Saint Mary’s Weekly News
16 February 2020 – The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
2020 Couple Checkup: available throughout February
Take advantage of a great opportunity to strengthen your relationship. This is free and open to all couples, it is anonymous and entirely flexible. The Vestry has paid the fee so that all our couples can use this. Go to www.CoupleCheckup.com , click on “Create Couple Account”, use our 3-part voucher (2020-Couple-Checkup), enter your information and create your own private account. Once both have completed it, you have a free tool to use in growing and learning together.
Shrove Sunday Pancake Dinner and Contra Dance: FEB 23, 4-6 PM
All ages are called to gather together in the Auditorium for a fun early evening of food and dance. The Rev. Tom Mousin will be our live caller. Pancakes and food will be available from 4 to 6, so arrive at anytime. We’ll burn last year’s palms and bury the Alleluias. It’s our time to feast and celebrate in Mardi Gras style before Lent begins!
Serving the World
Book, Soup and Bread Sale: March 28, 9 to 1 We need your books!!
Books may be left on the floor outside the storage room at any time.....but PLEASE NO textbooks, encyclopedias or magazines.
On March 8th the “Book Sale” will be hosting coffee hour and there will be sign up sheets to help with the sale and we will have samples of the breads that will be sold during the sale.
If you would like to help sort books prior to the sale, please contact Betsy Stoddard (jbstod@myfairpoint.net) or Jan Mordarski (janmordarski@gmail.com). It is one of the easier volunteer jobs at Saint Mary’s, in that you can come in when you want and stay for as long as you have time!!
Souper Supper: second and fourth Fridays of each month – Feb 14 & 28
Free soup, salad, bread, dessert and beverage suppers, served family-style in our Parish House Auditorium; open to anyone and everyone. Join us sometime between 5 – 7 PM as a diner or volunteer to help serve. FMI, contact Jennifer Gregg (jenniferanngregg@gmail.com or 781-2665).
Youth Ministry
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth): Sundays, 10 AM
Our Guiding RAY programs, for all young people ages 0 to 14, are designed to both appeal to and offer our children an opportunity to learn key bible stories and to develop their relationship with God.
Classes for pre-K through grade 5 and IGNITE (Gr. 6-8) begin at 10am. 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
The Nursery is open for our youngest parishioners every Sunday, 9 – 11:30.
Please contact Megan, GuidingRAY@smary.org, if you are able to assist with care.
IGNITE - Middle School Youth Group! Ignite meets February 23. Join us at 10 AM in the youth room for a game of Bible Pictionary! This is going to blend together navigating the Bible (something we have worked on for several weeks) with our group's love for Pictionary! We will be joining Guiding RAY and coming up for Communion - so please save us a seat! All kids in 6-8 grade are welcome and encouraged to bring a friend.
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 FMI contact Maria at mariabelva@gmail.com
Gatherings & Events
Ash Wednesday is February 26: The Invitation to a Holy Lent
There will be multiple opportunities for everyone to observe this special day of fasting, prayer and self-denial. In addition, if anyone would like ashes brought to a homebound member, please call the Parish Office right away.
Our Ash Wednesday schedule will be:
· 12noon: Ash Wednesday liturgy – in the Sanctuary
· 4pm: Ash Wednesday for Families and Youth – in the Chapel
· 6pm: Ash Wednesday liturgy with music – in the Sanctuary
Be Still: silent prayer every Monday evening - TIME CHANGE
Make the time to center yourself in God! All are invited to join a small group of parishioners and local residents for an hour of quiet reflection every Monday evening at 5 PM for one hour (note time change) in the Father James Chapel.
Common Ground: 5-7pm every Thursday potluck & conversation
Sharing a meal and learning together – this is what Common Ground is all about.
Feb 13: “Now What?” with Margo Walsh of MaineWorks
MaineWorks only hires felons. This is an amazing company that helps people to recover their lives and dignity. Joins us to watch this brief movie and to discussion what is needed by those in recovery. Bring your questions!
