Saint Mary's NEWS for 9 May 2021
Re-opening Plans
Saint Mary's is re-opening slowly and carefully as guidance from the state and the diocese adjusts to the changing situation.
Many in our parish have been vaccinated and may feel comfortable attending in person. There are others who are not ready to come inside. 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. These guidelines and our Sunday morning schedule will follow what we did in the Autumn until the situation improves further.
8:00 AM Contemplative Eucharist
9:30 AM Family Eucharist in the Auditorium
10:30 AM Contemporary Eucharist
Re-launching Guiding RAY in the Fall Discussions: Monday, May 17, 7pm
We are beginning to make tentative plans for September when we hope it will be safe to gather together on Sunday mornings.
Come together for a ZOOM meeting to share your thoughts and ideas for re-launching Guiding RAY at 7 PM on Monday 17 May. We need everyone's input, so please mark your calendars!
Grateful Fifty Days
Reach out and learn more about where your gift of time can be most effective in our community. To make a financial gift, there are a number of paths available. Sending a check in the mail is still a good method, but we now have new digital paths. Saint Mary's has a Venmo account at @churchofsmary. On our website (www.smary.org), you can make an online donation through your bank or through PayPal.
No matter what, make sure that the joy of Christ's Resurrection makes its way into every part of your life, just as one light shines in every corner of a room. Because of his Risen Life, nothing on earth will ever again be the same. Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
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.
Alternatively, would you like a new photo taken for our new parish directory?
Our own Peter Guyton has graciously agreed to take photos of parishioners and family members at our Parish House for your convenience on the following days: Saturday and Sunday, June 5 & 6, 12 to 4 PM
Peter is a highly skilled photographer and shares his home in Falmouth with Penny and their boys, Chance and Boone. You can view some of his work on his website: https://www.peterguyton.com/ .
Each subject and group will get to pick their favorite image before departing the Parish House. A high-resolution digital will be emailed to you afterwards on request. Peter has agreed to offer this service to our parish pro bono. Donations will be collected, and all proceeds will go to Saint Mary's.
Don't miss this great opportunity for a quality photo. Please contact Peter directly to schedule your free appointment and to ask any questions: 207-370-4692 or admin@peterguyton.com .
Next Sunday is Pentecost, May 23. Come feel and witness the Spirit.
Service to Others
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
Or support the Saint Mary's Striders team at St Mary's GoFundMe page
St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center continues its mission.
* Please spread the word that we need baby WIPES - they are so appreciated on diaper day!
* We also need FEMININE PADS - large/thick and liners are the most popular. We depend on donations for these items. There is still a great need for pots / pans / kitchen utensils and blankets / towels / sheets / bedspreads. (No clothing, please!)
Our collection box is located in the hallway outside the Guild Room and may be accessed during Church Office hours and on Sunday mornings. Volunteers deliver to the St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center at the rear of St. Luke's Cathedral, located at 134 Park Street, Portland, ME
Saint Mary's service time is the 3rd Tuesday of each month, which is May 18, beginning at 8:30 AM.
For more information, please contact Stan Eaton at stan.eaton@gmail.com
Hope Gardens Bloom to Smash Stigma
Last fall, the Saint Mary's Outreach Committee and parishioners planted 500 tulip bulbs in support of Smashing Stigma around Metal illness - a mission of 'The Yellow Tulip Project'.
They are now blooming around the Saint Mary's campus. Check them out and be resolved to smash the stigma surrounding mental illness. The hope is that someday mental illness will be as normal to talk about as any physical illness. FMI, https://theyellowtulipproject.org/
Red Cross Blood Drives: May 25 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.
You, too, can Give your Blood so other can live!
Souper Supper To Go: 2nd & 4th Fridays, 5 – 6 PM - May 14 & 28
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:
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
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.
Re-launching in the Fall Discussions
We are beginning to make tentative plans for September when we hope it will be safe to gather together on Sunday mornings.
Come together for a ZOOM meeting to share your thoughts and ideas for re-launching Guiding RAY at 7 PM on Monday 17 May. We need everyone's input, so please mark your calendars!
All families and young people are invited to gather in the Auditorium at 9:30 on Sundays for a brief, informal, and interactive Eucharistic celebration.
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.
Lattes and Littles
Falmouth Congregational Church has extended an invitation to any parent wishing for a safe place to share to join their Parent Group starting on May 15 at 10am on the FCC lawns next to the Town Hall.
Casco Bay CAN Table talks: May 18 & 19 depending on youths' age
Learn about trends, signs, ideas and strategies that influence our youth and how to help youth make good choices. Share with concerns and tips with other parents.
May 18, 6 - 7:30pm for talks on youths in Middle or High School (click date for meeting link)
May 19, 4:30 - 5:30pm for talks on youths in Elementary School (click date for meeting link)
Click here for more information on the Virtual Meetings and Casco Bay CAN
Community Care & Nurture
Diocesan-wide Eucharist Renewal of Baptismal promise & vows
May 18 at 11am: The Bishop of Maine extends an invitation to all for a Diocesan-wide Eucharist Renewal of Baptismal promise & vows in person and livestreamed from the St Luke's gardens. FMI
Organ Recital
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.
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 anytime
. 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 and later on the website
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: Laura Martin, Roxanne & Chuck Gregorie, Bruce Fossett, Griffin, Mary Follo, John Bennett, Mary Jeton and her family, Anne.
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
Friday 14 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
Sunday 16 Seventh 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
Monday 17 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
5 – 7 Classical Uprising rehearsal in-person outdoors
5:00 Be Still ZOOM meeting
7:00 Guiding RAY Zoom meeting looking to the fall
Tuesday 18 10:30 Wisdom Seekers ZOOM gathering
11:00 Renewal of Vows in the Dio Gardens and online
12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
4:30 Classical Uprising rehearsal in-person outdoors
4:30 TOPS meeting in the Guild Room
6:00 Foreside Garden Club in the auditorium
Wednes. 19 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
5:30 Classical Uprising rehearsal in-person outdoors
6:00 Vestry meeting in-person in the auditorium
Thursday 20 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
3:00 Merton Group Zoom gathering
Friday 21 12:00 Noonday Prayer on Facebook Live
Sunday 23 Day of Pentecost
8:00 Holy Eucharist
9:30 Be Still on ZOOM
9:30 Family Eucharist in Auditorium
10:30 Holy Eucharist on Facebook Live
7:00 AlAnon in Auditorium
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