MAY AVE 2008 VE AFrom the Rector : Rector’s “Rave”:

May 2008 Vol. 81 No.5

(See Rector - continued on page 5)

My “inner procrastina-tor” must have been at work, telling me not to write my article for this month’s Ave until after Sunday, April 20th, thus enabling me to wax fer-vently, if not eloquently, about the concert début of the Saint Mary Schola. The schola—short for Schola cantorum, or

“singers’ school”, a trained choir specializing in the performance of plainchant and other early music—is a group of 15 singers and in-strumentalists under the direction of Bruce Fithian, our organist/choirmaster. When Bruce was called to Saint Mary’s this past September, the Discernment Committee ar-ticulated our hope that Bruce would expand the music program, using Saint Mary’s as a venue and vehicle for bringing people onto our campus. Little did we know that he would do so with such speed and exhilaration.

On Sunday afternoon, it was “standing room only” as our sacred space filled with the

praise of God from centuries long past: psalms, hymns to the Blessed Virgin, even an Italian Renaissance prayer in Hebrew kept an audience of 150 people completely spell-bound. The combination of artistic excellence, acoustics and esthetics came together to cre-ate, not simply a concert, but an experience where time and space were suspended, as we connected with the Church throughout the ages. Speaking quite personally, Sunday’s “Concert spirituel”, to call it by its proper name, helped me to experience the Commun-ion of Saints in an entirely different way than I do on Sunday morning. Responding to the music that is at once so old and yet timeless, I was overwhelmed by that sense of being drawn into something so much larger than myself, so much larger than my own time, so much more vast than my own experience. To hear thirteen voices chanting the praise of God, rising and falling together as one lone voice, brought me more deeply into the mys-tery of the Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery. Watching these artists, from all

The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Falmouth, Maine

CLYNK FOR S. MARY’S!! Help our environment and Saint Mary’s budget

S. Mary’s has started using CLYNK, a new recycle program offered by Hannaford Bros., and is extending the service to your households! S. Mary’s will provide you with a bag (free of charge) for your clean, dry, returnable bottles and cans, labeled with the S. Mary’s CLYNK ac-count number. When you drop off the bag with our label, your returnable refund will be cred-ited to the S. Mary’s account.

You simply drop off the bag at any participating Hannaford’s Shopping Center (Yarmouth and West Falmouth accept these bags) – no waiting, no sorting, no fuss, no muss, and you are earning income for S. Mary’s!

Bags and labels are available during the week through Beth Shaw and on Sundays through Jennifer Gregg.

Scripture Readings May 2008 - Year A - RCL

Page 2

May 1, 2008 - Ascension Day Acts1:1-11

Psalm 47 or 93 Ephesians 1:15-23

Luke 24:44-53

May 4, 2008 - Seventh Sunday of Easter Acts 1:6-14

1 Peter 4:12-14,5:6-11 Psalm 68:1-10,33-36

John 17:1-11

May 11, 2008 - Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-21

Psalm 104:25-35,37 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

John 20:19-23

May 18, 2008 - Trinity Sunday Genesis 1:1-2:4a

Psalm 8 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Matthew 28:16-20

MAY AVE 2008

From the Deacon’s Bench: Dear Friends, Prayer is the ground of our life in Christ. Sometimes prayer is just the cry for help in the night when life seems bigger and more dif-ficult than we can manage on our own. Sometimes prayer is the heart-felt thank you at the end of a satisfying day, and sometimes prayer is the joyful exclamation at the beauty of a sunset or the jonquils push-ing their way through the snow and the leaves in the flower bed. We pray together as a community when we gather on Sunday morning and raising our praises to God and naming before God those among us who need God's healing and comfort. God wants to be in relationship with us ,nd prayer of all kinds is the way we engage that rela-tionship every day. On Tuesday, May 20 at 4:30 PM there will be a meeting at S. Mary's for anyone inter-ested in being part of a Prayer Chain . This will be a group of people committed to praying at home each day for those among us who are sick or in any sort of need or crisis. The Prayer Chain will carry out a vital ministry of prayer and intercession and I hope many of you will attend that meeting.

With thanks and prayers, Deacon Christine

Deacon Christine Office Hours

will include Tuesdays 1:00pm - 4:00pm, and by appointment after church hours

on Sundays and upon request. Deacon Christine’s cell phone no. is 653-2448.

May 25, 2008 - 2nd Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 49:8-16a

Psalm 131 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Matthew 6:24-34

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Vestry Highlights The Vestry meeting was held as

scheduled on April 16. Tom Donaldson provided an updated stewardship report; our current incoming pledges total $257,000 towards our $280,000 goal. Vestry members will reach out to those parishioners who have not yet pledged in hopes that they will help us meet our goal.

