Dragon Tales E-News  -  March 1, 2017
ash wednesday 2011
Services at 
Noon
7 p.m.
A Note from James

At last night's Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, I had some interesting conversations with people and learned a few things that I will pass on today.

It can be difficult for parents to remember the names of their child's latest girl or boy friend, especially when the last two or three had names that started with the same letter. 

The Diocese of New York is the diocese that covers New York City, not the state.

Some children do not believe that sausage is made from petrified dinosaur meat (and they have no problem letting me know that they are suspicious of my claim that it is). 

Some parishioners are not computer savvy and have a hard time keeping up with all of the events we have going on at St. Margaret's.  To this last point, I encourage those of you who rely on Dragon Tales for the latest and greatest news, to share what you learn with your friends and members of the congregation that might not find it easy to gain access to this article.  

I will also mention that today is Ash Wednesday and (to quote former Associate Rector Stewart Lucas) you should get your ash in church at either our noon service or our 7:00 p.m. service.   The great news is the noon service offers a soup luncheon immediately afterwards (Thanks and a tip of the hat to the St. Margaret's Guild for putting together the lunch).   The evening service will be a choral service with members of the choirs combining to sing.

By the way, each family should pick up a Lenten Meditations book in the church.  These books have forty days' worth of scriptures and personal meditations by members of the congregation.  Lovingly created by Laura Tayman, this is a superb way to make each day of Lent full of spiritual growth.

If you think of Lent as a mournful, dour time, then you haven't been paying attention to the words of our Lenten Hymn "Now Quit Your Care."  My favorite verse reads "To bow the head in sack-cloth and in ashes, or rend the soul, such grief is not Lent's goal; but to be led to where God's glory flashes, his beauty to come near. Make clear where truth and light appear."

We hope that this will be a joyous Lent for you. And if you find that hard to accomplish, come to our concert on Sunday evening at 7:30 where you will hear wonderful old folk songs;  some from way back, some from the sixties and seventies, and some new.  Shenandoah Run is one terrific audience pleasing group and you will love their music making.  Tickets are available online at  www.st-margarets.org  or at the door for $20.00 each.

May this season of reflection be a time of growing close to God through beauty and seeing his glory flash across your soul.
Shenandoah Run on 3/5

Our next concert series performance is on Sunday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. The popular  Shenandoah Run returns to St.Margaret's playing both vintage Americana and contemporary folk, with some originals and some from the worlds of bluegrass, country or foreign lands. Expect top-notch musicianship and multi-part harmonies that lures audiences in for an irresistible sing-along. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door with cash or check or online by credit card by clicking here.
Lenten Meditation Booklet from SMC

Pick up your copy of St. Margaret's new book of Lenten meditations at the church narthex or the church office (one per family).   The meditations are based on the national Episcopal Church's Lenten meditations of 2016 based on scriptures with the word "go." Parishioners, clergy, and staff have shared some wonderful reflections to bless your Lenten season.
Lent in a Bag for Families

If you were unable to attend Faith and Fellowship on Monday night, we have extra bags to hand out on Sunday. "Lent in a Bag" is a simple, family-friendly, hands-on way to guide you on a discovery of the life of Christ and your relationship to Him.  Each week one of the 6 symbols is chosen out of the bag.  This symbol is then used as a starting point for table conversation.  A simple guide is included. Look for the purple bags in the formation hallway on Sunday.  Please take one per family.
Lenten Compline on Wednesdays

St. Margaret's will hold weekly compline services during Lent on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Dates are March 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12. The service includes a  simple office including a confession of sins, one or more psalms, a short reading from scripture, versicles and responses, the Lord's Prayer, collects which ask for God's protection during the night to come, and special music.
Family News for the Week

Thank you to everyone who traveled to Asbury Broadneck UMC on Sunday to support our joint youth program! It was an amazing day. Please check our Facebook page for photos from this special event.


As a follow up, ladies of St. Margaret's are welcome to attend their upcoming women's retreat on Saturday, March 18, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.   Here is a link for more information. Here is a registration form.

NEW-Two by Two
(Parent/Child Music Ministry)
Parents and child(ren) up to age 6 are invited to sing, dance, play and learn bible stories together during a new family style music and movement class at St. Margaret's. Classes begin at 9 am in the Children's Chapel room of the downstairs Annex and will last approximately 45 minutes. After class, parents are free to stay for fellowship time in the nursery while their children enjoy free play under their guidance.  Class will take place the following Tuesdays this spring :
March 21st
April 18th
May 16th
Space is limited so please email  Jenelle@st-margarets.org to confirm your slot.    
 
Children's Stations of the Cross
Good Friday, April 14th at 10am
(Preparation help is needed before the event)
An important part of Holy Week is remembering the sad part of the story. Sadness is holy, just as joy is holy. Without one we could never understand the other. Join us as we journey through interactive stations of the cross liturgy that will be meaningful to children. Adults are asked to stay with their children and participate. For planning purposes, we need to know of your participation. Please email  Jenelle@st-margarets.org to let us know you will attend or if you have any questions.
 
Easter Egg Hunt -- Easter Candy and Small Toys Are Needed
We are asking for donations of individually wrapped, peanut- free candy for our Alleluia Egg Hunt.  We are also in need of some dairy free and gluten free options as well as fun toys such as pencils, stickers, etc.  There will be donation bins in the narthex and formation building. 
 
