Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Weekly eNEWS for  30 August 2020:
The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost


Kick Off Sunday:  September 13

Beginning on Kickoff Sunday, 13 September, we will gather for 3 indoor services: at 8, 9:30 and 11 AM. Each liturgy will last about 45 minutes.

At both 8 and 11 AM, we will gather in our Sanctuary.

At 9:30 AM, we will gather for a Guiding RAY family-focused liturgy in the Parish House Auditorium.

Each gathering will be limited to 35 people based on the square footage of our spaces. Adult Formation groups will also begin at 9:30 AM, and our popular Be Still group will meet on ZOOM at 9:30. The 11 AM Eucharist will be live-streamed on Facebook, and our weekday Noonday Prayers will continue as well. We anticipate offering this structure throughout September and October, but will make adjustments quickly as needed. Precautions will include:  Clergy & helpers will have temperature checks pre-service;  all attendees will wear masks, all attendees will sanitize hands upon entering and have wipes to sanitize area around them;  all will sit 6 feet from others;   there’s no contact with the Peace;  there’s no wine with communion;  no food at coffee hour. 

We are looking for ‘Worship Managers’ or ‘usher-type’ people who would be available each Sunday to, from a distance, help people get seated, hand out a mask if needed, assure sanitizer is at the door, and help Father Nathan with anything that needs special attention on a Sunday morning.  There’s no contact with others, no bulletins to hand out, no communion gifts to bring up.  We are looking for one ‘usher’ at the 8am and the 11am services. 

If you can help on ONE Sunday this autumn, please contact Tom LaPlante at

tlaplante@llbean.com.

 

 

Picnic Eucharist: Worship together safely outside for two more Sundays  
This has worked beautifully on Sundays this summer, and we will continue to gather on our beautiful campus to worship together on August 30 and September 6.  No need to register beforehand.  Just come and enjoy the worship of God in community, as it was always intended to be. 

Remember that this is picnic style! Don't forget to bring your own bread and wine along with your chair and mask - perhaps also a hat if the sun is shining brightly.  Each household group will have their bread and wine consecrated and will distribute Communion among themselves, rather than sharing it between households. This is different from our usual practice, but it has been approved by Bishop Brown for this unusual pandemic time in which we are living. We are also hoping to have some live music at our morning Eucharists, in a way that is safe for all. 

 

Do you miss hearing glorious music in our sanctuary? 
Click here to  watch and listen to Bruce Fithian share his love,                                                                                            knowledge, and musical talent in concert.

 

Events & Gatherings

Sparkles NEWS:  Keep Calm and Sparkle On!

Kathy and I have named this the unofficial theme for Sparkles 2020.  Sparkles will look very different this year, but we will remain calm through it all, and we will Sparkle On!

Don’t forget, our first Sparkles 2020 event will be held Friday night, October 16, 5:30-8:30pm (a special preview event with a limited number of tickets), and Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings, October 17-19, 9am-12noon.

Sparkles Spirit

As always, we’ll have forms available to order delicious appetizers.  Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we won’t be able to have our usual tastings, but our fabulous cooks will be offering some favorites from past years.  Your orders will be available for pick up the week of November 15 in time for Thanksgiving or Christmas.  This is a wonderful opportunity to purchase readymade (frozen) appetizers and have them available for whenever you need them.

Boutique

Our Boutique will also look a little different this year.  As always, we’ll have all kinds of items and treasures for sale, but in October, we’ll focus on our Jewelry and Fashion Accessories table, fall decorating, our famous Friendship Soup and Holy Smokes.  ALL of our inventory comes from our generous parishioners, so we need your help more than ever!

 

Jewelry & Accessories—Please go through your closets and drawers and jewelry boxes and solicit items from family and friends!  We need vintage, new and handmade jewelry, and fashion accessories, i.e., scarves, purses and evening bags, belts, shawls, etc.  This year, we’re also accepting jackets, boots and shoes, as well as men’s neckties, shoes, belts and other men’s accessories.  Just remember, we have no dressing rooms, so everything should be able to be “tried on” in the auditorium.

