Dragon Tales E-News
July 8, 2020
WWW.ST-MARGARETS.ORG
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Though it has been a long time ago, I still remember being the mom to two young children. Every afternoon, we would go to my bedroom and read books together on the bed to encourage nap time. (It worked for the boy, but the girl would wait until I fell asleep and went to her room to play.)
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Both of my kids usually picked Dr. Seuss books out of our library books stack that we would spread across the bed for reading time. My daughter learned to read with "One Fish, Two Fish..." My son recited lines from "Cat in the Hat" throughout the day for months.
When it became apparent that we weren't going to have a traditional VBS on campus this year, I began thinking about how St. Margaret's could still provide our children with lessons important to their faith formation through technology. I came to focus on Dr. Seuss, not only because kids love the books, but because through his stories readers learn how we should treat each other, how important it is to be loyal, and how wrongs can be made right by just saying you are sorry when you hurt someone else. I used the components usually a part of VBS to put together a program that includes daily videos by Pastor Patti (reading the book), Pastor Peter (connecting the story with a life lesson), and music led by Jim Douglas, Third Sunday Band, and Kate Caldwell. I also provided links to additional optional activities including movement, snacks, and crafts.
It is entirely up to the parents when and where they want to share the video with their children and whether they want to try the optional activities. We wanted to make this program easily accessible and low key. So
we
will release one video every day in the morning starting next Monday, July 13 on the church website's VBS page and our Facebook public page.
Download our VBS booklet
that will provide a listing of the books and music daily, as well as materials parents would need on hand for snacks, movement, and crafts should they wish to do them. Hard copies will be placed in the narthex (always open) for parent pick-up.
And we invite parents to share the program with other families with younger children. Hopefully your children will not only be entertained but will learn some pretty important message about faith, friendship, and kindness.
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The plan as it stands now, realizing we have to be flexible and that the plan may change, is to regather on Sunday, September 13
th
. The services will be at 9 and 11. (We will continue to live-stream the 9:00 service.) The terms of regathering are these:
*You must wear a mask.
*Maintain 6ft distancing when waiting to enter the church.
*Use the hand sanitizer provided for use before being seated.
Seating will be limited in order to be appropriately distanced from one another. Ushers will escort attendees to seats upon arrival and will dismiss by rows at their direction. There will be no congregational singing. There will be communion in one kind (that is, only bread, not wine). We will share the peace, but without physical contact with anyone outside your family. There will be no coffee hour. The sanctuary will be sanitized before and after each service.
Now, since each service will have limited seating, we will send out a sign-up genius. We’ll have to use the honor system as regards attendance. If you get a spot in one service, please don’t be the first to sign up the next week. We will add extra services during the week to accommodate all our folks (possibly a Wednesday, 9 and 11…we’ll do whatever is necessary to accommodate everyone, including the return of our 7:30 service, as soon as it is logistically possible.) Again, please be flexible and patient with us. We are looking at all of the diocesan and county guidelines, as well as our own capacity, parishioner and clergy needs and community.
Formation
As we have said many times, our spiritual growth is just as important as our physical growth in the process of living a healthy and full life. To be the body of Christ, we need instruction, we need nurturing, we need community. We have always had a vibrant formation program here at St. Margaret’s, and this year should be no different. (Well…it will be a lot different, but only in how we go about it.)
So, we need some input about formation.
Teachers – are you up for doing Zoom classes at 10am on Sundays? Would a different time of day work better? Are you happy with the curriculum we’ve been using? Would you be up for in-person classes (with class size limited, possibly outdoors or in locations other than a classroom)?
Parents – are you up for Zoom Sunday School at 10 on Sundays? Would a different time of day work better? Would you be up for in-person classes (with class size limited, possibly outdoors or in locations other than a classroom)? Would you prefer a family lesson, maybe one that you could access during the week?
Children’s Chapel volunteers – are you up for recording some songs or activities for the children? We need to start planning, so your thoughts on these things matter. Email me and let me know what you think!
Adult formation – We have a plan we could use for Monday nights. Are you all up for that? We have a video series that looks really interesting. We’d watch a video, then have an online discussion. The big question is: Will you participate in a Monday evening forum if we offer one? Would another time work better for you? Again,
let us know please!!
Email the Rev. Patti Sachs at
[email protected]
and share your answers to these questions.
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Prayer Requests for Fridays at 8 p.m.
