St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church
Blue Hill ~ Maine
October 16, 2020
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photo at Cape Elizabeth, Maine, by Eric Storm (with permission) |
"To me, spirituality means 'no matter what.' One stays on the path, one commits to love, one does ones work; one follows one's dream; one shares, tries not to judge, no matter what." ---Yehuda Berg
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Thoughts from Fr. Brent---
The shining sun, pouring rain, changing leaves, porcupines frolicking... this is a glorious time of year. Right along with all of this glory is mounting anxiety about the myriad problems humanity is facing. For many right now, hope is elusive.
We spent our Wednesday Seekers class this week doing a Bible study with a focus on hope. We read a passage in Isaiah about how God was present, how God redeemed Israel, calling them by name. (Link to Isaiah 43:1-7) What struck me is that this passage came out of a people for whom the very worst that could happen, did; whose very worst fears all came to pass. And yet... they had hope.
“Our hope is in the name of the Lord.” That’s a refrain we hear time and time again. Do you feel it? Do you have hope? There are plenty of public sources of despair, and our own lives, full of joy and sorrow as they always are, continue on. Where is your hope?
Whether hope is brimming over in your soul or you feel bereft of any hopeful glimmer, I encourage to take the homework I offered on Sunday seriously. In the sermon I encouraged everyone to pray for five minutes each day. However you pray, do it this week. Some of us have a chat with Jesus while driving to the market, some of us reading our Bible when we first wake up (Isaiah is a good choice right now, so is Job). Other of us connect with God by walking with God-ward intention in our hearts or saying Compline in bed just before you hit the lights. However it is you pray, or have thought about praying, or want to try, there is no time like the present.
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;/I have called you by name, you are mine.” Where is your hope? Our hope is in the name of the Lord. Pray.
In Christ,
Brent
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From Stewardship Chair, Lynne Yurosko-
OCTOBER 15, 2020
"Despite the current circumstances, we are abundantly blessed and filled with HOPE. Fr. Brent has been the answer to our pandemic prayers! His energy and enthusiasm has certainly benefited all of us here at St. Francis. We are a family as well as a church community. We need to meet our financial commitment and pledge to keep our church healthy.
I spoke to a parishioner just this morning about the amount of money we collected last year with our Sunday plate collection. When the plate is passed on Sunday we all just put a little something EXTRA in. That little something EXTRA amounted to $19,000 last year. Amazing! I am sure if we were gathering that amount would be the same or perhaps greater. If you have already generously pledged would you consider adding a little EXTRA to your pledge? If you have yet to pledge, will you kindly consider adding that little EXTRA to your pledge.
Our goal for 2021 is ambitious to say the least. $235,000 is needed to keep St Francis functioning. We still have a building to maintain and expenses that cannot be trimmed.
Please make your pledge today. That little EXTRA would be gratefully appreciated."
"Rejoice in HOPE, Be patient in tribulation, Be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12
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The Calendar
Service for Ralph Siewers
This Saturday, October 17
5 PM
Meeting ID: 543 976 0613
Passcode: STFRANCIS
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Diocesan Convention
This Friday and Saturday
(October 17,18)
(see below)
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Sunday Worship Service
Zoom
9 AM
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Morning Prayer
Wednesday - Saturday 8:45 AM
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Bingo
Thursday, October 29
7 PM
(see lower right)
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Bonfire!
October 30 7:00 PM
Join us for some socially distanced fun as we burn the brush from the year and enjoy each other’s company. Costumes welcome!
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Diocesan Convention
will be held online on October 17-18,
9:30-12:30.
Voting will take place on Saturday the 17th with the Bishop's Address being delivered within the online worship for Sunday the 18th.
Everyone can listen to the Bishop’s address at our Zoom Worship on Sunday. If you care to watch a live stream of convention, click here: Link to Convention.
St. Francis delegates to Convention are Bob Publicover, Sarah Everdell, and Judy Rountree
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*Please continue updating the prayer list
Email our church Parish Administrator, Barbara Brady.
As always, if you wish to add another person's name to the prayer list, please be sure you have that person's permission.
