A Note from Peter
My son asked the other day on the way to school how long we’ve been in quarantine. I first said fourteen months Then I thought and said, "No, fifteen. Well, it’s been a year and two months, so sixteen months….about a year and a half."
I know many of you can relate. At first, I couldn’t remember when all this started. Then, I couldn’t remember what month it was. And then, I couldn’t remember what 12 plus 2 was.
We need to continually assess our "mentals" as Marshawn Lynch calls them: our mental health, our capacity for love and compassion, and our grief. We’ve all been traumatized this past year: clearly some more than others, and I read something today about how wearing masks is a sign of that trauma. Some of us may easily shed our COVID lives and slip back into close to where we were in 2019. Others of us will have more difficulty understanding and living into a new life post-COVID.
It’s important at St. Margaret’s, as a church community, that we have these thoughts in our minds and hearts as we walk forward together. More than ever, we need to be compassionate, to listen and to seek to build trust. This isn’t just about wearing masks when we’re together, but in everything. Ask how each other are doing, and then listen. Share your griefs and pains, your losses and your fears as best you can.
There’s much of me that desperately wants to move on, to put these last fifteen (fourteen?) months in the past. But I also know I have learned much during this time: about my own resilience, about the love that exists in this community, and about the strength that God offers when we are together. I’d be foolish to leave that behind. But that comes with a slower re-entry, and a more intentional way forward. May it be so for all of us.
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Last year, the Guild purchased a tree planted in the front area of the church in honor of all of the SMC military parishioners past and present. There will be a ceremony to recognize the gift with parishioners representing all armed forces this Sunday, May 16, between the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services.
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7:30 a.m. (indoors), 9:00 & 11:15 a.m. (outdoors)
Masks are required.
Please remember to socially distance.
Please register to attend HERE:
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Acolyte Sign Up Link:
Online Worship Continues
There will also be a Virtual Coffee Hour starting at 10 a.m. on Zoom. Here is the info to join:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 867 1846 4358 Passcode: 023911
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Bluegrass Mass on June 6!
Our annual outdoor Bluegrass Mass with Third Sunday Band will take place at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 6 (weather permitting). There will be no parish picnic following. Bring your chairs, your masks, water and your love for old hymns.
There will be a 7:30 a.m. service in the sanctuary.
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Starting June 13, we will be going back to all indoor services.
For safety precautions,
we will be limiting seating.
*Masks are required on the church campus.
*Attendees must be socially distanced.
(Try to refrain from handshakes or hugs.)
If you cannot use the internet, call the office, and we will put you in. Be sure and leave the number of persons in your party.
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THANK YOU to our parishioners who have already donated or pledged funding for our new organ. It is truly heartening to realize how much our music program means to our parish!
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Remaining amount needed to reach our goal: $44,117
That’s 88.8% of the way to our new M&O organ!
· As of May 11, we have pledges totaling $320,560 toward our goal of $390,000.
· Additionally we have received $25,900 in contributions through our web page.
Deadline: We end our fundraising campaign at the end of May, so don’t miss the chance to make the music happen!
Would you like to hear an M&O instrument and learn why the Organ Committee chose this instrument? Contact Jim Douglas and ask him about a listening trip to hear the M&O organ at Stephen Martyr Church in Washington, DC!
How to pledge--
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.
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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.)
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This year's VBS will be a little different than in past years due to safety protocols. We will offer ONE DAY of VBS for different aged groups. The theme this year is Growing in God's Garden.
Monday, June 28 - Students PreK through going into Kindergarten
Tuesday, June 29 - Students going into grades 1 & 2
Wednesday, June 30 - Students going into grades 3 to 5
We will plan age appropriate activities in art, music, crafts, treasure hunting, and reflections. Dress students appropriately, as we will enjoy getting messy.
We want to make this FREE FOR EVERY CHILD.
Register your child in Realm.
Log in to Realm, click on Community, and look for Events.
To offer this program, we need adult and youth volunteers. If you are willing to volunteer for one, two or three days, please contact the Rev. Patti Sachs at [email protected].
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Upcoming Holy Baptism Dates
The Episcopal service in The Book of Common Prayer calls for a service of Holy Baptism to be (a) public, (b) held within the individual’s local congregation and (c) held on one of the five principal occasions in the life of the Church. We welcome all who wish to be baptized into the Body of Christ at St. Margaret’s, and we will make every effort to make you feel comfortable as an active member of our faith community.
Our baptisms take place in the context of Sunday worship (except for the Easter Vigil). We do not perform private baptisms.
We are offering two Sundays for baptisms: May 23 and May 30.
