The Parish of
St. Mary and St. Jude
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A MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR, DAVID J. LUCEY E P I P H A N Y Epiphany: January 6, when the divine nature of Christ was made known. It was not until after Jesus' life - after all the works and words were said and done, after the crucifixion, after the resurrection - not until then did even his disciples truly understand who Jesus was and is - "God with us," Emmanuel. Their sudden realization gives us the modern definition of epiphany - to see what is hidden from us in a flash of understanding, the eureka moment. That is what Saint Mary and Saint Jude will be moving toward in 2004: that intuitive insight, the sudden realization of who we are, what our gifts are, and how God wants us to put them to His use. Our physical reality is this. We have a small year 'round parish of about 50 Sunday worshippers. We have a summer bulge that expands our weekly attendance to 200. We have elderly congregations, both year 'round and summer. Our physical plant is aging and we have a big project in the repair of the "Stone Church" hanging over our budgetary and spiritual heads. But to live here for any length of time reveals another reality - a hidden one - one that for many of us may require an epiphany to see and understand. That reality: there are people of all ages, all backgrounds, all life situations who are hungry for a community which sustains them, supports them, and allows them to grow in a life with God. These are the people of our church community, our town, our island. If we can find ways for our church to feed their hunger, our financial burden will become as a feather and the wisdom of renovation as clear as the light that guided the Magi. The answer will not come from logic or rationality as we know it. Nothing in the life of the Church ever has. It will come through the hard work of self-discernment and strategic planning your vestry is about to undertake. And it will come through prayer - prayer for the sudden intuitive insight, the eureka moment that will tell us how best to use our God-given gifts to feed our flock. We have the facts: the condition of our community, the condition of our people, the condition of the "Stone Church." What we need now is the epiphany that shows us the way to move forward to a regenerated community of people living in Christ. The reality of our transformation will be like the transformation of those who finally understood the reality of the man called Jesus - it will be seen with the eyes of the heart, the eyes of Epiphany. I ask you to pray for the sight, pray for the vision, pray for the courage to have our own Epiphany. Yours in Christ, David+ The Verdict on St. Mary's-by-the-Sea: 94.3% of 192 survey respondents vote to save her. On August 19, 2003, eighty-two members of the parish attended a forum sponsored by the vestry to discuss the future of the stone church. Having received substantial financial support two years before to stabilize some of the structural and infrastructural systems, and having promised to provide a timely update, the vestry convened this meeting to ask whether we should proceed with a comprehensive, long-lasting reconstruction and renovation. Factual presentations were made by vestry members, by Building and Grounds Committee members, and by the architectural/structural engineer who has been documenting the changes in the church for the last four years. These reports indicated that the earlier Phase I work on the drainage and heating systems has been helpful, but deterioration and shifts in the stonework persist (e.g., a 1.25 inch shift in the east wall in the last year). In response to the information, several people spoke eloquently that the church has outlived its usefulness, arguing that we would not build such a structure today if faced with the need for a place of worship. And suggesting that the money might be better spent on other church activities such as outreach programs. Somewhat stunned at the prospect that St. Mary's-by-the-Sea might be "torn down," others rose to speak passionately about its spiritual, architectural, historical, familial, and community value. By its nature any analysis of the dialogue that day would be subjective, so the vestry decided to circulate an All Parish Survey asking: 1) yes or no to a reconstruction/renovation of the stone church, 2) yes or no to developing a long range vision and specific mission for the parish, and 3) yes or no to being willing to contribute financially if the parish voted positively.
