Saint Mary’s Weekly News
January 6, 2013 - The Feast of the Epiphany
S. Mary’s Time on the Lee Twombly Pond
All of our young people, and all those who like to have fun on skates, are invited to join us on Wednesday, January 9, at 5 PM at the Lee Twombly Pond (the Family Ice Center behind Walmart) to skate together under the lights. Hot chocolate and some snacks will be available.
Open Forum on Marriage Equality
After many years of prayer and discussion, the Episcopal Church has discerned that God’s ongoing work of manifesting the divine mercy to all people is intended to include people of all sexual orientations. This includes the blessing of same-gender unions in those places where it is provided by law, such as Maine. All those with questions or concerns about what this means for Saint Mary’s are invited to come to one of the following dates for an opportunity for frank and respectful dialogue about this new possibility in the Church.
v Monday, January 21 (MLK, Jr. Day), 7:00 pm in the Guild Room
v Thursday, January 24, 12:00 noon in the Guild Room
How to Budget with Wisdom
Two Wednesdays (January 23 and 30) at 7 PM in the Guild Room. Everyone is invited for a two-week session with Fr. Nathan and personal financial counselors from the parish. We will explore biblical guidance for managing our finances, use tools for developing household budgets, and discuss ways to grow our capacity for generous giving. Please invite friends, family and neighbors who might benefit from this discussion.
“What Makes Us Come Alive Spiritually?” Tuesday, Jan. 15, 7-9 pm
“Everyday Spirituality: Finding Serenity” Wednesday, Jan. 16, 9 am - Noon
These are 2 workshops with the visiting author, spiritual director and retreat leader the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas offered by St. Alban’s Church in Cape Elizabeth (885 Shore Road). All are welcome to join in either session and gain wisdom for life.
Offering Envelopes for 2013
Our Stewardship Campaign in 2013 will take place during Lent, but offering envelopes for the entire year will soon be available to those who have used them previously. If you would like to have the parish provide you with offering envelopes, you may sign-up for these in the Parish House.
Legacy Project Update
Although there will be no access to the kitchen or auditorium during January, the Guild Room is available to all and equipped for coffee hour! Come on over! While you enjoy the fellowship, think about taking a tour of the rest of the construction. Just seek out Dick Miller after the 8am service or George Barrett, Chuck Horton or Jennifer Gregg after the 10am!
A HUGE thank you to all donors for remaining current (and more!) with their pledges in 2012. During the last two weeks alone, the Legacy Project received over $110,000 in pledge payments, bringing our total payments received to $1,887,493.75---keeping our financing charges to a minimum. Thank you!
Annual Reports will be sent via email (before January 13) to save on the cost of paper and printing. There will be some full hardcopies and just the financial section available in the Guild Room, and also will be on the website at www.smary.org this coming weekend.
S. Mary’s Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin will take place on Sunday, January 27th, 2013, beginning at 10:15 in the morning. There will be one liturgy, with hymns, at 9:00, followed by a brunch and the Annual Meeting. Not only will this bring the “two congregations” together, but the meeting won’t last well into the afternoon. There will be child care and activities for kids in the undercroft; volunteers will be needed to supervise the children. If you are available to help, please e-mail Julie Morrison at jmorrison500@yahoo.com
Brunch Help Needed
Hospitality will be serving brunch on Jan. 27th just prior to the annual meeting. We will need strong people to set up tables, and chairs; and kitchen assistance on the morning of the 27th; and most importantly clean-up after the event. We'll need donations of fruit, breakfast breads, and juice. Sign Up sheets are in the Guild Room. It would be great to see some new faces in the kitchen!! Thank you and contact Anne LaFond alafond@maine.rr.com or 781-8820 if you are available.
A new and updated S. Mary's Member and Friends Directory will be distributed at the Annual Meeting on January 27. So we can be assured we have your most recent address, phone number and email address, drafts will be available at coffee hours for the next two Sundays. Please help us out by checking for accuracy or by adding additional contact information. Also, you can use this directory for networking! See below.
Networking Opportunity!
Are you looking for clients? For bridge partners? Golf partners? Seeking to learn knitting or other fine skills? I bet there are other parishioners who are interested! Expand your professional and social networks by offering a few words about your vocation and/or avocations for publication in the 2013 S. Mary’s Members and Friends Directory! Email the information to Beth Shaw at admin@smary.org by January 20.
Godspeed – Saturday morning prayer & running & winter sports group! We gather in front of the Parish House every Saturday morning at 8 am (weather permitting). With the abundant snow, we will now gather for snowshoeing and Nordic skiing tours.
Open Door – Every Tuesday morning from 8-9 am, Fr. Nathan will be “live” on Twitter for open dialogue and discussion. Feel free to send a question or start a community conversation. It’s easy and everyone is welcome to join in.
Fr. Nathan Ferrell: Feel free to contact Fr. Nathan at any time if you wish to speak with him. You can e-mail him directly at nathanferrell@smary.org, or call him on his cell at 609-410-7573. Follow him on Twitter @FatherNate or visit his blog at www.fatherferrell.blogspot.com .
Coffee Hour Hosts Needed
Consider hosting a coffee hour in the Guild Room following the service (either by yourself or with another family. A feast is not needed – just a tidbit to enjoy with the coffee that is already made. FMI, contact Betsy Stoddard at 829-2026 by e-mail at jbstod@myfairpoint.net
Eucharistic Visitors take Holy Communion to those unable to worship with us on Sunday morning. The Eucharistic Visitor this week is Stan Eaton.
This Week’s Calendar at Saint Mary’s – January 2013
Sunday 6 8:00am The Epiphany: Traditional Eucharist
9:30am Guiding RAY opens downstairs
10:00am The Epiphany: Contemporary Eucharist
Monday 7
Tuesday 8 8:00am Open Door - Twitter live with Fr. Nathan
10:00am Order of St. Luke in church
1:00pm Staff meeting
7:00pm AA in Auditorium
7:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Wednesday 9 5:00pm S. Mary’s Family Skate at the outdoor pond at Family Ice
Thursday 10 10:30am Weekday Worship in the church
4:00pm Boy Singers f Maine
7:00pm Choir Rehearsal
7:30pm Men’s AA in the auditorium
Friday 11 5:00pm Souper Supper at Foreside Community Church
5:30pm Al-Anon in the Guild Room
Saturday 12 8:00am Godspeed outdoors group
9:00am Boy Singers of Maine
Sunday 13 8:00am The First Sunday after Epiphany: Traditional Eucharist
9:30am Guiding RAY opens downstairs
10:00am The First Sunday after Epiphany: Contemporary Eucharist
Have a happy, safe, and peaceful new year!
