have the summer off. The Gospel and Epistle acolytes carry the torches (candles) and the Crucifer carries the cross. The training provided by Father Nathan is short and easy. It is scheduled for Sunday, 11/10 after the 10:15am liturgy. Acolytes generally serve once a month. A great way to connect with your parish family and to gather community service hours. FMI and to sign up for training, please contact Sandy Couch-Kelly or Fr. Nathan 

Youth Ministry

Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth): Sundays, 10 AM   

Our Guiding RAY programs for all young people ages 0 to 14, with classes beginning at 10am. The Nursery, classes for pre-K through grade 5, and a group for Middle Schoolers now called Ignite are all available. Our classes are designed to both appeal to and offer our children an opportunity to learn key bible stories and to develop their relationship with God.  For more information on Guiding RAY, visit our website www.smary.org  

We are always looking for leaders to assist with these crucial programs. Please contact Megan Akers to find out ways you can help! GuidingRAY@smary.org

This week in Guiding RAY Today we begin a new rotation on John the Baptizer. We will learn that God called John into existence for a special purpose, to turn people toward God and to prepare them for the coming of the Lord. We will learn that we too are called to prepare for God entering our lives. Our leaders for this rotation are Jess Lewis, Jill Stevenson and Sandy Couch-Kelly…but we still need 2 more! Please contact Megan Akers if you would like to help with this rotation.

Guiding SAY (Singing Adventures for Youth): Sundays, 9:35 AM   Before Guiding RAY classes begin, all young people are invited to gather downstairs with our own Maria Belva for fun singing. No special skill or experience required, only a willingness to sing together. 

We would like to invite all children and youth are invited to sing in some special church services during the month of December.

December 1 is Advent Lessons and Carols at our 10:15 service. The youth will sing one song at the beginning of the service as an Introit.

December 22 is the Christmas Pageant during the 10:15 service. The youth will join the Adult Choir and the Bell Choir in a gorgeous arrangement of Still, Still, Still. They will also join the congregation in singing all the familiar Christmas Carols.

December 24 is Christmas Eve. During the 4:00 pm service, the youth will sing the Anthem. We have a beautiful setting of In the Bleak Mid-Winter by Bob Chilcott.

We will rehearse these songs before church every Sunday morning at 9:35 in the Guiding Ray room. We will have one extra rehearsal before we perform. TBA. All kids are welcome to sing at any rehearsal, even if they will not perform!! Singing is for everyone!!!

For Maria to firm up these plans she would like to know who will be performing, and when. You can choose to have your child sing in any or all of these services. Please let Maria know by emailing her: mariabelva@gmail.com

The Nursery is open for our youngest parishioners every Sunday, 9 - 11:30am, so parents can attend Formation classes or sing in the choir. Please contact Megan Akers, GuidingRAY@smary.org, if you are able to assist with care. 

IGNITE - Middle School Youth Group:!  All kids in grades 6-8 are welcome to join this growing group that meets twice a month on Sundays at 10 AM downstairs in the Youth Room. Next November meeting:  Sunday, Nov. 17. 

Serving the World

THANKSGIVING BLOOD DRIVE  at  SAINT MARY’S 

Saturday, November 30, 9am - 2pm

In this season of Thanksgiving, let us share our many gifts by giving the gift of life to others by donating our blood!  Sign-up today to be a blood donor, and help give to those who need your blood to survive!

Go to www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code “SMary” to make your donor appointment.  Contact our Coordinator, Joyce Verey, 536-0195,  joyceverey@gmail.com   Can you help our donors at the drive? Volunteers are needed. Call Joyce Verey  joyceverey@gmail.com  or email Beth in the parish office at  admin@smary.org 

 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, jenniferanngregg@gmail.com  

 

Stewardship 2020: Make a Joyful Noise

Make a Joyful Noise--Our 2020 Stewardship campaign is underway!! Be sure to check your mail for the packet. Take time to prayerfully consider making a pledge to support this campaign to raise funds for our annual needs, increased outreach support and some major projects not covered by our annual budget!

 

Gatherings & Events

 Concert Spirituel:  Sunday, November 17, 4pm

All are welcome for a ‘Concert Spirituel’ offered by the many talented folks from Saint Mary’s. The concert will begin in the auditorium, where we will enjoy our youth’s musical abilities, including the children of Guiding SAY, under the direction of Maria Belva, singing 'Breathe in, Breathe Out.' Thomas Troeger will play some beautiful flute pieces as well. The concert will then move to the church, where two works of J. S. Bach, the Sonata in G major with cellist, John Bennett, and the Passacaglia in c minor by Bruce Fithian.

Sparkles NEWS:  Sparkles Fair coming soon on December 7

Thanks to everyone who participated in Sparkles Spirit last Friday night:  our delightful customers, Jan and Onnie who did another fabulous job getting everything set up, and especially our hard-working cooks.  It was another great success!

YOU ARE INVITED to a special SPARKLES Coffee Hour on Sunday (November 10) after both services.  There will be tastings and other goodies to eat, and sign-up sheets for volunteer opportunities.  Sparkles will need LOTS of help – from baking to decorating to setting up and cashiering.  Many hands make light work, so PLEASE give generously of your time and talents.

During Coffee Hour, we will also begin pre-orders for lobster stew, Schola tickets, boxwood trees, greens and poinsettias and Rick Hirschman’s wonderful Coffee Cake.  Pre-orders will be taken for 2 weeks, and must be pre-paid, so please have your checkbook or cash with you.

