Saint Mary’s News
April 26, 2015 – The Fourth Sunday in the Great Fifty Days
Our 125th Anniversary Celebration Begins!! Mark your calendars!
Saint Mary’s began as a memorial chapel in honor of Alida Greely Brown who died on April 25, 1889. The chapel was built and dedicated in 1890. Our season of thanksgiving will focus upon 4 key events in the coming months:
Sunday, April 26 at 9 AM: 125th Anniversary Celebration with the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church: A VERY special day of worship and conversation with the spiritual leader of our Church and our own Bishop Steve as well.
Wednesday, May 6 at 6 PM: The Architecture of Saint Mary’s and the Brown Family with Earle Shettleworth, Jr., our Maine State Archivist: an engaging lecture and multi-media presentation, to learn about the incredible history of the Brown family members and the building of this place. The evening will begin at 6 PM with hors d’oeuvres and beverages and time to view a number of visual displays, with the talk by Mr. Shettleworth to commence at 7 PM.
Sunday, May 17 at 9 AM.: A Day of Service and Goodness with our entire parish family. A Sunday filled with active service projects throughout the area in recognition of our basic identity as a community of Christ’s people offering hope and healing to all. At Noon, we’ll re-gather for Communion and lunch.
SIGN-UP FOR A PROJECT TODAY IN THE PARISH HOUSE!
Saturday, June 13 at 12 Noon: Founders Day Picnic: A fun day outdoors with descendants of the Brown family, local civic leaders, good food, live music, lawn games and tours of the entire campus, including the crypt and the tower.
Thanks to our two sponsors, J.B. Brown & Sons and CM Almy, for their sponsorship of our 125th Anniversary Celebration. JB Brown & Sons is a local commercial real estate firm founded by John Marshall Brown’s father, John Bundy Brown. CM Almy is a church supply company with roots in Maine. They have been a vendor for Saint Mary’s for many years. We appreciate their support.
Saint Mary’s is on the web, on Facebook and on Twitter!
Our website has been re-designed, but our Facebook page and Twitter feed are still the best ways to keep up daily with parish news. Like us, follow us and be up to speed on our parish life! www.smary.org , www.facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary and on Twitter at @SMaryFalmouth
Christian Formation Notes
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth): regular Sunday schedule
At 9:30 AM on regular Sundays, Family Chapel begins. This is a special time for families and children with Fr. Nathan in the Chapel as they sing songs, talk and pray together.
At 9:45 AM, Guiding RAY classes begin immediately after Family Chapel.
The Nursery also opens now for our youngest disciples in the Ruth White Kneeler Room (near the Auditorium).
The Middlers (Middle Schoolers) gather at 9:30 AM in the Living Room of the Rectory. They are led by Jeff and Diane Campbell as they discuss the Bible and have a good time together. They also get to hang out with the Ferrell’s dogs – Francis and Clare!
Godly Play is our Christian Formation for our younger disciples
On regular Sundays from September to June, we offer a program called Godly Play to learn about God, the Bible, and the Church with our children. This is a special inter-active program that encourages the wonder and creativity of our young people. Godly Play classes (age 4 through 5th grade) begin immediately after Family Chapel at 9:45am.
Camp Bishopswood: our diocesan camp in Hope, Maine
There are many different ways for you to experience Bishopswood this summer:
· Work Weekend, May 29 – 31: Stay FREE for the weekend and help them get ready for summer camp. (Donations for food costs are welcome).
· Open House, June 5 – 7: For families to experience camp all together. Includes a time of worship and kickball with our Bishop Steve!
· Mini-Camp, June 28 – 30 & July 2 – 4: For children ages 6 – 8, this is an brief introduction to overnight camp. High staff to camper ratio and LOTS of fun!
· Summer Camp Weeks, June 28 – August 15: For ages 8 – 18. One week or more.
· BION Camp, August 18 – 22: Only for those completing grades 6 – 12, with coffee houses and game nights, ultimate Frisbee, cabin challenges and more!
Go to www.bishopswood.org or to www.maineyouth.org to register and FMI.
Youth Ministry
Young Life Club: every MONDAY night at 7:31PM !
Young Life is a group of caring adults who reach kids where they are by building relationships of trust and introducing them to Jesus Christ. Club is an OPEN event every Monday night at 2 Town Landing Rd (the Herdrich family house) where all high schoolers are invited to come and bring a friend. You can park in the town lot across from the Town Landing Market. Club is crazy fun each and every week!
