Saint Mary’s Weekly News
February 18, 2018 – The First Sunday in Lent
This practice comes from the ancient Eastern Orthodox liturgy of Vespers (Evening Prayer) for the First Sunday in Lent. It is uncomfortable and different, which really is the point! Forgiveness is a challenge for most of us. But it is also beautiful and holy, as we both receive and give the blessing of forgiveness to each other. The Church does this not because of the particular ways that we have hurt each other (although these are included), but because we are part of a broken humanity which ignores the voice of God, harms one another and destroys God’s creation.
Serving The World
Welcome, New Mainers! March 4, 4-5:30 pm in the Auditorium
We welcome our speaker, Ekhlas Ahmed, followed by a reprise performance of the popular Pihcintu multi-cultural children's chorus. Learn of Ms. Ahmed's inspiring journey--from her flight as a teenager from Darfur to her career as an educator in Maine and activist for refugee youths. Learn more about how we can help these brave and committed New Mainers transition successfully to life in their beloved adopted country. After the presentations, enjoy refreshments (international fare!) and chat with those who have sought safety in America and who are working so hard to make their and our communal lives better. Free and open to the community. Any donations benefit Pihcintu. FMI: Jennifer Gregg, jenniferanngregg@gmail.com; 650-1462.
Become a Hospice of Southern Maine Volunteer
Volunteers help form the heart of hospice. Their dedication and compassionate care support the well-being of our patients and their families in immeasurable ways. Trained hospice volunteers provide an average of 3-4 hours per week of non-medical assistance and support. Including in the following ways:
•Emotional support to patients and caregivers
•Respite care to allow caregivers time to themselves
•Assistance with light household chores, light meal prep or family concerns
•Help with errands
•Assist at our Gosnell Memorial Hospice House
We are accepting applications now through March 15th for our spring hospice volunteer training. For more information, please contact our volunteer department. You may also visit www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org and click on Volunteering. Please inquire asap, as training sessions fill quickly.
Phone: (207)289-3689 Email: volunteer@hospiceofsouthernmaine.org
Souper Supper: 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month - 2/23
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
Managing our Seas and Oceans: The Challenge of International Cooperation
March 3, 12 to 2 PM at OceanView in Falmouth. Lunch is at 12 noon and the speaker, Dr. Aslaug Asgeirsdottir of Bates College, will be introduced at 1 PM. This event is a benefit for the Maine Model UN Conference (nearly 600 students). $20, payable at door; $10 students. Reserve your seat by FEB 25 at 207-370-4690, or by email: info@unamaine.org
Youth Ministry
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
Our Guiding RAY programs for all young people ages 1 to 14 have begun with exciting plans for the program year! We gather all together beginning at 9:45am with classes beginning at 10am. For more information on Guiding RAY, please visit our website www.smary.org . The Nursery opens at 9:45am for our youngest disciples in the Guiding RAY area every Sunday morning for the later Eucharist.
This Sunday in Guiding RAY :
This week as we begin our Lenten journey we will transplant our marigolds in preparation for our Resurrection Gardens. And as rain is in the forecast, we will prepare to journey on an ark with a man named Noah and learn all about a promise that God made to him and his family.
And speaking of boats, the older Guiding RAY kids with guidance from Meg Hurdman, will continue the lessons on Peter, this week focusing on Peter's great confession of faith, as they begin construction of their own fishing vessels.
Be sure to grab your Lent in a Bag.
Lent in a Bag contains 5 small items to be used as symbols to focus individual or family meditations and conversations during the Season of Lent.
The Royal School of Church Music Choirs
Each Sunday the Angel Choir and St. Cecilia Choir will meet at 9:15 in the downstairs Choir room to sing under the inspired leadership of Priscilla Rigg.
Following the 10 o'clock service, the youth choir children will meet in the downstairs Art Room for snacks and an enjoyable 30 minutes to learn the fundamentals of music and singing, with Mrs. Rigg in the Guiding RAY great room, and with Bruce Fithian in the Choir Room, using the highly acclaimed RSCM workbooks. To learn more, send a message to RSCM@smary.org .
Young Life Club: Mondays at 7:31 PM
At 56 Quiet Lane in Portland (off of Summit St). High schoolers from every town are invited to come together for crazy fun and to meet new friends. Young Life includes everyone – no questions asked! Each Club ends with a 5 minute inspirational talk about the love of God in Christ. Don’t miss it!
Calling all middle and high schoolers: two awesome weekends coming up!
REACH for kids in grades 6-8 is in Gardiner on March 2-4 and CALLED TO SERVE for high schoolers is in Bath on March 16-18. Both of these events are hosted by Maine Episcopal Youth Events, and everyone is invited. If you have questions, you can reach Sara D'Angio White at 502-7742 or sdangiowhite@gmail.com. Register & find out more at maineyouth.org.
