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
The Rev. Emily Blair Stribling, presiding
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All services and meetings will be held both in-person and via Zoom unless otherwise designated.
| | | | 9:00 a.m. Men's Breakfast | | | | |
8:30 a.m. Simmering Pot - more volunteers are needed this week
4:30 p.m. Meditation/Silent Prayer (Zoom)
| | | | 10:00 a.m. Vestry meeting | | | | |
10:00 a.m. In-person Meditation
10:30 a.m. Lenten Bible Study
3:45 p.m. Choir rehearsal
5:00 p.m. Lenten Vespers - Annie Porter, reflector
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10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Pastor Elaine Hewes, presiding
3:00 p.m. First Annual Talent Show
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Wednesdays,
March 4 - March 25
| | 5:00 p.m. Lenten Vespers - Reflectors are Cathy Washburn, Linda Nelson, Carl Woodard, and Dwight Staples | | Last Sunday after the Epiphany | | |
Sermon given by Pastor Elaine Hewes on February 15th.
Click below for the video recording. A text copy is available here.
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...no wonder this year I am particularly grateful that the ashen mark upon my brow (our brows) is a sign, an assurance, a promise, that in Jesus’ willingness to come deep into our broken lives with arms wide open +, we come to see most clearly and profoundly the God who is Emmanuel God with us through it all.
The God who, with painstaking love… with the painstaking care of a kintsugi artist, joins the broken pieces together, tracing the sign of Love on our wounds +, embracing our imperfections, and creating thereby a more beautiful, resilient, and unique child of God, not in spite of the brokenness, but because of it…
Read Pastor Elaine's sermon here.
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To the beautiful and loving community of St. Brendan's,
There is not language enough to express how deeply grateful we are for all your prayers, for all those that volunteered to be back-up drivers, for the cards, emails, calls, visits, flowers - for the myriad of ways you have supported us. You have carried us through a very difficult time and we will be forever grateful.
Love,
Agnes and Billy
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Emily Hawkins:
For the early morning silence of the evergreen forest muted
and beautified by newly fallen snow.
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Thank you to the St. Brendan’s Family for generous support of Blue Path Arthur’s journey and for the Outreach Committee’s decision to support Blue Path with a donation.
10 years ago, five dog-loving people, experienced in the service dog world, articulated a vision to provide hope, safety, companionship, and possibilities for independence for children on the autism spectrum. Today, Blue Path Service Dogs has graduated 70+ dog teams and continues to grow. St. Brendan’s contribution will change lives.
“Dis-“abilities related to autism spectrum include bolting/wandering, sleeplessness, restlessness, meltdowns in public and private, self-harm (hair pulling, scratching, head bumping) and more. These are heartbreaking signs of terrifying distress and affect the whole family.
What does a dog do? The answer is - it depends on the child and the dog. A child and dog connect in ways we see in a language of their own. This connection that appears to calm internal storms and provide an anchor, maybe a rock, in an overwhelming world.
Curiously, service dogs are generally raised by puppy raisers, not in kennels. Well-balanced, comfortable-in-their-own skin dogs are raised in households with love and house manners, adventures and the rhythms of human lives. Repeat, positive experiences - that’s St. Brendan’s for Arthur - welcoming, trustworthy, loving, open, affirming.
Thank you for supporting the outreach and mission of Blue Path Service Dogs. We trust you join us in looking forward to hearing about Arthur’s ongoing adventures, and, when the time comes, to welcoming a new Blue Path dog.
It is a joy to praise God in all things.
Kathleen Hayward
| | Giving our Priorities Shape (GPS) Action Item | | |
February is Black History Month
You are invited to explore the documentary film, “Now and Forever: A Story on the Move,” released in 2023 by the Washington National Cathedral. This 22-minute film chronicles the decision in 2017 to remove two stained-glass windows honoring Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson as a recommitment of the Cathedral to “confront systemic racism, to foster racial reconciliation, and to be repairers of the breach, in the past, the present, and in our future.” The documentary also details the commission of world-renowned artist Kerry James Marshall to replace the Confederate Generals’ windows with new “Now and Forever” windows that “capture the resilience, faith, and endurance of African Americans and our nation’s struggle with the original sins of racism and slavery.”
Click here to view the film.
For more information on "The Now and Forever Windows," click here.
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Vespers on Wednesdays begins on February 25 at
5:00 p.m. in-person and over Zoom. Join us for prayer, music, and a reflection. Our reflector this Wednesday is Annie Porter.
The bulletin will be posted on the website.
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Journey through Lent, illustrated by award-winning cartoonist Jay Sidebotham, invites spiritual reflection and is a wonderful companion for the Lenten season.
This poster is just right for hanging on the wall or keeping on a table for coloring. The calendars are available in the entryway at the church. If you are not able to pick one up, email Miriam to have one mailed to you.
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Holy Habits Lenten Meditations
from Sister Monica Clare
Beginning on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18) and continuing throughout the 2026 season, Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) is offering daily Lenten Meditations inviting readers to reflect upon and deepen their spiritual practices.
This year, ERD has partnered with Sister Monica Clare—Episcopal nun, best-selling author and unlikely TikTok star—to create meditations that explore the theme of “Holy Habits.” In her meditations, Clare reflects on the scripture readings for vespers (evening prayer) to encourage habits that support and strengthen a life of faith.
All are invited to participate in “Holy Habits” by subscribing to daily emails, downloading resources for further study and including the meditations in community prayer, worship and gathering time. Explore the meditations here.
