The Parish of
St. Mary and St. Jude
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A MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR, DAVID J. LUCEY Come Out To Play Life is messy, and trying to get theology down on paper is messy too. It's messy because our earthly vocabulary is hardly adequate to the task. During the past few months I have been trying to put on to paper the traditions of the Church about how we come into a fuller relationship with God. I've been explaining these traditions as we know them in the sacraments. And what is a sacrament? A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of God's inward and spiritual grace. What does that mean exactly? I think of the sacraments as signposts that help to guide us on our spiritual journey. They help us to mark the occasions of our acceptance of God's invitation, the invitation into the fullness of the life that God desires for us. We can only begin to know the fullness if we accept the invitation and the sacraments are our way of proclaiming "YES." Another way of looking at the sacraments is they are God's invitation for us to come out and play. But, because God is God, and we are created, it is hard for us to hear this invitation for what it really is, instead of hearing it as rules or hurdles to be overcome. But when we look at the things God has asked of us in the sacraments, how could we think of playing in God's yard without them. They are reminders that God is God, but that God loves us and wants us to love him by loving each other. Framed in this manner it is easier to begin to play. But even as I write, it strikes me that words do not convey the power and urgency of the invitation from God. God's love is not just a benevolent blessing he bestows on us. It is also a potent desire. God desires us. He desires us to desire him. He is calling us to be in relationship with him. What I want to communicate clearly is that Saint Mary and Saint Jude are places for us to play. We may not play or invite perfectly. But that's all right. We aren't asked to play perfectly or invite perfectly. We are only asked to do these things faithfully. And we are being faithful when we ask those in our hearing or reading to come and play—and I mean that, whether it is for one Sunday, or many, whether it is for one sacrament, or for a lifetime. There is an important point that I want to make here. This invitation is not exclusive. In fact, it is the extreme opposite of exclusive. God invites us all. He invites us always. He invites us in all ways. He invites us again and again. He invites us even if we ignore Him. And, although He gives us the dignity of our own free will, He does not force us to accept the invitation. He will, however, keep the invitation open even if we tell him "NO." But there is a risk in this invitation to play. The way to that love is through the changes that the relationship with Christ brings in our lives. To accept this invitation to play means trial and error and messes in between as we grow and understand the relationship, and it also means that we must risk trying. Where this growth takes us, individually or as a parish, I do not know, but I pray that it is into the way of Christ. But more than anything, I want to invite you to come out and play. Yours in Christ, David+ Meliorism in Action Meliorism, the concept that the world can be improved and better balanced through human effort, is being applied admirably in your parish. With God establishing the guiding principles, we are making progress in many different areas. As I mentioned in the summary of the Annual Meeting in last month's Harbor Chart, your vestry continues its conscientious deliberations with respect to the renovation of the stone church among its many other considerations. Being skeptical of the package handed the retiring wardens and vestry in late 2003, your current leadership has just completed a reassessment of the project, which gives us a better product at a much lower cost. That may sound like an oxymoron, but it is anything but moronic. We have engaged, as general contractor, Consigli Construction of Portland, a three-generation company with extensive experience and success in restoring dozens of churches similar to Saint Mary's by-the-Sea. They will begin as soon as the weather allows and are eager to collaborate with local firms, e.g. Hot Flash Anny, to fulfill the spectrum of work. There is relief on the way for those of you who miss the bell calling you to worship. Your committees continue to serve you well. To mention just a few: the newly renamed Worship and Music Committee (Kathy Suminsby, Linda Lewis, Heather Frazer, Nancy Lee McCormick, and Peter Vaux recently met to discuss some exciting ideas for improving our services. They are looking for young people to join them. The Buildings and Grounds Committee (Roz Rea, Walter Knudsen, and Alan Drew) have created a five-year plan for the oversight of our four structures with particular emphasis on their maintenance and utilization. Your Stewardship Committee asks me to remind you that there are still some who have not made your pledge for 2005. To save them the trouble and you the embarrassment of waking up some morning to find a flashing pink neon sign on your front lawn declaring in bold letters: PLEDGE HOLDOUT, would you please take a few minutes to consider what the church means to you and how generous you can be in its support this year, and then contact the parish office? If the sixty or so people on the island who carry out the duties of the parish throughout the year can create this much meliorist activity, think what the several hundred of you who are seasonal residents can add to the equation. As you look ahead to your halcyon days this summer, please