Saint Mary's NEWS for 21 March 2021
Help Shape our Post-COVID Reopening
The Bishop has encouraged us to consider how we will reopen even if we don't know when we will reopen. You can help in two ways:
1. Let us know your thoughts about reopening and ideas (no matter how out of the box they may be)!! Send your thoughts to Father Nathan (nathanferrell@smary.org), Janet Bowne (jmitchellbowne@gmail.com or Aaron Splint (asplint@yahoo.com).
2. We have heard anecdotally that a lot of our parishioners have been vaccinated. We are hoping to get an idea of what percentage of our community has been vaccinated. If you are willing to share this information confidentially, please call or email Beth Shaw (admin@smary.org) and let her know. We will NOT share this information publicly. It will help us to know the aggregate number. Thank you!!
Sunday, March 21, 2021: Fifth Sunday in Lent
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, March 21are:
Hymn 337: And now, O Father, mindful of the love
Hymn 423: Lift high the cross
2021 Lent Devotions
We observe Lent every year with self-examination and repentance, fasting and prayer and self-denial, and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. Click here or the graphic to the left for a simple 4-page guide to weekly meditations or actions for each week in Lent. Hardcopies are available at each door of the Parish House.
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.
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
Facing Stigma: The Recovering Community
Sunday, March 21, 4-6 pm presentations and discussion on Zoom
Join us for this Zoom presentation when leaders from Milestone, Grace House for Women and MaineWorks join us and help lead us into discussion of creating solutions. Facing Stigma: The Recovery Community zoom link
FMI contact the parish office at smary@smary.org or call 781-3366.
Red Cross Blood Drives: March 20, 25 and April 2 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 - March 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.
St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center continues its mission
Despite the very chilly weather on Tuesday, March 2nd, St Elizabeth's Jubilee Center had 145 neighbors visit that morning. A large number of winter hats, scarves and wool sox were given out, and about 10 adults and one toddler were fitted with warm winter coats. 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 St 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.
Christian Formation & Youth Notes
Family Chapel returns! Materials for Mar 21
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.
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!
2021 Members & Friend Directory
Time to update your emails, phone numbers and addresses. NOW you can do it yourself right here:
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 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: Roxanne & Chuck Gregorie, Cindy Horton, Bruce Fossett, Terry Brown, Grace, Jonathan, Camden J, Griffin, Mary Follo, Connie Dayton, 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.
Thursday 18 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
3:00 Merton Group Zoom gathering
Friday 19 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
Saturday 20 9 – 2 Red Cross Blood Drive in SM Auditorium
Sunday 21 Fifth Sunday in Lent
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
9:30 Family Chapel on ZOOM
10:30 Holy Eucharist on Facebook Live
Monday 22 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
4 – 7 Classical Uprising Zoom rehearsal in auditorium
5:00 Be Still ZOOM meeting
Tuesday 23 9:30 Sparkles Makers
10:30 Wisdom Seekers ZOOM gathering
12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
4 – 5 Classical Uprising Zoom rehearsal
Wednesday 24 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
5 – 7 Classical Uprising Zoom rehearsal
Thursday 25 9 – 2 Red Cross Blood Drive in SM Auditorium
12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
3:00 Merton Group Zoom gathering
Friday 26 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
Sunday 28 Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
9:30 OUTDOOR Blessing of the Palms and Procession
10:30 Passion Eucharist on Facebook Live
Monday 29 12:00 Holy Week Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
4 – 7 Classical Uprising Zoom rehearsal in auditorium
5:00 Be Still ZOOM meeting
Tuesday 30 9:30 Sparkles Makers
10:30 Wisdom Seekers ZOOM gathering
12:00 Holy Week Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
4 – 5 Classical Uprising Zoom rehearsal
Wednesday 31 12:00 Holy Week Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
5 – 7 Classical Uprising Zoom rehearsal
Thursday, April 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 12:00 Good Friday Prayers on Facebook Live
6:00 Good Friday Liturgy on Facebook Live
Saturday 3 9 – 2 Red Cross Blood Drive in SM Auditorium
12:00 Holy Saturday Prayers on Facebook Live
Sunday 4 Sunday of the Resurrections: Pascha: Easter Sunday
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
9:30 OUTDOOR Mini-Celebration & Easter Egg Hunt
10:30 Joyful Easter Eucharist on Facebook Live
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