St. Brendan the Navigator Episcopal Church
Our Mission: "To Love, Praise, Welcome and Serve"
| | Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost | | | |
Worship this Sunday:
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
The Rev. Andrew Stoessel, presiding
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Celtic Eventide
Sunday at 5 p.m. in the Parish Hall
Join us for this service of poetry, silence, music, prayer, and reflection.
Our reflector will be Kyra Alex.
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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) | | | | |
10:00 a.m. Meditation/Silent Prayer
10:30 a.m. Bible Study with The Rev. Jenny Reece:
Heaven and Faerie (more details below)
4:00 p.m. Choir rehearsal
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5:00 p.m. Potluck Supper and discussion on Bishop Mariann Budde's book, How We Learn to Be Brave
Click here to sign-up.
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9:00 a.m. Women's Breakfast at Stonecutters Kitchen
3:00 p.m. IHAP fundraiser concert – Frank Gotwals & Kit Loekle (more information below)
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9:30 a.m. Gathering at the Meditation Garden
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Pastor Elaine Hewes presiding
| | | | 8:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast | | |
I think All Saints Day is a call… to look toward that vision of shalom, of God’s kingdom of peace and justice finally come into its fulness… future tense… and to take that vision into ourselves, to trust it… to hold onto it… to let it go to work on our hearts, our lives, our decision-making, our creating, our dancing and singing and caring and loving in each and every moment… present tense…
Sermon given by Pastor Elaine Hewes on November 1st.
Click below for the video recording. A text copy is available here.
| | Jonny Wheaton: Despite my absence, I am so grateful with all the love and support that I continue to receive from all of you at St. Brendan's. | | |
Post-election wisdom
The day after our national elections, I was grateful to read the following words of wisdom from Sojourners Magazine… “As Christians, our hope never rests in an election outcome or candidate. It is anchored in a God who calls us to seek justice and love our neighbors every single day.”
Of course, it’s good and right for those who were pleased with the results of the election to celebrate. After lots of hard work and a good deal of worry, seeing the results of one’s labors is a joyful thing. And it’s true that many of us at St. Brendan’s and in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine are feeling such joy.
But after taking a bit of time to rest and celebrate, it will be important to recognize two things: One, no matter which political party is in power at any given time, seeking justice and loving our neighbor is and always will be countercultural work in a world (and nation) that most often chooses the “good life” over the “common good,” retribution over reconciliation, and independence over interdependence. The work of helping “God’s kingdom (kin-dom) come” will never be over this side of the river. As one theologian puts it, “The truth of Jesus may set us free, but it will also make us odd.” The call to be “odd in the way of Jesus” continues no matter who our political leaders are.
And secondly, as one of my pastor friends said to those of us celebrating the results of the election, “Our task is not only to continue trying to speak truth to power, but also to speak compassion to those who felt themselves aligned with that power, and who now feel a sense of loss and grief.” In other words, it’s our job to reach out to those who hoped for different results on election night, and to ask how they’re doing, if they’d like to meet for a cup of coffee or go for a hike, and if they might be willing to share a bit of what they’re feeling and hoping…
We have a moment now when this kind of “gesturing in the direction” of someone who holds a differing viewpoint could be of great value to both the person we’re gesturing toward and ourselves. And it’s our work to do. Even though it’s hard.
People are already asking, “Now that the election is over, what’s next?” While there are many possible answers to that question, here are a few suggestions…
1) Take a breath.
2) Do something that brings you joy.
3) Send someone something via snail mail. (This is highly countercultural.)
4) Sit outside with some birdseed in your hand, and wait for the chickadees to come.
5) (This one is especially for me)… Look in the mirror and recognize how you benefit from the very systems you rail against in your “moral superiority.”
6) Reach out to someone for whom you know the election results were difficult.
7) For both some perspective and some hope, pray the prayer by Saint John Henry Newman…
May the Lord support us all the day long,
Till the shadows lengthen and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over,
and our work is done. Then in his mercy may he give us a safe lodging,
and holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
8) Sit at the edge of the ocean. Remember that no matter who we are and what our political perspectives may be, the sea is very big and each of our boats is very small. Every act of kindness counts. On a cosmic scale, it counts.
| | Giving our Priorities Shape (GPS) Action Item | | |
In these last weeks of Ordinary Time before the first Sunday of Advent, you are invited to engage more intensely in your "practice" of faith, your heart's commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and, in particular, to the call to "Love Thy Neighbor."
There are so many opportunities – Island Heating Assistance Fundraiser concert at St Brendan's on Saturday, November 14, 3-5 PM, Simmering Pot soup preparation on November 23 and 30, a meal shared, a letter written, a phone call made, a smile, a kind word, a gesture of forgiveness….
| | WindowDressers Community Build | | |
It's hard to process what went on in our Parish Hall this past week. We can tell you we built 259 new window inserts and rewrapped a couple dozen more. That's only part of the story. The real magic lies in a group of people, many meeting for the first time, working together to make these inserts. It's community at its finest.
There are so many people to thank: the people receiving these inserts who wholeheartedly helped in the process, the many St. Brendan parishioners who volunteered their time to build the frames, and the many parishioners who brought food and helped with check-in, setup, and clean-up.
Finally, Miriam Antich, Josephine Jacob, Jeff Olson, Barbara Kourajian and Cindy Beyer deserve a huge round of applause for their tireless effort. Miriam, Jo, Barbara and Jeff supervised the build and answered myriad questions. Cindy went above and beyond to coordinate meals and snacks, providing many a tasty lunch or dessert to keep us going.
| | Creating Heat and Warmth through Music | | |
On Saturday, November 14, at 3:00 p.m., Frank Gotwals and Kit Loekle will give a concert at St. Brendan to benefit the Island Assistance Heating Fund. Performing their music on the unusual pairing of bass clarinet and classical guitar, the two musicians will strike out in a new direction, playing an eclectic and non-electric assortment of music ranging from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras to ragtime, Latin, and jazz.
