Dragon Tales E-News
February 14 , 2018

Thank you to all of the families who prepared Lunches of Love for winter relief on Sunday!  They prepared 200 lunch bags with special notes for our guests this week!
A Note from Laura

It never fails. After Christmas every year, I am relieved for a very short time thinking that things will finally slow down in January. "Whew, glad all of those services are done!"

Then reality hits. The Annual Meeting. I have to begin putting together a document that shares EVERYTHING St. Margaret's has been up to the previous year. I have to forward soooooooo many photos to the Senior Warden for the slideshow. 

Ok, well that is done. Now, I can take a breath....

But no. Lent has begun. Choirs are rehearsing. Liturgy must be chosen for Holy Week. Studies are beginning to happen! Easter will be here soon!

This Lent, we have a very interesting set of options to offer parishioners. First, Forward Movement and other organizations supporting the Episcopal Church have actually come together to offer a study in both Lent and Eastertide on the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts titled the Good Book Club. A variety of groups have offered everything from a gratitude journal from the United Thank Offering to Godly Play lessons for children about Luke Gospel readings. Every evening, we will post questions to ponder about the daily reading from the Rev. Peter Mayer in our Facebook Members group. To hear more about the Good Book Cllub, take a look at a  video from the Presiding Bishop Rev. Michael Curry.

Though winter relief keeps us from a Sunday forum this week, we will begin a new Lenten series on Faith & Film in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, Feb. 25 with the Rev. Dr. Rhetta Wiley discussing her theory of  theology on last year's hit Wonder Woman,  starring Gal Gadot.  On March 4 & 11, the Rev. Peter Mayer will use films to talk about confession,  forgiveness, and absolution. Finally on  March 18, we will be visited by Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday, who will talk about her book "Talking Pictures." Invite your friends, neighbors and family for this program!

If you are more of prayer and meditation parishioner, please take use of our Lenten Prayer Station located in the narthex of the sanctuary. Each week, we offer a psalm and meditation at the kneeler there. Since the sanctuary is open all the time, you may come and go whenever your schedule permits.

For families, we have developed a Lenten booklet for families that provides easy, short daily exercises for families wishing to experience the season together in a meaningful way.

Finally, the Rev. Peter Mayer will hold a Lenten Morning Prayer Service on Wednesday, March 7 in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 a.m. followed by a soup luncheon hosted by the St. Margaret's Guild. All are welcome.

In the meantime, the work continues! I am now drafting bulletins for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and yes, Easter Sunday. You may call me and I may not know what week we are in, but be assured that we are working on services that will be innovative and meaningful for all who call St. Margaret's home.
Sunday's Sermon

by the Rev. Peter W. Mayer
Thank you to Richard Green for recording!
Reminders

No Sunday School This Sunday

No Faith & Fellowship activities
this coming Monday
Feb. 19th
Quick Links
Sunday Readings
Service Calendar
Job Opportunities
@ SMC
Contact Info
Rector

Interim Asst. Rector

Elizabeth Radley
Dir. of Operations

Interim Music Director

Youth Ministry Leader

Communications Asst.

Bookkeeper

Tricia McVeigh
Day School Director

Grants Administrator

Judy Hall
Churchyard Administrator
Sunday Services
7:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist - Rite I

9:00 & 11:15 a.m.
Holy Eucharist - Rite II

Nursery Care

Our nursery is available Sundays from 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. 
Upcoming Events
Feb. 15

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL on Feb. 18

Feb. 18
Britt/Silent Movie @4

Feb. 24
Winter Coffeehouse w/
Third Sunday Band

Feb. 26
Holy Folders
Easter Mailing

March 3
Prayer Shawl Ministry

March 3
Bishop's Bash

March 6
Senior Session

March 7
Lenten Prayer Service
Guild Lent Luncheon

March 10
Day School 
Silent Auction

March 18
Celtic Services
Shenandoah Run
Saturday, March 10
Parish Hall

Donations of higher- end items are appreciated! Contact parishioner Jennifer Albanese at 
holy week schedule

March 25
Palm Sunday
7:30, 9:00, 11:15 a.m.

March 29
Maundy Thursday
w/ Third Sunday Band
7:00 p.m.

March 30
Good Friday
Noon & 7:00 p.m.

March 31
The Great Vigil of Easter
8:00 p.m.

April 1
Easter Sunday
7:30, 9:00, 11:15 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt
10:20 a.m.

Upcoming Services/Events
Silent Movie Concert THIS SUNDAY @ 4 p.m.

