May 31, (and every Tuesday) from noon to one, Lectionary Lectio. We gather in the parish hall to listen to the Scripture text(s) appointed for Sunday. Lectio Divina is a contemplative way of reading the Bible. It dates back to the early centuries of the Christian Church and was established as a monastic practice by Benedict in the 6th century. It is a way of praying the scriptures that leads us deeper into God’s word. We slow down. We read a short passage more than once. We chew it over slowly and carefully.

Sunday, April 3: Barbara’s first Sunday! our new Rector will be celebrating Eucharist and preaching. 
Sunday, April 3: Women of St. Margaret’s meeting, 11AM
Sunday, April 10: Palm Sunday – One service at 9:30AM
Thursday, April 14: Maundy Thursday – Liturgy with Foot Washing, 7PM and Stripping of the Altar, 9PM Friday, April 15: Vigil at the Altar of Repose, 11AM (Sign up to participate for an hour)
Friday, April 15: Good Friday liturgy, NOON
Saturday, April 16: Easter Vigil at St Thomas Camden, Barbara Briggs Preaching (time TBA)
Sunday, April 17: Easter Day, 8AM and 10:15AM services with coffee hour
Sunday, April 24: COFFEE HOUR RESUMES EVERY WEEK BETWEEN THE SERVICES
Sunday, May 8: Installation of our Rector with Bishop Thomas Brown, 3:30PM (followed by a reception)
Sunday, May 15: Ministry Fair during coffee hour

The St. Margaret’s Book Club is up and reading! Join LInda Dunson, Nancy Perkins, Judy Johnson, and others for a virtual discussion of carefully selected books. The group welcomes new members to the First Wednesday Club at 1:30 p.m. Join us with your tea or coffee to discuss carefully selected books. The November 4th meeting features the book “The Stationery Shop” a novel by Marjan Kamali. In December the Club will be discussing “Blanche Among the Talented Tenth” by Barbara Neely. For more information and to receive a Zoom link invitation please contact Nancy Perkins at [email protected]

The days are getting shorter and outdoor activities will soon be curtailed. Many of us have had the opportunity to gather for the 11AM outdoor worship service, go for walks together, or have lunch outdoors but pretty soon many of us will be more homebound.

The Care Groups are being reactivated and reconnecting. Did you know that the groups are listed in the back of the Summer 2020 Directory? and we have some new leaders/callers (see list below). A Care Group leader will be calling you every couple of weeks to say “hi”. This is another way for us all to stay connected, share what is going on in our lives both joys and concerns. 

How can St. Margaret’s assist and support you to provide connections? Do you have shopping needs? pick up a prescriptions? be taken to a medical appointment? How about dropping off your ballot at your local dropbox?

What connections have been helpful? Please share with your Care Group leader or a Vestry member.

CARE GROUPS & LEADERS
Searsport, Swanville and Beyond – Tom McCord with Kristen Burkholder and Sarah Lincoln-Harrison
Route 3 and Beyond – Jackie Curtis and Sarah Lincoln-Harrison
Penobscot Shores and Crosby Manor – Pat Griffith and Mary Rackmales
Eastside – Nan Cobbey and Kristin Frangoulis
Downtown Belfast – Nancy Perkins
Northport and Bayside – Deirdre Good and Julian Sheffield

Last week I proposed in my NFTP piece the resurrection of a new version on zoom of the informal Wednesday conversations that formerly took place (pre-Covid) after the healing service.  As I wrote then, this would not be random chit-chat, but gently guided conversation rooted in our concerns and anxieties arising out of the swirl of challenges we face in our world and lives right now.  Ultimately, the aim is to awaken hope.  Our weekly gatherings will be no more than an hour and extend for about two months (to get us through the election).  The group could determine at that point whether we wanted to continue.  We will meet at 11:45 AM.  You will find a link to this in our e-newsletter along with all the other zoom links.

A little less than three weeks from now, on February 26,  we’ll enter the Season of Lent (our Ash Wednesday services are at 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM). 

On Shrove Tuesday (February 25), the day before Ash Wednesday, we’ll gather again for pancakes drizzled with Maine maple syrup and for good, relaxed conversation with one another. Supper will start at 6 and Paul Mazur will be asking a few good men to organize this – if you are willing, please speak with Paul. 
 
There will be another opportunity this year at the pancake supper.  We will set off the quiet of the library as a space where, if you choose, you can write a letter or note expressing your regrets, your confessions, your forgiveness of one who might have hurt you, or of your need to ask forgiveness of one you might have hurt.  No one needs to see what you’ve written.  You can place it in an envelope, seal it, and bring it outside where there will be a small fire ready to turn the chatter and wrangle to ashes. 
 
Of course, if someone needs to hear your words of forgiveness, or if you need to ask for someone’s forgiveness, Lent will be a good time for it….

Everyone is welcome!

More than 40 invitations sent to newcomers who have joined us in the last four years drew at least half of them on Sunday to be recognized during the service and to be feted at the brunch that followed.

Parishioners told stories about how they came to St. Margaret’s and what the parish family means to them. One seasonal parishioner told of the  trials of the Diocese of Fort Worth and her experience through that time and afterwards; how St. Margaret’s helped her during that period. Another shared how she started coming to St. Margaret’s and became an Episcopalian after many decades of being a Roman Catholic.  One could see others taking it in and feeling a kinship. These stories and more were heart-warming, honest, and served as a thread to knit the community and make it stronger.

The smorgasbord of food provided by parishioners was a delight for both the taste buds and eyes. Thank you to all who lovingly prepared something for the table.

It was a beautiful day to celebrate outdoors with Penobscot Bay as a backdrop. A good turn out from both St. Mark’s and St. Margaret’s to join together for Eucharist and potluck picnic.