Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Saint Mary's NEWS for 4 April 2021


Sunday, April 4, 2021:  Resurrection Sunday, Easter 

Saint Mary's plans to re-open slowly and carefully as guidance from the state and the diocese adjusts to the changing situation.
 
It is Holy Week! This is a very special time for us all. Sadly, we were not able to observe Holy Week in person last year. Even though 2021 is still challenging, we are offering options to make Holy Week more accessible to everyone, based on various risk tolerances. We will not be advertising these in any publications or online as we would under normal circumstances, to avoid the rush of crowds that are common in Holy Week.

Many in our parish have been vaccinated and may feel comfortable attending Holy Week in person. There are others who are not ready to come inside. Please read through the schedule below to see the various options. Make a plan to how you will observe the great events of this week. 

For those who choose to join us indoors, we will continue to follow masking and distancing guidelines as required by the state and the diocese, similar to what we did in the Autumn.

  

To summarize, limited in person worship will be available on Good Friday at 6 PM, and on Resurrection Sunday at both 8 and 10:30. Overflow seating, if needed, will be available in the Auditorium.  

 

Maundy Thursday (4/1):
12 noonMaundy Thursday liturgy on Facebook Live (click for link)
         - This will be a remembrance of the Last Supper. If you wish to participate at home, please have your own bread and wine ready. 
 

Click here for your Maundy Thursday Noon Holy Eucharist Bulletin       

 

6:00  Agape Supper on ZOOM (click event name for link) 

         - Prepare your own simple soup supper at home, or else drop by Saint Mary's to pick up chicken rice soup and other components of our Agape meals between 4 and 5:30 PM. There will be plenty of soup for everyone, and we will eat together while listening to the reading of Scripture and participating in traditional Hebrew blessings. If you have never been part of an Agape meal before, this is a great way to try it out from the comfort of your own home. All are invited!  

      Click here for your Maundy Thursday 6pm Agape Meal Bulletin 

 

Good Friday (4/2):
12 Good Friday prayers on Facebook Live (click for link)
    - A simplified form of the Good Friday liturgy offered by Deacon Christine
6:00 Good Friday sung liturgy in person or on Facebook Live  
    -The full Passion according to St. John chanted with the solemn tones that are only used on Good Friday. Sung by Patrick Volker as Jesus, Bruce Fithian as narrator and Bethany Perkins Hall as various roles. Also includes a meditation from Fr Nathan, the aria from Bach's Saint Matthew Passion (Out of love my Savior was willing to die) sung by Bethany Perkins Hall and accompanied by flutist, Nicole Rabata, and the solemn Good Friday Collects. Come in person or watch on Facebook.  

       Click here for your Good Friday 6pm liturgy Bulletin 

 

Holy Saturday (4/3):   

9:00-2:00   American Red cross Blood Drive in SM Auditorium
      - As we remember the blood of Christ shed for us, all are encouraged to shed some blood to give life to others in need. Make an appointment in advance at www.redcrossblood.org.  

12 Holy Saturday prayers on Facebook Live (click for link)
       - Holy Saturday is a quiet day of rest (a true Sabbath) in between the pain of Good Friday and the joy of  Resurrection Sunday. Gather for a brief time of simple prayers as Fr Nathan leads us live from the Chapel. 
 

 

Resurrection Sunday (Pascha, Easter, 4/4): 

8:00 Holy Eucharist in person
     - In our traditional early morning style, we will have one rousing Resurrection hymn at the end.   

Click here for your joyous Resurrection Sunday Bulletin 

9:30 Outside Mini-Celebration and Egg Hunt
     - For families and those uncomfortable with gathering indoors, gather on Saint Marys' front lawn to celebrate our Risen Lord and to have some fun hunting for eggs. If you have one at home, BRING A BELL to ring whenever we say or sing the special word. All are welcome! 

 

10:30 Holy Eucharist in person and on Facebook Live (click for link)
        
- A true celebration with special music and brass. There is limited seating indoors, but we will also have overflow seating in the Auditorium. Also available on Facebook Live.  