Events and Happenings
Lent 2018 at Saint Mary’s
Be Still: Monday evenings 5:30 – 6:30, beginning February 19
There is no more precious season than Lent to search for moments of peaceful communion with God in the Father James Chapel. Through chanting, meditation, scripture reading and silence, we can promise that you will leave the chapel with a sought-for peace, calm and renewal. Please join us!
Centering Prayer: Friday mornings 7am beginnings February 16
Start your Friday with a few quiet moments in the Chapel or with silent guided centering prayer or enjoy the simple silence as the morning sunlight fills the chapel. However you spend your time or however long your stay, give yourself the Lenten gift of quiet prayer time with God in sacred space.
Lent Madness: began February 15
Join in the fun and learning! Lent Madness began in 2010 as the brainchild of the Rev. Tim Schenck. In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion. The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen, and so forth to the Elate Eight, the Faithful Four and finally the Golden Halo is awarded on Holy Wednesday. Brackets are available at http://www.lentmadness.org/ or outside the Guild Room in the parish house.
The Good Book Club: daily readings from FEB 11 to May 20
All around the world, Episcopalians will read the Gospel according to Luke during Lent and the Book of Acts during the Great 50 Days. Join the movement as we explore the entire story of Jesus’ life as told by Luke and the experiences of the earliest disciples as shared in Acts. There are a ton of resources available to assist and inspire you at this website: www.goodbookclub.org.
The MOTH Storytelling at Saint Mary’s: Sundays at 9:15 AM
Gather in the Guild Room. A story sharing opportunity for parishioners around various topics. Drop in at any time. Topics include: your first job, summer camp, favorite pets, learning to swim… FMI, contact Erin McGee Ferrell 856.630.9832
Community Care & Nurture
Please pray for the Bishop search process!
God of Grace, we give you thanks for all of the blessings of our common life and ministries as the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, and for our leaders who are guiding us through this season of change. Grant to the Discernment and Transition Committees open hearts, minds, and spirits as they receive the Holy Spirit's gifts of faith, hope, and love to aid their work. We ask also that you send courage and vision to our next bishop of Maine as she or he discerns your call. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Wisdom Seekers: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
This Bible study group meets weekly in the Guild Room. Everyone is welcome! We are now discussing each week’s Advent scriptures in depth.
Chapel Eucharist: Thursdays in the Chapel at 12 noon
This is an informal time (in a beautiful space!) to gather at the Lord’s Table with a meditation on the scripture or the saint of the day and prayers for healing.
Noonday Prayer: every other weekday in the Chapel
Pause for 10 minutes of prayer together. You are also invited, wherever you may be, to STOP and PRAY with us in the Spirit at 12 noon for those in need, for our parish family, our bishop, and our own daily life with God.
Communicating with Nathan+
Feel free to contact Fr. 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 checked rarely on weekends or when he’s away.
Prayer Concerns for this week: Walter McGarry, Karen Mynahan, Sally Rigg, Theresa Violette, Nolan Farris, Douglas McCormack, Lee Lamphere, Arthur Markos, Frank Rheaume.
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 18 The First Sunday in Lent: Great Litany & Rite of Forgiveness
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:15am The MOTH at Saint Mary’s
9:15am RSCM Choirs rehearse in the Choir Room
9:45 am Guiding RAY gathering - classes begin at 10am
10:00am Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
Monday 19 President’s Day - Parish Office closed (Public School vacation week)
12noon Noonday Prayer – stop and pray wherever you are
4:30pm T’ai Chi in the auditorium
5:30pm Be Still in the Fr James Chapel
6:00pm Portland Community Chorus rehearsal in auditorium
Tuesday 20 7 - 9am BNI in the auditorium
9:30am Art Group using the Auditorium
10:30am Wisdom Seekers in Kneeler Room
12noon Noonday Prayer
1:00pm Staff Meeting
1:00pm Get Stitching group
6:00pm Schola Rehearsal in Sanctuary
7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room (Beginner’s Al-Anon 6:30pm)
Wednesday 21 6:00pm SinG rehearsal in Auditorium
Thursday 22 9:30am Garden Club design meeting in the Kneeler Room
12noon Chapel Eucharist
12-4pm College Club Remembrance Tea
6:15pm Dowsers meet in Guild room
7:00pm Saint Mary’s choir rehearsal
Friday 23 Parish Offices are closed on Fridays
7:00am Coffee & Lenten Prayer in the Fr James Chapel
12noon Noonday Prayer – stop and pray wherever you are
4:30pm Wedding Rehearsal
5 – 7pm Community Souper Supper
5:30pm Al-Anon meeting in the Guild Room
Saturday 24 4:00pm Galli-Roberts Wedding
Sunday 25 The Second Sunday in Lent
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:15am The MOTH at Saint Mary’s
9:15am RSCM Choirs rehearse in the Choir Room
9:15am Ushers All-Hands meeting
9:45 am Guiding RAY gathering - classes begin at 10am
10:00am Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
Beth Shaw
Parish Manager
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.3366
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