Important Youth Information
LAST CALL for  March 10 th  and 11 th  Lenten Nightwatch. You will NOT have to miss school for this particular event. The Maryland Diocese is sponsoring its own Night Watch at the Cathedral of Incarnation in Baltimore!  This is a great opportunity for those youth unable to make the NYC trip in April. It is for grades 6-12. The cost is $30 per student.  It runs from 7pm Friday-10am Saturday. Please email  jeff@st-margarets.org ASAP if you are interested. Check out this Facebook event for more information. 
 
March 15th
AACPS has a 2-hour early dismissal.  Our neighboring church youth groups (who we participated with during the MLK day of service) will be packing items for My Brother's Pantry starting at 3pm.  Parents should drop off volunteers at College Parkway Baptist Church.  There will also be a group to delivering Saturday, March 18th. If your student is interested, we will need an adult volunteer on Saturday to chaperone our group, both Jeff and Jenelle have training that day. If you are interested in either day, please contact 
 
Cell Phone Info Needed
When we are participating in off campus outings or if we have a last minute change of plans, the easiest way for us to contact our youth is through their cell phones. We would like to begin to collect cell phone numbers with permission from parents to contact their students.  Please email your cell phone number and your student's number to Jeff and Jenelle
 
Summer Youth Group
We would like to keep the momentum of youth group going all summer long. Due to limited summer work hours for Jeff and Jenelle, we need PARENTS' help. Please considering hosting or co-hosting a fun summer event for our youth. It could be a movie night or pool party at your home, a bowling day or trip to a baseball game. The possibilities are endless. There are no set dates these events need to happen so consider working it into your summer schedule.  If your student has been hesitant about attending youth group, this might be the perfect way for them to meet others.  Contact  jenelle@st-margarets.org for help in planning. 
Relay for Life
April 22-23 - AA Co. Fairgrounds

This year's Relay for Life is a little earlier and has changed locations. But we are still setting our goal to raise over $10,000 for the American Cancer Society! What do we need from our parish?  First, if you wish to participate (walking at different times of the day and night in honor/memory of a loved one), want to financially support a walker, or wish to purchase a luminary in honor of a loved one who has died of cancer, go to our Relay table during coffeehour on Sunday or go to our SMC team homepage. You can also contact team coordinator Judy Hall at judy.hall0404@gmail.com .
Webinar on Refugees 

Episcopal Migration Ministries is hosting a one-hour free webinar, Love in Action: Episcopal Churches Welcome Refugees, on Wednesday, March 8 at 4 pm Eastern.
Participants will learn about community efforts born out of Episcopal congregations to create a welcoming community for refugees and immigrants. Three faith communities will share stories about their local community and interfaith initiatives to create a ministry of welcome. Click here for registration information.
Legacy Lessons-Upcoming Forums

Upcoming forums during coffeehour (10:20 to 11 a.m.) in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday mornings in the Fellowship Hall:

March 12 -- Funeral Planning with the Rev. Peter W. Mayer & James R. Fitzpatrick

March 19 -- End of Life Legal Planning
Seekers Class on Sundays

Adults are welcome to join a new Sunday morning formation class from 10:20 to 11 a.m. in the adminsitrative conference room. Titled "Seekers," participants will discuss readings from new, thought provoking books on faith and religion. This month, we focus on "What Did Jesus Ask?" a collection of reflections from modern Christian leaders. You can purchase a copy of the book here.
Sermon from Sunday
Sermon on Feb. 26, 2017
Sermon on Feb. 26, 2017

This annual tournament to benefit the Light House will be held on Thursday, June 15, at the Renditions Golf Course in Davidsonville. Parishioner Mike Winn is putting teams of four together. If you wish to participate, please write a check for $137.50 (per player), payable to Friends of the Light House, with "Golf Tournament 2017" in the memo line and either give to Mike on Sunday or place it in the History & Archives box in the church office. For questions, contact Mike at  mwinn421@verizon.net.

Please join us next Monday

5:00-6:00 Arts & Crafts
5:00-5:30 Spirit Singers
5:30-6:00 Youth Chorale
5:30-6:00 Acolyte Practice
6:00-Dinner 
6:45-8:00 Youth Group
6:45-8:00 Adult Formation -- see below

Adult Formation on Mondays -- "Waking Up White:  And Finding Myself in the Story
of Race"
  book study -- sometimes cringe-worthy struggle to  understand racism and racial tensions; a fresh perspective on bias, stereotypes, manners, and tolerance.

The study is from 6:45pm-8:00 p.m. This is a Lenten Series co-lead by Valery Weekley, Maggie Beth Arruda and Ernie Tucker. Child care will be provided.

Books will be sold on Sunday during coffeehour (10:15 to 11 a.m.) and on Monday evenings before the study begins. You can also purchase a copy online here.
Bible Women Study

We continue our book study on the book "Bible Women:  All Their Words and Why They Matter" by Episcopal priest Lindsay Freeman. So far, we have learned of daring, devoted, determined, and, yes, even domineering females who lived exciting and meaningful lives. Please join us!  It is never too late!  We meet on
*Thursday mornings at 9:15 a.m. in the formation building (childcare provided in the nursery); and the third Sunday of every month during the formation hour.

Here is a video of the readings from last week:

#325to325 -- Daily Look at St. Margaret's History
in celebration of our 325th anniversary
Seen on our Facebook & Twitter pages daily
emailed in Dragon Tales weekly






Quick Links

St. Margaret's Church | 1601 Pleasant Plains Road | Annapolis, MD  21409
410-974-0200 | info@st-margarets.org | www.st-margarets.org
Pastoral Emergency # 443-837-5463

Staff