9:30 a.m. The Rev. Lev Sherman's service

in the Memorial Garden

Worship this Sunday:

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Pastor Elaine Hewes, presiding

In the Weeds (c) Jan Richardson. janrichardson.com

Scripture readings for this Sunday (notes are below)

 Genesis 28:10-19a

Psalm 139: 1-11, 22-23

Romans 8:12-25

Matthew 13:24-30,36-43

The bulletin can be found here.

Join us in-person or online. Click below for the Zoom link.

11:30 a.m. Annual Meeting

Use the same Zoom link as the Sunday service.

Saturday, July 18

8:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast

Monday, July 20

4:30 p.m. Meditation/Silent Prayer (Zoom)

Tuesday, July 21

6:00 p.m. "Vietnam, Long Time Coming", an award-winning documentary film, will be presented by Dud Hendrick in our Parish Hall. Discussion will follow.

More info below.

Wednesday, July 22

10:00 a.m. In-person Meditation

10:30 a.m. Phenomenology of Illness study with Prof. Peter Antich

4:00 p.m. Choir rehearsal

Saturday, July 25

4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Annual Lobster Picnic

Sunday, July 26

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist with The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Reece presiding

Looking Ahead

Wednesday, August 5

10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Session A on Antigone

Thursday, August 6

Celebration of the lives of Tony and Pat Stoneburner

Thursday, August 13

10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Session B on Antigone

September 8-11

17th Annual St. Brendan Women's Retreat

Contact Martha Dane for information.

Sermon given by The Rev. Donna Downs on July 12th.

Click below for the video recording.

Jean: I am thankful for our supportive community.

Words to Keep Close to our Hearts

As we mourn the killing of Joan Sebastian Guerrero by ICE agents in Biddeford on Monday of this past week, many of us are asking yet again, "What can we do to stop this inhumane, violent and heartless treatment of our immigrant neighbors?" (ICE is presently attempting to make 2,000 arrests nationwide a day. Only a very small percentage of those arrested have broken any laws or been deemed dangerous by local law enforcement. The vast majority of them, prior to their arrests, were working, raising families, and contributing to the richness and well-being of their communities.)

As Christians, we know we are called to walk alongside and care for our immigrant neighbors. But it's not always easy to know how to go about this work. So, below you will find three possible ways to support the immigrant community in Maine.

But first, I remind us of the words of Martin Niemöller, a German Lutheran pastor who was silent in the midst of German atrocities in the early years of the Nazi regime, but then had a change of mind and heart. He was imprisoned from July 1, 1937, to May 1945 for his outspoken criticism of Hitler, and was liberated when the Allies defeated Nazi Germany. His words, which bear repeating again and again in these times in which we find ourselves, are these:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out

         because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out

         because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out

         because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me, and there was no one left

         to speak for me.  

Three ways to support our immigrant neighbors:

1. Consider joining the vigil at noon every Saturday in Blue Hill. People bring many different signs to speak of many different concerns. I am part of this effort whenever possible. The sign I usually hold says, "Resist with the fierceness of love all powers of death and destruction." But this Saturday, I will hold an anti-ICE sign. (And/or you can join the folks at the Deer Isle Sunset Congregational Church at 3:00 on Thursdays. They too hold a number of different signs, but are presently focusing on immigration/ICE issues.) 
2. Consider supporting ILAP, a legal defense organization that helps immigrants in Maine. You will find more information about this organization in this issue of the "Navigator." The St. Brendan vestry has supported this organization over the past few years.
3. Write our senators and representatives to voice your opposition to ICE tactics and funding. Speak from the perspective of our faith so they are reminded that our understanding of Christianity is rooted in care for the vulnerable and the marginalized.

However you choose to support our immigrant neighbors, remember also that this is not work any of us can do alone. So find partners in the effort. The St. Brendan community is a good place to start. As is the Maine Council of Churches and the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition. We are stronger together.

