eClare
St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church
Blue Hill ~ Maine
|
|
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
― Mark Twain
|
|
A Beautiful Summer along Maine's Coast
The US Coastguard "Eagle" came our way last week. With 23 heavy canvas sails and 149 crew, the Eagle is also the only active commissioned sailing vessel operating in the U.S. maritime services.
|
|
From Fr. Brent
I spent a lot of time at a paint store in Newburyport, Massachusetts when I was caretaker of a monastery. I love a good paint store staffed with real painting professionals. On the wall of that shop, framed, was a quote of sorts. It read, “Any idiot can juggle chainsaws. It is the day to day balloon animals that wear you out. Bozo the Clown”
We did some heavy lifting with this pandemic last year, didn’t we? Extreme shut downs. Forsaking family gatherings for a year. Virtual church for 62 straight weeks. A lot of fear. A lot of isolation. A lot of time on our hands...
Then come January, a near miracle! A vaccine! Several of them! Operation Warp Speed worked. These vaccines all but eliminate death and serious illness from COVID-19. A lot of hallelujahs were sung in those heady days as people around the world lined up, decently and in order as our Presbyterian friends say, to get their shots.
But we are backsliding now. Infection rates are back up to the rates of last November. Vaccination rates tapered off, but as the Delta variant has spread, are now increasing. That is good news, but still events are being scaled back. We are back to masks at church on Sunday. I don’t know about you, but I now know first-hand almost as many people with breakthrough cases as had COVID last year.
It looks like we will be slogging through masks and shutdowns and arguments about vaccine mandates for a while. Lots of balloon animals. Lots of them in our future.
How do we keep them from wearing us down? How do become proactive in our community within the limitations we have? How do we find and accept normal in changing times?
You won’t find answers in this or any church newsletter, but you just might at church. So come pray with us on Sundays (or join us on Zoom). Come sit with us at contemplative prayer on Fridays at 9:15 (again, or join us on Zoom). Find a quiet moment with God to give thanks for the blessings of your life, or to ask for patience or wisdom, or to just have a quiet moment in the presence of Love. Read your Bible. (Join us in Mark or the letter to the Ephesians). Be generous with your time or resources. Be kind to someone who annoys you. You know, practice being Christian. It might not make the pandemic go away, but it might help make those balloon animals less onerous.
In Christ,
Brent
|
|
The Calendar
Sunday Worship Services
Zoom- plus!
In-person worship
Sunday,
8 AM and 10 AM
~~~
We are masking for all in-person services at St Francis Church
*****
Please continue to attend Zoom church services if you are not Covid vaccinated
*****
Contemplative Prayer
Fridays at 9:15 am.
Join us in person in the Sanctuary or on Zoom.
*****
Morning Prayer
Wednesday - Saturday
8:45 AM
******
August 29
Annual Meeting
and
Pot-Luck Luncheon
There is a Sign-up sheet in the parish hall.
|
We Pray for:
Andrea
Art
Arthur
Harry and Marie Bissell
Mary Boyd
Russel Dischinger
Edward Dufresne
Giffy Full
Roger Grindle
Brinley Hall
Grace High
Jack Hooper
Justin
Jenni
Kayla
Keagan
JoAnn Krestan
Alix Kirkpatrick
Kira and John Klinger
Ed Manuel
Fred Marston
Sophia Partridge
Chris Ramsay
Diana Robson
Dennis Robertson
Ronan
Carla Rosenzweig
Mary Semler
Linda Slaven
Cathy Smith
Donny Smith
Marshall Smith
Peggy Smith
Terri Stephens Smith
Fred Stine
Marilyn Stewart
Judy Thomas
Gerald Wheeler
Holly Whelan
Nell Whiting
Persis Williams
Those with August Birthdays
Mary Boechat
Brook Dojny
Virginia Drewry
Marcia Fenn
Ron Garlick
Milissa LaLonde
Christina McHenry
Judy Rountree
Pam Siewers
Marshall Smith
Marilyn Stewart
Fred Stine
Tim Thomas, Jr
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
|
Please sign up for Coffee Hour...this is a wonderful gift to the church. |
Hosting with friends is a lot of fun. Everyone appreciates this time together.
The sign-up sheet is on the door outside of the kitchen.
Keep it simple!
|
Nostalgia?
Thank you, Connie Heggarty, for the video below. Some of us may not know what a typewriter is. Enjoy!
|
|
Nominations are due by August 17...
The Emily Award is an expression of special recognition in the life of St Francis Church. It is named for Emily Chaney, a beloved parishioner who was a devoted woman of great strength as St. Francis grew into the present life of our church.