Father James reported on an out-standing Holy Week and Easter, reminded all of the debut of the S. Mary’s Schola on April 20; of the Bishop Coadjutor’s Consecration on May 3,;of the May 1 Ascension Day liturgies and rectory reception; and on the youth and adult confirmation classes. He presented the 2007 Parochial Report which was accepted unani-mously.

Jennifer Gregg presented the Executive Committee Report; there was no discussion. Debby Hammond presented the Treasurer’s Report. While our stewardship goal will remain $280,000, we are projecting pledge income at $270,000 based on pledges to date. That be-ing the case, we now project a deficit of $9,198 for the year. As is always the case, cash flow will be problematic during the sum-mer. As a result, the Vestry approved with-drawal of $25,000 from fund #1241 to permit us to pay bills on time. As in the past, it is our intent to return this money to fund #1241 this year, when paid pledges and other income per-mit. Debby presented the 2006 Reports of Au-dit prepared by Mary Smith. The Vestry ex-tends its profound thanks to Mary for her very hard work and diligence in accomplishing this inspection. Debby presented the Authorization Policy for 2008 which was approved unani-mously.

Lucy Ellis provided a report on the suc-cessful April Speakers’ Forum and a review of the plans for the upcoming May 4 event, “Ready, Set, Not Going Yet”

Lucy Ellis received unanimous approval to accept the proposal from Gnome Landscaping to prepare plans for Phase III of the Burial Garden.

Hugh Smith presented and led the discus-sion of the report from the Feasibility Study

Planning Task Force. An analysis of projected demo-graphics suggests moderate growth of S. Mary’s with commensurate moderate rise in income (averaging 7% over the next three years). While this pro-jected growth pattern should ensure a balanced

budget in the out-years, it does not provide for either the capital investment or program growth that the Parish indicated it wanted in the recently-concluded Mutual Study of Ministry (MSM).

With this in mind and drawing on the work done by the Vestry at its retreat, the Task Force has created a draft list of capital and program goals that need to be funded outside of the annual operating budget. This will form the basis of a Request for Proposal (RFP) from local architects, who will be called upon to conduct a study to de-termine cost and to provide renderings of proposed structural modifications or im-provements to our buildings and grounds. This work will, in turn, form the basis for a “statement of need” for a capital campaign feasibility study. The Vestry suggested some additions to the list of goals. The Task Force will prepare the RFP and is solic-iting recommendations of local architects to whom the RFP will be sent.

Father James reviewed the summer Vestry meeting schedule. Due to the work needed on the comprehensive campaign proposals, we will likely need to meet each month, and in July and August the Vestry meetings will be on the SECOND Wednes-day of the month.

Lucy Ellis raised the need for church-yard maintenance prior to Memorial Day. It has not yet been determined how this will be funded. It was suggested that the Churchyard Committee, the Buildings and Grounds Committee and the Executive Committee meet together to develop a pol-icy on this matter and bring that proposal before the Vestry at its next meeting. The next Vestry meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21 at 7pm.

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Notes from the Choir Loft by Bruce Fithian

In April we began singing the psalms during the 10:00 service and I thought a little background about these great songs would be of interest. The psalms were always meant to be sung in the Jewish tradition dating back through the eons. Evidence for this has been found among the Jews of Yemen, who because of their isolation, represent a living practice handed down through the ages. The format for all the psalms is very clear - each verse is always in two sections. The melodic formulas used by the Yemen Jews is remarkably similar to what the early Christians practiced.

The early church honored the psalms so much that they sang all 150 psalms every week during the office hours! In particular, the psalms appointed for the eve-ning vespers service have become famous, many composers later writing magnificent music to their texts. The responsorial manner of performance is also ancient: a cantor sings the first half of the verse followed by everyone else ‘responding’ by singing the second half.

The musical settings such as the psalms in the early church were clearly powerful. St. Augustine (354-430) wrote about the music in St. Ambrose’s Church, Milan, in his ‘Confessions’: “How I wept during your hymns and songs! I was deeply moved by the music of the sweet chants of your Church. The sounds flowed into my ears and the truth was dis-tilled into my heart. This caused the feelings of devotion to overflow. Tears ran, and it was good for me to have that experience.”

The English Church continued the tradition of singing the psalms to Gregorian Chant. When in 1535 Miles Coverdale translated the entire Bible (including the Psalter) into English, another tradition developed: Anglican chant. In Anglican Chant harmonized formulae—generally four-part—are used for the verses, with an antiphon interspersed between verses. Anglican chant became very popular and came to be accepted as the norm for singing the psalms, especially in cathedrals, the Chapels Royal, and in collegiate chapels.

The music we are using for singing the psalms is from a recent publication called A Hymn Tune Psalter, which uses well know hymn tunes for the antiphons and more contem-porary harmonizations for the verses. Besides the wealth of moods and emotions of the hu-man heart contained in the psalms, there is also a meditative quality to psalm singing, which can be very healing and restorative. I look forward to the many future psalms we may enjoy together.