As an entity the vestry was fully prepared to follow the collective will of the parish whatever its direction; in fact, at the August forum in an effort to provide a balanced picture I presented information on the costs of demolishing the stone church ($350,000) and an estimate to construct a building of modern materials with a similar square footage ($2,720,000). The percentages from the survey deserve more than a casual reading because they constitute - if not a mandate - at least a directive of overwhelming proportions to the vestry to find the means to accomplish a restoration of the stone church designed to last for another century. Of equal importance are the comments from the 11.4% of the respondents who took the time to enunciate their concerns - not only those who were horrified that the building might be lost, but also those who had very legitimate suggestions for change and improvement. The primary concern of the respondents was that the parish have a clearly defined, realistic vision for the future. Your vestry anticipated this three years ago when it began an ongoing Mutual Study of Ministry involving input from the congregation. Today Bishop Knudsen strongly supports the outcome of the All Parish Survey and has arranged for Diocesan financial subsidies for a consultant to work with the vestry to address such issues as demographics, integration of functions with the Episcopal network on the island, and building an educational base at the parish. This concurrent effort to define mission is fully underway and we will keep you completely informed as the work progresses. A second concern was that the project be completed in a fiscally responsible fashion - quite understandable in view of the dollars involved. As soon as the direction of the voting became apparent, your vestry refined the scope of work and put a sharp pencil to the cost estimates. We have great confidence in the numbers and the quality of work that will result. One issue currently unresolved is how to keep the stone church available for services and events at least in July and August during the work period, which is estimated to be from April 2004 to October 2006. Our goal is to raise $3.5 million allowing for a small cushion in the budget; this figure is substantially the same as that presented at the forum. Thanks be to God! Even before an active solicitation has begun we have received one third that amount in pledges to be given in equal installments over the next three years. Our hope is that, if you haven't already done so, you will join the list of contributors. The information in this letter has been deliberately condensed to facilitate your review of our progress. There is much detail to share, and if you have an interest in pursuing any question(s) please do not hesitate to call the parish office (207-276-5588) and ask that I or Charlie Tyson return your call. May God bless us on this challenging and exciting journey toward renovation and revival through mission. Michael T.B. Dennis, M.D. Treasurer's Report by Dooney Iselin All's well that starts well. As we enter a new year, things are looking up. We figure it will take two hundred Annual Pledges to meet current needs, and we are now half-way there. One hundred good souls have made their commitments, and we have a feeling that the second hundred cannot be far behind. If you are among them, we hope you will give some thought about what St. Mary's or St. Jude's means to you and make your pledge accordingly. If you haven't received or have misplaced your pledge form, please simply call Kate at the parish office: (207) 276-5588, or email info@maryjude.org. Heartfelt thanks to you all. Open Invitation to the Rector's Forums On November 16, 2003, there was a very successful Rector's Forum to discuss the past year, some of the changes that have been made, and what worked and what did not. The dialog in that forum has by no means ended. Since then the parishioners who have gathered and attended forums continue to express their hopes and desires for this parish. In order to facilitate more inclusiveness and involvement, the next four forums will be a continuation of these discussions with the Rector. Forums are held between Sunday services from 9:10 to 10:00. Topics for discussion are scheduled as follows:
Annual Meeting Sunday, January 11, 2004 is the date for our Parish Annual Meeting. We will start the day with a single service at 9:30 followed by the meeting and brunch. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Perhaps you can help with food preparation, or with telephoning to remind and invite neighbors and friends to this important parish event. Perhaps you can offering to drive someone who might not otherwise come. We will vote on a new slate of Vestry members, adopt our 2004 Budget, and hear committee reports. We will thank outgoing Vestry members for their gifts of time and talent to our church community. And we will hear about very important plans for 2004 and beyond. The proposed Vestry for 2004 is as follows: Officers: Dr. Michael Dennis, Senior Warden Sheila Smallidge, Junior Warden Alan Gregory, Treasurer Maude March, Clerk Members: Mark Bucklin, Carroll Gordon Fernald, Jean G. Fernald, Bernard Hamilton, Nancy McCormick, Sandi Myers, and Charlie Tyson. Those going off