eClare
St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church
Blue Hill ~ Maine
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“If you make the mistake of looking back too much, you aren’t focused enough on what is right in front of you.” (author unknown) |
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From Fr. Brent
(photo is of Lucille Was and a friend petting a deer at Aragosta last week)
It is another beautiful day in the neighborhood.
As our Annual Giving Campaign enters the wrap-up phase, I just want to express my gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the life of this parish and the mission we have in the world. If we ever needed a lesson that church is not a fee-for-service endeavor, these past twenty months have provided it in spades. We haven’t been able to do as much as a community as we are accustomed. We haven’t been able to gather as we are accustomed, sing as we are accustomed, eat together, pray together, have fun together in any of the ways we are accustomed, and yet you have showed up again and again, not only at a cold church with masks on, or on Zoom, neither of which are for everyone, but also in supporting the ministry we do together here. You have supported the once and future life of this parish, as well as the diminished phase we are in now. That is not an insignificant act of faith. We’re here, yes, and we will be coming back better and better. Thank you for your faith.
I also want to express my gratitude to Lynne Yurosko who has led two very successful giving campaigns. (We’ve still got a bit left to gather this year, but after her great lesson on Yiddish vocabulary on Sunday, another $9000 in pledges came in). Running a campaign like this is a lot of work, and not many of us are comfortable asking for money, but Lynne showed up. And made us laugh. She made the asks and she brought home the bacon. Thank you, Lynne. You are doing your part to secure our present.
As I look out at this fractured world, there are a multitude of reasons to rage, to cry and to lament. There are, though, even more reasons to lift up our voices in blessing and praise to God for all of the blessings we receive. The leaves are gorgeous. It is mid-October and is sunny and 69. The light of Jesus Christ is shining on top of Hinckley Ridge. Gratitude, reasons for gratitude abound.
Thanks for being you.
In Christ,
Brent
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Gratitude
"THE ROOT OF ALL JOY IS GRATEFULNESS"
― Brother David Steindl-Rast
“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.”
"Our Annual Giving Campaign is winding down. St. Francis by the Sea is filled with gratitude for your pledges and participation in the life of our church and its mission in our community. We are dependent on every pledge to meet our budget and the financial needs of our church and community. These dollars are vital to the future and financial well being of St. Francis. The deadline for ending our campaign snuck up on many of you. We will be extending our campaign thru the end of October in the hope of receiving the necessary pledges to meet our goal of $235,000.
Thank you again to all who have already pledged. We are grateful for your support. If you have yet to pledge there is still time. Please don’t miss your opportunity to contribute to the future and financial well being of St. Francis. So much depends on your stewardship. We need your help, your prayers and your commitment.
With Thanks and Gratitude,
Lynne Yurosko, Stewardship Chair
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The Calendar
Sunday Worship Services
10 AM
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We are masking for all in-person services at St. Francis Church
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Please continue to attend Zoom church services if you are not COVID vaccinated
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Fall Clean-up
Saturday, Oct. 30
10-12
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Contemplative Prayer
Fridays at 9:15 am.
Join us in person in the Sanctuary or on Zoom.
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Wednesday Seekers 10:00 am, Wednesday on our regular Zoom Link. We will be reading "Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit" by noted Quaker author, teacher and activist Parker J. Palmer.
