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The Albanor 1 Advent & Christmas 2012

The Albanor

The Newsletter of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church Advent & Christmas 2012

Reclaiming God’s Peace

I often mention the seasons of the year, both the natural calendar with its rhythms, and the seasons of our faith found in the church calendar with all its distinctive richness.

I do this for two reasons. First, I hope you will embrace a faith that is always moving forward with you into a life shaped by God’s always-new grace. Second, I know that each new season is truly a gift.

Since the days of the earliest Christian communities, Advent has been set aside as a month-long season of anticipation, a time to prepare for both the mystery and the clarity soon to be celebrated in Christmas. We await the celebration of God’s arrival into the lives of the people, God incarnate.

The season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. While our contemporary consumer culture begins preparing for Christmas before Thanksgiving, our church practice and purpose are different.

Advent is a quieter time, a time for embracing not the stress of modern life, but the custom of thoughtful reading, regular worship, fellowship, and prayer. It is a time for seeking some of the peace that God promises us in the Christmas story, the peace that comes from knowing God in our midst through the life of Jesus and the presence of Christ. We do this with some extra care and discipline at this time.

At St. Alban’s, we are planning several ways to quietly benefit from this expectant season. You are invited to be part of Advent at St. Alban’s in whatever ways you find meaningful. I hope you will join me!

Advent Wreath-making: On Sunday, Dec. 2nd, we’ll create wreaths, which can serve as a focus of family prayer, with the candle’s flame reminding us of the light that comes into the world at Christmas. We’ll also offer a take-home prayer book of short family prayers to use as you light the candles each week.

Reading and Blogging Together: We are going to read the book Advent and Christmas Wisdom, by Henri Nouwen, a beloved spiritual authors of our time and a favorite of mine. This book is designed as brief daily offerings with a reflection, passage of scripture, short prayer, and suggestion of an “Advent Action”. Pick up one of these slim books at the

The Rev. Timothy A. Boggs

church and take it home for fruitful Advent reading.

On Wednesday evening , December 12th, we will gather at church for an informal parish conversation about our readings.

On the parish website, an Advent Blog will offer short reflections from one of the clergy on that day’s reading. You too will be invited to post a short comment of your own to share, if you wish.

Music for Advent: We will come together for a Sunday afternoon program arranged by Music Director Jim Strand on December 9th.

Advent Prayer: On Thursday, December 20th, consider coming to the Compline Prayer service at 9:00 p.m. in the candle-lit sanctuary. This brief, beautiful service is a traditional moment of nighttime prayer from our Book of Common Prayer.

Advent Story-telling: The story of the coming of Christmas is never more wonderfully told than by our children in their Pageant. The children will be directed by a talented dancer from the Portland Ballet with Joanne Lee leading their music, and an excellent performance is expected. Please plan to be in church at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 16th.

Advent Fellowship: All seasons of the church calendar are celebrated in community, and we will gather for a carol sing, refreshments and good cheer at the rectory on Wednesday, December 19th. All are invited, including children. Care for small children is available at church.

This is a rich, reflective season that we share. Throughout Advent, Christians prepare their hearts and minds not only for the celebration of Christmas but for the many ways that Christ breaks into the world - past, present, and future. I invite you to join me in making this Advent an especially meaningful one.

This year prepare for Christmas by

claiming the Peace of God.


Worship

The Albanor is the monthly newsletter of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, a congregation in the Diocese of Maine.

The Rt. Reverend Stephen Lane Bishop

The Reverend Timothy Boggs Rector

The Reverend Kelly Moughty Assistant Rector

The Venerable Audrey Delafield Archdeacon

St. Alban’s Vestry Bruce Babcock, Bill Bell, Gretchen Hartley, Jay Houghton, Rose Kennealy, Peter Merrill, Erik Olsen, Jen Tarling, Peg Thompson

Jim Croft Senior Warden

Connie Babcock Junior Warden

Frank Governali Treasurer

Parish Staff Debbie Fisher, Christian Education Director

Kirsten Helfrich, Parish Administrator

Greg Hicks, Sexton

Linda Howard, Assistant Treasurer

James Strand, Organist/Choirmaster

THE ALBANOR

An Advent Ordination!

