Christmas Greetings, everyone!
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(photo with permission, Isabel Ludick)
St Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church
Blue Hill~Maine
eClare
Advent and Christmas, 2021
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Please join us for our Services
Christmas Eve – 5:00 pm in person (masked) and on Zoom
Christmas Morning – 9:00 am in person (masked) and on Zoom
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Hannah Maeve and Lucille Was with newborn Christmas Baby Goats |
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A Christmas Message from
Fr.Brent Was
The first week I was here at St. Francis I went to Parker Ridge to celebrate a monthly Eucharist. Little did I know that would be the last time that happened until yesterday. It was so good to be back there in that way, and we were joined by members of the church and others, Episcopalian and otherwise.
The Gospel was from Luke, the part where Jesus quoted Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” (Luke 7:24-30) And something clicked for me that hadn’t before.
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From The Rev. Carlton Russell and Lorna
-our Ministers of Music
-and Blue!
"In these unusual times, music has been a centering and nourishing influence in our lives, a comfort in the true sense of the word, a strengthening: listening to music, making music, sharing music. Even though singing in church is of necessity frustratingly restricted these days, we pray that music may still play a part in keeping you, in this holiday season, close to the heart of God."
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From our Senior Warden, Milissa LaLonde
(and Chopper!)
Dear Friends,
We pause…
It’s not easy but God asks us to pause; to slow our pace, our minds, our hearts and to consider this unique, amazing, unprecedented gift of Jesus Christ: our coach, our guide; born to teach us how to do this thing called love.
May each and every one of you experience God’s special love in a new and deeper way this Advent season.
And when the time comes,
Happy
Holy
Merry
Christmas
And beyond
Fondly,
Milissa
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From Suzanne and David Decrow-
Holiday greetings from the crew of Bueno - thank you, Santa!!
David's medical check-ups continue to be "bueno"- thank you, Dr. Raphael Bueno!!
Now we wish for Mother Nature to provide us with a few nor'easters for this ski season.
Our best holiday wishes to you all!!
XO Suzanne and David
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From P.J.Curtis-
Hi all, John and I are doing fine. Enjoying the warm sunny weather in Florida!!! Thinking of you all and wishing you all a very merry Christmas!!! See you on zoom!!!!🎄🎄🎄❤️PJ and John
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From Jack and Jane Hooper in
New Hampshire
Many warm Christmas Blessings to each and all of you this holiday season. We really missed seeing you all in person this past summer, except on Zoom, because of Jack’s “health issues.” But you’ll never know how much the prayers and messages, as well as Brent’s hospital visits, meant. Thank you so much! Jack’s recovery is coming along well, even if slowly. We’re now on our way to Bellingham, WA, to spend two weeks with our older son and his family over the holidays. We certainly look forward to seeing you all next summer.
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Alix Kirkpatrick has had some health issues. She sends greetings to all-
"... special memories. So far I'm 'holding my own'... it's been well over 2 years - truly believe Prayers help. Alix
"A Carol Flash Mob" in Seoul Station, Korea
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From Margie Matter (VanDeusen) in Arizona
Merry Christmas to you and all your friends, who are my friends too!!
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From Elaine MacLean
Happy Christmas from Simone and Elaine. She's 9 mos old now and becoming a stubborn little teenager!
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From Roxanne Jansen in California- "This California hummingbird brings Happy Christmas Wishes to all at St. Francis!
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Merry Christmas
from
Sam (1) and Ronan (31/2)
(Grandsons of Katie MacLeod)
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From Julie and Tom Boardman in Florida-
"Our Thanksgiving was a quiet one this year, however, the weather was beautiful, our family and friends are all healthy, so much to be thankful for.
Elizabeth Richardson saw this photo and commented on the tablecloth. It was a gift to me from Andy Duncan’s daughter. Many of you will remember Andy. Warm thoughts from Florida during this Advent season."
Julie and Tom
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From Linda Sturtevant in Florida- "I am in Sanibel, my island paradise, for the winter and spring. I moved to 26 Floret Circle, Hingham, MA. 02043 last year, and am happily ensconced there, near my daughter, for the summer and fall months. I miss Maine and all of you at St. Francis. Christmas wishes to you all, Linda
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(Anya, Harlan (4+), Rhys(2+), Claudia, Joseph) |
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From The Rev. Claudia Smith
"Dear friends,
What a year it’s been for all of us I suspect. Given that many of you were keeping me in prayer after the breast cancer diagnosis in September 2020, it seems appropriate to send an update on my health and life in general. I know many of you have been down this same path, so I won’t belabor the journey, but the good news is that I am doing great. In fact, in many ways, I am much healthier than I was before: I am cancer free, have worked hard to lose 50+ pounds, exercising regularly, and keeping active with supply work after my interim priest-in-charge job at St. Alban’s from May -August.
