Saint Mary's NEWS for 31 January 2021
Sunday, January 31, 2021: Third Sunday after Epiphany
To keep the Lord's Day, we are joining together for ONE online Sunday morning celebration at 10:30 AM. You can be part of this by watching on Facebook Live . YouTube will no longer allow us to livestream on their platform, so we are searching for a second option.
One blessing of this situation is that we can now sing together - virtually! In the Sanctuary, Deacon Christine, Bruce Fithian, Fr Nathan and lay Lectors will safely space out to sing the appointed hymns, while all of you join in our joyful songs from home. Everyone at home is invited to BYO bread and wine to our online Eucharist. As we pray the Eucharistic prayer, your household is invited to hold up your bread and wine at the same time as Fr Nathan. This way, after the Breaking of the Bread, we can all share together in Holy Communion at the same time, even though we are physically distanced.
Of course, this is not exactly the same as being physically together in our Sanctuary, but it is the best we can do for the present moment. Remember: physical distance is no barrier to the Holy Spirit! Unity in the Spirit, unity in heart and in intention, unity in love - these things matter far more than the measurable distance between us. So let us rejoice together in the Lord in this way and feed on Christ as revealed in the Breaking of the Bread.
Our hymns for Sunday, January 24 are:
Hymn 518 Christ is made the sure foundation v. 1, 3 & 4
Hymn 321 My God, thy table now is spread v. 1-3
Hymn 379 God is Love, let heaven adore him v. 1 & 2
Annual Meeting of The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary:
Sunday 31 January
This Annual Meeting will coincide with our Episcopal Visitation with Bishop Thomas Brown. Since we will unfortunately still be under COVID restrictions, both our Annual Meeting and the Bishop's Visit will be very different than usual. Here is the plan of the day as it currently stands:
9:30 Family Chapel on ZOOM with Fr Nathan and Bishop Brown
10:30 The Holy Eucharist livestreamed from Saint Mary's with Bishop Brown
preaching and presiding
11:45 Annual Meeting Business Session on ZOOM ending with a
community Q & A time with Bishop Brown
Please make plans to participate, as we need a quorum of at least 50 members to have a legally valid meeting. This year, we do not have any proposed changes to our By-laws, so our business will simply focus on electing new leaders and reviewing our financial position. Be on the lookout for Annual Meeting booklets. Below is the ZOOM link to our Annual Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84663427603?pwd=Ti9CMFZndEcwUTJXaGZaWmd4YXB4UT09
Meeting ID: 846 6342 7603, Passcode: 624299
2021 Stewardship Love isn't me. Love is we.
Saint Mary's was blessed to have so many support us both for our ministries but also for our infrastructure. As soon as the shutdown hit, the phone rang with offers of help, gifts came in by mail or electronic transfer. We were able to adjust and offer most of our programs. As a result, we regularly hear comments like, "Saint Mary's has helped me get through the pandemic." Thank you to the 101 parish families who have pledged 223,007. We haven't hit our goal of $270,000 yet. Please pledge today so we can charge into 2021 knowing that our budget is funded. Here's the confidentially online link. IF you donate through an automatic payment, please complete a new form so we know your intentions for 2021!! Or you can email your pledge intention to Beth Shaw at admin@smary.org. or Click If you need a form.
Sparkles Re-Imagined: On-Line at www.saintmarysparkles.org
Thank you to everyone who has donated, worked, cooked, baked, and shopped for Sparkles this year. It's been crazy, but we've raised over $19,000. We still have Lobster Stew, Bean Soup, and Chocolate Sauce, all at reduced prices.
As you know, your purchases help fund Saint Mary's amazing community programs. Our website, saintmarysparkles.org, will continue to operate 24/7, and we ask that you share it, and our Facebook page, facebook.com/saintmarysparkles with friends and family. We'll be back for a Sparkle in Spring in-person shopping sale in April. Questions? Contact Jana Burke (272-4535) call or text, or jana.burke@gmail.com.
IMMERSE Bibles are here! See the eNEWS for links to participate
Please pick up ONE for each household, and reimburse the cost if you are able.
