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Dragon Tales
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The spring Spire newsletter is now available!

A NOTE FROM JEFF

Peter often speaks of the transformative power of Jesus. I confess I have sometimes struggled to connect that idea to my life now. I mean, my belief already transformed me, and I’m here in church now, so who are you preaching to? None of us would be here if our lives weren’t already transformed. I was assuming that accepting that I believe was THE change, THE transformation. 

Last Sunday evening I had the pleasure of being invited to the confirmation class at Christ Our Anchor Presbyterian Church. Pastor Jessie asked several people involved with youth ministry on the Broadneck Peninsula to participate and share with her students where we are on our own faith journeys and how we have gotten here. You would think that an easy assignment – you know what you know, and you know why, right? Wrong. Nothing focuses the mind like having to explain a core part of your being to an eighth grader in confirmation class. I discovered that for something that had been so solid, so concrete in my own mind, it was a slippery thing to get ahold of and explain it to others.

Had I participated in this class before going to Tanzania I think I might have explained my faith differently, with a bit more certainty, perhaps? But, the Dageno Girls Center helped complete my understanding of transformation, and its power that Peter keeps talking about. I believe that God frequently communicates through subtle and gentle miracles. For two days I held hands with a miracle.  I received no giant epiphany. I was given no answers to problems. I realized I did not need answers then; they will come. What I really needed was the love to be open to the questions, and through the small, miraculous act of holding hands, I felt the power of transformation.

 I think get it now, and I realize that I was approaching the idea of transformation from the exact wrong angle. It’s not a one-and-done thing. It is living in a state of constant change, accepting the idea that nothing is ever finished, and adapting to what we hear God speaking to us. It is having faith in something incomplete.  That is why it can be so difficult to put your faith into words - how do you describe the final result of a work in progress? The power of transformation lies not in being changed, but in being the change.  
Winter Relief Update - Volunteers Needed
Winter Relief is THIS WEEK!

St. Margaret's is hosting 35 homeless men and women thru Monday. We are still in need of volunteers to fill some time slots, especially overnights and during the day on the weekends. Please look at your calendars and consider filling one of these needed slots. Many of our guests have full time jobs. For them, Winter Relief is a "hand up", not a "hand out", allowing them to focus on improving and stabilizing their lives without worrying about food and shelter. We, as Christians, are called by Jesus to care for the underserved. This is your chance to answer that call.

Sign up to volunteer HERE or contact Judy Hall at judy.hall0404@gmail.com or 410-757-4137. 
Vacation Bible School
@ St. Margaret's

June 24-28 - 9:00 a.m. to Noon

Ages 4 (by Aug 31) to entering 5th grade

$50 participant fee

$25 for those whose parents volunteer the entire week

Adult and youth volunteers needed!
To volunteer, please contact
the Rev. Patti Sachs
Sunday's Service - March 24, 2019
Diaper Drive through March 31
Our St. Margaret's Social Justice Group supporting refugees and immigrants will conduct a Diaper Drive for Immigrant Families on behalf of AIJN - Annapolis Immigration Justice Network. Parishioners are invited to participate and buy diapers [sizes 3, 4, 5] and/or baby wipes and leave the narthex by Sunday, March 31. For questions, email morganvanarsdall@gmail.com.
Tanzania Forum on April 7
Our recent Tanzania travelers are sponsoring a forum on Sunday, April 7 during coffeehour (10:20 to 11 a.m.) in the Fellowship Hall. They will share their amazing adventures and the emotional connection to the Dageno community through photos and stories. It truly transformed their lives.
Summer Camps 2019


Day School Board Director Needed
The St. Margaret’s Day School Board of Trustees is looking for a new Board Chair who will replace Susan Roberts at the end of her two consecutive terms this coming Fall 2019. The St. Margaret’s Day School Board oversees the activities and affairs of the school. The Board Chair, a volunteer position, is responsible for leading monthly Board meetings, overseeing the finances of the school, presiding over the financial aid, nominating and executive committee meetings, and advising the Rector of St. Margaret’s Church in reviewing and preparing the annual contract for the Director of the school. The search committee is looking for a visionary to take the school to another level of programmatic excellence in partnership with the Director’s vision for the school. The ideal candidate would have a background in early childhood education or have strong roots in non-profit management, have an ability to advise on financial matters, have strong liaison skills and the ability to form successful partnerships between the church, school, and community through the development of active board committees. All parents, grandparents, and guardians are welcome to become members of the Board, but are not eligible to serve as the Board Chair as long as a child (or grandchild) is enrolled at the school. The next Board Chair will find that St. Margaret’s Day School is thriving under the current leadership and provides a wonderful opportunity to be involved in something truly special in our community. If interested or with any questions, please email Elizabeth Parker at dr.eparker@gmail.com
Holy Week 2019 Schedule
Ecumenical Way of the Cross at Manresa
April 19, 2019 - Noon
Find more information HERE .
Good Friday Family Service
The story of Christ's crucifixion and the message of the resurrection are complex and can be overwhelming to younger children. Families are encouraged to join the Revs. Peter and Patti as we journey through Jesus' story with interactive activities and dialogue that re-visit the concepts of the Easter story in a delicate and reassuring way.

Join us at noon on Good Friday, April 19, in the Fellowship Hall.
Easter Candy Needed for Egg Hunt
We are now soliciting donations of Easter candy for our annual Easter egg hunt for children to be held Easter morning during coffeehour.

We need individually wrapped candies that do not have any nuts in them or are not made with any nut oils. You can leave donations in the designated box in the narthex. Donations needed by April 14.
Remember a Loved One this Easter
Honor or remember a loved one this Easter and help decorate the campus for Easter. Purchase Easter flowers and your dedication will be listed in the Easter bulletins. To pay by check, use an order form in the pew pouch on Sunday and place in the offertory plate or bring to the church office. You can also pay by credit card online and email your dedication to laura@st-margarets.org. ( Look for the giving tab on the website homepage. )
Lenten Compline by Candlelight
Here is a video from last week's beautiful compline service. The actual service begins about 7.5 minutes into the video.

Each Wednesday at 7 p.m. enter the sanctuary for a short, contemplative candlelit service that builds each week from spoken to all liturgy sung. It will be the perfect way to observe the Lenten season and to close your day.
Quick Links


Deadlines
Dragon Tales - Monday afternoons
Sunday Announcements - Wednesday mornings

St. Margaret's Church
1601 Pleasant Plains Road
Annapolis, MD 21409
(410) 974-0200 Office Phone
(443) 867-5463 Pastoral Emergency Line


Staff Contacts
The Rev. Peter W. Mayer, Rector, peter@st-margarets.org
The Rev. Patti Sachs, Assistant Rector, patti@st-margarets.org
Elizabeth Radley, Director of Operations, elizabeth@st-margarets.org
Jim Douglas, Director of Music, music@st-margarets.org
Laura Tayman, Communications & Programs Asst., laura@st-margarets.org
Jeff Conover, Youth Ministries Leader, jeff@st-margarets.org
Teresa McCorkle, Bookkeeper, office@st-margarets.org
Jim Bowersox, Facility Operations Assistant
Judy Hall, Churchyard Administrator, churchyard@st-margarets.org
Izzy Winn, Grants Administrator, missions@st-margarets.org