Thursday, September 24, 2020

Weekly eNEWS for  27 September 2020:
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost


 

Autumn Lectionary

As in years past, our autumn readings will have an intentional focus on one biblical book. This year it is Saint Paul’s Letter to the Church in Philippi. A brief letter that is packed with famous and remarkable passages, follow Nathan’s sermons through the season to learn about this text and how Paul’s words connects with Jesus’ teachings in the Gospel.

 

Sept 27                        Philippians 1.20-30 / Psalm 25.1-9 / Matthew 21.23-32

Oct  4                          Philippians 2.1-11 / Psalm 19.7-14 / Matthew 11.25-30

Oct 11                         Philippians 2.12-24 / Psalm 23  / Matthew 22.1-14

 

Diocese-wide worship service on September 27   

Please join worship online on September 27 with a service compiled by a diocese-wide team that includes music and a sermon from Bishop Brown! A video will be available on our YouTube channel to access anytime after 7:30 am that morning or you can watch the video 'premiere' on Facebook at 10 am.

Nominations open for 2021 positions

The Nominating Committee will be accepting 2021 nominations until October 25, 2020  for positions including: 
     
Sr. Warden - to serve 2-year term
     
Treasurer - to serve 2-year term
     Vestry member – Three members to serve 3-year terms
     Delegates to the 2021 Diocesan Convention (late October)
You can submit your own name or someone else’s.  We are seeking four Diocesan Convention delegates and three alternates. Once your submissions are collected, the Nominating Committee will review names and make recommendations to the parish for a slate to be voted on at the Annual Meeting in January. Nomination forms are available in the narthex, outside of the Guild Room or in the parish office.  You can also submit a vestry nomination at 
http://smary.org/nomination
Nominating Committee: Matt Fulton, chair  
mfult825@gmail.com;   Sandy Couch-Kelly, Jessica LaPlante, Maggie Gardner, Marian McCue

 

Events & Gatherings

Organ Concert at Saint Mary’s - Sunday, October 11, 3:00 pm

This Organ recital will feature Bruce Fithian, Organist and Choirmaster The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary, Falmouth and Joel Pierce, Choirmaster and Organist, Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church, Cape Elizabeth. This program will highlight music that is particularly appropriate for the mechanical action organ at Saint Mary’s, built by Gerhard Brunzema in 1979, inspired by North German Baroque organs. Works will include Clérambault’s second suite that offers the colorful pallette of the French Baroque style; a prelude and fugue by Vincent Lübeck, 18th century organist at Hamburg’s famous St. Nicolai Church; chorale preludes by another north German master, Dietrich Buxtehude; and the joyful prelude and fugue in D major by J. S. Bach.

 

Hymn Sing with Bruce:  Thursdays Weekly at 7pm on Zoom

Everyone is invited to join a ZOOM session to sing many of our beloved hymns. We hope to have a split screen where the words and music of the hymns will be visible to all. This will be an occasion to join in song and fellowship. Have favorite hymns to sing? Email Bruce (bsfithian@aol.com) with requests!

As Bach said, "Soli Deo Gloria" (To the glory of God alone).

 

Living with Hope in a Time of Pandemic

These are difficult times of loss and uncertainty. "Normal" isn't normal anymore and may never be again. Beginning on October 14, a program will be offered to provide a safe, supportive and confidential opportunity to share the ways in which we have been affected in body, mind and spirit and to explore the how we may find hope, meaning and peace moving forward.

  The group will meet weekly for six weeks at 4:00PM beginning October 14. The facilitators are Suanne Williams-Lindgren and Deacon Christine. For more information please call or email Christine at 653-2448 or deacab@maine.rr.com. The group will be held in-person with safety protocols in place or on Zoom.