Pastoral Partners Potluck and Presentation On Wednesday, May 28,2008 the Pastoral Partners proudly present The Rev. Dr. Anne Hunter, Deacon: talking to us about hospice.

We will begin at 5:30 PM with a potluck supper and end by 7:30.

This is the care first in a series of presentations on topics of interest, not only to those providing pastoral care but to all of us who care for and about each other. See you there!

(Rector - continued from page 1)

Page 5 MAY AVE 2008

Walking the Mourner's Path Walking the Mourner's Path is a Christian grief program with an Episcopal flavor since it was developed by the Rev. Danielle Morris, an Episcopal deacon. Walking the Mourn-ers Path is not group therapy ; it is scripturally sound and church-centered. Through at-

tendance at 90 minute sessions once a week for eight weeks, you learn ways to honor your loved one who has died, seek spiritual direction and discover Jesus' promise of comfort. The small group of no more than six provides the opportunity to share in a safe, confidential envi-ronment and to form community. Walking the Mourner's Path is a non-profit ministry and there is a fee for program materials. That fee is negotiable when there is a financial need. A group will be forming at the Church of S. Mary the Virgin. The facilitator will be Deacon Chris-tine A. Bennett. If you are interested or would like more information please contact her at the church office at 781-3366 or by calling her cell

walks of life, differing in age and life experience, singing not only with precision, but with evi-dent devotion, allowed me to peer again into the expansive and timeless nature of God. Another word about the schola: It is called the Saint Mary Schola—notice it is “Saint Mary” and not “Saint Mary’s”, a subtle distinction indicating that while the schola is at Saint Mary’s, it is not an official part of Saint Mary’s. It will operate with its own regulations and Board of Directors. That being said, it is already evident that this is a natural fit, and that the schola members and the greater Saint Mary’s community are already tied to one another by a genuine, common affection. For instance, on Good Friday, schola members Dr. Richard Sulli-van and Nicholas MacDonald joined Bruce in chanting the Passion According to Saint John; and the next night, at the Great Vigil of Easter, Bruce and Nick were joined by Abra Mueller and Andrea Graichen singing motets based on psalm settings. Other schola members have “swelled the ranks” of our own wonderful choir on several occasions. So don’t be surprised if you hear some new voices in the loft, or singing in the row behind you, some Sunday: it may be some members of “our” schola, or it might be someone who was here this past Sunday, and felt the presence of God both in the glorious music and embedded in our stone walls—someone who is saying simply, “We wish to see Jesus—here”. To Bruce and all the members of the Saint Mary Schola: Thank you. Bless you. We’re thrilled that you are here.

Faithfully yours,

The Second Annual Rector’s Awards Breakfast. Last year marked the inauguration of the First (annual) Rector’s Awards Breakfast. A number of Saint Marians received a plant and a testimonial, suitable for—well, what-ever!—for having contributed “Meritorious or mysterious service” to our community life. On Sunday, May 18th, we’re doing it again. Starting at 8:45, we’ll enjoy a won-derful breakfast, courtesy of the Hospitality Committee, with awards beginning at 9:00. It’s fun, and I hope, funny; it’s also a way of showing that it’s not just the big, obvious contributions that add so much to our life here, but the littler, more easily overlooked moments that are filled with grace. Come and share in the fun, and bring the family (There is no minimum age to achieve before you are singled out). The breakfast is free of charge, but we would like to know how many of you are com-ing. Please sign up in the Guild Room, or call Beth at the office.

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Saint Mary’s reaches out - Near and Far WHAT’S UP WITH OUTREACH! At our April Outreach meeting, our hardy band discussed: • A poll for all our church family - regarding suggested projects for our Outreach dollars. • Disabled children in Zimbabwe and a project to help them and their mothers: Did you know that when a mom gives birth to a disabled child, witchcraft is expected to be involved and the husband is pressured to leave the mother and child? To learn more, read Susan Hatch’s article in this AVE. • KIVA, an organization that provides for persons hoping to start a small business. You can track on line how your investment is working…. more next month. • Our upcoming HAITI Art & Craft Sale in September to benefit our partner parish. • We made more than $950 during the Holy Week loose offering to go to PROP locally [for fuel for those in need in the Greater Portland area] and to St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem to support hospitals ministering to Israelis and Palestinians. • Thanks to all who supported the diaper drive for St. Elizabeth’s. See Jan’s article below. • If you are interested and have the need for a scholarship to Bishopswood, please let Fa-ther James know as soon as possible. • Habitat Interfaith Walk in Portland on May 4th! See Jennifer Gregg for information.

