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Dragon Tales E-News
July 29, 2020
WWW.ST-MARGARETS.ORG
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A Note from Peter

Have you heard the expression ‘there’s not enough coffee in the world’….to wake me up, to fix this mess, to make me feel human again. We might say this as struggle to get out of bed after a restless night, or as we trudge into the office after a long week.

It occurred to me this week that while we seem to be lacking in many things these days, we also can take comfort in what we still have. For example, a piece in the Washington Post challenges our country to take the necessary albeit difficult steps to truly beat COVID-19 and re-open the country. What I got out of it was our incapability of sacrificing the present for the future. We, as a country (and yes, I know, we all wear masks, we are all keeping our distance and washing our hands—it’s those ‘other’ people who keep messing it all up), either do not understand the sacrificial math that says ‘do this today so that tomorrow will be better’ or we are unwilling to set aside our own personal rights for the good of the community. Maybe these are the same things; I’m quite sure they’re connected.

I read recently that Americans, in our uniqueness, are very quick to talk about our individual rights, but slow to talk about our individual responsibilities to our community. The words of President Kennedy, and the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation during World War II might as well have happened on another planet. The Chicks (ne The Dixie Chicks) wrote a song called ‘March, March’, in which they sing “march, march to my own drum, I’m an army of one”, and as much as I like them, I reacted viscerally to it. I get it that we all want our own way. But we are not each of us an army of one, and if we are, then we are doomed.

So we are short on sacrifice and communal thinking. But we are long on love. We can be long on love. We are long on love because we know it was the love of God who was shown to us in the person of Jesus Christ, who lived and died and rose again so that others might live forever. As followers of this Christ, we are guided by the idea that love is transformative, and can never be counted out. There is enough of this love in the world, if we choose it. So every day, throughout these crazy, difficult and dangerous time, choose love. Choose to love when you otherwise would ignore or hate. Choose to love when you are shown disgust. Choose to love when you are empty, and God will fill you up.

There is enough love in the world.
It's Sunday School Registration Time!

We have moved children into what we think are the correct Sunday School classes in Realm. You can confirm this for us by checking your child’s profile in Realm to see which group they are currently in. Please also confirm that we have added the correct parent to the group your child is in as a “Guest” so that you will receive any messages we send about those classes. Please email Gwen Davis ( gwen@llamaworks.com ) if you have any questions or think a change is needed.
Sewing Mission Continues

Our Sewing Mission continues to fill orders for the local hospitals, and they could use some funds. The materials used are very specific for the gowns, and the need is quickly out-stripping the funds. Make a check to "St. Margaret’s Church" with "Sewing Mission" in the memo line, or donate through Realm. In these times, we can use our gifts to support those doing life-saving work for others.

Thanks be to God for all you all are doing!
VBS Available throughout Summer

We shared our virtual Vacation Bible School last week featuring the stories of Dr. Seuss. Children ages 3-9 enjoyed storytelling by the Rev. Patti, lesson from the Rev. Peter, a familiar song from St. Margret's musicians and options for a snack, craft, and movement activity.

Families can participate any time, any way they wish. We offer this to be optional for parents to participate at times that are convenient for them. Download the VBS videos and VBS booklet on our website VBS page .
Prayer Requests for Fridays at 8 p.m.
Join Pastor Patti at 8 p.m. on Friday evenings on our Facebook public page for a special evening of prayers and meditations. If you have a prayer request, you can submit it through our website with the green box in the middle of the homepage at www.st-margarets.org . You can also email Rev. Patti at patti@st-margarets.org
For pastoral emergencies, contact clergy at 443-837-5463.
Pop-up Pantry Needs Help
A group of volunteers are collecting food and supplies from generous neighbors around Annapolis, Arnold and Cape St. Claire, led by Diana Love. The pantry has provided food for hundreds of children and families each week. The Pantry has grown enough that the pick-up/drop-off has moved to a larger space in the empty classrooms of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis on Ridgely Avenue.
We appreciate all of the parishioner volunteers who have worked to make this happen. And we're proud our Missions Commission has provided funding.

To help with this effort, you can sign up online at:

For more information, watch this video from the Today Show:
Wherever you are in the world...enjoy your own scenic 5K, half marathon, or walking route for this virtual event! 

All proceeds benefit the Light House shelter.
It's virtual! Map your own course! Compete at your own pace! Report your time! Support the Light House!

