Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The SpireAdvent/Christmas 2013
Vol. VIII, Issue VIII
Advent WreathmakingDec. 1
Advent Lessons & CarolsDec. 8
Christmas Eve Services3:45 music prelude
4:00 p.m.7:30 choral prelude
8:00 p.m.10:30 choral prelude
11:00 p.m.
Christmas Day10:00 a.m.
Christmas Lessons & CarolsDec. 29
9 & 11:15 a.m.
A Time to Prepare and Journey BackBy the Rev. Peter W. Mayer, [email protected]
Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” He is of course talking about the “end times,” the second coming, when he will come in great glory to judge the world with righteousness. That we know. But we don’t know when.
In the ancient church, really before the church was the church, they expected this to happen at any second. They were ready for it, they had to prepare, to plan, to be on guard, to stay awake. These are the themes of some of the readings of Advent.
When something tumultuous happens in our lives, we can look back on it and say, I never saw it coming. And now, since _______ happened, I’ve never been the same. I remember succinctly reading the city paper in Washington shortly after 9/11 and seeing the front page with a clear view of a deserted downtown Washington street. The headline read “The first day of the rest of our lives.” There was an acknowledgement that something had happened that would alter everything going forward.
We prepare for that moment through the season of Advent. Now, we can do one of two things: (1) reflect back on our lives up to this point and perhaps reminisce wistfully about the glory days; or (2) anticipate the future, not knowing what it will hold or what fate will befall us.
In a movie that’s out now titled “All Is Lost,” a man is stranded at sea. Events occur that bring about this situation over which he has little control. He is alone. While watching that movie, it came to me that many people feel this way in life. Alone. Lost. Rudderless. Without direction. Advent can be a time for them to realize that the same God that made them is the same God who will guide them back to a relationship with God. Advent is a time to prepare and journey back to our maker in hopes of a future that is brighter.
--continued on page 2
Please note:This is the last printed issue of The Spire that will be mailed to our entire distribution list. We will continue to provide digital copies through our e-newsetter Dragon Tales and our website at www.st-margarets.org. If you wish to continue to receive a printed copy of The Spire, please email [email protected] or call our office at 410-974-0200.
Advent/ Christmas 2013www.st-margarets.org
Advent 2013 @ St. Margaret'sClergy Book Study:
"Falling Upward" by Richard Rohr------------------------------------------------------
Mondays at 10 a.m. - Dec. 2, 9, 16Wednesdays at 7 p.m. - Dec. 4, 11, 18
In Falling Upward, Fr. Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and to show them that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who understand "up." Most of us tend to think of the second half of life as largely about getting old, dealing with health issues, and letting go of life, but the whole thesis of this book is exactly the opposite. What looks like falling down can largely be experienced as "falling upward."
In fact, it is not a loss but somehow actually a gain, as we have all seen with elders who have come to their fullness. This important book explores the counterintuitive message that we grow spiritually much more by doing wrong than by doing right--a fresh way of thinking about spirituality that grows throughout life.
You can purchase the book at Amazon.com (which gives the church 4% of the profits) using a link that is on the church's website Advent page (www.st-margarets.org) and in Dragon Tales.
Please register for the class at [email protected] or by calling the church office so we can reserve the space needed to accommodate all that wish to participate.
Rector's Note -- (continued from page 1)
We will offer many ways for you to journey towards this wholeness through the four weeks of Advent, beginning on December 1, with our Advent wreathmaking workshop between services in the parish hall. The following week will be our annual Lessons and Carols service at 5 p.m. in the church. On December 18 at 3 p.m., we will celebrate a Quiet Christmas liturgy in the church for those who feel less joyful about the season due to personal loss or other circumstances. These are just a few of the offerings we give to you in hopes that you will feel less alone on this special journey. We don’t know what’s ahead, but we know we are not alone.
Advent WreathmakingSunday, Dec. 1
Parish Hall10:15 to 11 a.m.