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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
[email protected]
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For pastoral emergencies, contact clergy at 443-837-5463.
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Where in the World is Peter?
Look for the first of several short videos from Peter as he travels the world (virtually) and shares some interesting facts about different countries. He will also offer a prayer from each.
This week's country? A hint -- it is from the continent of Africa. The post will appear on Thursday mornings throughout July.
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Senior Session next Tuesday, July 14
Those over the age of 65+ are welcome to join clergy through Zoom for
our next Senior Session, this Tuesday, July 14, at 10 a.m
. Participants will discuss the upcoming Gospel lesson, share their joys and concerns, and offer special prayers.
If you wish to participate, email the Rev. Patti Sachs at
[email protected]
.
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Advocacy Training Seminar Tomorrow
“Advocacy Tools for Loving Your Neighbor” on Thursday July 9 from 12:30-2 p.m. EDT
Explore the nature of faith-based advocacy, the issues to which we can speak, and the ways we can make our voices heard. Rostered ministers, Lutherans, Episcopalians and friends are welcome to the free webinar and will leave with tools and inspiration to make a difference.
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ACT News
The ACT Strategy Team wants to let you know what issues their Action Teams are working on and invite your input and participation.
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1. They are asking you to review the direction ACT is heading regarding a coming "tidal wave" of evictions.
2. They are inviting you to join in the work of crafting a new vision for Anne Arundel County around Criminal Justice Reform, Education Equity, Jobs, Food Security, Housing, and more.
3. Please save the date for the first in a series on Race and Community Organizing, Thursday, July 16, 7-8:30 pm. (
Register here
).
They heard from you that we could do better in communicating what's happening across ACT. We will continue these accountability reports, but we need you to act on them, too. In a time such as this, we need the engagement of all our organizations to have the power we will need to create lasting, substantive change in Anne Arundel County.
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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.
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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:
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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
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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.
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Sewing Mission Team Update
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To date, our new sewing mission group as produced 455 masks, 12 Caps & 10 Gowns. Our benefactors: AAMC, West Annapolis Pop Up Pantry & Centre de Ayuda are
asking for more.
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AAMC especially needs isolation gowns, the most costly to produce using a specific fabric. Please continue to support the Sewing Mission with your sponsorship gifts.
Outfit a Health Care Worker (all 3 items) $40
Sponsor a Gown $25, Cap$10, or Mask $5
You can provide the funds by using our automated system in Realm:
Want to help as a driver or seamstress? Contact Beth Kopack by text 410-279-5136 or email
[email protected]
.
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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,
[email protected]
to join these virtual gatherings.
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From Zack Greene, Stewardship Committee Member
Shortly after we sang the three verses of America the Beautiful this Sunday (which always makes the hair on my arms stand up because of how proud I am to be an American), I realized I was a little behind in our giving and needed to get caught up as quickly as possible. I am usually a paper check in the mailbox / offering plate kind of person when it comes to giving but this past Sunday, I was reminded of how easy it is to do this on Realm. I jumped on the Realm application on my phone, hit the “Giving” tab at the bottom of the screen and then the “make a gift” button. I entered in the amount to give and within 20 seconds I was caught back up in my giving. It was wonderful.
A few days earlier, I was doing my taxes for the July 15
th
tax deadline and could not find my year end SMC giving statement for 2019. I was going to send an email off to request the statement, but I remembered my 2019 giving summary is right in Realm so I was off and running.
I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe July 4
th
weekend and don’t forget how much connection we have to our SMC community right at our finger tips via the Realm application.
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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
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Suicide Prevention Walk in Annapolis on Saturday, Sept. 19
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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.
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The group is also sponsoring Virtual Talks:
July 23, 7 pm
Virtual Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention -
Register HERE
August 13, 7 pm
Virtual Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention -
Register Here
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Take Care of your Mental Health During These Challenging Times.
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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.
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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.
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It is with great sadness and disappointment that I have to announce St. Margaret's Church will NOT be hosting our annual Holiday Bazaar.
The chances of Covid-19 being in check doesn't look promising at all.
The majority of crafters have replied that they do not feel comfortable at this time and in order to receive the proper advertising for the event, I would have to start this week.
Please mark your calendars for the 2021 Bazaar that will be scheduled for November 20th, 2021 and keep an eye out for the email to registration of that event.
Be well and stay safe,
Judy Hall
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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.
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Transforming Lives in Christ through worship, formation, and giving.
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