St. Brendan the Navigator Episcopal Church
Our Mission: "To Love, Praise, Welcome and Serve"
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Worship this Sunday:
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Pastor Elaine Hewes, presiding
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All services and meetings will be held both in-person and via Zoom unless otherwise designated.
| | | | 4:30 p.m. Meditation/Silent Prayer (Zoom) | | | | 11:00 a.m. Worship & Music Ministry meeting (Zoom) | | | | |
10:00 a.m. In-person Meditation
10:30 a.m. Advent Bible Study
12:30 p.m. Outreach Ministry meeting
3:45 p.m. Choir rehearsal
5:00 p.m. Advent Vespers - Barbara Kourajian, reflector. The Zoom link is available here.
| | | | 9:00 a.m. Women's Breakfast at Stonecutters Kitchen | | | | 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist with The Rev. Jennifer Reece presiding | | | | 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Carols and Lessons with Pastor Elaine Hewes presiding | | |
Reflection given by Page Eastman on November 30th.
Click below for the video recording.
A text copy is available here, which includes Pastor Elaine's introduction.
Page's website: pageeastmanphotography.com
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Lis Ingoldsby: This week’s soup deliveries included poinsettias donated by the Brooklin Garden Club. We are grateful for the loyal volunteer “Soupers” who make weekly deliveries around the island.
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Photo taken by Emily Hawkins
We are grateful for the colorful dawns of December.
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Christmas – A story of many “yesses”
(interspersed with many “noes”)
If you read the Christmas story in Matthew and Luke, you will notice that the unfolding of the narrative depends on many characters saying “yes” to what is asked of them:
- In Matthew’s Gospel, Joseph said “yes” to the angel of the Lord when asked in a dream to take a pregnant Mary as his wife, despite the shame it would most certainly bring him. And the three wise men from the East said “yes” to the star that called them to leave their own country and to follow it until it stopped over the place where they would find the child born king of the Jews.
- In Luke’s Gospel, Mary said “yes” to the Angel Gabriel when asked if she would consent to bearing a son who would be named Jesus (“the Son of the Most High,” as Gabriel said, “who would reign over the house of Jacob forever, and whose kingdom would have no end”). Mary’s “yes” coming even amidst her questions about how this could be, as she was yet a virgin. And the shepherds, keeping watch over their fields by night, said “yes” to the angel who told them to leave their fields and to go to the city of David, where they would find a child wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger… a child “who is the Messiah, the Lord,” as the angel said.
The Christmas story in both Gospels is a story dependent upon characters who said “yes” when asked to participate in the unfolding of God’s kingdom come, dawning in the birth of Jesus… But from the get-go, the story itself is a powerful “NO” to the forces, the policies and the agendas of the Roman Empire, the religious establishment, and the cultural values of the day. (For a good introduction to what the kin-dom of God dawning in Jesus would be like, read Mary’s “Magnificat” in Luke 1:46-55.)
And then of course we remember that Jesus was born on the far margins of the Roman Empire in the backwater town of Bethlehem to two people of no political, religious, or economic significance whatsoever… Both Matthew and Luke clearly show that from the beginning of the Jesus story, there would necessarily be conflict and tension between the kingdom of the world into which Jesus was born and the kingdom of God which Jesus came to inaugurate… conflict that would intensify as Jesus and his followers…
- said “yes” to healing the sick and “no” to seeing them as sinful or unworthy of compassion…
- said “yes” to women, children, orphans and widows and “no” to seeing them as of no consequence in the economic agenda of the day…
- said “yes” to befriending and supporting foreigners and sojourners and “no” to seeing them as “other”…
- said “yes” to showing mercy and compassion, even to one’s enemies, and “no” to revenge…
- said “yes” to peace and “no” to violence…
- said “yes” to the power of love and “no” to the power of hate…
The story of Christmas is a joyful chorus of “yesses” sung by characters who sensed the beauty, the power, and the possibilities for justice, peace, love and hope in the coming of Jesus. But their beautiful “yesses” to the ways of God’s made known in Jesus were also defiant “noes” to the ways of the world made known in the Roman Empire. All of the characters in the Christmas story remind us that participation in the Christmas story necessarily invites many joyful “yesses” interspersed with many resounding “noes.”