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The Sermon on the Mount:
On Earth as in Heaven
The Communities for Spiritual Vitality, a Vermont-based initiative that supports lay formation across Province 1, has just released its 2026 Lent-Easter Devotional. Included in the beautifully illustrated, 84-page booklet are contributions from Bishop Brown; Director of Faith Formation Emily Keniston; the Rev. Liz Marshall Casasola, rector of Trinity Church, Castine; Lio Cook, Church of our Father, Hull's Cove; and Larry Gilman, the Parish of St. Andrew and St. John, MDI.
Read it online, order a printed copy, and learn about the seven weekly formation gatherings using the devotional here.
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Living Well Through Lent 2026
Cultivating Healing and Wholeness
In Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind
This Living Compass resource is a daily devotional that provides a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of Lent. Click here to sign up for the daily emails. Print and electronic booklets are avilable here.
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Our beautiful books are ready for purchase!
The “St. Brendan’s ABCs of Christmas” is full of fabulous artwork done by St. Brendan people. They are $35.00 each, and there are enough copies for everyone in the congregation to have one. And, if you would like additional copies, let us know as we can order more. If you are off-island now, we can save a copy for you until your return.
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The Outreach Ministry met on February 11 on Zoom.
Last year, we decided that we would allocate funds primarily at our meetings in February, May, September, and November.
At our meeting, we allocated grants to: $1000 to Island Heating Assistance Program, $500 each to the following organizations: World Central Kitchen (for Gaza), Restoration Laos, Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition, Project Launch, Wabanki Alliance, Maine Council of Churches, and Blue Path Service Program, and $250 to Chase Memorial Library and Opiate Free Island. These grants total $5000.
John Arrison talked to us about his efforts working with the Deer Isle Conservation Commission on issues identified in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan. He also talked about the establishment of a compost opportunity to be opened soon at the Deer Isle Transfer Station.
Steve Hayward provided us with an interesting discussion about the Blue Path
Service Dog Program. Steve will write an article about this program to be published in the Navigator.
Tom van Buren reported on two pieces of legislation that the Maine Legislature is considering this session concerning the Wabanki Alliance. One proposal would give the Alliance sovereignty from the Maine state government. Another bill would no longer exempt the Alliance from 140 laws enacted since the Indian Claims Settlement Act was enacted in 1980.
Elaine told us that our National Cathedral in Washington has removed some stained
glass windows about the Confederacy and replaced them with windows about people of color.
We meet every second Wednesday at 12:30 PM on Zoom. We invite anyone who would like to join the group to talk with any member of the Outreach Ministry.
The vestry has asked us to make a presentation to the congregation about our
work on Sunday, March 15, after coffee hour, which we are pleased to do.
The Outreach Ministry
| | Education & Spiritual Development Ministry | | |
"There is a time for everything. . . a time to be silent and a time to speak . . . "
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Zoom Meditation/Silent Prayer at 4:30 p.m.
Readings, poems, and prayers are shared before a period of silence.
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10:00 a.m. Wednesdays
In-Person Meditation/Silent Prayer at St. Brendan
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Bible Study
Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
Bible Study resumes this Wednesday, February 25, with our study of some of the "sabbath poems" of Wendell Berry. The Lenten devotional we are using is available at church. If you will be Zooming, contact mantichino@gmail.com to receive the material by email.
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David Morrish – 4
Ruth Robinson – 4
Marilyn Fuchs – 9
Judy Miller – 10
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Marcia Scott – 16
Bill Melbostad – 21
Jane LaChance – 24
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An invitation from the Deer Isle Sunset Congregational Church
Friends:
A small group gathered at the church last week to share concern over current events in Minneapolis and a perceived sliding away from the founding values of our country. That is: government of the people, by the people, for the people; enacted with tolerance and forbearance. We decided to gather in a peaceful vigil outside our church on Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. Appropriate signs are welcome, and we want to emphasize loving kindness and a peaceful point of view. All are welcome to join us on Thursdays.
Pastor Kim
| | We pray for those in special need: | | |
Martha Dane
Peter McKee
Caroline Dane
Mike S.
Jennifer Hutchinson
Meredydd Cooper
Henna Torrey Roy
Liz Leuthner
Jerry
Helen and Gibbie Nauman
Agnes and Billy
Barbara K.
Julie and Tom
Gwyn Murray
Sally
Beth Kyzer
David
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Preston Henderson
Mollie Ann Meserve
Tammie and Jason Cox
Tyler Goss
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
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Rebecca
Pam B
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. Barnabas', Rumford, St. Ann's, Windham, and St. Francis by the Sea, Blue Hill.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for The Church of Ireland.
On the Island and Peninsula, we pray for Calvary Chapel, Deer Isle.
| | | First Sunday of Lent
On this first Lenten Sunday, the Old Testament reading is the account of the creation of the human race and its fall, through disobedience, from communion with God.
Our choices determine who we are and our relationship to God and to others. As the first humans chose to be independent from God, Jesus in his temptations chose faithfulness. The story of the Temptation is the story of Jesus beginning to turn humanity around from disobedience to faithfulness. Each of the temptations was one that the Israelites failed during their Exodus journey.
In the passage from Romans, Paul expands on this. Jesus is the new humanity. Through his death and resurrection, he has opened the way for us, in baptism, to be made part of that new humanity rather than remaining in the state of the old.
In some congregations, those who have been called by God to baptism at Easter will be enrolled as baptismal candidates today. In those congregations, the candidates will be the center of parish life during Lent. However, even in parishes with no baptismal candidates, our focus on each of these Lenten Sundays is still baptism and our preparation to renew our own baptism at Easter.
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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