the Vestry in January are Martha Bucklin, Lauri Fernald, Anne Kellett, Ruth Westphal, and Sally Merchant. An Epiphany and Other Messages by Sally Merchant, Senior Warden This past December, my oldest son Jordan and I got into the van one Saturday afternoon to pick out our tree at Salisbury Hardware in Town Hill where the Mount Desert Island High School Music Boosters benefit from a yearly Christmas tree sale. The day was stormy and we were told that a foot of snow was headed our way. Jordan, his driver's permit in hand, drove us cautiously from Hall Quarry to Town Hill. Since it was already freezing cold outside and very windy, we spent no time choosing the tree, and instead let a nice Music Booster father place the closest one in the back of the van. We thanked him and gave extra to the Boosters, and it all felt right. In putting the tree up, we discovered that it was quite lovely, beautifully proportioned and full of fragrance. It is now adorned with old ornaments that our teenagers Jake and Jordan made, probably in nursery school, plus a few others that have value for us. Our string of lights usually used on our trees each year had gone into Jordan's "bachelor pad" so this particular tree has an interesting assortment of whatever outside icicle lights were around. Nonetheless, the tree is lit and family and friends can see it twinkling through our windows. Our two cats also enjoy the tree and spend hours underneath it on the skirt. These normally warring felines, curiously, find total peace alongside one another under the tree, which prompted me one evening to crawl underneath myself. Peering up from under the tree, with one of the cats cuddled up to me, I realized that through branches, dangling lights, and trimmings, I had another vision of the tree. Boughs criss-crossed. Offshoots and twigs went every which-way. But the sturdy trunk lifted confidently, straight and true, until it was no longer visible in the tangle. I was struck by how much this resembled life when you step away from where you are far enough to see or hear another point of view. So real, too, when I came to see it as a parallel for Christmas - the season's outer glory supported by a peaceful, confident, and even fragrant inner core. The gift here for me was the reminder that things are not always as they appear, and in taking some time to reflect, I was afforded both new hope and new perspective. It was rather awesome and very humbling. I'll definitely try this exercise again and again and keep the message alive in my heart. Delegates Please We still need delegates and alternates to the October 22 -23, 2004 Diocesan Convention in Bangor. The commitment is a Friday afternoon/evening and most of Saturday. There is an earlier meeting in October for the purpose of discussing the articles on which delegates will be voting; some may directly impact our parish. We realize that October is a long way away. However, please consider this ministry now, and call the parish office if you are willing to participate. Thanks go to all delegates who have represented our parish in the past! Lynda Tyson Voted Berkeley Trustee Our seminarian, Lynda Tyson, now in her second year at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, was elected by her fellow seminarians to a two- year term as one of two student representatives to the Berkeley Board of Trustees. The position takes advantage of Lynda's talents and experience on numerous corporate boards. She promised to be a strong and informed voice on issues involving both students and administration. Berkeley Divinity School is the Episcopal Seminary affiliated with Yale Divinity School. Lynda is working toward a Master of Divinity degree and a Diploma in Anglican Studies. She hopes to graduate in the spring of 2005 and pursue ordination as an Episcopal priest. Angel Tree Each December, we accept donations of money, goods or services for which we know someone has a need. Jennifer Mitchell and Sheila Smallidge spearhead this important effort to turn bleak holiday prospects for many of our less fortunate neighbors into a season of light and joy, and to brighten our own holidays through the gift of giving. Thanks to all who donated to this year's Angel Tree. The Greening The Greening of the Church is one of the more enjoyable but lesser known feasts in our parish. It is a time truly blessed by people in community sharing their many gifts with each other in the presence of God. On December 18th, a joyful crew of youngsters, geezers, and tweeners "greened" the white walls, columns, and arches of our winter chapel. Great bushy strands of fir wrapped the columns and followed the curves of the arches. Wreaths with their red bows and decorations made by Sunday schoolers added festive touches to walls and windows. Upstairs, a potluck fit for a king was spread before a ravenous and appreciative crowd. George Lucey delivered a very short and inaudible grace punctuated with a loud AMEN! Father Lucey pronounced the meal suitably blessed and we all dug in. Thanks to all who cooked, served, greened and cleaned to create an evening of fun and fellowship. :) Sal |
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The Parish of St. Mary and St. Jude
P.O. Box 105, Northeast Harbor, Maine 04662 Tel: 207/276-5588 Fax: 207/276-3220