Fall Decorating – Do you have any unwanted fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving items?  We need wreaths (any type, any style, any condition), fall ribbons, faux flowers, pumpkins, gourds, and any other fall decorative items, i.e., pillows, throws, china, etc.  We could also use Styrofoam balls and cones.

Friendship Soup and Holy Smokes – As always, we need bags (and bags and bags) of dried beans (any type) for our Friendship Soup and pinecones and candles or wax for Holy Smokes.  Please leave them in the basket in the Parish House outside the Guild Room.

 

We’ll still be accepting items for our Knitter’s Corner, Toyland, Boutique, Christmas and Home Décor areas and if we have room, we will put some of them out in October. The office is open Monday-Wednesday.  Please leave your items downstairs in the hall in front of the Storeroom.  If you need pick up, please let us know.

Jana and Kathy, Sparkles Co-Chairs

Like/Follow us on Facebook -----SparklesSt.MarysFalmouth

Ignatian Partnership of Maine will offer the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in 2020-2021

“Finding God in All Things” is the primary mantra of the Ignatian Exercises.  Developed over 300 years ago, the prayer practices and spiritual strategies are surprisingly modern.  They use all our faculties including the experiential, the imaginative and the rational.  The Retreat in Everyday Life allows us to move through the Exercises over a nine-month period, beginning in October, allocating a dedicated time of prayer and reflection each day.  Participants meet once a month as a group and at least once a month with a spiritual director.  Merle Marie Troeger has served as a spiritual director in this program for the last year. 

If you are interested in this unique experience, contact Merle Marie at merlemarietroeger@gmail.com or go to https://www.ignatianme.org/spiritualexercises#retreat-about

 

Responding to Racial Injustice

 

Becoming An Anti-Racist Parish - Summer Reading and Discussion!

White Fragility - Challenge Your Assumptions about Racism

Plans for being made now for small groups to meet in September for 1 hour, once a week, over 3 weeks. So far we have three wonderful facilitators: Deacon Christine, Merle Marie Troeger and Becky Pride. We welcome additional facilitators, so please let us know of your interest by contacting Deacon Christine (deacab@maine.rr.com).  

One group will be in person at Saint Mary's (safely, with masks and physical distance). The other two will be on ZOOM. To help us schedule these gatherings, could all interested persons please email  Beth Shaw (admin@smary.org) or Jennifer Gregg (jenniferanngregg@gmail.com) or sign up here at OnRealm.org.  Indicate if you prefer mornings, afternoons or evenings, and whether in person or on Zoom.  

Copies of the book White Fragility are still available in the Parish Office or at Sunday services. A suggested donation is $15.  

Below are some Episcopal resources to help all of us grow in understanding.

Presiding Bishop Stephen Curry 
     
Bishop response to the Killing of George Floyd
     
Episcopal Call for justice
     
When the cameras are gone, we will still be here

 

Maine's Bishop Thomas Brown
    
Bishop Brown's statement and resources for study and action

 

Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing
A ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta with many resources for Episcopalians
    
Center for Racial Healing

Serving  Others

Red Cross Blood Drive:  Critical Need

Thursday, September 24, 9am – 2pm

Lots of open dates in October, November and December

 Due to the coronavirus outbreak, there is a critical need for blood.  Sign-up today to be a blood donor and help give to those who need your blood to survive!

Go to www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code “StMary” to make your donor appointment.

 

Souper Supper To Go continues: 2nd & 4th Fridays, 5 – 6 PM     August 28!!

Souper Supper is in action: Second & Fourth Fridays, 5 – 6 PM for take-home distribution of To-Go meals only. Remember, if food insecurity is an issue in your home, Saint Mary’s can help you discreetly. Just call the Parish Office at 781-3366.  

Plant 2020 Victory Gardens! 

