The Parish of
St. Mary and St. Jude
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A MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR, DAVID J. LUCEY COME INTO MY HOUSE In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2, King James Version As our summer residents make their annual pilgrimage to Mount Desert Island, my thoughts and reflections turn to the theme of welcome. Certainly Northeast Harbor and Seal Harbor are "home" to those who come annually, sometimes more of a home than the place where they live for most of the year - Boston, or New York, or Philadelphia, or Washington, D.C., or anywhere else. But each new seasonal cycle provides us with the opportunity to greet and welcome old friends and begin to make friends of newcomers, too. Possibly the most welcome words any traveler could ever hear are, "Come into my house." That greeting means that wherever they are they have been welcomed for rest, food, and care. It is an ancient vocation of religious communities of the Church - Benedictines, Dominicans, Franciscans, and others - to take in travelers who are on their way to business or to holy places. Travelers in ancient and medieval times understood religious communities to be safe harbors for stopovers in those more dangerous and chaotic times. With fewer people making pilgrimages to religious sites than in the past, the religious orders now routinely host those on spiritual journeys. They provide rooms and food and an atmosphere of quiet reflection so that their guests might focus on being in the presence of God for a time. Thus the cycle of welcome is continued in the Church, even though it has been altered slightly to fit today's needs. A principal reason for this religious devotion to welcome is that our Church is founded on a promise by Jesus to prepare a place for us in his Father's house. Jesus, however, went not to prepare any old place, but a home. That's right, a home. The mansion referred to in the King James Version of the verse at the beginning of this message is now called "a dwelling place" in the New Revised Standard Version. Although that phrasing is not wrong, it misses the mark when it comes to Jesus' sense of hospitality. Far more than a mere dwelling place, Jesus was going to prepare for us a home, a home filled with love, and care, and sustenance - food for the stomach and food for the soul. Jesus was promising his followers a place where they would find the love and security we all expect to be part of a home. And the Gospels let us know that Jesus extended his invitation to those who were friends and to those who were strangers. Let us welcome one another as honored guests to the home of St. Mary and St. Jude. And let us all extend that welcome to those whom we know well, only a little, and to those we hope to know, just as Jesus welcomes us to the home he has prepared. Yours in Christ, David+ A message from the Senior Warden, Dr. Michael T.B. Dennis TIRES HUM ACROSS TRENTON BRIDGE The steady drone of vehicles over the Trenton bridge signals another summer season on this beautiful island and gives us pause for thoughtful rejoicing and reflection. There is a sense of excitement, including but certainly not limited to the rejuvenation of store fronts, the markedly increased flow of business activities, the opening of St. Jude, and even in the challenge of finding a parking space off Main Street in Northeast Harbor. It is also a time of reflection on the strong interdependence of our communities as one should gratefully recognize the year 'round efforts that maintain the infrastructure of the island, guarantee water will flow from the tap and power from the wall socket, and prepare our parish places of worship in readiness for instant attendance. To those arriving over the next few weeks, on behalf of your vestry, I invite you to spend an hour or so each week to come humbly and prayerfully to pay your respects and gratitude to the God who created this awesome earthly spot and acknowledge His craftsmanship. Our doors are open. I have written in previous Harbor Charts about our congregational development efforts. Please mark your calendars for either July 27th or August 14th to contribute a portion of that day to a contemplative, facilitated forum on the issues facing our parish - especially as they relate to growth, outreach, and mission. Those few who were unable to attend the March 20th session (we had a huge turnout) are urged to attend on one of the above mentioned days. This is an opportunity for your voice to be heard and counted. Details will be forthcoming in the weekly bulletins. As you pass through the portals of St. Mary's-by-the-Sea, you may understandably question the status of our renovation/reconstruction project. I would be more than happy to sit down with anyone and provide explicit information (call me: 276-3034). But, suffice it to say in this article, in January your new vestry and its leadership decided to utilize the services of a distinguished firm with an international reputation to verify the degree of masonry disassembly, flooring demolition, and interior wall removal that was recommended in the fall of 2003. The primary responsibility of the vestry is, after all, financial and property management. The delay has been well worth it. A new reduced scope of work reflects the fact that the old girl needs extensive care but not nearly as much demolition as originally considered. Negotiations are currently underway to contract with the teams that will perform the work. The bottom line is that the funds that have been and will be pledged for this work will be much more efficiently utilized than would have been the case without this reevaluation. I am pleased to say that our VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH is Kathy Suminsby. Not only is she an EMT and Girl Scout leader, but within the parish structure