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Dragon Tales E-News
January 20, 2021
peter new pic
In anticipation of this coming Sunday’s annual meeting, I’d like to offer some thanks. I want to thank the entire congregation for your resilience. You’re making it through. It doesn’t mean that it’s been easy. Many of us have lost loved ones dear to us, and we haven’t been able to mourn properly. Many of us have had to juggle multiple griefs and anxieties in times when leaning on each other is made more difficult and risky. I have been so humbled to be surrounded by so many of you in prayer, in graciousness and in gratitude.

In annual meetings, we tend to talk about the big stuff: budgets, leadership, and ministries. But this year has been a series of smaller affirmations that we are persevering. Each time I see one of you joining our live videos or our Zoom coffee hours, I rejoice. Every time I see a Godly Play video online, I laugh and think of all the kids I miss. The cards, notes and emails you send mean so much to me. When one of you drives through the parking lot and rolls down your window to chat (but not too closely!), it’s like heaven’s opened up. These smaller things that we probably won’t touch on Sunday, have gotten me through each day and week.

And I pray that soon, we will be able to see one another. I know some of you have already gotten your first shot of the vaccine. By the time Easter rolls around, many of you will have been vaccinated. Understanding that the end of this pandemic won’t come in a ‘Mission Accomplished’ moment, but rather in a slow revelation of an even newer normal, we must continue in patience and prayer. And pride. Not a wanton pride in vainglory, but rather a pride in knowing that even in our grief, we have believed. Even in our fear, we have loved. Even in our tenderness and vulnerability, we have been strong.
Thank you for all these small moments.

See you Sunday,
Peter
annual meeting
Annual Meeting on January 24

Our annual meeting will take place this Sunday, January, 24 at 10:00 a.m. (after the 9:00 a.m. service). All parishioners should plan to watch the meeting on Zoom.



A link to the Zoom meeting will be provided on Saturday through Realm along with Sunday's service bulletin and announcements. If you don't receive it, email Peter@st-margarets.org.

Please review the draft of the minutes from last year's Annual Meeting now available with this link:

Send any possible edits to our Clerk Jim Barnett at navyblue@ix.netcom.com.
ash wednesday
Ash Wednesday on Feb. 17

We are offering a drive-thru distribution of Ashes on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Our clergy will be outside (weather permitting) from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. and 5:30-6:00 p.m. on our campus. There will also be an Ash Wednesday service available on our Facebook public page, YouTube Channel, and website at 7 p.m.
Women's Guild Meets on Feb. 3

Our Women's Guild's next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 1 p.m. via Zoom. The guest speaker will be Beau Breeden who is President of the Eastern District Police Community Relations Council and Vice President of the Broadneck Council of Community Associations, a 501c4 organization dedicated to the protection of the Broadneck Peninsula, promotion of environmental improvements to the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and compliance with the county's Critical Area laws. If you would like to join the meeting, contact Judy Hall at judy.hall0404@gmail.com.
Film Year in Review on Feb. 21

Are you a film lover like the Rev. Peter? Join him and fellow film lover and parishioner Joan Rich in a discussion of 2020's best productions on Sunday, February 21st at 7:00 p.m. on our Facebook public page, YouTube Channel, and website homepage.
Have a suggestion for them to review?
Here's Maryland vaccination info--

Maryland COVID LINK:

Maryland Corona Virus Page:

Maryland Map of Vaccination Sites:

Anne Arundel County:

Selected MARYLAND Walmart and Giant Food stores will be handling the vaccines, here's the Maryland list for each county:
Monday Evening Adult Study

Our Monday evening study is focusing on Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's new book Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubled Times. It will be led by parishioners Beth Arruda and Mary Holstine on Zoom Mondays at 7:00 p.m. Copies are available on Amazon and other independent book stores. If you have not participated in a Monday evening study before, email the Rev. Patti at Patti@st-margarets.org get the Zoom link.
Thursday Morning Book Study

All are welcome to join our Thursday morning book club who are now reading Holy Envy by Barbara Brown Taylor. The group begins at 9:00 a.m. on Zoom. If you would like to join them contact the Rev. Patti Sachs at patti@st-margarets.org so she can send you the link.
Formation Opportunities for Children/Youth

Children aged pre-school through high school have Sunday School video classes available to them each week from St. Margaret's. If you have a child aged 3-10, email Gwen Davis at gwen@llamaworks.com or info@st-margarets.org to get signed up to receive the videos. For youth formation, contact Jeff Conover at jeff@st-margarets.org.

