Dragon Tales E-News    June 21, 2017  
      
Space Camp at our Day School 

It is the second week of our Day School's summer space camp. 
We have over 100 students ages 2-9 on campus learning about the moon, rockets,  and planets! Rocket launch is scheduled for this Friday.
A Note from Peter  
peter new pic


In the opening of Brian McLaren's book "The Great Spiritual Migration", he writes that 'growing numbers of Christians are moving away from defining themselves by lists of beliefs and moving towards a way of life defined by love.' Does this capture you or your spiritual path? I think it does mine. 

I grew up in the Episcopal Church, but I've always felt a closer definition of my spiritual journey as a Christian. And what defines a Christian? To me, it's primarily the baptismal covenant and more specifically, the five questions listed after the creedal statement. Will I seek and serve Christ in all persons? Will I strive for justice and peace? Will I respect the dignity of every human being?

I read recently that church attendance trends posit that mainline Protestant churches have about 23 Easters left. Does that mean that these churches will just up and disappear, or get turned into condos or coffeehouses? 

Well, they won't disappear. What goes on inside them will change. I see Western religion, Christianity in particular, becoming less dogmatic and more focused around core teachings of Jesus: love, forgiveness and compassion. Is this where you are headed?
SMC SUMMER BIBLE CAMP
NEXT WEEK June 26-30
9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Check in - Formation Building Lobby
Participants should bring a peanut-free lunch and drink each day.  

Program is FULL - If you have not been confirmed, 
email jenelle@st-margarets.org to be put on the wait list.

LARGE BOXES NEEDED -grill boxes, refrigerator boxes, diaper boxes. We need all types of large boxes by THIS SUNDAY to decorate for Lego Summer Bible Camp. If they are broken down, we will put them back together. 
Email  jenelle@st-margarets.org  or drop off at the church office. 

SUNDAY HELP NEEDED: Please stay after coffeehour in the parish hall to help put up tables and chairs and decorate the Parish Hall. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

A strong component of Summer Bible Camp is the Missions portion. This year we are supporting my  Brother's Pantry, a local organization helping to feed the food-insecure right here on our peninsula!  Participants will learn in depth about  My Brother's Pantry, see videos of our church in action, be able to locate local drop off sites, know that 1 in every 5 children are hungry and understand that the bible teaches us to give our excess to those who need it. Parishioners are welcome to join the effort by bringing your own donations on Sunday morning in the church lobby:  Boxed Cereal, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Pasta Sauce, Canned Tuna or Chicken.
World Refugee Day - Forum This Sunday

This week, the world and the national Episcopal Church recognized World Refugee Day. On Sunday, June 25, St. Margaret's will be raising awareness of the plight of refugees throughout the world. During the coffee hour, please visit the Social Justice Interest Group information table in the parish hall. This will be an opportunity to learn more about global refugee/immigrant issues and to talk with parishioners involved in four separate but related efforts to assist refugees and immigrants in Anne Arundel County.

The four SMC activities are : [1] The Good Neighbors Team helps two recently arrived refugee families with settling in AA county. [2] Camp Allen provides a one week summer day camp experience for children of refugees and immigrants living in Annapolis, [3] The Social Justice Interest Group, in coordination with 10 other Annapolis congregations, advocates for human rights of refugees and immigrants and assists specific refugees residing in AA county. {4] The Social Justice Interest Group is organizing teams of parishioners to volunteer at Centro de Ayuda to assist refugees and immigrants from Annapolis by teaching English, teaching citizenship, mentoring HS students, supporting women's groups. We are looking for additional VOLUNTEERS for each project. 
2 Tickets Available for Godspell

We have over 30 people who will be attending Infinity Theatre's upcoming production of Godspell! We have two extra tickets. If you would like to purchase them ($30 each) please email laura@st-margarets.org.
For those who have signed up, we will have the tickets at the theater waiting for you on July 13.
Episcopal Baseball Night on Aug. 4

Join fellow parishioners for a great night of baseball and fellowship as Episcopalians across the diocese attend an 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. Order deadline is July 9. Tickets will be distributed after that date by the church office. No reservations by email or by phone call will be accepted.
Summer Lunches for Light House

St. Margaret's will once again be providing bagged lunches for families in need through the Light House in Annapolis this summer. The need is greater than ever, especially with children who are out of local schools which provide free and reduced price lunches to Annapolis area families during the school year. Click here for more information and to provide bagged lunches during the summer for this mission effort.
Camp Allen - Volunteer Sign Up Now!

The 17th annual Camp Allen will be held on July 31-August 4 at the Allen Apartments in the Parole area of Annapolis. It is a half-day camp for an urban housing complex in the city. This project was begun by Rev. Wes Wubbenhorst and Arvilla Wubbenhorst as an outgrowth of Wes' mission work in Honduras. The children look forward to Camp Allen as a highlight of their summer.