December 14th

at 6:30pm

The congregations of St. Alban’s and St. Peter’s will have the opportunity to celebrate with

Kelly Moughty as she is ordained to the priesthood on December 14th. Kelly has been with

us since last July and has been serving as a transitional deacon. Church canon law says that

an individual must serve as a transitional deacon for six months before he or she can be

ordained a priest. It is the culmination of years of discernment and education, and Kelly has

been working hard. It will be a banner weekend for the Moughty family as Kelly’s newly

born niece Colby Jane will be the baby Jesus in the St. Alban’s Pageant the following Sunday,

which will also be Kelly’s parent’s 40th wedding anniversary! All are invited to celebrate with

Kelly and her family as she begins this new phase of her ministry.

By the grace of God

the Right Reverend Stephen T. Lane

Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine

will ordain

Kelly Patricia Moughty

to the Sacred Order of Priests

in Christ’s One holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Friday December 14, 2012

at 6:30 in the evening

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church

885 Shore Road

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Your prayers and presence are requested.


Worship

First Sunday of Advent at St. Alban’s

Sunday, December 2nd

Make your home ready for the Advent season by creating your own Advent wreath. On December 2nd Beth Callaway and Ashley Collins will lead our annual Advent wreath-making workshop. The workshop will be held in the parish hall before and after the 9:30 service. This workshop is for adults and children alike. All are warmly invited to take part in this fun Advent tradition. If you have your wire wreath from last year, please bring it

to use again.

8:00 a.m. - Quiet, Spoken Eucharist

9:30 a.m. - Eucharist with Choir

5:30 p.m. - Candlelight Eucharist

What is an Advent Wreath?

An Advent Wreath is a table-top evergreen circle with four candles around its edge and a single white candle in the middle. The wreath and the lighting of the four candles week-by-week symbolize the passage of the Advent season leading up to Christmas Day when the center candle is lit, denoting the coming of Jesus to live as one of us.

Since Advent is a four week season of contemplation and anticipation…of waiting for the birth of Jesus…the lighting of each candle marks the time before his arrival, one candle at a time. Many suggest that the lighting of the Advent Wreath helps children (and adults) patiently prepare for the wonder of Christmas, enjoying the peaceful candlelight at a relaxed pace before the lively feast day of Christmas.

During the 9:30 a.m. service on the four Sundays of Advent and Christmas Eve, a child of the parish is invited to help the clergy light the Advent candles in the sanctuary. A special prayer for each week of Advent is prayed aloud by the child.

Christmas at St. Alban’s

Family Christmas Eve Service at 4:00 p.m.

This informal service of Holy Eucharist includes the singing of familiar Christmas carols and is especially suited for families

with young children.

Traditional Christmas Eve Service at 6:00 p.m.

A gracious traditional service of Holy Eucharist with sermon and favorite Christmas carols, with musical soloists.

Christmas Eve Festival at 10:00 p.m.

A musical service of Holy Eucharist with sermon, favorite carols, and special choral and organ offerings.

Christmas Day Service at 9:30 a.m.

Join us for a reflective service of Holy Eucharist on Christmas Day.

or, in our case…

Please join us as the children of St. Alban’s proudly present...

The Christmas Pageant

Sunday, December 16th

Come to see Mary, Joseph, and the Angel Gabriel! Shepherds, Little Angels and Kings!

Little Lambs, Donkeys and of course,

Baby Jesus!


Worship

Services at Senior Residences

St. Alban’s continues to offer monthly services at several senior residences in Cape Elizabeth, South Portland and Scarborough. We have a faithful congregation of people at all of these residences, many of whom are no longer able to attend church. They very much appreciate having a church service brought to them. The services include Scripture readings, hymns, a sermon, prayers and Eucharist. Parishioners of St. Alban’s are warmly invited to attend any of the services listed below and may find they take a great deal away from them.

Tuesday, December 11th at Piper Shores Holbrook Health Center at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 11th at the Betsy Ross House at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 27th at Cape Memory Care at 1:00 p.m.

Lessons & Carols

December 30th during 9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Join our clergy and choirmaster James Strand as we celebrate Holy Eucharist with treasured Christmas lessons and the singing of favorite Christmas carols on the Sunday after Christmas.

Sunday School children and youth are invited to join their families in the church for this joyful celebration of the Christmas season.

Please note: We will not have an 8:00 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. service on December 30th.