Through the generous gifts of money, diapers, and other items from the people at S. Mary’s, many babies and families in the Portland area were able to have much needed and appreciated clean diapers, along with other essential products provided through the ministry of St. Eliza-beth’s Essentials Pantry. A BIG THANK YOU to all who have participated by donating, collect-ing, and delivering these items! The Essentials Pantry seeks to be the hands of Christ sharing the fruits of His love with those who are in need. It is a welcoming, no-barrier program which distributes new and gently-used donations of non-food essentials to the most needy among us. The Pantry serves all people who come, regardless of religious affiliation. Many are immigrants or refugees for whom Eng-lish is not their primary language. There is an average of 175 to 200 adults that are served every Tuesday morning. The Pantry specifically distributes when available those things that are not covered under the federal food stamp program. These include such staples such as diapers, soap, toilet paper, paper towels, feminine pads, shampoo, laundry detergent, deodorant, cleaning supplies, toys, toothbrushes, toothpaste, clothing and more. There are currently six volunteer distribution teams from the greater Portland area Episcopal congregations that serve the Pantry on a rotating schedule. Each congregation serves on ap-proximately 6 to 7 week intervals at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke from 9:00 to 11:00 AM on their scheduled Tuesday morning. Their work is to set up the Pantry, receive the clients, distribute items, and clean up briefly at closing time. If God is calling you to donate your time in this way, please contact Jan Grafton at 725-6255, email janspebbles@hotmail.com. Or Judith Brooks, 781-2097, email brooksjk@maine.rr.com , If enough people volunteer, St. Mary’s could then be added to the list of congregations that participate in this service to the community. Please keep the Essentials Pantry in mind with your prayers, and also please continue to re-spond generously with financial help by placing donations in the diaper basket, or by placing donated items in the Pantry collection box. Jan Grafton “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrew 13:16

St. Elizabeth’s Essential Pantry: The babies are cooing with delight!

MAY AVE 2008 Page 7

Saint Mary’s reaches out - Near and Far: Zimbabwe reflections by Susan Hatch Susan and her family - husband Tom Morton and twin sons, Malachi and Julian - have recently begun attending Saint Mary’s and we are honored to have Susan join us on the Outreach committee. We thank Susan for sharing her powerful story.

I grew up in a small, central Maine town where a common adolescent pastime was aimless drives on rough, backwoods tracks. So when my husband, two children, and I left for The Gambia, in West Africa 10 years ago, and I heard that the roads were bad, I felt confident! The Sahel (where The Gambia is), a band of land just below the Sahara, is afflicted with an ex-treme rainy season and an extreme dry season. The rainy season leaves the red, laterite roads potted with muddy mosquito-breeding pools, which double as swimming holes for children. Trips are deferred until the dry season. During the meningitis-threatening dry season, going around corners can be sweaty-palms, hold-your-breath exciting as you wonder if you will come face-to-face with an errant car, which could well have no brakes, as it seeks to avoid an axle-breaking pothole. Or you could fret that a listing bus, top-heavy with baggage, goats and peo-ple, and people clinging to the sides, its axle already weakened, would lurch too far in your di-rection. No comparison to the adrenalin-inducing bumps of my youth on Maine’s back roads.

When, in 1998, from this Gambian standpoint, I heard about Zimbabwe’s roads when my husband traveled there—“It’s like Ohio,” he said. “Divided highways. There are even malls.”—I was incredulous. In 2007, I got a chance to check the Zimbabwe roads for myself when my husband took a job with a relief organization. Rhodesia, the former Zimbabwe, was set up by its UK emigrants as a colony to rival Australia, I’ve been told. So yes, indeed they did put in a sound infrastructure—well-laid, divided highways; sewers (the few in The Gambia, were foul, open affairs); electronic security systems; neatly done electrical work (in The Gambia we’d see a bunched-up heap of electrical wires tossed helter-skelter in trees); factories; insurance and pension schemes; and a superior educational system. My sons benefited from the high educa-tional standards on the extraordinarily beautiful campus of Harare International School com-plete with roaming guinea fowl and peacocks that pecked at their lunches in the outside cub-bies.

In Zimbabwe the white founders built the towns. Harare center was built so that whites could dwell in large, walled estates in large houses—ours was Tudor—with enormous gardens, and small “quarters” in the back for the servants who live inside the compound. (I refused this arrangement in The Gambia because I like my privacy and I felt too much like a slave owner or South African having whole families living out back in a small, squalid shed while I lived in a mansion; however in Zimbabwe, I agreed that the gardener should bring his wife and child. I can’t say that I was comfortable with it—I just felt it the right thing to do—which was a sea-change for me.) This was the “low density,” part of Harare. At a good dis-tance from the city center are the “high density” townships built with one road in and road out so that the inhabitants could be easily contained in case of insurrection. This now serves Mug-abe’s interests well.