High School Service Group Projects: May 8 and May 24
This group serves as a vehicle for service, fellowship and spirituality for all high schoolers. We focus on two of Saint Mary's established outreach programs: Preble Street Soup Kitchen (on the 4th Sunday of every month) and Souper Supper (on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month.) Interested? Contact Anne LaFond (alafond@maine.rr.com or 781-8820) with your dates/times or any questions you might have.
Serving The World
Habitat for Humanity Falmouth Foreside 5K Run/Walk: Saturday, May 9
Plan your workouts now to walk or run in support of HFH. The event begins and ends here at Saint Mary’s. Registration at 8AM and the walk/run begins at 9AM. There will be refreshments and cash prizes! Look for brochures in the Parish House or register online at www.habitatportlandme.org and look under “Events”.
Many thanks to corporate sponsors for this wonderful HFH event:
Lead: Smithwick Mariners Insurance
Partner: ReMax by the Bay, Family Ice, Portside Realty, Town Landing Market, Simply Home
Friend: Foreside Tavern and Cuddledown
Souper Suppers at Saint Mary’s: Every 2nd and 4th Friday
This is a FREE Friday night dinner who everyone and anyone. Join us for supper for a relaxed evening of fellowship and outreach to the community and each other.
And join the Souper Supper Team!
These dinners, which are available to the public at no charge, are served in a family-style setting and consist of a hearty soup or entree, salad or vegetable, bread, homemade desserts and beverages. Helpers are always needed! We’d love to have you join us and help out in set-up, serving food or clean-up. FMI: contact Jennifer Gregg jenniferanngregg@gmail.com.
Preble Street Soup Kitchen: WE WILL NOT be serving on APRIL 26
The Fourth Sunday of each month Saint Mary's prepares and serves a hot meal to the clients at the Preble Street Soup Kitchen. BUT not this week, as we will stay put for our big 125th Anniversary Celebration. Make plans to join us on May 24!
St. Elizabeth’s Essential Pantry: Tuesday, May 5, from 9 – 11 AM
At the Cathedral of St. Luke, we help those in need in Portland with clothing, toiletries or other important supplies. All are welcome to join the group from Saint Mary’s and to serve our neighbors. Enter from the parking lot behind the Cathedral on Park Street.
Falmouth Food Pantry
Serving the needs of citizens in Falmouth and surrounding communities for over 25 years! Food and supplies may be dropped off at Saint Mary’s on Sundays or throughout the week. FFP is always in need of hot and cold cereals; canned meats and fish; canned soups (especially healthy and low sodium); canned fruit (especially light or in juice.)
Eager to Eat healthy and support agriculture in Maine?
Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Do you want organic produce fresh from the farm and convenient for pick up? Learn about our Crystal Spring Farm's CSA.
The farm is in Brunswick and they deliver shares to locations in greater Portland each week for pickup. The Crystal Spring Farm CSA has been in partnership with another parish in Falmouth (the Foreside Community Church) for three years and members have enjoyed the bounty. http://crystalspringcsa.com/
Here are some key points to pique your interest:
- All the organizing work is done, you sign up on line, pay on line, and pick your produce box up at Foreside Community Church (on Route 88 at the Cumberland/Falmouth town line) on Wednesdays from May through October.
- As the season progresses your children see the seasonal timing of vegetable production. Vegetables don’t grow in a refrigerated display case!
- A “Portland Share” serves 1-2 non vegetarian adults or 1 vegetarian adult. You pick at Foreside Community Church, 340 Foreside Rd.
- Members are entitled to visit the CSA’s “U-Pick” field all day on Sundays - the field features herbs, flowers, and vegetables, all included in your share price.
- A weekly farm newsletter is delivered electronically.
Upcoming Events & Gatherings
Summer Junior Engineering Program: June 20 – July 14
Robotics, puzzles, problem solving and modular origami constructions! Our mission is to provide an engaging experience to all campers by encouraging curiosity, fostering creativity and building friendships through playing and working together. For over 15 years, the Maine Math, Science, and Engineering Talents Search (MMSETS) has been offering a variety of school and vacation programs. They are pleased to bring this program to Falmouth again at the beautiful outdoor and indoor facilities Saint Mary’s. Please read our flyer and see our display in the parish house and contact Eva Szillery with questions.