Youth Group -- Fellowship takes place on Mondays at 7 p.m.
Middle School Group -- Takes place on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
High School Group -- Takes place Thursdays at 7 p.m.
Senior Sessions

Senior Sessions at St. Margaret's are for all parishioners ages 65+ who virtually meet with clergy twice a month through Zoom. The session includes a study of the week's Gospel and sharing of challenges and joys. The session is offered the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. Next session is Tuesday, Jan. 26. To participate, contact the Rev. Patti Sachs at patti@st-margarets.org.
Your copy should address 3 key questions: St. Margaret's
Day School Info



The school will begin taking new family registrations for fall 2020 on January 29 starting at 7:00 a.m. The school has also made a tour video that can be found at www.stmargaretsdayschool.org. Kindergarten registration is now open for the 2021-22 school year. The class is currently on a wait list for all new students. Please put in an application but do not pay a fee at this time to be added to the wait list. Registration can be done on the school’s website.

Registration for 2021 SMDS summer camps (for children ages 2-10) has begun! Current camp sessions will have limited enrollment due to Covid-19 restrictions. A wait list will be formed. Camp cancellations will need to be made two weeks in advance. If things change before camp begins, the school will be able to open up enrollment and will contact the wait list first. Parents must register for at least two weeks of camp, but they do not need to be in the same session. Registration forms and details of camp themes and costs can be found at: https://www.stmargaretsdayschool.org/summer-camps.html.rtin
Social Justice and Reconciliation

Bishop Sutton has asked all Maryland churches to participate in the Diocese'sTrust and Reconciliation work. 

SMC is forming a committee of interested congregants ready to begin this important work. To learn more, visit our diocesan website at

If you are ready to begin this journey, please contact parishioner Beth Kopack
@ 410-279-5136 or esolchamp@icloud.com. 
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Grant Liaisons Needed

The Grants Committee will soon begin evaluating grant applications that were turned in last month. The Committee will need Grant Liaisons to virtually meet with applicants and evaluate their proposals for the Committee. The work will take place February - March. If you can offer your assistance, please contact our Grants Administrator Christine Feldmann at

My Brother's Pantry Needs Donations

The pantry is a food relief organization founded in 1986 to aid the hungry on the Broadneck Peninsula of Anne Arundel County. My Brother's Pantry provides monthly food aid to more than 130 needy households, ranging from families with children to individual adults and senior citizens. The Pantry is especially in need of:
*feminine hygiene products
*hand sanitizer
*shampoo
*body wash
*deodorant
*tooth paste
*dish soap
*toilet paper

My Brother's Pantry has donation boxes at several locations on the Broadneck Peninsula including Graul's at Cape St. Claire and the Broadneck Library at 1275 Green Holly Drive.

Donate money directly to: https://www.paypal.com/us/charity/66814
Pop Up Pantry Needs

The West Annapolis Pop Up Pantry is a drive-through food aid effort that occurs each Saturday at Annapolis Evangelical Presbyterian Church, providing families with four to five bags of groceries. This generally includes fresh fruits and vegetables, chicken, rice, beans, masa, dairy, pantry staples, and even diapers for those in need. Their mission was, and remains, to support members of the Hispanic community who lost their income due to COVD-19 and do not have access to federal aid such as unemployment, stimulus checks, or loans. The pantry can also deliver healthy and nutritious groceries directly to otherwise unsupported Hispanic families who are sick, elderly, pregnant, or without another means to feed themselves or their children. To date, they fed more than 20,000 people and delivered thousands of meals. Volunteers and donations are needed. Go to: https://www.marshallhope.org/.
Sunday, Jan. 24
Lector: Mel Kessler
Cantor: Doreen Campbell, Anne Sessions
Altar Guild: Jeanne Nardi, Jan Little, Mary Lesster, Kim Morrow
Flower Guild: Kathy Lang

Sunday, Jan. 31
Lector: Kathy Lang
Cantor: Trish Schilling Doreen Campbell, Anne Sessions
Altar Guild: Charlie Lang, Susie Byrom, Richard Thomas
Flower Guild: Elizabeth Kopack
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St. Margaret's Staff

The Rev. Peter W. Mayer - Rector - peter@st-margarets.org
The Rev. Patti Sachs - Assoc. Rector - patti@st-margarets.org
Elizabeth Radley - Dir. of Operations - elizabeth@st-margarets.org
Jim Douglas - Dir. of Music - music@st-margarets.org
Laura Tayman - Dir. of Communications - laura@st-margarets.org
Jeff Conover - Youth Ministries - jeff@st-margarets.org
Teresa McCorkle - Bookkeeper - office@st-margarets.org
Jim Bowersox - Facilities & Operations Assistant
Judy Hall - Churchyard Administrator - Churchyard@st-margarets.org
Christine Feldmann - Grants Administrator - missions@st-margarets.org
The church office is closed. Please contact SMC staff through email. If you need to come in, please make an appointment. Masks are required on campus.

If you have a pastoral emergency, please phone 443-837-5463.