The Outreach Committee is joining forces with Guiding RAY to provide fresh food for local families who are nutritionally vulnerable this summer due to the effects of the pandemic.  Thank you to those who are already sharing their fresh vegetables from their "Victory Gardens!"  The Outreach Committee is organizing weekly deliveries of produce and fresh flowers to the Falmouth Food Pantry for distribution to our most vulnerable neighbors. To donate part of your harvest and fresh cut flowers, please drop your donation  from your harvest and flower gardens in the designated cooler/red bucket outside the Guild Room entrance on Wednesday by noon or arrange for pick-up from your home by contacting Bonny Rodden, brodden1.br@gmail.com or Jennifer Gregg, jenniferanngregg@gmail.com
    If you wish to help with pick-ups from parishioner homes, just go to OnRealm.org. then click Events to register!    

 

St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center  –  has re-opened!

And we're collecting COATS & BOOTS for winter! Check your closets for gently-used coats and boots.   Thank you!

    The Center is distributing only pre-bagged essential items ( soap, detergent, toilet paper, diapers and feminine hygiene products) outside St. Luke's Cathedral. 

    Workers are needed from Saint Mary's on the third Tuesday of each month.  Volunteers help with pre-bagging on either Monday or Tuesday mornings, and with distribution on Tuesdays.  All volunteers as well as neighbors will wear masks and gloves and maintain 6 ' distancing. 

Please contact Betsy Elliman for more information at 207-400-6871 or betsyelliman@msn.com 

The Book Sale – Still happening!!
There are books, DVDs, CDs, and puzzles in the Auditorium - honor box for donation.  Lots of DVDs!!.  Thanks,  Betsy and Jan, co-chairs.

Homemade Face Masks

We currently have some available outside and in the Parish Office. They are available to anyone who wants or needs one. Thanks to several parishioners who have been quietly making masks for others. We keep working to maintain a supply, as they are popular and in-demand.     If you wish to make one, we have donation material and online patterns that we are happy to share. 

Falmouth Food Pantry thanks all and hopes for our continued help

The Pantry is asking for donations of new or used reusable shopping bags.  If you can spare a couple, please bring them to the parish house and leave at the door if building not open.  (We are in the office Monday - Wednesday.)   
Families in need of food are invited to come to the Falmouth Food Pantry
/ Town Hall site on the first and third Friday during July and August. Food will be distributed to cars from 9:00-10:30.  

Pantry managers will continue packing food cartons for delivery to doorsteps of families in need.  It is because of the compassion and generosity of so many in our community that we are able to provide help to so many.  In the event of a need please call 632-2687 or 781-2996.

And if in need of the Emergency Pantry services, please call 632-2687 or 781-2996

Christian Formation & Youth Notes

All Children and Youth Programs are temporarily suspended

Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)      During normal programing, 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.   FMI  Please contact Megan GuidingRAY@smary.org

We have set up a Guiding RAY Facebook group as a place for parents to connect. Please like https://www.facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary/  and join the Guiding RAY Group. It is a great way to share resources, stories and a general check-in with each other.  Please visit our website (smary.org) for more at home resources.

Community Care & Nurture

The 2020 Census is happening now

Your response is needed! This is a Constitutional mandate!
Each household can complete their 
questionnaire online, by phone (844-330-2020), or by mailing in the survey sent in the mail. Visit my2020census.gov to begin.

Follow-up visits for non-responses to the Census will shortly begin here in Maine (that’s where people knock on doors of households who have not yet completed their forms). Because of the risk of spreading COVID-19, the government is trying to minimize the need for these direct contact visits. That is why attempts are being made to raise the self-response rate as high as possible. Your assistance with those efforts is greatly appreciated.