Be Still: Monday, May 4, 7 -8 PM
Saint Mary's offers multiple ways for all to seek, hear, experience God. One such way is to stop...and give ourselves an opportunity to listen. Parishioners are warmly invited to gather in the Father James' Chapel on the first Monday of each month from 7 to 8 PM for silent reflection, contemplation or meditation. There will be no presentation or service, though some resources are available. The time is yours. Come for five minutes or come for the entire hour.
Moving Toward Peace: Learning to Love Those We Do Not Like
Sunday, May 3, 3 PM. The Maine Council of Churches invites you to join with neighbors and friends for music, prayer, and a time of reflection to celebrate the way God’s love unites us as one human family. Clergy and laity from several different faith traditions will participate, with Rev. Allen Ewing-Merrill, co-pastor of HopeGateWay United Methodist community, preaching. All are welcome!
Baptism in the Bay: June 14 at 5 PM
Have you never been baptized? Do you know someone who has not been baptized but who wants to follow the way of Jesus? Do you want to renew your baptism and claim your place within the kingdom of God? Make plans now to join our community for a special gathering in Casco Bay at Falmouth Town Landing on Sunday afternoon, June 14. We will bless the waters of the Bay and then use them for baptism and for blessing ourselves! Contact Fr. Nathan now if you or someone you know wishes to participate.
Zenith Journey to Katahdin: August 19 – 22
Every Mainer needs to visit Chimney Pond in Baxter State Park and to summit Katahdin, if they are able. Join Fr. Nathan and a group of 12 for a summer-time adventure in amazing Baxter State Park. Three nights in lean-tos, one of which will be at the famous Chimney Pond campground. Space is limited, so speak with Nathan+ now to reserve your spot for an unforgettable experience!
Community Care & Nurture
Spiritual nourishment for all: Thursdays at Saint Mary’s
All are welcome for a time of spiritual refreshment and community. If you need help with transportation or childcare in order to participate, provisions can be made. Please ask!
12noon: Healing Eucharist with the laying on of hands for healing. All are welcome. You do not need to be ill. This is a informal liturgy in the beautiful Chapel. We discuss the scriptures and the lives of the saints, and we pray for healing.
Noonday Prayer at Saint Mary’s
Every weekday at 12 Noon there is a brief gathering for prayer in the Fr. James Chapel. (On Thursdays, this gathering takes the form of a Healing Eucharist.) Please join us any weekday for Noonday Prayer, and remember to pray for one another at 12 Noon every day, no matter where you might be. What a great way to lift each other up!
Communicating with Father Nathan
Feel free to contact 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 not checked when he is off or away.
Prayer Concerns for this week: For healing: Bishop Steve Lane, Rick Bartlett, Sasha and Chris Bartlett, Suzanne Bauer, Melody Curtis, Gay Freeman, Paula Gardner, Sarah Gorman, John Horahan, Mary Loring, Arthur Markos, Heidi, bill and Rick Hirschman.
For those deployed in the Armed Forces: for Mark Winter, Jacob Wilson, and for all active-duty military personnel and their families.
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
Sunday 26 Our 125th Anniversary Celebration Begins
9:00am ONE Contemporary Eucharist: 4th Sunday of Easter with the Presiding Bishop and our Bishop
10:15am Town Hall meeting with coffee hour
Monday 27 10:00am Guiding RAY Advisory Team in the Guild Room
12noon Noonday Prayer – Pray wherever you are
3:30-6pm MMSET – Math is Fun classes
Tuesday 28 9:30am Art Group in auditorium
11:00am Wisdom Seekers
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
1:00pm Staff Meeting in the Guild Room
1:00pm Get Stitching in the White Wool Room
1:00pm Kneeler Group meeting in the auditorium
7:00pm Schola rehearses in the Church
6:30pm Beginner’s Al-Anon in the Guild Room
7:00pm AA in the Auditorium
7:30pm Al-Anon – in Guild Room
Wednesday 29 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
Thursday 30 12noon Healing Eucharist in the Chapel
7:00pm Choir rehearsal
Friday May 1 Parish Office is closed on Fridays
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
5:30pm Al-Anon meeting
Saturday 2 9-11am Boy Singers of Maine rehearsals
Sunday 3 8:00am The 5th Sunday of Easter: Traditional Eucharist
9:00am Coffee Hour & The Moth @ Saint Mary’s
9:30am Family Chapel & The Middlers
9:45am Guiding RAY classes begin
10:00am The 5th Sunday of Easter: Contemporary Eucharist
11:00am Coffee Hour continues
4:00pm Freeway small group meeting
Beth Shaw
Parish Administrator
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