Please fill out a baptism form on our website--
For questions, contact the Rev. Peter W. Mayer, Rector, at
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Class of 2021
Do you have a high school or college graduate this spring? Share your good news with St. Margaret's! Let us know your grad's name, kind of degree, and their school. Names needed by May 25 to be added to our Bluegrass bulletin.
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SMC Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Task Force News
The Trust, Reconciliation and Reparations Task Force (TRRTF) is conducting a survey to gauge where we are as a parish in our views on racial issues, reconciliation and reparations. All responses will be anonymous.
To participate in the survey clink on the link here and enter SMC for the code.
The survey is organized on a Google Form but you do not need a Google account or email to respond. Your participation will inform the TRRTF's future plans for community outreach and formation. Any questions concerning the survey can be addressed to Beth Kopack at [email protected] or 410-279-5136.
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Monday Evening Study
Our Monday evening book study this spring is focused on the latest book from noted American novelist Anne Lamott titled "Dusk, Night, Dawn." 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. If you would like to participate, contact the Rev. Patti Sachs at
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Join our Thurs AM Book Study
All are welcome to join our Thursday morning book study. The group meets at 9:00 a.m. every Thursday via Zoom. At this time, the group is discussing ""The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart" by Peter J. Gomes.
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Claggett Summer Camps are on for 2021
Summer camp is back in 2021! With enhanced safety measures in place, the Center's youth camps will be providing a summer full of new adventures.
- Senior High Camp: June 20-25 [Grades completed: 9-12]
- Middle School Session 1: June 27-July 2 [Grades completed: 6-8]
- Middle School Session 2: July 5-10 [Grades completed: 6-8]
- Youth Camp: July 11-16 [Grades completed: 2-5]
- Adventure Camp: July 25-30 [Grades completed 4-8, special focus on outdoor skills and activities]
- Family Camp: July 25-30 [For families of all shapes, sizes, and ages!]
- Camp Spirit Song: August 1-6 [For youth grades 4-8 impacted by a family member’s opioid substance abuse]
For more information, go to
https://www.claggettcenter.org/youth-programs.
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Registration for the 2021-22 school year and
2021 summer camps are now open!
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Homecoming 2021 - June 12
Getting Back to Church Fellowship/Spruce Up
St. Margaret's starts back indoor worship services on Sunday, June 13th, and we could use some sprucing up of our campus as more parishioners return to campus
Join us for coffee and donuts (courtesy of St. Margaret's Women's Guild) starting at 8:30 a.m in the Parish Hall. Catch up with fellow parishioners you haven't seen in a while. Then chip in to help spruce up our campus from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
We could use wheelbarrows and a mower with a dump cart. Bring your tools and gardening gear as well! Contact clergy with any questions.
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Spring Luncheon on June 2
The Women's Guild will be holding their annual spring luncheon at Carroll's Creek in Eastport on Wednesday, June 2nd. We will gather at 11:30 for fellowship followed by the luncheon at 12:00. The cost will be $35. Please let Judy Hall know if you are planning to attend. There will also be a raffle as a fundraiser. Tickets will be $2 each. If you are interested in attending, please contact Judy Hall at [email protected].
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Annapolis Pride News
1) The group needs our help to support LGBTQ+ students! The Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) Board of Education will have the second read of the draft LGBTQ+ policy for students on June 2, 2021 at 12pm.
2) Save the Date to participate with SMC in the 2021 Annapolis PRIDE Parade and Festival on October 30! More details to follow.
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My Brother's Pantry - New Program
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.
Light House Volunteer Opportunities
*Provide dinners for the shelter residents the fourth Sunday of the month.
To participate with St. Margaret's or for more information, contact the Rev. Peter W. Mayer at
*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/.
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March 16
Lectors:
7:30 Joan Rich
9:00 Kathy Lang
11:15 Tres Lewis
Flowers:
Kathy Lang
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March 23
Lectors:
7:30 Kathy Polk
9:00 Pam Roth
11:15 Janis Brewer
Flowers:
Mary Kirkeby
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Have a prayer request to put in our weekly announcements?
Click HERE to use our automated request form or contact clergy.
As staff becomes fully vaccinated, we will begin to offer official office hours. Until then, if you need to stop by, please call the church office first at 410-974-0200 to see if someone will be in. Email is the best way to to contact staff.
Jim Bowersox, Operations & Facilities Asst.
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St. Margaret's Church
1601 Pleasant Plains Road, Annapolis, MD 21409
(410) 974-0200 Office (443) 837-5463 Pastoral Emergency
www.st-margarets.org
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