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St. Brendan the Navigator Episcopal Church
Our Mission: "To Love, Praise, Welcome and Serve"
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First Sunday After Christmas
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December 31, 2017
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Please welcome The Rev. Stephen Hayward
who will preside at our service this Sunday.
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Click Logo for December 15th Edition |
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The Episcopal Church of the Province of New England
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Sunday, December 31, 2017
10 am: Holy Eucharist
Readings for the First Sunday After Christmas
:
(Please see scripture Notes below)
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Sunday, December 31 - 10am Holy Eucharist with The Rev. Stephen Hayward
- Lessons and Carols -
Monday, January 1 - New Year's Day
- No Silent Meditation today
Wednesday, January 3 - 5pm Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, January 7 -
10am Holy Eucharist with The Rev. Vesta Kowalski
and Congregational Discussion (see below)
Monday, January 8 - 4:30 Silent Meditation
Wednesday, January 10 - 4pm Finance & Stewardship Ministry Meeting
5pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday January 11 - 11:15am Vestry/Renewal Team meeting
up-to-date information.
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'To Love, Praise, Welcome and Serve'
New Year's Greetings
2017 witnessed a year of thoughtful work, reflection, diligence and and determination at St. Brendan's, culminating in the adoption and launch of a Parish Renewal Plan and a revitalized Mission Statement. With the good guidance of Edward Dufresne, members of St. Brendan's were able to step back and take a fresh approach to how we do things - resulting in the formation of five ministries now
serving as the foundation for our church family to engage and move forward in new and meaningful ways. Over the coming months, we look forward to sharing Ministry updates - such as the Outreach Ministry's article below - in upcoming issues of The Navigator.
As evidenced by the activity and work of the Ministries to-date and Renewal Plan Report #4 (below), much has been accomplished since adopting the Renewal Plan in August, setting the stage for 2018 and beyond. More important, thanks to each and everyone's commitment and involvement, there is a sense of renewed energy and momentum that is palpable.
I look forward to continuing our journey of Renewal together and the accomplishments yet to come.
With much gratitude,
Lis Ingoldsby
Senior Warden
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St. Brendan the Navigator
PARISH RENEWAL PLAN REPORT #4
FROM THE RENEWAL TEAM/ VESTRY
Three Goals Accomplished, Six Goals In Process of Being Accomplished,
Two Goals - Not Yet Accomplished as of 11/30/17)
BLUE = IN PROCESS OF BEING ACCOMPLISHED
RED = YET TO BE ADDRESSED
Commitment to Parish Renewal (Accomplished 8-13-17)
1. Commit to a Plan for Parish Renewal
and establish
a
Parish Renewal Team to
coordinate and report
to the Vestry
on
the
implementation of the Plan;
Mission Statement (Accomplished 9- 10-17)
3. Revisit, possibly revise and adopt a Parish Mission Statement
that will inform and guide every aspect of parish life;
Leadership for Ministry (Accomplished 11-10-17)
10.
Adopt
an efficient and accountable leadership structure for the Vestry and the Parish, possibly dividing the work into five parish Ministries, Worship and Music, Education and Spiritual Development, Outreach and Evangelism, Stewardship and Finance and Pastoral Care and establish Ministry Descriptions
fo
r all leadership and ministry positions;
Priorities Budget & Extended Stewardship Campaign (In Process of Being Accomplished)
4. Develop and carry out
an
extended stewardship campaign
with person-to-person involvement to provide support for parish mission priorities and ministries.
Communications - (In Process of Being Accomplished)
6.
Communicate
with the entire congregation
- summer and year-round parishioners - concerning the progress made on accomplishing the goals of the Action Plan for Parish Renewal,
all Vestry decisions, the financial and stewardship status of the parish, progress made in the Ministries of the Parish;
Worship and Music (In Process of Being Accomplished)
8.
Continue to
plan and implement
parish liturgical and ecumenical celebrations that make for lively, joyous worship
;
Outreach Ministries (In Process of being Accomplished)
9.
Develop a small number of outreach ministries
that will help forge a 'parish identity' and provide a strong ecumenical, service and evangelism impact
and continue and expand St. Brendan's collaboration with other community churches and service organizations.
Best Management Practices (In Process of Being Accomplished)
1
1
. Adopt best
management practices in the Parish, including conducting efficient and productive meetings;
A Welcoming, Inclusive, Caring Parish (In Process of Being Accomplished)
2.
E
stablish a
preaching, teaching, program
emphasis
and put in place a Christian Caring Team to promote a spirit of mutual respect, caring and encouragement in the parish.
Calling a Priest-in-Charge (Not Yet Addressed)
5.
Confirm congregational support for, develop a realistic budget and financial projection for, and partner with the Bishop
'
s Office for calling a part-time Priest-in-Charge, perhaps in cooperation with another Episcopal parish, who will work collaboratively with parishioners in mutual ministry and in building community.
