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Dragon Tales E-News October 18, 2017
www.st-margarets.org 410-974-0200
The Rev. Peter W. Mayer, Rector info@st-margarets.org
Sunday Worship at 7:30, 9:00, and 11:15 a.m.
Deadline for Dragon Tales submissions: Monday mornings
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325 years. Plus. A chapel. A church. A glebe. A rectory. A Sunday School. A cemetery. A columbarium. A meeting place. A jousting field. A concert hall. A day school. A kitchen. An archive. A spiritual haven. A missions-focused congregation. A community.
On the other hand: A slave owning society using slave labor to construct church buildings. A church so threatened by integration that ushers prohibited black people from entering the church. A church that forgot where slaves were buried in the church yard. A church where thirty-five members wrote a letter protesting the ordination of an openly gay bishop. A church that remained reticent about apologizing to the African-American community. A church that lost members when the first LBGT wedding was held in the church. A church where diversity is slowly progressing, but still remains relatively homogenous racially.
Yet: A church that welcomed a woman rector. A church that welcomed two women interim rectors. A church that has welcomed three LBGT clergy associates, one of whom has gone on to become a Bishop herself. A church that leads the way in the community in promoting acceptance and healing.
St. Margaret's today is a place where healing music for the soul is made, where majority white youths reach out in community to Asbury Broadneck's primarily African-American youths. It is a place where a rainbow flag adorns the entrances to the church and administration building. It is a place where past sins against the African-American community have been acknowledged and where focus on history contributes to a greater understanding of race in America (as well as the healing power of God's love).
In other words, St. Margaret's has been and remains a very complex place, a portrait of America from its earliest days, and most importantly, a place where the Holy Spirit leads us to greater spiritual depth and acceptance of the stranger. It is a place to cherish because of all the good that is done here in Christ's name and for the benefit of others around the world. And it is a place to cherish because we continue to improve and strive for excellence in worship.
This weekend gives us multiple opportunities to rejoice together, to revel in memories and accomplishments, and to spend time with friends old and new.
On Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, we will have a multimedia presentation of memories, photos, and music celebrating the contributions of many members over the years. Carolyn Surrick and Ginger Hildebrand from "Ensemble Galilei" will provide beautiful music to accompany remembrances.
Saturday evening will be as relaxed and joyful as Third Sunday Band leads a coffee house evening with popular and sacred music on the program. You might find yourself clapping and singing along. I'll definitely be there munching along as well.
Sunday morning brings us fascinating services led by our current rector that uses elements from various prayer books going back in history to 1662 up through our most contemporary liturgies. Plus, at the 9:00 & 11:15 a.m. services, the remarkable Benjamin C. Taylor, from the Pittsburgh Opera Company returns to St. Margaret's to sing selections from Gounod and the Negro Spiritual repertoire.
Sunday afternoon brings us to a Choral Evensong with The Right Rev. Mary Douglas Glasspool as preacher and cantor. Fatma Daglar, principal oboist with the Annapolis Symphony, will play selections from Marcello's Oboe concerto. And the combined choirs of St. Margaret's will sing works by Thalben, Morley, and Fitzpatrick. The centerpiece of the musical afternoon will be a presentation of Vivaldi's Gloria, with chamber orchestra. This is the work that the choirs sang at Lincoln Center this past spring.
So be sure to attend at least one of these celebratory services, if not all. May the entire weekend be one long song of thanksgiving to God for the witness of St. Margaret's Church.
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Anniversary Celebrations THIS Weekend
A Vespers Service of Remembrance
Musical artists Carolyn Surrick, viola da gamba
and Ginger Hildebrand, violin
Saturday, Oct. 21, 5:30 p.m.
A Virtual History Tour of St. Margaret's
and the Broadneck Peninsula
Saturday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.
Reflections on the parish in a coffeehouse setting
with music featuring Third Sunday Band
Sunday, Oct. 22, Sunday morning services
featuring music with Benjamin Taylor, Baritone,
at 9:00 a.m. & 11:15 a.m.
Festive reception at 10:20 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 22, Choral Evensong, 5 p.m.
Led by former rector the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool
Assistant Bishop of New York
and
musical artist Fatma Daglar, principal oboe with the Annapolis Symphony
and SMC choirs performing Vivaldi's Gloria with chamber orchestra
followed by a reception
If you can bring finger foods for either reception, please email
Child care provided for all services and events.
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In Peter's sermon on Sunday, he reminded us that we are stewards of the time, talents and treasures given to us by God. Sharing time, talents and treasures during Stewardship (and all other times!) allows St. Margaret's to continue our legacy of 325 years of being "the church that gives."
Stewardship funds allow us to plan for building upkeep and maintenance and potential upgrades (like those cool LED bulbs now in the sanctuary!). Stewardship funds also provide expanded nursery hours and support Sunday school programs, essential to many families at St. Margaret's. And Stewardship funds support our goal of increasing funding for Missions programs over the next three years.
We are currently
70% of the way to reaching our campaign goal of
$890,000. To quote Peter's sermon again, "Stewardship allows us to give back to God what belongs to God." We encourage you to give a gift that is meaningful and reflective of God's blessings in your life, and
ask that you pledge by October 27, 2017 to provide adequate time for 2018 budget considerations.
Pledging can be completed online by clicking here (it only takes a minute to do!).
As a reminder, from October 8th until October 19th those who make a first-time pledge, renew their pledge after a two year or more abstention, or increase last year's pledge, the pledge will be matched up to $26,800 total.
