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A Note from Jim

It’s hard to believe that we’re halfway through the summer already! I hope that everyone has been able enjoy some down time, get away and make up for the things or trips missed out on last summer.

Mid-July is usually the time when I begin planning out all things music for the upcoming program year, from rehearsal schedules for our ensembles to music for Sunday mornings, special events and special services. Fingers crossed we will be able to begin the 2021-22 program year like we normally would. I’m excited about what is on tap for the fall and details will be forthcoming soon!

At the end of July, me and many esteemed colleagues and our adult and youth choristers from across the country descend on King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA for annual RSCM choir camp. For the second year in a row, it was canceled due to the pandemic, though this year our choir camp along with the other ones held nationwide joined to offer a four-day hybrid online/in-person camp, held at Duke University and the National Cathedral. Events included a hymn sing from Duke Chapel, several services of evening Compline and wrapped up with Evensong at the Cathedral. Below are links to click to some of the events.


As many of you are aware, our sanctuary organ has been misbehaving in recent weeks. The organ has been on borrowed time and recent failings aren’t a total surprise. Thankfully it has cooperated on Sunday mornings, but do say a prayer and send some good vibes for it to get us through while we await the installation of our new instrument. The organ committee is excited to share some updates, so please visit the organ webpage on the church website to view photos of the new custom console and sketches of the casework which will keep the new instrument’s speakers hidden from view.
Indoor Worship
is now available!
7:30, 9:00, 11:15 a.m.
Note: You do not have to sign up to attend.

We are so excited to be worshipping together again! There are still some rules we will follow for the safety of us all.
·        We will still wear masks inside.
·        We may sing inside with our masks on.
·        Hand sanitizer will still be available in the narthex and at the front of the sanctuary.
·        We will continue to share an elbow or smile at the peace. (Hugs and handshakes are permitted if both parties agree.)
·        Please be conscious of physical distancing. Four feet is the recommended distance now.

Thanks to all for continuing patience and adherence to all safety rules.
See you Sunday!

AS A REMINDER -- We will offer a live-stream of the service at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/smcannapolis) and our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/c/saintmargaret)
at least when the weather and technology cooperates!
Annapolis Chamber Music Festival Performance at SMC on August 6

After months of anticipation, the Annapolis Chamber Music Festival is excited to announce its sixth season with a return to in-person concerts across Annapolis as well as continued digital programming, taking place August 5-14, 2021. This year’s festival draws on some of the experiences we all shared during the last year while also looking ahead with hope and anticipation. St Margaret’s is pleased to again serve as a host venue for ACMF on Friday evening, August 6, 7:30 p.m. with the second of three in-person concerts titled Exhalation, which will examine the arc of tension and release in music and in our lives.
 
Exhalation is a simple act which has taken on a lot of extra weight in recent times. When it is done, by whom and under what conditions have all become a source of stress at times. For musicians, especially those who exhale for a living, this has been especially true. The works on this program aim to take back this act as a signal of relief, of open expression and as a crucial musical gesture.

Each work on this program breathes in its own way, featuring Baroque master George Philip Telemann’s “Tafelmusik” and English composer Gustav Holst’s “Terzetto", among other works.
 
Tickets are $28 (students free with an ID) and may be purchased online at https://chambermusicannapolis.org/tickets.
NEW ORGAN CAMPAIGN

At 95%, we have nearly reached our organ campaign fundraising goal, which is remarkable! Many thanks to those who have generously contributed towards our new M&O Opus 17 instrument.

NEW--An anonymous donor has now offered to double any pledge under $10,000! If you haven't yet pledged, please consider doing so now and double your giving total!

How to pledge--
Got to the church website at www.st-margarets.org
Click on the Worship tab at the top, then click on Music, and then New Organ Page.
Fill out the online form.

Payments can be made by:
  • Making a check out to "St. Margaret's Church" and putting "New Organ Fund" in the memo line.
  • Using a credit card by going into Realm and choosing the organ fund (www.onrealm.org/smcannapolis/giving).
  • Gifting of stock. (Please contact Teresa or Elizabeth in the office to let them know.)
St. Margaret's is now looking to hire two new staff members.

