Dragon Tales E-News
October 14, 2020
www.st-margarets.org
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Middle of October already? I was (not really) surprised to see Christmas trees up in Home Depot the other day. Crazy! We move so fast, we never get a chance to “stop and smell the roses.” I had been thinking that the pandemic had provided us with a small window of opportunity, a bit of enforced time, to slow down. I guess it did, for a time….but now, we’re back on the move.
I know we are moving at St. Margaret’s Church! Your staff is planning Christmas services, and our many Zoom studies and clubs are going strong. Our outreach ministries are flourishing, and I am really grateful for this! We have really reached out to our surrounding communities, and I hope and pray we continue, and even expand, our work outside the church. We are indeed servants of God, Christ’s hands and feet in the world. And we all know how hurting so many in this world are today.
Our Missions Commission is hard at work preparing a virtual Missions Fair, introducing or re-introducing you to the many volunteer opportunities that make a difference in our community. It will be shared on our Facebook, YouTube pages, and website on Oct. 25. Want to volunteer? Contact Missions Commission Chair Joanna Tillman.
I also encourage each of you to reach out to others – those whom you haven’t seen in a while, who you know live alone, who you know aren’t connected to the internet. Continue to search out ways to help and to stay connected to the St. Margaret's family. Our stewardship is not only of our goods, time and talent, it also involves stewardship of one another. We are indeed responsible for our sisters and brothers. Let love move you! It will be especially important in the coming weeks to remember that we are God’s own children, responsible to God and ruled by LOVE.
So keep peace in your hearts, pray for one another and for peace in our land, always trusting in God’s unfailing love and faithfulness. You are the work of God’s hands – God’s own creation – and God’s love which endures forever! So go in joy to love and serve the Lord! Alleluia, Alleluia!
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Pledge Today!
on Realm!
(1) Log into your Realm account at onrealm.org
(look for the Realm logo at the bottom of this e-news)
(2) Check your giving for this year.
(3) Check your pledge for 2020.
(4) Enter your pledge for 2021.
Please check to make sure your new pledge is correct.
Did you pledge by week, by month, or by year?
It's so easy!
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A Note from Stewardship
This year, the Stewardship team has raised $57,000 to be used in our annual matching campaign. Starting this coming Sunday, October 18, any pledges from parishioners who did not pledge last year or which represent an increase over your pledge from last year, will be matched as part of this campaign.
We started the matching campaign several years ago and it has been well received by our community. We have found that new, returning (after an absence) and increased pledges quickly capitalize and absorb the match amounts. With $57,000 in our 2021 match campaign, we have our highest amount ever available.
We are counting on the parish to take full advantage of this. Whether you previously contributed to the collection plate, are new to St Margaret’s or if you had to take a gap in pledging, we hope you give prayerful consideration to participating in our Stewardship campaign this year. Please contact Zack Greene, Greg Smith, Brad Callahan, Doug Seybert or Dan Tootle if you have questions about Stewardship or the matching campaign.
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Coming Soon!
Drive-thru Trick or Treating
Sponsored by St. Margaret's Youth Group
Saturday, October 31, from 2 pm until 4 pm.
Rain Date: Sunday, November 1 – same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!
Where: St. Margaret’s parking lot
For ages 0-10
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St. Margaret's has offered a Wednesday evening service every other week. Our last fall gathering will be held on Oct. 28. Weather permitting, we will meet in the lovely outdoor garden area by the admin building at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own seating, wear a mask, and remember to socially distance with fellow parishioners. But most of all enjoy God's creation and our beautiful campus. |
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We are now gathering together for worship in the sanctuary on Sundays, but attendance is limited and there are safety precautions that must be adhered to.
NOTE: Please do NOT call the office to save a seat for you. You can email
[email protected] if you wish to be added to the list (as long as there are spots available).
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Music Ministry Update
Though Diocesan COVID guidelines currently prevent us from singing in church and indoors, we hope to take advantage of the fall season and our on campus outdoor space to have weather permitting limited in-person, physically distanced and masked gatherings for our adult and youth choristers beginning this week.
These gatherings for adults (Wednesdays @ 5:30pm) and youth (Sundays @ 12:30pm) will be a great time for fellowship and some music making to prepare for some December virtual choral offerings.
All returning members and new are welcome to join,
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Sunday, October 18
Lectors:
7:30 - Joan Rich
9:00 - Kathy Lang
11:15 - Robert Thomas
Cantor: Laura Rowen
Flower Guild - Stacy Canuel
Altar Guild - Charlie Lang, Susie Byrom, Robert Thomas
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Sunday, October 25
Lectors:
7:30 - Kathy Polk
9:00 - Allison Mayer
11:15 - Stacia Bontempo
Cantor: Trish Schilling
Flower Guild - Mary Kirkeby
Altar Guild - Jeanne Nardi, Jan Little, Mary Kirkeby, Kim Morrow
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All Saints Day on Nov. 1
We are now accepting names of your friends and family who have died this year for our annual necrology list - to be remembered in our All Saints service on November 1. Deadline is Oct. 26. Send to [email protected].
