The Parish of
St. Mary and St. Jude
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A MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR, DAVID J. LUCEY BUILDING COMMUNITY Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (I Corinthians 12:4-7) Building community is central to the mission of the Church. Building a community centered on the good news in Jesus Christ is what makes church communities different from other communities. So community building, is relationship building, is the Church. That church communities often face the same difficulty in getting beyond their human frailties as other types of communities goes without saying. Even the Apostle Paul had to face these same issues in the communities he established. His first letter to the Corinthians centers on this very problem-claiming to be one in Christ, the Corinthians had many differences that caused tensions and dissensions. Some Corinthians thought their special talents were more important than the special talents of other members. Others thought their spiritual maturity gave them privileges over the less mature. The relationships were so complex that some broke down along "party" lines claiming allegiance to Paul, Apollos, and Cephas (Simon Peter), among others. These are not the only issues that prevented this community from becoming one and growing into what God and Paul wished it to be. To read all sixteen chapters makes for an interesting character sketch of a very complex, rich, abundant, talented, and all too human community. Paul's answer to their tensions and quarrels is summarized above. He simply reminded them that they all needed each other and that they all served the same Lord for their common good. That is right. They were there for each other in rich variety so they could make each other whole. This concept keeps coming back. The Church is about community. Community is about relationships. The church's relationships are made whole through Christ in the action of the Holy Spirit. The bringing together of people in this relationship builds the community of the Church. Northeast Harbor and Seal Harbor, though certainly not Corinth, are richly textured communities, abundant in gifts, with much to offer. But we are human, even those of us who inhabit the church community of St. Mary and St. Jude. And that means differences and tensions. But it also means that the more we recognize, honor, and embrace our differences, the more likely it is that we will use our considerable gifts and talents to build a community more complete in Christ. Our church will soon embark on a professionally facilitated program to determine how we as a community plan for the future and live into mission. The planning process will help us hear who we are and how varied our gifts. So, just as Paul seized the report about the Corinthians as an opportunity to build relationships, strengthen community, and put Christ at the center of their lives, let us seize this planning opportunity to do the same. Yours in Christ, David+ GRANITE AND GRINNAGE* I first came to this island some 45 years ago as the guest of Trishie Scull's son, Eliot, who was a roommate at Harvard. Like the great majority of people "from away," I fell in love with the physical beauty of the island. Not too many years later I married Phyllie whose grandparents had been coming here since 1926. So we returned first as a couple, then as a nuclear family, and now as an extended family. But it was not until I began to participate in community and parish projects throughout the year that I came to realize what should have been evident to me all along: the real beauty of the island lies in its people - those who, year 'round, provide the solid fabric which holds the businesses, institutions, and parish together, and those who, as seasonal residents, supply an infusion of energy and support for those same efforts. No one should ignore the interdependence inherent in this network, nor should anyone fail to acknowledge the potential strength of it. Harnessed properly, it can provide the power for the spiritual and structural reconstruction/renovation to which we are being called by Christ in His church. Building both conceptually and physically will be a key focus this year. In response to the overwhelming directive given in the parish survey for saving the stone church AND defining a realistic vision for the parish, your vestry is proceeding quickly - albeit cautiously, conscientiously, and frugally. A legal and financial review of the contract with the architectural/engineering firm selected to do the work at St. Mary's-by-the-Sea is currently underway. At the next vestry meeting on February 11 we will be establishing the guidelines for the utilization of a congregational development consultant (partially subsidized by the Diocese of Maine) who will facilitate our discussions on the issues we face in the future. Ultimately everyone will be invited to participate in person so keep your calendars next to you when you read your upcoming Harbor Charts. What might you do NOW to help in our growth phase? A few humble suggestions:
