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Dragon Tales E-News
May 18, 2022
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As the end of the 2021-22 program year draws to a close (already?!), we will take time this Sunday May 22 to give thanks for musical talents of the many parishioners who have led our worship music this year, and to recognize those who kept the music going during the time we were mostly closed for in-person worship the previous two years. We will also briefly highlight some things from this year and some exciting plans that have been put in motion for next program year.
I would encourage everyone to take a minute or two and visit the music pages on the church website, where you may find information about everything that goes on musically here at St Margaret’s, and then spread the word! It is truly an exciting time for our program and I can’t wait for the fall. In the meantime, I hope you will join us this Music Ministry Sunday to “rejoice, give thanks, and sing!” See you at church!
Learn More About St. Margaret's Music on the SMC Website: Music - ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH OF ANNAPOLIS, MD (st-margarets.org)
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We can sing in church!! Don't forget your masks this Sunday! | |
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U.S. Citizenship Classes
WE NEED MORE TEACHERS. Under the auspices of the Missions Commission, volunteers from St. Margaret’s teach applicants to prepare them for the Civics Test portion of their United States citizenship interview. Offered through the Center for Help in Annapolis, the classes cover everything from the Application for Citizenship form (USCIS N-400) to U.S. geography, government, history and holidays. With students from El Salvador to Pakistan to China our volunteers present 12 units to students covering the 100 potential questions which may be asked. In the last two years we have helped 15 of 15 applicants pass their civics interviews to become new U.S. citizens.
We are starting a new summer semester, in-person at the Center of Help on Forest Drive in Annapolis. We need two teachers per class. Depending on our numbers of teachers, we’ve been teaching once every four weeks. Classes are from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, starting on May 26th.
If you are interested in joining our teaching team, please contact Robert Thomas at thomas.byrom@gmail.com or 757-408-1225 to be blessed by meeting and helping a group of wonderful potential new U.S. citizens.
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UPCOMING EVENTS/OUTREACH
From the SMC Missions Committee
May 19 (LIGHT HOUSE): Friends for Friends Light House Fundraiser at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel.
June 4 (PRIDE): Annapolis PRIDE Parade and Festival
June 9 (LIGHT HOUSE): Friends of the Light House Golf Tournament, Renditions, Davidsonville, MD (currently a waitlist).
July (LIGHT HOUSE): SMC's Annual Food Drive for the Light House Pantry
OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT SMC's MISSIONS
PRIDE: NEED VOLUNTEERS ASAP to lead/help coordinate SMC's participation in this year's Annapolis PRIDE Parade & Festival. If you are interested, please contact Marti Engstrom @ martiengstrom@gmail.com to learn more.
Light House: Ongoing: Sign up to prepare and deliver food to Light House for one (or more!) of SMC's Monthly Dinners. OR
Donate REQUESTED food and other items to Light House by placing in the designated area under the window in the narthex.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ANY OF THESE MISSIONS, PLEASE SEE THE MISSIONS TAB ON THE ST. MARGARET'S WEBSITE (Scroll to bottom)
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Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Update
Our recent Coffee Hour Chat on Critical Race Theory: what it IS and IS NOT was very well attended. Guest speaker, Commissioner Cheryl McLeod, informed us that CRT really stands for Culturally Relative Teaching, a methodology of teaching that embraces all students, families, their languages and experiences. This methodology creates a safe place for all students to take risks and become brave learners. Critical Race Theory is a political term. Commissioner McLeod encouraged us to be involved in our local public and private schools, to be supportive of our good teachers and support curriculums and pedagogy that engages all students just as Christ embraced everyone he taught.
Please join us for the Trinity Sunday , June 12th. This special service will recognize the People of Color from St. Margaret’s past who were denied full membership and proper sacraments.
Looking forward for the TRR Task Force, we will provide a June 19th Coffee Hour Chat, a Fall Field Trip & Luncheon and more community outreach & educational opportunities .