Thursday, December 27th at Village Crossings at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 8th at the Betsy Ross House at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 31st at Cape Memory Care at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 31st at Village Crossings at 2:00 p.m.

Christian Education

Christmas Pageant Rehearsals Begin

November 25th after the 9:30 a.m. service We’ve got the angels, shepherds, narrators and little lambs. We have a director, music director, organist, and costume coordinators. And of course we have the camel and donkey.

Which means, of course, that it’s time for Pageant rehearsals to begin! Check out the website for specific rehearsal times, or e-mail Debbie at [email protected]. Definitely put on your calendar: Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 16th during the 9:30 a.m. service.

A Children’s Musical Offering

On Sundays November 25th, December 2nd and December 9th, both Godly Play and Our PLACE will begin with singing. Joan Phillips from the Chancel Choir has graciously agreed to teach the children the beautiful hymn “Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding” to celebrate the season of Advent. And, they will present their newly-learned hymn at the Advent Afternoon Music Program on December 9th!

Please note: Children’s programs will not be offered on Sunday, December 30th. Godly Play and Our PLACE resume

on Sunday, January 6th. Children are welcome to attend the service with their families on December 30th.

Compline

Thursday, December 20th at 9:00 p.m.

Compline is a brief late evening service of prayer from deep in our Christian heritage. Many find it to be a quiet, refreshing and reassuring end to the day. St. Alban’s now offers Compline on the third Thursday of each month. We will meet in the candle-lit sanctuary at 9:00 p.m. With the guidance of Jim Strand, members of the choir will join in the quietly sung service, which lasts only about fifteen minutes. Perhaps Compline at St. Alban’s will become for you a meaningful moment in your busy week - a quiet, contemplative, hopeful time for prayer, blessing and reflection.

mailto:[email protected]


Christian Education

L

Our PLACE Advent Rotation

For unto us a child is born, Unto us a son is given!

This month we are going to present the Christmas story from a different perspective by concentrating on the season of Advent as foretold by the prophet Isaiah, one of the most beautifully written books in the Bible. We’ll highlight three of the prophecies about the birth of Jesus Christ. On Sundays in December the children will create delicate Christmas ornaments and learn several of the other beautiful names Jesus is known by (Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor).

Let Us Light The Way of the Lord

This Advent season children and youth in 3rd & 4th grades are invited to assist the clergy as torchbearers during the 9:30 a.m. service. Torchbearers carry candles mounted on short staffs throughout the service. They will help lead the procession up the aisle, walking just behind the crucifer, and stand on either side of Deacon Audrey as she reads the Gospel. They will sit beside Father Tim and Deacon Audrey in the sanctuary during the service.

All 3rd & 4th graders are invited – encouraged! – to join this important ministry. We need two Torchbearers for each Sunday during Advent and on Christmas Eve. We’re looking for children who are responsible and willing to take seriously the important duties of serving at the altar. Father Tim will provide the training, and St. Alban’s will provide the vestments.

Acolytes have served the Church since the year 398 at least, and their presence certainly enhances the beauty of our

Youth News

Our Clynk Runneth Over!

There's been a bit of a jam up in the system with too many bags piling up in the parish garage. As a result, we are now asking people to bring their bags to Hannaford themselves. We'll still provide the tagged bags ,and the money will still go to support our youth ministry. Thanks to all of you who have supported our Youth Ministries over the course of the years

by donating your bottles and cans to our Clynk fund!

Youth Schedule for Advent

Dec. 2nd Rite 13 and Connect meet at 9:30 a.m. HS Youth Group meets from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. for a Charlie Brown Christmas

Dec. 9th Rite 13 and Connect meet at 9:30 Dec. 16th Christmas Pageant (no morning classes) HS Youth Group meets from 4-:00 to 5:30pm for an Advent Party and service project

Dec. 23rd Rite 13 and Connect meet at 9:30 a.m.

Youth News

Cow Island Retreat

By Anni Ball

To put it simply, Cow Island was fun. For most teenagers, leaving their electronics behind and sleeping in 40º weather in sleeping bags on a small island wouldn’t exactly strike their fancy. We found ourselves occupied with many different activities, and I found some

more enjoyable than others.