A Quiet ChristmasWednesday,
Dec. 183 p.m.
For those needing a special time for reflection and peace during the busy and
joyful Christmas season.
Page 3
Walk to Bethlehem 2013By Pat Hall, Parish Nurse, [email protected]
The Walk to Bethlehem/Jerusalem concept is used in many churches to promote healthy lifestyles and to offer a means for meditation. We have “traveled” this way several times in the past, either walking to Bethlehem or Jerusalem. Some churches sponsor walks to nearby towns of Bethlehem just to be able to accomplish their goal. The program is designed to cover up to 12 weeks, but we are going to try to make it in four weeks. The distance between St. Margaret’s and the little town of Bethlehem in Israel is 5970 miles—as the crow flies. We need to “walk” at least 1492 miles a week to reach our goal. As a group, we are very diligent in staying physically active, so I know we can do it!
I feel the Walk to Bethlehem is like a metaphor of our St. Margaret’s community. We are all on this spiritual journey. We all have the same goal in mind, but we are at different places on that journey. When some of us have trouble moving on that path, others join in and help us along the way. We encourage each other when someone gets behind and offer incentive to push harder. As with any group of people, not everyone participates in everything. We have some folks who watch from the sidelines and even cheer along the way. Others take the lead and forge ahead. Some are inspired by what they see, and join in at their own pace.
Sign-up forms will be available in the Parish Hall between services. At the end of the first week, individual as well as group progress will be posted on the bulletin board. Parishioners of all ages are encouraged to participate as they are able. No amount of effort is too small to count and people can join in the “walk” at any time during Advent.
You may want to keep a record of your weight and body measurements during this time to also mark your progress.
You are encouraged to use your physical activity time for prayer and reflection. Meditations will be available on the St. Margaret's website.
What counts as a mile?20 minute walk 1 hour dance class 2 hours basketball practice
20 minutes of biking 1 hour of tennis Half hour at Curves1 hour at the gym = 3 miles!
AAMC Blood DriveSunday, Dec. 9
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.Sign up for a time @ www.mysignup.org/stmarg
Requirements:⁃ Be in generally good health and feel well⁃ Be 17 - 75 years of age⁃ Weight at least 110 pounds
Start taking extra iron supplements and eating more iron rich foods!
Missions
Advent/Christmas 2013
Advent 2013 @ St. Margaret's
Advent and Christmas Carols Make a Difference to Your Holiday Experience By James R. Fitzpatrick, Director of Music, [email protected]
A generation ago if one asked a child, “Which Christmas carols are your favorites?" one would probably hear a list of songs that included
“Silent Night,” and “Away in a Manger.” However, these days I find that while most children can sing all about those bells, a red nose, and the fact that Santa is coming to town, but many have never been taught the sacred songs and carols of the season. Something is lost when the very reason for the season is musically pushed to the side in favor of little drummer boys pah rumpah pum pumming while Grandma calls for an ambulance and the Grinch steals Christmas. So it falls to our families and churches to keep alive the musical traditions of the season that celebrates the coming and arrival of Christ on earth.
This year at St. Margaret’s, we offer ways your family can fully participate in these musical traditions, from the moving service of Advent Lessons and Carols, to a family Christmas Eve service where children perform the music of the season, to Christmas Lessons and Carols, and a remarkable evening of forgotten Christmas music presented by the quirkily named “Suspicious Cheese Lords.”
Advent looks forward to the coming of Christ and so the church does not sing the songs and carols of Christmas until Christmas Eve. Rather, for the four Sundays of Advent, we sing hymns and carols about longing for Christ, following John the Baptist’s advice and preparing for his coming, and pieces of music honoring the willingness of Mary to be the vessel for bringing Christ into the world. The most beautiful expression of this comes with our service of Advent Lessons and Carols, on Sunday, December 8, at 5 p.m. The service begins in darkness and the music starts at the back of the church. With each lesson read, the carols and anthems sung bring the choir to different points in the church with increasing light. The music prepares the heart for the coming of Christ and helps to counter the commercial madness of the season. Please note that this is a free event, but that we encourage you to bring hats, mittens, jackets, coats, and blankets to donate to Project Hope, which provides warm clothing to the families in need in northern Anne Arundel County.
