Dragon Tales

Sept 30, 2026

A Note From the Rev. Peter

I scroll. I wouldn't say I doom-scroll, but I scroll probably more than I should. Definitely more than I would like to. At the end of the day, or week, or month, I look back at the things I didn't get to, the people I didn't call, the places I didn't go to. "There just wasn't enough time." 2 million Meta reels beg to differ.

Anyway, as I was scrolling, I came upon someone who was imagining if Paul wrote a letter to the western church today. He listed things we do well: spreading the Gospel, taking care of the less fortunate, et cetera. Then he talked about how we've gone astray, and one thing in particular stood out to me: we've mistaken busyness for faithfulness. 

As one of the clergy leaders who help keep everything going at St. Margaret's, I flinched. I thought back to how harried I've felt this past month. I thought back to the conversations I've had with people about how many activities we have going on at St. Margaret's. I think about how we have to find dates for events that we want to plan. 

Is this busy-ness? For what? 

Well, yes, we are busy. We all have a lot going on. Church is one of many competing bodies clamoring for our attention. For me, church has always been different: what we do serves a greater purpose. We don't do events for the sake of the event. Ministry, fellowship, and faithfulness are always the goal. When you are trying to build up the Body of Christ, there is little room for idleness or pointless events or scrolling. 

So when we ask you to participate in Pride, it's about the ministry of hospitality, reconciliation, and standing up for people whom the church has ostracized. When we ask you to come to Asbury Broadneck for a service, it's about coming together with different people for the same purpose: worship and fellowship in the love and name of Jesus. When we ask you to pledge, it's so that we can keep praising God, serving the world, and growing in faith. 

Thank you to all those who have heeded the call. To Ben Galloway and Tammy Anderson who worked the grill in the rain Sunday morning. To all those who did something different this Sunday and went to another church to pray. To you who allowed your clergy to cancel our own 11:15 am service. To the knitting ministers who serve the first Saturday of each month to offer love and comfort in the form of prayer shawls. To the choir members and musicians who practice during the week, each week, to prepare for worship. To the parents who forego sporting events on Sunday mornings so that their family can worship together. To our formation ministers who prepare lessons during the week and on Saturday, and volunteer on Mondays, so that our kids might know a radically inclusive and challenging faith. To the countless others who choose to make St. Margaret's a priority. Thank you. 

Please stay busy. More importantly, stay faithful.

Pledging is easy!

Pledge now by

scanning this QR code!

First Thursdays Contemplative Service

at 7pm

A contemplative service offering sacred silence, gentle prayer, and healing presence. Pause from life’s noise, open your heart, find peace, renewal, hope, and God’s abiding love. Our readings range far and wide. Please join us at 7pm on the 1st Thursdays of each month in the Sanctuary.

Annapolis Pride THIS SATURDAY

We’re down to the FINAL COUNTDOWN... ANNAPOLIS PRIDE is less than a week away! We need you to march with us and help showcase the loving and welcoming spirit of St. Margaret’s Church in our community. Whether you can walk in the parade, help at the booth, or both, your presence makes a difference! 

We’ve made a small tweak to our theme this year and will be celebrating with a Haunted Disco vibe, so feel free to dress accordingly and bring your spooky sparkle!



More importantly, participating in Annapolis Pride is an opportunity to live out our values of acceptance, love, and belonging. It is a chance to stand alongside our LGBTQIA+ siblings and remind them that they are seen, valued, respected, and welcomed exactly as they are. Through our presence, we can help create a community where everyone knows they belong and where all people are embraced with dignity and compassion.

We hope you'll join us as we celebrate, support, and share joy together! 

Pride Parade

Sign-Up Link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA8AD29A7FBC43-65201044-pride#/

If you would like to march in the Pride Parade, please use the link above to let us know. Plan to meet Jen and Doreen between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. along College Avenue in Annapolis. We will share the exact location as soon as it is confirmed.

Volunteers may be pressed into service (decorating and such), so feel free to arrive early! 

