Saint Mary’s Weekly News
May 1, 2016 – The Sixth Sunday in the Great Fifty Days
This First Holy Communion Weekend
This weekend, 8 young people will learn about Holy Communion on Saturday with Father Nathan. On Sunday, these young people will help to lead the Eucharist at 10 AM. Most of them will be receiving Communion for the very first time. While Baptism is the only requirement to receive, some families choose to have their children instructed about Communion before becoming regular communicants. Saint Mary’s offers this weekend every other year to all of our children as an important learning opportunity.
We congratulate and welcome these young people as they grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Changes in the Chancel for the Portland Bach Festival
Don’t panic! We are experimenting with removing the furniture in the Chancel! In June, Saint Mary’s will be the premier venue for the Portland Bach Festival which will require space for dozens of musicians and every available seat in the Nave. This is a great honor and a wonderful opportunity. In addition, the popularity of Saint Mary's Schola demands that we make more seats available for patrons. Due to these upcoming events, we are looking at ways to open the Chancel to allow for more music festivals and events. All constructive feedback is welcome! Share your ideas with the staff or the wardens.
2016 Parish Photo Directory: appointments available for June 1,2,3 & 4
We are getting ready to create a new photo directory, and we need you to help make it complete! There is no purchase necessary, but by participating you will receive a free printed directory and 8” x 10”. And we need everyone to participate to make this a good and usable resource. There are several ways to sign-up for a photo sitting. There are details in the May AVE (page 2) or sign-up directly with this link https://www.securedata-trans14.com/ap/theepiscopalchurchofsaintmary/index.php?page=10
or be directed from the Saint Mary’s website www.smary.org or call Beth in the parish office Monday - Thursday. The time slots available will be as follows:
· Wednesday, June 1: 2 – 9 Pm
· Thursday, June 2: 2 – 9 PM
· Friday, June 3: 2 – 9 PM
· Saturday, June 4: 10 AM – 5 PM
Serving The World
Habitat for Humanity 5K Run and Walk: Saturday, May 14, 9 AM
We celebrate a two-decade relationship with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland. We are thankful for all the families with whom Saint Mary's and the Falmouth churches have partnered to provide stable, affordable housing in our communities. Our signature event to support this partnership is the Falmouth Foreside 5K Run and Walk on Saturday, May 14 which kicks off from Saint Mary's at 9 AM (Registration begins at 8 AM). A wonderful event for all ages and levels!! Cash prizes for walkers and runners! You can also register for either the Run or Walk at http://www.habitatportlandme.org. Click on Spring and Summer events! FMI, please reach out to Jennifer Gregg (jenniferanngregg@gmail.com).
The Casco Bay 21K: Run for Young Life: Saturday, May 14, 9 AM
A full Half Marathon & Relay Race with all proceeds supporting Young Life Casco Bay.
Ø 9 AM start in Payson Park, Portland, run all of Rt. 88 to the Big Indian in Freeport
Ø Open relay race: no supervised relay points create your own team and divide the distance in any way. Each family can split the mileage as one relay team.
FMI: contact jordandroge@gmail.com REGISTER NOW at www.runinarace.com/CascoBay
SAVE THE DATE! Spring Mission Morning coming soon on May 22
Plans are being made now for another round of hands-on mission activities in the surrounding area. All people are invited to come together for mission work and a simple Eucharist on this day.
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 Gregg (jenniferanngregg@gmail.com or 781-2665).
Youth Ministry
Young Life Club: Monday, May 2 at 7:31PM
Our area Young Life Club is growing each week! This week, Club returns to the Herdrich’s house at 2 Town Landing Rd in Falmouth. All area high schoolers (and eighth -graders) are invited to come and bring a friend. The more people, the better! If anyone is curious about this, please contact Fr. Nathan who is on the YL Leadership Committee.
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
At 9:30 AM, Family Chapel is a brief time for families and children to be with Fr. Nathan in the Chapel. Guiding RAY classes begin immediately afterward at 9:45 AM.
