Saint Mary's NEWS for 21 February 2021
Sunday, February 21, 2021: First Sunday in Lent
To keep the Lord's Day, we are joining together for ONE online Sunday morning celebration at 10:30 AM. You can be part of this by watching on Facebook Live . YouTube will no longer allow us to livestream on their platform, so we are searching for a second option.
One blessing of this situation is that we can now sing together - virtually! In the Sanctuary, Deacon Christine, Bruce Fithian, Fr Nathan and lay Lectors will safely space out to sing the appointed hymns, while all of you join in our joyful songs from home. Everyone at home is invited to BYO bread and wine to our online Eucharist. As we pray the Eucharistic prayer, your household is invited to hold up your bread and wine at the same time as Fr Nathan. This way, after the Breaking of the Bread, we can all share together in Holy Communion at the same time, even though we are physically distanced.
Of course, this is not exactly the same as being physically together in our Sanctuary, but it is the best we can do for the present moment. Remember: physical distance is no barrier to the Holy Spirit! Unity in the Spirit, unity in heart and in intention, unity in love - these things matter far more than the measurable distance between us. So let us rejoice together in the Lord in this way and feed on Christ as revealed in the Breaking of the Bread.
Our hymns for Sunday, February 21 are:
Hymn 142: Lord, who throughout these forty days
Hymn 147: Now let us all with one accord
LENTEN Quiet Morning: The Farewell Teachings of Jesus
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 9 - 12 noon
He taught them how to live into the future, how to continue the life of compassion and love he had modelled for them. We'll explore the wisdom and promise on this Quiet Morning. Watch subsequent weekly eNews for the printed resources and the ZOOM link.
2021 Lent Devotions
We observe Lent every year with self-examination and repentance, fasting and prayer and self-denial, and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. Click here or the graphic to the left for a simple 4-page guide to weekly meditations or actions for each week in Lent. Hardcopies are available at each door of the Parish House.
2021 Stewardship Love isn't me. Love is we.
Saint Mary's was blessed to have so many support us both for our ministries but also for our infrastructure. We haven't hit our goal of $270,000 yet. Please pledge today so we can charge into 2021 knowing that our budget is funded. Here's the confidentially online link. IF you donate through an automatic payment, please complete a new form so we know your intentions for 2021!! Or you can email your pledge intention to Beth Shaw at admin@smary.org. or Click If you need a form.
IMMERSE Bibles are here! See the eNEWS for links to participate
Please pick up one for each household, and reimburse the cost if you are able.
I am asking all of you to join together and read this Immerse: Messiah edition of the New Testament over an eight-week reading period, beginning this Sunday, January 10. Try reading it aloud in your household, perhaps a section each morning or evening.
It is also available as daily audio files. These can be found wherever you get podcasts (search for Immerse: Messiah) and at this website: https://www.tyndale.com/sites/immersebible/messiah-resources/
And each Sunday evening from January 17 through March 14 at 5 PM, ( skip March 24) I am inviting everyone to join me for an open discussion of these questions over ZOOM. We'll share the link next week.
Read the January AVE for more details of our all-parish reading plan for the winter.
Saint Mary's Schola Early Sampler CD on sale
The St Mary Schola is pleased to share our wonderful new CD, after three years of preparation and planning. The recording offers many beautiful Christmas selections, including medieval processionals, the lilting carol 'In dulci jubilo' (Good Christian Friends rejoice) as well as other moving pieces from ten years of concerts. The CDs can be purchased at our website: stmaryschola.org.
NO Book Sale this year - so no more donations please.
Due to continued COVID restrictions and lack of volunteer help, we will not have our usual sale this year. Let's look ahead to 2022, but please get ready for Sparkles In Spring on April 16 - 17.
Maine Council of Churches: Advocacy Training event
Faith-Based Advocacy "Days" training event into a four-part online series, to be held Tuesday evenings, 6-7:30pm, February 23, March 16, April 6 and April 27. Register Here Contact Bonny Rodden with any questions brodden1.br@gmail.com
Service to Others
Red Cross Blood Drives: February 27 in Auditorium
There is a critical need for blood. Sign-up today to be a blood donor and help give to those who need your blood to survive. As a bonus, all donations are now tested for Coronavirus antibodies. PLEASE donate, if you can.
Go to www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code "StMary" to make your appt.
Souper Supper To Go: 2nd & 4th Fridays, 5 – 6 PM - Feb 13 & 26
Souper Supper is in action: Second & Fourth Fridays, 5 – 6 PM for take-home distribution of To-Go meals only. FMI, just call the Parish Office at 781-3366.