First Day to Participate: Saturday, September 12, 2020
Last Day to Participate: Sunday, September 20, 2020

For those local to the Annapolis, MD area:
In-Person, Drive-By Packet Pick Up
Saturday, September 12, 2020
From 8 am - Noon
Light House Homeless Prevention Center, 10 Hudson St., Annapolis, MD
The need is great in Anne Arundel County for food and other necessities. Thank you to our volunteers who have been involved in community "pop-up" foodbanks. Our missions commission has been busy supporting these kinds of efforts financially. The county has now launched a Food Access Warm Line: 410-222-FOOD that connects people with the services they need, and ensures that county staff have direct contact with families. The purpose is to ensure that every program aligns with the needs of all county residents. If you know anyone who needs such help, please show them the flyer above.
Honor or Remember Loved Ones 

Would you like to remember or honor an important person(s) to you? All are welcome to provide a special honor to loved ones by purchasing altar flower dedications for a Sunday.

Purchase the remembrance for $50 by texting online at GIVE SMC at 73256, or give online at http://onrealm.org/smcannapolis/give . Make sure you provide names and donor information to info@st-margarets.org .
Diocese of Maryland Youth! 

Youth are encouraged to join Kate Riley, Youth Programs Leader for the Diocese, and their peers for games, check-ins, and prayers on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Noon-1:00 PM. Join the Online Youth Leadership Program on Tuesdays, 3:00 PM for Bible study, current events, leadership, and games. Contact Kate Riley,  kriley@episcopalmaryland.org  to join these virtual gatherings.
St. Margaret’s is greater than a “church that gives” – we are a compassionate, connected community. Reading last week’s Dragon Tales, it is amazing to see all the meaningful work that our parish is doing despite the challenges of the pandemic. And even though we are doing a great deal, there are always opportunities to give your time, talent and treasure.

Specifically:

Youth Formation: Gwen Davis continues her great leadership by designing a virtual Sunday School. And while Zoom will enable our kids to access lessons, we still need teachers for our middle schoolers. With the new format, you can record the lesson during the week as your schedule permits. Please email Patti if you’d like to learn more.

Sewing Mission: The Sewing Mission, led by Beth Kopack, continue to produce masks for local hospitals, helping to keep our medical heroes safe. Given the demand, the Mission could use help to cover the cost of materials. If you’re able, please make a check to "St. Margaret’s Church" with "Sewing Mission" in the memo line, or donate through Realm .

Pop-Up Pantry: Under the leadership of Diana Love, many of you have collected and delivered food and supplies to local families in need. The Pantry has grown, and while the Missions Commission provides the funding, volunteers are needed to deliver meals to local families. To help with this effort, you can sign up online .

Thank you to our leaders of these vital ministries, and thanks to all who contribute their time, talent and treasure. Because of you, St. Margaret’s continues to be a compassionate, connected community.

God’s Peace,
Doug Seybert, Stewardship Committee
Give to St. Margaret's

By texting GiveSMC to 73256

By giving online

By mailing checks to:
St. Margaret's Church, 1601 Pleasant Plains Road
Annapolis, MD 21409

Suicide Prevention Walk in Annapolis on Saturday, Sept. 19
The Maryland and Delaware Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will host an "Out of the Darkness Walk" at the Navy Stadium in Annapolis on Saturday, Sept. 19th. Hundreds of thousands of people are involved in similar walks that raise awareness and funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). The funding goes to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss. AFSP has been able to set a bold goal to  reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025.
The group is also sponsoring a Virtual Talk:
 
August 13, 7 pm
Virtual Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention - Register Here
Take Care of your Mental Health During These Challenging Times.
Learn How at   afsp.org/COVID19
A Note about Sunday Services

Our Sunday services in August will be pre-recorded, and will include a look back at some of our favorite hymn singing as a congregation.
Live on our Facebook public page at 9:00 a.m. Sundays.
an on the homepage of our website: www.st-margarets.org on Mondays.
A Prayer for Spiritual Communion
Episcopal Prayer Book for the Armed Forces (1988)
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. And since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.
Office Times Now Being Scheduled by Appointments

Staff is now coming into the office at various times throughout the week. If you need to contact a staff person, the fastest way is email. If you need to see someone in person, please make an appointment with them, as we cannot guarantee when they will be in the office on different days. Rest assured they are hard at work and staying safe mostly at home.

If you do come into the office for an appointment, please be sure to wear a mask for the safety of our staff, cleaning crew, and parishioners.
The Rev. Peter W. Mayer, Rector

The Rev. Patti Sachs, Assoc. Rector

Jim Douglas, Director of Music

Elizabeth Radley, Dir. of Operations

Laura Tayman, Communications

Teresa McCorkle, Bookkeeper

Jeff Conover, Youth Ministries Leader

Tricia McVeigh, Day School Dir.

Judy Hall, Churchyard Administrator

Christine Feldmann, Grants. Admin.
Transforming Lives in Christ through worship, formation, and giving.