The “human knot”, one of the first activities, almost fell on the “this is getting interesting” side of the spectrum. Basically, you had to make a circle, and everyone had to hold the hands of two non-adjacent people. The goal was to get untangled without letting go the others’ hands. Now, we completely failed; people were stepping over their own limbs and twisting their bodies in painful ways. After about 20 minutes, we, along with our guides Alex and Paul, came to the realization that it was hopeless, and we promptly gave up.

Our next activity, the rock wall, was my personal favorite. The group was split into two teams of five, 4 people per belay team and one climber. There were three types of walls (easy, hard, and expert) and one could choose to scale it with or without a blindfold on. I tried the easy and hard walls with and without being blindfolded, and all I can say is that those are two very different experiences.

Finally, there was a comical aspect to our trip, which was the ever-alive conversation of how the island was perfect for the zombie apocalypse. This came up at every meal, and each conversation went into increasing detail as to how a person could survive this “event”. Cow Island, for me, was a new adventure that I enjoyed, and I hope more outings like these are in our future.

Deven & Anni

Andy & Gus


Diocesan and Vestry News

To the Clergy and People of the Diocese of Maine Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus, On Tuesday, November 6, 2012, citizens of the State of Maine took the momentous step of voting to include same-sex couples among those who may

apply for civil marriage licenses. For many this decision was the achievement of long delayed justice for an oppressed minority and an appropriate extension of the rights and responsibilities of marriage to all citizens. For others the vote represented a fundamental change in long-held beliefs brought about by the profound cultural shifts taking place in our country. As your Bishop, I rejoice in the greater inclusion of all our members in the full life of our communities. I also recognize and grieve the deep pain which significant change can cause. To each one of you, I offer my continuing affection and support. Whenever an event produces strong feelings in us, it may be difficult to remember that that same event produces very different feelings in others. I ask those who rejoice in last Tuesday's decision to be gracious toward those who mourn. I ask those who mourn to refrain from bitterness and recrimination. Each of us is a child of God seeking to do what is right and a sinner for whom Christ died, and we are all brothers and sisters of one another. A vote for change is not, by itself, sufficient to accomplish that change. For each of us now comes the hard work of getting used to a new situation and considering how we will respond. Vestries and lay leaders may need time to consider what it might mean to offer their church as a place where same sex marriage can take place. Clergy may need to decide whether or not they will preside at such services and under what circumstances. As Bishop, I will need to revisit the guidelines first developed for the possibility of same-sex marriage in 2009 and to consider carefully what adjustments may need to be made in light of our changed circumstances. I believe the pastoral generosity extended by the 2012 General Convention of The Episcopal Church to dioceses in states where same sex marriage is legal applies to the Diocese of Maine, and I will consider changes to our guidelines in that light.

I imagine that every generation believes it is living in a time of profound change. Whether or not history ultimately concurs with this assessment, I know the change of our time feels profound to us. The good news is that such change is among the means by which God works his purposes out. I firmly believe that God will use what we offer for good and that as we struggle to do what is right the Spirit of God is in our midst.

May we all trust that God is with us, and may we treat one another with the love and compassion that are the marks of God's reign.

Faithfully, The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane Bishop of Maine

Treasurer’s Update

Amazingly, the end of the year is approaching again, and as far as St. Alban’s Treasury function is concerned, it’s almost time to look to create next year’s budget for the vestry. But before we can do that, we need to wrap up 2012, including the completion of pledge commitments. 2012 has been a good year for pledging and pledge fulfillment, with about 82% of all pledges paid through the end of October. However, to satisfy all of our financial obligations and start the new year with a clean slate, it is important that all of us complete our pledge payments in the next month if at all possible. If there are circumstances that may prevent you from doing this, it would help in the management of St. Alban’s finances for you to alert me as soon as possible. You can do this by sending a confidential email to [email protected] or call me directly at 207-233-6739. Thank you to everyone for your generous support for St. Alban’s throughout the year.

- Frank Governali



Health Ministry

Healthy, Quick, and Plant-Based Cooking

Tuesday, November 27th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The Parish Health Ministry will sponsor "Healthy, Quick and Plant Based". Chef Amy Rolnick, a natural foods enthusiast who teaches cooking classes through the Maine Health Resource Center, will demonstrate simple, nutritious vegetarian cooking. The class is open to anyone 15 years and older. Participants will enjoy sampling of the foods we cook afterwards. The class will run from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the Health Ministry bulletin board. Please sign up by Friday, November 25th. A $10 fee to cover the cost of ingredients will be due on the night of class.

