Dragon Tales E-News
September 19, 2018
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A Note from Patti
Best. Day. Ever!!! It is really hard to express the gratitude and joy I have in my heart. When you journey with God, the road is always surprising. It’s still full of the usual potholes, ruts and roadblocks that we all face, but somehow, these things become different. There is another aspect to them, maybe another dimension that seems to put them in another light. The cosmos is so much bigger than our potholes. I am awe-full! Remember, in our baptismal prayer it says “Give her an enquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and persevere, a spirit to know and love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.” I love that prayer. We would do well to read it to ourselves once a month as a reminder of what is really central to our lives. I spent a lot of time just in awe and wonder the last several weeks. When I get up before sunrise, I sit outside and just watch the stars and wonder…It really is just spending time with God in God’s abode.
Wondering is a key aspect of formation here at St. Margaret’s. Beginning with the “I wonder…” questions in Godly Play, going all the way to Jeff’s young folks wondering about their place in the world, we are good with
wondering
! God’s creation is wonder-full and wondering expands our imaginations, makes room for more time with God. And that is always a good thing.
In VBS this summer, the children learned to wonder about God’s creation, about why they should care for themselves, their communities and the larger world. It was an early lesson in stewardship. We are stewards of all we have been given,
and that is a lot!!
In our current stewardship campaign, we pledge to support St. Margaret’s in its many missions and works in God’s world. Our work as a church, as one body, is supported by our pledges. St. Margaret’s continues to grow in mission, outreach and membership and to sustain this,
we need to pledge!
In this way we can acknowledge the gifts we have been given, and our gratitude for them. It’s good to share the wealth! It should gladden our hearts to be able to pledge.
I have been living in a constant state of gratitude for a while now – I am so grateful for so many, many things – being at St. Marg’s especially! It is a good attitude to have – an “
attitude of gratitude”
! Try it!
With sincere gratitude and love,
Patti
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We had a great first day of Sunday School this past Sunday. It's not too late to register and attend. All are welcome!
NOTE for Parents, Teachers, and Students
-- We will be sounding a bell (yes a real schoolhouse bell ringing) to signal that it is time for everyone to get to class for the lesson. So when you hear it each Sunday, make sure students make their way to their classroom.
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Stewardship Campaign for 2019
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The Power of Pledging
This Sunday at 10:15, the Stewardship Committee will host the annual Stewardship Forum to discuss the current campaign and how stewardship pledging generates resources to support and continue St. Margaret’s mission of transforming lives through Christ. The forum provides an opportunity for in-depth discussion about the many aspects of St. Margaret’s that are sustained through stewardship. Our faith and formation programs, music ministry, missions commission, buildings upkeep and grounds maintenance all benefit from stewardship.
Stewardship also helps ensure that our wonderful staff our compensated appropriately and provides competitive compensation for our new staff hires. Long term growth and goals for the church are also achieved through stewardship support.
The Stewardship team will detail the goal for this year’s campaign -- $910,000, an 8% increase from last year’s campaign. We know that is a big number, but we want to reduce the draw on the endowment for operating expenses. We will also go over the multiple ways to pledge – pledge cards are available in the pews and church office and were mailed a few weeks ago. Online pledging is also available here.
As you consider your pledge, remember there is no “correct” amount and we do not require tithing. We also ask that if you currently donate in the offertory plate to convert that donation to a pledge for better budget planning purposes. A pledge is not a binding contract, but a spiritual commitment. We encourage you to give a gift that is meaningful and reflective of God’s blessings in your life.
Please submit your pledge via offertory plate, the church office, or online
by October 28, 2018
to allow adequate time for budget planning.
If you have any questions, please contact our Stewardship co-chairs Doug Seybert (703-599-8746;
[email protected]
) or Brad Callahan (443-326-3333;
[email protected]
).Thank you for your continued support of St. Margaret’s Church!
Stewardship Forum - Sept. 23 - 10:15 a.m.
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Latest Youth News @ St. Margaret's
As a congregation, we are blessed with a wonderful problem. We have youth that are asking for MORE church, MORE youth group, MORE chances to become involved. Do you realize how blessed we are to have this problem? Job well done, parents! You got them here, and now they WANT to be here. The challenge is now to KEEP them here.