Parade Volunteer Needs 

• Volunteers willing to wear the inflatable dragon costumes
• Volunteers to help decorate the truck and float on the morning of the parade

Pride Festival

Sign-Up Link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA8AD29A7FBC43-65202097-stmargarets#/

The Pride Festival will take place on the fields of Bates Middle School near Maryland Hall (701 Chase Street, Annapolis) from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

We are in urgent need of volunteers for all shifts to staff our booth. This is an excellent opportunity to share our message of welcome, acceptance, and inclusion directly with our community.

Booth Volunteer Needs – Volunteers desperately needed, especially for the final shift which includes break down of the booth

• 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: 1 volunteer
• 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: 1 volunteers     
• 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: 2 volunteers
• 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.: 4 volunteers

Logistics

Parking will be available at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, with complimentary shuttle service provided to the parade and festival areas or local parking garages. Parking at the stadium will be $20 if paid for ahead (https://eventpass.justpark.com/navy-stadium-parking/listings/passes/3c7f5ba5-aa65-4d89-93f3-94726d7f9b7e) and $30 if paid for the day of. Parking is available in the Blue Lot, Gate 5 at 550 Taylor Avenue. Attendants will be available to assist and direct you.

The nearest public garage to the festival is Park Place Garage. Other downtown parking options convenient to the parade and festival are: Knighton Garage and Gotts Court Garage You can access these before the parade, but you will not be able to leave until after the parade has finished.

Questions?

For additional information, please contact:

Doreen Campbell

 410-271-0776

 dlcampbell613@gmail.com

Jen Thomas

 619-757-7460

 jtchewie@gmail.com

Fall Campus Workday Scheduled for October 10th!

Are you called to do something with your hands and make St. Margaret’s grounds a more beautiful place? Not sure but willing to come out for a couple hours on a Saturday morning just to find out? Join us for a Campus Workday on Saturday morning, October 10th from 9-11am, while we pick up sticks, pull weeds, and generally make the place look better. Mandatory coffee and donut break at 10:00.

Continuing a Legacy of Generosity

Nearly three decades ago, St. Margaret’s parishioners Ed and Zoe Hall made a generous gift to the church. Our parish chose to honor their generosity by creating an endowment that supports nonprofit organizations whose work reflects the mission and priorities of St. Margaret’s.

Today, that legacy continues. Nearly $3 million in grants has been awarded to local, regional and international organizations working to address poverty and hunger, restore health, protect the environment, expand educational opportunities, and promote reconciliation and equity.

Applications for the next round of St. Margaret’s Endowment Grants are being accepted through November 30, 2026. Grants will be awarded in spring 2027.

We invite charitable organizations whose work aligns with our mission to apply at https://submit.link/5lw.

Questions? Please contact Christine Feldmann at missions@st-margarets.org or at 410-353-2862. 

VESTRY- The Vestry of the church, our group of twelve elected lay representatives who help the Rector run the church, meets on the third Tuesday of every month except August. The meetings are hybrid and are open to the congregation to attend. Please let the Rector (peter@st-margarets.org) or the Senior Warden know in advance if you’d like to attend and if you have a matter to bring. You need to be on the agenda to have a voice. The next meeting is October 20th at 7pm.

On-going Ministries

The next luncheon will be Wednesday, October 7 at noon in the Formation Building. Bring a sandwich and a guest! Drinks and dessert will be provided. St. Margaret's Day School Direction Jennie Feeney will be explaining our relationship with the school and its mission. We will also be making decisions about how to best use our resources for the church, local, or globally. 

The Guild will be selling chrysanthemums on Sunday, October 4th and October 11th. Pick up a few to make your home more festive! We will also be making plans for the BAZAAR on Saturday, November 21st.

The Women's Guild will continue to collect for the Broadneck High School Pantry. The next date the Broadneck Pantry is open is October 12th.

There is a collection box in the Narthex. They would appreciate ALDI gift cards, baby items including diapers, wipes, and food,

and any personal items such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash soap or lotions. There is a more detailed list on the box in the Narthex. 