St. Alban’s Meals Ministry

St. Alban’s new Meals Ministry has been established to provide nutritious, home-cooked meals for parish families during times of need or transition. These meals might support a family facing a serious medical diagnosis and treatments, recovering from surgery, or

adjusting to having a new baby in the home.

All are invited to be a part of this ministry, as an occasional cook or the recipient of a lovingly made, healthy meal

during a difficult time. Please consider becoming a St. Alban’s Cares cook.

We are off to a great start, with ten parishioners signed up to cook. Our goal is to have 20 cooks – ensuring that someone will always be available to provide a meal when it is needed, but that individual cooks are not called on to prepare and deliver meals more than once every eight weeks. We will provide delivery instructions and information on number of servings required and dietary restrictions with each meal request. If you would like to join our team of cooks, place your name on the sign-up sheet located on the Health Ministry Board, or email the Meals Coordinator Claire Ginder at [email protected].

Do you need meals? If you are going through a time of transition or difficulty, or are in recovery and would like to request meals, contact the parish office at 799-4014 or [email protected]. The team of cooks will be happy to provide up to three meals a week, delivered to your home, for a period of two weeks. They will work with you to accommodate your dietary requirements and modify the meal delivery schedule to meet your needs.

St. Alban's Cares

St. Alban's Cares is a lively and caring project of the Parish Health Ministry that came together two months ago to offer practical, hands-on support for parishioners who need meals; transportation; home or hospital visits, including Holy Communion, if desired. This ministry supplements the ongoing pastoral care of our clergy, who are fully engaged with St. Alban's Cares.

There may be a place for you in this ministry! We need you both to volunteer and to ask for and accept help.

If you are able to volunteer either regularly or occasionally to drive someone to appointments or church events, to make home or hospital visits, to give communion to homebound parishioners, or to prepare meals, please sign up on the Health Ministry Bulletin board in the parish hall, or call the church office at 799-4014.

Great care will be given to accommodate your schedule and time constraints. We hope to have enough volunteers by early next year to be able to fully respond to the needs of the parish.

If you know of parishioners at home or in the hospital who need our help, please call the church office at 799-4014 so that Parish Administrator, Kirsten Helfrich, can contact the appropriate coordinator. (We are still hoping someone will volunteer to coordinate transportation needs.) The following people are our St. Alban's Cares as coordinators: Meals Coordinator: Claire Ginder Home/Hospital/Assisted Living Coordinator: Peggy Williams Eucharistic Minister and Trainer: Marjorie Manning Vaughn Lay Volunteer Trainers: Audrey Delafield, Grace Kimball




Mission and Outreach

This year, the Root Cellar has asked us to approach the Angel Tree program differently than we have in the past, and here’s why...

Imagine yourself on Christmas morning in the midst of your family traditions. Perhaps you’ve already had breakfast, perhaps you jump straight to the stockings, maybe you’re settling in to open presents. Think about the delight you feel when you know you have the perfect gift for just the right person, and the joy and anticipation you feel at watching that person – a child, a spouse, a sibling, a parent – peel back the wrapping paper to expose that perfect gift.

Now imagine that your family is in some financial difficulty and you’ve taken advantage of a local social service agency’s program to provide gifts to ensure your children have a “normal” Christmas. You’ve given a list of what you hope your child might receive. But on Christmas morning, your child picks up a package, and you’re not sure what’s in it. You don’t recognize the wrapping paper. Your child’s gift was purchased by a stranger. A generous stranger for sure, but a stranger all the same.

Everyone will still get a card with some information about a child and his or her Christmas wishes, but rather than returning the gifts wrapped, we ask that you return them with some wrapping paper on the side. The gifts will then be taken to the Root Cellar, where the parents of the children will have the opportunity to shop among the unwrapped gifts and pick out the items from their child’s list. The parents will then pay a small amount, less than 20% of the actual cost of the gift, and take their presents home to wrap themselves.

Why this change? The answers are simple. Dignity. Ownership. Self-respect. Raising an individual’s self-confidence that he or she can provide for the family. Under the old system, it was ensured that all of the children would have at least some of their Christmas wishes fulfilled. But this new system goes beyond making sure a child gets a gift and moves toward empowering whole families despite their difficult circumstances.

