Dragon Tales for October 23, 2019

Dragon Tales E-News

October 23, 2019

Dragon Tales will soon be distributed through Realm. We will still post a link to it on our website (under Quick Links at the bottom of the homepage), but it will be emailed through Realm and not through Constant Contact. To request to get into Realm, email [email protected].

A Note from Jeff

We are eight weeks in to our Youth Group program and we are moving at a furious pace. When I realize that our next youth-led service is in only 12 weeks, I think we aren’t moving fast enough! So much to think about, discuss, decide and practice. At the same time, we are also covering material from our confirmation curriculum (and having a lock-in, the Bishop’s Bash, caroling, the Warm Tree , etc .). There are moments when it feels like we are all trying to drink from a fire hose.

Regardless of all that we are trying to learn, we never lose sight of our primary focus – building community. If you have ever been at one of our meetings, you know we always begin by sharing our “Highs & Lows;” those things that have us excited or worried. This sharing is central to the community-building process. But we must be very careful and cognizant of an important fact. It is relatively easy to create community when the members share so much in common. We can easily understand our friends’ concerns because ours are so similar. We participate in many of the same activities, go to the same schools, and, for the most part, have stable, loving home lives. There is no context that needs explaining, and empathy comes easily.

We will have an opportunity in early December (I’m still working on the exact details) to broaden our community. I am working with the wonderful people at Bello Machre ( https://bellomachre.org/ ) on a way for our group to help some of our developmentally disabled neighbors. This local organization provides incredible assistance to both the developmentally challenged and their families, enabling them to live safe and fulfilling lives. We will have an opportunity (hopefully the first of many) to interact directly with those whom Bello Machre serves. Not only will we have the satisfaction of helping new friends, but we will gain a much greater appreciation for who our neighbors are. Jesus commands us to love our neighbor, and then leaves the definition of neighbor as broad as possible. That means it is incumbent on us extend our safe and comfortable community to those with very different life experiences. It is really the only way to fight against the exclusionary concept of “the other” and create the community Jesus wants us to have.

Youth Events

St. Margaret's Youth Lock-in will be held Nov. 1-2 . Students should be dropped off at the church at 6 p.m. and picked up Saturday morning by 8:00 a.m.

Bishop Unplugged on Nov. 23

St. Philip's in Annapolis will hold this annual fall event on November 23, 2:00-4:00 pm. Cost is $5. (For grades 6-12). Participants will spend the afternoon with Bishop Sutton in fellowship and fun. No registration required, but for questions contact Kate Riley at [email protected] .

Youth-led Sunday service at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 12th.

A MLK Day youth event through the Diocese will take place on January 19-20th. More details to follow.

Youth Happening #13 will take place for students in grades 9-12 at the Claggett Center near Frederick, MD. Participants should arrive Friday at 7 p.m. with parent pickup on Sunday at 3 p.m. Cost is $95 due by Jan. 23. Scholarships available.

Nightwatch, an overnight youth program at St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York City is on Feb. 20 & 21 . A $15 per person deposit is due in the next few weeks. There is limited space for this not to miss event! Registration is now being taken on REALM. Log in and click on Registration Events. Don't have a Realm account? Request one at

[email protected] .

New Beginnings diocesan program for grades 6-8 will be held April 26-28 at Camp Wright in Stevensville, MD. Cost is $75. Scholarships available. Deadline is April 18 for registration.

End-of-Year Lock-in will be held at St. Margaret's on Friday, June 15th . Look for more registration information in the future.

Stewardship 2019

Alli Smith of Third Sunday Band discusses how her family became pledgers and how important a faithful commitment is to St. Margaret's.

Current Pledge Information (10/23/19)

$369,150

Current # of Pledges 109: Current Amount of Pledges: $538,946

42% of goal -- 58% of goal

Stewardship season is a time when parishioners show their appreciation of what St. Margaret's means to them through making a pledge of financial commitment for the following year.

Parishioner Teresa Todd collected her thoughts about Sundays at St. Margaret's in this poem...

Sunday by Teresa Todd

Sit with me

On the stiff wooden pew

Prop your foot on the kneeler

Gaze to the filtered sunlight

Catching dust mites

Sparkling like angel dust

Rest here with me

As the old shuffle in

Youngsters tucked between adults

Wiggle-wiggle hush-hush

Candles lit, robes donned, all lined up

The procession brings music

We rise to our feet

Voices blend and flow

Thankful for magnification of my solo tune

Sitting again on the wooden pew

The back strong and firm

Stories and words of wisdom

Prayers for others and of thanksgiving

Thinking to better myself

Forgive someone

Empower and ready myself

Singing and swaying

Praying and pausing

Voices together as one

Reflecting on the day, the week

Who is sick, who is hurting, who has a new baby

Sacraments and ritual

Flowers of seasonal blooms

Flickering candles shimmer

Whispers and songs

An invitation to the table

Peace Calm Content

I belong here but I cannot stay

Singing and leaving

I walk out

Renewed

There is no doubt that St. Margaret's means a great deal to parishioners. For this, we ask for your financial support. At this time, pledges received now will be doubled through an anonymous donor!