When you are an international expat in Africa— foreign service, relief workers, missionar-ies, business people, medical researchers—you live with guards, barred windows, and behind high walls topped with razor wire or broken bottles. You may get bored because the servants are doing all the housework and watching the children, and so you join the swim club, take ten-nis lessons, and start complaining about the servants—if you’re not careful. The discrepancy between rich and poor is sharp, needless to say. This expat life, depending on maids, cooks, gardeners, in a beautiful garden and grand house, can be isolating and was, for me, politically and morally fraught. While worry and fretting about disease and my children’s health marked my first trip to Africa; by the end of the five years, I’d overcome some of the excess caution. Additionally, my sons were now safely in school, and Harare, at nearly 5,000 ft., is not malarial. I was determined to do better in Zimbabwe. So as soon as I arrived in ‘Zim’ I began looking for a group to get involved with.

(Zimbabwe - continued on page 10)

In May Rotation #9 will cover Saints of Our Time (May 4th, 11th & 18th). May 11th is Mother's Day and in honor of women saints Family Chapel will meet in the church at 9:15 am. Father James will give a special tour of the stained glass windows and explain how they honor not only St. Mary but several other important female saints and women and mothers everywhere. All parish-ioners are welcome to attend. Sunday, May 25th (Memorial Day weekend) will be the final MOVIE DAY at 10:00 am (no Family Chapel).

MAY AVE 2008

April Christian Formation - RAY Beams Page 8

Last Day for Guiding RAY - Sunday, June 1st is the Bishop's Visit, Confirmation, Guiding RAY Recognition and the All Church Picnic. We will spend the last day re-viewing our yearly theme of "God's Chosen People" by doing some fun trivia games. We will briefly acknowl-edge (as a group) all the children and teachers who participated in our pro-gram this year and a special gift will be presented to all the "graduating" 6th graders. Following the 10:00 am service there will be a cook-out on the lawn. Hospitality will grill hamburgers and hot dogs and provide beverages and each family should bring a salad or dessert to share. A sign up sheet will be in the Guild Room. I hope all our families will be able to attend.

Calling all Campers! Camp Bishopswood, owned and operated by the Diocese of Maine, is an overnight summer camp located on Lake Megunticook in Hope, Maine and is for boys and girls entering grades 2-10. Sessions run weekly in July and August. For more information please visit the website at www.bishopswood.org or see the insert in the April issue of The Northeast. Printed brochures are also available, contact Georgia Koch at geogia@bishopswood.org and one will be sent to you. Scholarships are available, please speak to Father James if you are interested. For additional Church-affiliated camps in Maine try www.mysummercamps.com/camps/maine-religious-camps.html.

Attention High Schoolers...Have you contributed Community Service hours at S. Mary's? Many high schools have a Community Service requirement for graduation. So, think about the ways you have donated time to our Parish during the last school year...Christian Forma-tion, Nursery, Soup Kitchen, Habitat, Spar-kles, etc. Teens will need to have a record of the dates, times and specific projects. Just bring in a volunteer card from your school and have the hours "signed off" by the supervising adult Parishioner.

St. Mary’s Garden Club

Plant Sale

May 21st , 10am - 12 noon

MAY AVE 2008 Page 9

S. MARY’S BRIDGE-A-THON FRIDAY, May 16

1-4PM

Contract Bridge enthusiasts of all levels are invited to form a table for an afternoon of friendly bridge. Tea, Coffee and light refreshment included in price of admission. Prizes for high scorer at each table. 20 tables available. Reserve your table now by calling Beth Shaw, 781-3366

Admission: $10 per person/$40 per table

In association with the Bridge-a-Thon, a gorgeous bridge tablecloth, hand-stitched by S. Mary’s own very accomplished Anne Hilliard is available for raffle. This rich and beautiful cloth with coordinating border will be on display in the weeks preceding the drawing, and raffle tickets ($5.00 each) are avail-able to all (you need not be present on the day of the Bridge-a-Thon to win).

Town of Falmouth flags Memorial Day Parade, May 26th, 10am

The Falmouth American Legion, Post164, in conjunction with the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Town of

Falmouth will organize this year’s Memorial Day parade to take place on Monday, May 26th. The parade will consist of antique cars, honor guard, high school and middle school bands and choral groups, Kora Band, floats, Boy and Girl scouts, Fire Department, with kids welcome to join on bike.

The parade will start at the American Legion home on Depot Road and will proceed to the World War I monument where a wreath will be placed ; then to the Pine Grove Park for the Memorial day pro-gram conducted at the Veterans Memorial which will have a larger portion of music this year.

Following the program, all are invited to the lawn at S. Mary’s for refreshments. Contact Ann LaFond ,781-8820, if you can help with refreshments the day of the parade.