How do you know the child you purchased for will get his or her gift? You don’t. If your child requested a Barbie, they

may not get the exact Barbie you purchased. But the shopping experience will be controlled to make sure that kids that wanted a Barbie will get one. Why is the Root Cellar charging for my free gift? To help give these parents some ownership of that Christmas morning experience, so that they can feel like they have some “skin in the game.” The small amount of money the parents will pay will go right back into all of the amazing services the Root Cellar provides.

We’ll be collecting all the gifts at St. Alban’s and bringing them to the

Root Cellar on Friday, December 7th.

I hope your family will participate in this old tradition in a new way!

The Root Cellar Angel Project

How Does It Work? Choose an Angel Tag from the Angel Tree in Bonoff

Hall. Purchase a gift from the wish list of the child on the

tag. Do not wrap the gift, but do include some wrapping

paper when you bring it back to St. Alban’s. Return your unwrapped gift, wrapping paper, and

original tag to St. Alban’s by Friday, December 7th.


J2A

Winter Clothing Drive - A Wonderful Success!

Many thanks to those who brought in their gently used hats, scarves, mittens, sweaters and coats last month. Because of your generosity we were able to deliver several carloads of warm clothing to Portland, where they were gratefully received at the Essentials Pantry. Many Portland families will have a warmer winter because of your thoughtfulness.

Essentials Pantry - Tuesday, December 11th and Tuesday, January 22nd

Every Tuesday morning the Essentials Pantry distributes much-needed household essentials to approximately 300 families. We will leave St. Alban’s at 8:00 a.m. and return by 11:00 a.m. Please contact Audrey Delafield at [email protected] if you have questions or would like to help.

Essentials Pantry

Soup Kitchen

Saturday, December 8th and January 12th

St. Alban’s volunteers provide lunch at the Preble Street Soup Kitchen on the second Saturday of each month. Volunteers are needed to cook, serve and clean. If you would like to learn more about volunteering at the kitchen or would like to help on one of the above dates, please call Scott Scharf at 329-5784, or email [email protected].

Mission & Outreach

On the RISE is off to a wonderful start! At the September kickoff, it was great to watch folks purchase mini “books” for the future textbook library at St. Luc’s, seed packets for seed money for a plan for the trade school and $25 “apples”, supporting a half month of a teacher’s salary at St. Luc’s.

The goal of this 2012-2013 initiative is $21,000: $16,000 for teacher salaries, $2000 to initiate a textbook library, $1000 for seed money for a trade school, and $2000 for a US seminarian intern to spend a summer at St. Luc’s. A very generous donor has already contributed $10,000 (nearly half our goal!) towards this effort.

It is with great gratitude for the generosity of St. Alban’s and its steadfast faith in the students and teachers of St. Luc’s that we can report that we are nearly halfway to that goal; $5200 has been raised to date! Pere Louis and the students and teachers are so very grateful for our prayers and partnership in Christ. It gives them hope and helps sustain them.

Please consider an alternative gift this Christmas for that hard-to-buy-for relative or as a thank you for a special teacher. Gift cards are also available. Or simply make a joyful donation to On the RISE during this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Visit the display table in Bonoff Hall, and keep your eyes on the bulletin board as those thermometers “rise”! Delicious Haitian coffee and vanilla are still available too…contact Sara Merrill, [email protected].




The Albanor 10 Advent & Christmas

Parish Life

Carol Sing & Open House at

St. Alban’s Rectory

Wednesday, December 19th

7:00 p.m.

All are invited to join Fr. Tim, James and our parish family for a great time of warm fellowship and conversation. Jim Strand will lead us in Christmas carols. Light refreshments will be served and children are welcomed. Infant and toddler care will be provided in the church nursery.

20’s/30’s Dinner!

Friday, November 30th

Join us for an evening of fellowship and delicious food at the Blue Spoon on Munjoy Hill. We’ll meet at 6:30 p.m. and end when we’re done. RSVP to Kelly at kmoughty@ stalbansmaine.org.

St. Alban’s Book Group

Tuesday, December 4th Wednesday, January 9th

The Book Group meets about once a month. If you love to read and would enjoy meaningful conversation in a welcoming and vibrant group setting, St. Alban’s book group just may be for you. We meet in Bonoff Hall at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome!