For additional updates on the Census, here are links that you might find interesting:

How to help                Response rates               Field operations

OnLine worship

NoonDay PrayerMonday – Friday  12noon  on Facebook Live

Sunday WorshipSunday 10:15 am on Facebook Live

These services are also linked on our website (www.smary.org on the banner titled “Community & Worship Online: COVID-19 Resources”)

OnLine Spiritual Formation

Be Still: Sundays at 9:30 AM  online via ZOOM

Be Still: Mondays at 5 PM  online via ZOOM

Merton Group:  Thursdays at 3 pm  online via ZOOM

These three groups will continue to meet online via ZOOM. If you would like to participate, send an email to Jennifer Gregg (jenniferanngregg@gmail.com) to receive the meeting login information. 

  Wisdom Seekers Bible Study will be back on Tuesdays beginning Sept 8 at 10:30am:
Wisdom Seekers is a group who gathers to study the Scriptures appointed for the upcoming Sunday; it is a great way to prepare oneself for Sunday. All are welcome to join the Zoom group at any time. With any questions or to receive the link to participate, contact Nadine Timberlake at ntimberlake@aol.com or Beth in the parish office admin@smary.org

Communicating with Nathan+

If you need to connect with someone for encouragement, or if you need advice, guidance or prayer, please text Fr Nathan on his cell phone at 207-310-0268. Share your name and your concern.  You can call or e-mail as well (nathanferrell@smary.org ), but texting is the best way to make contact.

Prayer Concerns this week:  Raymond Lamberson, John Cunningham, Tom Troeger, John Fournier, John Lund, Noah Bilodeau, Barbara Fielding, Tom Elliman, Crawford.

 

IF YOU WANT TO ADD NAMES TO THIS LIST, contact our Parish Office (781-3366 or smary@smary.org

No Facebook? No worries!

Anyone can watch our Sunday worship live on Facebook even if you do not have a Facebook account. All you need to do is go to this web address:

Facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary at the correct time and you will see it.

Also, our webpage ( www.smary.org) has easy links to each Noonday Prayer and the Sunday services after the event with links to the bulletins, the Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal, plus lots of other online resources for worship and spiritual growth. There is no reason that this time apart cannot still be a time of important spiritual growth for you. 

THIS WEEK at Saint Mary’s

Sunday            30    The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
                               9:15          Be Still ZOOM meeting   
                              10:15         Picnic Eucharist and on
Facebook Live  

Monday           31   Parish Office open
                               12:00        Noonday Prayer 
                               5:00          Be Still ZOOM meeting

                               6:00          PCC Board meeting in auditorium

Tuesday,  Sept. 1    Parish Office open

                    12:00       Noonday Prayer

                   2:00          Staff meeting

Wednesday       2   Parish Office open

      9:30 - 2    Mainely Weavers – Outdoors (Aud. if raining)

       9:30 – 12  GC Judges Council workshop in Lower Level

       12:00       Noonday Prayer

       6:00          ORI in auditorium

Thursday            3 12:00        Noonday Prayer
                               3:00          Merton Group ZOOM meeting

Friday              4     12:00        Noonday Prayer

Saturday          5                     

Sunday            6     The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
                                    9:15                 Be Still ZOOM meeting   
                                    10:15         Picnic Eucharist and on
Facebook Live  

Follow us for information on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

While we await the restoration of regular activities, connecting to our online presence (including our webpage) is the best way to participate in our parish and to keep up on parish news. Click on these links to follow us! 

 

 

Beth Shaw

Parish Manager

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary

43 Foreside Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105

207-781-3366    www.smary.org

 

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Weekly eNEWS for 23 August 2020:
The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

_____

Picnic Eucharist: Worship together safely outside
This has worked beautifully on Sundays, and we will continue to gather on
our beautiful campus to worship together in small groups of 40 or less two
times each Sunday throughout the summer. The Picnic Eucharist experience
over the first few weeks has been very smooth, so there is no need to
register beforehand. Just come and enjoy the worship of God in community,
as it was always intended to be.

Remember that this is picnic style! Don't forget to bring your own bread and
wine along with your chair and mask - perhaps also a hat if the sun is
shining brightly. Each household group will have their bread and wine
consecrated and will distribute Communion among themselves, rather than
sharing it between households. This is different from our usual practice,
but it has been approved by Bishop Brown for this unusual pandemic time in
which we are living. We are also hoping to have some live music at our
morning Eucharists, in a way that is safe for all.