Our next drop off day is November 16.  Bring your gently used household items, family treasures, old jewelry and holiday decorations.  We especially need gently used TOYS for Santa’s Toyland, as well as CHRISTMAS PAPER, BAGS, RIBBON, AND DECORATIONS.

If you volunteered to donate a Gift Basket(s) (THANK YOU!), please remember that they are also due on Sunday, November 10.

 

Thanksgiving Eve Wednesday, November 27,  6pm

Thankful Family Eucharist and Celebratory Tree Lighting

The Holy Eucharist with favorite Thanksgiving hymns will be celebrated the night before Thanksgiving Day. All ages are welcome, and bring your guests! Since the word “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving” in Greek, what more fitting way to prepare for Thanksgiving Day than to feast here together at the Lord’s Table on Thanksgiving Eve?  And then we go outside to celebrate the people for whom we are most thankful, both living and deceased, with the Lighting of the Kyros Memorial and Celebration Tree.  Drop or send your names in to the parish office by Monday, November 25.   

"Be Still" on Monday evenings 

Begin your week by centering in God!   You are cordially invited to join a small group of parishioners and local residents for an hour of quiet reflection every Monday evenings from 5:30-6:30 in the Father James' Chapel. If you come late and find the door closed, don't worry--just come in quietly.  There will always be an extra chair!  FMI:  Jennifer Gregg, jenniferanngregg@gmail.com

 

Community Care & Nurture

Weekly Worship at Saint Mary’s

SUNDAYS:    8 am Contemplative Eucharist,  9:30 am Formation for ALL

                               10:15 am Choral Eucharist

THURSDAYS: 12 noon Chapel Healing Eucharist

Mon - Wed:  12 noon NoonDay Prayer in Chapel or wherever you are

Wisdom Seekers: Bible Study on Tuesday mornings

At 10:30 AM every Tuesday morning, a group gathers to study the Scriptures appointed for the upcoming Sunday. It is a great way to prepare oneself for Sunday. Some stay afterward for NoonDay Prayer. All are welcome to join the group at any time.

Communicating with Nathan+ Feel free to contact Fr. Nathan at any time if you need advice, guidance or prayer.  You can call or text his cell at 207-310-0268  or e-mail him directly at nathanferrell@smary.org , but know that email is checked rarely on Fridays, Saturdays or when he’s away on vacation.

Prayer Concerns this week: Amber Trosper, Mike Finnegan, Andy Finnegan, Reola Conley, Wayne Bullewell, Roxann Gregory, Chris McGonigle, Jim Martin, John Fournier, Stewart Stalnecker.

IF YOU WANT TO ADD NAMES TO THIS 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   Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

                                  8 am                Contemplative Eucharist  (followed by Sparkles coffee hour)

                                  9:30 am             Formation for All

                                  10 am              Guiding RAY classes begin (Guiding SAY singing begins at 9:35)

                                  10:15am          Choral Eucharist   (followed by Sparkles coffee hour) 

                                  11:30am          Acolyte Training in Sanctuary

                                  1-5 pm             AlAnon district meeting in Auditorium

Monday             11   Veteran’s Day -  Parish Office closed

                                  11 am              Bells Ring for Peace

                                  12 noon           Noonday Prayer – stop and prayer where you are

                                  5:30 pm           Be Still in the Chapel

                                  6-9 pm             Portland Community Chorus rehearsal in auditorium

Tuesday             12   7 - 9am            BNI in the auditorium

                                  9:30-12:30            Art Group in the auditorium

                                  10:30am            Wisdom Seekers in the Guild Room

                                  11 am                    12-step meeting in the lower level

                                  12 noon           Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

                                  12:45               Staff meeting

                                  4 - 5:30            Living with Grief Group

                                  6 pm                Schola rehearsal in the sanctuary

                                  7 pm                AA in the auditorium (Al-A-Teen in Youth Room)

                                  7 pm                Al-Anon in the Guild Room (6:00pm Beginner’s Al-Anon)

Wednesday        13   9am - 12           Makers & Takers in the Auditorium & kitchen

                                  5 - 6:30            TOPS meeting in the Kneeler Room

                                  6 pm                ORI & Dowsers in the Guild Room

                                  6 pm                SinG rehearsal in the Sanctuary

Thursday               14    12 noon           Chapel Eucharist

                                  3 pm                Merton Group in the Chapel

                                  5 – 7                Common Ground – Partners for World Health

                                  7 pm                SM Choir Rehearsal

Friday                15   Parish Office closed 

                                  12 noon           Noonday Prayer – stop and pray where you are

                                  5:30pm            Al-Anon meeting in the Guild Room

Saturday            16   9 - 11am           Sparkles Drop-off #3

                                  1 pm                Bicentennial Eucharist at Christ Church, Gardner

Sunday              17   Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

                                  8 am                Contemplative Eucharist  (followed by Sparkles coffee hour)

                                  9:30 am             Formation for All

                                  10 am              Guiding RAY classes begin (Guiding SAY singing begins at 9:35)

                                  10 am              Ignite meets in the youth room

                                  10:15am          Choral Eucharist   (followed by Sparkles coffee hour) 

                                  4 pm                Concert Spirituel

 

 

 

 

Beth Shaw

Parish Manager

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary

43 Foreside Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105

207-781-3366,  www.smary.org

 

No comments:

Post a Comment