The Parish of
St. Mary and St. Jude
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A MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR, DAVID J. LUCEY THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE CHURCH In order for the congregation to get to know me and how I approach my calling as a priest better, I am going to do a series of Harbor Chart articles over the next few months on the sacraments and other liturgical offices that we use to mark the high points of our lives. There are two theologians who have written extensively in this area, even though they are not the first to do so-John Westerhoff and William Willimon. Their sense of liturgy is that it reinforces the underlying rhythms and high points of our lives. So, we have a life cycle of liturgy which includes baptism, confirmation, marriage, and burial; we have annual cycles of liturgy which include Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and the various other holy days; and we have weekly liturgy starting with the Sunday Eucharist and sustained by the daily offices of Morning and Evening Prayer. These lifetime, annual and weekly observances of our lives provide consistency and structure to how we live. Imagine what would happen if we had to think about what we were going to do each day when we awoke, rather than having a great deal of what we were doing dictated to us by some greater rhythm. It is comforting to me to know that once September starts that six days a week I know where and when I have to be and why. Since the first of September both Katherine and I know that five days a week Carolyn and Diana have to be at Mount Desert Elementary by 8:15 a.m. with lunch and schoolwork in hand. George has to be at the Mount Desert Nursery School by 8:30 a.m. on those same days. And the rest of our day, at work and at home, revolves around this schedule. Then there are Saturdays, usually marked by a pancake breakfast, and Sundays marked by going to church. This is the ordinary rhythm of living. But there are highlights like birthdays and anniversaries to celebrate, and these times bring special purpose into the midst of the ordinary and mundane. That is how our lives flow. And the church has a flow much like it. These monthly features are intended to relate the flow of Church life to the flow of regular life. These articles are only a beginning and if they promote discussions and questions I will do my best to provide outlets for reflection and answers. In the learning and living of the Church's traditions together, I hope we will find ways of living Christ's love ever more faithfully and generously. Yours in Christ, David+ PRINCIPLES OF SOUND INVESTRYMENT Along with our endowment funds, our restricted accounts, and our physical structures, the Parish portfolio holds a very valuable asset: your vestry. Consistent with the principles of good investrying we have followed standard guidelines for governance and heeded the fundamental advice of asset managers. A. Diversify The vestry represents a wide variety of experiences, which can be applied to the issues that arise. Eight members are year 'round residents from the villages in the Town of Mount Desert (Northeast Harbor, Seal Harbor, and Somesville). Two are seasonal Northeast Harbor residents, one a seasonal Seal Harbor resident, and one a seasonal Salisbury Cove resident. Everyone has had prior experience with vestry work including, but not limited to, stewardship, finance, ECW, altar guild, worship, buildings and grounds, and events. The membership ranges in age from a high school student who links us with the youth of the island, to young parents, and to some of us who recall when Cole Porter was better known as a songwriter than as a local ale. The discussions at the meetings are characterized by mutual respect, and somehow our divergent views always seem to coalesce into a consensus on the topic at hand. B. Do Your Due Diligence The dedication and concentration with which your vestry has functioned is nothing short of splendid. This has not been a year of easy decisions for the vestry, but their diligence in doing the homework and asking the piercing questions is exemplary. To use just one area as an example, the questions involved in the proper path to follow in the restoration of the stone church have required a thorough evaluation of complex structural engineering and preservation issues. Methodical, detailed, and profound deliberations have produced decisions, which are frugal, productive, and sound. You can be proud - not only of the savings identified - but also the maintenance of quality and longevity in this work. And this is only one of numerous big items on the vestry agenda, which are receiving close attention. C. Look To The Long Term Your vestry strives for a vision of our Parish, which stretches well into the future. With the results of our Mutual Study of Ministry study performed a few years ago as a background, we have utilized the services of a congregational development consultant this year with some success in learning more about the direction in which the congregation wishes to proceed. It was encouraging to hear the enthusiasm and positive outlooks expressed in the March and July meetings. The vestry is currently evaluating what to do with this information and how to build upon it, keeping in mind that we can ask only so much of an already burdened