Click here for your joyous Resurrection Sunday Bulletin 

 

Organ Recital for Lent and Holy Week 

Bruce Fithian has posted an organ recital for Lent and Holy Week, playing our beautiful Casavant instrument. CLICK here.   The program begins with the first movement of a Double Violin Concerto arranged by J.S. Bach. Then, there are pieces particularly suited for this time of year: June Nixon's 'Chaconne for Good Friday,' a very beautiful and haunting 'Prelude on a Solemn Theme by Thomas Tallis' (the theme is the melody by Tallis from our hymn book, hymn # 692 'I heard the voice of Jesus, say' - also made famous by Ralph Vaughan Williams in his 'Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis'), and a sublime work by Dietrich Buxtehude, the Passacaglia in d minor. 

Sparkle in Spring:  In-Person on Fri & Sat, April 16 -17  

              and On-Line  www.saintmarysparkles.org  

  

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.    Sparkles has a small supply of "Life of Jesus" stretch bracelets, that we would like to offer before Easter. These colorful bracelets were made by the children of Saint Mary's, and each bead depicts an event in the life of Christ. They're a perfect gift for Easter or First Communion. Please see the basket on the kitchen counter and leave a (suggested) donation of $5.00 in the Honor Box. 

                      Sparkle in Spring safe in-person shopping with emphasis on  

  • Books – great selection of fiction and nonfiction 
  • Spring and Summer Fashion for Men, Women, and Children 
  •                                                       scarves, hats, handbags, totes, gloves, shoes, sweaters, jackets, etc.  
  • Home Decorations, Linens (new and vintage)   
  • Items for Knitters, Sewers and Crafters 
  • Furniture, Household Items and Home Decor.
      

    Check out your closet, garage, and basement for items you can donate.   

Although we are not accepting book donations now, we have a great variety that will be included in this spring sale. 
Questions?  Contact Jana Burke (272-4535) call or text, or jana.burke@gmail.com.   

Service to Others 

Red Cross Blood Drives: April 3, 13, 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.  

Holy Saturday, April 3!   You, too, can Give your Blood so other can live!   

Souper Supper To Go: 2nd & 4th Fridays, 56 PM     

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.        

St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center continues its mission. 

St. E's is looking for gently used kitchenware!!  Have you begun the annual Spring Cleaning? How about opening up 

camp? Any extra pots, pans, or other kitchenware you want to clear out? 

Our neighbors have need of them and our cupboard is bare! Because of CDC guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, product distribution has had to be moved outdoors. 

We are looking for 4-6 volunteers from Saint Mary's willing to work 2-4 hours per month to assist with this ministry. There are a variety of tasks, ranging from sorting, delivering materials to the Jubilee Center, assisting neighbors, and more.  For more information, please contact Stan Eaton at stan.eaton@gmail.com. 

 

Falmouth Food Pantry:   

The Falmouth Food Pantry continues to be unable to accept food donations from individuals, but rest assured the Pantry is busy serving our community using a doorstep delivery distribution system. Boxes of food are being packed at the Pantry and delivered by volunteers to area families. If you know a Falmouth family with an urgent need, please call Nancy Lightbody at the Pantry at 776-0081. If you have any questions about ways in which Saint Mary's supports the Pantry, please feel free to reach out to Vanessa Record at recordvanessa@gmail.com. 

 

Virtual Springtime Walk for Habitat:  May 2021 

Throughout the month of May, individuals and families are invited to set goals for self-guided walks/hikes/runs for a good cause! Choose your distance and fundraising goals for the month. Register and seek sponsorships on-line for your effort! Prizes will be available for different fundraising goals. 

Click for Habitat Springtime Walk poster 

Click for Springtime Walk Fundraising Brochure 

Christian Formation & Youth Notes 

Family projectMaterials for make your own Resurrection Set

 

Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)       

Guiding RAY is our ministry to all young people ages 0 to 14. We offer our children an opportunity to learn key Bible stories and to develop their relationship with God.    