The Stewardship Committee is challenging parishioners to increase their giving 7% from last year. If you would like to see what you pledged last year and where your current amount of giving is, you can use Realm if you have logged in. Just go into your account and click the "Giving" tab.

Please give us an idea of what you will be financially giving in the year 2020 by filling out a pledge. You can click on the link above to pledge online or fill out a card by hand (mailed and in pews) and put it in the collection plate or drop it off at the church office.

Music @SMC

Voices in Praise Youth Choir

Visits St. Margaret's this Sunday

Based out of Friendship United Methodist Church, the group is open to all youth in grades 6 -12 who have a desire to sing and a willingness to make the commitment to the group. The choir sings a range of music from classic choral pieces, to toe-tapping spirituals and gospel tunes, as well as contemporary anthems. They will be performing during the 9:00 & 11:15 a.m. services. Please make them feel especially welcomed.

Shenandoah Run in Concert

Nov. 2, 2019, 7pm, @St. Margaret's

A favorite of St. Margaret's, this nine-piece band pays tribute to both vintage Americana and contemporary folk, playing covers and some originals and occasionally including a song from the worlds of bluegrass, country or foreign lands. Expect top-notch musicianship and soaring harmonies that will lure you in for that irresistible sing-along.

Tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, click here.

All Saints' Mass on Nov. 3

9:00 & 11:15 a.m. Services

Remember the time change!

St. Margaret's will once again host a New-Orleans inspired All Saints Mass on Sunday, Nov. 3. You'll hear favorites like "Shall We Gather at the River" to "When the Saints Go Marching In" with special guests, the Peabody Ragtime Ensemble.

NECROLOGY LIST

Do you have a friend or family member who died this year? We will add them to our Necrology list and prayers for our All Saints Mass. Send the information to [email protected] by next Monday, Oct. 28.

Between War and Here

Forum Preview on Nov. 3

Concert on Nov. 10 at 4:00 p.m.

Between War and Here is a powerful new collaboration between journalists and musicians exploring honor, courage, loss and hope. Ensemble Galilei is teaming with award-winning National Public Radio foreign correspondents Neal Conan and Anne Garrels for a November U.S. Tour that includes St. Margaret's on Sunday, Nov.10 at 4 p.m.

Ensemble Galilei founder and poet as well as SMC parishioner Carolyn Surrick created this show from her recent poetry collection titled Between War and Here. She will provide a preview for parishioners on Sunday, Nov. 3, 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Tickets for the concert can be purchased at

https://ensemble-galilei.ticketleap.com/stmargaretschurch/

Missions

Green Team Meeting Tonight

Calling all those who care about Creation! We are looking to form an active Green Team.

St. Margaret's Church has done much on campus to celebrate and respect God's Creation, and we have been working to change our impact on the world through increased green energy, recycling, reduction of waste, use of safer products and cleaning agents, and native plants and pollinators on our grounds.

An active green team at SMC has waned in recent years. There is much more that can be done! especially beyond our walls! But we need new passion and energy from our congregation to sustain this effort.

Can we rekindle that fire to protect and restore our natural world to balance? Who is willing to step up and get involved? What are your ideas? questions? We will be holding a kick off/discernment meeting on October 23 at 7 PM in the Formation Building Classroom C. Please join us if you are interested.

Endowment Grants Celebration

THIS SUNDAY

For more than 20 years, Izzy Winn has been synonymous with the St. Margaret’s Grant Program. She created its current structure and led countless volunteers, managed the process of disbursing more than $2 million in funds and ensured the program’s reputation as one of the premier grant-making organizations.

Thanks to her leadership, n early 200 unique organizations have received over $2.3 million in life changing funding. The program has funded everything from water filtration systems in Africa and HIV testing kits in Honduras, to reading programs in Annapolis and a mobile dental clinic in Maryland and Pennsylvania. More than 300 grants have been made since the program’s inception as a result of a gift from parishioners Edwin and Zoe Hall in 1995.

In addition to the impactful funding she has facilitated for countless organizations, Izzy recognized the benefit of the program to parishioners. Committee member and past liaison Barbara Friedmann said, “Throughout her tenure Izzy maintained a superbly organized grants program while ensuring that none of us lost sight of God’s hand in the work we do. The grants program Izzy founded has been a blessing to those we serve, but it is also truly a blessing to St. Margaret’s Church.”