MAY AVE 2008 Page 10

My yoga teacher drove me to one of the mothers of disabled children groups, Bat-siranai (which means ‘we help each other’ in Shona) that she and several American and Brit-ish expats had helped to develop. We left the wide, jacaranda-lined boulevards of the gra-cious Harare suburbs and made our way to Dzivarasekwa (‘DeeZed’ for short), where the roads are crooked, rutted and rocky; the houses, built for two, now hold ten; and the streets are full of children, dogs and chickens. I was happy because I felt like I was back in Africa, not in Ohio, after all.

One’s heart goes out to these mothers and their lovely children upon hearing the suffering they endure. By traditional beliefs, the mothers are blamed as witches for their children’s disability. Their husbands are pressured by their family to abandon these “witches.” Landlords refuse them as soon as they see the children, nor do other family members care for them, and the mothers cannot work as they must take care of their chil-dren; the conditions of their lives are brutal. Moreover, the disabled children are a forgotten group in the international relief world. Their exclusion from the aid system is yet another cruel blow in a difficult journey.

At Batsiranai the women work together in a workshop, sewing dolls and making jewelry and cards. Their disabled children are in the next room, in a small space, not up to any American standard, where they sit. Recently, a television was donated so that some of the immobile children, who suffer from such things as hydrocephalus, cerebral policy, Down syndrome, and other birth defects, can look at something—there are also donated toys and crafts for play, but such play requires more attendants. In the Zimbabwe educational sys-tem, there are schools for the disabled; however, getting the children to them is problematic these days due to the appalling economic situation; and the profoundly disabled, un-toilet trained, or too young would not attend.

Making handicrafts is not something these women ever dreamed of doing—they would prefer to do a more modern form of work. However, through Oxfam Australia’s charitable gift market, where one doll is sold to an Australian and a twin doll is given to a child affected by HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe, these mothers have learned that they can support themselves and their immediate and extended families, which in some cases does include AIDS orphans. They have earned the respect of their spouses; and they support one another emotionally in a community strengthened by daily prayer. With training in quality control, and some busi-ness courses, they have improved the operation of their cooperative business. With further training, we hope that they can achieve sustainability.

I will end my account of my time in Zimbabwe with my experience at St. Mary’s Angli-can Cathedral of Harare. When we arrived in Zim, the Bishop of the Anglican Church was a corrupt man who had accepted a farm taken from a white farmer as payment for supporting Mugabe. And so, I stayed away from the church; but just before we left, he was ousted, and so we finally attended the beautiful church, half of it granite block built in the Italianate style. We sat in the center rear, just behind the baptismal font that I knew would fascinate my young sons—the dripping water from the fountain and the beautiful green mosaic tiles de-picting fish. One of the musicians, a barefoot man, blew into the horn of a Kudu while others drummed and the choir sang; we were so amazed by this vital music. Curiously, when the service ended, the congregation remained for an intense discussion in Shona. I subsequently concluded that it concerned the battle for the church. Because some weeks ago, I read that the ousted bishop returned one Sunday with armed guards to retake the church. The con-gregation responded by retreating to the parking lot to worship, while the bishop preached to his three security guards.

Now comes Mugabe’s post-election retribution—torture and killing. Those of us who know and love the patient, long suffering Zimbabwe people are sickened by their abandon-ment by the Southern African leaders, Mbeki of South Africa and the rest of the world. Hope has been replaced by terror, once again. We wait and wonder what is next.

(Zimbabwe - continued from page 7)

It's not too late!!

Pick up a walk brochure and join your fellow praishioners!

Falmouth Joins Portland to Walk for Habitat for Humanity

Sunday, May 4, 2008 Noon-4pm

Noon: BBQ and Registration, St. Pius X Catholic Church (Ocean Avenue)

12:30-4pm: Walk, Jog, Skate, or Bike through Payson Park , around Baxter Boulevard and back to St. Pius X

All Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Build

S d Th d

Saint Mary’s Grounds Cleanup

Grab your rake, hoes, tarps, leaf blowers

and bring your work gloves!

Sat, May 3rd, 8am – 1pm

Let’s all put in a little time and to-gether we’ll make the S. Mary’s cam-pus looking great before the Memorial Day parade. Coffee and refreshments will be provided. (Looking for a volun-

teer to help prepare coffee).

MAY AVE 2008 Page 11

Thursday, May 1st , 6:30pm

Ascension Day

Choral Eucharist in the church

Followed by a reception at the Rectory

bring something delicious to share.!

MAY AVE 2008 Page 12

Sparkles 2008 Updates

We are pleased with the number of parishioners who have already made the decision to help with Sparkles as of April 13. If you are interested in filling any “open” spots noted below, please contact Shelly Maher or Carla Birt at your earliest convenience so we can complete our great team. In the fall, sign up sheets will be available for additional help as we get into the nitty-gritty. More detailed descriptions of the roles below are available from Shelly if you have questions.

