Dragon Tales 7/26/17

Dragon Tales E-News July 26, 2017

Service Schedule Spire Newsletter Church Calendar Sunday Readings Track 2

A Note from Peter

This Sunday is balm for the ears. We hear some wonderful parables from Jesus, Solomon asking his God for wisdom instead of riches or material wealth, and Paul insisting that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ. Through the varied chances and changes of this life, we must always remember that God walks with us. God has walked down the road long before we even imagined it, and God will be with us through the end. This comforts me when I think of an uncertain future: God holds that future.

But this is not passive. Like Solomon, we have choices in front of us. We choose which paths to walk, what battles to fight, and what to stand up for. There are so many issues in our country currently that call for, what I would call a moral foundation. I continue to be concerned about the need for politicians to look after the wealthiest rather than the poorest in our country. I believe that any community is only as strong as the compassion it shows to its weakest members. As a baptized follower of Christ, I must strive for justice by respecting the dignity of all people.

So the belief that God is with us does not allow me to shirk my duties as laid out in the Baptismal Covenant. Rather it is through those mandates that I feel God's hand holding mine as we walk together. I don't know where we're going, and sometimes that is frightening. But I know that no matter what befalls me, I serve a God who will not be denied justice, peace and wholeness.

This Saturday!

Adults, youth, and children are encouraged to join us for a night of fellowship and joy as we hear the talents of fellow parishioners! The event is free. Bring your family and friends! If you would like to perform a number, please contact Tom Wenz at [email protected] to make sure we have the music ready for you.

Episcopal Baseball Night on Aug. 4

Only a few seats left for SMC parishioners for the Episcopal Night at Camden Yards Orioles game on Friday, August 4, starting at 7:05 p.m. Discounted tickets can be purchased by check ($14 a seat made out to "St. Margaret's Church" with "Orioles in the memo line) or by credit card for $15 here. Tickets will be distributed by the church office. Once you have purchased the tickets, stop by the church office to pick up your tickets when the office is open. No reservations by email or by phone call will be accepted.

Pop Up Music Concerts Next Weekend

We have three upcoming opportunities to hear professional level music concerts in the next couple of weeks.

Annapolis Chamber Music Festival @ St. Margaret's

Saturday, Aug. 5, 7:30 p.m.

Simply Inspired Schubert, Dvorak, and Shaw

Tuesday, Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m.

The Shea-Kim Duo

Reduced price tickets are available for parishioners for $20. Go to chambermusicannapolis.org and enter the code STMARGS for the price reduction.

Tony Romano in Concert on August 6, 7 p.m.

This well-known professional guitarist returns to St. Margaret's on Sunday, August 6 at 7 p.m. Romano has been a visible part of the New York City music scene for over twenty years and has toured worldwide with many notable Jazz, Latin, Pop, and Broadway artists. His new recording for the Centaur record label "Dance for One" features all original compositions written by Tony for solo guitar. The concert is free but donations are welcome.

Last Sunday for Pick Up! Help us meet our goal!

Backpacks for Broadneck

This year the Mission Commission is again asking members of the parish for help with back-to-school supplies for children whose families are unable to provide. We are now partnering with Broadneck Elementary on Shore Acres Road in Arnold where officials requested we provide filled backpacks for needy children who register late or are otherwise not qualified to be listed with county social services. The counselor will see distribution of the supplies to the most deserving.

The SMC Missions Commission will provide the actual backpacks; parish families are asked to provide the supplies requested per grade level. If you can help, please contact coordinator Barbara Marder at [email protected] or 410-518-9978. She will provide you with a list of needed supplies for different students. If you would like to contribute but cannot shop, a cash donation will help! Make a donation by credit card on the church website or donate by check made out to "St. Margaret's Church" with "backpacks" in the memo line.

Camp Allen - Next Week

A reminder Camp Allen will be held NEXT WEEK July 31-August 4 for the families of the Allen Apartments in the Parole area of Annapolis.

Currently, we are in need of a lifeguard on Thursday from 9:45am to 12:45pm at the Cape St. Claire pool. They can be paid, so if you know someone please contact director Sarah Hyde at 410-280-6737 (home), at 410-562-9904 (cell), or by e-mail at [email protected] .

If you plan to help out and have not contacted Sarah, please do so asap!

Community Conversations on Race

Broadneck Baptist Church invites the entire peninsula community to their upcoming Second Sunday Community Conversations on Race. Participants of a variety of churches will think together about the church's role in confronting racism--and owning its own racist history. How, as people of faith, might we be specifically called to work for racial justice as a result of our own theology? How can the church take the lead? A video conversation between Jim Wallis and William Barber is going to help participants think theologically about this.

In September, the Rev. Steve Tillett, pastor of nearby Asbury Broadneck UMC, will lead a discussion on his new book "Stop Falling for the Okeydoke: How the Lie of Race Continues to Undermine Our Country." St. Margaret's will soon order copies that will available for purchase or you can order from Amazon.com HERE.

For more information and to sign up, click here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0948afad22a1f58-august.

Summer Lunches for Light House

Thank you for your generosity this summer as we try to meet the need of the Annapolis community with bagged lunches from the Light House. At this time, we are only in need of bagged lunches for August 14 and 21. Click here to sign up!

August 13th -- Cooking Outdoors

Youth in middle or high school will meet 4 to 8 pm, behind the Formation Building on the St. Margaret's

campus on Sunday, Aug. 13. Participants will experience cooking in the outdoors with parishioner Len Morgan, Boy Scout leader, and learn how to safely use a variety of camp cooking equipment, prepare and eat dinner and dessert, and finish off the evening by roasting marshmallows over the fire. Just want to watch and eat? That's OK, too. RSVP if you can to [email protected] by August 11th.

Database Volunteers Needed

Attention, database techies! Would you please consider being part of a team that helps SMC decide the best database a for better coordination of all our lay ministers service in our community? We'll start looking at our needs and current database in September and we need your help! Please let Fran Becker (

[email protected])

or Gwen Davis ( [email protected] ) know.

St Margaret's Wood Available for Use

Are you a creative woodworker?

Would you like some very special lumber?

When our new Formation Building was to be built two trees were removed from the property, milled and dried for 3+ years . Rough sawn planks of wood averaging 2-30" in width, 3-4 inches thick, and 12-20 feet long of white pine and some cedar have been drying and are ready to be re-purposed. Priority for the wood will be for those who may have an interest in constructing furniture or other pieces that can be used by the church. If there is no interest in this re-purposing, we will look into selling the remainder for private use.

If anyone is interested in this wood, please contact Al Todd at [email protected]. Please respond by August 15th. A time will then be scheduled to show the wood to potential users.

Weed Warriors Needed!

Can you sacrifice one hour sometime over the next few months? Just one?

We are looking for some volunteers to help us with keeping our native plant landscaping looking good. We need some Weed Warriors! All we ask is that you consider choosing a week between now and October and volunteer to stop by the church and pull some weeds for one hour. You can do it any time of day, any day of the week you choose. Weeding can be meditative, a good time for prayer, and give you a sense of accomplishment! Many hands will make light work!

Just sign up through the sign up genius at the following web link:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4ea4a82da0fd0-stmargarets