St. Brendan the Navigator Episcopal Church
Our Mission: "To Love, Praise, Welcome and Serve"
| | Third Sunday after Pentecost | | | |
Worship this Sunday:
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Reece, presiding
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Celtic Eventide
Sunday at 5 pm in the Parish Hall
Join us for this service of poetry, silence, music, prayer, and reflection.
Our reflector will be Patricia Donahue.
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All services and meetings will be held both in-person and via Zoom unless otherwise designated.
| | | | 9:00 a.m. Women's Breakfast at Stonecutters Kitchen | | | | 4:30 p.m. Meditation/Silent Prayer (Zoom) | | | | 10:00 a.m. Kindness Rock painting -- All are welcome! | | | | |
10:00 a.m. In-person Meditation
10:30 a.m. Bible Study - Miriam will lead a session on silence as an entry to prayer and meditation.
4:00 p.m. Choir rehearsal
| | | | 8:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast | | | | |
9:30 a.m. Gathering at the Meditation Garden
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist with The Rt. Rev. Thomas Brown presiding
| | Second Sunday after Pentecost | | |
If there is one identifying marker by which the God of the Hebrew Scriptures is known… and by extension, known incarnationally and viscerally through the person of Jesus (rooted as he was in the Hebrew Scriptures), it is the gift of relationship, offered to all of us, without condition… the thread that connects us to the God of creation, liberation, and saving grace…
Sermon given by Pastor Elaine Hewes on June 7th.
Click below for the video recording. A text copy is available here.
| | Miriam Antich: I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the beauty and abundance of all the flowers that are bursting forth now. | | |
Wrestling with the Bible
For the next ten weeks or so, the texts from the Hebrew Scriptures appointed for Sunday mornings will be taken from Genesis 12-50, giving us an overview of the story of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and their descendants, from Abram’s call to “go to the land” God promised to give him (along with many children and a blessing to carry to the world), all the way to the enslavement of Abraham’s people in Egypt. It is a fascinating and messy story, full of characters who make some good choices along with many unfortunate ones, even as God accompanies them through all their ups and downs, inviting them always to live in deep and abiding relationship with “him.”
This past Sunday, the text was from Genesis 12: the story of God’s promise to Abraham that he and his descendants would be given land that was occupied at that time by the Canaanites. This story of promise related to the land thus beginning a complex, challenging and oftentimes violent history, bringing into question “To whom does this land actually belong?”… A question that plagues the region and the world yet today.
After last Sunday’s reading of Genesis 12 and my sermon, I received a few emails from folks who were wrestling with this idea of God promising land to Abraham and his family that was already occupied. I agreed that it is a text that raises many questions for us, especially as we look through our 21st-century eyes at the present situation in Israel and Palestine. And I promised that this summer we would offer an opportunity at St. Brendan to talk about the stories in Genesis and the history of the “Promised Land” so we might better understand the complexities of this small piece of land which has for centuries been claimed by any number of peoples as “theirs.”
You will hear more about this gathering for learning and conversation, which will be sometime in mid-August. But in the meantime, I would encourage you to remember one thing and to read one book…
The thing I would encourage you to remember is that when we read Hebrew Scriptures, we are reading an ancient text made up of stories passed on orally over hundreds of years by people (the People of Israel) who were trying to make sense of their lives, lived in the margins of places and cultures that were always more powerful than they were. In the context of being the “underdog” (always), they were trying to figure out how God was involved in their lives, carrying with them the underlying question, “From where is our help to come?” As well as the answer, “Our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth… the God who has promised to ‘make His tent with us’ through thick and thin.” Because we are reading an ancient text written by people who were trying to figure out the meaning of their lives in relationship to God in harsh and inhospitable circumstances and places, we can’t critique their story through our 21st-century eyes. In some ways, part of what we have to do as we struggle with the questions raised by the texts in Genesis is to learn how to read ancient texts. This is part of what we will do in conversation in August.
Secondly, I would encourage you to read a recently published book entitled The Future is Peace by Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon. Written by a Palestinian and an Israeli, it provides such a helpful look at the situation in Israel and Palestine today. Reading this book helps readers to look at the land in question through the personal narratives of two young men who are working and traveling, writing and speaking about their own lived experience in their respective “homes,” which happen to be part of the same “land”… Their stories speak of their own suffering, their own hopes, and the decision they made together to wage peace rather than war. Reading this book will be helpful for the conversation we will have in August, as well as offering us an alternative response to resolving conflict through yet more violence.
There are always so many questions raised for us in our Holy Scriptures. And there is always so much to learn. Part of the effort is to approach these texts with humility, with an open heart and mind, and with a spirit of curiosity and respect rather than with a spirit of judgment. This is hard work, and so it’s best done in community. More information will be forthcoming about when we will gather for a conversation about “the Promised Land.” The good news is that we are in this learning together. Thank God. Because the learning and the figuring out how to respond to complex and difficult situations is not something we can do alone.
Pastor Elaine
| | Giving our Priorities Shape (GPS) Action Item | | |
Primary done! More work ahead! In this year of local and national elections, we need to be well informed about issues of justice and racial and gender equity in our state of Maine, so that we can listen to political campaigns and decide which candidates will best advance these issues.
GPS Action for this week!
Please explore the Maine Equal Justice website. This nonprofit works year in and year out on issues that affect people’s daily lives – access to health care, affordable housing, transportation, childcare, food and income security, higher education and training. Its website describes legislative priorities related to the above.
Please sign up for timely alerts about important votes, hearings, and other opportunities to take action as you sort out all the competing claims of candidates.
