The Parish of
St. Mary and St. Jude
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A MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR, DAVID J. LUCEY PATIENCE AND HOLY LEARNING I intended this article to be about the often-overlooked sacrament of reconciliation. And, I will get to that topic next month. However, I felt that I should deal with things more current. When I wrote last month, we were preparing for the Feast of the Resurrection and the great fifty days of Easter. Taking advantage of a teachers day, I took my family for some skiing at Sugar Loaf. The day with my Colbert and Carolyn, my two oldest children was fun. But I ended the day with a broken leg. I am now at the office with a portable traction unit, or in modern medical parlance, an "external fixator" on my leg. It looks gruesome - screws and pins hold the devise in place - but I am able to get around on crutches and bear some weight. So, what is the spiritual side of this story? From the moment I found myself finally lying still, I have been confronted by a spiritual virtue that I do not possess by nature - patience. I had to wait to be hauled down the mountain, I had to wait for the ambulance to take me to the hospital, I have had to wait on the healing of my bones. None of these things can or could be accelerated. I have just had to wait. Now, I did a pretty good job of waiting on the mountain and in the hospital. Although, I must confess, I am now anxious to get back to normal - sleep in my own bed, resume my exercise regimen, get back to pastoral visitations, drive my children to their many events, and help Katherine manage our household. But I can't. Some of this will just take time. As I have reflected on my own impatience, I have also had time to reflect on the impatience of the Church. Some of that impatience has been manifest this year. Many critics of the Roman Catholic Church wanted John Paul II to abdicate so that the church could get on with life. He was too old, too infirm, too feeble to lead that Church. And, we see this same thing in our tradition as we sort out the events after the consecration of Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire. Episcopalians, both for the consecration and against, want this issue to be settled so we can get on with things. And that impatience is also part of our own parish as we yearn for the "stone church" to be finished its renovation. What I have begun to see though, is that by rushing to have things done, we cut off the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the deep spiritual education of God. Had John Paul II abdicated, we would not have been reminded of the divine suffering and the grace which some bring to it. If the Episcopal Church hurries to just find an answer or settlement for the Gene Robinson issue, it will lose the wisdom of whatever position is cast off, whether the tradition of the conservatives or the pastoral response of the progressives. If we just hurry to fix the "stone church" we will lose God's input in all this. God's time is not our time. This much is clear. But it takes patience to wait upon the Lord. It takes patience to see our direction. In a hurry up world of instant gratification, patience has become a lost virtue and lost connection to God. The Church has been asked to wait patiently for the fullness of the kingdom, and we have had to wait for nearly 2000 years. Patience can be learned, but for many of us it is a hard lesson. For me, it has taken a broken leg to remind me of this holy pursuit, and as I wait out my healing, I am praying for the wisdom to apply this newly found knowledge to my ministry. I am also praying for the patience of the church so that we may be ready to receive the Holy Spirit. And, I am praying for patience for this parish so that we may always find the way of God in all of our enterprises. Yours in Christ, David+ A Message from the Senior Warden SPRING CLEANING Don't just go back to bed. Referencing 1 Samuel 3:1-10, this familiar passage from the Old Testament tells of the child Samuel ministering to the elderly and nearly blind Eli in the temple which housed the Ark of God. Samuel was awakened from his sleep by a voice, which he assumed was that of Eli. Twice he ran to the old man, but Eli told him each time that he had not called and that he should go back to bed. On the third occasion, however, Eli realized that it was the Lord calling this child. Soon thereafter the Lord spoke directly to Samuel. This wonderful story of receptivity and response to God's Calling allows me to segue into a few of the ways in which your parish leadership is continuously alert to our mission. In terms of outreach, the Stroud Fund Committee, under the very stellar guidance of Karol Hagberg, has recently recommended funding of $1,150 to the Nursing Association for equipment replacement, $2,000 to a fire victim whose home and all its contents were destroyed, $1,250 to the Agricultural Program at Mount Desert Island High School, $1,035 to be made available to three children from the parish who may wish to participate in Camp Bishopswood this summer, and $1,250 to the Rector's Discretionary Fund. We should all be proud of the beneficence of the parish thanks to this very specific endowment which affords us the chance to answer another call. In terms of restoration, the vestry, after a year of careful scrutiny and evaluation, has approved the work for St. Mary's-by-the-Sea during 2005. Beginning in mid May scaffolding will be erected around the building on the north, south, and west sides to facilitate the masonry work and the renovation of the old nave and aisle roofs with an insulated, very stable slate replacement. The bell tower will be back in position to call us to worship and celebrate events at the church. There will be scaffolding