Thursday, March 26, 2020

Words from Fr. nathan

 

Dear friends and companions in the Way,

 

Yesterday (March 25) was the Feast of the Annunciation, when we remember the visit of the angel Gabriel to the young woman named Miriam (Mary) living in Galilee. What we discover in this encounter is God’s decision to intervene in human history in order to save us from our own destructive tendencies. To accomplish this purpose, God needed a willing human partner. Mary’s “yes” to the call of God was the apex of the curve, the moment when the painful trajectory of human history began to turn around. In our day, God still seeks willing human partners who will cooperate with the divine will in pushing back against evil and darkness, against fear and greed and hatred. Make no mistake about it: this is a long struggle. Mary’s own heart was pierced as she watched the eventual suffering and death of her son, the Messiah. Let’s face it: you and I are going to witness and experience much suffering and death in the weeks and months to come. But death is never the end of the story. Christ overcome death and the grave, and the Body of Christ continues to do the same. So we are not afraid of death, because we know that saying “no” to the call of God is a fate worse than death. We pray therefore not that we may be spared from the struggles and hardships that arrive in life just like the high tides arrive on the seashore. We pray rather for resilience and determination never to give up, never to turn our back on doing the will of God, never to become cold or bitter or resentful or fearful. Let us meditate even more earnestly on Mary’s remarkable response to the angel, until it becomes truly and sincerely our own:

 

“Here I am, the servant of the Lord. Let it be with me according to your word.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beth Shaw

Parish Manager

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary

43 Foreside Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105

207-781-3366,  www.smary.org

 

Thursday, March 12, 2020

COVID-19 Practical response 3.10.20

My fellow Saint Marians,

 

We are all acutely aware of the threat caused by the new coronavirus called COVID-19.  We care for all within our community and hope that anyone in need of help during this anxious time (or any other time) will call the Parish Office. We do our best to meet the needs of anyone who asks for help. Our goal is to maintain community and support each other as needed.

 

To be more specific, however, there are some practical steps that we will now take as a Christian community, under the guidance of our Bishop Thomas Brown. These may change as the situation progresses, but for right now the following steps will be taken:

 

  1. As always, we encourage everyone to act in his or her own best interests.  If you are feeling unwell or are concerned that being in public is a threat to your health, please be prudent and stay home.
  2. Communion will be shared in the Body only until the threat from the virus subsides. Let there be no concern that this somehow lessens the grace of the sacrament. It does not, as the fullness of God’s grace is freely provided in both elements. In addition, only clergy will distribute the Body after clearly washing and/or sanitizing their hands. They will also minimize any contact with the hands of those receiving. Likewise, blessings will be offered at the Altar Rail without the laying on of hands.
  3. For the time being, we will minimize direct contact by not shaking hands during the passing of the Peace or after the Dismissal. We will also stop holding hands for the Lord’s Prayer. Feel free to greet one another with a wave, a slight bow, American Sign Language, or whatever else works to minimize all hand-to-hand contact.  
  4. Only ushers will touch the Offering Plates. This may take some more time as they move down the center aisle and then along the outer walls in order to reach everyone. Please be patient with this adjustment.
  5. Everyone in a leadership position (clergy, staff, lay leaders, ushers, Guiding RAY teachers, Eucharistic ministers, acolytes, choir members) is instructed not to show up for the Holy Eucharist or any other event if you have a fever, a persistent cough or other flu-like symptoms. You are instructed to stay away until you are symptom-free for 14 days. In this situation, it is prudent to expect the worst and to ensure that we do not spread the virus unwittingly.
  6. If a true crisis develops here in southern Maine and we need to cancel worship or other events, we will communicate this by a similar email, and also on our website (www.smary.org) and our Facebook page. I know that some of you are not fond of Facebook, but this is the simplest and quickest way to communicate broadly. We may also use this to live stream events if the need arises, so please consider liking and following our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary/).
  7. The best news in all the world is that God is here – right now, wherever you are. Trust in that promise while you are taking all necessary precautions, and you will avoid that fear which can debilitate or paralyze. And no matter what, never ever lose sight of the goodness, mercy and love of God demonstrated for all the world to see in Jesus our Redeemer. God is good, all the time.