Thanksgiving was spent out west (the first time since Covid began) with my son and family. I now have two grandsons and at a bit over 2 and 4, what a raucous household it is. Such fun! Here is a picture of all of us at the Denver Botanical Gardens, Christmas light event.
I love living in South Portland and am thankful to have such easy access to healthcare and travel. That said, I do think of you all often and pray that you are keeping well and thriving even amid the challenges of the last year. Please know that I will always hold you in my heart and prayers.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas and year to come,
Claudia+
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What a lovely young lady!
From Sue Grindle- "Merry Christmas from Nora at her favorite Japanese restaurant. This 13 year old would love sushi in her stocking!"
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From Ellen Young in New Mexico- Ellen is serving as president of council of her church (It's Lutheran) and they are in the interim process for a new pastor. "That may need translating for you Episcopalians." Blessed Christmas, Ellen Young
Ed. Note: Ellen is a gifted and published writer! (See lower right)
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From Terry and Jim Briggs in North Carolina
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!”
To our dear St Francis family…we wish you a most wondrous Christmas and a New Year of hope and peace!
Terry and Jim
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From Peter Smith (and great-grandchildren, Peter G and Naomi) in Connecticut...Donny and I have almost reached our second anniversary (12-15) as Thirwood Place residents and we are reminded daily that we have made a very good decision. There is no doubt that we had the perfect house for the two of us, watching the tides rise and fall and all manor of wildlife was wonderful, our church family and good friends couldn’t have been nicer and we enjoyed seeing them hiking along the two miles of chipped trails that we had created.
So here we are on the Cape, less than a half hour to all or our medical facilities and most family members. The frosting on the transportation cake is that we never have to drive because Thirwood supplies the wheels.
When we go to bed each night we say our evening prayer together, give thanks for the blessings we have received and ask God to watch over us and each of you.
With love, Peter T and Donny.
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From Aletha Langham
Hi friends in Maine. Peace and Merry Christmas from the Georgia mountains.
~~~
Rich and Aletha are enjoying a beautiful winter!
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From Liz Mathewson
We have been a bit behind the 8-ball. My brother has COVID-19 but is now recovering. I have attached a photo of Zevon from last Christmas. I thought it might be fun.
Merry Christmas to all! Liz and Ray
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From Charity and Andrew Chung-
"The Chungs are doing very well as we enter the Christmas season. We are thankful to be safe and healthy as we juggle work, school, and navigating through the craziness of the pandemic, while raising children during these times. Camdyn is in her sophomore year at John Bapst and continuing to make high honors every trimester. Brighton is doing extremely well in 8th grade, Taggart is in 5th and Ambrose is in 2nd grade at the Blue Hill Consolidated School. They are such smart kids and we are so proud of them. They all love school and have wonderful friendships even in masked faces! We are very grateful for the safety measures that are so well done in their schools that allow them to play sports and find such joy in their extracurricular activities! All 4 children are now fully vaccinated! We continue to be careful, but can’t wait to be back in the pews of church! We love watching on zoom, but we miss all the dear people of St. Francis so very much! We send so much love and blessed Christmas wishes to everyone!!!"
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From The Rev. Vesta Kowalski in San Diego-
"I continue to thrive in California. We started to worship in person at the cathedral in the spring, and after two online sermons--a steep learning curve--I preached in person to a building full of beasts on St. Francis Day. They were all remarkably quiet! I keep walking 3-4 miles a day and am involved in many activities here in our resident community. And I follow the news of St. Francis by the Sea, always sending love to my many friends."
Ed: Vesta has a beautiful family; their photos will be coming in January.
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From Tyler Knowles-
Greetings and Merry Christmas to all!
My husband, Larry Flood, and I are fine, have moved back to our lovely Parker Ridge cottage for the winter just as the snow began to fall! With our golden doodle, Rufus (he, him, and especially his) and Pandemic cat George (she, her, hers), we are very snug. I’ve enjoyed two colloquies (The Aeneid and Girls in Shakespeare) and look forward to giving one on Austen’s Pride & Prejudice and Emma with a friend this March. I remain committed to GSA and returned to the board and various committees this summer. I don’t feel especially retired and do enjoy life.
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From Marsi and Dennis Stavinoha
All is well with us in Texas. We had a great summer in Maine and looking forward to Maine summer 2022! We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and very blessed New Year!
Marsi & Dennis
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Merry Christmas to Children Everywhere!
(a 9-year-old in a shopping mall)
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Fox Tyley Wall (5 Months)
Son of Heath and Clare
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Rowan(7) and Keagan(5) Everdell
at the top of Schoodic Mountain
Grandsons of Sarah and Tony Everdell
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Frances Natchez(5)
with her father, the koala bear!
Granddaughter
of
Judy Rountree
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