Important Details
*For safety standards, we need chaperones for
-Each Monday night for Faith & Fellowship Youth Group meetings;
-Sunday afternoon Youth Group sessions throughout the year;
-Diocesan trips and events throughout the year.
*SMC Youth will be participating in an ecumenical service project where youth of several Broadneck Peninsula churches visit different places of worship in the fall. After visiting other churches, the effort will end with a Saturday mass at St. Andrew by the Bay, followed by a potluck and a discussion of the differences and similarities observed.
*A Summer mission trip has been planned for Puerto Rico to assist with hurricane relief efforts.
*SMC youth will be helping with the Children's Epiphany Pageant in January as well as a youth-led worship service on May 12.
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Thursday Morning Bible Study
Wow! Thanks to the over two dozen parishioners who participated in our first session of the
Thursday Bible Study. We grew in size so we will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall tomorrow at 9:15am
. All are welcome! As a reminder,
nursery care is available during the class
! We are reading the Amy-Jill Levine book
Short Stories by Jesus.
The Seekers Sunday Morning Study - Starts Sunday!
The Seekers, a group
that meets Sunday mornings from 10:15 to 11 a.m. in the administrative office reception room, is also studying the same book.
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Faith & Fellowship
Monday Activities
Our first Faith & Fellowship evenings have begun!
Activities include:
5:00 - Spirit Singers - Choir Room
5:30 - Youth Chorale - Choir Room
5:30 - Acolytes practice - Sanctuary
5:30 - Arts & Crafts - Parish Hall
6:00 - Fellowship Dinner
6:30 - Youth Group
6:45 - Adult Formation
6:45 - Motet Ensemble Rehearsal
Nursery care begins at 6 p.m.
Pay for Meals by credit card here!
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Adult Formation This Monday
Paul O'Donnell, our Senior Warden, will lead a discussion on
"The Spiritual Legacy of the Desert Fathers and Mothers.
All are welcome
!
Paul as
served as a reporter, writer, and analyst at Newsweek. He also found the ground-breaking, award-winning religion news and opinion site Beliefnet.com. He is currently a freelance editor in print and online. He is the author of two books from Workman Press and Random House imprints.
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Flu Shots Available 9/30
Staff at the Walgreen's on Taylor Ave. will be in the Fellowship Hall on
Sunday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
to make available both flu and pneumonia shots. Please bring your insurance card and your checkbook.
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Daughters of the King
The All Saints in Prayer Chapter of the national Daughters of the King organization welcomes all women from Episcopal churches in the greater Annapolis area. Our current members worship at St. Philip’s, St. Margaret’s, St. Luke’s, St James, and St. Anne’s.
An informational meeting about DOK will be held at St. Margaret’s Church, October 2 at 6:30 p.m.
There are over 22,000 "Daughters" in the U.S. and around the world. The Order is a caring community of women who support each other in our faith journey, and who work to strengthen our parishes. There
is a 12 session discernment class for women who are interested in learning about the Order and then allow time for reflection. Following the discernment class, those who desire to become members participate in a service to make their vow and become part of the Order. The vow is a restatement of our baptismal and confirmation promises.
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Blessing of the Animals
Thursday, Oct. 4
6 p.m.
October 4 is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a monk known for his vow of poverty and his special connection to animals. Our clergy will be blessing the beloved pets of our parishioners on campus that evening. All are welcome to bring their pets to church, on leash or contained, or just bring photographs. We've seen everything -- dogs, cats, rabbits, lizards, turtles, horses, etc. so bring them all!
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History Celebrated 10/7
Our historical offering for this month focuses upon the altar cross in the chancel of St. Margaret’s Church. This 1888 memorial gift survived the 1892 fire and has remained for all to clearly see year after year for 130 years.
Join us for
A Tour of Our Home—326 Years on the Broadneck Peninsula
, Sunday, October 7, at 10:20 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the formation building. Bring your coffee or tea along to view the virtual tour of the sights of our area with narration by the members of the History & Archives Project. Receive your copy of the photos, maps and directions for you to do your own driving tour at another time.
Then join us following the 11:15 service (approximately 12:30) on the same day for a historical tour of the church and grounds followed by Colonial refreshments in the parish hall before we drive down Pleasant Plains Road to Hollywood Farm for description of archaeological work of the first settlement of Providence that has been done in the area by county archaeologists. We will have an opportunity to see this 125 acre working farm where Katadhin sheep are raised, a small flock of chickens, many border collies, and a few barn cats.