Past recipients of the Emily Award are:
Emily Chaney
Will and Marin Rosborough
Mary Semler
Suzanne Decrow
Mary Hartley
Peter and Donny Smith
Nancy Doane
Pam Siewers
Gene Grindle
Carla Rosenzweig
Judy Rountree
Tim and Judy Thomas
David Decrow
Lorna and Carlton Russell
|
From our Senior Warden
Our Annual Meeting is fast approaching (Aug 29) and I am pleased to announce that it will include a picnic meal much like the very successful picnic on July 11.
It would be most helpful if you would sign up to contribute a side dish, dessert or whatever your specialty might be. We also ask that you sign your intention to attend so that we can better plan for quantities.
All sign-up sheets are outside of the kitchen downstairs, or you can email Milissa LaLonde
Also, delegates and alternate delegates are needed for the October Dioscesnan Convention.
Milissa's email address is:
milissa.lalonde@gmail.com
|
Seeking Eucharistic Ministers!
Serving at the Table of Our Lord is a beautiful form of religious practice. It has solemnity about it. It encourages grace. It serves others. And you get the best seat in the house. If you are interested in learning more about this critical ministry, talk to Fr. Brent.
Thank you to Scott, Sue, Nora and Zac...all of whom contributed so much last Sunday!
|
From Fr. Brent:
A New position!: Coordinator of Family, Children and Youth Ministry
St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church is seeking a loving, faithful person to help form our children into loving, faithful people.
Primary responsibility is coordination of Sunday School program on Sunday mornings. Other responsibilities include coordinating occasional non-Sunday service projects and mission/field trips.
This work will have you working closely with parents, volunteers and the Rector to ensure our children are safe, engaged, challenged and formed.
Teaching experience is preferred. Experience with children/youth is required.
Background checks are required, and child abuse prevention/mandated reporter training will be provided.
$20-25/hour
5 hours/week
Contact Fr. Brent at bwas@riseup.net OR 374-5200
|
From Charity Chung-
"Brighton had a wonderful week at Camp Bishopswood!
Here she is when we picked her up after the week! She can’t wait to go back next year!
In fact all the kids will go back next year! The camp did an outstanding job with Covid testing and guidelines! "
|
Brighton Chung
and
Camp Bishopswood
--- a perfect go-together!
|
|
St. Francis by the Sea 2021 Stewardship Campaign
Gratitude
From Stewardship Chairwoman, Lynne Yurosko
"I hate to belabor this point but last year wasn’t a banner year in so many ways. That being said your generosity to the stewardship to St. Francis went over the top. We had a lofty but necessary goal of $235,000. We hit that goal and then some!
I’d like to let you in on a little secret. There is nothing I dislike more than asking for money. A root canal doesn’t even come close. But asking for your support and financial commitment for St. Francis, well that’s a different story. Why? Because it’s not just a building we come to on Sunday mornings. We love this church. We’re part of its community. As Sister Sledge sang in the 70’s WE ARE FAMILY!
This is an exciting time to be part of St. Francis. Our community is thriving. We ‘re gathering inside our church with masks of course. There is an energy in the pews on Sunday. You can feel it!
We’ve helped each other this past year in a time of trials. Willie Nelson said that once he started counting his blessings his whole world turned around. We’ve counted our blessings. We’re now enjoying the fruits of our prayer together. We are blessed and GRATEFUL you are part of our St. Francis by the Sea community.
St. Francis has the usual operating expenses: salaries, maintenance, insurance, electric, heat. Unfortunately it takes more than love to pay those bills. We are GRATEFUL to have received a PPP loan last year from the government for $25,000. We won’t be receiving those funds again this year. Our stewardship goal remains the same as last year at the necessary $235,000.
When Bishop Brown was here a few weeks ago for Brent’s installation and party, I had a chance to chat with him about stewardship. His words were an inspiration. “STEWARDSHIP GROWS YOUR FAITH.”
By now you have received your pledge cards. We need your help, your prayers and your financial support. You’re good at this! I have experienced the caring generosity of this community. You have GRATEFUL hearts. Please do your best and be part of this campaign. I know you will.
Thanks,
Lynne Yurosko
|
|
Game Night Returns!
Do you like board and card games? If so, please join us for Game Night on Saturday, August 28th at St. Francis from 5PM to 8PM (could be longer if a spirited match is happening). Bring your own sandwiches, snacks, drinks, and favorite games. Here are some offerings we already have on board: Scrabble, UNO, DOS, Catan, Clue, 25 Words or Less, Yatzee, Mexican Train Game, Chess, Cribbage, and some special versions of Monopoly, Sorry, and Life requiring only two players.
This is a resurrection of a fun monthly event that occurred in years' past at St. Francis. The plan is to engage enough players to offer Game Night every fourth Saturday of the month. Come and enjoy a friendly, laugh -filled evening with the added bonus of keeping all those brain cells firing! A sign up sheet is downstairs so that we know how many tables to set up. All are welcome!!
|
|
Links to Websites of
Special Interest: droppable-1619627234904
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
