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Dragon Tales E-News
June 27, 2018
(410) 974-0200 Office (443) 837-5463 Emergency Pastoral
www.st-margarets.org info@st-margarets.org @SMCAnnapolis

Sunday Services at 7:30, 9:00, and 11:15 a.m.
peter new pic
A Note from Peter

I was asked recently by someone whether God punishes us for things like not reading the Bible. It reminded me of a question that someone asked me a long time ago; does God test us? It really makes us wonder when we go through difficult times in our lives. Times of pain, grief, confusion, or feeling alone can make us wonder what God’s plan is, and how it gets carried out. Does God’s plan require suffering?

I go back to the idea that while we can’t really KNOW or UNDERSTAND God, we do have a sense of what God is like—through scripture, through the revelation of Jesus, and through our experiences. We can even see glimpses of God in the negative when we see something that we abhor, we might say “that can’t be what God is like.” Perhaps what calls us closer to God is the idea of TRUST in God. That trust can be seen as faith that God is with us, regardless of our station, condition or circumstances in life. The faith is that God loves us no matter how often we attend church, no matter how well we know the Bible, and no matter anything else.

Now, I will say that regular attendance to spiritual practice, ideally in a community, will transform you—faster, and more deeply than doing it “on your own.” I will say that regular study of Holy Scripture (or even just listening to podcasts on the Bible—let me go look for some!) will grow your spirit and get you closer to God. But God doesn’t punish us. I don’t even think God tests us. I think God loves us, and that life is hard. And the former gets us through the latter.
Vacation Bible School 2018

What a great week we are having with here at St. Margaret's with our "green" ReNew Vacation Bible School. We thank all of the many parishioner volunteers who are giving so much of their time and talents this week! About 60 students from ages 4 to 10 have been growing in faith and learning how better to care for God's creation.
Light House Pantry – July Food Drive

Each July St. Margaret's is responsible for a drive to stock the Light House Food Pantry, which provides our neighbors in need with non-perishable goods such as low sugar canned fruits & vegetables; dried products such as mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, cereal; soup, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, dry milk, and tuna fish; and personal care items such as small soaps, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. (not “junk foods” such as chips & cookies). We hope everyone at St. Margaret’s will contribute at least one bag of items between now and the end of July. There are bags, kindly provided by Giant supermarket and a list of especially needed items in the narthex. Please place donations in the container in the narthex (sanctuary is always open). Thanks to all who continue to donate throughout the year.
Scheduling Reminder: The funeral service for B.J. Davidson is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, June 28 at 2 p.m. A reception in the parish hall follows.
Four Tickets Left for Infinity Show!

We have four extra tickets for the Murder for Two show by Infinity Theatre on Thursday, July 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 by check or $32 by credit card on our website. First - come, first - serve. Please email info@st-margarets.org if you would like to purchase them. The show is almost completely sold out! The show will be held at the nearby Children's Theatre of Annapolis theater on Bay Head Road. A reminder that the MacGregors have graciously invited attendees to their home at 201 Nomini Drive in Arnold after the show. RSVP at jamacgregor101@gmail.com .
The Anne Arundel County Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) Sponsoring Committee is a strictly non-partisan "organization of organizations" made up of 20 member and friend organizations working together to build community power so that people's voices are represented, and solutions presented, at the places where decisions are made. The organization builds power by forming deep relationships within organizations and our communities, never acting "for" anyone, but always with. They do not endorse candidates or work with or for any political parties.

Many local churches have been involved and St. Margaret's has been invited to join in. THURSDAY, JULY 12, 7-8:30pm at Asbury United Methodist Church, 87 West St. in Annapolis.

FREE PARKING in Whitmore Garage from 6:15pm until 9:15pm
Parking Validation provided - FREE CHILDCARE PROVIDED
Please plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early.

Over the past three months, the group has heard the stories of over 2,100 people from communities across Anne Arundel County.

The problem areas identified are:
AFFORDABLE HOUSING - SAFE AND EFFECTIVE SCHOOLS - EFFICIENT AND USEFUL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - MEANINGFUL AND GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT - FREEDOM FROM ADDICTION - JUST AND FAIR IMMIGRATION POLICIES
all underpinned by systematic racism, sexism, and xenophobia which groups can dismantle together.

At the meeting, Research Action Teams related to these and other problem areas will work together and with others directly affected to identify specific issues and develop solutions that can be brought to the tables of power in our communities with people impacted by the problem.