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July 1 – No Bible Study
July 8, 15, 22, and 29 - A Study of the Phenomenology of Illness
with Dr. Peter Antich
Illness, both our own illnesses and those of the people we care for, is a key feature of human experience. We will undertake a philosophical study of illness through the lens of the phenomenological method. Phenomenology is a philosophical method that centers on our experience (rather than, say, in the case of illness, diagnosis, etiology, or treatment). The aim of doing a phenomenology of illness is to develop a more acute understanding of the experience of illness. Doing so enables us to relate to our own illnesses and to be present for those who are ill in new ways.
This workshop will involve:
- A discussion of the text, Phenomenology of Illness, by Havi Carel. A reading guide will be provided for each chapter.
- An introduction to the phenomenological method, followed by an invitation to perform your own phenomenological reflection on some experience with illness you have had.
July 8: The Phenomenology of health and illness. This session will introduce the theme of the course, its main features, methodology, and purpose, and provide an overview of the first chapters.
July 15: A Phenomenology of breathlessness. We will look at Carel's phenomenology of a specific condition, breathlessness, both to examine the features she locates there and as an example of phenomenological inquiry.
July 22: Is Well-being Possible in Illness? An investigation of happiness within illness.
July 29: Experience of the Healthcare System. We will examine the phenomenological features of encountering our health care system.
Copies of the book, Phenomenology of Illness by Havi Carel, have been ordered. It is also available on Kindle at Amazon. To sign up for the course and/or order a book, email mantichino@gmail.com
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The Nominating Committee of Beth Carter, Allen Downs, Julie Pierson, and Bill Scaife would like to hear from members of the parish with your suggestions for candidates to fill openings in the following positions: Vestry Member at Large, Junior Warden, Diocesan Delegate, and Diocesan Delegate Alternate. | | Welcoming & Hospitality Ministry | | |
Sailing is a joy, and so is rock painting!
Join us on Tuesday, June 16, at 10 a.m. to paint rocks to refill our boat before the summer arrives.
| | Education & Spiritual Development Ministry | | |
"With my whole heart I seek you . . ."
Psalm 119:10
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.
For the next two weeks, we will focus on prayer. Join us for a discussion and a sharing of ways to pray. All great spiritual traditions have encouraged seeking God in silence. On June 17th, we will explore silence and how silence can be a doorway or opening to God's presence.
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Bud Fisher – 2
Rick Alexander – 6
Nina Dayton – 12
John Lofty – 14
Sue Stoessel – 15
Jean Wheeler – 18
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Dennis Eaton – 19
Louise Lavine – 25
Bill Reardon – 26
Damon Beyer – 26
Chick White – 26
Julie Pierson – 26
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Dear St. Brendan’s Community,
I wanted to share that I will be stepping away for a while. As many of you know, I am focusing on completing high school, saving money, and preparing for my next chapter as I work toward moving and attending college.
I am incredibly grateful for the support, encouragement, and sense of community that all of you have provided. Your kindness and prayers have meant more to me than words can express, and I will always cherish the friendships and experiences I have gained here.
While I may be absent for some time, I will continue to share updates on my progress and journey as I work toward these goals. I will also continue to help with the St. Brendan’s Community.
God bless, and I look forward to staying connected.
– Jonny
| | We pray for those in special need: | | |
Harry Vickerson
Stephen Whiteley
Julie M.
Danny Judkins
Cathy Johnson
Meg Graham
Charlie Putnam
Judson Brown
Caroline Dane
Mike S.
Jennifer Hutchinson
Meredydd Cooper
Henna Torrey Roy
Liz Leuthner
Jerry
Agnes and Billy
Julie and Tom
Gwyn Murray
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Sally
Beth Kyser
David
Preston Henderson
Tammie and Jason Cox
Tyler Goss
Kate Hallen & Bob Blum
Mimi Maslan
Semantha
Judy Miller
Megan
Bishop Thomas Brown
Naomi
Anne Burton
Hewit
Mary Ann and Terry
Nishah
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David Morrish
Corbin
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 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 Stoneburner, Sherman, Hewes, Putnam, Wright, and Clauson/Hewes 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 Church of the Redeemer, Sorrento, All Saints by-the-Sea, Southport, and for community gardens and those who tend them.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for The Church of the Province of South
East Asia .
On the Island and Peninsula, we pray for Church of Jesus Christ Restoration Branch, Deer Isle.
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Third Sunday after Pentecost
In the first reading, we begin a series from the Old Testament that will take us from the beginning of the story of Abraham through the history of the people of Israel culminating in their settling in the Land of Promise following their Exodus from Egypt. Today we hear the call of Abraham to go forth to that land. This is the central and founding story of God’s people and through the next six months we will hear it in some detail.
Matthew is also called to go out into a new life, one in which the woman Jesus encountered and the little girl he raised are both as much objects of God’s love as Abraham was. Matthew’s love when called, even though he was a notorious sinner, the woman whose infirmity made her an untouchable to religious purists, and the little girl who would have been regarded by most as expendable turn out to be objects of God’s unswerving love.
Our second reading continues the series from Romans. Paul continues to explore the relation between faith and law. Abraham, who lived long before the law was given, is held up as our model. Abraham was righteous because of his faith and God makes us righteous through faith rather than through the law.
It is easy for us, like people in the biblical accounts, to assume that our conformity to religious structures and rules set us apart from “sinners” who do not follow those rules. In the Eucharistic meal, Jesus joins us at table. He joins us regardless of our state of sin or righteousness. This meal is the ongoing sign of God’s love and acceptance of all people.
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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