Survey the Congregation (Not Yet Addressed)
7. Conduct a parish-wide survey
to ascertain parishioners
'
interest and potential involvement in the ministries of the parish;
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St. Brendan's Five Ministries:
Education & Spiritual Development (Barbara Wright & Patricia Donohue Co-chairs)
Finance & Stewardship
(Ruth Robinson, Chair)
Outreach (Woody Osborne & Martha Dane, Co-chairs)
Pastoral Care
& Welcoming
(Diane Greenlaw & Carolyn Mor, Co-Chairs)
Worship & Music
(Mickey Jacoba, Chair)
Ministries welcome and encourage your
participation, support and involvement!
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Thanks to all of you who have pledged to date, we are now at 80% toward our stewardship goal of $82,250.
Please jump in now to help us down the home stretch and make 2018 a
wondrous year for St. Brendan's!
The Stewardship Ministry
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Outreach Ministry Update
Following are minutes of the Outreach Ministry Meeting held on December 14, 2017. Woody, Rich, Jo, Skip, Ruth, Martha, Ann, Diane, Vesta, Jackie and Julie (on speakerphone) were present.
A. Ministry Description
The Committee approved the ministry description (please see link below*), with the understanding that this is a working document that can be amended at any time.
B. IADA
Martha introduced the possibility of working with Islanders Against Domestic Abuse (IADA). IADA is not part of Next Step, a statewide organization that advocates for victims of domestic abuse. IADA supports Next Step's work. Martha explained that Next Step operates a crisis hotline, offers legal assistance, and help with education and transitional housing. IADA raises money to support Next Step by printing informational posters about how and where to get help. IADA also funds speakers and purchases and distributes educational materials to the schools.
As part of her charge to guide the parish in its renewal plan, Vesta recommended that we put the idea of funding IADA "in the hopper" as we continue to focus on the goals set forth in the ministry description. Vesta also noted that we need to develop a better understanding of what is possible, both financially and in terms of (wo)manpower.
C. Partners in World Health
It was noted that Ann Williams (not present) would like St. Brendans to contribute to a project in Portland, Partners in World Health. This organization collects surplus hospital supplies from US hospitals and distributes them abroad. This effort is separate from Ann William's local initiative that provides wheelchairs, crutches, etc. for islanders to borrow when needed. The latter initiative does not need our help.
Vesta recommended that we put this idea "in the hopper" for further discussion as a committee and as a congregation. She noted the goals of the Outreach Ministry and suggested we ask ourselves how each outreach project would or would not strengthen our island community.
D. Food Insecurity:
Several members of the committee expressed the wish to host community meals in some way. There was discussion about the value of such meals, and whether they should be for those who suffer from food insecurity or if they also have value as social gatherings. It was noted that some people in need would prefer to get canned food that they can prepare at home themselves, as they may feel conspicuous at a community meal. Vesta noted the importance of looking at available (wo)manpower, funding, and other local efforts as we decide the best approach to addressing the issue of food insecurity. She also suggested that we work to ensure that our decisions reflect the principles in the Ministry Description. Vesta also suggested that efforts coming from St. Brendans be coordinated with other island initiatives.
There was also a brief discussion of the correspondence with the Congregational Church regarding possible collaboration in developing a garden in support of the island pantry and worker/affordable housing. It was agreed to return to this later.
E. Seasonal Outreach
Jo suggested that we focus on outreach activities that are seasonal, since there is more wo(man) power during the summer months. The success of the rummage sale was noted, and Skip expressed enthusiasm for organizing another one. The Congregational Church is also looking for institutions that are willing to tend community gardens. The idea is that the produce, or the sale of produce, will help those who are food- insecure. Ruth and Jo thought that this might be something that the gardening committee could address, and suggested that they, with the help of other parishioners, might be able to grow one crop to contribute.
Vesta applauded this and all of the other ideas that were suggested. She proposed putting them "in the hopper" for further discussion.
F. College Scholarships
Ruth has funded 1,000 for a George Stephens senior and St. Brendans has funded the same for a senior from the Deer Isle-Stonington School. It was decided that St. Brendans does not have to decide whether to continue this funding until later on, as students don't yet know if they have been accepted to college.
G. Further Discussion
All of the above ideas will be presented in writing, to the congregation- via The Navigator. Parishioners will be invited to add their own ideas for community outreach.On January 14, after service, all ideas will be heard. The Outreach Ministry will then decide which ideas have the most support, and how and if it will be possible to implement them.
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*To read the Outreach Ministry's Mission and Description please click link below:
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This is an invitation for everyone, near and far, to be part of the sermon on Sunday, January 7, when we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. The focus of the day will be gifts -- the gifts God gives us, the gifts we use in God's service, and the idea and purpose of gifts in general. I encourage every one of you to think, over the next few days, about the gifts you have received that you can use to enrich our common life -- here in the congregation, and in your larger communities as well; and also to think about what the giving and receiving of gifts means in your life and culture. On January 7, the "sermon" will be a congregational discussion of these matters. I hope everyone who can attend will have something to contribute to the discussion, and I invite those of you who will not be present in person to send me your thoughts via email to [email protected].
