MAY NEWSLETTER
To the Glory of God and for the Common Good, we make God’s love known now and for generations to come through worship and service to all.
-- Mission Statement
adopted June, 2010
Letter from our Rector
Dear Friends,

This may sound like a shameless advertisement but I mean it more as a sharing and invitation. I’m talking about Morning Prayer. When I think about what is getting me through these days, what is steadying my mood, grounding me in hope, opening my heart, and giving me a sense of community, it is hands down Morning Prayer. Normally during the year, I lead Morning Prayer in our Oratory (prayer chapel at 234 French) 1-2 times a week and attend sporadically on days when others lead, or I say it at home by myself. It makes a difference then. It’s important to my day, my life, my awareness of God throughout the day, my sense of community - but it is nothing compared to now. 
Since our stay in place order began, we’ve been holding Morning Prayer virtually on Zoom - and broadcasting it through our YouTube channel . An on-line community of 12 or so has developed, including old friends living far away like Judy Allen and Anne Mallonee. Each weekday we 7-10 of us sign on at about 8:45 and decide who’s going to do what, catch up with each other, share good news and prayer requests, and get ready to pray. Then comes the service. We follow along together using the website dailyoffice.org , which posts the service with all the variable readings and canticles and things in place, and with interesting art and photos, with descriptions of current events or saints of the day, and always with a musical selection at the end from a wide varying set of sources. We then wish each other well, maybe tease or make a joke, and then we’re all off on our separate ways to live the day for which we’ve just given thanks and have entrusted to God.
Technology Tutorial
Hello St. John’s Friends,

I hope this letter finds you well. This quarantine is long, and we don’t know how much longer it’s going to go. For some, technology has been a blessing, but for those who aren’t comfortable with it, being told that something is online can be daunting. I’m hoping to help you with that. 

First let’s start with Morning Prayer (Monday – Friday at 9 am) and Sunday’s Morning Prayer (at 10 am). We have a YouTube channel, and if you’re like me, that sounds frightening. I never really used YouTube before, my kids would show me clips on it, but to search something out for myself? Nope, I had no idea how.   So you have two choices, you can go straight to the St. John’s YouTube page, just click this link - and you’re there. Once you’re there, you can select the service that you want to see. What if you want the Sunday Bulletin or lose this email?...
Letter from our Family Faith Formation Director
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
Thomas Merton

It's hard to sit down and write something this month for the newsletter. Everything feels so unsettled and I don't see that ending any time soon. Normally this month I'd be writing about our observations of Lent and Holy week. I would have pasted in a beautiful picture of the Maundy Thursday garden, perhaps shots of the parish community gathering for the St. Patrick's lunch and the youth peeling that seemingly endless pile of carrots. But our observations of Holy Week were like nothing I have ever experienced, and all my programming has been trial and error.
Vestry Highlights
The Vestry discussed the organizational chart and how Vestry members will serve as liaison to sub-groups to various groups. The Vestry liaison would need to be in contact with the various ministry leaders within a given category, including at least one annual meeting of the group with the Vestry liaison.

A Transition Task Force is being established between the parish and the vestry, to plan for the transition to new leadership.

The Vestry received an update from the Building Working Group led by Don Lewis and Ralph Whedon. The working group is working to maximize safety while being mindful of financial concerns, and is meeting with professionals and contractors.

After discussing the Paycheck Protection Program, the Vestry agreed to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program application of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine.
Vestry Building Working Group
The vestry has established a Building Working Group (BWG) to study what sensible solutions can be found to restore the building. We have had meetings and we ask any member of the parish who would like to join the group to email building@stjohnsbangor.org , and you will be added to the mailing list. You don’t have to participate in the meeting if you just want to listen and learn how things might work our OR if you want to pitch in and have an opinion about what needs to be done, we welcome hearing from you.
Bangor Area Homeless Shelter
The Bangor Homeless Shelter is in need of food pantry donations and home-cooked meals, sides, and baked goods. They have developed what sounds like an excellent and safe method of helping.

The shelter is located at the corner of Maine and Cedar streets in downtown Bangor. Pull into the parking lot on the left side of the building. You'll see tables outside the kitchen door. You can leave all donations on those tables. They're monitored closely from inside, and someone will be out to pick up the donations within minutes. You don't need to wait with the donations unless you choose to. There is no need to call ahead. Though there is monitoring 24/7 and you're welcome to leave donations any time, the best time to drop things off is between 7 am and 3 pm Monday through Friday.
St. John's Episcopal Church
"To the Glory of God and for the Common Good, we make God's love known
now and for generations to come through worship and service to all..."
234 French Street
Bangor, Maine 04401