Our 5:30 Eucharist this week is geared toward families ; we will have kids
participating and assisting in leading the liturgy. However, everyone is
welcome! This will also be our last 5:30 PM Eucharist of the summer.



<https://youtu.be/3So1GIGMOR0> Do you miss hearing glorious music in our
sanctuary?
Click here to watch and listen to Bruce Fithian share his love,
knowledge, and musical talent in concert.



Events & Gatherings



Sparkles NEWS: No Waiting to donate!

Recently, the Sparkles Chairs have noticed long lines of cars waiting to
donate to Goodwill. While, it's wonderful that people are willing to wait
to be generous, the Sparkles Committee wants to make it easy for you to be
generous. We have no lines; bring your items whenever you want and leave
them in the basement outside the storeroom (next to the room with the ping
pong table). We'll even pick up your items, if you need help. See below
for church office hours.

Don't forget, our first Sparkles 2020 event will be held Friday night,
October 16, 5:30-8:30pm (a special preview event with a limited number of
tickets), and Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings, October 17-19,
9am-12noon.

Sparkles Spirit

As always, we'll have forms available to order delicious appetizers.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, we won't be able to have our usual tastings,
but our fabulous cooks will be offering some favorites from past years.
Your orders will be available for pick up the week of November 15 in time
for Thanksgiving or Christmas. This is a wonderful opportunity to purchase
readymade (frozen) appetizers and have them available for whenever you need
them.

Boutique

Our Boutique will also look a little different this year. As always, we'll
have all kinds of items and treasures for sale, but in October, we'll focus
on our Jewelry and Fashion Accessories table, fall decorating, our famous
Friendship Soup and Holy Smokes. ALL of our inventory comes from our
generous parishioners, so we need your help more than ever!



Jewelry & Accessories-Please go through your closets and drawers and jewelry
boxes and solicit items from family and friends! We need vintage, new and
handmade jewelry, and fashion accessories, i.e., scarves, purses and evening
bags, belts, shawls, etc. This year, we're also accepting jackets, boots
and shoes, as well as men's neckties, shoes, belts and other men's
accessories. Just remember, we have no dressing rooms, so everything should
be able to be "tried on" in the auditorium.

Fall Decorating - Do you have any unwanted fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving
items? We need wreaths (any type, any style, any condition), fall ribbons,
faux flowers, pumpkins, gourds, and any other fall decorative items, i.e.,
pillows, throws, china, etc. We could also use Styrofoam balls and cones.

Friendship Soup and Holy Smokes - As always, we need bags (and bags and
bags) of dried beans (any type) for our Friendship Soup and pinecones and
candles or wax for Holy Smokes. Please leave them in the basket in the
Parish House outside the Guild Room.



We'll still be accepting items for our Knitter's Corner, Toyland, Boutique,
Christmas and Home Décor areas and if we have room, we will put some of them
out in October. The office is open Monday-Wednesday. Please leave your
items downstairs in the hall in front of the Storeroom. If you need pick
up, please let us know.

Jana and Kathy, Sparkles Co-Chairs

Like/Follow us on Facebook -----SparklesSt.MarysFalmouth



Ignatian Partnership of Maine will offer the Spiritual Exercises of St.
Ignatius in 2020-2021

"Finding God in All Things" is the primary mantra of the Ignatian Exercises.
Developed over 300 years ago, the prayer practices and spiritual strategies
are surprisingly modern. They use all our faculties including the
experiential, the imaginative and the rational. The Retreat in Everyday
Life allows us to move through the Exercises over a nine-month period,
beginning in October, allocating a dedicated time of prayer and reflection
each day. Participants meet once a month as a group and at least once a
month with a spiritual director. Merle Marie Troeger has served as a
spiritual director in this program for the last year.

