Saint Mary’s NEWS for 6 December 2020
ADVENT QUIET MORNING on ZOOM SAT., DECEMBER 12, 9 AM - 12
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus! We have lived through tumultuous times this year. Yet Advent will come around again, as it always does, despite a widespread pandemic and a bitter election season. Our church tradition wisely calls for a new beginning as we enter a new liturgical year. Please join each other and Merle Marie Troeger via Zoom for a contemplative morning of waiting and watching for new birth. Please contact the Parish office 781-3366 or smary@smary.org to receive the zoom link or click here for direct link
Love isn’t me. Love is we.
Need another reason to pledge for 2021? Typically tax deductions for charitable giving have only been available to those who file itemized returns. The CARES act was enacted to provide economic support during the pandemic. Starting in 2020, non-itemizers can deduct $300 of charitable donations. For itemizers there are additional benefits. Consult irs.gov or your tax advisor for more information.
5
Many thanks to those who have turned in their pledge forms!! We still have a long way to go! Please get your pledge form in as soon as possible!!! Thank you!!
Please take a moment to consider what you can pledge for 2021 and return your form confidentially to Beth Shaw, admin@smary.org or to her attention at 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth ME 04105.
Click If you need a form.
Sparkles Re-Imagined: Sparkles On-Line and In-Person!
While we will not be having our usual Sparkles Fair,
BUT we will have lots of items available for sale!
· Our Sparkles website is available for shopping 24/7. Browse from your own home, and find many of our traditional favorites, including Friendship Soup, Coffee Cakes, and Holy Smokes. We also have Jewelry, Furniture, and Home Decor items for sale. We add new things every week, so check back often. saintmarysparkles.org
· We also have in-person shopping in the Guild Room on Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9am-12noon. Some of our online items will be available there, as well as other items not listed online.
· Donations Needed: All of our inventory comes from generous parishioners, so please donate gently-used treasures and put in the hall outside the storeroom in the Parish House basement. Questions? Contact Jana Burke (272-4535 call or text, or jana.burke@gmail.com) or Kathy (603-723-5145 call or text, or kathleendaisy@aol.com)
Almond Cakes are here! If you ordered a cake online, it is ready for you to pick up. Cakes may still be ordered online at saintmarysparkles.org.
We also have Lemon cakes, Farm to Table Steak Sauce, Cranberry Pear Ginger Sauce, Christmas Morning Bread, Cranberry Date Bars, Gingersnaps, and a few other baked goods. Cookie boxes will be available next week.
As with everything in 2020, we will be doing our Bake Sale a bit differently. All items will be sold wrapped and frozen. Cookies will be sold in 1lb. boxes of curated assortments (traditional Christmas, Spiced Holiday, Everyday Fav's) as well as smaller packages of specialties or ones for special diets (gluten free...).
Hymn Sing with Bruce: Thursdays at 7pm on ZOOM
Everyone is invited to join a ZOOM session to sing many of our beloved hymns. There will be a split screen where the words and music of the hymns will be visible to all. Have favorite hymns to sing? Email Bruce (bsfithian@aol.com) with requests! Absolutely EVERYONE is welcome to join and sing. This is not for choir folks alone. As Bach said, "Soli Deo Gloria" (To the glory of God alone).
On Thurs, Dec 10, we’re singing #100: Joy to the World; #94: While shepherds watched their flocks by night; #105: God rest you merry, gentlemen; #115: What child is this; #99: Go tell it on the mountain.
Saint Mary’s Angel Giving Tree
Saint Mary's Angel Giving Tree is located in the Father James Chapel. Stop by on a weekday with your child/children and choose a tag. There is only one item per card. However if you would like to include other gifts appropriate for your 'child', that would be most appreciative as well.
Gifts do not have to be gift-wrapped. Simply attach/tape card to your gift(s) and place under the tree by Tuesday, December 15.
Thank you so much for caring for others. FMI, contact Betsy Stoddard 809-9777 or jbstod@myfairpoint.net
Service to Others
Red Cross Blood Drives: Dec 3, 8, 16, 29 @ 9AM – 2PM in Auditorium
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. As a bonus, all donations are now tested for Coronavirus antibodies. PLEASE donate, if you can.
Go to www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code “StMary” to make your appt.
Souper Supper To Go: 2nd & 4th Fridays, 5 – 6 PM - Dec 11 & 25
Souper Supper is in action: Second & Fourth Fridays, 5 – 6 PM for take-home distribution of To-Go meals only. FMI, just call the Parish Office at 781-3366.
