eClare

 

News from
 St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church 
Blue Hill ~ Maine
 
November 22, 2017   



St. Francis Church
St. Francis By The Sea

 
T he Calendar 

Sunday
Worship Service
10:00 AM
***
Thursday
No  choir practice
***

***
St. Francis Giving Tree for Emmaus Center

  The Giving Tree is up again this year, adorned with gift tags noting the age for either a boy or girl.  Please take as many as you can, purchase the appropriate gifts, and return to the church no later than 
 Sunday, Dec. 17 th .    
Please  Do Not  Wrap gifts, place each one in a bag with the appropriate tag, some wrapping paper and ribbon if you have it.  All gifts will go to the Emmaus Center.
***
Wednesday
November 29
New Wednesday Seekers Study
10:30 am
***
Saturday, Dec 2
St Francis Christmas Annual Holiday Fair
(9-Noon)
***
Sunday, Dec. 3
Advent begins
***
Sunday,  Dec. 24
10 am
Fourth Sunday in Advent Service
***
 Sunday, Dec. 24
5 pm
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, followed by Christmas Eve Dinner
***
Monday, Dec. 25
10 am
Christmas Service


We pray for
Daniel
Mathew
Edward Dufresne
Brinley Hall
Dorene Harris
Joseph
Jennifer Hulsey
Jill
Kaden
Steve Marek
Sidney Peck
Corinne Pert
Cal Peters
John Remick
Diana Robson
Abby Ryan
Art Ryan
Linda Slaven
Jane Story
Lauri Vainio
Galen Vainio

We pray for the repose of the soul  of Melanie Shadburn, ( daughter of Jim and Sandy Sween) and comfort for her family and friends.

Those in the Armed Services   
Andy Ditmer
Kyle Carino Mings
Brian Haley
Sean Haley
Peter McGuyer
Eric Partridge


Those with November Birthdays
Bitsy Bacon
Jon Barry
Sue Barton
Terry Briggs
Michael Creighton
Laura Danielson
David Decrow
Ann Doom
Judith Fuller
Arthur Gregg
Jean Getchell-Forbes
Margaret Hannah
Aletha Langham
Richard Mazzur
Meredith Penfield
Susan Reddy
Lorna Russell
Ann Sexton
Lyn Swazey
Jim Sween
Sandy Sween
Judy Thomas
Simon Wesley
Sally Wilson
Ellen Young

Thank you, Chris!
Chris Ramsay serves the church in many ways...on the Vestry, at the Altar, and now as co-ordinator of our very special Christmas Eve Dinner.
Chris could really use some help if you are willing! Please speak with her.

 


(An Opportunity-s everal places remain)

From Sarah Everdell:

NAMI Maine is in the midst of setting up a local support group for families who struggle with mental illness.  If you would like to be a facilitator, please contact Sarah Everdell, as soon as possible.

The family support group meetings will take place once a month.

NAMI Maine has arranged for an instructor to run a two- day workshop for anyone who wishes to be a facilitator for the support group. Ideally there would be two people at every meeting which is planned for once a month. The workshop will be the first weekend in January and will be free. It will be at the Blue Hill Library.

If anyone is interested in doing this, please be in touch with Sarah. The maximum number for the workshop is 8 and minimum is 6.  It should be a good workshop which will provide information and ways and means to support families.  

Call Sarah with your questions (359-8562)


Thanksgiving Fun!

 
No forks at the first Thanksgiving!  The first Thanksgiving was eaten with spoons and knives - but no forks! That's right, forks weren't even introduced to the Pilgrims until 10 years later and weren't a popular utensil until the 18th century.
***
Why is Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November? 
President Abe Lincoln said Thanksgiving would be the fourth Thursday in November, but in 1939 President Roosevelt moved it up a week hoping it would help the shopping season during the Depression era. It never caught on and it was changed back two years later.
***
The best way to tell if a cranberry is ripe it to see if it bounces. 
***
Wild turkeys can run 20 miles per hour when they are scared , but domesticated turkeys that are bred are heavier and can't run quite that fast.
***
Female turkeys (called hens) do not gobble.  Only male turkeys gobble.


  (An editorial  "no comment" on that last one!)


An opportunity not to be missed!

On Wednesday, November 29 th , St Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church will begin reading the book
 In Search Of A Prophet: A Spiritual Journey with Kahlil Gibran
by Paul-Gordon Chandler as a new Wednesday Seekers offering. 


From Rev. Claudia:

"It is not often that one finds a book so highly recommended by such a wide range of individuals- from The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, to Brian McLaren, Evangelical Pastor and author, to Reza Aslan author of the recent bestseller book titled "Zealot." 

Chandler (himself an Episcopal priest who has worked in the Middle East)
takes us on a fascinating journey through the spiritual life of Kahlil Gibran, author of the bestselling book The Prophet.  

Capturing our imaginations and enriching our spirits, Paul-Gordon Chandler explores this beloved writer and artist, a mystic who sought to build bridges and tear down walls."
***
Wednesday Seekers will meet each Wednesday beginning on November 29 th  (10:30-11:45) am. Please use your favorite book seller to purchase the book. 

Saturday, December 2nd
(9 am-Noon)

From  Nancy Doane,  our wonderful Christmas Fair Chair,

"Mark your calendars and spend the morning Christmas shopping at the St. Francis Holiday Marketplace!

There will be our usual tables full of baked goods that are just right for gift giving, and it will be a perfect time to purchase your Christmas wreaths and centerpieces.

There will be our re-gift table where you will find many new gifts ideas just waiting for you to purchase.  

New this year! 

...will be a great selection of gift baskets...a very special gift to purchase for that "hard to buy for" person on your Christmas gift list.
"A Tea Party"

"Kitchen Utensils"

Take the Challenge!

If you wish to "make up" a theme Gift Basket, just bring the items...the baskets and materials are already purchased and ready. Use your imagination and have fun selecting your theme items.

Please talk with Nancy or Barbara in the church office if you have questions or thoughts about these special baskets. They will be a big hit! 

Don't forget your "re-gifts." Unused items will become wonderful re-gifts at reasonable prices. Original boxes will be great but the items, themselves, are very welcome. There will not be a "Junque" table this year.

***************************************
From the Flower Guild comes another beautiful Christmas Fair idea!
Pick a bow!  The Flower Guild is taking orders for decorated Christmas wreaths at just $20 each including your choice of bow.  

Wreaths can be collected or purchased at the Christmas Fair on December 2nd.  Pre-ordered wreaths can also be picked up Sunday morning, December 3rd.  We have a limit for pre-orders of 15 on a first come- first served basis.  

Please call Jane Heizmann  at  (374-5925)  or Angela Yardy (664-4104) to pre-order. 

St. Francis by the Sea Celebrates!


 

We welcomed The Rev. Claudia Wyatt Smith in August, 2007, and she has been busy ever since! Thank you, Claudia, for so much!

Here are some celebration photos and events of (only!) the past two weeks:

-with The Rev. Canon Michael Ambler who visited and preached last Sunday

Claudia and David welcoming James as a Junior Altar Server



-at Lyn's Home Blessing

-a celebration Coffee Hour


-and maybe best of all
Gifted by the Children!
(Thank you, Bob, for this video)
 

Links to Websites of
 Special Interest:



From our church office: W e now have a St. Francis Facebook Page!  Link below...   "LIKE" our page and keep up to date on all the news and happenings!!!