December selection: A Clearing in the Distance, by Witold Rybczynski's

January selection: Sacre Bleu , by Christopher Moore

Advent is from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming”. These four Sundays before Christmas comprise a time when Christians focus on preparing and remembering the real meaning of Christmas. For centuries, Advent has been a time of spiritual reflection as well as cheer and anticipation.

In keeping with this spirit, St. Alban’s is offering the opportunity for you to relax and enjoy the rich music of the season. This program will include music by the Handbell and Chancel Choirs, a vocal solo, organ music and Advent hymns.

We encourage you to treat yourself to this wonderful program as part of your time of preparation and anticipation.

ROPE Reunion!

January 3rd at 6:00 p.m. Former ROPE participants are invited for a casual reunion at the rectory to catch up on each other’s lives! If you’re interested in attending, please shoot an email to [email protected] so we can be sure to have enough food for all.

Adult Formation

Reclaiming the Peace of God

Gathering on Wednesday, December 12th This Advent as we prepare for Christmas, let’s read a short book together!

Advent and Christmas Wisdom is by Henri Nouwen, one of the most beloved and well-read spiritual authors of our time.

This book is arranged with only two pages of reading for each day: a reflection from Nouwen, a passage of scripture, a prayer, and a suggestion of an “Advent Action.”

Pick up one of these slim books at church (cost is $10) and take it home for personal Advent reading. On the evening of December 12th, plan to gather at St. Alban’s for an informal parish conversation about our readings.

Music for Advent

Sunday, December 9th at 3:00 p.m.






Stewardship News

Thank you to all who helped our Stewardship effort for 2013 get off to a wonderful start on All Saint’s Day, our Dedication Sunday. Pledge cards have continued to come in over the past couple of weeks. Last year 215 pledges were made to support St. Alban’s, and we hope to match or better that number this year. In order for the Vestry to put together the budget for 2013 in December, it will be important to complete Stewardship in the coming days. As a reminder, our pledge dollars support virtually all of St. Alban’s budget, with no financial support coming from outside our parish. Without the predictability that pledging affords, it would be very difficult for the Vestry to make commitments for programs, staffing, and general upkeep of our excellent facilities. We hope we can quickly wrap up stewardship so we’ll be able to deliver to the Vestry the financial resources necessary for a successful 2013 budget.

Announcements

The Godly Play children and Our PLACE youth recently made their own commitments as part of the St. Alban’s 2012 Stewardship campaign. Below are some of the pledges they made - which just goes to show that everyone in the parish has something to contribute!

Unload the dishwasher without being asked every morning for a week and maybe keep on doing it.

Rakes leves up and say prars. Do a prare befor I eat. Help seniors buy food and love longer life and

I will help rase money for there faimly.

Christmas Flower Memorials

Enclosed you will find an envelope you may use to make a donation for altar flowers in memory of your loved ones and friends. In order for your memorials to be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin, please return your envelope with the names of those you wish to memorialize by no later than Sunday, December 9th. You can also submit the information via email to [email protected] or by placing the envelope in the offering plate.

Communications at St. Alban’s

Sunday, November 25th at 3:30 p.m. in Bonoff Hall

We are in the beginning stages of an effort to improve and refresh the ways we tell our collective St. Alban’s story, including what we are about as a parish, our key messages, and what we have to offer within our membership and to the outside community. We would appreciate your perspectives and wisdom, and invite you to join the conversation. Please consider joining us! You will continue to hear and experience progress on this important topic over the next several months.



Special Dates in Advent and Christmas

SAINT ALBAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

885 SHORE ROAD

CAPE ELIZABETH, MAINE 04107

Dec. 2—Wreath making after 9:30 a.m. service

Dec. 9—Music for Advent at 3:00 p.m.

Dec. 14—Ordination of Kelly Moughty at 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 16—Christmas Pageant during 9:30 a.m. service

Dec. 19—Carol Sing & Open House at the Rectory at 7:00 p.m.

Dec. 20—Compline in sanctuary at 9:00 p.m.

Dec. 24—Christmas Eve services at 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.

Dec. 25—Christmas Day service at 9:30 a.m.

Dec. 30—Lessons & Carols at 9:30 a.m. service

This year prepare for Christmas by claiming the

Peace of God.

the albanor - st. alban's episcopal church, cape elizabeth ... · the albanor 2 advent &...

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