Christmas Eve is always a family time, and at 4 p.m. St. Margaret’s offers families an early service full of the music loved by children. In fact, much of the music will be performed by children and youth, singing with the Spirit Singers and St. Margaret’s Chorale. We also invite all children who have had at least one year of music instruction to be part of our prelude. Simply contact me and let me know: (1) your child’s name; (2) your child’s age; (3) your child’s instrument; and (4) the title of the Christmas piece your child will play. For those of you who prefer a later service, the adult choirs and a string quartet will provide Christmas carols beginning at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. with Holy Eucharist beginning one half hour later.
On December 29 at both 9 and 11:15 a.m., we will continue our Christmas celebration with a service of Lessons and Carols featuring soprano Claire Raphaelson, Matthew Wright, andthe music of the Renaissance and beyond.
And on January 5, the 16 voices of the quirkily named “The Suspicious Cheese Lords” will present newly rediscovered Christmas music from the Middle Ages and Renaissance featured on their latest CD. This CD release concert is a ticketed event and only a few seats remain. Don’t miss this stunning choral concert. Contact me for more information or to reserve your ticket!
www.st-margarets.org
Page 5
Emergency Winter ReliefOffering Comfort from the ColdBy the Rev. Jane HagueAsst. to the Rector for Mission & [email protected]
St. Margaret's, along with St. Phillips Episcopal Church, will be sheltering up to 20 men for one week who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets of our community this winter. "Emergency Winter Relief" is a program sponsored by the Light House shelter and Arundel House of Hope.
Every afternoon, those who need shelter will arrive at the Light House. They will sign in, and get breathalyzed. St. Phillips volunteers will pick them up and transport the group to St. Margaret's. Arundel House of Hope will provide cots, pillows and blankets. Calvary United Methodist, who offers emergency winter relief twice in the season, will loan us their sheets and towels and their expertise. We need volunteers to provide a hot dinner and breakfast, as well as night shifts as chaperones. After breakfast, the guests are transported back to the Light House with a bag lunch.
We will need numerous volunteers. You can help make bag lunches, help move furniture on Sunday afternoon to prepare the space, offer to pick up the cots and set them up on Monday morning, offer to be there for the night watch...and much, much more.
To sign up and choose the particular task you are willing to perform, you can use our automated signup form online at www.signupgenius.com. Look for an automated link on our church website homepage (www.st-margarets.org). You will need to register on the website, but it costs nothing and is only a way for your name to be placed in a volunteer spot. If you need more information or wish to sign up through a phone call, contact Judy Hall at 410-757-4137.
When the shelters are full, churches like St. Margaret's provide a warm, safe place for people to sleep. We will offer the lower level of the parish hall building from Dec. 9 through Dec. 15.
Wanted: Grant Liasions This Winter
Parishioners are encouraged to be a liaison for the St. Margaret’s Endowment Grants Program. No grants expertise is necessary. Each liaison is matched up with another liaison to visit with grant finalists during the month of February. During the discernment and decision-making process, the twelve people on the Grants Committee benefit greatly from the input and insights from parishioners who volunteer to be liaisons with finalist grant applicants. Please sign up before Christmas with Director Izzy Winn at [email protected].
What’s not to like about giving away money to wonderful people doing wonderful things for others in our community and around the world? It is an exciting, educational, and humbling experience. We are truly blessed at St. Margaret’s to be able to serve in this meaningful way.
--Joan Rich, Past Grant Liaison
Advent/Christmas 2013
Advent is the time of year that prepares us for Christmas, the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. It’s a period when we learn to wait, watch, hope and prepare for His coming.