2008 Sparkles Committee Chairs/Area Leaders

Co-Chairs Shelly Maher and Carla Birt Café Barb Richards Cookie Walk Connie and Charlie Dayton Bake Sale Melissa Kane and Valerie Kyros Treasure Trove open (organize and oversee teams for fall drop-off dates,

clean and sort items, set up display area of gifts, take down) Pricing Beverly Knudsen & Barb Sawyer Nautical Nitch open (set up area and “keep watch”) Knitters Nook Barbara Murray Lovely Linens open (sort donations, set up display and oversee it, helpers

will wash and iron in advance) Only Ornaments Hannah Russell Pet’s Place open (make and package pet treats or other items) Cookbook Ruth Kimball Bountiful Baskets open (organize and publicize a list of themes so parishioners

can fill baskets to be wrapped and sold) St Mary’s Gems Marge Devine, Pat Studley, Linda Emerson Little Sparks Gift Room open (sets up and assist children with purchases) Little Sparks Wrapping open (set up and oversee children as they wrap their gifts) Gingerbread Houses Julie Morrison and Katharine Echavarri Little Sparks Creation Station Missy Smithwick (organize a simple craft or two for

young children) Public Relations/Ads Janet Bowne

Calling S. Mary’s Knitters Although it is barely spring, we are putting out an early invitation to all who own knitting needles! We need to expand our inventory of hand knitted or felted items for Sparkles shop-pers. If you would like to contribute some of your knitted goods to the boutique please con-tact Barbara Murray who has graciously agreed to set up and host a Knitters Nook in the Boutique. Knowing what to anticipate will help in the overall plan. If you know others who are knitting away and may be willing to provide some items for this event let them know! Knitted goods will be collected in the fall with your suggested price attached. Questions may be directed to Barbara in the meantime.

CINEMA PARADISO Cinema Nite at S. Mary’s Wednesday, May 14, 2008, 7pm

FREE Admission Refreshments available for donation!

The Feature of the Evening will be “Lifeboat” (1944) In the Atlantic during WWII, a ship and a German U-boat are involved in a battle and both are sunk. The survivors from the ship gather in one of the boats. They are from a variety of backgrounds: an international journalist, a rich businessman, the radio opera-tor, a nurse, a steward, a sailor and an engineer with communist tendencies. Trouble starts when they pull a man out of the water who turns out to be from the U-boat. (96 minutes)

Come enjoy a movie, coffee, tea and hot fudge sundaes!

MAY AVE 2008 Page 13

Life by the Sea Do you a boat, sail or collect nautical items? Do you fish, canoe, kayak, collect shells or sea glass? Do you live on, or near, the water and decorate accordingly? Do you have a desire to thin-out some of those items you have accumulated? This year we hope to have enough of a response to those questions to create a Nautical Nitch in the Boutique. So as you get ready for summer on the water in Maine, be mindful of what you may be able to donate in the fall. If you would like to set up and oversee the Nitch, please contact Shelly Maher or Carla Birt. We’d love to welcome you aboard!

Are YOU Feeling Crafty? If so, there will be at least three craft dates this summer. Our talented and crafty Hannah Russell will conduct these sessions in June, July and August (but all is negotiable based on days and times that are agreeable to those who want to participate). There will be a sign up sheet in the Guild Room until May 25th. Once Hannah has the names of those who want to craft, she will contact you to discuss when and where to meet. In the meantime, please call Hannah if you have questions.

Extra, Extra Read All About It…A New Cookbook After many requests, researching options and discussion with Fr. James, it was decided to pub-lish a series of “themed installment” cookbooks available each year at Sparkles. The first in our series will feature Appetizers and Beverages (including adult libations, non-alcoholic and kid- friendly). These little books will be great stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, and collectibles! Our ever-busy, bubbly and chef extraordinaire, Ruth Kimball, offered to oversee this project. More information will be shared in the near future. Watch for sign up sheets in the Guild Room. When we attend the Annual Meeting each year, Fr. James will announce the next theme in the series. A new tradition in the making at S. Mary’s! We hope you will consider offering time to Sparkles and give thought to what talents you can share to make this event continue to grow stronger and brighter.

N e w s & N o t e s MAY AVE 2008

To Marge Devine and all her helpers and cooks for a lovely Memorial receptions for Helen Parker and George Stiles.

Thanks to the Rev’d Martha Kirkpatrick for her enlightening and interesting presentation on the environment and our Christian roles.

Thanks to Steve & Helga Ryder for spend-ing time picking up sticks, branches and twigs in the front of the church.