St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center welcomes new Executive Director
St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center in Portland is pleased to announce it has hired a new Executive Director, Sarah Coburn Borgeson. She has a Masters degree in Social Work and extensive experience in leadership roles with non-profits in the Boston area, including food pantries and most recently as a Community Outreach Coordinator. Please join us in welcoming Sarah! FMI contact Stan Eaton, stan.eaton@gmail.com
Anti-Racism Group Discussions Continue: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Parishioners are invited to read this highly-acclaimed 176 page book and then to come together for a discussion on ZOOM. All opinions and perspectives are welcome!
Start reading soon and make plans to join one of our discussions in March!
- Monday, March 8 at 10 AM with Becky Pride
- Wednesday, March 10 at 3 PM with Merle Marie Troeger.
Christian Formation & Youth Notes
Family Chapel returns!
9:30 AM on Sundays in January. Gather over ZOOM with Fr Nathan for a brief time of singing, storytelling and show-and-tell. Here is the link to participate:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84723194167?pwd=dnBCMHVaZTlZVG92UXdFbGJuYXE2QT09
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
See Family Chapel section in the weekly eNEWS for at-home resources.
Maine Episcopal Youth: Pray, Play, Connect
All those in grades 6-12 are invited to gather on ZOOM every Third Monday! Our next meeting will be Monday 18 January - we will meet in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81625716888 to join! We hope to see you there.
Want an Uplift? Got a phone? Even YOU can listen to an inspiring podcast!
People living their faith and joining in God's mission in local communities across Maine. A podcast of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine. In addition to downloading to your device, you can listen on the Diocesan Website on the Faith in Maine page
And NOW even phone in from any telephone for the most recent podcast! The permanent phone number for this is: 207-223-6402 Feel free to give a call and listen. While the phone number stays the same, the podcasts you hear will update when they release new podcasts. TRY IT!
2021 Members & Friend Directory
Time to update your emails, phone numbers and addresses. NOW you can do it yourself right here:
If you haven't opened your Realm account yet, contact the parish office (admin@smary.org or 781-3366 M-Th), and we'll send an invitation to join so you can keep us updated and add your picture before the next directory is printed! Plans are being made to print another pictorial directory early this summer, because it has been five years since our last edition. This will be done in-house, so please upload your picture to your Realm profile now.
OnLine worship
NoonDay Prayer: Monday – Friday 12noon on Facebook Live
Sunday Worship: Sunday 10:30 am on Facebook Live
These services are also linked on our website (www.smary.org on the banner titled "Community & Worship Online: COVID-19 Resources")
OnLine Spiritual Formation
Be Still: Sundays at 9:30 AM online via ZOOM
Be Still: Mondays at 5 PM online via ZOOM
Merton Group: Thursdays at 3 pm online via ZOOM
These three groups will continue to meet online via ZOOM. If you would like to participate, send an email to Jennifer Gregg (jenniferanngregg@gmail.com) to receive the meeting login information.
Wisdom Seekers Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
Wisdom Seekers is a group who gathers to study the Scriptures appointed for the upcoming Sunday; it is a great way to prepare oneself for Sunday. All are welcome to join the Zoom group at any time. FMI or for the link to participate, contact Nadine Timberlake at ntimberlake@aol.com or Beth Shaw at admin@smary.org
Communicating with Nathan+
If you need to connect with someone for encouragement, or if you need advice, guidance or prayer, please text Fr Nathan on his cell phone at 207-310-0268. Share your name and your concern. You can call or e-mail as well (nathanferrell@smary.org ), but texting is the best way to make contact.
Prayer Concerns this week: Roxanne & Chuck Gregorie, Cindy Horton, Bruce Fossett, Grace, Jonathan, Camden J, Griffin, David & Grace Robinson, Mary Follo, Bev Knudsen, Connie Dayton, Desma Ferrell, Tom Troeger, Sarah Braik.
IF YOU WANT TO ADD NAMES TO THIS LIST, contact our Parish Office (781-3366 or smary@smary.org. This printed list is for more immediate and short-term needs. We also keep a prayer list for chronic and long-term needs. Feel free to ask about this.
Thursday 18 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
3:00 Merton Group Zoom gathering
Friday 19 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
Saturday 20 AVE deadline for March
12 - 5 Schola Recording in the sanctuary
Sunday 21 First Sunday in Lent
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
9:30 Family Chapel on ZOOM
10:30 Holy Eucharist on Facebook Live
5:00 Immerse Bible Discussion on ZOOM
Monday 22 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
5:00 Be Still ZOOM meeting
Tuesday 23 10:30 Wisdom Seekers ZOOM gathering
12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
Wednesday 24 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
Thursday 25 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
3:00 Merton Group Zoom gathering
Friday 26 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
5 – 6 Souper Supper To Go
Saturday 27 9-12 Lent Quiet Morning on Zoom
9 - 2 Red Cross Blood Drive in the Auditorium
Sunday 28 Second Sunday in Lent
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
9:30 Family Chapel on ZOOM
10:30 Holy Eucharist on Facebook Live
5:00 Immerse Bible Discussion on ZOOM
