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Thanksgiving
eClare
St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church
Blue Hill Maine
November 23, 2022
~~~
Thank you, Colleen Spangler, archivist of St. Francis Church
for the following-
from
The Franciscan
November, 2001
(Emily Chaney)
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From Father Brent
Thanksgiving blessings to you all!
Much about this past year has been humbling for me. Facing mortality, disability, utter dependence on the kindness of others… so much new territory for me.
About the most humbling experience, though, came at the parish meeting with the Bishop last week. I am humbled that you all are willing to continue in this limbo with me and my family for a bit longer. You all have given up a lot this past year, and you have signed up for an extension of that austerity in order to give me more time to recover. I know not everyone thinks this is what is best, but the will of the whole is clear. Thank you doesn’t begin to cut it.
It sure could seem like St. Francis is falling on hard times, and the day to day situation at church is far from ideal. However, what I hear from the vestry, the diocese, and congregants that I run into, it seems that actually St. Francis is in a profound moment as a Christian community. God is being worshiped. You are taking care of each other. The community is being served, and in new, impactful ways. The business of the church is functioning: Milissa, Prudy and the rest of the vestry are working very hard, priests from all over are chipping in, staff is heroically working, money is coming in, and the building is in good shape. YOU are doing all of it. This is not a sign of a troubled community, but of one that is thriving in a difficult situation.
This is not surprising as St. Francis is a strong, loving community. More broadly, adversity is historically where Christianity, where Christian communities are at their very best. (Conversely, we are at our worst when the Church is in charge, ie the Inquisition or Salem witch trials).
This is all to say that we all have a lot to be thankful for. I am very thankful for your vote of love and confidence last week. I am doubly committed to getting well and getting back to work with you, soon.
May you be carried in the hands of our loving God today unto the fullness of time,
Brent
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Our Prayers
Amelia, Andrea, Bob Andretta, Art, Arthur, Fr. Brent, Mary Boyd, Marie Bissell, Bill Casale, Christina, Cynthia, Newt Curtis, Diane Dumond, Edward Dufresne, Charles Farinelli, Giffy Full, Brinley Hall, Catherine Husted, Jill, Kayla, Kira and John Klinger, Keagan, Alix Kirkpatrick, JoAnn Krestan, Michelle Liberty, Lisa Looke, Fred Marston, McKayla, Lorelei McKinnon, Merry Newton, Sophia Partridge, Greg Payne, Susan Reddy, Ronan, Rya, Donny Smith, Marshall Smith, Peggy Smith, Fred Stine, Carolyn Taylor, Judy Thomas, Tom, Holly Whelan and Persis Williams
We remember those celebrating November birthdays
Margaret Hannah, Terry Briggs, Aletha Langham, Simon Wesley, Arthur Gregg, Judy Thomas, Lyn Swazey, Ellen Young, David Decrow, Jon Barry, Laura Danielson, Susan Reddy, Meredith Penfield, Ann Sexton, Michael Creighton, Lorna Russell.
We pray for those who serve in the Armed Services especially Abigail, Kyle Cariño Mings, James Crowe III and Kevin West.
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From Lorna and Carlton Russell
Lorna It is noon on All Souls Day. This morning at breakfast we remembered so many cherished ones gone before us, “the love which from our birth over and around us lies.“ The sun is sparking on the Penobscot, the wind in rustling in the carpet of oak leaves, Carlton is rummaging around in the cellar, Blue is sleeping in the sun on the couch, I am enjoying a cup of coffee on the unseasonably warm sun porch, and I am filled with gratitude for these gifts from God which warm my heart!
Carlton Every time I sing at St. Francis, I am thankful that the sounds my old lungs and vocal folds produce do not drive worshipers to the exits, but — judging from their greatly-appreciated comments — seem to enhance their worship. God moves in a mysterious way!
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John Paul Lalonde I am very grateful for all the support the St. Francis parish has provided Milissa during her time as Senior Warden. This is one more example of how strong and caring community St. Francis is and how much we have to be grateful for. I am also grateful for Bishop Brown and Rev. Ambler and the support and leadership they provide St. Francis and the whole Diocese of Maine.
| Sarah Everdell I am very grateful to everyone on the Outreach Committee. These are caring, dedicated, enthusiastic, and kind people who over the past year have responded generously and graciously to our neighbors in need. They show daily the love of Christ. Thank you. | |
Bob Publicover There is so much to be grateful for among the long list of course is our whole St. Francis Family, Brent, Windy, Hannah Maeve, Lucille, the supply priests, Bishop Thomas, Lorna & Carlton, Judy Rountree for her enthusiasm, eClare and all she does for those in need. Finally from the bottom of my heart I am thankful for Heath Wall for stepping up and offering his talents and expertise to help me with our Zoom, Audio Visual system and stress relief.
