St. Margaret's Episcopal Church

WOMEN'S BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

August 11 -- "To Kill a Mockingbird" - Harper Lee
                  
September 8 - "The Warden" - Anthony Trollope

September 23rd - 1:00 P.M.
October 28th - 1:00 P.M.
November 21st (Saturday) 9 A.M.
December 16th - 1 P.M.
January 27th - 1:00 P.M.
February 24th - 1:00 P.M.
March 24th - 1:00 P.M.
April 17th (Saturday)  9 A.M.
May 26th - 1:00 P.M.
June 23rd - 12:00 Noon

WHO ARE THESE “WOMEN OF ST. MARGARET’S”?

Following a wonderful post-concert reception in the Parish House, a former warden remarked to some of our group, “You’re not just a bunch of pretty faces!” The Women of St. Margaret’s (WSM) includes all women parishioners of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Belfast. This group has evolved into a “company of women” whose goal is to support and assist our parish as well as the Episcopal Church on a national and global level. To this end, we undertake several noteworthy projects throughout the year, which keep us hopping most of the time. Here’s a description of some of what we do.

• WSM has given generously to local, national, and global programs. Among them are New Hope for Women, HOME, The Game Loft, Waldo County Family Services, Katrina relief efforts, Hospice, and Episcopal Relief and Development. WSM currently sends $600 each year to fund an Afghan woman’s education. We recently gave $500 to Pere Louis Rosanas for a feeding program at St. Etienne’s Episcopal School in Limonade, Haiti. WSM raised over $1,000 for the local food and fuel funds administered by the Greater Belfast Area Ministerium.

• WSM oversees the Parish House kitchen and its contents and sees that equipment is in working order and the area is kept clean and items are recycled. They purchased two new stoves as part of the renovation project last year.

•  A team of WSM handled all of the decorating and furnishing details for the new Parish House, right down to the doorstops!

• WSM organizes Second Sunday lunches for the second Sunday of each month during the winter season for nourishing fellowship. Soup and bread are always available in the freezer for anyone in need due to illness or financial stress. If a parishioner would appreciate receiving meals on a regular basis while recouperating from illness or surgery or other stressful event,, the women organize and provide this ministry. They also provide receptions as needed after funerals and for the Concert Series.

• WSM has donated money to our Altar Guild to purchase new linens and supplies. WSM purchases the candles for Advent and Easter.

• WSM maintains a small Medical Emergency fund for anyone who needs immediate funds for treatment, medication or equipment. There is also a WSM account at Waldo County General Hospital which provides free mammograms.

•  WSM contributes to the Rector’s discretionary fund.

• WSM offers food gift cards for those in need.

• WSM “adopts” a family in need at Christmas and provides gifts for all along with a food card.

• WSM sends cards and flowers to parishioners in times of illness, grief or other stress. Prayers of concern and/or thanksgiving are offered at each monthly meeting.

• WSM meets Wednesdays after the 9 a.m. service to share knitting or sewing projects. A prayer shawl ministry has provided prayer shawls for several parishioners.

And how does WSM accomplish all of this?
    -Annual Holiday Bazaar
    -Summer Celtic tea
    -February foodless bake sale
    -Gifts and donations
    -Monthly meeting donation baskets