Dragon Tales E-News
November 11, 2020
www.st-margarets.org
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No In-person Services
Due to an increase in Covid-19 cases in Maryland, the Diocese has asked churches to cancel in-door services for at least two weeks.
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As we approach the season of Advent, I pray we will all take the time to go slow, reflect, and prepare. I found this article to be so fitting, I wanted to share it with you. Blessings on your coming journey!
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation…” (Isaiah 52:7).
Advent is a Pilgrimage. Wear Comfortable Shoes.
We often say that faith is a journey. What exactly does that mean? This summer I walked the ancient Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route—the Portuguese version, from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. That experience, as it does for all pilgrims, changed the way I see myself and my world. It also offered a different perspective on what we mean when we describe faith as a journey, or a pilgrimage.
This year, I’m approaching Advent as its own sort of pilgrimage. In these four weeks, we travel with the holy family as they make their way from Nazareth to the manger in Bethlehem where Jesus will be born. As we walk this way together, whether we are lay or ordained leaders, church staff or volunteers, the Camino can offer us some wisdom on how we make this journey, this walk, together.
Mind Your Feet
In Advent, mind your steps, both physical and spiritual, notice the touch of your feet against the ground. Be kind, be gentle, tend to yourself, and rest along the way. One way to measure your steps in Advent is to use Antiphons for Advent, which includes a short antiphon and reflection questions for each day.
Pack Light. No, Lighter.
What are you carrying that you can let go of this Advent? What is unnecessarily weighing you down? How can you lighten the load? Leave some room in your pack for the gifts of the season: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love.
Go Slow. No, Slower.
Many of the lessons on the Camino, and faith, are paradoxical. Go slow enough and you’ll get there. How can you slow down this Advent rather than rushing through it?
Find Good Walking Companions
On the Camino strangers from all over the world become fellow pilgrims and friends. Good walking companions can make all the difference in getting through tough days, noticing what’s around you, and helping you reflect on why you are there and what you are doing. Who are your traveling companions this Advent? How can you help one another reflect on your hopes and longings you bring to this season?
The Destination Matters
It is common wisdom that, “It’s about the journey, not the destination.” On the Camino, however, the destination really matters. After all your preparation and walking, you want to make it to Santiago on your own two feet. Our destination this Advent is the manger in Bethlehem. That destination shapes and focuses our entire journey—and we approach with some of those same questions. I invite you to make your journey this Advent pilgrimage with the end, the incarnation, in mind.
The Rev. Keith Anderson is the pastor at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler, PA and Associate for Digital Content for Lifelong Learning at VTS.
Image: Morning on The Way to Santiago by Keith Anderson
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OFFICE CLOSURE NOTICE
The church office is only staffed on Mondays right now due to the spike in the positive Covid cases. Parishioners should continue to communicate with staff via email and make an appointment if they need to come into the office.
CHECK YOUR AUTOMATIC PAYMENT SETTINGS
As we start to get ready for end of the year financial procedures we need your help. If you have automatic payments made through your bank or credit card, please take a minute to check the ‘fund” you are choosing for the payment to be applied. Unless there are special programs going on, most of you should either be using Donation or Pledge. If you have chosen the wrong fund, we won't know that. You will have to review your statement and email the office to make any changes. If you choose Donation, be sure to fill out the memo section if you are making a donation to a specific group like missions, Thanksgiving dinners, in honor of or memory of, etc. Thank you for your help. Email Elizabeth or Teresa if you have concerns.
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A Note from Our Stewardship Team
Helen Adams Keller, an American author, political activist, and lecturer and the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree once said ”I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light”
Our 2020 Stewardship Campaign’s theme is centered on Connection, Compassion, and Community. Like Helen, we choose to “walk” with each other, even through dark times and experiences through our sharing of time, talent and treasure, rather than being alone.
So much of what have done already, and what we will be doing in the future as a parish is centered in our walks together and in the way that our hearts reach out to others through the missions we support and the loving welcome that is always present at St. Margaret’s.
The Stewardship Campaign is well underway with strong support and participation by all at this point. We have some distance yet to go in both pledging and the number of those doing so. Helen’s words about companionship continues to point us in the right direction as we make our commitments to pledge the financial support that is needed to carry out the wonderful work of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.
Dan Tootle
Current Totals
Pledges - 122
Pledge Amount to Date: $649,255
Rev. Peter's Next Challenge?
We need 28 more pledges THIS WEEK to see it!
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Pledge Today
on Realm!
(1) Log into your Realm account at onrealm.org
(look for the Realm logo at the bottom of this e-news)
(2) Check your giving for this year.
(3) Check your pledge for 2020.
(4) Enter your pledge for 2021.
Please check to make sure your new pledge is correct.
Did you pledge by week, by month, or by year?
It's so easy!
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Need to change the amount of your 2021 pledge?
Want to take advantage of the funds matching program by increasing your pledge from last year?