Thank you, Lord, for all of life’s blessings.
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All finished!
Thanksgiving workers of St. Francis by the Sea
...getting it all put together and onto Dick's truck...what a group!
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Ed note: With thanks to all of you! Chris Ramsay's request to the employees of the Blue Hill Co-op, more than three dozen jackets and coats, warm socks, and boots went along to H.O.M.E. with our boxes of food.
The two dozen warm, silky undershirts purchased with Outreach funds grew to over thirty which you purchased in many bright colors.
Our summer parishioners and "away" friends also made a huge difference, gifting more than half of our turkeys with financial donations. TradeWinds' pricing was amazing, too...the total cost of seven big turkeys was just over $46!
Thank you, Bob, for the fun video here:
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We give thanks to all of the employees of H.O.M.E. who provide meals not only during this Season of Thanksgiving, but every day of the year. Over 300 of their clients will celebrate with wonderful Thanksgiving dinners provided by St. Francis Church and many others.
We could never have done this without our Sexton, Dick Doane (left). That is his truck in the video!
To quote Dick, "It went just fine, plenty of good help, Tracey has done very well at H.O.M.E. !"
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Terry and Jim Briggs Covid lock-down changed lives in so many different ways...most of them not for the better. Then Zoom came along.
What a blessing to be able to gather with our beloved St Francis family each Sunday, say the comforting liturgy, hear a supporting sermon, pray together, and sing our praises to God. We remained one in our faith through uncertain times. We saw each other's faces, talked together while being apart during the bring-your-own-coffee hour, felt the comfort and joy of being "in the presence" in a new way with those we love. New folk joined us, felt our energy and love, and some are now a part of regular in-church Sunday worship.
For us "summer people" zoom has remained a joy as we can now be part of this caring community year-round and see you all each week. The same is true for those who, for whatever reason, are unable to attend in-person services.
Our special thanks to the technicians who make zoom happen. Without you, none of this would have been possible.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
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Mary Tyler Knowles I have so much gratitude for so many--the community of St. Francis where so many act to make a positive impact on our community. But also on a lighter note, Rufus' and my gratitude to Holiday and especially Gusto for our playdates out on the church lawn after church. Anne and Peter have been wonderful stewards for St. Francis and great dog owners! | |
Lucy Bowick I am grateful for St. Francis church and being able to worship there when I’m in Maine. Hearing the good, well planned music. I am grateful for the outreach the parish does in the community.
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Marty Hamblen I am so grateful for St. Francis and all the people who have made me feel so welcome. It's hard to start attending a new church when you've been in one for over 30 years. I am so thankful for everyone who has made me feel not only welcome, but loved and cared for as well. Blessings | |
Suzanne Decrow We feel blessed to have the dedicated St. Francis folks who have kept things on track and moving ahead during the challenges of Covid and Brent's unfortunate medical sabbatical and also for David's continued clear CT scan reports. We have lots to be thankful for!! Over the last 4 years the phrase "one day at a time" has taken on a whole new meaning. | |
Lyn Swazey Grateful for Sugar who is 22 years old and waiting patiently (and hopefully) for some Thanksgiving turkey! | |
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Jane Heizmann We are grateful to our families, friends and the church community. All continue to give us encouragement, support and love as we navigate the many challenges of dementia. It is reassuring to know we are not alone. Thank you to everyone and our loving church community.
With love, The Heizmann’s .
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Sidney Peck I am so grateful for friends who care for me without my even having to ask. | |
Alix Kirkpatrick "Your Prayers, thoughts, and contacts have sustained me these difficult 3+ years. Thank you."
(Alix is a very long-time parishioner who lives with her husband in Hancock. She is a wonderful friend of St. Francis.)
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Katie MacLeod I am thankful for my daughter Molly's wedding this fall.
..and St. Francis Church is so grateful to Katie who spends many, many hours scheduling all phases of support for our worship services. She is forever patient with all of us.
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A special thanks to our Parish Administrator, Barbara Brady, who heads up Communications and is responsible for so much of what is keeping the church together during these unusual times. Bob (the church website) and I (eClare) are grateful for her work and objectivity along with all of you. And thank you everyone for participating! | | | | | |