Let Rev. Peter know if you are interested in attending/joining these efforts.
Foyers Forming for Next Year
Are you interested in joining the St. Margaret’s Foyers social groups? If you participated last year you do not do anything as, you will receive a phone call or e-mail from one of the committee members in which you will be asked your interest. If you did not participate last year but want to meet other parishioners in a social setting, please contact one of the Planning Committee members when groups are formed in August. The purpose of this activity is to facilitate strong relationships within our church.
 
Foyers Planning Committee--
VeraTorrence 
Lesal Kilcrease 
Web Chamberlin 
KarenEngelke 
Episcopal Night at Camden Yards on 7/27
Join other parishioners and Episcopalians across Maryland to cheer on the Orioles on Friday, July 27 at a discounted rate. Game start is 7:05 p.m.
If you wish to purchase a St. Margaret's group ticket (ensuring you sit with parishioners) you can (1) write a check to St. Margaret's for $18 per person with "Orioles game" in the memo line and place in the offertory plate or take to the church office or (2) pay by credit card online for the price of $20. Tickets will be distributed starting July 9.
We have arranged for a Baptism Sunday in the summer. The date will be Sunday, July 22. If you wish for a baptism, please contact the Rev. Peter and let him know.

Baptism forms must be completed and into the church office by Wednesday, July 11th.

You can download the form by going to the church website, click on the "About Us" tab at the top and click on Holy Baptism.
Missions Tanzania Trip
St. Margarets Missions Comm. members are leading a group to Tanzania on March 7-20, 2019. The all-inclusive trip will include a safari visiting the most beautiful spots of the Serengeti and a three-day visit to the Dageno Girls Center.

Dageno has been a St. Margaret’s grant recipient since 2014 but this is the first time we’ve visited in person.

The itinerary has been planned and will be led by Teri Priebe of King George Travel—a very experienced TZ tour operator.

A $500 deposit secures your space now. Space is limited-- three rooms left (six spots, double occupancy ). For more information, go to our website at
st-margarets.org and click on the Missions tab at the top.
Camp Allen Coming This August
St. Margaret’s will once again hold the half-day Camp Allen summer program on August 6-10 for the families of the Allen Apartments in the Parole area of Annapolis.

We are seeking volunteers to be youth counselors, Spanish speakers to help with registration on Monday and Tuesday, snack and lunch helpers, drivers with larger vehicles to help with transportation of tables and supplies, people to help with crafts and games on Monday or Tuesday, and chaperones for field trips on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

In the coming months there will be sign-up opportunities in the parish hall, or you may contact coordinator Sarah Hyde at 410-562-9904 or by e-mail at smhyde@aol.com .
Third Sunday Band
working on a NEW CD

The Third Sunday Band has begun working in the studio to record and produce a new CD which will be released in time for the 2018 Christmas season. 

As you might expect from TSB, this will not be the usual collection of familiar carols. Entitled"Peace", the CD features a number of original arrangements of Advent and Christmas songs and original compositions.  

Recording and producing music is not an inexpensive proposition. To raise money needed to finish the project, the Band is hoping that many of you will consider pre-purchasing the CD, buying extras for friends and family or consider a donation to our project. 

Office Notes

As the summer vacation season begins, our regular office volunteers begin to take vacations. As a result, phone calls may not be answered right away,

Email may be the fastest source of communication and is encouraged if possible. Staff will be able to collect voice mail phone messages throughout the day as long as they are not on vacation.

As a reminder, pastoral emergency calls can be made at 443-837-5463.

Office Emails
The Rev. Peter W. Mayer, Rector,
The Rev. Patti Sachs, Assistant Rector, patti@st-margarets.org
Elizabeth Radley, Dir. of Operations, elizabeth@st-margarets.org
Laura Tayman, Planning & Comms. Asst., laura@st-margarets.org
Jeff Conover, Youth Ministries Director, jeff@st-margarets.org
Teresa McCorkle, Bookkeeper,
Judy Hall, Churchyard Administrator, churchyard@st-margarets.org
Izzy Winn, Grants Administrator,
Tricia McVeigh, Day School Director,
Office Closures

The office will be closed on July 4 & 5 for the Independence Day holiday.
Starting July 6, the office will be closed on Fridays through Aug. 31.

Deadlines

Deadline for Dragon Tales -- Monday afternoon
Deadline for Sunday Announcements -- Wednesday morning

Quick Links

Sunday Readings - Track 1