Saint Mary's NEWS for late summer 2021
Re-opening Plans Continue
Saint Mary's is re-opening 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 guidelines as required by the state and the diocese. Holy Eucharist in the sanctuary at 8am and 9:30am with Outdoor Eucharist at 9:30 am on July 25 and August 15
Our summer schedule through Sept 5
From June 20 through September 5, our Sunday gatherings will be:
- 8:00 AM: Contemplative Eucharist
- 9:30AM: Choral Eucharist with hymns
Guiding RAY, Nursery, Acolytes, and Choir will return September 12.
Tuesday morning Wisdom Seekers will take a summer break and return in September.
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.
During Fr Nathan's Deployment
The Vestry has appointed a Hiring Committee to find a substitute (a Temporary Priest-in-Charge) for Father Nathan during his 10-month deployment to Bahrain.
The HC continues to make significant progress toward finding a temporary priest-in-charge to lead us while Father Nathan is deployed. Co-chairs, Aaron Splint and Pat Peard, have had worked with Canon Michael Ambler, Canon to the Ordinary, to understand the processes, compensation framework and other key details. The committee undertook the job of developing a timeline, creating a document that defines what we are seeking in a temporary priest-in-charge, and making the changes needed to update the website.
We have posted the position in a number of places. Our goal is to have a candidate to present to the Vestry by mid-September. Here's the link as it appears on the Diocesan web site: https://www.episcopalmaine.org/congregations/search
The following people were appointed to serve on this committee: Craig Belanger, Janet Bowne, Sandra Couch-Kelly, Peter Fitch, Thomas LaPlante, Patricia Peard, Aaron Splint (with both Fr Nathan and Beth Shaw assisting as non-voting, ex officio members)
Service to Others
Red Cross Blood Drives: July 22, Aug 2 and 23 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!
St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center continues its mission.
Will you give this outreach mission from Saint Mary's 2-3 hours a month?!
Always looking for donations of diapers, wipes, non-food essentials, kitchenware, bed, and bath supplies
We are looking for 2 volunteers from St Mary's willing to work 2-3 hours per month. You will pick up and sort the donations
from the St. Elizabeth's collection box in the Parish House any time the Church Office is open. On a Tuesday morning,
between 8:15 and 11:00 AM, deliver the material to the Jubilee Center at St. Luke's in Portland.
Saint Mary's service time is the 3rd Tuesday of each month, beginning at 8:30 AM.
For more information, please contact Stan Eaton at stan.eaton@gmail.com
Souper Supper To Go: 2nd & 4th Fridays, 5 – 6 PM - July 23, August13 and 27
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.
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,
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.
Camp Bishopswood: for summer fun for all – Register now!
Located on the shores of Lake Megunticook in the Camden Hills, the Diocesan camp, begun in the early 1960s, has Open House & Family Camp weekend (May 21-23) has mini-sessions for first-time campers, multi-week sessions, CIT program, and a family Finale week(end) when anyone can stay at camp. Financial assistance is available to help any child make it to camp. For more information, visit the website www.bishopswood.org
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 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: Tues. at 10:30 AM: May 25 is last meeting before summer break
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 in the fall. 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: Alice Hendry, Debra Madigan, Roxanne & Chuck Gregorie; Mary Jeton; Anne Jorgensen; Marti Galli; Sabrina Goodman; Brent Scott; Annie Johnson.
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.
