Friday, November 15, 2019

Saint Mary's eNEWS for 11.17.19

Saint Mary’s Weekly News

17 November 2019 – The Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost


Common Ground: every Thursday potluck & conversation

  How it 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 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 Thomas Brown                                     Join us for this unusual and special 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.

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 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)

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   We continue our 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, 9:30 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:  Advent Lessons & Carols on Dec 1, the Christmas Pageant on Advent 4 and Christmas Eve service

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 meeting:  this Sunday, November 17

Serving the World

MULTICULTURAL FAIR at  Saint Mary’s

Welcome, New Mainers Fall Event

Sunday, November 24th, 3pm – 6pm

Mark your calendars for another Welcome, New Mainers’ Multicultural Fair at Saint Mary’s!  Don’t miss this great pre holiday shopping opportunity!

Vendors will sell jewelry, glassware, crafts, clothing, and delicious ethnic foods- from Italian desserts and pasta, to Argentinian empanadas, Syrian specialties, and Mediterranean dinners. Foods are available for take out, taste testing and/or dining in the Guild Room.

Many New Mainers are artisans and chefs, with artistic and culinary skills they’ve brought from their native countries. Some have established businesses and others are just getting started and need exposure. Saint Mary’s does not charge for table space and all vendors keep 100% of their sales.

The Fair provides a special opportunity for New Mainer entrepreneurs to promote and sell their wonderful products, services, and to introduce us to their culture. It is a festive ethnic event, and a great opportunity to do some unique holiday shopping for family, friends and yourself, while enjoying a delicious meal and stocking up with holiday sweets and frozen meals.

We hope to see you on November 24, from 3pm – 6pm.

For more information, please contact Anne LaFond akblafond@gmail.com  

THANKSGIVING BLOOD DRIVE at Saint Mary’s: Saturday, NOV 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 “StMary” to make your donor appointment. Also, can you help our donors at the drive? Volunteers are needed! Contact our Coordinator, Joyce Verey, at 536-0195 or joyceverey@gmail.com or email Beth in the parish office at  admin@smary.org 

Souper Supper: 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month – NOV 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, 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.   See insert for more information

Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist: Wednesday, November 27,  6pm

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 TreeSee insert and drop or send your names in to the parish office by Monday, November 25.   

Sparkles NEWS:  Sparkles Fair coming soon on December 7

Thanks first to the wonderful people who helped set up, baked for, and helped clean up for Sunday’s Coffee Hour.  Thanks also to everyone who has already signed up to help with Sparkles!  If you haven’t signed up already, please (please, please) check the signup sheets for a way to help. Sparkles will need LOTS of help – from baking to decorating to setting up and cashiering, as well as the wonderful Saint Mary’s Schola concert reception.  Many hands make light work, so PLEASE give generously of your time and talents.

We are also taking pre-orders for lobster stew, boxwood trees, 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.

The next 2 weeks are busy!  Our next Dropoff Dates are November 16 and 23.  On Sunday, November 17, we’ll get together in the Guild Room to make our Friendship Soup at 9:00 between services.  On Saturday, November 23, we’ll meet at 9:00 for Garlanding, which means we’ll decorate the inside and outside of the Parish Hall for Christmas and Sparkles.

"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: George and Cindy St. John, Marti Galli, Amber Trosper, Mike Finnegan, Andy Finnegan, Reola Conley, Wayne Bullewell, Roxann Gregory, 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         17  Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

                           8 am            Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)

                           9:30 am        Formation for All

                           10 am          Guiding RAY classes begin (Guiding SAY singing at 9:30)

                           10 am          Ignite meets in the youth room

                           10:15am      Choral Eucharist   (followed by Coffee Hour)

                           4 pm           Concert Spirituel – in the Auditorium & Sanctuary

Monday         18  12 noon       Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

                           5:30 pm       Be Still in the Chapel

                           6-9 pm        Portland Community Chorus rehearsal in auditorium

Tuesday        19  7 - 9am       BNI in the auditorium

                           8:30-11       St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center – our turn to serve

                           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    20  9am - 12       Makers & Takers in the Auditorium & kitchen

                           5 - 6:30       TOPS meeting in the Kneeler Room

                           6 pm           Vestry meeting

                           6 pm           SinG rehearsal in the Sanctuary

Thursday         21 12 noon       Chapel Eucharist

                           3 pm           Merton Group in the Chapel

                           5 – 7            Common Ground – Q & A with the Bishop

                           7 pm           Regional Confirmation, Reception & Reaffirmation Eucharist

Friday            22  Parish Office closed 

                           12 noon       Noonday Prayer – stop and pray where you are

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

Saturday       23  9 - 11am      Garlanding and Sparkles Drop-off #5

                           2 pm           Kate Kirsch Memorial Service and Reception

Sunday         24  Christ the King Sunday

                           8 am            Contemplative Eucharist  (followed by Coffee Hour)        

                           9:30 am        Formation for All

                           10 am          Guiding RAY classes begin (Guiding SAY singing at 9:30)

                           10:15 am     Choral Eucharist  (followed by Coffee Hour) 

                           4 pm           Multicultural Fair

 

 

Beth Shaw

Parish Manager

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary

43 Foreside Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105

207-781-3366,  www.smary.org

 

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