If you are interested in this unique experience, contact Merle Marie at
<mailto:merlemarietroeger@gmail.com> merlemarietroeger@gmail.com or go to
<https://www.ignatianme.org/spiritualexercises#retreat-about>
https://www.ignatianme.org/spiritualexercises#retreat-about



Responding to Racial Injustice



Becoming An Anti-Racist Parish - Summer Reading and Discussion!

White Fragility - Challenge Your Assumptions about Racism

Join one of our conversations being planned now for September to discuss the
powerful insights from this little book. Small groups will be facilitated by
Deacon Christine, Merle Marie Troeger and Becky Pride. We welcome additional
facilitators, so please let us know of your interest by contacting Deacon
Christine ( <mailto:decab@maine.rr.com> deacab@maine.rr.com).

One group will be in person at Saint Mary's (safely, with masks and physical
distance). The other two will be on ZOOM. To help us schedule these
gatherings, could all interested persons please email Beth Shaw (
<mailto:admin@smary.org> admin@smary.org) or Jennifer Gregg (
<mailto:jenniferanngregg@gmail.com> jenniferanngregg@gmail.com) or
<https://onrealm.org/smary/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=MjZhYzhlMzQt
ZWNmNy00YWYyLTg0ZTEtYWMxNTAxMGI0NWI2
> sign up here at OnRealm.org. Indicate
if you prefer mornings, afternoons or evenings, and whether in person or on
Zoom.

Copies of the book White Fragility are still available in the Parish Office
or at Sunday services. A suggested donation is $15. Below are some
Episcopal resources to help all of us grow in understanding.

Presiding Bishop Stephen Curry

<https://episcopalmn.org/a-statement-from-bishop-elect-loya-in-response-to-t
he-killing-of-george-floyd
> Bishop response to the Killing of George Floyd

<https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/05/29/episcopalians-in-minnesota-
churchwide-lament-killing-of-black-man-in-police-custody/
> Episcopal Call
for justice

<https://episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/presiding-bishop-currys-wor
d-church-when-cameras-are-gone-we-will-still-be-0
> When the cameras are
gone, we will still be here



Maine's Bishop Thomas Brown

<https://www.episcopalmaine.org/ministry/advocacy-social-justice/racial-just
ice> Bishop Brown's statement and resources for study and action



Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing
A ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta with many resources for
Episcopalians
<http://www.centerforracialhealing.org/> Center for Racial Healing

Serving Others



Souper Supper To Go continues: 2nd & 4th Fridays, 5 - 6 PM August 28!!

Souper Supper is in action: Second & Fourth Fridays, 5 - 6 PM for take-home
distribution of To-Go meals only. Remember, if food insecurity is an issue
in your home, Saint Mary's can help you discreetly. Just call the Parish
Office at 781-3366.

Plant 2020 Victory Gardens!

The Outreach Committee and Guiding RAY are providing fresh food for local
families who are nutritionally vulnerable this summer due to the effects of
the pandemic. Thank you to those who are already sharing their fresh
vegetables from their "Victory Gardens!" The Outreach Committee is
organizing weekly deliveries of produce and fresh flowers to the Falmouth
Food Pantry for distribution to our most vulnerable neighbors. To donate
part of your harvest and fresh cut flowers, please drop your donation from
your harvest and flower gardens in the designated cooler/red bucket outside
the Guild Room entrance on Wednesday by noon or arrange for pick-up from
your home by contacting Bonny Rodden, <mailto:brodden1.br@gmail.com>
brodden1.br@gmail.com or Jennifer Gregg,
<mailto:jenniferanngregg@gmail.com> jenniferanngregg@gmail.com
If you wish to help with pick-ups from parishioner homes, just go to
OnRealm.org. then click Events to register!



St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center - has re-opened!

And we're collecting COATS & BOOTS for winter! Check your closets for
gently-used coats and boots. Thank you!