Waiting, patience, and prayer are the hallmarks of the Advent season. We learn to become people who wait for what we know God will do. The guidebook titled Advent, shown here on the right and available through Amazon.com, provides a journey for that anticipation, a reflective map readying you to receive the best present ever given.
Advent 2013 @ St. Margaret's
By the Rev. Sarah Lamming, Associate Rector for Youth [email protected]
Families and individuals are invited to use this daily reflection resource and meet once a week in the parish hall (Sunday at 4 p.m.) for discussion and sharing time. For more information, contact the Rev. Sarah Lamming (at [email protected]) or Anne Thomas (at [email protected]).
Text Messages - Daily Advent DevotionsWe are partnering with the Diocese of Pennsylvania to offer daily advent devotions. You can sign up to receive our new text message devotions from "The Holy Herald!" In the morning you will receive a Scripture, and in the evenings a prayer. Just text @adventd to 484-577-8156 or send a blank email to [email protected]. You will receive a confirmation, and you will be signed up!
Text "adventd" to484-577-8156
Google Hangout for Compline
At 9 p.m. on Tuesday Nights during Advent, the Rev. Sarah Lamming will lead a virtual compline service via Google Hangout. Check on the website and Facebook Members Group page for more information.
Special Parallel Sunday School Class
A children’s bible study class will run in parallel with the normal formation classes during Advent. The class will be in the upper day school classroom. It will be a gospel based 45 minute bible study led by Mike Brogan. It is open to children and youth who would self-select a more scholarly-based formation experience. www.st-margarets.org
Daily Picture Meditations
Follow @youthsmc, @smcannapolis on Twitter or go to our Facebook Members Group to get a daily picture reflection. Weekly themes will be Hope, Wait, Patience and Awake.
Due to a conflict with construction at the Philadelphia Cathedral, the December 20-21 Nightwatch event has been moved to St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Germantown. There will still be the same great program, just at a new location. Groups will have the opportunity to sleep in the church's new Mission Center.
What is the Schedule?5:00pm Leave St. Margaret’s Church7:30-8:15 pm Ice Breakers & Orientation 8:15-8:30 pm Snack Break8:30-9:15 pm Small Group Discussion9:15-10:45 pm Curated Eucharist10:45-11:45 pm Games & Preparing for Bed12:00 am Lights Out 8:00-8:30 am Wake Up, Dress & Clean Up 8:30-9:15 am Breakfast 9:15-9:45 am Morning Prayer 9:45-10:00 am Leave St. Luke’s for a Tour of Philadelphia 5:00 pm Return to church
What is a Curated Eucharist? A Curated Eucharist combines the beauty of the Eucharistic Liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer with the creativity of an interactive art exhibit. The Eucharist follows Rite II until it comes to the Liturgy of the Word. Here the individual members are invited to explore the unique stations set up throughout the liturgical space. These stations incorporate Scripture, reflection questions and an interactive component (action, art, movement, etc.). After a period of time, the young people are invited to come back together and share their thoughts and reflections as the sermon for the community. The Eucharist continues following Rite II. The goal is to allow young people to experience God deeply within the context of a recognizable and familiar worship service.
Nightwatch – Philadelphia on December 20
Getting toKnow You
Page 7
Epiphany Pageant 2014
The Pageant this year will be on Jan. 5 at 10:20 a.m. in the Parish Hall. The Spirit Singers will be leading the singing and rehearsals are on Monday nights during Pick and Mix. The rehearsal for the pageant will be on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 9 a.m. Parts will be given out at the rehearsal.
