May 18, 2022

"Come with me into the woods. Where spring is advancing, as it does, no matter what, not being singular or particular, but one of the forever gifts, and certainly visible."

-Mary Oliver

A Message from Fr. Brent

May 14, 2022

Dear People of St. Francis,

I wish you well on the 5th Sunday of Easter. I hope the gorgeous weather is bolstering your spirits. It is mine. 

I am continuing in the process of diagnosis and treatment. We’ve crossed a lot of things off the list, but nothing as of yet is conclusive. We have two possibilities now we are pursuing at the same time. One is rather invasive, the other starts with physical therapy before resorting to needles. If one of those lines of inquiry reveal the source(s) of my problems, hallelujah! If not we’ll head back to Mass General. 

The other news is that my Short Term Disability leave has been extended to July 6. Besides a wonky fax machine, AFLAC has been pretty easy to work with. I am so thankful for this coverage. It has taken a lot of stress off of the church and myself, but this extention is a little like being in jail and learning that you are moving to a better cell. That’s great and all, but all things considered I’d rather be on my way home.

Windy asked me what to tell people when they ask how I am doing. She’ll give some variation of this theme: “I do wish I had better news for you all but you know, it is hard. The headaches are bad every day and the interventions haven’t been very successful yet. And with all that he’s doing pretty darn ok. A form of meditation he ran into has been extremely helpful and he is up and about in ways he hasn’t been for a while. Oh he has his bad moments (ok, bad afternoons), but he also has really good moments (and some pretty good mornings sometimes, too)."

She will also tell you how much we all have been so touched by the cards and meals and prayers. We feel surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and the love is palpable. Thank you. 

Obviously none of this is what we want to be happening, but grace happens even in the lousiest, most unlikely situations. I noticed that the oaks on Cape Rosier flowered overnight on Thursday. I am usually moving too fast to notice those kinds of changes as they happen. A pair of ospreys flies over the farmyard a little after 9 each morning. Who has for the time to notice such things? I am walking each morning, a little farther each day, and I pack up the homing pigeons and release them at the zenith of my walk. That is some high excitement in my world right now, and I find it delightful, even when my sensitivity to light means I can’t look up very much. Even when it is really bad, I am learning a lot about myself, what resources I have within and how dependent I am on others; how my faith and the grace of God intersect in such unlikely ways; and, how truly grateful I am that we are part of this community. Again, thank you. 

God bless you all. I’ll keep you posted. 

In Christ,

Brent

From our Senior Warden-

(photo on the left, Including Milissa, is from a recent family rafting trip in Utah...thank you, John Paul!)

Greetings everyone,

It is a joy to welcome returning members of our St. Francis family and to share stories, photos and smiles.

Fr. Brent and family continue to keep a stiff upper lip but can certainly use every prayer, card and meal we can offer. Things get harder as time drags on but that is where God's grace abounds; in that place called "sick and tired". 

Our Bishop visited Sarah and me in Bucksport recently and assures us that St. Francis By the Sea is at the top of the Diocesan list of priorities. We asked many questions and he offered his wisdom and guidance regarding supply, leadership and communication. It was a warm and helpful meeting.

As many of you are aware, a young Afghan boy and his mother hope to make it to the US and are edging closer to acquiring the proper visas to get here. A very generous donor has financed their efforts to this point and St. Francis has agreed to assist with further fundraising efforts. The plan includes moving to Blue Hill and finishing his education here. More details to come.

The vestry meets this week and will focus on getting a hospitality committee to oversee funerals, weddings etc, Wednesday Seekers and Pastoral care among other issues.

Enjoy this lovely weather,

Milissa

The Calendar

*****

Morning Prayer

Tuesday-Friday

8:45 am

Contemplative Prayer

Fridays at 9:15 am.

Join us on Zoom.

(As always, the Sunday Service Bulletin will be sent separately from the church office.)

We Pray for:

Amelia, Andrea, Bob Andretta, Art, Arthur, Christina, Harry and Marie Bissell, Mary Boyd, Bill Casale, Edward Dufresne, Diane Dumond, Edward Dufresne, Giffy Full, Brinley Hall, Grace High, Bethany Hill, Jill, Kayla, Keagan, Jo-Anne Krestan, Alix Kirkpatrick, Kira and John Klinger, Michelle Liberty, Lisa Looke, Fred Marston, Sophia Partridge, Susan Reddy, Diana Robson, Rolande, Ronan, Rya, Carla Rosenzweig, Donny Smith, Peter Smith, Marshall Smith, Peggy Smith, Fred Stine, Carolyn Taylor, Judy Thomas, Fr. Brent Was, Holly Whelan, and Persis Williams 

Those with May Birthdays

Jim Caggiano, Dixie Chapman, Dennis DeSilvey, Sarah Everdell, Marilyn Heinemann, John Paul LaLonde, Victor Lopez, Abby Martin, Elaine MacLean, Jane Nesbitt, Carla Rosenzweig, Susan Schneider, Donny Smith, Mary Ann Taylor, Angela Yardy

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 those who have been injured or lost or are in harms way in Ukraine



Outreach is off to Ecuador!

In a recent Outreach meeting, funds were happily relegated for one of our own parishioner's mission trip. Suitcases of 25 shirts, games, books, Vitamin C, and much more flew out to Ecuador yesterday with Jane Reinoso to the community of Agua Marina. Jane took a wrong turn on a bike ride and the rest has been history for the past five years. It is such a gift and pleasure for St. Francis Church to support Jane's ministry!

Vaccinations are required for in-person services or events at St. Francis by the Sea

For the safety of the most vulnerable, only fully vaccinated* people may attend in-person worship.  Exceptions will be made for those unable to be vaccinated due to health conditions or eligibility (such as children under 2).

If you are not fully vaccinated, you would put our children and others who may be medically fragile at higher risk.  

PLEASE do the loving thing and get vaccinated, if not for yourself, then for our children.  Otherwise, you are welcome to continue on Zoom for the time being.

Thank you, Terry Briggs, for the very cool cartoon below!