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We Pray for:
Dean Anderson
Art
Harry Bissell
Kaylee Bland
Julie Boardman
Craig
Holly Colt
Ellen Day
Edward Dufresne
Diane Dumond
Ethan
Frank Griffith
Brinley Hall
Dorine Harris
Kayla
Keagan
Alix Kirkpatrick
Jo-Ann Krestan
Pam MacDonald
Phil
Earl Richardson
Diana Robson
Dennis Robertson
Ronan
Carla Rosenzweig
Sophie
Cathy Smith
Marshall Smith
Gloria Smith
Marshall Smith
Terri Stephens Smith
Fred Stine
Marilyn Stewart
Brenda Swazey
Judy Thomas
Brad West
Persis Williams
Those with October Birthdays
Bitsy Bacon
Andrew Chung
Brighton Chung
Mark Cluett
Andrew Connard
Jim Crawford
Edward Dufresne
Anne Follweiler
Gretchen Nagy
Curt Schneider
Nora Schroeder
Claudia Smith
Ralph Topham
Brigid 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 Mary Jane Law, Mother of Prudy Heilner
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From The Rev. Carlton Russell
"My sacred music colleague Karen Hindenlang, who is Director of Music and Organist at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Ithaca, New York, sent to her choir — her “Cyber Singers” -- this video from the St. Giles Festival Singers (UK). Whether or not one has participated in a virtual choir recording (as Lorna and I have), I think there’s enough in this about adjusting to the electronic era (Zoom, etc.) to make it potentially amusing to all choir members and their supporters."
Faithfully and fondly,
Carlton
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More from Fr. Brent---
A Faithful Response to the Election. St. Francis – Blue Hill, St. Brenden’s – Deer Isle, and Trinity – Castine will join together for three Tuesdays for "Prayer for Peace and Sound Government" – 12:00 Noon, Tuesdays, October 20, 27 and November 3 @ Blue Hill Town Park. Join us in person (social distancing and masks required), or join us on Zoom for 30 minutes of prayer for our nation.
Meeting ID: 543 976 0613 Passcode: STFRANCIS
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Another spiritual resource for this stressful time is Forward Movement’s helpful prayers leading up to the election. Follow this link for “A Season of Prayer for an Election”, a guide to daily prayers between now and November 3rd. Forward Movement Prayer Resource
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Worship Resources! Some folks are wondering how to access worship services beyond Zoom.
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From Outreach Chair, Sue Grindle
"Wanted!! Friendly folks to make check-in phone calls:
Our church family needs each other. With the combination of Covid, the flu, our ages, the holidays, no in-person church services, and the lack of visiting loved ones this year, there is no doubt that the dangers of depression and isolation are very real. A friendly phone chat offers an opportunity to mitigate sadness, loneliness, and worry. At St. Francis, we are fortunate enough to have some dedicated callers already fulfilling this very important mission, but we need more. Please contact Sue Grindle at 374-5046 or susangrindle8@gmail.com if you can help. The time taken to check on one of our friends is a true gift and blessing. Thank you!"
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Thanksgiving Baskets are right around the corner!
For many years St. Francis Church has provided a complete Thanksgiving Dinner to H.O.M.E. families in need. This year we have agreed to provide for twelve families.
There will be a separate eClare in early November explaining the specific items/needs and how to safely provide them.
In the meantime, if you are away (or safely at home in the area) and would prefer to send a few dollars to assist with items that the Outreach Committee will purchase, please send a small donation to St. Francis Church, earmarked "Thanksgiving".
Those dollars will be greatly appreciated! An Outreach shopping trip will complete all of the baskets.
Thanksgiving Baskets will be delivered to H.O.M.E. on Friday, November 20th. Many thanks to everyone for this on-going
St. Francis tradition.
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Thursday, October 29 at 7 PM
"Join us for a bewitching BINGO! Don your most ghoulish mask or costume. Don’t be afraid. Bat you’ll have some fun! You may even win a prize.
Zoom link is the same as Sunday service. See you at 7:00 October 29. Be there!"
---Lynne Yurosko
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From Ray Yardy
Team, Thank you for your help in working at Fall Clean-up ! It is unfortunate that mother nature did not help by dropping all the leaves beforehand but we will get them in the spring when hopefully we will be planning and cleaning ready to re-enter church. In the meantime, stay safe and stay well.
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A BIG "Thank you" to Fr. Brent, the entire Was Family, and Bob Publicover for a very successful (and much viewed!) Blessings of the Animals service!
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"Chopper" the great dane (left) has had successful surgery, and pictured above is Tyler Knowles' tiny new family addition!
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Links to Websites of
Special Interest:
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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