(Send your 1-3 line notes, announcements or thanks to Beth at admin@smary.org by the 15th of the previous month)

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Seeking new Ushers for 10 o’clock Sunday We are seeking new recruits to join the current rooster of users who serve during the 10am service. Ushering is a great way to contribute to our overall parish ministry. It doesn’t require a significant time commitment. It allows you to experience our services from a slightly different perspective. Ushers play a quiet but key role in helping ensure that our clergy and congregation both have the support they need to participate in and enjoy our worship services. Please consider lending your hand to this rewarding ministry. If interested, please contact either Charlie Hurdman at ,318-1418 or crhurdman@maine.rr.com or Beth Shaw in the parish office 781-3366.

Mass on the Grass! Back by popular demand, and beginning on Thursday, June 5th, our Thursday evening, out-door Eucharist resumes. It starts at 6:30, and lasts around 30 minutes or so. We’ll meet on the labyrinth. If you can bring a lawn chair with you, that’s terrific; if not, a blanket will work just as well. Informal, inspirational, spiritual, and intimate. What more could you ask for?

Well Done, Bruce Fithian and all members of the Saint Mary Schola on their first Schola Concert. It was superb!

To Hugh Smith for converting the unpro-ductive drawers in the Guild room to very

useful shelves.

Here are some updates in our Saint Mary’s parish family

MAY AVE 2008

7 Jim Kane 7 Sam LaPlante 8 Henry Funk 8 John Raeke 14 Stan Eaton 15 Ross Isacke 16 Sydney Billings 16 Charnette Chadwick 16 Dave Fenderson 16 Michael Richards

17 Madeline Harris 17 Patrick Shaw 20 Lynda Conner 20 Morgan Harris 26 Robert Cott 26 George Lord 26 Shelly Maher 30 Tillman Rhoades

1 Judy MacDonald 2 Grace Brown 3 Louise Downs 4 Samantha Heinzman 5 Doris Hurdman 6 Nate Hicks 6 Larissa Norman 7 Rob Billings 7 Jonathan Hicks

We’d love to include good wishes on your Birthday and Anniversary if we have the dates; please send yours and your family’s special dates into the parish office and we’ll be sure to include them on your special month admin@smary.org or call 781-3366 or drop a note to 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth.

Happy May Anniversary wishes to: 2 Jill & Donald Hansen 11 Margaret Jean & Len Taylor 15 Anne & Geoff LaFond 15 Lynda Means & Jim Zimpritch 21 Jean & David Lloyd-Rees 21 Mary & Hugh Smith 25 Edie & Lad Taylor 27 Marilyn & Al Milliken 31 Susan & Gary Conway

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Happy May Birthdays to:

Our prayers go to the friends and families of: Helen Parker who died on Thursday, March 27, 2008

and George Stiles who died on Thursday, April 17, 2008

Our congratulations and best wishes to Deanne Sanny and Joe Leasure who were joined in Holy Matrimony in S. Mary’s church on Saturday, April 12, 2008

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PORTLAND, MAINE PERMIT NO. 1276

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SAINT MARY THE VIRGIN 43 Foreside Road Falmouth, ME 04105

207-781-3366 www.smary.org

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SAINT MARY THE VIRGIN

43 Foreside Road

Falmouth, Maine 04105 Tel: 207-781-3366 Fax: 207-781-3369

E-mail: smary@smary.org Website: www.smary.org

The Reverend

James P. Dalton-Thompson, Rector The Rev’d Christine Bennett, Deacon

Bruce S. Fithian, Organist & Choirmaster Beth Shaw, Parish Administrator

Meg Hurdman, Dir of Christian Formation

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 3:00 pm

June 08 AVE deadline - May 15th

Saint Mary’s Vestry 2008

The Reverend James P. Dalton-Thompson, Rector, 781-2371, fatherjames@smary.org Jennifer Gregg, Sr Warden 781-2665, jgregg@maine.rr.com Hugh Smith, Jr Warden, 797-9310, hughsails@maine.rr.com Rob Billings, 846-0616, bsir@ix.netcom.com Brannon Claytor, 899-1856, rbclaytor5@yahoo.com Deborah Hammond, Treas, 781-5621, dfhammond@gwi.net Lucy Ellis, 450-3650, lhellis@maine.rr.com Jean Gulliver, 781-3121, jgullive@maine.rr.com Charlie Hurdman, 781-7478,crhurdman@maine.rr.com Sam LaPlante, 878-8239, laplante@maine.rr.com Jody Liddell, 781-4925, jlidl@aol.com Harold Otte, 781-2322, hotteprod@aol.com Ginny Stelk, 847-3602, stelk2@aol.com Jim Stoddard, 829-2026, picks123@verizon.net John Teets, 899-3879, johnteets@maine.rr.com Len Taylor, 829-3395, latmjt@maine.rr.com

SUNDAY - 8:00am - Holy Eucharist, Rite I and 10:00AM - Choral Eucharist, Rite II THURSDAY - 10:30am Holy Eucharist