Our liturgy for the day will emphasize the immense loss of over 200,000 Americans from the Coronavirus. We will have postcards with the names, ages, photos, and other information on victims from across the country, across all ages, across all races, and across all socio-economic levels. Parishioners will be asked to take one of the cards and pray for the person's family as they heal from their loss. The cards will remain in the sanctuary that week so parishioners can stop by anytime and view the display and take a card.
This year, we will be offering parishioners a chance to bring a photo or small belonging of someone they have lost (in previous years) to the sanctuary before the service. You can either bring them in to the church office Mon-Weds, October 26-28 or bring it with you that Sunday morning. We will have a table at the altar during church services. Note that you are responsible for collecting the item at the end of the service.
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Annual Missions Fair on Oct. 25
The Missions Commission is busily planning its annual Missions Fair, but this year, the program will be virtual, shared on our Facebook public page and our YouTube channel on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 10:00 a.m.
The Missions Commission wishes to communicate the importance of missions/ outreach efforts at St. Margaret's and to inspire and encourage parishioners to get involved and offer resources for how they can plug in. For questions, contact Missions Commissions Chair Joanna Tillman at [email protected].
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Grants Program Deadline Nov. 30
Our endowment grants program is welcoming applicants for the 2021 fiscal year. If you have a worthy nonprofit either local, regional, or across the world, send them to our Grants website page with online applications. The deadline is Nov. 30th. If you would like to participate in the grants award process, contact our Grants Administrator Christine Feldman at [email protected].
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Light House Pumpkin Sales
The Light House (shelter) is now holding their regular Pumpkin Patch fundraiser (with covid precautions, of course). Here's a link to a webpage to advertise the event.
St. Margaret's has been asked to volunteer to help out at the site on October 19 from 1 to 6:30 p.m. If you would like to volunteer, contact liaison Marti Engstrom at [email protected].
2020 Pumpkin Patch Location, Dates and Times
- St. Martin’s Lutheran Church at 1120 Spa Rd, Annapolis, MD 21403
- 2020 Dates: October 3rd – 31st
- Every Weekend in October: Saturday – Sunday 10:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
- Weekdays Starting October 12th: Monday – Friday 1:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
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Sunday School for Children
Sunday School has begun! Yes, it's online, but our leaders have worked hard to make meaningful, age appropriate lessons that will be shared online weekly.
We ask for parents to check their Realm account (and their kids') to sign up for participation in the correct formation classes for the 20-21 school year.
NOTE to PARENTS: Please make sure your Realm account email addresses are correct and that you have things set so you can see teacher notifications. This is the way we will send out all Sunday School information this year and if you aren’t using Realm, you just won’t see those communications. We’ve sent out messages to parents of children in every class, so if you haven’t seen any messages about Sunday School, please email Gwen Davis at [email protected] so we can figure out why not.
If you are new to St. Margaret's, email [email protected] so we can get you connected with the right teachers.
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Senior Sessions Meet Oct. 27
Senior Sessions for parishioners aged 65+ continue to meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays online. Our next Zoom meeting will be held on Oct. 27. To participate with clergy, discussing the Gospel reading of the week and sharing joys and challenges, contact the Rev. Patti Sachs at [email protected].
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Monday Night Study
We are now conducting our Adult study with Diana Butler Bass' popular book titled Grateful on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom.
"With honest stories and heartrending examples from history and her own life, Bass reclaims gratitude as a path to greater connection with God, with others, with the world, and even with our own souls. It’s time to embrace a more radical practice of gratitude—the virtue that heals us and helps us thrive."
The Rev. Patti Sachs is leading the study. If you would like to participate, simply email her at [email protected] and let her know so you will get the link to participate.
You can order a copy HERE or on Amazon.com.
Thursday Morning Book Study
Our Thursday morning book study group continues its work through “Vintage Saints and Sinners” by Karen Wright Marsh with Zoom meetings.
The group will begin studying "Jesus and the Disinherited" by Howard Thurman on October 22nd. The author demonstrates how the gospel may be read as a manual of resistance for the poor and disenfranchised. Jesus is a partner in the pain of the oppressed, and the example of His life offers a solution to ending the descent into moral nihilism.
All are welcome to join at 9:00 a.m. each Thursday! Email the Rev. Patti Sachs at [email protected] to let her know you wish to be added.
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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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If you plan to stop by the office, please call in advance (410-974-0200) to see if a staff member is available on campus. Email is the best way to communicate with staff members.
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