Saint Mary's Weekly News
10 March 2019 – 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 broken humanity which ignores the voice of God, harms one another and destroys God's creation.
Book, Bread, & Soup Sale: March 16, 9 AM to 1 PM
· Please sign up in the auditorium to help with the sale: before, during and after all needed!
· Purchase greeting cards NOW! Many varieties in kitchen area
· Invite your friends to shop!
· FMI, Betsy (jbstod@myfairpoint.net) or Jan (janmordarski@gmail.com)
Souper Supper: 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month - March 8 & 22
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
Responding to Maine's Opioid Crisis: Education, Compassion, Community
As we seek to answer God's call to embrace and help those who are suffering, we need not look far: Maine's opioid epidemic affects each and every one of us, directly or indirectly and as such, we are all called to become involved at some level in responding, as a community, from a place of compassion. Saint Marians are invited, encouraged, to learn the facts surrounding this epidemic--what it is, where it is going and what each of us can do about it. The first in a series of presentations hosted by Saint Mary's Outreach Committee, "Paths that Created It, Paths that Heal" will be held on March 24th from 4-6pm in the auditorium. . Guest Speakers: Robert Fowler, ExDir, Milestone Recovery; John Kilbride, Falmouth Chief of Police; and Sarah Coupe, Founder, Grace House for Women and President, Maine Association of Recovery Residences.
Presentations followed by personal testimony and Q & A. Light refreshment provided. Free and open to the community at large. You are invited to indicate your intention to attend by signing the sheet outside the Guild Room.
FMI: Diane Fletcher, Jennifer Gregg, Anne LaFond, Bonny Rodden.
Responding to Maine's Opioid Crisis - An Invitation to Share Your Story
The gatherings for the series of presentations regarding the Opioid Crisis in Maine will be a safe and supportive place for those who feel called to share their personal story of addiction, be it a direct or indirect experience, and you are warmly invited to do so.
Youth Ministry
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
Our Guiding RAY programs for all young people ages 0 to 14. We gather all together beginning at 9:30am for Formation in the lower level of the Parish House with classes beginning at 10am. For more information on Guiding RAY, please visit our website www.smary.org .
The Nursery opens at 9:30am on regular Sundays for our youngest disciples in the Guiding RAY area every Sunday morning for the later Eucharist. Please contact Alison Hayward, ajhmcmonagle@gmail.com, if you are able to assist her with care.
This week in Guiding RAY we will continue learning all about the Ten Commandments and how we know that they are God's guides for life. The Ten Commandments are much more than rules people need to follow; they help us to understand the way in which God already loves us and accepts us, and how we are free to love God and serve one another.
During our 9:30 - 10:00 formation time we again welcome Dr. G! She will be here at 9:30 ready to conduct experiment with minerals and rocks. All are welcome!
Middlers: Middlers will be meeting this week at 10:00 in the youth room. Our group, led by Will & Michelle Chappell, is engaging and Christ-centered, focused on imparting the love and knowledge of God. We use games and discussion-based teaching to serve our students. We welcome all middle school youth, from those who are merely curious about God to those who have a full-fledged desire to follow God.
Saint Mary's RSCM Youth Choirs:
The Youth Choir Program has two choirs to adjust to the age groups of the children.
St. Cecilia Choir (open to ages 8-15) rehearse in the choir room, Tuesdays 4:30-5:30pm
Angel Choir (open to ages 4-7) join the St. Cecilia choristers on Sundays from 9:30-10am.