Tuesday Evening Book Study

We are using the book Creation and the Cross: The Mercy of God for a Planet in Peril by Elizabeth A. Johnson, Roman Catholic feminist theologian and Distinguished Professor Emerita of Theology at Fordham University. We explore God's dream for creation and our part in it at 7:00 pm on Zoom every Tuesday. If you'd like to explore with us, email Rev. Patti for the link.

(patti@st-margarets.org)

St. Margaret’s Prayer Shawl Ministry knits (or crochets or quilts) prayer shawls to give to ill or grieving parishioners who need the warmth and comfort our shawls offer. We also craft christening blankets that are given to those baptized at St. Margaret’s.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets for knitting and fellowship 9:00-11:00 a.m. (usually) on the first Saturday of the month on the lower level of the Formation Building. Park in the back of building near the Day School playground and enter through the backdoor noted with a “Prayer Shawl” sign.)

Join us! Our next meeting will be on Saturday, October 10th. Bring a knitting project or start one. We have all the supplies you’ll need as well as a welcoming group happy to teach knitting and share crafting wisdom. Contact Janet Gellici at jgellici@gmail.com or Lois Lechleider at Loislechleider@gmail.com for more information.

Qualified Charitable Distribution to St. Margaret's Church

Are you over 70.5 years old? Are you struggling to take your required minimum distribution (RMD) from your traditional IRA? Do you know that you can minimize your taxes by making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to St. Margaret's Church for as much as $108K a year per person! Call our office today to find out more information, and thank you for your generosity.

Children And Youth

Music

Missions

OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT SMC's ONGOING MISSIONS

Light House: Ongoing: The Light House in Annapolis currently provides dinners year-round for up to 50 community members in need. St. Margaret’s Church parishioners provide that meal once a month. The work involves planning, purchasing, and preparing the meal and delivering it to the Light House. Reimbursement is available for your grocery costs.

2026 LH dinners are currently covered. Dinner Cooks will be needed to cover monthly dinners in 2027. Please look for the 2027 Sign Up Genius coming later in the fall. Providing a meal for 50 is so much easier when the cooking is shared by a group, family or friends. When the work is done and the food is delivered, the sense of helping is truly wonderful.

SMC POC: Janet Allen, SMC’s Light House Dinner Coordinator

janettuckerallen@gmail.com

Light House:  Ongoing: Donate REQUESTED food and other items to Light House by placing in the designated area under the window in the Narthex. Please see list of needed items here: https://annapolislighthouse.org/get-involved/needs/

We collect for the Lighthouse Shelter all year, and you can leave your donations in the basket in the back corner of the narthex. 

Thanks for your support of this great cause! 

SMC POC: Jeanne Nardi, SMC's Light House Donation Coordinator nardij@me.com 

Sunday Service Sept 27, 2026

Sunday's Bulletin

Sunday's Announcements

Servers have been added to Realm Connect: check on your profile page under "serving." For more info about how to find your schedule, contact Gwen Davis at gwen@llamaworks.com.

Calendar

Sept 30- Eucharist 9am, Te Deum Ringers 3:15pm, Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Jubilate Ringers 6:30pm

Oct 1- Contemplative Service 7pm

Oct 3- Annapolis Pride Parade

Oct 4-**, Blessing of the Animals 2pm-4pm, service at 3pm

Oct 5- Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Youth Group 6:15pm, Adult Choir 7pm

Oct 6- Tuesday Night Book Study 7pm Zoom

Oct 7- Eucharist 9am, Te Deum Ringers 3:15pm, Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Jubilate Ringers 6:30pm

Oct 8- Adult Formation Movie Night 7pm, Wellspring Band Rehearsal 7pm

Oct 11- **, AI on Church and Culture with the Rev. Patti

Oct 12- NO Choristers Rehearsal, Youth Group 6:15pm, NO Adult Choir

Oct 13- Tuesday Night Book Study 7pm Zoom

Oct 14- Eucharist 9am, NO Te Deum Ringers 3:15pm, NO Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, NO Jubilate Ringers 6:30pm

Oct 15- Wellspring Band Rehearsal 7pm

Oct 18- **

Oct 19- Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Youth Group 6:15pm, Adult Choir 7pm