Tuesday, July 14

Mainers are united in shock, outrage, and grief at another senseless act of violence involving ICE agents—this time in our own backyard in Biddeford. Yesterday morning, just after 7 a.m., 26-year-old Joan Sebastian Guerrero, a husband and father of a young daughter, was shot and killed in his car on his way to work. Guerrero, a native of Colombia who was authorized to work in this country, was not the target of an immigration arrest warrant, according to a statement released by Sen. Angus King. 

Our hearts are with Guerrero’s family, community, and everyone grieving his loss, and we join the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, and other social justice organizations in calling for complete accountability. 

Please join diocesan leaders and staff in praying for the repose of Guerrero's soul with this prayer, adapted from one shared by the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, bishop of Texas, following the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo at the hands of ICE agents in Houston on July 9.

O God, whose Son had no place to lay His head and was numbered with the transgressors: receive Joan Sebastian Guerrero into the arms of Thy mercy, and let light perpetual shine upon him. Comfort his daughter in her fatherlessness, and be Thou the Father of the fatherless. Bring every hidden thing to light, that justice be neither counterfeit nor delayed. Through Jesus Christ our peace, who is Himself the Dayspring from on high. Amen.

Even as we pray, at this point in our lives as Americans, it is understandable to feel weary and despondent. But because we are also followers of Jesus Christ, we look to him for solace and strength. The Gospel of John describes how Jesus reassures his disciples in his darkest hour—just before he is arrested and condemned to death. “I leave behind with you—peace; I give you my own peace and my gift is nothing like the peace of this world. You must not be distressed and you should not be daunted…You will find trouble in the world—but, never lose heart, I have conquered the world.” 

The Maine Council of Churches shares in the grief, outrage, and call for justice expressed by our valued, respected, and trusted partners at Maine Immigrant Rights' Coalition.

Read the press release here.

Please consider supporting the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP). When a neighbor is detained or facing deportation, what they need most is a lawyer, and ILAP provides free immigration legal services to Maine's immigrants, backed by community outreach and advocacy for a system that is more just and humane. Your contribution helps make sure Maine families don't have to face the immigration system alone.

ST. BRENDAN THE NAVIGATOR

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

Pursuant of Article IV, Section 1 of the Bylaws, notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Members of St. Brendan the Navigator will be held on July 19, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. to conduct the following business:

1.    To elect a Senior Warden for one year

2.    To elect a Junior Warden for one year

3.    To elect a Clerk for one year

4.    To elect a Treasurer for one year

5.    To elect one Member-at-Large to the Vestry to serve a three-year term

6.    To elect one Member-at-Large to the Vestry to serve one remaining year              of a three-year term

7.    To elect Diocesan Convention Delegates and Alternates

8.    To terminate the St. Brendan "Endowment Fund"

9.    Q&A session for Ministries

10. Other business that properly comes to the Annual Meeting

Location:  St. Brendan the Navigator in the sanctuary and via Zoom

Cindy Beyer, Clerk

Dated: July 9, 2026      

Saturday, July 25th at 4:00 p.m.

Please let us know whether you plan to attend the annual Lobster Picnic and how many people you will bring. We also need to know what you will bring to add to our picnic. Sign up at church this Sunday or click below. Please sign up by July 20th.

"Vietnam, Long Time Coming"

Tuesday, July 21 at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall

In 1998, Deer Isle resident Dud Hendrick was invited to join the non-profit World TEAM Sports as Operations Director of the Vietnam Challenge. This would be a transformative experience for all involved, bringing together disabled and able-bodied veterans from both sides of the war for a grueling three-week bike ride from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, 1100 miles to the south. Among the disabled were amputees and paraplegics on hand-cycles and blind bikers on tandem bikes. Each day, these former mortal enemies, with the help of bilingual staff, would cycle miles down hot, muggy, dusty, rainy roads and relax and decompress each evening, striving to find our common humanity. 