Young Life of Casco Bay
Every Monday night (when school is in session) at 7:31 PM in a cool barn at 41 Stapleford Dr in Falmouth. For ALL area high school students. The BEST thing happening on a Monday night – guaranteed! FMI, visit www.younglifecb.com
Gatherings & Events
Lent in a Snapshot - with detailed info below
Weekly Lenten Gatherings
Sundays: The Practices of the Desert: 9:30am in Guild Room
Be Still: 9:30am in Fr James Chapel
Mondays: Be Still: 5:30-6:30pm in Fr James Chapel
Thursdays: Faith and Science - Common Ground in auditorium
5-7pm Soup & Salad Potluck; 5:45pm Presentation & discussion
Special Lenten Offerings
Quiet Day: Saturday, March 23, 9am - 2pm – led by the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross. Silence and Slow Time
Quiet Day: Saturday, March 30, 9am - 12noon – led by our own Saint Marians. Growing a Lenten Garden
Lenten Schola Concert at Saint Mary's: April 12, 7:30pm
Good Friday Walk/Run for Habitat for Humanity: Friday, April 19, 7a - 3p
Holy Saturday Blood Drive: Saturday, April 20, 9am-2pm
Be sure to grab your Lent in a Bag.
Lent in a Bag contains small items to be used as symbols to focus individual along with readings for family meditations and conversations during the season of Lent.
Lenten Meditation booklets are also available to assist individuals and families in practicing Lent at home. As well as a Spotify playlist of Songs for Lent
ADULT Formation groups: 9:30 AM on each regular Sunday
"The Practices of the Desert"
Fr. Nathan will share with us the insights he has learned from his in-depth study of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. Each week, we will read a new story and learn a new phrase to carry with us and to use as a tool for our growth in Christ. These teachings challenge all of us, so come ready to explore new ideas. All are welcome!
"Be Still" Guided Meditations in the Chapel
Our Sunday contemplative formation time will continue into Lent. Lent is often thought of as a season of renunciation, denial and penitence. But we'll change that up a bit (Jesus was always changing things up, right?) and concentrate on the theme of gifts. The gifts of Lent might include an opportunity for spiritual rest, the aptitude for humility or the flair for compassion. Lent is also the time to identify the gifts we'd like to cultivate in ourselves all year through. Come and join us for a bit of silence and gentle conversation.
Be Still: Monday evenings 5:30 – 6:30pm
There is no more precious season than Lent to search for moments of peaceful communion with God in the Father James Chapel. With centering prayer, we can promise that you will leave the chapel with a sought-for peace, calm and renewal. Please join us!
Common Ground in Lent: Faith and Science in the 21st Century
5 - 7pm Please bring soup, salad or bread to share together. We will keep these meals simple in Lent - except for Pi(e) night on 3.14 when we all bring our favorite savory or sweet pie to share. The food is available throughout the 2 hours; come when you can.
5:45pm The presentation and discussion begins. We will end around 6:45 to clean up.
→Thursdays in Lent: Faith & Science topics
March 7: How Can Science and Faith Inform Each Other?
March 14: God and the Cosmos (and PI(E) Day)
March 21: Creation and Evolution
March 28: Quantum Physics and Eternity
April 4: The Bible and Genetics
April 11: Life and Death
Lent Madness:
Join in the fun and learning! Lent Madness began in 2010 as the brainchild of the Rev. Tim Schenck. This is a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church's Calendar of Saints. 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 in the parish house.
Other Lenten links and resources:
-SSJE online reflections: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John OR
It's time to Stop, Pray, Work, Play & Love
-Way of Love in Lent: Weekly Bible Study (www.episcopalchurch.org/bible-study/lent-c )
-Way of Love Lenten Sermons: missed Sunday services but want a sermon for this week's lectionary? (www.episcopalchurch.org/sermons/lent-c) Fr. Nathan's sermons can be found at www. smary.org
The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts
A special online exhibition - Suffering - is the first of the 2019 Episcopal Church & Visual Arts presentations. Forty-five artists, of which our Erin McGee Ferrell is one, have offered touching, often very personal reflections on this shared human condition. Please visit the website at www.ecva.org .
2019 Class for Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation
This is a wonderful time to learn about the Church, the Episcopal Church and reaffirm your Christian faith. Anyone who might be interested in discussing preparations to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, please contact Fr. Nathan then a meeting date will be announced following the expressed interest.