Falmouth Food Pantry is looking for no-contact delivery drivers
Families in need of food are invited to come to the Falmouth Food Pantry/Town Hall site on the 1st & 3rd Friday through Nov 20. Food will be distributed to cars from 9-10:30. And if in need of the Emergency Pantry services, please call 632-2687 or 781-2996. After November 20, they are looking for drivers to delivery already packaged bags or boxes to FFP clients and leave at their door once a month. If interested in learning more, contact Nancy Lightbody at nancy@lightbody.org
Becoming an Anti-Racist Parish
With the goal for each of us to explore and become more aware of the legacy of racism in our society, we have had these weekly podcasts to learn and grow each day. Implicit Bias: Peanut Butter, Jelly and Racism
Racism Book Discussion
As a follow up to discussions generated by White Fragility, the next book discussion will be on I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. All are welcome to join us for a one-or-two week discussion beginning on Monday, December 7 from 10-11 AM or on Wed, December 9 from 3-4 PM. Contact Merle Marie Troeger [merlemarietroeger@gmail.com] or Becky Pride [rebecccapride1@gmail.com] to ask questions or to join a discussion group.
Christian Formation & Youth Notes
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
Join us for Guiding RAY Zoom-formation - Sunday mornings at 10:00.
During this, the first week of Advent, Jesus tells his disciples, “Be watchful! Be alert!” Even though we don’t know the day or the hour, He is telling us that we need to be ready to receive His Light. Are you ready to receive the light of Christ? Join us on Zoom this week as we do a simple craft and talk about how we are preparing our hearts for Jesus.
Click here to Zoom with us!
Reach out to Megan Akers with questions (makers210@gmail.com).
Community Care & Nurture
The death of Kitty Peixotto on Saturday 5 December
Our dear sister in Christ, Kitty Peixotto, fell asleep in the Lord on Saturday, after a long period of steady decline since Roland's death two years ago. Although it has been a few years since Kitty has been active at Saint Mary's, she is well-remembered for her straight-forward approach and willingness to be of assistance where needed. Kitty has been a resident at Oceanview for many years and was most recently living in Falmouth House. She will be missed both at Oceanview and here at Saint Mary's. Due to COVID restrictions, there is no Burial Eucharist or Memorial gathering planned at this time. We will announce anything planned by Kitty's family.
Want an Uplift? Even YOU can listen to an inspiring podcast!
People living their faith and joining in God’s mission in local communities across Maine. A podcast of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine. In addition to downloading to your device, you can listen on the Diocesan Website on the Faith in Maine page
And NOW even phone in from any telephone for the most recent podcast!
The permanent phone number for this is: 207-223-6402 Feel free to give a call and listen. While the phone number stays the same, the podcasts you hear will update when they release new podcasts. The Bishop's Advent 1 sermon is on there now. TRY IT!
OnLine worship
NoonDay Prayer: Monday – Friday 12noon on Facebook Live
Sunday Worship: Sunday 10:30 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: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
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. FMI or for the link to participate, contact Nadine Timberlake at ntimberlake@aol.com or Beth Shaw at 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: Jeannie Lauze, Kathryn Street, Mary Follo, Bev Knudsen, Connie Dayton, Desma Ferrell, Bethann, Tom Troeger, Barbara Fielding.
IF YOU WANT TO ADD NAMES TO THIS LIST, contact our Parish Office (781-3366 or smary@smary.org. This printed list is for more immediate and short-term needs. We also keep a prayer list for chronic and long-term needs. Feel free to ask about this.
Sunday 13 Third Sunday of Advent
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
10:30 Holy Eucharist on Facebook Live and YouTube
Monday 14 12:00 Noonday Prayer
Garden Club Silver Tea
5:00 Be Still ZOOM meeting
Tuesday 15
9 - 12 Sparkle in November: Décor, China, Crystal, Linen
shop online or In-Person, 9-12noon to see all items
10:30 Wisdom Seekers ZOOM gathering
12:00 Noonday Prayer
Wednesday 16 9 – 2 Red Cross Blood Drive in the Auditorium
12:00 Noonday Prayer
Thursday 17 9 - 12 Sparkle in November: Décor, China, Crystal, Linen
shop online or In-Person to see all items
12:00 Noonday Prayer
Friday 18 Parish Office closed
12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
Saturday 19
Sunday 20 Fourth Sunday of Advent
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
10:30 Holy Eucharist on Facebook Live and YouTube
Beth Shaw
Parish Manager
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105
207-781-3366 www.smary.org
