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Dragon Tales E-News August 9, 2017
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There are always so many feelings attached with "tomorrow." The chance to start over. The chance to have pride in your accomplishments. The chance for something new. Each and every moment I have spent here at St. Margaret's Church has been filled with these feelings. Together we were brave and tried new things. Sometimes they took off, and sometimes we tucked them away in anticipation of starting over. Very often we were able to bathe in the pride of our accomplishments--successful youth formation, children understanding the importance of caring for their neighbors, and growing a loving and accepting church. And many days we just couldn't wait to see what tomorrow would bring like new smiling faces, the wonders in God's little surprises, challenges, opportunities, new ministries, joy and strife.
Today I come to you with a new challenge for tomorrow. Effective September 3rd, I will be resigning my position as Director of Family Ministry and accepting a position as Associate Minister and Student Director at College Parkway Baptist Church. The feelings are bittersweet. I am incredibly sad to separate from the relationships I have built here at St. Margaret's Church. Your love, acceptance and patience with me as I grew in my ministry were real and will leave a lasting impression on my heart. I was raw and vulnerable with you and jumped into the lives of your families, your children and youth.Thank you for making that a loving and accepting place for me and my family during these two years.
Transition is messy and often sad, but I encourage you to not look at this transition with anything but hope. God is at work through you and me. He is challenging St. Margaret's Church to step up during this time and be your best. He is calling me to continue to spread my ministry along the Broadneck Peninsula. I will be down the road, but I will still be active in this community and the lives of the children and youth who live here. The pain and ache I feel in my heart will be a sweet reminder of the beautiful things we shared. Be excited about tomorrow, St. Margaret's Church, and hold strong in knowing that God will continue to guide us all.
Joyfully,
Jenelle
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The Rev. Jane Hague has announced she will be leaving St. Margaret's for St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Hanover, NH. Her last Sunday will be Sept. 10. Mark your calendar for a special going away reception that day at coffeehour.
it is customary that if parishioners wish to give a gift to a departing clergy person, a "purse" is taken up by the office. If you wish to donate, you may make checks written out to "St. Margaret's Church" with "Jane's Purse" in the memo line and bring to the office or put in the collection plate. Deadline is September 5th.
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NOTE FROM THE OFFICE
If you have keys to the church you aren't currently using, please return to the office. All keys for the formation building are currently checked out.
We are in need of office volunteers and handy persons that can provide maintenance assistance on campus. Please email Elizabeth@st-margarets.org if you can help.
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Blessing of the Backpacks
Our own blessing of the backpacks will be held on Sunday, Aug. 27
during the 9:00 & 11:15 a.m. services. All students should bring their backpacks
that morning for a special blessing and gift from St. Margaret's.
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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 scubaesc@aol.com 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.
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Children Youth Programs 2017-2018 Registration
We now offer registration for Sunday School for the 2017-18 school year. As a reminder, we offer:
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Godly Play for ages 3-4 and grades k-1;
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SPARK classes for grades 2-3 and 4-5;
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Re:form classes for middle school students; and
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Collaborate classes for high school students.
Visit your classroom and teachers
at our Sunday School Open House on Sept. 10.
First Faith & Fellowship children/youth activities begin on Sept. 11.
First Sunday School class begins Sept. 17.
If you are a teacher and have not received your curriculum,
please contact Jenelle@st-margarets.org.
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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
lenmorgan@yahoo.com by August 11th.
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Sign up for Foyers
Foyers is a small group opportunity for the people of St Margaret's to get to know each other in an informal setting. We form groups of 6, 7, or 8 and then meet outside of the church often sharing a meal. The traditional format has been for people to gather in each other's homes for a meal; but we have seen many other ways of getting together such as going out for a meal, attending a local play together or attending a concert. Additionally, we have 3 large gatherings throughout the year to connect with the larger group.
The committee will be meeting to make the groups in late August. If you have been a past member, you don't have to do anything. If you would like to join, let one of the committee members know.
Please mark your calendar for September 24, 3-5:00 pm, so you can join us for our Fall Kick Off. The groupings will be provided at that time. More information will be provide about this gathering.
Foyer Organizers are:
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NEW-Light House Volunteer Opportunity
SMC is considering participating in a new program with the Light House Homeless Prevention Support Center in Annapolis which would be structured as an ongoing, year-long supportive relationship between a SMC team of trained volunteers and a recent Light House graduate. If you may be interested, contact Bill
Saur
at
wgsaur@gmail.com
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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.
Click here to sign up!
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Women's Guild Meeting on Sept. 6
The St. Margaret's women's Guild will begin the new program year on Wednesday, Sept. 6 in the Fellowship Hall with lunch starting at noon and the program starting at 1 p.m. September's presentation will be on the mission trips to Uganda by Jeff Wubbenhorst. All are welcome! For questions, contact Pat Hall at
pshall1@verizon.net.
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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 (
or Gwen Davis (
gwen@llamaworks.com
) know.
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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.
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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:
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Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Closed Fridays
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Upcoming Deadline
Early Fall Spire Newsletter - August 11
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Mark your calendar!
Anniversary Weekend on Oct. 20-22
Friday, Oct. 20 - 7 p.m. - A Service of Remembrance
in the Fellowship Hall
Saturday, Oct 21 - 7 p.m. - An Evening of Reflection
with Third Sunday Band in the Parish Hall
Sunday, Oct. 22 - Sunday Services
with a special reception during coffeehour
Sunday, Oct. 22 - 5 p.m. - Evensong with SMC Choirs
in the church, followed by reception in the Parish Hall
to receive a daily post about
St. Margaret's history.
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St. Margaret's Church
410-974-0200 | 1601 Pleasant Plains Rd, Annapolis, MD 21409 | info@st-margarets.org
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