volunteer force - particularly the year 'round population. And we need to concentrate on making sure that EVERY parishioner is receiving the satisfaction he or she seeks in the church experience. D. Choose The Right Advisor We feel confident that the Advisor we have chosen is head and shoulders above anyone else in the field. He is internationally known, conversant in a multitude of languages and is identified as being extraordinarily and uniquely creative, faithful, and dependable. He listens attentively and has already overseen the publishing of some guidelines, which are more than adequate for our needs. The only drawback is that He doesn't do e-mail. Despite that one restriction, your vestry has great faith in Him. And speaking of active investryment, the vestry has committed to one hundred percent participation in pledges for 2005, exceeding its 2004 total by 10.2%. You gotta love these guys. Please keep your vestry in your prayers. You are in ours. With great appreciation for the opportunity to serve, Michael Dennis, M.D., Senior Warden ALTAR RAIL KNEELERS DEDICATED AT ST. JUDE'S On Sunday, August 15th, Reverend Lucey dedicated and blessed three altar rail kneeling cushions at Saint Jude's Church, the first such cushions the church has had. Over a two year period, Jack Harvey, husband of Joan and brother-in-law of Anne and Morris Kellett, designed and sewed each cushion in needlepoint. The cushions are ecclesiastical red, each with a center shield. The shield on the middle cushion contains Saint Jude's boat, which according to church lore had silver sails. One side cushion shows a carpenter's square, crossed by a gaff representing Saint Jude's carpentry and fishing vocations. The other side cushion bears an Anchor Cross honoring Christ, Saint Jude and Seal Harbor's seafaring traditions. Jack's work celebrates the memory of his mother-in-law, Dorothy Clothier Kellett. Mrs. Kellett spent more than seventy summers in Seal Harbor, a meeting place for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She faithfully attended services at Saint Jude's and took an active interest in the well-being of the church. Her children dedicated the carpet and vestry room curtains to her memory several years ago, replacing those that she had given many years ago. Saint Jude's Church is important to the Seal Harbor community and its memorials, given since 1886, show continuing devotion. Joan Kellett Harvey GIRL SCOUTS TAKE WILD RIDE Girl Scout Troop leader Kathy Suminsby arranged a memorable camping/rafting trip at The Forks on September 5th. The group pitched tents at the base camp of the Pro River Runners and on the next day rafted the Kennebec River. The Florida Power and Light Company was creating a flow of 5500 cfs rather than the usual 4800 so the girls had a wild ride. They also participated in the "swim" portion, floating down stream in calmer portions of the river in their lifejackets. Besides Kathy, participants were Stephanie Leonardi, Ashleigh Littlefield, Carolyn Lucey and assistant Scout leader, Annie Wright. Invitations & Announcements: RECTOR'S FORUM Sunday, October 3rd: Mike Kennedy and Jim Clunan will continue the discussion of some of the issues America faces in today's world, namely, how Christians (mis)perceive Islam, whether the US is succeeding tactically and failing strategically in the war, the counterinsurgency dilemma, why terrorists attack Americans, nationalism, and the "global Balkans." They will draw on the recent speech Zbigniew Brzezinski gave for Acadia Senior College. This is a follow-up to last fall's "Just War" forum where we looked at the potential invasion of Iraq and the policy of preemptive military strikes from the perspective of the church's "just war" model. Join us for coffee, doughnuts, questions, and answers. Time: 9:30AM. Place: The Parish Hall (upstairs in the Winter Chapel). MARRIAGE BLESSING A generous and joyful invitation to all parishioners of Saint Mary's by-the-Sea and Saint Jude's from Amy Smith, former Senior Warden and long-time member of the choir and Robert Coolidge, a former member of the Building Committee.
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH For the greater part of the last twenty years Chuck Bucklin has been in the forefront of church leadership - being a member on the vestry for much of that time and functioning as junior warden during the years that Walt Knudsen and Jennifer Mitchell were serving as senior wardens. Chuck's unique skills engendered by his accession to ownership of the family construction business have been invaluable to the parish. He has been a solid, reliable, and productive member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee and remains an attentive counselor for the current chairman, Roz Rea. Chuck also is critical to the success of the annual parish picnic at Suminsby Park where he provides the transportation, equipment, and manpower (four handsome sons) to set up the event. Then he doubles as grill master. Chuck has clearly passed his sense of responsibility on to his family: his lovely wife, Martha, just completed her term as junior warden, and his third son, Mark, is a member of the vestry 2004-2005. We all thank you, Chuck, for your caring and strong motivation. Michael Dennis, M.D., Senior Warden |
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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