Sparkles NEWS: October Event!  Mark Your Calendar:  16 October 2020

We are excited to have 3 Sparkles events this year!
Mid-October, Mid-November & Mid-December

Each weekend will have:  

  • A Friday Night Preview Event  from 5:30 - 8:30
  • 3 mornings of Sparkles sales (Sat, Sun, Mon) of timely boutique and other items 
  • Fabulous online shopping opportunities for those staying at home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Donations Needed:  All of our inventory comes from generous parishioners, and we thank you.  Please check for items in these categories, e.g., fine or costume jewelry, scarves, belts, hats, gloves, shoes, boots and jackets for men or women.  Also, fall, Halloween or Thanksgiving items and décor, e.g., wreaths, ribbon, faux flowers, pumpkins, and other fall items, i.e., pillows, throws, china, etc.  Dried beans, pinecones and white candles are used for Friendship Soup and Holy Smokes.  Please leave in the basement hallway outside the Storage Room.  All proceeds go to support Saint Mary’s mission & programs.

 

Look for more exciting news on our November and December Events on our Sparkles Facebook at sparklessaintmarysfalmouth and our new website (coming soon).

 

Responding to Racial Injustice

 

Becoming An Anti-Racist Parish – Small group Discussion!

White Fragility - Challenge Your Assumptions about Racism

What can we do to effect real change right where we are? 

White Fragility: JOIN in one of these most important discussion groups to learn and to grow through our shared understanding. All are welcome. There is no litmus test that anyone must pass - no required pre-requisites - to be part of a group. Don’t be afraid!
Beginning the week of September 13, four different small groups will meet for 1 hour, once a week, over 3 weeks. The meeting times and facilitators are listed below. 

Copies of the book White Fragility are still available in the Parish Office and on Sundays.  You do not have to register in advance to join a group, but may sign up to receive information directly. Look in the weekly eNEWS for meeting details and links.
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

St Francis Clean-up Mackworth Island

Sunday, October 4

 

 

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 during COVID times. 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.

 

Sing in the Diocesan Convention Virtual Choir

 You are invited to sing in a virtual choir presenting music during the 201st Convention of the Diocese of Maine (October 17-18)!

We welcome singers of any age, especially children, to participate. We also welcome singers who are not members of Episcopal churches, so please feel free to pass along this invitation to musical friends. Four hymns are being produced, and participants may submit videos for just one or two or all of them.

 

Serving  Others

 

Help "Smash Stigma" by Creating Hope Gardens" at Saint Mary's

Plant Yellow Tulips at Saint Mary's on Saturdays in October!

This year the Outreach Committee is focusing on Stigma --what it is and how to both prevent and overcome.    We offer the opportunity to plant “Hope Gardens” on Saturdays during the month of October as a means of instilling hope and happiness, and to bring our community together to collectively "Smash the Stigma."    This is a great opportunity for families and singletons alike to gather safely on Saint Mary's campus for a fun outdoor Fall project.  Just bring your masks, garden gloves and hand-tools!  If you wish to participate, please sign up for a Saturday in October on Realm or contact Beth Shaw at admin@smary.org or Jennifer Gregg, jenniferanngregg@gmail.com .      

Red Cross Blood Drive:  Critical Need

Thursdays, September 24, Oct 1, 8, 13, 23, 29  (9am - 2pm)

Lots of open dates in November and December too!

 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.

All blood from Red Cross donors is now screened for COVID-19 antibodies. If you donate blood, you will be told if you have these antibodies a few days after donating. This is an excellent way to save lives AND learn more about your own health. PLEASE donate, if you can. 

 Souper Supper To Go continues: 2nd & 4th Fridays, 5 – 6 PM     September 25!

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.  

 

St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center  –  collecting COATS & BOOTS for winter!

As St. Elizabeth's prepares for a big winter coat distribution in mid-October, we are requesting that every parish have a drive for adult coats and boots in the month of September. As you get ready for Fall and Winter please drop off any extra coats and boots from your family in the donation box at St. Mary's Parish House.  These items may also be dropped off at the back entrance to St. Luke's in Portland in their donation box.  Call or email Betsy Elliman with questions: betsyelliman@msn.com;  207-400-6871.  Our needy neighbors in Portland will be so grateful for your donations.