As we prepare our hearts for entering the Christmas story again this year, may we accept the invitation extended to us to join the chorus of “yesses” that accompanied the joyful birth of Jesus. But may we also accept the invitation to say a resolute “no” to the forces of Empire that surround us… The forces that choose the “good life” over the “common good”… Forces that choose meanness over kindness, money over mercy, revenge over compassion, “othering” over “neighboring,” hate over love…
The Christmas story is the story of God’s kin-dom come on earth as it is in heaven. And every time we truly say “yes” to the dawning of that kin-dom revealed in Jesus, we say “no” to the principalities and powers, the Caesars and the Herods of our day. It takes courage to do so. And we can’t do it alone... So as we gather around the manger bed this Christmas, let us sing together (to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)….
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God said “yes” to God’s creation
In the gift of incarnation,
Come to bring the dawn of love
From the heavens up above,
Singing “yesses” all night long,
That ring with “noes” to right the wrong.
So my friends, may our hearts sing
With the love that Jesus brings.
Turning empire on its head,
Bringing life to what seems dead.
Saying “no” to hatred’s mess,
And to God’s dream “yes, yes, yes, yes!”
| | | Giving our Priorities Shape (GPS) Action Item | | |
Slow Down. Quiet. It's Advent. You are invited to take these words to heart. Post this Advent calendar (available in the church entryway) in your kitchen or bedroom. Subscribe to one or more of the daily Advent emails listed below under "Advent Devotional Resources."
Come to Vespers on December 10 and 17 and reflect together on our Advent theme – "Light Carried in a Jar" – the Light of God's love shared in a myriad of ordinary ways – through open hearts and hands, forgiveness, patience, expressions of gratitude for others, peacemaking, justice seeking, bridge building, comfort and solidarity given to a grieving friend ...
| | St. Brendan Christmas Pageant (and cookie-fest) | | |
Please plan to stay after worship on Sunday, December 21, for our annual Christmas pageant in the parish hall. This year’s pageant will feature the premier screening of the “ABC’s of Christmas,” with artwork done by the people of St. Brendan. Interspersed throughout the telling of the Christmas story, we will sing carols and hear featured soloists. And… we will eat Christmas cookies (if some of us are willing to bring some to share that day).
As an example of what we might see and hear at the pageant, you can see here Charlie Putnam’s illustration for the letter V and Elaine’s verse to accompany Charlie’s page…
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V is for vibrant, a brilliant bright star
Leading the kings who came from afar.
Leading us too no matter our messes
To the love that always transforms and blesses.
| | | P.S. If you haven’t yet brought your page to church or emailed a photo of it to Lynne in the office, it’s ok, as long as it comes in by Sunday, December 7th. Grace abounds! | | |
St. Brendan will be "nut-free"
Many of us have various allergies, including nuts. In the future, please refrain from bringing food for coffee hour that contains nuts. Please check the packaging of processed foods (e.g., crackers) to ensure they were prepared in a nut-free facility. Thank you.
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New contact information for Judy Miller and Mimi Gerstell
Judy is now staying with her nephew in Massachusetts until sometime in January. Her contact information is:
Judy Miller, c/o Budd
6 Stratton Drive
Woburn, MA 01801
jmiller24d@gmail.com
(617) 645-1711 (cell)
Mimi is now settled into her new apartment. Her address is:
1361 East Boot Road Apt. 215
West Chester, PA 19380
mimigerstell@yahoo.com
(626) 399-6568 (cell)
They would enjoy hearing from any of us by mail, email, or a phone call.
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We are still accepting items
for Alfred's Box!
Below is the most recent list of requested items:
- 4 alphabet posters -- order this item here
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3 writing tablets -- order this item here
- Girls Size 4 boots
- 2 teenage boys would love Nike sweatshirts and Nike duffel bags. Size medium & large; dark colors (blue or black) please. These boys play basketball.
The previous list of requested items is available here. If you are off-island, you can have your online purchases sent to Woody Osborne. Thank you for your generosity.
| | Advent Devotional Resources | | |
Slow down. Quiet. It's Advent.
Jay Sidebotham's Advent poster calendar is available at church. This calendar offers ideas for prayer, helping others, and being thoughtful about the true meaning of Christmas.
| | The Rev. Thomas Mousin (rector at St. Peter's, Portland) shares his annual Advent calendar, which he creates in partnership with The Rev. Merry Watters. Learn more and download the free calendar here. To receive the daily email devotionals that Tom sends to accompany the calendar, click here to subscribe. | | |
AdventWord
Forward Movement convenes another year of AdventWord, an inspirational online Advent calendar featuring a daily prompt word selected from the Sunday lectionary readings.
Followers receive a daily meditation and visual image inspired by the day’s word. Sign up to receive the daily email meditation.