Day School News
Advent/Christmas 2013
St. Margaret’s Day SchoolWinter Workshops 2013—Registration Form
Child’s Name_________________________________Birthdate__________SMDS student?____
Child’s Name ________________________________ Birthdate__________SMDS student?____
Please choose date(s) for participation: December 19_________December 20_________
Yes, I need “before care” starting at______a.m. Yes, I need “after care” until______p.m. ($6/hr)
Parent Signature________________________________________Date_______
Parent Printed Name:_______________________________________________
Parent cell phone number:__________________________________________
Person(s) authorized to pick up child(ren):
Place form in envelope with payment and return to
St. Margaret's Day School 1605 Pleasant Plains Rd., Annapolis, MD 21409.
We will also take the Kindergarten and PreK classes to see the Nutcracker and prepare for our annual Christmas pageant. Our pageant will be performed on December 18 at 9:30 a.m. and 1p.m. Thanks to the PTO for providing our reception. Thanks to James Fitzpatrick for helping with our music and to the Rev. Sarah Lamming for being our narrator!
This holiday break we will be running a couple of winter workshops. Our camps will run on December 19 and 20. Registration forms are available in the Day School office, in this newsletter (below) and online. There will be camp sessions for 4-9 year-olds from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and camp sessions for 2-3 year-olds from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thanks to all the PTO members for their hard work and support with fundraising over the last few months. Thanks to all the room parents who have put forth such a tremendous effort getting class parties organized and successfully run. Thanks to the Day School families for all their help with our second annual food drive. We collected 125 bags for the Light House shelter! We will also be collecting for the
Foodlink county baby pantry this year in order to help supply the Emergency Baby Pantry.
December will be another fun-filled month. We will take several classes to tour the Annapolis Chevy’s which helps our friends at the Light House shelter as well as show us how great food is made.
Happy Holidays from the Day SchoolBy Tricia McVeigh, Director
Cost: $55/full day or $50 for those registered for 2 days or for 2 or more children of same family.
Cost: $35/half day or $30 or for those registered for 2 days or for 2 or more children of same family.
Open House Dates - January 9 & 10 - 9:15 to 11:15 a.m.Registration for 2014/15 - January 24 at 7 a.m.
www.st-margarets.org
Thank you, volunteersfor recently planting more than 180
trees on St. Margaret's campus!
Special thanks to coordinator Al Todd, the Environmental Missions Committee, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay,
and the Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake.
Page 9
Join St. Margaret's Day Schoolin supporting the Anne Arundel County Emergency Baby Pantry
for Christmas!
Place unwrapped, new items under the Christmas tree in the
Day School foyer.
Suggested donations include: Diapers, Formula, Wipes, Newborn Clothing, Pacifiers, Bottles, Towels,
Washcloths.
Donations needed by December 17th.
2014
ClassesSaturday, January 4, 10 a.m.Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m.Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m.
ServicesSunday, January 12
Sunday, March 2Saturday, April 19Sunday, April 27
Baptism forms are available on the church website, under the "About Us"
and "Holy Baptism" links.
To schedule a baptism, please email [email protected].
Page 7 Advent/Christmas 2013
The Vestry's nominating committee, headed by Randy Goff, is gathering names of parishioners who wish to serve on the Vestry. The Vestry is the elected board of lay (non-clergy) representatives of the congregation that lead the church along with the Rector. Vestry members serve three-year terms beginning in February of 2014. Responsibilities include monthly meetings, an annual retreat, and attendance at a conference in the second year of service. If you are interested in learning more about this leadership opportunity, please contact Randy Goff at [email protected].
Comment about serving on the Vestry...
"While I have been on the Vestry for only 10 months, from the very first meeting I admired the commitment and seriousness everyone demonstrated. I have also gained a much broader appreciation of all the work that goes on behind the scenes across the parish to make St. Margaret's the vibrant place we all love."
-- Charlie Lang
AnnouncementsVestry Candidates
Wanted forAnnual Meeting Vote
January 26, 2014
News from theBrotherhood
Members of the Brotherhood have been participating in an inter-generational community service project with the youth of St. Margaret's in cleaning up Bay Dale Drive in Arnold. The quarterly effort is a part of the Anne Arundel County Adopt-a-Road program.