Please send Elizabeth Radley an email at
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A Conversation between Bishop Michael Curry and Michel Martin
Monday, November 16th
at 7 p.m.
Online ǀ Free
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The National Museum of African American History and Culture invites you to a free, virtual event examining how to navigate open-ended periods of change (like a pandemic) with love, resilience, and grace.
The Most Reverend Michael Curry, presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, recently published the book Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times. He will join Michel Martin, weekend host of All Things Considered, to discuss living a life guided by love.
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Celebrate the Day of Love & World Kindness Day on Nov. 13
World Kindness Day is an international holiday that was formed in 1998, to promote kindness throughout the world and is observed annually on November 13 as part of the World Kindness Movement. It is observed in many countries including the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and the U.A.E. World Kindness Day presents us with the opportunity to reflect upon one of the most important and unifying human principles. On a day devoted to the positive potential of both large and small acts of kindness, try to promote and diffuse this crucial quality that brings people of every kind together.
Look for Patti's Facebook morning post on Friday to get some ideas on how to participate!
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Thanksgiving Meal Drive
Again this season, members of the parish will have an opportunity to provide holiday meals for neighbors in need. We will receive the names of those requesting help in purchasing their holiday dinner from the A.A. County Dept. of Social Services. Our list includes both seniors and families with children.
As in prior years, the Mission Commission will provide the turkeys: you and your family will provide for the rest of the meal. You or another parishioner will deliver the food basket to the recipient a few days BEFORE Thanksgiving Day. NO COOKING INVOLVED.
For those who are comfortable making direct contact (social distancing and masks observed) the procedure will be the same as prior years: we will pair our donors with the names of recipients. The donor/family will make contact, shop for the dinner ingredients and arrange a convenient time to deliver to the recipient's address. Turkeys will be available for pick-up in the Parish Hall on Sunday, Nov. 22, or by separate arrangement. In advance, participants will receive the name of the recipient and delivery instructions. Those who are uncomfortable making this direct contact this year may arrange to leave your donation food at the church for another volunteer to pick up and deliver OR order food from a store and have it delivered directly to the recipient OR provide a gift card from one of the markets in the local area, i.e. Graul’s, Green Valley, Safeway OR send a specific donation to the church, clearly labeled for Holiday Sharing—Thanksgiving.
All donor parishioners/families are asked to contact coordinator Barbara Marder. For questions, call Barbara Marder at 410-518-9978 or email scubaesc@aol.com.
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Winter Wear for Woodside/Allen Apartments
Winter will soon be upon us, and St. Margaret's has been asked to donate new hats and gloves for the residents of Woodside Gardens and Allen Apartments in Annapolis. While the communities have a partner supplying winter coats, they are in need of all sizes of new hats and gloves. We will be packaging the hats and gloves, along with cloth face masks, hand sanitizer, and laundry detergent (items requested by the community liaison) to be distributed in early December.
Please drop off new items in the hats/gloves box in the narthex or at the office, labeling items "For hat/glove drive" by Friday, December 4th. A non-contact way to support this drive is to donate through the Amazon Wish List. Any questions, please contact Jen Denny, jendenney@gmail.com or 410-271-5346.
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Girl Scouts SPCA Drive
Parishioner Ella Chasse is working on a Girl Scout project and is soliciting donations for the local SPCA. There will be a box in the narthex labeled for donations. She needs everything by Sunday. Examples of items include wet and/or dry cat and dog food, cat litter, leashes, toys, Martingale collars, and cleaning products. A box is labeled in the narthex for donations.
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Bloodmobile Date
A November Anne Arundel Medical Center Blood drive will be held close by at the Gloria Dei! Lutheran Church tomorrow, Thursday, November 12 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. If it has been at least 56 days since your last donation or on or before our September drive, you are eligible to donate again. https://buff.ly/387PGRe
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Grants Program
Deadline Nov. 30
Our endowment grants program is welcoming applicants for the 2021 fiscal year. The deadline is Nov. 30th. If you would like to participate in the grants award process, contact our Grants Administrator Christine Feldman at cduray@comcast.net.
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Advent Wreath Kits
We have several Advent wreath kits for parishioners to use during the upcoming Advent season. Just pick one up in the narthex starting this coming Sunday. The narthex is open all of the time. If you wish to give a donation, go through Realm or write a check and send to the office with "Advent Wreath" in the memo line.
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Virtual Christmas Card
We know it’s still a way off, but we wanted to give you plenty of time to plan for our St. Margaret’s video Christmas card! We know you miss seeing your fellow parishioners over the past few months, so this will allow us to share the images of our friends and families in 2020.
Whether in your Christmas finest or ugliest sweaters, send those photos to Laura at laura@st-margarets.org. She will assemble a video montage of all of our St. Margaret's families for our very own Christmas video card! Get your pictures in to Laura by December 1.
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St. Margaret's Guild News
The Guild has been affected by Covid-19 but not as much as expected. Their September-November meetings were held via Zoom and it is anticipated that will also be the same in December. All three meetings have included guest speakers.