Izzy leaves large shoes to fill for her replacement. A reception will be held this Sunday at 10:15 celebrating the incredible accomplishments of the program and of Izzy. If you’d like to contribute a tasty treat for the event, please email Christine Feldmann at [email protected] .

Endowment Grants Program for 2020

The 2020 St. Margaret's Church Endowment Grants application is now available on the church website . New this year: the committee will award one multi-year grant to a deserving organization. Applications are due by November 30, 2019. Pass this along to your favorite non profit!

and White Elephant Sale

(Donations can be brought to Fellowship Hall on Nov. 22 after 5 p.m.)

Sponsored by St. Margaret's Women's Guild

Saturday, November 23 * 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

*Vendors *Crafters *Raffles *Food

Formation

* On Nov. 15, the school will sponsor a recycling day for small tech components. St. Margaret's parishioners are welcome to bring any of these kinds of items and place in a designated box in the Formation building foyer on Nov. 17 and 24. They're collecting cellphones & accessories, computer pieces, speakers and keyboards, digital cameras, GPS systems, ink cartridges, laptops, MP3 players, tablets, and toner cartridges.

On November 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., the Day School is sponsoring "Bringing Up Resilient Kids" a program from specialist Dr. Duane M. Isava of Halcyon Wellness Center. All are welcome. The program is free, with light refreshments and childcare provided! Go to www.stmargaretsdayschool.org for more info.

Children's Communion Class

Younger children ages four to nine are welcome to join the Rev. Peter Mayer on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary as he explains the components and symbolism of Holy Eucharist on their level. Children will then participate in communion at the 9:00 a.m. service on Sunday, Nov. 17. Contact

[email protected] for more information.

Acolyte Helper Needed

HELP NEEDED! Co-leader needed for Acolyte management on Sundays. Must love working with the best group of young people around! I will train you. No experience needed. Schedule is flexible. Please talk to, call or email Julie Svendsen. Because you know you are coming to church on Sunday anyway and it's always good to be needed! Call 443-449-9180 or email [email protected] or reach me on Realm.

Faith & Fellowship Mondays

The schedule for Faith & Fellowship is:

5:15 to 6:00 p.m.- Spirit Singers Kindergarten through second grade and third grade to fifth grade - Meet in Formation Building Classrooms B & C

5:30-6:15 p.m.- Youth Chorale (grades 6-12) - Choir Room

5:45-6:15 p.m.- Acolyte practice - Sanctuary

6:00-6:15 p.m.- Arts and Crafts - Parish Hall

6:20-6:45 p.m.- Fellowship Dinner - Parish Hall

6:45-8:30 p.m.- Youth Group - Classroom D

7:00-8:30 p.m.- Adult Formation -Formation Building

7:00-8:30 p.m.- Motet Ensemble Rehearsal - Choir Room

Adult Formation Schedule:

Monday Evening Book Study -

The God Who Sees: Immigrants, the Bible, and the Journey to Belong

by Karen Gonzalez

Our Monday adult formation class is studying the riveting story of seeking safety in another land. The book is a gripping journey of loss, alienation, and belonging. Author Karen Gonzalez recounts her family’s migration from the instability of Guatemala to making a new life in Los Angeles and the suburbs of south Florida. In the midst of language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and the tremendous pressure to assimilate, Join us!

Join the Thursday AM Book Study

Our Thursday morning book study is held in Classroom E from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. of the Formation Building. The group will discuss the C.S. Lewis book " Mere Christianity." All are welcome. Childcare for ages 0-4 is available in the church nursery.

Sunday's Service

Sunday, October 20, 2019 @ St. Margaret's

Cursillo Ministry Commissioning

The Rev. Patti Sachs, assistant rector, commissioned the team for Maryland Episcopal Cursillo 115 at St. Margaret’s Church, Sunday October 20. Sixteen of the 17 team members were present. The team comes from Diocese of Maryland churches in Hancock, Smithsburg, Westminster, Baltimore City, Annapolis, Severna Park, Pasadena, Lothian and Prince Frederick.MD 115 will be held November 8-10 at Claggett Center in Frederick MD. Six persons from SMC are serving on the team including Mike Winn who is weekend rector (lay leader), and six SMC members are expected to attend.

Realm: Get Connected.

We are asking all parishioners to join Realm to foster efficiency and communication at SMC. You need to be invited by us which will take you to a sign-in site. To ask for an invite (or another one), just email

[email protected]. If you need help getting started, call the church office and we will schedule a time you can come in with your laptop.

To log in, go the www.st-margarets.org website homepage and look for the Realm logo.

TAKE NOTE: Dragon Tales will be distributed through Realm starting next week!

PLEASE NOTE: Due to unexpected circumstances, staff may not have the ability to set up for coffee hour or other events for a few months. Anyone that can show up a bit early and help set-up please do so. Coffee hour takes 5-6 round tables and chairs.