Youth group members Abby Wenz, Kyrone de los Santos, Aeven O'Donnell, Molly Enriquez, Samuel Enriquez, Philip Brooks, Nate Hall, Hannah Hall, and Skyler Todd diligently and safely picked up 10+ large bags of trash and debris this month. Assisting and supervising were the Rev. Sarah Lamming and Brotherhood members John Purgason, George Breeden, Richard Thomas, and Phil Graham.
After the cleanup, the Brotherhood treated all to pizzas, sodas, and water.
The Rev. Sarah Lamming and the Rev. Jane Hague were recently named Associate Members of the Brotherhood's St. Margaret's Chapter.
Claggett Retreats 2014
The Women of St. Margaret's Church are invited to attend the annual Maryland Diocesan Women's Retreat at the Bishop Claggett Center on Friday, Jan. 24 to Sunday, Jan. 26. Participants will celebrate faith in prayer, song and meditation; be inspired and refreshed by workshops and activities; renew friendships; and even make new friends.
The Maryland Diocesan Men's Retreat will take place at the Bishop Claggett Center on Friday, Feb. 7 through Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014. Online registration (with payment option) is now also available at www.claggettcenter.org/programs.
www.st-margarets.org
Page 11
Members of our parish have been asked to provide holiday meals to needy families or seniors this Christmas. We will receive names of those who will receive our gifts from the A.A. County Dept. of Social Services. The Mission Commission will provide the hams while members provide the fixings for the rest of the meal and deliver the basket to the recipient a few days BEFORE Christmas Day. No cooking involved. Hams and baskets will be available at the church on Sunday, Dec. 22, or by separate arrangement. You will receive the name of your recipient and complete delivery instructions. To participate, call coordinator Barbara Marder at 410-518-9978 or email [email protected].
St. Margaret's GuildAnnual Poinsettia Sale
Sundays, Dec. 1 & 8After the 9 & 11:15 a.m.
servicesParish Hall
Christmas Greens Wanted
Honor a Loved One w/Poinsettias &Wreaths @ SMC This Christmas
To make St. Margaret’s Church even more beautiful for the holiday season, parishioners are invited to make a donation to provide poinsettias or wreaths for the sanctuary in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for someone special. Poinsettias cost $20 and wreaths are $45. Make checks out to “St. Margaret’s Church” and note “Christmas flowers donation” on the memo line. The deadline for returning this form with payment to the church office is Sunday, December 15. This order form is also available on the homepage of the church website.
Enclosed is $__________________for _____________poinsettias and/or ______________wreaths.
in loving memory of_________________________or in thanksgiving of______________________.
by _______________________________________________(your name).
Once again, the Flower Guild needs fresh greens for church Christmas decorations. Parishioners are encouraged to donate greens from their yards, including holly (especially variegated holly), magnolia, and pine, etc. Please leave donations outside of the church day school doors on December 22-23.
St. Margaret's ChurchContact Information
Phone 410-974-0200 * Fax 410-757-5334 * Pastoral Emergency 443-837-5463
The Rev. Peter W. Mayer Rector [email protected] Rev. Sarah Lamming Associate Rector [email protected] Rev. Jane Milliken Hague Asst. to Rector [email protected] R. Fitzpatrick Director of Music [email protected] McDaniel Parish Administrator [email protected] Tayman Communications Asst. [email protected] McVeigh Day School Director [email protected] Hall Parish Nurse [email protected] Robertson Sexton [email protected] Winn Grants Coordinator [email protected] Saroch Senior Warden [email protected] Torrence Junior Warden [email protected]
Sunday Services: Wednesday Service: The church is always open for7:30 a.m. - Rite I 7:30 a.m. - Rite II prayers and meditation.9:00 a.m. - Rite II10:15 a.m. - Formation Hour11:15 a.m. - Rite IINursery Care - 8:45 to 12:30
Find us on: www.st-margarets.org