The Nursery is open for our youngest disciples downstairs beginning at 9:45 AM.
Gatherings & Events
Annual Bridge–a–Thon: Fri, May 20, 12:30 – 4 PM - Reserve your table now!
Saint Mary's Bridge-a-thon has earned Falmouth fame!!! A spring delight for up to 84 players who come to Saint Mary's for fun, food, and prizes! Find a table for four to play bridge, Mah Jong OR any other four-person game. $12per person. Please reserve your table with Beth Shaw in the parish office (781-3366 or smary@smary.org).
PLEASE SIGN UP to HELP and/or BRING FOOD ITEMS. Sign-up sheet is outside the Guild Room. Call Betsy Stoddard (829-2026) or Jan Mordarski (899-4099) with questions.
Community Care & Nurture
Wisdom Seekers: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM – new study of “Half-Truths”
Have you ever said " God helps those who help themselves"? How about "God won't give you more than you can handle"? Would it surprise you to know that these and other common sayings do not come from the Bible? The Wisdom Seekers will be reading Half Truths by Methodist pastor and popular author Adam Hamilton to explore what the Bible does say about God's activity in our lives. Anyone is welcome to join the discussion on any Tuesday. The group is led by Deacon Christine and meets in the Guild Room.
Noonday Prayer every weekday in the Chapel
Prayer is central to our community. This takes 10 minutes and all are welcome. You are also invited, wherever you may be, to STOP and PRAY at 12 noon for those in need, for our parish family, for our bishop, and for your own life with God. On Thursdays, we include prayers for healing and the Eucharist.
Thursday Eucharist: every Thursday in the Chapel at 12 noon
Looking for inspiration and spiritual community during the week? This is what happens every Thursday in the Chapel. This is a beautiful, informal time to gather at the Lord’s Table with a meditation on the scriptures or the lives of the saints, time for group discussion, and prayers for healing.
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 during the weekend or when he’s away.
Prayer Concerns for this week: David Bates, Peter Blaze, John Delaney, Janet Dorman, Paul Engel, Gay Freeman, Olive Galen, Sarah Gorman, Nick, Becca & unborn baby Horton, David Illingworth, Mary Jeton, Angela Kase, Chandra Lowe, Roger Murray, Mark Reinhart, Stewart Stalnecker, Bucky.
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, May 1 8:00am The Sixth Sunday of Easter: Traditional Eucharist
9:00am Coffee Hour
Guiding RAY children will be in church this Sunday
10:00am Contemporary Eucharist & First Communion Celebration
11:00am Coffee Hour continues
Monday 2 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
3:30pm MMSET Class in Great Room
Tuesday 3 9:30am Art Group in Auditorium
10:30am Wisdom Seekers: book study of Half Truths
12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
1:00pm Staff meeting
1:00pm Get Stitching group
3:30pm Executive Committee meeting
6:30pm Beginner’s Al-Anon
7:00pm AA in the Auditorium
7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Wednesday 4 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
6:00pm ORI meeting in the Guild Room
Thursday 5 The Feast of the Lord’s Ascension
12noon Ascension Day Eucharist – in the Chapel
4:00pm Boy Singers of Maine rehearsal
7:00pm Saint Mary’s Choir rehearsal
Friday 6 Parish Office is closed on Fridays
12noon Noonday Prayer – wherever you are
Saturday 7 9:00am Boy Singers of Maine rehearsal
Sunday 8 Happy Mother’s Day
8:00am The Sunday after the Ascension: Traditional Eucharist
9:00am Coffee Hour
9:30am Family Chapel
9:45am Guiding RAY classes begin
10:00am The Sunday after the Ascension: Contemporary Eucharist
11:00am Coffee Hour continues
4:00pm St. Mary’s Schola Spring Concert: Ode to Music
Beth Shaw
Parish Administrator
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
