The News at Saint Mary's
KICKOFF SUNDAY is September 12
The Sunday morning schedule will return to what it was in the Autumn of 2019:
Masks are recommended indoors per CDC
8:00 Holy Eucharist – followed by Coffee in the Auditorium
9:30 Formation – for youth, adults, and choir
10:00 Guiding RAY classes begin (masks required)
10:15 Choral Eucharist
11:30 Kickoff Celebration !!!
CDC Guideline updated
Cumberland County COVID situation continues to be in the Substantial Category, so the State recommends residents to voluntarily mask while indoors. For the safety of all, we will also use every other row in the sanctuary to enable physical distancing.
Falmouth Food Pantry & Victory Garden
The Falmouth Food Pantry remains unable to accept food donations from individuals, but boxes of food are being packed at the Pantry and delivered by volunteers to area families. These boxes may include garden fresh vegetables or flowers from your garden; please consider sharing some of your bounty.
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.
St Elizabeth's Jubilee Center: we are going on Sept 21
September is Winter Coats & Boots month! Saint Mary's goal is 50 coats!
Saint Mary's is committed to serving at this vital ministry on the third Tuesday of each month from 8:30 to 11 in the morning. St. E's is accepting non-food essentials: blankets, towels, sheets, bedspreads, kitchen utensils, pots & pans, baby diapers and wipes, feminine needs. FMI and to find out how you can participate, please contact Stan Eaton at stan.eaton@gmail.com
Red Cross Blood Drives: September 2 & 30
The great need for live-saving blood continues, so if you are able, please schedule an appointment at redcrossblood.org. Use sponsor code StMary to sign up for our drives
Souper Supper To-Go: September 10 & 24, 5 – 6 pm
Every month on the second and fourth Fridays. Delicious homemade soup, bread and a sweet treat is Curbside To Go and available to everyone, no questions asked. Stop by between 5 to 6 PM to get some for yourself. Try it!
With the evolving virus, Curbside delivery will continue through September; we will review any in-person possibilities on a month-by-month basis. Stay tuned!
Finding God in All Things
This is the primary mantra and theme of the Ignatian Partnership of Maine who is offering to all interested the Retreat in Everyday Life in 2021-2022. Developed over 500 years ago by St. Ignatius of Loyola, the prayer practices and spiritual strategies are surprisingly modern. Participate with this group in once a month gatherings throughout the school year and dedicate 45 minutes a day to prayer on your own schedule. If you are interested in this unique experience, contact your fellow Saint Marian, Merle Marie at merlemarietroeger@gmail.com. FMI on the course, go to www.IgnatianME.org
Guiding RAY (Religious Adventures for Youth)
Launching Sunday, September 12, all young people are invited to gather at 9:30 downstairs in the Parish House. Masks are required for all in Guiding RAY, except for those in the Nursery. Class time will begin at 10 AM, and children will be brought over for Communion with their families around 11 AM.
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.
Join the Saint Mary's Choir
The S. Mary Choir is looking for new members. Please join us for musical fellowship, with rehearsals Thursdays 7:00-8:00 pm in the auditorium (starting Sept. 2) and safely placed in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings. We envision wearing masks.
The Handbell choir is also looking for new members. The ability to read music would be appreciated. Rehearsals following later church service.
Please contact Bruce Fithian 831-7113 (bsfithian@gmail.com)
Hiring Committee Update
The Hiring Committee has been working diligently to find a temporary priest in charge to serve at Saint Mary's while Father Nathan is deployed to Bahrain for 10 months. We have interviewed 6 excellent candidates. In September, we are at the point of reference checking and narrowing the field with the goal of presenting a candidate to the Vestry in late September.
Keep the prayers of support coming! Watch the weekly E-news for additional updates.
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!
NoonDay Prayer: each weekday at Noon
Saint Mary's is committed to gathering in this way as best as we can on each weekday. This offers everyone a very special (and brief) opportunity to meditate on a word of Holy Scripture and to pray, in the midst of our daily lives. You can do this in person in the Chapel (Monday through Thursday) and on Facebook Live (Monday through Friday). Each Noonday Prayer is also saved on our Facebook page, so you can participate later on when you have a few minutes to spare.
This is a unique gift offered by our parish community for the good of the whole world - for free! It is a gift of love and prayer. Please consider making a commitment to participate in this gift of Noonday Prayer at least once each week. Thank you!
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: resumes on September 14 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: Chuck & Roxanne Gregorie; Cindy Horton; Alice Hendry; Anne Jorgensen; Brent Scott; Marti Galli
IF YOU WANT TO ADD NAMES TO TH PRAYER LIST, contact our Parish Office (781-3366 or smary@smary.org. This printed list in the eNews and Bulletin 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.