1) Director of Children/Family Formation - Part Time - 19 hrs/wk at $22.00 per hour plus FICA.
Contact: The Rev. Patti Sachs at [email protected].

2) Part Time Sexton - Tuesday-Friday from 8 a.m.-noon and Monday and Weds from 5-9 p.m.
Contact: Elizabeth Radley at [email protected].
Photo Directory Update -- Notify Us on Info Sharing

Plans for our picture directory are coming together! We will be using information available in Realm. Here’s what we need to know from you:

·        Do you want to be in the directory? If you don’t want to be in the directory (name, address, phone, email, children’s names) it will be your responsibility to let us know. (Email [email protected])

·        Can we have a picture? (If there is a photo in Realm on your page, we can use that one. Otherwise, email Patti a photo, or we will make arrangements to take one for you.) It would be nice for families to share an updated photo with all family members.

Let us know if you aren’t sure what info is in Realm, or if you have other questions. 
Mark your calendars for our "Back to School and Church" bash on Sunday, August 29 from 10:30 to 1:00 p.m. on our SMC Campus. The day will include Blessing of the Backpacks at the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services, as well as a food truck opportunity, special giveaways, Sunday School sign-ups, playground fun and more!
Children's Formation Registration Begins August 1!

Opportunities available from Sept - May include:
*Children's Chapel (during sermon at 9 a.m. service)
*Sunday School Pre-School (Godly Play)
*Sunday School Kindergarten/1st grade (Godly Play)
*Sunday School Grades 2-3
*Sunday School Grades 4-5
*Sunday School Middle School
*Formation Class High School
*Youth Group Monday Nights
*Acolytes (lead during church services)
*Church Musicians

Adult Volunteers are a must as we use Team Teachers for each activity. If you can support our young learners, please contact the Rev. Patti Sachs at [email protected].
Movie Reviews from the Rev. Peter

Tune in to our Facebook public page (www.facebook.com/smcannapolis) this week as the Rev. Peter accepts movie recommendations from parishioners and discusses his reactions. Have a recommendation? Email [email protected].
The Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) invites all to join a virtual church-wide revival July 27-30 that will feature stirring music, testimonies, learning, and messages from Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and others. Learn more and register for the revival here.
Sign up now for EFM

Do you have questions about your faith? Most people do, and most find it challenging to get answers. Education for Ministry (EfM) was developed by the School of Theology in Sewanee, Tennessee, to provide a mechanism for people to work through those questions. This four-year course of study is led by mentors who provide the framework for the group to connect faith to their daily lives through reading and discussion.
Meeting once a week in a small group, you will begin to think theologically, reflect faithfully, and speak civilly when confronted by beliefs and principles in opposition to your own. By being an EfM participant, you will learn how to articulate your faith. You will learn how to shape your faith into action. You will become involved in ministries in your community, and you will make a difference.
Since the inception of this program in 1976, more than 95,000 people have participated in it. EfM groups meet regionally in nearly every diocese of The Episcopal Church, in six provinces of the Anglican Communion, and in virtual classrooms with participants from across the globe. We would love to have you join us.
An EfM group will convene on-line via Zoom beginning in September of 2021. We will meet weekly for approximately two hours via Zoom and we may meet in person quarterly. The program cost is $380 a year and includes program texts. An EfM group consists of 12 people max, currently we have 8 signed up for the 2021-2022 session, if you are interested in joining our group, please contact Jim Hall at [email protected] (St. Margaret's) or Anne Arms at [email protected] (St. Luke's).

For complete details, visit efm.sewanee.edu.
Registration for the 2021-22 school year and
2021 summer camps are now open!