 

Please reach out if you have any other questions or concerns. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, please let us know as well. And let us know how we can support you. This is time for us to be that authentic, vibrant, Christ-centered community to which God has called us.

 

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Nathan Wilson Ferrell

 

 

 

 

 

Beth Shaw

Parish Manager

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary

43 Foreside Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105

207-781-3366,  www.smary.org

 

Saint Mary's eNEWS for 3.15.20

 

Saint Mary’s Weekly News

15 March 2020 – The Second Sunday in Lent


 

Book, Bread & Soup Sale:  March 28, 9am – 1pm

We need your HELP! 

·         See sign-up sheets to help on Friday, March 27 or Sat, March 28

·         Hang a poster to advertise the sale

·         Bring in books by March 23

FMI, please contact Betsy Stoddard (jbstod@myfairpoint.net) or Jan Mordarski (janmordarski@gmail.com). 

Souper Supper: second and fourth Fridays of each month:  Mar 13 & 27

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).

 

Habitat Walk or Run:  Good Friday, April 10

Great for all people - families and single alike. All Saint Marians are encouraged to join Fr. Nathan at 9 AM to walk or run. Loops are marked at 3, 4, 10 or 20 miles, and can be walked anytime between 7 – 3. FMI, see the Guild Room table. 

 

        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 10amFor 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. 

This week in Guiding RAY  For our Lenten rotation, we will be learning about Easter through the eyes of Peter. Using drama, art, labyrinths, cooking, and games we will focus on Peter’s relationship with Jesus, specifically, Peter’s denial of Jesus during Jesus’ arrest and Peter’s restoration with Jesus after Jesus’ resurrection. This powerful story of gentle forgiveness can be a great source of comfort and hope for each of us. We still need leaders and assistant leaders for this rotation. Lesson plans and supplies are provided. Please consider helping our Saint Mary’s kids learn about Jesus’ love through your love of Jesus.

IGNITE - Middle School Youth Group! Ignite meets Sunday at 10 AM in the youth room for a game of Bible Pictionary!  This is going to blend together navigating the Bible (what we’ve worked on for several weeks) with our group's l ove for Pictionary!  We’ll join Guiding RAY and come up for Communion - so 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

Common Ground: 5-7pm every Thursday potluck & conversation

Sharing a meal and learning together – this is what Common Ground is all about.

March 5-April 2: Special Lent Teaching Series:  FAITH FOR EXILES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Faith for Exiles – brief discussion of the five practices that empower Resilient Disciples in the midst of Digital Babylon

  • Be Still in the Fr James Chapel with Merle Marie, Jennifer, and Becky.

            A unique Meditation & Discussion each Sunday with a Lenten focus on        

Transformation

Lenten Quiet Morning:  THE ANOINTING WOMAN

Saturday, March 21, 9 – 12:30 the Fr. James Chapel  *New format!

9:00   Bible Brunch with Live Music

9:30               Lenten Reflections about the Anointing Woman

We will spend time with the unnamed woman whose story of anointing Jesus appears in all four Gospels.  Since the event happened at a festive dinner party, we’ll approximate the occasion by beginning with a Bible Brunch at 9 a.m.  We’ll have food from Genesis 43, 1 Samuel 25, Numbers 11 and other verses from the Bible. As we feast, we’ll be entertained with live music by John Bennet on the cello and Tom Troeger on the flute. We’ll begin our Lenten reflections at about 9:30 and finish by noon. Please sign up on the sheet near the Guild Room so we have enough Bible delicacies.  (If you have questions, please contact Merle Marie Troeger at merlemarietroeger@gmail.com)

 

Lent in a Snapshot

Weekly Lenten Gatherings

  Sundays:           Faith For Exiles: 9:30 am in Auditorium

                                                Be Still9:30 am in Fr James Chapel

  Mondays:          Be Still:  5 – 6 pm in Fr James Chapel

  ThursdaysFaith For Exiles - Common Ground  in auditorium

                                    5-7 pm Soup & Salad Potluck / 5:45 pm Presentation & Discussion

Special Lenten Offerings

    Quiet Day: Saturday, March 21 – led by our own S. Marians.