If we can be of any assistance, or if you would like to discuss estate giving and/or gifting of stock, please contact Stewardship co-chairs Doug Seybert (
doug_seybert@yahoo.com; 703.599.8746) or Brad Callahan (
brad@metacoastal.com; 443.326.3333).
Thank you for your support of St. Margaret's Church.
~The Stewardship Team
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Office Note: Elizabeth Radley will be out of the office today through Oct 27.
Pledging amount questions can be answered through email at
office@st-margarets.org or you can contact Harriet Newquist, our bookkeeper,
on Monday and Thursday in the office.
For pressing Building and Grounds issues,
you can contact Phil Graham at
phil@abodeswell.com or 410-626-7308.
For calendar questions, contact the church office @ 410-974-0200.
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9:00 & 11:15 a.m.
Featuring members of the
Peabody Ragtime Ensemble
NEEDED:
Necrology Names of Those Born and Those Who Died This Year
We are now collecting names of
those who were born and those who have died this year for our All Saints Mass Sunday bulletin on Nov. 5.
If you have a name you wish to place on the list, please email it to info@st-margarets.org or leave it in the church office by October 30th.
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St. Margaret's Starts Ice Ministry
Early in July, the homeless coordinator for the Anne Arundel County Department Of Social Services asked representatives of our Missions Commission to participate in an ice ministry at the eight homeless campsites across the county. The county was seeking local churches to provide large bags of ice, on a weekly basis, to help the residents of these camps survive the sweltering temperatures and keep food cool for a bit longer.
Thanks to the help of nine parishioners, broken into three teams, the group was able to provide ice to residents of three camps for August and September. Each team captain initially met with a county homeless coordinator at the designated sites to familiarize them with the location and details. Team captains worked with their members to deliver bags of the ice bags once a week.
The teams included--
Rowe Blvd:
Ernie Tucker
Christine Feldman*
John Purguson
Edgewater:
Jim Hall*
Charlie Lang
Richie Hwy/100 Ramp:
Webb Chamberlin
Jeff Conover
Paul O'Donnell*
Jim Reising
An (*) denotes a team captain.
County officials recently reported that the initiative was very popular with camp residents and they hope to expand the program to other camps and involve other churches in the future.
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Nov. 1 - St. Margaret's Guild Meeting - Fellowship Hall
Lunch at Noon, Christmas card making follows
Nov. 4 - Prayer Shawl Ministry
Admin Building - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Nov. 7 - Senior Session - Formation Classroom E
10 a.m. - with clergy and seniors 65 and over
Nov. 12 - Blue Jean Sunday Fall Campus Cleanup
after the 9 a.m. service
Nov. 18 - Holiday Bazaar & White Elephant Sale
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Volunteers are needed to load up donations for the sale
on Friday, Nov. 17 in the afternoon - please contact
the church office if you can help out
Nov. 19 - Homelessness Forum -
Fellowship Hall
during coffee hour
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WANTED: Incredible People to help lead the Youth Group
You must have a high tolerance for fun, service to others, pizza (lots of pizza), corny games, a willingness to have your eyes opened to new possibilities, and a love of being with passionate and funny young adults!
Have you ever wondered what all the noise was coming from the end of the hallway? Or marveled at the bulletin boards in the Formation Building hallway, and asked yourself, "How can they have that much fun in service to others?"
If you have ever pondered what the future might hold, ponder no more! Spend two hours on a Monday night with our youth and you will come away excited and optimistic - guaranteed or your money back!
Don't think any of the above applies to you? Well, you are WRONG! You just haven't tried it out yet!
Contact me at jeff@st-margarets.org and take the first step to a happier and younger you! (The white in my beard was there BEFORE I took this job!)
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SMDS IS NOW A CERTIFIED SCHOOLYARD HABITATS SITE
The school's outdoor classroom, which has been developed with the help of staff, students, and parents, was recently certified by the National Wildlife Federation as an official Schoolyard Habitat. To learn more about the program,
visit the NWF's website.
St. Margaret's Day School Fundraiser THIS Thursday PM
Spizzico/Froyo at Bay Hills
Food Drive for the Light House Shelter
Week of Oct. 23
Place donations in the
Formation Building Lobby in designated box
www.stmargaretsdayschool.org
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Monday Evenings at St. Margaret's
Join us!
Spirit Singers - 5:00 p.m. - in the Choir Room
St. Margaret's Chorale - 5 p.m. - Choir Room
Children's Activities - 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - in the Parish Hall
Acolyte Practice - 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. - in the Sanctuary
Youth Group - 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. - in Youth Room -
Youth in middle and high school
Adult Formation Class - 6:45 p.m. - Formation Building - Christianity after Martin Luther led by Paul O'Donnell
Motet Ensemble Rehearsal - 6:45 p.m. - in the Choir Room
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Thursday Morning Bible Study
Our Thursday morning bible study continues from 9:15-10:30 a.m. in Formation Classroom E. Childcare is available in the church nursery. All are welcome! This year's study will center on Forward Movement's publication "The Path" - the story of the Bible, excerpted from the New Revised Standard Version so that it is clear and easy to read. Participants will follow the path of God's love all the way from the beginning to the end, from Adam's creation to John's revelation.
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Grants Applications Available
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Church Circle Singers in Concert @ St. Margaret's
November 17 @ 7 p.m.
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