Diocese of Maryland
Sunday Youth Brunch
Sundays from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

This is a time of fun, fellowship and formation open to all middle and high school students and youth workers. The agenda will include guest speakers, special prayer practices, and games to play. Sign up for a weekly reminder here. Use this link to join: http://bit.ly/sundaybrunchmd.
My Brother's Pantry

My Brother's Pantry, a food program for the Broadneck peninsula, is excited to announce the start of their new “Family Choice Pantry” operation!

Residents can now come to the Pantry, located at College Parkway Baptist Church, choose the menu items that work best for their family, and have everything delivered right to their car. Selections will change monthly as the organization works to stock more fresh and healthy food, as well as personal care items. Please help spread the word! And if you would like to volunteer, please contact parishioner Russell Jackson at [email protected] or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mybrotherspantry.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

*Provide dinners for the shelter residents the fourth Sunday of the month.
For more information, contact [email protected].

*Join the Annapolis Run for The Light House on the scenic trails of Quiet Waters Park. The race options are virtual and include a Half Marathon, the Joggin’ Joe Shafran Memorial 5k Run, and a 1.25 Mile Walk. For more information, go to https://www.annapolisrunforthelighthouse.org/.

*West Annapolis Pop-up Pantry - feeding hungry families in the Annapolis area two Thursdays a month- Contact: Barbara Marder, Janice John
Join a post-COVID “Cathedral Tour” of Great Britain, a 9-Day tour, scheduled for October 6-14, 2022.

The Revs Allan and Anne Weatherholt and the Rev. Steve and Melanie McCarty will host this diocesan wide trip which begins in London and ends in Edinburgh.

The cost, including airfare from Dulles airport, all ground transportation, tours, breakfast and dinner is $3,445. Visit this website to learn more, Click where it says "Click here" (on the left hand side), and enter the number 22003). The brochure can be found in "My Trip Documents" (near the top of the page). Don’t delay, plan your post-COVID get-away!
July 25

Lectors:
7:30 - Kathy Polk
9:00 - Mark Torrence
11:15 - Jerry Smith

Altar Guild: Jeanne Nardi, Jan Little, Kim Morrow, Mary Lesster

Flowers: Beth Kopack

Summer Social Hour - Beth and Justyn Kopack
August 1

Lectors:
7:30 - Fran Becker
9:00 - Jean Clarke
11:15 - Allison Mayer

Altar Guild: Elizabeth Parker, Lyn Sloan, Susan Roberts, Betsy Dobbs

Flowers: Kathy Lang

Summer Social Hour - Jen Albanese and Lynne Killam
Altar Flower Dedications Available
The beautiful flowers offered on our altar each Sunday can be dedicated to honor loved ones marking special life events such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, baptisms, confirmations, and in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for life’s blessings. The dedication fee is $50.

To reserve a Sunday date, email [email protected]. Once reserved, you can make the payment by logging on to Realm and choosing "Flower Fund" or sending in a check (or placing it in the Sunday offertory plate) made out to "St. Margaret's Church" with "Flower Fund" in the memo line.
Your dedication will be posted in the service bulletins.
Have a prayer request to put in our weekly announcements?

Click HERE to use our automated request form or contact clergy.


Church Office Hours
Monday-Wednesday - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday-Friday - By appointment only


Clergy/Staff Emails
The Rev. Peter W. Mayer - [email protected]
The Rev. Patti Sachs - [email protected]
Elizabeth Radley, Director of Operations - [email protected]
Jim Douglas, Director of Music - [email protected]
Laura Tayman, Director of Communications - [email protected]
Jeff Conover, Youth Ministries Leader - [email protected]
Teresa McCorkle, Bookkeeper - [email protected]
Judy Hall, Churchyard Administrator - [email protected]
Christine Feldmann, Grants Administrator - [email protected]
Tricia McVeigh, Day School Director - [email protected]
St. Margaret's Church
1601 Pleasant Plains Road, Annapolis, MD 21409
(410) 974-0200 Office (443) 837-5463 Pastoral Emergency
www.st-margarets.org

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/smcannapolis
Join us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/saintmargaret
Connect on Realm: www.onrealm.org/smcannapolis