    Lenten Schola Concert at Saint Mary’s: April 1, 7:30pm

     Good Friday Walk/Run for Habitat for Humanity:  April 10, 7 am – 3 pm

                       -Saint Marians meet at 9am in Cumberland to run and walk together

Lenten Schola Concert:  Wed, April 1 at 7:30pm
Join the St Mary Schola for a moving Lenten concert that includes the rarely performed Campra Requiem. Thanks to a grant from Choral Arts New England, the ensemble will offer this sublime work with magnificent choruses and solo ensembles accompanied by period instruments, including Baroque recorders, strings, lute and positif organ. We will also hear the dramatic scene from Handel’s oratorio, Solomon. ‘The Judgement of Solomon’ brings to life the dramatic  confrontation in 1 Kings, in which two women claim to be the mother of a child. Solomon revealed their true relationship to the child by suggesting to cut the baby in two, with each woman to receive half. With this strategy, he was able to discern which was the real mother. With his brilliance at dramatic writing, Handel enabled the story to have even more emotional power. Concerts are Wednesday, April 1, 7:30 PM (pre concert talk at 7:00) at Saint Mary’s, and Tuesday April 7, 7:30 PM at St. Luke’s Cathedral. Get tickets at stmaryschola.org or at the door.

Lent Madness: Who will win the Golden Halo? 

Join in the fun and learning!  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. People vote for their favorite saint as we make it to the Saintly 16, then to the Elate 8, the Faithful 4 and finally the Golden Halo is awarded on Holy Wed.  You can cast YOUR vote and follow the bracket at www.lentmadness.org .

B’Nai Portland invites all to a night of Mystery, Mayhem and Murder!
Saturday, March
21, 7-9 PM Best Laid Plans in our Parish House.  A murder-mystery, FUNdraising event to benefit B’nai Portland. 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.

Be Still: Monday evenings at 5 pm

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.

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: Tim Roser, Tyler, Bill, Cory, Roxann Gregory, Allen Graffam, 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               15   Third Sunday in Lent       

                                  8:00                 Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)

                                  9:30                 Formation for All

                                  10:15               Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)  

                                  11:30               Altar Flower Guild meeting 

Monday             16   12:00              Noonday Prayer in the Chapel

                                  5:00                 Be Still in the Chapel

                                  6:00                 PCC rehearsal in auditorium

Tuesday             17   Feast of Saint Patrick

                                  7:00                 BNI meeting

                                  8:30 – 11         Saint Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center – Saint Marians 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

                                  6:00                 Schola rehearsal

                                  7:00                 AA in the auditorium (Al-A-Teen in Youth Room)

                                  7:00                 Al-Anon in the Guild Room (6 pm Beginner’s Al-Anon)

Wednesday 18   5:30 TOPS meeting in the Kneeler Room

                                 6 – 8                SinG rehearsal in the Church

Thursday   19     Feast of Saint Joseph

                                  12:00               Healing Eucharist in the Chapel

                                  3:00                 Merton Group in the Chapel

                                  5 – 7                Common Ground Potluck – Faith For Exiles: Practice 3

                                  7:00                 Saint Mary’s Choir rehearsal

Friday                20   Parish Office is closed 

                                  12:00               Noonday Prayer – stop and pray wherever you are

                                  5:30                 Al-Anon meeting

Saturday            21  9 – 12:30  Lent Quiet Morning in the Chapel

                                  7 -9pm            ‘Best Laid Plans’  Murder Mystery B’Nai Fundraiser

Sunday               22   Fourth Sunday in Lent       

                                  8:00                 Contemplative Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)

                                  9:30                 Formation for All

                                  10:15               Choral Eucharist (followed by Coffee Hour)    

 

 

Beth Shaw

Parish Manager

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary

43 Foreside Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105

207-781-3366,  www.smary.org