A family-friendly favorite! Organist Michael Britt returns to St. Margaret's for another performance, this time accompanying silent movie star Buster Keaton's hilarious comedy "Our Hospitality." The movie begins at 4 p.m. 
Third Sunday Band Coffeehouse
Saturday, February 24

On Saturday night, February 24th, please join the Third Sunday Band and other musical guests for an evening of music and fun in the Parish Hall. In a relaxed coffeehouse atmosphere, the band will perform a variety of its blues, contemporary Christian, and original tunes .  Refreshments will be available.  There is no cover charge, but donations are accepted. Doors open at 6:30, music starts at 7 p.m.
Missions
Winter Relief Message from the Rev. Peter


Winter Relief @ St. Margaret's 

Thank you to all who have either already volunteered or signed up to help host our winter relief guests this week! We have a few spots that still need to be filled for our winter relief efforts this week. 


Gift Cards for Homeless

We are continuing our drive for donated gift cards for the homeless through winter relief. During these cold days, you can help our homeless brothers and sisters by donating a $5 gift card to an area fast food or discount store. These cards can purchase a hot drink or meal that will give respite from the cold and bad weather. Suggestions include: Wendy's, McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, Burger King, Wawa, Subway, etc. Cards can be donated at the winter relief table or the church office. 

Diaper Drive for Immigrant Families

In February, SMC Social Justice Interest Group will conduct a Diaper Drive for Immigrant Families on behalf of AIJN - Annapolis Immigration Justice Network.  AIJN assists local undocumented immigrants and their families. They are "working poor" but under extraordinary stress ---- legal, financial, emotional---- due to threats or actions of detention or deportation.
Parishioners are invited to participate in the Diaper Drive for Immigrant Families in one of three  ways; [1] Buy diapers [sizes 3, 4, 5] and/or baby wipes locally and leave in the Church Narthex; [2] Buy diapers [sizes 3, 4, 5] and/or baby wipes online and arrange delivery to Kelly Price, 253 Way Cross Way, Arnold MD 21012;  [3] Write a check [tax deductible] payable to "United Church of Christ of Annapolis - Immigration Justice Fund" and mail to UCC of Annapolis, 8 Carvel Cir, Edgewater, MD.
Children & Youth

Upcoming Events

Diocesan Event - Bishops Unplugged: Southern MD March 3 (grades 6-12), Saturday 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM,
RIGHT HERE AT ST. MARGARET'S.
Cost: $5 Spend the afternoon with both bishops in fellowship and fun! Hosted in part by St. Margaret's, the revamp of the annual Bishop's Bash includes a few hours of music, Bible study, and time to talk with our bishops. 

Nightwatch to NYC on May 4 & 5th
Friday leaving Maryland at noon through Saturday 5:00PM, Cost: $85 (Scholarships available)
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Connect with God and one another in the sacred space of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Nightwatch has created a safe, spirit-centered program of joyful fellowship, contemplative-contemporary spiritual direction, devotional singing, and lots of fun activities. And the next day we explore some of the sights of the Big Apple! We had a truly amazing time last year, and this year promises more of the same!  Please contact Jeff Conover ASAP if you wish to attend!

Easter Egg Hunt
Mark your calendars now for our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, April 1. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall first and then start the hunt around 10:30 a.m. outdoors (weather permitting). If you can help, please contact coordinator Sarah Westcott at sarahcwestcott@gmail.com.

VBS Planning
We are currently putting together plans for our Vacation Bible School here at St. Margaret's for children ages 4-9. The program is planned for June 25-28 (yes, four days) from 9 a.m. to noon. We will need youth and parent volunteers. A Sign Up Genius link will be posted soon.
Building & Grounds

If you haven't noticed, some wonderful additions to the accessibility of the sanctuary and annex have come about this past week. With a generous donation from funds raised by the Brotherhood and the handiwork and labor of John Purgason, Rodger Findiesen and Robin Bosworth, we now have a permanent 
accessibility ramp to the annex!  

Late last year, we slowly began reconfiguration of the administration office and relocated the entrance to what used to be the conference room. The entrance's double doors and zero steps for entry have enhanced accessibility for our guests and vendors as well. While we can't do everything as quickly as we would like, as the months go by you will see more and more evidence of our commitment to make our campus more accessible to the mobility impaired.
There are other changes in the annex, spearheaded by the 7:30 a.m. worship group. While there is still more to come, you will be greeted by fresh paint that highlights the stained glass and refinished wood rails, door and bench.

Last year members of the altar guild, Jeanne Nardi and Jan Little, took charge of the refurbishing of the multipurpose space on the lower level of the annex making the area welcoming to bridal and funeral groups while also maintaining the use of the area for children's chapel.
 
There are many more people to thank for the time and talent they give to St. Margaret's and many people that serve without being seen that I don't even know to thank. Every quarter or so I would like to share a few things happening on campus with you all through Dragon Tales.  As I highlight some things, I hope that you will forgive me for not mentioning every person and every project or mission, but please know that seen or unseen, publicly acknowledged or not, I appreciate every person, every gift, every prayer offered by this congregation.
 -- Elizabeth Radley, Dir. of Operations
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church | 410-974-0200 | info@st-margarets.org | http://www.st-margarets.org
1601 Pleasant Plains Road
Annapolis, MD 21409