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Update on Afghan Family Assisted By St. Margaret's
by Sue Synder
Being a refugee is not just an event but a journey. If you were forced to leave your home quickly knowing you were not going to return, what would you miss most? What would you be most concerned about? What would bring you the most hope?
The family I have been walking with evacuated Afghanistan in August of 2021 to escape the violence and left behind their families, their friends and their good jobs working for international organizations utilizing their advanced degrees to seek a better life for themselves and more importantly for their child. Their journey started in California, and they came to Maryland in September.
They had many struggles the first few months but gratefully settled in December in a small one-bedroom apartment which has given them a peaceful place to explore their new life. The wife has a 35 hour per week job and the husband has hourly work but they both continue exploring professional job opportunities to better use their skills and better stabilize their income. And of course, there is their role as parents to a one-year-old who is growing so nicely and bringing them such joy. They also are incredibly grateful that they can communicate with their families back in Afghanistan weekly.
They both have such appreciation for the support St. Margaret’s gave them in December and early this year financially. They also want to acknowledge those who helped them furnish the apartment and gave them emotional support. They both have hopes and dreams as they continue to pursue professional jobs and desire to continue their education to give them a foot up professionally.
What a privilege it has been to walk with them since October. This family has room in their heart to come to better know the St. Margaret’s community and I pray we have room in our hearts for them as well as they continue their journey in their new home and country.
Help them if you feel led to do so, get to know them along with their 15 month old if the opportunity presents itself and most importantly keep them in your prayers as they continue to nurture their new life in the United States.
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Volunteers Needed from July 5-14
(General Convention in Baltimore, MD)
Volunteers recruited from the Diocese of Maryland and neighboring dioceses, who welcome guests and support the logistical work of the General Convention, have an opportunity to learn about the structure and governance of The Episcopal Church. In addition to experiencing the gathering of The Episcopal Church, volunteers who contribute their time have the chance to meet people from around The Episcopal Church and connect with others in the diocese whom they would not have otherwise met.
There are two steps to become a General Convention Volunteer:
Step One — Complete an online form by going to https://bit.ly/3JMHSor and share your contact information (name, congregation, email address, and phone number) with the Diocese of Maryland. If you do not have an email address, you may contact Caroline Bomgardner at 410-467-1399 ext. 1379 to indicate your desire to volunteer.
Step Two — Those who complete the online form will receive an email providing information about signing up to volunteer for specific days, times, and areas of interest. A link and log-in information to a scheduling application will be included. Once completed, you will receive a confirmation email from the system with your selections.
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Servers on May 22
Readers
7:30 - Joan Rich
9:00 - Kathy Lang
11:15 - Sarah Hyde
Eucharistic Ministers
9:00 - Al Todd
11:15 - Stacia Bontempo
Acolytes
9:00 - Anne and Julia Morgan, Brayden McCarthy and Olivia Felt
11:15 - Zacca and Joseph Jackson
Altar Guild
Jeanne Nardi, Jan Little, Kim Morrow
Ushers
9:00 - Kathy Lang, Molly Owens
11:15 - Ray Feldmann
Coffee Hour Hosts
Web Chamberlin and Janice John
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Servers on May 29
Readers
7:30 - Joan Rich
9:00 - Mark Torrence
11:15 - Phil Meeder
Eucharistic Ministers
9:00 - Dave Allen
11:15 - Janis Brewer
Acolytes
9:00 -Caroline Viscardi, Molly Svendsen, Charlotte and Clara Berthelotte
11:15 - Peter Saroch, Sarah and Allen Mayer
Altar Guild
Stephanie Ceruolo, Nancy Saroch, Lisa Moylan, Lynn Goff
Ushers
9:00 - Molly Owens, Mary and Joe Ross
11:15 - George Saroch, Barbara Friedmann
Coffee Hour Hosts
Lynne Killam and Judy Hall
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