Weekly eNEWS for 13 September 2020:
The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
eKickoff 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 ‘temporary ushers” 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.
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 13 Philippians 1.1-11 / Psalm 114 / Matthew 18.21-35
Sept 20 Philippians 1.12-21 / Psalm 145.1-10 / Matthew 20.1-16
Sept 27 Philippians 1.20-30 / Psalm 25.1-9 / Matthew 21.23-32
Events & Gatherings
Sparkles NEWS: October Event! Mark Your Calendar: 10/16/2020
Note: First Sparkles meeting will be September 13, 9:00 in the Guild Room.
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).
All are invited to Saint Mary’s Garden ReDesign Dedication & Blessing
Sunday, September 13 at 12noon behind the Chapel
The Saint Mary’s Garden Club has completed its third and final phase of the Garden Redesign project that was a gift from the Garden Club to the church. After three or more years of planning, clearing, preparing, planting, cultivating and watering. the garden area between the Parish House and the rectory has been transformed into a lovely sitting and event area – a prime spot for prayer, meditation, a small gathering, or a peaceful brown bag lunch. Please join us as we dedicate and give thanks for this delightful area following the 11am service this Sunday, September 13.
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
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.
- Mondays at 10 am led by Becky Pride on ZOOM
- Tuesdays at 8 PM led by Fr Nathan on ZOOM
- Wednesdays at 4 pm led by Deacon Christine in-person (masked and distanced) in the Parish House Guild Room
- Wednesday at 4 pm led by Merle Marie Troeger on ZOOM
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
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 10 and 24, (10-3 and 9- 2 corrected)
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 September 11!
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!
Saint Mary's "Victory Gardens" initiative which provides produce and fresh cut flowers to the Food Pantry has been a great success, and there's one more week to contribute. The final delivery of your bounty will be Wednesday, Sept. 16. Please drop off your donation to the parish office entrance on Wednesday by noon or arrange for pick-up by contacting Bonny Rodden, brodden1.br@gmail.com or Jennifer Gregg, jenniferanngregg@gmail.com.
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 - 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 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.
Art & Angels: Deadline is soon!
In preparation for the September diocese-wide worship service on September 27, we invite the children of the diocese to draw, paint or compose pictures of what they think angels look like. These images will be incorporated into the September diocesan-wide worship service. Note that we welcome submissions from the young and the young at heart! Please take a photo of the angel art and send the photo to Director of Communications Katie Clark. Please include the first name of the artist and their age. Please submit artwork by Sept 11.
Community Care & Nurture
Life Line Screening: October 19
Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, is pleased to offer a preventive health event at The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary on 10/19/2020. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. There are three ways to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call toll-free 1-888-653-6441 or visit http://lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle or text the word circle to 797979
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 (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: Jeannine Montgomery ( Marti’s niece), 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
Thursday 10 10 - 3 Red Cross Blood Drive
12:00 Noonday Prayer
3:00 Merton Group ZOOM meeting
Friday 11 12:00 Noonday Prayer
Saturday 12 1230-230 Opera Maine Garden Serenade
4 - 6 Opera Maine Garden Serenade
Sunday 13 Kickoff Sunday!
8:00 Holy Eucharist in the sanctuary
9:30 Family Holy Eucharist in the auditorium
11:00 Holy Eucharist in sanctuary and on Facebook Live
12:00 Redesigned Garden Dedication
1 – 4 Classical Uprising Meet & Greet
Monday 14 12:00 Noonday Prayer
10:00 White Fragility Zoom Discussion Group on Zoom
5:00 Be Still ZOOM meeting
4:30 Classical Uprising rehearsal in auditorium
5:30 Classical Uprising rehearsal in auditorium
6:30 Classical Uprising rehearsal in auditorium
Tuesday 15 10:30 Wisdom Seekers ZOOM gathering
12:00 Noonday Prayer
2:00 Staff Meeting
4:30 Classical Uprising rehearsal in auditorium
8:00 White Fragility Zoom Discussion Group on Zoom
Wednesday 16 12:00 Noonday Prayer
4:00 White Fragility Zoom Discussion Group on Zoom
4:00 White Fragility Discussion Group in Guild Rm in person
4:30 Classical Uprising rehearsal in auditorium
5:30 Classical Uprising rehearsal in auditorium
6:00 Vestry Meeting on Zoom
Thursday 17 12:00 Noonday Prayer
3:00 Merton Group ZOOM meeting
7:00 Saint Mary’s Zoom Hymn Sing
Friday 18 Parish Office open
12:00 Noonday Prayer
Saturday 19 3 – 6 Choral Arts Society outdoor rehearsal
Sunday 20 The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
8:00 Holy Eucharist in the sanctuary
9:30 Family Holy Eucharist in the auditorium
11:00 Holy Eucharist in sanctuary 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!
- Website: www.smary.org
- Facebook page: Facebook.com/ChurchofSaintMary
- Twitter: Twitter.com/SMaryFalmouth
- Instagram: 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
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