Oct 20- Tuesday Night Book Study 7pm Zoom, Vestry Meeting 7pm

Oct 21- Eucharist 9am, Te Deum Ringers 3:15pm, Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Jubilate Ringers 6:30pm

Oct 22- Adult Formation Movie Night 7pm, Adult Choir Faure Requiem, Rehearsal 7pm, Wellspring Band Rehearsal 7pm

Oct 25- services at 7:30am and 10am, Fall Festival 11am-1pm

Oct 26- Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Chorister Evensong 5:45pm, NO Youth Group 6:15pm, Adult Choir 7pm

Oct 27- Tuesday Night Book Study 7pm Zoom

Oct 28- Eucharist 9am, Te Deum Ringers 3:15pm, Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Jubilate Ringers 6:30pm

Oct 29- Adult Choir Faure Requiem Rehearsal 7pm, Wellspring Band Rehearsal 7pm

Nov 1- **

Nov 2- Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Youth Group 6:15pm, Adult Choir 7pm

Nov 3- Tuesday Night Book Study 7pm Zoom

Nov 4- Eucharist 9am, Te Deum Ringers 3:15pm, Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Jubilate Ringers 6:30pm

Nov 5- Contemplative Service 7pm, Wellspring Band Rehearsal 7pm

Nov 8- **, All Souls Faure Requiem Service 4pm,

Nov 9- Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Youth Group 6:15pm, Adult Choir 7pm

Nov 10- Tuesday Night Book Study 7pm Zoom

Nov 11- Eucharist 9am, Te Deum Ringers 3:15pm, Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Jubilate Ringers 6:30pm

Nov 12- Movie Night: The Ballad of Wallis Island 7pm, Wellspring Band Rehearsal 7pm

Nov 15- **, SMC 101 CoffeeHour

Nov 16- Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Youth Group 6:15pm, Adult Choir 7pm

Nov 17- Tuesday Night Book Study 7pm Zoom, Vestry Meeting 7pm

Nov 18- Eucharist 9am, Te Deum Ringers 3:15pm, Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Jubilate Ringers 6:30pm

Nov 19- Wellspring Band Rehearsal 7pm

Nov 21- Women's Guild Holiday Bazaar

Nov 22- **

Nov 23- Nov 27 SMC Office Closed

Nov 23- TBD Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, NO Youth Group, TBD Adult Choir 7pm

Nov 26- No Eucharist

Nov 29- **, Intergenerational Advent Activities Coffee Hour

Nov 30- Choristers Rehearsal 5:15pm, Chorister Evensong 5:45pm, Community Dinner 6:15pm, Youth Group 6:15pm, Adult Choir 7pm

**Program Year Sunday Service Schedule 7:30am, 9am, and 11:15am, Nursery from 8:45am to 11am, Coffee Hour between the 9am and 11:15am Services, Sunday School at 10:15am beginning September 20th

St. Margaret's Contacts

The Rev. Peter W. Mayer, Rector - Peter@st-margarets.org

The Rev. Patti Sachs, Associate Rector - Patti@st-margarets.org

Elizabeth Radley, Director of Operations - Elizabeth@st-margarets.org

Jim Douglas, Director of Music - Music@st-margarets.org

Jake Ritmiller, Associate for Contemporary Music - Jake@st-margarets.org

Ginny Joy, Administrative Assistant - Ginny@st-margarets.org

Judy Hall, Churchyard Admin- Churchyard@st-margarets.org

Emily DelSordo, Children's Formation Coordinator - Emily@st-margarets.org

Allison Wood, Youth Ministries Coordinator - Youthministry@st-margarets.org

Teresa McCorkle, Bookkeeper - Office@st-margarets.org

Christine Feldmann, Grants Administrator - Missions@st-margarets.org

Deadline for Dragon Tales submissions is Monday afternoon.

Deadline for Weekly Announcements is Monday afternoon.

Do you have a prayer request to post in Sunday's announcements? Click HERE to make the request on our website. Deadline to make it in the Sunday's announcements is Monday afternoon.

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