begin to plan how you can participate in and contribute to the work of the church. Escape the prison of detachment and experience the joy of Christian Fellowship. With great appreciation for the opportunity to serve, Michael T.B. Dennis, M.D. Senior Warden COMMUNITY NEWS Early Acceptance Mark Bucklin, the third of Martha and Chuck Bucklin's four wonderful boys, received a notice of early acceptance at Columbia University in New York City on December 15th. He has been a member of Saint Mary's since infancy, has served as an Acolyte, a member of the Search Committee which ultimately called The Reverend David J. Lucey to our parish and is currently a member of the Vestry. His High School Guidance Counselor, Bert Barker, said Mark is a " very well-rounded young man who goes out of his way to do things for other people. He is a gifted student who loves the sciences and takes advantage of every educational opportunity offered." Twice a week he does research at the Jackson Laboratory, testing growth hormone deficiency and the effect it has on atherosclerosis under the auspices of researcher Kevin Flurkey. Dr. Flurkey said that Mark volunteered at the Lab his Junior year and gave a very good speech in the Auditorium to the entire Lab staff, a remarkable achievement for a Junior. He is now working with polymerase chain reaction, and his findings may have huge implications on the human aging process. Dr. Flurkey said he hadn't planned on working with a Senior this year, but when Mark dropped in to say "hello" last fall, and they started talking, Dr Flurkey knew he didn't want to lose him and changed his mind. Mark is also taking classes with the Ambulance Service to become an EMT, a career choice highly unusual for someone his age. When his beeper goes off, he is instantly eager to get to the job. Congratulations Mark! We are very proud of you! A Tribute to Kate Gile Kate recently told me that "It was by God's grace and my good fortune that I came to this position." Certainly God's grace has benefited the Parish for it was OUR good fortune that Kate has been our parish assistant these last delightful years. With an elegant efficiency she has performed every function asked of her and has expanded the job profile to almost superhuman levels. Her background had been with accounting and legal firms (mainly in Massachusetts and North Carolina) when she moved to the position of Program Secretary in a Methodist Church. When her husband, Joe, took employment at the Jackson Lab, she worked there for a short time but found it "not my cup of tea." Gratefully she returned to church work and has continued her ecumenical tradition by being a Roman Catholic serving in our Episcopal parish and playing Buddhist tantric music in the background. I expected to find her one day wearing a chador. Kate and Joe have sold their home in Seal Harbor and moved to Ellsworth. She feels it "is time to move on" - a great loss to us. We shall miss you, Kate. Your welcoming smile and willingness to go many extra miles for the organization and communication in the parish have been invaluable. You are that unique example that some people ARE indispensable. Blessings to you and Joe and prayers from us for continued health and happiness. Michael Dennis, M.D., Senior Warden Katherine Dunham Crowley While we lost one Kate in our parish community, we gained another. Edie Dunham Crowley gave birth to a daughter, Katharine Dunham Crowley at 12:01AM on February 22. She weighed seven pounds ten ounces, and measured 21 inches long. Both mother and daughter are doing well and are resting. Kate's father, Tim, was so excited he lost his voice from shouting with joy, no doubt, to high Heaven. We look forward to hearing Kate making music at Saint Mary's in the near future. Congratulations Crowleys! COMMUNITY GIVING Relief The Island-wide Episcopalian Church South Asia Tsunami Relief Fund has raised over $10,000; Saint Mary's and Saint Jude's raised $1,335 which has been matched by the Rector's Discretionary Fund bringig our share to $2,670. Thank you to all who have been so very generous to this effort. Ahearn Fund Those of you who have done any work with Downeast Graphics an Ellsworth printing company, may know Ann Ahearn, their graphic designer. She recently came home to her newly rented house to find her roommate shoveling snow into the house, trying to put out a chimney fire. The fire extinguisher had expired. Although the Fire Department was able to contain the blaze, she lost her artwork, computer files, work records and some antique furniture: "everything important to me, things that cannot be replaced" with possible losses up to $30,000. The house was not insured. An Ann Ahearn Fund has been set up at the Bar Harbor Bank and Trust. A donation will be made through one of Saint Mary's and Saint Jude's funds. Easter Lilies Many Easter customs come from the Old World. The white lily, the symbol of the resurrection, is the special Easter flower. They remind Christians of the pure new life that comes to them through the Resurrection of Jesus. The lily was also called Pash-flower and Passion flower. Christians understood this last to refer to the passion of Christ. On Easter morning, you will find many churches filled with white lilies in remembrance of loved ones who are no longer with us. To honor the memory of a loved one this Easter, please return the enclosed "Easter Flowers" offering envelope with a check made payable to Saint Mary's Flower Fund before March 17th so we can place our order with the florist in a timely manner. Our correct mailing address is: PO Box 105, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662. |
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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