Dragon Tales E-News -- May 16, 2018
1601 Pleasant Plains Rd, Annapolis, MD 21409
(410) 974-0200 Office (443) 837-5463 Pastoral Emergency
info@st-margarets.org @SMCAnnapolis
peter new pic
A Note from Peter

Last Friday and Saturday, I was honored to serve with a delegation from St. Margaret’s at our Diocesan Convention. With me was the Rev. Dr. Rhetta Wiley, Maggy Cullman, Kathy Lang and Joanna Tillman. Our incoming assistant priest, the Rev. Patti Sachs, also sat with us. We had a parishioner, Dave Boyce, elected to the Standing Committee. While there weren’t many resolutions to speak to, I was surprised when the Spirit urged me towards a microphone to speak to some issues that I clearly felt strongly about. (Ed. Note: I’m usually very reticent to make myself known in rooms full of clergy or church people. I feel a profound sense of otherness and inadequacy in settings like this. So for me to speak at convention was really quite remarkable.)

I won’t do justice to what I said, but I do remember speaking in favor of the diocesan compensation and benefits committee to research and act on discrepancies in pay based on race and gender. I would like to see us at St. Margaret’s work on this issue with our own staff as well. I also spoke in favor of the Poor People’s Movement, in spite of awkward language in one of the principles that it sets forth. I think the church often seeks out excuses not to act as Jesus did. As difficult as it is, we have to overcome those human-made obstacles and get down to doing the work.
The Bishop’s address informed us that while our assisting bishop is coming up on retirement, Bishop Sutton will search for a new assisting bishop. In other words, there will not be a bishop’s election in the near future. Since the diocese is hosting the General Convention in 2021, my best guess is that there might be an election after that, which would be four years away. Again, these are just my guesses.

Please see Rhetta, Maggy, Kathy, Joanna or Dave for more information on the two-day event. If you’d be interested in serving as a delegate next year, please let me know.
The Summer Spire is Out!

Ministries Showcase This Sunday 10:15 a.m. in Parish Hall

Come learn about the opportunities offered to parishioners to transform their lives through service. Hear from various parishioners and learn of the many offerings St. Margaret's offers to be transformed in Christ!
Volunteers Needed

May  is St Margaret's month to staff up My Brother's Pantry - a local food bank for the Broadneck peninsula - this year! 

And we've got a couple of opportunities coming up  this week packing  Thursday evening and delivery  Saturday morning.
Packing  -  6:30 pm  on  Thursday May 17 , at the Pantry located at College Parkway Baptist Church (~1.5 hours)
We'll set up a joyful little assembly line in the Pantry to pack the bags for our big monthly distribution.
Delivery  -  8:45 am  on  Saturday May 19 , meeting at the Pantry (~2 hours) We'll send a big group of volunteers loaded with packed bags of groceries to our families at College Parkway Place, while a smaller group stays at the Pantry to help our other families who come to pick up their food.
For questions or to volunteer, email Russell Jackson at russell140.6@gmail.com .
VBS 2018

Children ages PreK through 9 are encouraged to register ASAP for St. Margaret's upcoming VBS to be held June 25-29. Student participation fees are $55 but only $25 if a parent volunteers on site during the week -- nursery care is provided. Sign up to register your child HERE.

The ReNew VBS focuses on the great gift of God's creation and how we can take care of the Earth.

Volunteers are needed for activity leadership. medical care, and VBS prep. Sign up to volunteer HERE.
Honoring Class of 2018

We will be honoring graduates (high school and college) at our Annual Bluegrass Mass at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, June 3. If you have a graduate in your family, please provide their information and whether they will be in attendance to info@st-margarets.org by Monday, May 28. Names will be printed in the bulletin.
Summer Mission Trip

North Carolina Coastline Disaster Relief

July 15-21  (age 14 and up – this is because there is power tool use) Cost: approx. $250 (scholarships are available) Deadline July 1


Brethren Disaster Ministries' Rebuild Program engages volunteers to repair and rebuild storm damaged homes for some of the most vulnerable disaster survivors, thereby easing trauma and promoting recovery. Trained construction leaders and household leaders provide volunteer orientation and instruction on the work site, as well as meals at the volunteers' houses. Unskilled volunteers willing to learn are invited to work alongside those who are skilled and willing to teach. Volunteer housing is provided, often at local churches or community buildings, where weekly volunteers and leaders stay, eat and become more connected with the community.

Youth Lock In on June 15
DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND we will close out the youth program year with Bubble Ball at our next Lock-in on Friday, June 15.

Go to   http://www.bubbleballmd.com/#about  for more information.

Participants will meet 6 p.m. on that Friday evening at the church, and can be picked up the next morning between 8 and 8:30 a.m. A $15 participation fee is required to help defray the cost of the rental.

Please let Jeff know if you plan to participate.
Guild Summer Luncheon

The Women's Guild will hold their  annual summer luncheon on Wednesday, June 6, at the Annapolis Macaroni Grill. Meet at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $30  per ticket which allows participants to choose from six entree choices when they arrive. Purchase tickets with checks to "St. Margaret's Church" and "Guild Luncheon" in the memo line (put in the collection plate or bring by the church office) or  charge online for a cost of $35  . All parishioners are welcome!
Seniors Outing-
Infinity Theatre Show 7/12

The award-winning company Infinity Theatre returns to Annapolis this summer with a zany blend of classic musical comedy and madcap mystery. This 90-minute whodunit is a highly theatrical duet loaded with thrilling laughs.

We once again offer  discounted tickets for our seniors who wish to join a group of parishioners attending the show located at the nearby Children's Theatre of Annapolis location on Bay Head Road.  St. Margaret's will be purchasing tickets for the show on Thursday afternoon, July 12th at 2 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased on the church website HERE for $32  or by check made out to "St. Margaret's Church" with "theatre" in the memo line for $30.  Deadline for purchases is June 25.
Episcopal Night @ Camden Yards 7/27

It's time to schedule for this annual event allowing Episcopalians across the state to come together to root for our beloved Orioles at Camden Yards (at reduced group prices)! This year's game will take place on  Friday, July 27 with the game starting at 7:05 p.m  .  The church has purchased a limited number of tickets together.  If you wish to purchase a St. Margaret's group ticket (ensuring you sit with parishioners) you can (1) write a check to St. Margaret's for $18 per person with "Orioles game" in the memo line and place in the offertory plate or take to the church office or  (2) pay by credit card online for the price of $20.  Tickets will be distributed starting July 9.
Camp Allen Volunteers Needed

The 19th  annual Camp Allen will be held on  August 6-10  at the Allen Apartments in the Parole area of Annapolis. It is a half-day day camp for the mostly Hispanic children of the low-income housing in and around the apartment complex. 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! It is always an amazing experience for all. In the coming months there will be sign-up opportunities in the parish hall, or you may contact  Sarah directly at 410 280-6737 (home) or 410 562-9904 (cell) or by e-mail at  smhyde@aol.com