eClare from St. Francis by the Sea

eClare

St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church

Blue Hill ~ Maine

February 9, 2022

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.

~ Albert Camus

Photo by Peter Ralston

(with thanks and permission)

(Peter's beautiful work in Rockport, Maine can be viewed here)

https://www.ralstongallery.com/

The Calendar

Sunday Worship Services

10 AM

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Click here: Zoom Link!

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St. Francis YouTube Link

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Contemplative Prayer

Fridays at 9:15 am.

Join us on Zoom.

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Wednesday Seekers 10:00 am, on our regular Zoom Link. The study will be led by The Rev. Tim Ensworth, retired minister of the United Church of Christ.

“Seeing Jesus:” an adult Bible study. Art is an exercise of the imagination. Faith is an exercise of the imagination, and from the beginning, art has been one of the primary means of faith’s self-expression. For seven Wednesdays during the season of Epiphany, we will use both art and word to take a fresh look at Jesus, seeking to shatter stereotypes and enlarge our understanding of who Jesus is and what his life and death and resurrection mean for the world and for us. Seven images taken from a larger set of “portraits” of Jesus done by artists from many different cultural and theological contexts (“The Christ We Share,” a teaching resource compiled by the Church Mission Society) will be paired with scripture texts to serve as a springboard for our discussion of Jesus as we have seen him and as we may see him.

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Morning Prayer

Tuesday - Friday

8:45 AM

A Message from our Rector

I haven’t watched the Superbowl since whatever year it was that the Red Sox had their miracle pennant come back and the Patriots also won the Super Bowl. (2004?) Being in divinity school in metropolitan Boston at the time, participation was more or less required, so I watched.

I have always hated football. Maybe it was because my high school teams record was 1-9, 1-9, 1-9, and my senior year, 0-10. (The coach was replaced and they haven’t had a losing season since). Maybe it was because I was such a terrible player. (I was hopeless). But it has been a long time. I don’t even know how Superbowl parties are supposed to happen right now, but even though I haven’t watched a game in 18 years, and I’m not even sure how to do that online, I think I might this year. It is something new, why not?

We’re trying a few new things around here at St. Francis. Making subs for the Superbowl is one of them. We’re going to be experimenting with all sorts of fund raising, community building activities. Hiring a full on Coordinator of Family, Children and Youth Ministry is another. (If you are interested in learning about our children and youth ministry, get in touch with Rev. Regina Christianson at revgina@pshift.com). We’re also going to be doing something completely different for Shrove Tuesday this year. It is our third COVID Lent, again, why not?

Of all of the things we have learned over the course of this pandemic, I think of our resilience, our ability to survive, even thrive in unexpected, unwanted conditions, has been the most encouraging. We can do this, survive, live, thrive... in fact we have. And that sub, made with love by your friends here at St. Francis, maybe by you, will help. Thanks.

In Christ,

Brent

We Pray for:

Amelia, Andrea, Art, Christina, Harry and Marie Bissell, Mary Boyd, Edward Dufresne, Eric, Giffy Full, Grace High, Bethany Hill, Jill, Justin, Kayla, Keagan, Jo-Anne Krestan, Alix Kirkpatrick, Kira and John Klinger, Michelle Liberty, Fred Marston, Sophia Partridge, Diana Robson, Rolande, Rya, Ronan, Carla Rosenzweig, Cathy Smith, Donny Smith, Peter Smith, Marshall Smith, Peggy Smith, Fred Stine, Carl and Carolyn Taylor, Judy Thomas, Holly Whelan, Cecile Wiley, Persis Williams, Earl Young Sr., Earl Young Jr. and the Young Family.

Those with February Birthdays

Pam Barry, Diana Brown, Cheryl M. Coffin, Mary Crawford, Mary Catherine Dunn, Giffy Full, Alexander Heilner, Mary Alice Horrigan, Joe Thompson

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