Due to our Pentecost services, Baptism and afternoon music program with Steve McBride, our Director of Music, we will postpone our Episcopal/Anglican 101 series for this week. This series will begin on June 5 at 9:15 in the Parish House.
Relief in Ecuador
[Episcopal News Service] Saturday, May 14 marks four weeks since the 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador causing the death of more than 650 people, injuring more than 4,600 and displacing some 30,000. Recovery from the loss of life and the estimated $2 to $3 billion in damages will take years.
Over the past month, the Episcopal Diocese of Litoral, which serves the coastal area hardest hit, conducted a survey of the communities surrounding its churches in the hardest hit area, and has developed a comprehensive plan to care for the short- and long-term needs of people living in those communities; appointing parishioners to liaise with local government officials.
The diocese is preparing to provide “effective and efficient support” to victims based on the results of the survey, said Litoral Bishop Alfredo Morante-España, in an email message. Support, he added, that will require significant financial resources over the next two to three years.
The diocese’s plan covers four courses of action: providing food; health and medical care; spiritual care; and reconstruction and housing improvement. This disaster has a direct link to some in our parish community. Donors can direct support Episcopal Relief & Development’s disaster fund: http://www.episcopalrelief.org/disasterresponsefund-1
Garden Market Success!
The first day of Garden Market was a little damp and cold but crowds of people still entered our gates and kicked off our 2016 Garden Market! Saturday’s weather was more pleasant so even more visitors purchased flowers and plants for their gardens. The vendors, volunteers, and the 4,000+ visitors all appeared to be quite pleased with this year’s Garden Market. A BIG THANK YOU to all who made it successful, and a special “Thank you” to Dru for her leadership! Check out some Garden Market photos: http://stmaryanne.org/garden-market-photos/
Lots of Youth Group Mission Trip Fundraising Events this Spring!
We are excited that we can send some of our SMA youth on a mission trip to Costa Rica this July. Our youth missionaries, in collaboration with the Diocese of Easton, will help to build a church and participate in vision screening.
Last month, the group hosted a Costa Rican Dinner in our Parish Hall. Those in attendance learned a little bit about the trip and the goals of the mission team, and tasted delicious Costa Rican food prepared by the youth and a few parents. Funds from the dinner went toward the mission trip fundraising goals.
During the Garden Market, pretzels were sold along with chances to win a “money tree”. These two additional fundraising opportunities helped, but more fundraising is needed so our youth can participate in this worthwhile experience.
Here are some additional opportunities to help support our youth:
- Envelope Drive will be conducted on Sunday, May 8th during the two church services.
- Yard sale at North East Middle School on Saturday, May 14, from 7-1. If you have any items to donate to our yard sale please bring them to church with you next Sunday or drop them off at Debbie and Dana Cain’s house.
- Benefit dinner at Pier 1 Restaurant on Wednesday, May 18th. We picked this date because it is chicken and dumpling night and the night of the next vestry meeting. You will need to get a coupon from the back of the church to hand to your server, so the Youth Group will receive 10% of all sales from 4-7 p.m. on May 18th. Also, please sign up in the desired time slot on the chart at the back of the church the preliminary count is due to Pier 1 on Monday, May 16.
- Premier Jewelry party in the St.Mary Anne’s parish house from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, June 11. We will also be having a catalog sales between the services on Sunday, June 12. For added fun we will be raffling off the hostess free jewelry for a dollar a chance or 6 chances for 5 dollars.
Thanks for your participation in advance!
Youth Group Bowling Party!
Youth Group Bowling Party (6th-12th grade), May 22nd at Elkton Bowling Alley from 4-6. It’s free! We will have plenty of pizza and soda. Please meet at St. Mary Anne’s behind the parish house by 4. Father John will be going with us.
Bring your ideas and suggestions for future Youth Group events and meetings. RSVP through SMA Youth Facebook or email Janice.