With the high cost of fuel this year, these kinds of gatherings are essential for supporting our community. A free-will offering will be taken in support of the Island Assistance Fund, which is administered through the Deer Isle Sunset Congregational Church. A reception will follow the concert. Music and community create warmth for everyone. All are welcome.
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We are pleased to share with you the results of our 2027 stewardship effort.
57 members have pledged $196, 885. This is an incredible result. It is $8,000 more than the 2026 pledges. 57 members pledged this year, while 52 pledged last year.
We are an incredible giving and caring community. We thank Pastor Elaine for her leadership, patience, and love. We thank many of you who assume leadership positions in the various ministries, and everyone who contributes in one way or another.
We are grateful to Beth and Preston Carter for writing an inspiring stewardship letter. We also thank Carolyn Mor for her wonderful work taking good care of our pledges and finances. We thank Julie Pierson, Nancy Greene, Chick White, and Pete Dane for writing thank-you letters.
Most of all, we thank all members for their very generous pledges.
The Stewardship Committee
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Alfred’s Christmas Fund
As many of you know, for a number of years we have supported Alfred’s Christmas Fund, run by Theresa Gove in remembrance of her son, Alfred, who died too soon. We have contributed both gifts and financial donations. The box for gifts is now in the Church. Last year we filled it over three times. Let’s do it again!
Click here for Theresa’s list of requested items. We'll add items as needs evolve. If you want to support this project with a monetary gift, make checks payable to Alfred’s Christmas Fund and send them to Theresa at 224 Sunset Crossroad, Deer Isle, Maine 04627.
| | Gathering on Thanksgiving | | Is anyone without Thanksgiving plans interested in helping plan a Thanksgiving gathering? Please email Jackie Wilson. jsewallwilson@gmail.com | | Education & Spiritual Development Ministry | | | | | |
Oh God of compassion, heal my soul.
Revelation 2:9
Zoom Meditation/Silent Prayer
Monday at 4:30 p.m.
Readings, poems, and prayers are shared before a period of silence.
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10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays
In-Person Meditation/Silent Prayer at St. Brendan
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Bible Study in November
Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
On November Wednesdays, the 11th and 18th, Rev. Jenny Reece will lead a discussion entitled Heaven and Faerie: The Gospel in 20th C. Fantasy Literature. Christian themes abound in the 20th-century development of fantasy literature, either explicitly or implicitly. As we have fun teasing these out and learning about their authors, we will have the chance to explore our own faith in a new way.
November 11: George MacDonald, C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle. We will distribute selections of their works before the meeting.
November 18: J.R.R. Tolkien - From Tolkien's vast output, we will focus on his essay "On Faerie" and his parable "Leaf by Niggle," along with, of course, his greatest work, "The Lord of the Rings." Previous knowledge of these writings is not necessary, although it would be helpful!
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Jonny Wheaton – 3
Pat Roth – 10
Janet Pickens – 15
Kassie Grey – 17
Charlie Putnam – 17
Beth Carter – 18
Peter Tarlton – 20
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Robert Stribling – 23
Andrew Washburn –23
Karen Downs – 25
James Adams – 26
Joan Maxwell – 27
Tom van Buren – 27
Andrew Stoessel – 29
| | We pray for those in special need: | | |
Janet and Scott
Fran Liberatore
Abby Peters
Barbara Wright
Harry Vickerson
Julie M
Cathy Johnson
Meg Graham
Charlie Putnam
Mike S.
Meredydd Cooper
Henna Torrey Roy
Jerry
Agnes and Billy
Gwyn Murray
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Sally
Beth Kyzer
Tammie Cox
Judith Jerome
Mimi Maslan
Judy Miller
Megan
Bishop Thomas Brown
Naomi
Anne Burton
Hewit
Mary Ann and Terry
Nishah
Corbin
Rebecca
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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 Williams, Stoneburner, and Sherman 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 St. Philip's, Wiscasset, and for all who serve and have served in the armed forces of our country.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Province de L’Eglise Anglicane
Du Congo.
On the Island and Peninsula, we pray for Sunshine Advent Christian Church, Deer Isle.
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The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Now, as we enter the last weeks of the Church year, the liturgy is focused on the “last things,” and especially the return of Christ as Judge. The Gospel reading is the familiar parable of the wise and foolish maidens. The emphasis here is always to live in readiness for the Lord’s return.
Last June, we began reading the story of God’s ancient people, our forebears in the faith, beginning with Abraham and Sarah. Now we draw near the end of this sequence. Today finds the people of Israel reaching the goal of their forty-year journey. Led by Joshua, they cross the Jordan into the Promised Land on dry feet.
The second reading continues the first letter to the Thessalonians. Some in that church, expecting the Lord to return in their lifetimes, have begun to doubt because some of the members have died. Paul assures these early Christians that those who die before the Lord’s return will nonetheless be saved.
In our Eucharistic gathering, we are in a kind of rehearsal for life in the Day of Judgment. We find in our prayer the model for the commitment to ministry and social justice, which gives heart and soul to our worship; and in communion, we meet the Lord as judge and as Savior.
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Notes on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2009 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York
Image credit: loandbeholdbible.com
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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
Nina Dayton
Kassie Grey
Skip Greenlaw
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