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Living Well Through Advent 2025
Practicing Generosity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind
Living Well Through Advent is a free daily devotional shared by the Living Compass group. It offers daily scripture and reflection to guide our journey of expectant waiting this Advent season. Sign up here to receive this daily email.
| | Education & Spiritual Development Ministry | | |
"Come, let us walk in the light of the Beloved."
Isaiah 2:5
Zoom Meditation/Silent Prayer at 4:30 p.m.
Readings, poems, and prayers are shared before a period of silence.
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In-Person Meditation/Silent Prayer at St. Brendan
Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
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Advent Bible Study
Wednesday, December 10th at 10:30 a.m.
In person and on Zoom
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Skip Greenlaw – 12
Connie Mayo – 13
Andree Appel – 21
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Mimi Gerstell – 23
Jim Anderson – 29
| | We pray for those in special need: | | |
Henna Torrey Roy
Liz Leuthner
Jerry
Helen and Gibbie Nauman
Mimi Gerstell
Agnes and Billy
Barbara K.
Julie and Tom
Gwen Murray
Sally
Beth Kyzer
David
Preston Henderson
Mollie Ann Meserve
Tammie and Jason Cox
Tyler Goss
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Kate Hallen & Bob Blum
Judith Jerome
Mimi Maslan
Semantha
Judy Miller
Megan
Bishop Thomas Brown
Naomi
Anne Burton
Hewit
Mary Ann and Terry
Nishah
David Morrish
Corbin
Rebecca
Pam B.
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Jaxson
Heather Corey
Stephen Gill
Bill Scaife
Brent Was
Gary and Wellesley
Mary Lawrence Hicks and family
Nancy Greene
Peter Brown
Seth
Linda Shepard and family
Lindsay Bowker
Marcia Scott
Tony Stoneburner
Carol Stoneburner
| | We pray, also, for those who love and care for them. | | |
We continue to hold in prayer those in our community who have recently lost loved ones; among them are the Sherman, Hewes, Putnam, Wright, Clauson/Hewes, Pierson, Wade/Scaife, Dahlen, Stoessel, and Miller/Budd families.
We pray for those struggling with addiction and mental illness and their caregivers.
We pray for all those receiving care through Neighbor Care and for all the relocated residents of the Island Nursing Home and their families.
We pray for the victims of gun violence -- in our cities and towns, in our schools, in our places of worship, and in our homes.
We pray for the victims of the violence of armed conflicts around the world. We pray for those made refugees by the violence of armed conflicts. We pray for the victims of terrorist attacks everywhere.
We pray for all who suffer the effects of domestic violence and the violence of bullying in our schools and workplaces.
We pray for our nation, our president and vice-president, and all elected and appointed leaders.
We pray for all peacemakers and all those who work for justice; may we be found in their ranks.
We pray for all those serving in the armed forces of our country.
We pray for Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury; Hosam, Bishop of Jerusalem; Sean, our Presiding Bishop; and Thomas, our Bishop.
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for St. Martin's, Palmyra; St. Nicholas', Scarborough, and for the work of Episcopal Relief and Development.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for The Church of Bangladesh.
On the Island and Peninsula, we pray for The River Church, Stonington.
| | | Second Sunday In Advent
This is the first of the two Advent Sundays in which John the Baptist is the dominant figure. John’s ministry as the forerunner of the Messiah is introduced in today’s gospel reading by his preaching: a stern call to repentance. John warns that neither
reliance on the religious practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees nor descent from Abraham is of any use unless one turns around and repents.
The first reading is one of the visions of Isaiah. From the almost moribund family of Jesse (King David’s father) a new shoot will appear, a new David. This Messiah will establish God’s universal reign as a time of peace even extending to the natural world.
Paul’s message in the second reading also reflects on the character of the Messiah’s ministry as one for all peoples: Jews and Gentiles. Advent calls all people, not just those who are religious, into relationship with God and with each other.
Nevertheless, a key element in this new relationship is repentance, entering into the
new Way of living brought through the dying and rising of Jesus.
Notes on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2009 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York
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Office Hours: Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Pastor Elaine Hewes
Tel: 207-479-5651
elaine.hewes@gmail.com
Emergency Contacts:
| | Warden - John Arrison, 207-505-2474 arrison17@gmail.com | | Warden - Allen Downs 207-348-2560 agdowns53@gmail.com | | |
Emily Hawkins - Treasurer
Cindy Beyer - Clerk
Beth Carter
Kassie Grey
George Pazuniak
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