Homemade Face Masks

We currently have many masks available at 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 and a grant gift from FEMA, we have plenty for the weeks ahead.  

 

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 - Thursday.)   
Families in need of food are invited to come to the Falmouth Food Pantry/ Town Hall site on the first and third Friday through Nov 20.  Food will be distributed to cars from 9:00-10:30.  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.

Community Care & Nurture

 

Lifeline Screening:  October Recognizes Bone and Joint Awareness

 A woman’s risk of breaking a hip is equal to her risk of developing breast cancer, uterine and ovarian cancer combined, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation website.  

 The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary is hosting Life Line Screening, the nation’s leading provider of preventive health screenings on Monday, October 19, 2020.   The screenings provided include an ultrasound of the heel, which is a first-rung osteoporosis risk test. This is an important test to take during October, a month dedicated to recognizing bone and joint disorders such as osteoporosis.

 Other screenings include tests to check for blocked carotid arteries, atrial fibrillation, and high blood pressure, which are the three leading risk factors for stroke.  Nearly 800,000 strokes will occur this year.

 Other tests check for abdominal aortic aneurysms and PAD, also called “hardening of the arteries” in the legs. Many events also offer blood tests, including cholesterol, glucose and c-reactive protein screenings, as well as take-home colon cancer early detection tests.

 Screening packages start at $139. Single tests cost around $70.

 For more information regarding the screenings or to schedule an appointment, call 1-888-653-6441 or go to www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle or text the word circle to 797979. Pre-registration is required.

 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:  Bea Dagdigian, Desma Ferrell, Ron Boden, Ann Lemire, Jeannine Montgomery, Raymond Lamberson, Tom Troeger, Noah Bilodeau, Barbara Fielding, 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

Thursday         24   9 – 2         Red Cross Blood Drive

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

                               7:00          Hymn Sing with Bruce on Zoom

Friday            25     Parish Office open

                                12:00        Noonday Prayer

                                12 – 2      SM Garden Club garden gathering

                                 5 – 6       Curbside Souper Supper – ToGo only

Saturday        26      1:00         Orange Theory Fitness Dri Try at Saint Mary

Sunday          27     The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
                                8:00         Holy Eucharist in Sanctuary

                                9:30         Adult Formation in person and on ZOOM

                                9:30         Family Eucharist in Auditorium

                                11:00        Holy Eucharist in Sanctuary and on Facebook Live 

 

Monday           28    12:00        Noonday Prayer 
       10:00        White Fragility Zoom Discussion Group on Zoom (3 of 3)

                               5:00          Be Still ZOOM meeting

                               3:00          Classical Uprising Youth rehearsals in Auditorium (5:30, 6:30)

 

Tuesday           29   10:30        Wisdom Seekers ZOOM gathering

                   12:00       Noonday Prayer

                   2:00          Staff Meeting

                               4:30          Classical Uprising Youth rehearsal in Auditorium

                               8:00          White Fragility Zoom Discussion Group on Zoom  (3 of 3)

Wednesday     30   12:00       Noonday Prayer

                               4:00          White Fragility Zoom Discussion Group on Zoom  (3 of 3)

                               4:00          White Fragility Discussion Group in Guild Rm in person (3 of 3)

                               4:30          Classical Uprising Youth rehearsals in Auditorium (6:00)

Thursday, Oct 1     9:00          Falmouth Clergy meeting at S. Mary’s

                               9 – 2         Red Cross Blood Drive

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

                               7:00          Hymn Sing with Bruce on Zoom

Friday            2       Parish Office open

                                12:00        Noonday Prayer

Saturday        3     

Sunday          4     The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost: St Francis
                                8:00         Holy Eucharist in Sanctuary

                                9:30         Adult Formation in person and on ZOOM

                                9:30         Family Eucharist in Auditorium

                                11:00        Holy Eucharist in Sanctuary and on Facebook Live 

                                12:00        Drive Through Blessing ??

 


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