in the interior of the tower during the summer which will be camouflaged as well as possible; please look upon this - not as a nuisance - but as an outward expression of our enduring love of the old girl. We appreciate the generous willingness of the neighbors to allow this process. They are being called to overlook a little noise and inconvenience. Those of you who have not been on the island during the winter and early spring may be getting restless to return for the summer. Take a moment to listen to what is calling you back. In addition to all the secular attractions might there not be an eagerness to enjoy the beauty of God's creation which surrounds and enfolds us? How can the parish better serve you, and you, in return, serve the parish. Your fellow parishioners who have wintered here are feeling the same emotions of renewal as the lilac buds burst with life and the forsythia casts its golden colors. It's even time to get that last bit of salt off the car! So….if you sense a message coming through, don't roll over and go back to sleep. Keep your ears and hearts open. God is reassuring us that we have power in the present and promise for the future. With great appreciation for the opportunity to serve, Michael T.B. Dennis, M.D. Senior Warden COMMUNITY NEWS It's always great to hear from our parish friends and be able to share news with our Saint Mary's and Saint Jude's family far and near. Even those of us who live on Mount Desert often find that we don't know just how our fellow parishioners are doing. Sadly, we find out about passings and have missed some of the opportunities to check on each other after surgeries or illnesses. But the will to reach out to one another either here on the Island or very far away where many of our extended parish family reside, is what God is so proud of about us. Sometimes we have only to ask for news to find out what is happening. Martha and Sally have the following pieces of what may or may not be "news" to you. News or not, it is certainly worth sharing. Please always take a moment to e-mail, write or call to say hello. Charlie and Lynda Tyson are still living in New Haven, CT and visiting their Maine home when they can. In February, following Lynda's pre-ordination interview with the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Maine, Peter Bickford, President of the Standing Committee, wrote Lynda that she had been formally (and "enthusiastically," Charlie notes) endorsed for ordination as a Transitional Deacon. Lynda will serve in the capacity of Deacon for six months after which she will be eligible for ordination to the priesthood. Many from the parish of Saint Mary and Saint Jude will be on hand to witness with Lynda and Charlie such a blessed celebration. Charlie and Lynda will be on Mount Desert Island at the end of May for a couple weeks before the Ordination and then perhaps here in summer, depending on whether Lynda gets called to a position. Our summer choirs blossom with the added voices of those who sing in a home parish elsewhere most of the year. For example, from Houston, Texas, Ephron and Claudine Catlin will stay on Mount Desert this summer for three months. In the meantime, they plan to take an annual spring trip to France in part of May and June before driving to Maine to arrive at the beginning of July. Both will sing with Saint Mary's-by-the-Sea choir. They enjoyed Choir Director Peter Vaux's weekly get-togethers for some impromptu choir opportunities last summer in the stone church. It was nice to hear from the Reverends Edwin and Frances Cox who are living in Greensboro, North Carolina. Sally Merchant wrote to Frances around Easter and heard back that both Father and Mother Cox are enjoying Greensboro and their parish of Saint Francis. Her parish life continues to thrive as exhibited by the fact that they were about to confirm 15 children and either confirm or receive nearly 30 adults. What a great affirmation that God is working amongst us to make His word known. Frances and Edwin have been working hard to renovate their living spaces while finding some time to appreciate the excellent music and theater programs in their community. They are still unpacking bit by bit. Frances sends her best to us all. Amy and Robert Coolidge are in their Tennessee surroundings and loving them! Amy is singing solos at church; they have signed her up indefinitely, no doubt. Amy's daughter, Deasy, was married on April 23rd so Amy and Robert are busy with spring excitement and family get-togethers. They were going to be in New Orleans for five days before coming to Maine. Robert is driving a friend's van to Maine and Amy will join him here for a couple of weeks in May. Robert and Amy's house hasn't progressed entirely the way they had hoped but this will all happen in time when they least expect it. Amy says it is beautiful there and she clearly enjoys her new surroundings so can see eternal potential and beauty in their plans. She sounds very happy about her "retirement" with Robert and we continue to keep them close in our prayers. INVITATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Stroud Fund Donation: The Stroud Fund awarded $2,000 to Ann Ahearn to help her recoup after she lost thousands of dollars of business equipment and irreplaceable personal property during a chimney fire at her rented house in Tremont. Ann, who works at Downeast Graphics, has been a vital link in getting the Harbor Charts ready for printing for years. I am very grateful to the Stroud Fund committee for their decision to help an important person in our church on whom we all depend. It is an example of the wonderful things that the Fund has accomplished over the years and we should all be very grateful to Dr. Morris Stroud for his generosity. The Editor Expanded Choir Rehearsals: Beginning