Who should state their interest to join this class? Those who wish:
· To confirm their baptismal identity as followers of Christ
· To be received into the fellowship of The Episcopal Church from another denomination
· To reaffirm their trust in God and their commitment to life in Christ
Snowshoe / Hiking Trip, Friday to Saturday, March 29 - 30
All are invited to join our Sr. Warden, Jim Kane and others for a fun and moderately challenging snowshoe hike in the Kingfield Maine area.
We will travel by car from Saint Mary's the early evening (5:30pm or so) on Friday, March 29, to parishioner Mike Edward's winter heated house outside Kingfield Maine (~2 hrs. from Saint Mary's), make a late dinner, select the next day's hike based on weather conditions and ability/desire of the participants, sleep inside, wake, make breakfast, pack snacks and lunch, hit the trail by 8:30 AM, back to Mike's by 5PM, depart home by 7PM, arrive back at Saint Mary's by 9PM.
Please RSVP (call or text) to Jim Kane cell 207-329-1764 … space is limited to +/- 8 folks ages 12+.
Free Film Series "Ready for a Change": March 10-April 7, 3 - 5pm
Congregational Church in Cumberland—282 Main Street—829-3419
Join the Social Justice and Green Teams for a series of films that will instruct, inspire, and challenge us to open our hearts and amend our thinking. Popcorn, beverages, and kid-friendly alternative films. Free and open to the public. https://www.cumberlanducc.org/new-page-2
Community Care & Nurture
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.
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 Gospel scriptures in depth.
Noonday Prayer: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays 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 on vacation.
Prayer Concerns for this week: Kathryn Street, Bruce Fossett, Holly, Mimi Hilton, Clarinda Schmidlapp, Norma Jean Brilliant, Karon Velek, Angelica Barrett, Dawn Peterson, Erin Ferrell, Chandra Lowe, Bucky, Stewart Stalnecker, Nolan Farris, 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).
Special Safety Note:
This is a reminder to all drivers to be aware of people (big & little) walking back and forth from the church building to the Parish House, and that children should be accompanied by an adult to be assured that they cross safely and are not alone in any of the buildings.
Thanks for being careful and protective of each other.
FYI: Beth Shaw will be on vacation from March 15 - 23. There will be volunteers manning the parish offices and answering the phones during the busiest times of the day. The answering machine and office email will be monitored on a limited basis. Thanks for your patience.
This Week at Saint Mary's
Sunday 10 First Sunday in Lent: Great Litany and Rite of Forgiveness
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:30am Formation for all ages – Adults and Youth
10:15am Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
Monday 11 12noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
10:00am Garden Club in the auditorium
5:30pm Be Still in the Fr James Chapel
6:30 pm Bell choir rehearsal
7:00pm Portland Community Chorus rehearsal in auditorium
Tuesday 12 7 - 9am BNI in the auditorium
9:30a - 1p Art Group in the Auditorium
10:30am Wisdom Seekers Bible Study – all are welcome
12 noon Noonday Prayer in the Chapel
12:45pm Staff meeting
4:30 pm St. Cecilia choir rehearsal
7:00 pm AA in the auditorium
7:30 pm Al-Anon in the Chapel (6:30pm Beginner's Al-Anon)
Wednesday 13 6:00 pm Vestry Meeting (food at 5:30)
6 – 8 pm SinG rehearsal in the Auditorium
Thursday 14 12noon Chapel Eucharist
1 - 3 PM Falmouth Knitters
2:00pm Merton Group in the Chapel
5 - 7pm FAITH AND SCIENCE – Pi(E) Potluck & Program
7:00pm SM Choir rehearsal
Friday 15 Parish Offices are closed on Fridays ( Beth on vacation until 3.23)
12noon Noonday Prayer – stop and pray where you are
5:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Saturday 16 9a - 1p Book, Bread & Soup Sale
Sunday 17 Second Sunday in Lent – Book sale continues
8:00am Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
9:30am Formation for all ages – Adults and Youth
10:15am Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)
No comments:
Post a Comment