One of the main goals of the Guild is to raise funds and make donations. It was expected because the annual bazaar had to be cancelled, that it would severely impact donations. However, the combinations of extra donations to the guild by its members and the successful mum sale last month has made it possible to continue the plan.
Upcoming events
Wednesday, Dec 2 - December meeting
The Women’s Guild is collecting supplies to fill Christmas shoe boxes for the homeless teens of the Broadneck Peninsula through the county school system. There is a list of items in the Narthex which is always open through the week. Please pick up a copy and leave your donations in the box marked "Christmas Shoe Boxes."
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Thursday Morning Book Study
This group has begun studying "Jesus and the Disinherited" by Howard Thurman.
Howard Washington Thurman played a leading role in many social justice movements and organizations of the twentieth century. He was one of the principal architects of the modern, nonviolent civil rights movement and a key mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The book explores what Jesus offers to a people who live with their backs against the wall. The work became an intellectual pillar for the burgeoning civil rights movement in the 1950s.
All are welcome to join at 9:00 a.m. each Thursday! Email the Rev. Patti Sachs at patti@st-margarets.org to let her know you wish to be added.
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Current Monday Night Study
We are now conducting our Adult study with Diana Butler Bass' popular book titled Grateful on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom.
"With honest stories and heartrending examples from history and her own life, Bass reclaims gratitude as a path to greater connection with God, with others, with the world, and even with our own souls. It’s time to embrace a more radical practice of gratitude—the virtue that heals us and helps us thrive."
The Rev. Patti Sachs is leading the study. If you would like to participate, simply email her at patti@st-margarets.org and let her know so you will get the link to participate.
You can order a copy HERE or on Amazon.com.
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Coming Soon: Advent Bible Study
We will use Monday nights in December (7:00 p.m.) for this year's Advent bible study led by parishioner David Allen. Titled "What are we waiting for?" the study will provide an opportunity in this year’s Advent season to contemplate how our faith in God’s kingdom fires our hopes, eases our fears, and guides our interactions with one another.
The study will be done through Zoom. Dates are Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14, and 21. Email patti@st-margarets.org if you wish to participate.
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#AdventWord 2020
The Rev. Peter will be sharing thoughts and photos every day in Advent in our Instagram account. Each day from the first Sunday of Advent through Christmas Day, he will use the theme of #AdventWord to offer meditations and images to inspire and connect individuals and a worldwide community of believers to the themes of Advent. You are invited to participate by posting your own images using the hashtag #AdventWord and the word of the day in your own social media account.
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Sunday School
Do you have preschool or elementary school aged children? We offer Sunday School lessons online. Register them by emailing info@st-margarets.org and we will get them registered.
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Youth Group Zoom Meetings
All youth are invited!
Mondays at 7:00 p.m. - Fellowship Night with middle & high school students
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. - Middle School students
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. - High School students
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Our youth are also invited to join the Diocesan commissioner, Kate Riley, and youth from around our diocese for games, check-ins, and prayers on Tuesdays from 4:30 - 6:00 PM. Wednesdays are for our young adults to gather for fun and prayers from 5:30 - 6:00 PM. Join the Online Youth Leadership Program on Thursdays from 4:00 - 6:00 PM for Bible study, church history, self care tips, and leadership tools. Contact Kate Riley, kriley@episcopalmaryland.org.
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Our Day School continues the 2020-2021 school year, with hybrid/virtual classes.
Support Our Lynch Creek Farm Fundraiser
A community-oriented, family-owned institution of the tiny western Washington town of Shelton, Lynch Creek Farm has contributed to the growth of the local economy for over three decades. A little organic vegetable farm was first established to “keep the kids out of trouble,” but rapidly blossomed due to an extraordinary focus on expert craftsmanship. Lynch Creek Farm has now flourished into a year-round business, and one of the largest shippers in the state of Washington. The public has fallen in love with the fresh evergreens from the Pacific Northwest, and the intense emphasis on the quality of their products. Today, Lynch Creek Farm wreaths, centerpieces, tabletop trees, garland and other specialty products can be found festively adorning homes in every corner of the United States.
Registration for Kindergarten is now open
There are a record number of registrations, so seriously interested parents should register online on the Day School website at www.stmargaretsdayschool.org.
Virtual Scholastic Book Fair
November 4th-17th - The school's annual fair is online this year. It's a great way to purchase some book-related Christmas gifts and support the school at the same time! Click here.
Promoting Social Skills and Pragmatic Language in Children Seminar with Dr. Duane Isava
The school is sponsoring this event on Saturday, November 21 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. via Zoom. To attend, register here.
Recycling Day
November 13th
Parishioners are welcome to join in and bring in your small electronics to the school to be properly recycled!
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If you plan to stop by the office, please call in advance (410-974-0200) to see if a staff member is available on campus. Email is the best way to communicate with staff members
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