Check their website at
hollywoodfarm.com
. There are community gardens and a flower garden on the farm. Tour is open to all ages. If you plan to join the farm tour, please email Barbara Breeden at
[email protected]
by Friday, October 5
so that we have a headcount for the owners.
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Sign up Now!
Seniors Trip on Oct. 21
Our "55 and Better" parishioners are invited to an exciting
visit to the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Lands on Sunday, October 21st.
The monastery is in Washington, near Catholic University.
After the 11:15 service, participants will eat lunch and watch a video in the Fellowship Hall before boarding a bus for a 3 p.m. tour of the monastery.
The tour lasts about an hour. It is a fascinating and beautiful place. More information can be found on their website at
www.myfranciscan.org
.
NOTE: There will be a fair amount of walking, and while the church and most of the grounds are handicap-accessible, the tour includes the grottoes and some of the shrines, which are not. There are steps involved.
Reserve your seat on the bus
for $35
by check to "St. Margaret's Church" with "Holyland Trip" in the memo line. Put in the offertory plate on Sunday or get it to the church office.
DEADLINE is Oct. 15.
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Industrial Areas Foundation Launches Interfaith Program on Oct. 4
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The Anne Arundel County IAF is a strictly non-partisan “organization of organizations” made up of 19 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 group does not endorse candidates or work with or for any political parties. Over the past three months, members have heard the stories of over 2,100 people from communities across Anne Arundel County.
St. Margaret's Church is one of the faith communities participating in this organization effort. If you would like to be a part of this process, please contact St. Margaret's representative Dalyn Huntley at
908-256-1184 or
[email protected].
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Parents' Workshop
Screen Sense on Oct. 10
St. Margaret's Church and St. Margaret's Day School are sponsoring a free workshop for parents on how to make good choices about children’s use of technology in the early years. The program will be held on
Wed., Oct. 10, in the Fellowship Hall at 6:30 p.m. Childcare will be provided. Please RSVP for childcare to [email protected]. The program is free for admission, and all are welcome!
Presenter is Claire Lerner, LCSW-C, a licensed clinical social worker and child development specialist. She is a source on early childhood development for NPR and numerous national daily newspapers such as
The New York Times
,
Wall Street Journal
and
USA Today
.
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Mark Your Calendar
Senior Sessions -- Tuesday, Oct. 2
All parishioners 55 and older are welcome to meet with clergy to discuss joys, challenges, and the next Gospel lesson with clergy.
Women's Guild Meeting -- Wednesday, Oct. 3
Women of the parish are welcome to attend the St. Margaret's Guild monthly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at noon in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a bagged lunch. Beverages and desserts are provided. A meeting and guest speaker are on the agenda.
Prayer Shawl Ministry -- Saturday, Oct. 6
All are welcome to join this dedicated group who knit prayer shawls to comfort those who are going through difficult physical and emotional circumstances.
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Tanzania Trip Planned for 2019
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Follow the great migration in luxury tented camps and see “the big five” in the wilds of the Serengeti. The safari normally costs $6,000 pp but has been discounted to $3,800pp for St. Margarets. The March 8-20, 2019 trip includes three days at the Dageno Girls Center, where graduating students will practice their entrepreneurial skills on us as a tourist stop. St. Margarets has been supporting Dageno since 2014 but this is the first visit.
One female is seeking a roommate and two double rooms are left.
Airfare, tips, visa fee and insurance not included. Visit St. Margarets website for more details or contact Teri Priebe at King George Travel: 540-760-8178 or
[email protected]
.
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A REMINDER FOR OUR WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS
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By now, all who serve on Sundays (except acolytes) should have received by email information on St. Margaret's new scheduling system. The system is an easy way to check the current schedule, find a substitute or swap weeks with another volunteer.
Please remember to check it regularly!
FOR ACOLYTES --
Julie Svendsen has graciously accepted the challenge of scheduling acolytes on Sundays. If you have any questions, please contact her at
[email protected]
.
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Deadline for Dragon Tales - Monday afternoon
Deadline for Sunday Announcements - Wednesday morning
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