The Center is distributing only pre-bagged essential items ( soap,
detergent, toilet paper, diapers and feminine hygiene products) outside St.
Luke's Cathedral.

Workers are needed from Saint Mary's on the third Tuesday of each month.
Volunteers help with pre-bagging on either Monday or Tuesday mornings, and
with distribution on Tuesdays. All volunteers as well as neighbors will
wear masks and gloves and maintain 6 ' distancing.

Please contact Betsy Elliman for more information at 207-400-6871 or
<mailto:betsyelliman@msn.com> betsyelliman@msn.com

The Book Sale - Still happening!!
There are books, DVDs, CDs, and puzzles in the Auditorium - honor box for
donation. Lots of DVDs!!. Thanks, Betsy and Jan, co-chairs.

Homemade Face Masks

We currently have some available outside and in the Parish Office. They are
available to anyone who wants or needs one. Thanks to several parishioners
who have been quietly making masks for others. We keep working to maintain a
supply, as they are popular and in-demand. If you wish to make one, we
have donation material and online patterns that we are happy to share.

Falmouth Food Pantry thanks all and hopes for our continued help

The Pantry is asking for donations of new or used reusable shopping bags.
If you can spare a couple, please bring them to the parish house and leave
at the door if building not open. (We are in the office Monday -
Wednesday.)
Families in need of food are invited to come to the Falmouth Food Pantry /
Town Hall site on the first and third Friday during July and August. Food
will be distributed to cars from 9:00-10:30.

Pantry managers will continue packing food cartons for delivery to doorsteps
of families in need. It is because of the compassion and generosity of so
many in our community that we are able to provide help to so many. In the
event of a need please call 632-2687 or 781-2996.

And if in need of the Emergency Pantry services, please call 632-2687 or
781-2996

Christian Formation & Youth Notes

All Children and Youth Programs are temporarily suspended

Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth) During normal programing,
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. FMI Please contact
Megan <mailto:GuidingRAY@smary.org> GuidingRAY@smary.org

We have set up a Guiding RAY Facebook group as a place for parents to
connect. Please like <https://www.facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary/>
https://www.facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary/ and join the Guiding RAY Group.
It is a great way to share resources, stories and a general check-in with
each other. Please visit our website ( <http://smary.org> smary.org) for
more at home resources.



High Touch High Tech of Maine
Summer Camp outside at Saint Mary's: Aug. 24-28
High Touch High Tech brings the wonder of science & nature to your campers!
Our summer programs encourage kids to explore their natural curiosity for
science through hands-on, fun, experiences geared for PK-6 grade. Safe and
meeting all CDC protocols
Contact: Genia Sklute, PhD Phone: 207.400.0937

Website: <http://www.sciencemadefun.net/index.cfm>
www.sciencemadefun.net/index.cfm Email:
<mailto:info@sciencemadefunme.net> info@sciencemadefunme.net



Community Care & Nurture


The 2020 Census is happening now


Your response is needed! This is a Constitutional mandate!
Each household can complete their
<https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond.html> questionnaire online, by
phone (844-330-2020), or by mailing in the survey sent in the mail. Visit
<https://my2020census.gov/> my2020census.gov to begin.


Follow-up visits for non-responses to the Census will shortly begin here in
Maine (that's where people knock on doors of households who have not yet
completed their forms). Because of the risk of spreading COVID-19, the
government is trying to minimize the need for these direct contact visits.
That is why attempts are being made to raise the self-response rate as high
as possible. Your assistance with those efforts is greatly appreciated.

For additional updates on the Census, here are links that you might find
interesting:

<https://2020census.gov/en/how-to-help.html> How to help
<https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html> Response rates
<https://2020census.gov/en/news-events/operational-adjustments-covid-19.html
> Field operations

OnLine worship

NoonDay Prayer: Monday - Friday 12noon on Facebook Live

Sunday Worship: Sunday 10:15 am on Facebook Live

These services are also linked on our website ( <http://www.smary.org>
www.smary.org on the banner titled "Community & Worship Online: COVID-19
Resources")

OnLine Spiritual Formation

Be Still: Sundays at 9:30 AM online via ZOOM

Be Still: Mondays at 5 PM online via ZOOM

Merton Group: Thursdays at 3 pm online via ZOOM

These three groups will continue to meet online via ZOOM. If you would like
to participate, send an email to Jennifer Gregg (
<mailto:jenniferanngregg@gmail.com> jenniferanngregg@gmail.com) to receive
the meeting login information.