May 5th, the Saint Mary's choir will rehearse each week on Thursdays, from 6:30 - 7:30PM. Everyone interested in singing with the choir - either routinely or on "special" services - is encouraged to join us and to work on a mixture of old favorites and new music. Rehearsals are at the Winter Chapel. When summer arrives, we will merge these rehearsals into the "Renaissance Music Evenings" which we started last year. These are informal get-togethers where we meet to explore and enjoy early music. Some of this music develops into performance pieces for Sundays. In addition to the Thursday rehearsals, we will continue with our normal pre-service rehearsals each Sunday. Summer Baptism: For those of you doing your advanced planning for this summer there are two important dates to note on your calendars. Sunday, July 17th is being scheduled for baptism at Saint Mary's-by-the-Sea in Northeast Harbor and Saint Jude's Church in Seal Harbor. The August date will be Sunday August 21st. If you are planning for a baptism, please contact Father Lucey at the parish office in order to make arrangements for preparation and scheduling. Bishop to Visit Twice: Our diocesan bishop, The Right Reverend Chilton R. Knudsen, will be joining us twice during the month of May. First, she will be having dinner with our vestry in the fellowship hall on Wednesday, May 18th at 6:00 p.m. This will be a time where we may spend some time with Chilton speaking to her about our vision of the future, our hopes, dreams, and fears, and she can share with us the broader vision of the diocese and the national church. If there are specific items you wish to address, please send them to Father Lucey at the parish office (276-5588). Chilton will join us again on Sunday, May 22nd at Saint Mary's-by-the-Sea as we host an island-wide service of Baptism and Confirmation with our Episcopal partners of the Parish of Saint Andrew and Saint John, Saint Saviour's, and Church of Our Father. Make certain you note these important dates on your calendar. SERVICE AND SCHEDULING Sally Merchant recently sent out an e-mail to as many people for whom she had addresses asking volunteers for readers, greeters and chalice bearers from June 5th through September 25th. Sal is helping Parish Administrator Kerry Kenny with these lists; aligning willing parishioners takes a lot of dedication and communication. If you haven't contacted Sally about your willingness to serve this summer, please do. (The lists are published in May.) You can e-mail Sally at salmerchant@acadia.net or at or call her at 207-244-0441(h) or207-276-5531(w). If for some reason you are unable to fulfill the commitment, you must arrange for a substitute and contact the Parish Office so we can change it on the program. You will receive a master list of the June through September calendars with a list of possible alternates. The current schedule calls for one service at 9:30AM on June 5th and June 12th in Saint Mary's winter chapel. From June 19th to September 4th, services will be at the stone church at 8:00AM and 10:30AM and on September 11th, we will have the picnic service at the Suminsby Park on Sargeant Drive. After that, we may return to one service at 9:30AM but this is subject to change. Saint Jude's will reopen during July and August with one service at 10:00AM; we would appreciate hearing about your willingness to serve there as well. Please look at your calendars and sign up with Sal or Kerry now. Summer is fast approaching and the planning stages are here! We look forward to welcoming everyone again to Saint Mary's and to Saint Jude's. RECTOR'S FORUMS During March and April we have been exploring end of life issues at the Rector's forums. We began the series with a presentation by Barbara Clark, Director of Hospice of Hancock County. During her time with us Barbara discussed how Hospice could be a resource to families and individuals who were facing death, but her primary message was that Hospice is here to help people to experience the fullness of life even as they recognize their own mortality. This was followed the next Sunday with a discussion of the history of concepts of the afterlife in Western Civilization, which prompted a lively discussion from the participants about their own views of life after death. On April 10th, Lauri Fernald, of Jordan Fernald Funeral Homes, gave a gentle and sometimes humorous presentation about some of the practical details of planning a funeral and making sure that there was some celebration or remembrance of the life of the deceased. She handed out material that encouraged us to make decisions about our funerals while we are still healthy and to register with a funeral home. On April 17, the Rector led a discussion of the theology of the Prayer Book and how its services can be used in the process of mourning to give reassurance to family and friends, to celebrate the life of the one who has died, and to use this process to proclaim the "good news" of the love of God in Jesus Christ. There will be one follow-up forum to the history of life after death on May 1 which highlights the contributions of various western cultures, and the timeframes in which these concepts came into being, in answering the question of how we view the meaning of life. In a separate session on April 3rd, Robin Johnson, Diocesan Director, of the United Thank Offering gave the sermon and lead the Forum. We were fascinated to learn of her passion about her work. She answered many questions about what they do and how they interact with the people they serve. She enthusiastically thanked the parish for their donations to the UTO and Father David for his generosity in his match from his Discretionary Fund. |
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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