she is ubiquitous. Organizing worship services at the nursing homes, actively engaged in the Altar Guild, providing enormous quantities of great food for parish events, reading in our services, volunteering to take care of the grounds at the winter chapel and the stone church, organizing and cleaning the choir robes, offering to participate in the Congregational Development Institute this summer in Deer Isle, joining the committee to develop our acolyte program - the list goes on and on. Please give Kathy a huge measure of thanks for all she does for the parish. See you in church. With much appreciation for the opportunity to serve, Michael T.B. Dennis, M.D., Senior Warden INVITATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Toni Lee was born in Boston, the eldest of four. She and her siblings traveled all over the world with their parents, and as a result, Toni speaks five languages. In 1962 the family made New York City their permanent home. There Toni attended Chapin School and then Barnard College. She spent most of her career in marketing and sales, with clients ranging from cruise lines to the art and antiques business. Toni was a nationally ranked equestrian in the Hunter-Jumper Circuit. She has also raced sailboats in Florida, Massachusetts, and the Caribbean (from Key West to Cuba). She moved full time to Florida in 2000, when she found Jesus, the man of her dreams! She will describe how this last journey came about. Bible Study at Sand Point! Everyone Welcome! Summer Bible Study will once again be hosted by Diana Wister at "Sand Point" on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday evenings. Thursday Bible Study will begin on July 8th at 7:30p.m. with dessert and coffee, Ron Fraser facilitating. Tuesday Bible Study will begin on July 13th, Denise Hanley and Patsy Fraser facilitating. Diana looks forward to having everyone back for another summer of fun and fellowship, and to see what miracles God has in store as we study His Word. In Philippians 1:9, Paul encourages us with these words: "I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding." May we be encouraged by Paul's prayer and thank the Lord for Denise, Patsy and Ron who are helping us grow in our knowledge and understanding of the Word. Bryant Memorial: You are invited to a gathering to honor the memory of Marguerite Bryant on Saturday, July 17th from 2-5 at the Bryant home on Old County Road in Seal Harbor. Amy Smith Memorial Flowers: If you missed or misplaced the insert in last month's Harbor Chart requesting memorial flowers, it's not too late. There is a supply of "Flower Offering" envelopes on the table at the back of the church that can be used. On a separate slip of paper, print the name(s) of the parishioner(s) you'd like to memorialize, and specify which Sunday you prefer. Please mail your check, drop it into the collection plate, or stop by the Parish office with it during the week. Thanks. Congregational Development Meeting: Tuesday, July 27th, 9AM to 3PM in the Parish Hall (Winter Chapel, NEH) lunch will be provided. This is the second of three professionally facilitated meetings for all parishioners to work on a clearer sense of direction and mission and to begin to create a vision for our future. Please let us know now if you plan to attend. Call Kate at the office to register. Upon signing up, you will receive a survey to fill out so that the facilitator can get a sense for how to structure the meeting. Surveys must be returned to the parish office by Monday, July 19th. All are encouraged to participate! If you are unable to attend this meeting, another is scheduled for Saturday, August 14th. Sign up now! ODDS AND ENDS by Sal Merchant In-spiration! As His joyful Word lifts our congregations' spirits, so too does joyful music. This summer, let choral music "in-spire" you at our 10:30 services in Seal Harbor at St. Jude's or in Northeast Harbor at St. Mary's-By-the-Sea. Better yet, consider joining the choir at either church. Talk to Peter Vaux, Choir Director and Organist at St. Mary's, or Edie Dunham Crowley, Choir Director and Organist at St. Jude's. Come make a joyful noise; practices begin at 9:15AM before the 10:30AM services. Child Care. Remember that child care is available on Sundays at the Winter Chapel in NEH from 9:00AM to Noon. Christy Roix, our Childcare Coordinator, asks that you bring whatever your child will require for a couple of hours, especially diapers and wipes. If you have a spare playpen or baby gate you could donate to the church, it would be most appreciated. Thanks to anyone who may respond to these needs. Help us keep in touch. Please take a moment to check your address, phone numbers, e-mail address and winter/summer particulars with Kate Gile, Parish Administrator at 276-5588. It's easier to contact you and to send you this newsletter if we know where you are! Food Pantry. Baskets are located at the back of St. Mary's-By-the-Sea for the collection of non-perishable food items. As part of our outreach program, the church continues to provide for those less fortunate. Your donations are welcome, needed, and most appreciated. Thanks go to the Reverend Bob Raymond and the Reverend Vesta Kowalski who officiated at St. Mary's in June while David and Katherine and the children enjoyed some much-deserved time away. THE ALTAR GUILD WELCOMES YOU A warm welcome to all summer returnees and new members of our Seal Harbor and Northeast Harbor communities from the Altar Guild of St. Mary's and St. Jude's churches. We invite and encourage anyone with an interest to serve on the Altar Guild in the church of your choosing. It only adds about fifteen minutes to your church time on Sundays. A seasoned Altar Guild person will show you what to do. Whether you are preparing the Lord's Table for Holy Communion or clearing it for the next service, the peace and spiritual