Remember when, years ago, we had food dona-
tion baskets at the back of St. Margaret’s
sanctuary, and during the offertory we brought
the baskets forward with the sacraments to be
blessed? This ministry is starting up again!

        Please bring one or more of the following with you to church on Sunday: 

• Ready to eat protein/ready-made meals like canned chicken, chili, or chicken soup
• Toilet paper
• Bar soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body wash 
• Non-sugary cold cereal

. . . and place your donation in one of the baskets
you’ll see clearly labeled at the back of the church. These will be delivered to the GBAM (Greater Belfast Area Ministerium) Food Cupboard that serves Waldo County residents every other Friday. 

      When you shop for your home, shop for someone else’s too!

Several of us met last Saturday to discuss and plan for St. Margaret’s Outreach mission. As you see in previous post, we designated the very worthy organization, H.O.M.E. of Orland, as recipient of the next 5th Sunday offering (April 30th). 

      In addition we are sending $500 to But Still I Am One, a local organization that provides services to young adults (ages 16-21) who are unhoused or home insecure in Waldo County. FMI: www.butstilliamone.org. Apart from being in the midst of a fundraising campaign where any donation up to $5,000 is being matched, the organization is also seeking host families to provide temporary housing for these young people. Maybe you have a spare bedroom and would like to help out by opening your home on a temporary basis.

      On April 23 we will resume our food in-gathering for the GBAM Food Cupboard. Please consider bringing a food item to church with you – a basket will be at the back of church. In particular need are protein items – canned chicken, canned chili, chicken soup. Also non-sugary cereal AND toiletry items such as toilet paper, bar soap, shampoo and conditioner.

      In the past we have also collected good used (or new) clothing for the men at the Midcoast Re-Entry Center. Many times men arrive at the center with only the clothing they are wearing. Sports type clothing (sweatshirts, T-shirts, sports pants) and casual clothing is suggested. In addition, new underwear and socks is always in demand as well as toiletries – liquid body soap/shampoo, deodorant, etc. A bin will be in the Parish Hall to collect these items.

      Our next meeting will be Saturday, June 10 at 9:30AM – please join us!

April 30th is the second fifth Sunday this year and the Outreach Committee designated H.O.M.E. of Orland as the recipient of the plate offerings on that Sunday plus any special donations you might like to make by marking the check for either “H.O.M.E”. or “5th Sunday”. 

      Some of you might not know about this humble non-profit located on Rte 1A in Orland. They might be small, but they are mighty! Here is a snapshot of their activities last year:

• 48 individuals including 15 children were diverted from homelessness
• 50 households moved to permanent housing
• 9,780 bed nights provided
• 52 households with children sheltered
• Average length of stay in shelter – 48nights
• 1,976 individuals provided with food
• 20 households received firewood for 22/23 season
• 16 daycare enrollments
• 244 Holiday food boxes distributed
• 459 Christmas gifts distributed
• 71 school backpacks distributed
• 118,180 pounds of food rescued and distributed.

The church was packed with parishioners, clergy and guests from five midcoast churches (St. Margaret’s, Belfast, St. Thomas’, Camden, John the Baptist, Thomaston, and Nativity Lutheran, Rockport. Bishop Thomas Brown was present for a baptism and to celebrate Eucharist at this highly spiritual and joyful service.

KNIT-A-THON MARCH 18, 2023

The Women of St Margaret’s knitters are having a KNIT-A-THON on March 18th, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. All craft venues welcome during this day of sharing, creating, enjoying food, all while raising funds for those who need assistance with fuel costs. We are all aware of the tremendous rise in costs to heat our homes, but those less fortunate need our help so that they, too, can have a warm home. During the day folks come and go, and because it is a pot luck as well, we ask that you bring a side dish of food to share (soup, chili, bread, crackers, cheese, vegetables, fruit, sweets, etc.). We have the blessing of a wonderful space to gather, the St. Margaret’s Parish Hall, so there is plenty of space to spread out. Coffee and hot water for tea will be provided. Please join us for a day of creating and giving.

HELP WANTED FOR EARTH DAY PLANNING
The Committee is making plans for Earth Day, Saturday, April 22. We invite all parishioners to help plan activities for the day, the week, and the month of April. If you have ideas to share, or have participated in Earth Day activities here or elsewhere, or just want to be involved in something worthwhile and fun for a few hours with no long-term commitment, we would love to hear from you. Please let the office know or call or email Mary Rackmales.

WATER-FILLING STATIONS for Belfast. On Tuesday evening the Belfast City Council unanimously approved a proposal from the St. Margaret’s Creation Care team to purchase and install up to 3 water filling stations in downtown Belfast.
(click link to see rest of article).

Diocese-wide Chrism Eucharist on Tuesday, March 28, 2023
at Grace Church in Bath @ 11 – PLEASE register before March 20

Bishop Thomas Brown has invited Bishop Chilton Knudsen and Bishop Stephen Lane to join us on this day! Bishop Knudsen will preach. We’ll renew our promises of baptism, and clergy will renew their ordination vows. Holy oils will be blessed for the coming year.  

9:30 am Morning refreshments & fellowship

11:00 am Eucharist, Renewal of Vows, Blessing of Holy Oils

12:30 am Clergy meeting (lunch provided)

To help us plan, it’s important for all guests to register before March 20.

March 10, 2023

Dear Beloved of God,

Since the first Christians decided to gather in Jesus’ name, baptism has been the mark of belonging to the body of Christ. In it, baptismal candidates pass through the life-giving and dangerous water of death and resurrection. Your baptism is a means of sharing in Christ, dying with him and being raised with him, of being baptized in him, becoming a member of his body and of receiving his spirit.

Since early in the church’s history, and even up until today, initiation by baptism has been the prerogative of the bishop. As churches proliferated, it became increasingly difficult for bishops to be at every baptism. Bishops, therefore, delegated the celebration of the rite to local parish priests, reserving for themselves the part of the rite that included the laying on of hands (and anointing), for the gift of the spirit. This later became the rite of confirmation. At the outset, baptism was administered at Easter. Catechumens, (those preparing to be baptized), were instructed by the bishop during Lent. Both the catechumens and those who would administer the rite would fast during all or part of this time.

Lent and Easter are therefore a wonderful time for us to remember the gift of baptism which we have received. To this end, Bishop Thomas Brown has invited us to join him and the members of Christ’s body in Maine for a celebration of renewal of vows to take place during the Chrism Eucharist—a celebration of the Holy Eucharist by the bishop during which the oil used in healing and baptism is blessed. The diocese will come together for Chrism Eucharist on Tuesday, March 28 at 9:30 am at Grace Church in Bath.

Please do consider attending this celebration. Bishop Brown will lead us in renewing our promises of baptism, and holy oils will be blessed for the coming year. Bishop Chilton Knudsen and Bishop Steve Lane will join us!

RSVP here before March 20.

The Rector’s Office Hours:T-TH Mornings: 9:30AM-12:30  /  T Afternoons: 2-5PM  /  W & TH Afternoons: 1:30-4:30
In case of emergency or urgency, please text or call my cell phone and leave me a
voicemail @ (860) 560-6992.

Join our community of knitters for our March Knit-a-Thon to benefit the Waldo County Woodshed and heating assistance. 
Make checks payable to   “Women of St, Margaret”s” with Knit-a-Thon in the memo field.

When: Saturday, March 18

Time: 8am to 8pm

5:00 pm Informal fashion show   

Bring 1 or 2 items to share.Stay for as long or as short as you like. 

Where: St Margaret’s Episcopal Church.95 Court Street, Belfast