      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. 

  Click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81625716888 to join!  We hope to see you there. 

Community Care & Nurture 

 

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! 

 

2021 Members & Friend Directory  

Time to update your emails, phone numbers and addresses. NOW you can do it yourself right here: 

https://onrealm.org/ 

If you haven't opened your Realm account yet, contact the parish office (admin@smary.org or 781-3366 M-Th), and we'll send an invitation to join so you can keep us updated and add your picture before the next directory is printed!  Plans are being made to print another pictorial directory early this summer, because it has been five years since our last edition. This will be done in-house, so please upload your picture to your Realm profile now.  

OnLine worship 

NoonDay PrayerMonday – Friday  12noon  on Facebook Live 

Sunday WorshipSunday 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:    Roxanne & Chuck Gregorie, Cindy Horton, Bruce Fossett, Terry Brown, Grace, Jonathan, Camden J, Griffin, Mary Follo, Connie Dayton, Randy Braley, Desma Ferrell, Tom Troeger, Sarah Braik.  

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.   

 

Be Alert for Scammers
Please be aware that neither Fr Nathan nor Bishop Brown nor any other Church leader would ever contact you over email to ask for money or a favor. If a message seems odd, the first thing to do is check the email address from which it is sent. If it is not from nathanferrell@smary.org, then it is not from Fr Nathan. 
DO NOT answer these messages or click on any attached links! These are scams and the senders should be marked as spam or blocked and reported to your email provider.
 

 

THIS WEEK at Saint Mary's 

  

Wednesday     31        12:00   Holy Week Noonday Prayer on 
Facebook Live      
                                    5 – 7    Classical Uprising Zoom rehearsal
  
Thursday, Apr. 1         Maundy Thursday  

                                    12:00   Maundy Thursday Eucharist on Facebook Live      
                                    3:00    
Merton Group Zoom gathering  

                                    6:00     Interactive Agape Meal  on  ZOOM 

Friday              2          Good Friday 

                                    12:00   Noonday Good Friday Prayer on Facebook Live  
                                    6:00     Good Friday Liturgy on Facebook Live      

 

Thursday         3          Holy Saturday 

                                    9 – 2    Red Cross Blood Drive in SM Auditorium 

                                    12:00   Holy Saturday Prayers on Facebook Live   


Sunday                    Sunday of the Resurrection:  Pascha:  Easter Sunday
                                    8:00     Resurrection Eucharist  

                                    9:30      Be Still  on ZOOM
                                    9:30      OUTDOOR Mini Celebration and Easter Egg hunt
                                    10:30    Resurrection Eucharist  on 
Facebook Live  

 

Monday           5          12:00   Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live 
                                    4 – 7    Classical Uprising Zoom rehearsal in auditorium
                                    5:00    
Be Still ZOOM meeting
   
Tuesday           6          9:30     Sparkles Makers
                                    10:30  
Wisdom Seekers ZOOM gathering
                                    12:00   Noonday Prayer on 
Facebook Live 
                                     4 – 5   Classical Uprising Zoom rehearsal  

                                    5:00     ExCom meeting

Wednesday     7          10-1     Mainely Weavers - Outside 

                                    12:00   Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live      
                                    5 – 7    Classical Uprising Zoom rehearsal
  
Thursday         8          12:00   Noonday Prayer on 
Facebook Live      
                                    3:00    
Merton Group Zoom gathering

Friday              9          12:00   Noonday Prayer on 
Facebook Live  

Sunday            11        First Sunday of the Great 50 Days
                                    8:00     Holy Eucharist 

                                    9:30      Be Still  on ZOOM
                                   
9:30      Family Eucharist in Auditorium
                                    10:30    Holy Eucharist  on 
Facebook Live  



Beth Shaw
Parish Manager
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary
43 Foreside Road, Falmouth, ME 04105
207-781-3366
admin@smary.org