Feb 20: The Divine Comedy of Dante with Wallace Ragan
The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) is by all accounts a masterpiece. Though composed by a medieval Florentine in exile, the Comedy’s vision of the afterlife transcends time and place, probing eternal verities of the Christian Faith with profound insight, poetic brilliance, and devout piety. It was Wallace’s great privilege to teach “Dante’s Eternal Vision” for nearly twenty years at St Albans School in Washington, DC. He is delighted to introduce the Comedy to the St Mary’s parish community. Such a vast panorama of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven can only be sampled in the short time we have, but perhaps a mere taste of the “angels’ bread” that Dante sets before us will inspire several to read and study this great poem so many have always intended to, but for various reasons have not—yet—read. Come and be inspired!
Feb 27: Ice Skating – FINALLY !
Rescheduled from January. This may be your last chance to skate outside this winter, so join us at Twombly Pond in Falmouth to skate and enjoy some hot cocoa with friends from Saint Mary’s. Bring other friends as well.
Formation for all: Sundays from 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
February Series: The Four (Greek) Words for Love
2/16 – Eros – Intimacy
2/23 – Agapé – Unconditional Love
- Be Still in the Fr James Chapel with Merle Marie, Jennifer, and Becky.
A unique Meditation & Discussion each Sunday - currently focusing on the
Beatitudes.
February 16 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake
February 23 Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you
B’Nai Portland invites all to a night of Mystery, Mayhem and Murder!
Saturday, March 21, 7-9pm Best Laid Plans in our Parish House. A murder-mystery, FUNdraising event to benefit B’nai Portland (an unaffiliated congregation serving the Jewish community of greater Portland without bias) $45 includes the mystery, fun and delicious desserts. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite murder mystery. FMI, contact bnai.portland@gmail.com
Community Care & Nurture
Weekday Worship at Saint Mary’s
MONDAYS: 5 pm Be Still – centering prayer in the Chapel
THURSDAYS: 12 noon Healing Eucharist – in the Chapel
Mon - Wed: 12 noon NoonDay Prayer - in the 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.
Merton Group: Spiritual Formation each Thursday at 3 pm
Here is a small, spiritually diverse, inquisitive, tolerant, open- minded, and supportive group of “seekers.” Each week we pray, read aloud from a chosen book, reflect, question, and grow. Feel free to learn more or test the waters.
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. Texting works best.
Prayer Concerns this week: Cory, Julian Mastrine, Allen Graffam, Ed H., Lucas Horton, Pixie Kubeck, Marti Galli, Will Beck, Hunter Barr, Wayne Bullewell, 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 16 Sixth Sunday after Epiphany – Instructed Eucharist part 2
8:00 Contemplative Instructed Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:30 Formation for All
10:15 Choral Instructed Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
Monday 17 Parish Office is closed for President’s Day
12:00 Noonday Prayer – stop and pray wherever you are
5:00 Be Still in the Chapel
6:00 PCC rehearsal in auditorium
Tuesday 18 7:00 BNI in the auditorium
8:30 – 11 Saint Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center – our time to serve
9:30-12:30 Art Group in the Auditorium
10:30 Wisdom Seekers
11:00 12-step meeting downstairs in Parish House
12:00 Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
12:30 Staff Meeting
7:00 AA in the auditorium (Al-A-Teen in Youth Room)
7:00 Al-Anon in the Guild Room (6:00pm Beginner’s Al-Anon)
Wednesday 19 12:00 Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
5-6:30 TOPS meeting in the Kneeler Room
6:00 SinG rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thursday 20 12:00 Healing Eucharist in the Chapel
3:00 Merton Group in the Chapel
5 – 7 Common Ground Potluck – The Divine Comedy of Dante
7:00 Saint Mary’s Choir rehearsal
Friday 21 Parish Office is closed
9a-5p Lifeline Screening in auditorium
12:00 Noonday Prayer – stop and pray wherever you are
4:00 Wedding Rehearsal
5:30 Al-Anon meeting
Saturday 22 3:00 Wedding (Non-Saint Mary’s) in the sanctuary
Sunday 23 Last Sunday after Epiphany
8:00 Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:30 Formation for All
10:15 Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
4 – 6 Shrove Sunday Pancake Dinner & Contra Dance
Beth Shaw
Parish Manager
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105
207-781-3366, www.smary.org