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Annual Greening of the Church
Thanks to the efforts of the Worship and Music Ministry's Altar Guild - Ruth Robinson, Barbara Kourajian, Sidney Peck, Jo Jacob and other volunteers - the annual Greening of the Church took place last Sunday following the service.
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Helpful Contacts and Resources
With cold weather and the winter months setting in, it is good to know there are resources available such as food and fuel assistance for those in need. The Healthy Peninsula Community Resource Guide is a searchable database of primarily non-profit health and human service resources in greater Hancock County, Maine. It features information to keep community members and professionals alike connected with up-to-date resource and program listings, including state-wide resources that are available to families, seniors, adults with chronic illness and caregivers on the Blue Hill Peninsula, Stonington and Deer Isle and across Hancock County.
Please click link below for more information:
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Scripture Notes for the First Sunday After Christmas
On this first Sunday after Christmas, our attention is directed by the readings beyond the historical event of Jesus' birth to its cosmic and saving meaning. The Gospel reading is the theological prologue to the Gospel of John. This early Christian
poem describes Jesus as the incarnation (en-fleshment) of the divine Word who is
one with God, through whom God creates and redeem the world. It also expresses our unity with God by grace and faith. Thus, the birth of Jesus is not simply an event in his story but the event of our lives too.
The first reading today promises the reestablishment of God's people in His Kingdom. The prophet sees this as a certainty; in other words, it is an integral part of God's
plan of salvation. The reading from Paul's letter to the Galatians is a portion of Paul's proclamation that in the new covenant our relationship to God is based on faith
rather than obedience to the Law. Paul replaces the source of that new relationship
in our unity through baptism with Jesus, which makes us sons, and daughters of God.
This Sunday's theme, then, expresses the double role of the Church's liturgy. It usually celebrates historical events, but in our action together as the people of God, the historical events are revealed as eternally saving events as well. In the liturgy, time and space are transcended and the events of history become the events of our own lives as individuals and as a community.
From
The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year
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Copyright © 2009 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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In Our Prayers
We pray for those on our prayer list suffering and recovering from illnesses especially Rev. Edward Dufresne, William Rice Sr., Elaine Graham, Patricia P,
Pat Stoneburner, Tony Stoneburner, Kathy Gray, Holly, Carolyn Angel, Colin MacNaught, Nancy Stearns, Andrew Harriman, Tom Davenport, Hannah Scaife, Marcia Scott, Sen. John McCain, Henry 'Hank' Millon, Jennifer Hulsey and her family Byron, Ben, and Claire. We pray, also, for those who love and care for them.
We pray for those struggling with addiction and mental illness.
We pray for all those receiving care through Neighbor Care and for all the residents of the Island Nursing Home, the Northern Bay Residential Facility, and their families.
We pray for the dying, and those who have died. We remember also those who mourn.
We pray for the victims of gun violence-in our cities and towns, in our schools, in our places of worship, and in our homes.
We pray for the victims of the violence of armed conflicts around the world. We pray for those made refugees by the violence of armed conflicts. We pray for the victims of terrorist attacks everywhere.
We pray for all who suffer the effects of domestic violence and the violence of bullying in our schools.
We pray for all peacemakers, and all those who work for justice.
We pray for all those serving in the armed forces of our country, remembering, especially, Craig, Chris, Graham, and Caleb.
We pray for all who govern, and we pray for the concerns of our local community, remembering, especially, our children, our young people, and our isolated elderly.
We pray for Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Suheil, Bishop of Jerusalem; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Steve, our Bishop; for the members of our vestry; and for all our members, whose ministries are varied and far-reaching.
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for
the congregations of The Episcopal Church of Saints Matthew & Barnabas, Hallowell and Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church, Augusta.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for
Zululand - (Southern Africa).
On the Island and Peninsula,
we pray for Blue Hill Pentecostal Assembly.
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Icon of St. Brendan by Siri Beckman
Lord, I will trust you.
Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown.
Give me the faith to leave old ways and break new ground with you.
Christ of the mysteries, I trust you to be stronger than each storm
within me.
I will trust in the darkness and know that my times are in your hand.
Tune my spirit to the music of heaven, and somehow, make my obedience count for you.
-Prayer attributed to St. Brendan
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Contact Information
St. Brendan the Navigator
627 North Deer Isle Road
Deer Isle, ME 04627
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 305, Deer Isle, ME 04627
Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 12-5pm
Emergency Contacts:
Vestry Members:
Elisabeth Ingoldsby, Senior Warden
Tel: Home: 207-348-2586 / Cell: 207-266-4541
Josephine Jacob, Junior Warden
Tel: 207-348-6997 / Cell: 207-664-4884
josephinejacob30
@gmail.com
Pete Dane-Treasurer 348-5245
Barbara Kourajian-Clerk 326-9153
Rich Paget 367-6569
Miriam Antich 348-7745
Peter Tarlton 348-9908
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