With much appreciation for the chance to serve, Michael Dennis, M.D., Senior Warden * Well...it ought to be a word. Treasurer's Report The annual budgeting procedure now begins in September and is fine-tuned at Vestry meetings till the end of the year. It focuses on current Operations, which are intended to be paid for by current Income. In this process we become pretty confident of the Expense projections. They can be controlled, and will not vary much except in emergencies. The Total Expense Budget we have projected for 2004 is $240,265. It is Income that is the challenge. It is apparent that we cannot control it, and the Total Operating Income we are confident in projecting is $145,605. What this developing picture reveals is another major Operating deficit. $145,605 in current Income, and $240, 265 in current Expenses produces a Net Ordinary Income figure of minus $94,660. As with last year, we will need to dip into our long-term funds to meet these current needs. We have scheduled monthly releases from the General Endowment of $4,300, and set up a reserve in the Leadership Fund of $30,000 for the year. After these releases, we have projected Net Income of minus $13,060. Two fall 2003 Appeals Letters have resulted, thus far, in the receipt of 2004 Pledge Cards from 125 parishioners promising $105,000. I can only think there has to be some misunderstanding. It means that we are paying about half our way. Are parishioners content with this I wonder? It is our fervent hope that we will be privileged to have at least 200 families participate, both in Pledging and in Parish Life. Respectfully submitted. Duane Iselin, Treasurer A REPORT ON THE ANNUAL MEETING The most significant achievement of the year was not reported on at the annual meeting. It was, however, very much in evidence. It was the overriding feeling of love and respect those present exhibited for each other. We are beginning to look and act like a community. We have been moving toward this epiphany for the past few years, and it suddenly manifested itself in an extraordinary outburst of civility and tolerance. That's the big news. Oh sure, we talked about other matters such as a budget increase of 16%, a $3.5 million capital campaign to restore the stone church, and a professionally facilitated congregational development and long-range planning effort. But these reported events and plans paled in comparison to the unreported. Oh, did I mention the food? That day, even celery tasted fabulous. Charlie Tyson Education at St. Mary and St. Jude One of the deeply Anglican, and therefore Episcopal traditions, is a commitment to education in the faith. Education is developing here from the youngest to the oldest, and in cooperation with our Episcopal neighbors on the island. For our youngest parishioners, our Christian Education committee, comprised of Jean Fernald, Katherine Lucey, and Christy Roix (our primary teacher and caretaker for the children) is offering Godly Play. This curriculum centers on telling the great stories of the Bible and of our faith in a worship environment. It was developed by Jerome Berryman and uses the techniques of the Montessori to reinforce those stories and worship through play. Sunday School begins at 9:30 a.m. and runs to church at 10:30 a.m. At church time those children up through second grade may carry on with Godly Play, and those in third grade or above are encouraged to embrace their faith by worshiping in the Chapel at the main service. Adult Education continues to expand. The Rector's Forum has become a regular feature of Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. Right now it is being used as the primary format for open discussions of the important activities going on in the Church. On the first Sunday of January the group discussed the topic, "What is church really for?" There was some fine and insightful discussion about the church's purpose. Here are some of the answers given by the congregation:
THE WORLD OF "WHAT IF" by Sandi Myers Let us take a little journey into the world of "What If." You arrive at church on a Sunday morning, pick up a service bulletin, and see that the service is Rite II Eucharist. You look up at the altar expecting the familiar white brocade cover, the lighted candles at either end, the chalice in the center. Surprise! The altar is bare. You glance at the credence table and there are no carafes for the wine and water. That table is bare, too. An image flits through your mind of you and your family seated around the dinner table anticipating a holiday feast, only the table isn't set and there are no serving dishes on the sideboard. Your mind returns to the present. What's going on? Did someone forget to set the table for the Lord's Supper? Is the priest going to do it during the service? Did the Altar Guild go on strike? You sit in your pew thinking "what a disaster!" As it happened, faithful members of the Altar Guild, Jackie, Eleanor, Liz, Marjorie, Nancy, and Karol, were out of town. And Kathy and Sandi, who were scheduled to serve, both had last minute emergencies. OK, we're talking "What If." But, seriously, what if? The fact is your Altar Guild needs more volunteers. You think you're too young? Kathy Suminsby has been an "Altar Guilder" since her Godmother brought her on board at the age of twelve. You're male? Men often serve on Altar Guilds, and there are times when the duties call for manly assistance. You don't have the time? It takes about half an hour to set the Lord's table for the service and even less time to cleanse. You aren't trained? The training is simple and can be scheduled after a service or at your convenience. Maybe you're working on a Scout badge and need to fill a service requirement. Maybe you're just looking for truly rewarding volunteer work. I can think of nothing more rewarding than service to the Lord as a member of our Altar Guild. Please call Kate in the office at 276-5588. Tell her you'll do it - no what ifs, ands, or buts! |
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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