I am asking all of you to join together and read this Immerse: Messiah edition of the New Testament over an eight-week reading period, beginning this Sunday, January 10. Try reading it aloud in your household, perhaps a section each morning or evening.
It is also available as daily audio files. These can be found wherever you get podcasts (search for Immerse: Messiah) and at this website: https://www.tyndale.com/sites/immersebible/messiah-resources/
And each Sunday evening from January 17 through March 14 at 5 PM, ( skip March 24) I am inviting everyone to join me for an open discussion of these questions over ZOOM. We'll share the link next week.
Read the January AVE for more details of our all-parish reading plan for the winter.
Saint Mary's Schola Early Sampler CD on sale
The St Mary Schola is pleased to share our wonderful new CD, after three years of preparation and planning. The recording offers many beautiful Christmas selections, including medieval processionals, the lilting carol 'In dulci jubilo' (Good Christian Friends rejoice) as well as other moving pieces from ten years of concerts. The CDs can be purchased at our website: stmaryschola.org.
Living with Hope During a Pandemic
This group, offered and led by Deacon Christine, will meet once a week on ZOOM and as an opportunity to share our thoughts, struggles, ways of coping and hopes for the future. Our time together will be confidential and prayerful. If you are interested in participating or have questions, please call Christine at 653-2448.
Deacon Christine is also available every day for one-on-one conversation and prayer on the phone. Our deacon is a great listener! If you need someone to talk with, pick up the phone and call her at 653-2448.
Ash Wednesday is February 17
8 - 10 AM Imposition of Ashes in the Chapel: Come anytime in these hours to the Parish House, where people will enter the Chapel individually or as a household. Masked clergy, with clean hands, will offer a prayer and mark you with ashes for the start of a Holy Lent.
12 NOON: The Ash Wednesday Liturgy streamed on Facebook from the Fr. James Chapel with downloadable bulletin, two simple hymns and a meditation.
4 - 6 PM Imposition of Ashes in the Chapel
Same as the morning, come when you can in this block of time. All are invited; please feel free to invite friends, family and neighbors to receive the sign of ashes.
LENTEN Quiet Morning: The Farewell Teachings of Jesus
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 9 - 12 noon
He taught them how to live into the future, how to continue the life of compassion and love he had modelled for them. We'll explore the wisdom and promise on this Quiet Morning. Watch subsequent weekly eNews for the printed resources and the ZOOM link.
Service to Others
Red Cross Blood Drives: February 6, 11, & 27 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 - Feb 13 & 26
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.
Christian Formation & Youth Notes
Family Chapel returns!
9:30 AM on Sundays in January. Gather over ZOOM with Fr Nathan for a brief time of singing, storytelling and show-and-tell. Here is the link to participate:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84723194167?pwd=dnBCMHVaZTlZVG92UXdFbGJuYXE2QT09
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
See Family Chapel section in the weekly eNEWS for at-home resources.
Maine Episcopal Youth: Pray, Play, Connect
All those in grades 6-12 are invited to gather on ZOOM every Third Monday! Our next meeting will be Monday 18 January - we will meet in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81625716888 to join! We hope to see you there.
Want an Uplift? Got a phone? 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. 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: David & Grace Robinson, Jeannie Lauze, Mary Follo, Bev Knudsen, Connie Dayton, Desma Ferrell, 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.
Thursday 28 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
3:00 Merton Group Zoom gathering
Friday 29 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
Saturday 30
Sunday 31 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
9:30 Family Chapel on ZOOM with Fr Nathan and Bishop Brown
10:30 Holy Eucharist on Facebook Live
11:45 Annual Meeting on Zoom - brief with Q&A with the Bishop to follow
5:00 Immerse Bible Discussion #3 on ZOOM
Monday, Feb 1 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
5:00 Be Still ZOOM meeting
Tuesday 2 10:30 Wisdom Seekers ZOOM gathering
12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
2:00 Staff meeting
Wednesday 3 12:00 Noonday Prayer
Thursday 4 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
3:00 Merton Group Zoom gathering
Friday 5 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
Saturday 6
Sunday 7 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
9:30 Family Chapel on ZOOM
10:30 Holy Eucharist on Facebook Live
5:00 Immerse Bible Discussion – week #4 on ZOOM