To put on this very successful program, we are seeking volunteers for a wide variety of jobs at the camp. We need youth counselors, Spanish speakers to help with registration on Monday and Tuesday, other volunteers to help with purchasing, preparing and serving snacks and lunches, people with large vehicles to help with transportation of tables and supplies, people to help with crafts and games on Monday or Tuesday or to help chaperone field trips on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  We always also need extra hands to do whatever needs to be done.  Any amount of time you would like to devote to the program, we can put you to work!
Please contact Sarah Hyde at 410 280-6737 (home), at 410 562-9904 (cell), or by e-mail at  smhyde@aol.com.
We thank the Canuel Family for sponsoring our first youth 
summer event on Friday. 

Upcoming Youth Group Summer Activities
(Middle & High School Students)

ATTN Youth-We have some upcoming fun days scheduled to keep the momentum of the youth group moving during the summer months. If you are in town, make plans to attend, hang out with your youth group friends and maybe make some new ones. You must let the individuals planning the events know if you are interested in attending. If you are interested in hosting an additional date/activity, please email  jenelle@st-margarets.org to get on our schedule.       
 
July 9th:  Bowling!  The Tomko Family is hosting a bowling night for youth and they want you to join them from 1-3 pm on Sunday, July 9th at Severna Park Lanes. Contact Laurie Tomko at  laurietomko@gmail.com if you plan to attend. Alternatively, you can call her at 804-363-1432.

July 21st:  Pool party! Dana Timmer and Stacy Mulder are opening their pool (232 Wiltshire Lane, Severna Park 21146)  to the Youth Group on July 21st from 4-7pm . You KNOW it will be hot -- a perfect time for a dip and a chance to see some friends you might not have seen over the summer.  Pizza & salad dinner with ice cream for dessert will be provided. Contact Dana at  dana.timmer@gmail.com if you plan to attend and if you have any dietary restrictions.

July 29th:  Family Karaoke Night!  We will join other parishioners in showcasing the immense talent at St. Margaret's this Friday evening at 7 p.m. in the parish hall. If you wish to sing a particular song, email coordinator Tom Wenz at wenzt@yahoo.com.
Join the Seekers 


THE SEEKERS are a discussion group that are the descendants of the Heretics adult formation group that explored scripture, books and articles and other literature that enlighten our spiritual pilgrimage. The Seekers meet at 10:15 to 11:00 every Sunday morning. during the summer with one or two page readings that are handed out to spark the discussion theme for the day. Recent topics of discussion include: Unconditional Love. Forgiveness, Justice, Christianity, Buddhism, and how we understand it. Come join us. No preparation needed, just a willingness to add your voice and views.
Help Us Update at SMC 


We are updating our database this summer and are looking for:
*Any changes in email addresses or other contact info
*Cell phone numbers if you wish to receive last minute info in texts
*Any new photos for an updated photo directory (submission needs to be digital)

Email any of this information to info@st-margarets.org.

The Diocese of Maryland's Bishop Sutton is adding his voice to the Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Initiative . A video produced this month is making the rounds on social media. The goal is to make Maryland a state powered by the sun, wind and other renewable energy.  Here's one more way Bishop Sutton is engaging God's world  and acting on the many prayers in The Book of Common Prayer  to be responsible stewards of "this fragile earth our island home."
Education For Ministry - Sign up now

Want to know more about Christianity? About how the Church became what it is today? About the Bible? About your personal ministry?
 
The EfM program invites you to join small, mentored communities that help us understand our lives and share our actions as we deepen our Christian faith. Through readings and discussions, we shape and define our personal ministry and spiritual growth. The setting is more "sharing" and discovery than "teaching". We learn and reflect through each other while having the advantage of texts to guide us. It is a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental environment.
 
EFM is a four year study program through the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. We look at the Bible historically, literally, metaphorically, theologically, and "scientifically" (using science now known, we can apply dates, ascribe authorship, have political background, etc.). We refer back to historical things - which certainly set the pace - but also look at social and political ramifications. Consideration is directed at social justice movements that have impacted our world community. 
 
Part of our class time is sharing what we have read that week, not a book report, but how the reading touched us in some way. The chapter lessons have a common theme that crosses the four-year study. Another part of our discussion is called "Theological Reflections" in which we discuss sometimes words, sometimes issues, sometimes concepts.
 
St. Margaret's EfM meets on Wednesdays from 9 am until 11:30 weekly September through May in the Formation Building.  Please contact Karen Engelke ( karenengelke@aol.com  or 410-562-3624) or Jim Hall ( jhhall1942@verizon.net  or 410-956-5120). The cost is $375 and includes all texts. Scholarship help is available. Students who have completed a year or more previously are encouraged to rejoin the program; or if you want to explore EfM through the new texts, you are very welcome.
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:
Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Closed Fridays

 

Mark your calendar -- 
Anniversary Weekend on Oct. 20-22

to receive a daily post about  St. Margaret's history.
  
St. Margaret's Church
410-974-0200 | 1601 Pleasant Plains Rd, Annapolis, MD  21409 | info@st-margarets.org
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