(below right)
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Morning Prayer
Wednesday - Saturday
8:45 AM
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Saturday, October 23
The 202nd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
Delegates from St. Francis Church are Katie McLeod, Kathy De Silvey and Judy Rountree, along with The Rev. Brent Was
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We Pray for:
Amelia
Andrea
Art
Arthur
Harry and Marie Bissell
Mary Boyd
Edward Dufresne
Giffy Full
Roger Grindle
Brinley Hall
Grace High
Bethany Hill
Jack Hooper
Jill
Justin
Jenni
Kayla
Keagan
JoAnn Krestan
Alix Kirkpatrick
Kira and John Klinger
JoAnn Krestan
Fred Marston
Sophia Partridge
Diana Robson
Dennis Robertson
Ronan
Carla Rosenzweig
Lizzie Sandlin
Mary Semler
Cathy Smith
Donny Smith
Marshall Smith
Peggy Smith
Terri Stephens Smith
Fred Stine
Marilyn Stewart
Carl and Carolyn Taylor
Judy Thomas
Holly Whelan
Cecile Wiley
Persis Williams
Those with October Birthdays
Bitsy Bacon
Andrew Chung
Andrew Connard
Brighton Chung
Mark Cluett
Jim Crawford
Edward Dufresne
Anne Follweiler
Andrea Lopez
Gretchen Nagy
Curt Schneider
Nora Schroeder
Claudia Smith
Ralph Topham
Lucille Was
Page Williamson
Those in the Armed Services
Abigail
James Crowe III
Andy Dittmer
Brian Haley
Sean Haley
Douglas Hamilton
Kyler Hall
Peter McGuyer
Kyle Carino Mings
Eric Partridge
We pray for the repose of the soul of Linda Slaven and for Bob and for her family and friends
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Wonderful New Committee Members!
Come Join us!
A big welcome to Ruth Billings, Anne Gilchrist, Elizabeth Lastati and Cathy Thompson!
Budget items were on the agenda...an extra meeting is pending as we are attempting to consolidate St. Francis funds for effective gifting.
Also attending today's meeting were Sarah Everdell, Kathy DeSilvey, Judy Rountree, Fr. Brent, and our fearless Chairwoman, Sue Grindle.
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From our Senior Warden, Milissa LaLonde...
"Fun Fall Clean-up"
Saturday
October 30
10-12
... a potluck picnic (outside) to follow.
Drinks and paper products will be supplied.
A list of jobs will be available.
Please bring a rake if you can and whatever potluck contribution you have.
Dress in costume if you witch!
Rain Date: Saturday, Nov. 6
With love,
Milissa
(There will be masking for any indoor jobs and only fully vaccinated participants are welcome, as always. We WILL get through this!)
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Wednesday Seekers Join us as we read Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit by noted Quaker author, teacher and activist Parker J. Palmer. On Zoom, 10:00 am -11:30 am, Wednesdays 10/27-11/24.
About the book: "At a critical time in American life, Palmer looks with realism and hope at how to deal with our political tensions for the sake of the common good—without the shouting, blaming, or defaming so common in our civic organizations and faith communities today."
The book is available in print and on Kindle through Amazon.
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Pre-order your Christmas Wreaths!
The Flower Guild will once again be selling beautiful Christmas Wreaths to benefit St. Francis.
Beautiful 24" double sided wreath with a red bow only $20
Fully decorated with a bow, pine cones and red berries $30
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From Marty: "We have an earlier deadline this year because I need to pick up the wreaths and I need to know how many to order.
There’s a shortage of materials and I want to get our order in first thing!"
Orders must be in to Marty Hamblen
or 207-479-8933) by Nov 6, 2021.
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A mental health walk in Augusta attracted hundreds
October 10, 2021
From Sarah Everdell
"NAMI Maine was able to raise almost $60,000 and the annual event was moving and powerful. Along the walk were signs from individuals who had experienced mental illness or who had family members who were mentally ill.
I helped at a table where people could write why they were there and frequently people wrote “I walk for ……..” The sense of loss was significant but so was the sense of joy at being around people who understood - and the bubble lady was terrific. NAMI does an exceptional job of working with all ages but of particular importance is its work with the young."
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Links to Websites of
Special Interest: droppable-droppable
16342396449501619627234904 Cartoon from Peter Smith!
bwas@riseup.net (Fr. Brent Was)
From our church office: We have a St. Francis Facebook Page. Link below... "LIKE" our page and keep up to date on all the news and happenings!!!
NAMI Maine
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