Hendrick, himself a Vietnam veteran who attests that the ride was a profound, life-changing experience, will present "Vietnam, Long Time Coming," the award-winning documentary chronicling what became a life-changing experience for many of the participants. 

Hendrick, a longtime member of Veterans for Peace and a member of Island Peace and Justice, will be joined by Doug Rawlings and Peggy Akers, two widely known, prominent peace activists who will briefly speak about the lifelong impact of war and "having been there."

A free-will offering will be taken to support the work of Project Renew, a bomb-clearance organization in Vietnam.

 "For great is your love toward me; "

Psalm 86:13



Zoom Meditation/Silent Prayer at 4:30 p.m.

Readings, poems, and prayers are shared before a period of silence.

10:00 a.m. Wednesdays

In-Person Meditation/Silent Prayer at St. Brendan

Bible Study

Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.



A Study of the Phenomenology of Illness continues

with Dr. Peter Antich

July Birthdays

Del Bright – 2

Emily Hawkins – 9

Lynne Ensworth – 10

John Arrison – 13

Sophie Webb – 14

Scott Cleveland – 18

Luke Williams – 21

Tallulah Pickens – 21

Heather Corey – 25

Anne Williams – 28

Cindy Beyer – 29

News from Near and Far

 CAN YOU HELP?

I have an elderly friend who has serious leg problems. She would like a reclining chair so she can put her legs up. Does anyone have a reclining chair that you would be willing to donate? Please see me at church or call me at 207-460-1260.

Thank you very much,

Skip Greenlaw



We pray for those in special need:

We pray for Candace Lancaster and her family as they mourn the loss

of Candace's son Lou.

Susan Stitham

Harry Vickerson

Julie M.

Danny Judkins

Cathy Johnson

Meg Graham

Charlie Putnam

Judson Brown

Mike S.

Meredydd Cooper

 Henna Torrey Roy

Jerry

Agnes and Billy

Gwyn Murray

Sally

Beth Kyser

David

Preston Henderson

Tammie Cox

Tyler Goss

Kate Hallen & Bob Blum

Judith Jerome

Mimi Maslan

Judy Miller

Megan

Bishop Thomas Brown

Naomi

Anne Burton

Hewit

Mary Ann and Terry

Nishah

Corbin

Rebecca

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

Marcia Scott

Carol Stoneburner

We continue to hold in prayer those in our community who have recently lost loved ones; among them are the Stoneburner, Sherman, and Hewes families.

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 Christ Church Dark Harbor, Isleboro, St. Ann's, Kennebunkport, and for the mission and ministry of Camp Bishopswood.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan.

On the Island and Peninsula, we pray for Eggemoggin Reach Society of Friends, Sedgwick.

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

As we continue to read the Gospel according to Matthew each Sunday, we are in a section of Jesus’ parables concerning the Kingdom of God. This parable of the wheat and the weeds reaffirms God’s patience with the Church. While we are often impatient with its failures, God is merciful and waits until the end before separating the good from the bad.

Jesus urges us to grow into fruitful members of God’s family. The story of God’s ancient people continues today. Jacob, the wily grandson of Abraham, is fleeing because he has cheated his brother out of the family inheritance. God gives him a dream in which God renews the promise to Abraham, whose heir Jacob is. This story illustrates that God does not choose people because they are worthy but out of the love and grace God has toward all people.

In the second reading, Paul assures us that the whole creation is moving toward redemption. Through our redemption will come the redemption of the whole creation. The whole creation waits with longing for our redemption to be complete.

We share in the Eucharistic action in order that God’s redemptive power may lead us toward the Kingdom. We share also in order that we may be the means by which redemption comes to the whole creation. That is our vocation as the people of God and as members of the Body of Christ.

Notes on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2009 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York

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

ST. BRENDAN THE NAVIGATOR EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 627 NORTH DEER ISLE ROAD, DEER ISLE Mailing Address: P.O. Box 305, Deer Isle, ME 04627

(207)348-6240 • OFFICE@STBRENDANS-ME.ORG

www.stbrendans-me.org