Saint Mary's NEWS for 10 January 2021
Sunday, January 10, 2021: Baptism of our Lord
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 10 are:
Hymn 116: "I come," the great Redeemer cries
Hymn 76: On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cries
Hymn 381: The strong word did cleave the darkness
2021 Stewardship Love isn't me. Love is we.
Love is WE is on display daily at Saint Mary's. A year ago, we didn't have a ZOOM account and now ZOOM is used multiple times a day for formation meetings like Be Still, for Care Team meetings, Vestry meetings and so many other supports for our mission and ministries.
What seemed like a crazy idea a few weeks ago came to fruition on December 24 when we held 3 outdoor services. Thank you to everyone who made it possible. We diligently followed all CDC guidelines. Sheep and goats bleated throughout the services while families gathered to represent the Holy Family, shepherds, angels and even the star!
Click If you need a form.
IMMERSE Bibles are here!
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.
And each Sunday evening from January 17 through March 7 at 5 PM, 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.
Get outside and move! All-Parish Winter Activities
Tuesday 12 January at 5:30 PM: All-Parish Ice Skating at Twombly Pond at Family Ice
Sunday 24 January at 1 PM: All-Parish Sledding, Nordic Skiing and/ or Snowshoeing at Portland Country Club
Everyone is invited to gather for some simple outdoor activities to remind each other that we are still here and still alive! Outdoors is where we can gather safely while wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distance. Furthermore, exercise and fun are proven medicines that make people feel better. Come on out to keep yourself healthy and to encourage one another through this long winter.
Sparkles Re-Imagined: Sparkles On-Line and In-Person on Jan 16!
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.
Our website, saintmarysparkles.org, continues to operate 24/7, and we ask that you share it, and our Facebook page, facebook.com/saintmarysparkles with friends and family.
In-Person
OPEN Saturday, January 16 from 9 am – 1 pm!!!!
We are also opening for our last in-person shopping before spring on Saturday, January 16, 9 AM - 12 noon for our Epiphany Sale. As you know, your purchases help fund Saint Mary's amazing community programs.
Required: Sanitize upon entering, wear a mask, keep 6' distance if anyone else is shopping.
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)
Service to Others
Faces of Stigma: Anti-Immigrant Bias in Maine (click for flyer)
Join the virtual January 24, 4pm presentation by Steve Wessler, Human Rights Educator and Trainer and discussion to follow – all on Zoom. (click for Zoom link)
Red Cross Blood Drives: January 14 and 29 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 - Jan 8 and 22
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.
Anti-Racism Discussions Continue
Parishioners are invited to read this wonderful letter, and if you wish to join Becky and Merle Marie for discussions on Zoom. Martin Luther King's 1963 Letter from Birmingham Jail is a classic of what we now call "The Civil Rights Era." It is still relevant today, and Saint Mary's will offer two opportunities to discuss the letter. Click title above to download a copy of this remarkable letter.
Monday January 18 at 10 am with Becky Pride
Wednesday, January 20 at 3 pm with Merle Marie Troeger.
Click the above desired meeting day for links to these ZOOM meetings.
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)
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.
Community Care & Nurture
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. 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, Kathryn Street, 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 7 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
3:00 Merton Group Zoom gathering
Friday 8 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
5 - 6 Curbside Souper Supper To Go
Sunday 10 First Sunday after the Epiphany: Baptism of our Lord
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
9:30 Family Chapel on ZOOM
10:30 Holy Eucharist on Facebook Live
Monday 11 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
5:00 Be Still ZOOM meeting
Tuesday 12
10:30 Wisdom Seekers ZOOM gathering
12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
2:00 Staff meeting
5:30 All-Parish Outdoor Skating behind Walmart
Wednesday 13 12:00 Noonday Prayer
Thursday 14 9 - 2 Red Cross Blood Drive at Saint Mary's
12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
3:00 Merton Group Zoom gathering
Friday 15 12:00 Noonday Prayer Facebook
Sunday 17 Second Sunday after Epiphany
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
9:30 Family Chapel on ZOOM
10:30 Holy Eucharist on Facebook Live
No comments:
Post a Comment