Wisdom Seekers Bible Study will be back on Tuesdays beginning Sept 8 at
10:30am:
Wisdom Seekers is a group who gathers to study the Scriptures appointed for
the upcoming Sunday; it is a great way to prepare oneself for Sunday. All
are welcome to join the Zoom group at any time. With any questions or to
receive the link to participate, contact Nadine Timberlake at
<mailto:ntimberlake@aol.com> ntimberlake@aol.com or Beth in the parish
office <mailto:admin@smary.org> admin@smary.org

Communicating with Nathan+

If you need to connect with someone for encouragement, or if you need
advice, guidance or prayer, please text Fr Nathan on his cell phone at
207-310-0268. Share your name and your concern. You can call or e-mail as
well ( <mailto:nathanferrell@smary.org> nathanferrell@smary.org ), but
texting is the best way to make contact.

Prayer Concerns this week: Raymond Lamberson, Tom Troeger, John Fournier,
Noah Bilodeau, John Lund, Barbara Fielding, Tom Elliman, Crawford.



IF YOU WANT TO ADD NAMES TO THIS LIST, contact our Parish Office (781-3366
or <mailto:smary@smary.org> smary@smary.org

No Facebook? No worries!

Anyone can watch our Sunday worship live on Facebook - even if you do not
have a Facebook account. All you need to do is go to this web address:

<http://www.facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary> Facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary
at the correct time and you will see it.

Also, our webpage ( <http://www.smary.org> www.smary.org) has easy links to
each Noonday Prayer and the Sunday services after the event with links to
the bulletins, the Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal, plus lots of other
online resources for worship and spiritual growth. There is no reason that
this time apart cannot still be a time of important spiritual growth for
you.

THIS WEEK at Saint Mary's

Sunday 23 The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
9:15 Be Still ZOOM meeting
10:15 Picnic Eucharist and on
<https://www.facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary> Facebook Live
5:30 Family Picnic Eucharist


Monday 24 Parish Office open
High Touch High Tech summer camp (weekdays
this week)
12:00 Noonday Prayer
5:00 Be Still ZOOM meeting


Tuesday 25 Parish Office open
8 - 5 Spurwink School Training in
auditorium (18ppl)
12:00 Noonday Prayer
2:00 Staff Meeting

Wednesday 26 Parish Office open
8 - 5 Spurwink School Training in
auditorium (18ppl)
12:00 Noonday Prayer

Thursday 27 12:00 Noonday Prayer
12:30 Katahdin pilgrimage group
departs
3:00 Merton Group ZOOM meeting
6:00 Dowsers meeting

Friday 28 12:00 Noonday Prayer
5 - 6 Souper Supper To-Go

Sunday 30 The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
9:15 Be Still ZOOM meeting
10:15 Picnic Eucharist and on
<https://www.facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary> Facebook Live

Follow us for information on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

While we await the restoration of regular activities, connecting to our
online presence (including our webpage) is the best way to participate in
our parish and to keep up on parish news. Click on these links to follow us!


* Website: <http://www.smary.org> www.smary.org
* Facebook page: <http://www.facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary>
Facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary
* Twitter: <https://twitter.com/SMaryFalmouth>
Twitter.com/SMaryFalmouth
* Instagram: <https://www.instagram.com/saintmaryfalmouth/>
Instagram.com/saintmaryfalmouth/





Beth Shaw

Parish Manager

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary

43 Foreside Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105

207-781-3366 www.smary.org