enrichment of this ministry are significant. Other ways to participate in worship services this summer are as lay reader, chalicer, greeter, and acolyte. If you've ever harbored private thoughts that you'd like to serve in any of these capacities, step up and let us know. You will find a sign up sheet in the back of each church. If you have questions or want more information, please call the office (276-5588) or talk to one of the Altar Guild staff. You can catch us at the church after any service. And a final thought: if you are considering a memorial gift to the church, please keep the Altar Guild in mind. We are utilizing the stone church more throughout the year and we are looking forward to the day when we have duplicate furnishings for the winter chapel and the stone church. This will reduce wear and tear on the staff as well as the current furnishings as we move them back and forth between buildings. Thank you and God bless, Sandi Myers DRINKING VS. DIPPING by Kathy Suminsby As a chalice bearer I am in a position to closely observe what goes on at the rail. Lately I've noticed a growing number of our parishioners intincting rather than drinking from the cup. Consider Christ's commandment: "Drink this, all of you…" Jesus doesn't say anything about dipping! I understand that folks are concerned about germs, but sanitation aside for a moment, there is a real feeling of communion when the cup is shared. If you never drink from that cup as your neighbor just did, then I believe that a big piece of the sharing is lost. Science tells us that one does not contract AIDS or Hepatitis B from sharing a communal cup. Believe it or not, studies have been conducted to determine what organisms might be present in a shared cup and one in which the wafer was intincted. Results show that when a person's fingertips inadvertently touch the wine, more bacteria are transferred from the finger and nail than from the lips! In our concerns about health, I believe we are beginning to lose some of the communion of Communion. But of course it is your health and your choice. Personally, I prefer the lips to what is under someone's nails. COMMUNITY NEWS by Martha Bucklin Sunday June 13th was a spectacular day for the graduation of the Mount Desert Island High School class of 2004. Among the nearly 200 graduates was Elizabeth March, daughter of John and Maude of Seal Harbor. Elizabeth has served our parish in many ways through the years including as acolyte, Sunday School teaching assistant, helping with our Christmas pageant, and assisting the ECW with the summer fair. Elizabeth will attend Bates College in Lewiston, Maine this fall. James Harmon of Seal Harbor was also among the graduates. He is Barbara Harmon's son, Mr. and Mrs. James Wood's grandson, and also served our parish as an acolyte. The commencement ceremony was held at the new Outdoor Sports Complex at MDI High School and was only the second outdoor graduation in the school's more than 30-year history. Our parish family can share the pride in this beautiful complex as our Stroud Fund generously contributed to its construction. The complex has an eight-lane track, four tennis courts, an excellent field for soccer and football, and, especially useful for graduations, a 1000-seat fully-accessible grandstand. Guest speaker, Senator Susan Collins, encouraged the young people to follow their dreams and to believe in themselves. Congratulations Elizabeth, James, and all graduates of the class of 2004. On Thursday, June 16th, four Mount Desert Elementary School eighth graders celebrated their graduation with a ceremony held in the Carl Kelley gymnasium at the recently renovated school. Among the graduates were Brett Mitchell, son of Jennifer and Bobby Mitchell and grandson of Sheila and Peter Smallidge, Jake Merchant, son of Wayne and Sally Merchant, Charlotte Stanton, daughter of Ashley Stanton and granddaughter of Alan and Robin Gregory, and Molly Vaux, daughter of Peter and Jane Fenno-Vaux. The students chose Bob Pyle of the Northeast Harbor Library as their guest speaker. Bob was a delightful addition to the lovely ceremony. After the graduation ceremony, the students greeted well-wishers in a receiving line and then were off to the harbor for a cruise aboard MDIHS Principal Rob Liebow's "Sea Princess." A reception in the school gymnasium followed the cruise. Congratulations to this terrific class of young people and best wishes to you as you move on to high school. Lynda Tyson is working this summer as a Chaplain Intern at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Connecticut, fulfilling a requirement of her seminary education. Our prayers are asked at this time for our dear parish friend Nancy Pierrepont who has been recovering from illness in the hospital in New York and for Edward Bucklin, my father-in-law, who is recovering at Eastern Maine Medical Center from a serious stroke. I look forward to hearing news that I may share with our parish family. We are blessed to live in such a beautiful place among so many people who truly care for and about one another. May this be a safe and healthy summer for all of you. Martha JULY WEDDINGS July 10: Christian Franklin Miller of Houston, Texas and Marguerite Hopson Miller of Houston, Texas at St. Mary's-by-the-Sea July 17: Michael Dana Roix of Northeast Harbor, Maine and Kerry Lee Kenney of Castle Hill, Maine at St. Mary's-by-the-Sea July 24: Philip Gardner Utsch of New York City and Margot Elizabeth van Bers Streeter of New York City at St. Mary's-by-the-Sea July 31: Roderick Clothier Kellett of Rosemont, Pennsylvania and Whitney Roberts Stengel of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania at St. Mary's-by-the-Sea (Banns will be published in the weekly service bulletins.) |
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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