Friday, January 14, 2022

Worship Schedule, Film Invitation, News, & More from the MDI Partnership!



Friday, January 14, 2022

Weekly News from the Parishes of
St. Andrew and St. John,
Church of Our Father,
& St. Saviour

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Worship With Us IN PERSON

Sunday, January 16, 2022

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany 

* 9 am at Church of Our Father: Holy Eucharist * 
Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev. Holly Hoffmann 
Deacon: The Rev. Mary-Carol Griffin


11 am at St. Saviour's: Holy Eucharist
Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev. Holly Hoffmann 

4 pm at St. John the Divine: Evening Prayer
Officiant/Preacher: Ward MacKenzie

*= This service will be live-streamed to our YouTube channel at the time of the service:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MDIEPISCOPAL
 

You can always look to the online calendar to see the service schedule:
 https://mdi-episcopal.org/calendar/
Midweek Holy Eucharist on MDI
Wednesdays at Church of Our Father at 8 am

Using the readings appointed for the day in the Book of Common Prayer, 
we will have a service Holy Eucharist.
On the first Wednesday of the month, we will use a Rite I liturgy.

Covid Precautions:

Everyone is masked indoors
Socially distanced seating
Communion in one-kind, Bread only
Contact tracing sign in for visitors and guests


God bless you for keeping our church, our community, 
and our loved ones safe.
 
If you or a close contact tests positive for Covid, please let Mother Holly know so we can support you in your recovery and communicate with the community as necessary about their possible exposure to the virus while maintaining confidentiality and pastoral privacy.
Weekly Sermons and More
This past Sunday's sermon:
(live streamed from Church of Our Father) 

https://youtu.be/72276aznakE

Sermon Hoffmann on the Baptism of Our Lord, Church of Our Father, Hulls Cove, ME. Sunday, January 9, 2022. "Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove." Luke 3:15-17, 21-22. Sermon by the Rev. Holly Hoffmann, begins at 1:34.

 
Please Wear Your Name Tag to Church
Remember that wearing your name tag at worship is helpful to each other, Mother Holly, supply clergy, and to visitors! If you would like a new name tag, contact your Parish Administrator.
Assisting at Services
We are in need of support for our worship services: Acolytes, Greeters/Ushers, Lectors, Intercessors, Altar Guild, and officiants for Morning Prayer. If you would like to help at any of our services, please contact the parish administrator of your church. Thank you!
Pastoral Care Requests
Holy Communion: If you are unable to attend an in-person worship service and would like Holy Communion brought to you, please contact the church office (contact information is at the bottom of this email). We will arrange a time for the clergy or Eucharistic Visitors to bring the Sacrament to your home or hospital bedside.

Hospital Visits: If you or a loved one is in the hospital, please let Mother Holly know. She is glad to come visit you in the hospital or call you during your stay. 
IMPORTANT NEWS and DATES!

Evening Music at St. Saviour's announces 2022 concerts, starting Saturday, January 15

St. Saviour's Episcopal Church is pleased to announce that its series of chamber-music concerts, "Evening Music," will continue in 2022. The concerts are presented on Saturdays at 4:00 pm in the sanctuary at St. Saviour's, at 41 Mount Desert Street in Bar Harbor. Admission will be free, but donations to the Friends of Music at St. Saviour's are requested. The building is fully accessible to all; and all members of the audience are required to wear face-coverings.

The concerts scheduled will be as follows:

January 15 — Baroque Orchestra of Maine, playing music by Bach, Corelli, and Vivaldi

February 12 — Baroque Orchestra of Maine

March 19 — Daniel Pyle, harpsichord, playing Bach's Art of Fugue

May 21 — Baroque Orchestra of Maine

June 18 — Baroque Orchestra of Maine

For the first concert in the new year, violinist Heidi Powell will be joined by cellist Max Treitler and harpsichordist Daniel Pyle. Their concert will include the famous variations on La Follia by Arcangelo Corelli, sonatas for violin and for cello by Antonio Vivaldi, and the Sonata in E for Harpsichord and Violin by J. S. Bach.

Further information is available by writing to St. Saviour's at music@stsaviours.me, or at https://www.baroqueorchestraofmaine.org/

Outreach Project: Share the Warmth 
before January 16 
 
At our last Outreach meeting, those present decided to support the YWCA's drive for sweatshirts and sweatpants for people in Hancock and Washington counties .Sweat shirts and sweat pants in larger sizes are preferred. If due to weather and Covid, you would prefer to give monetarily, it can be done by contacting office@ywcamdi.org  
Donations should only be new clothing – nothing used.

If you would like to contribute clothing to the drive through our church, please bring your donation to your church and put in the designated spot. The items will be driven to the drop off site on January 17 by Brad Berry (CoOF), Pat Samuel (SSP), and Rita Redfield or Pamela Smith (SASJ). Please speak with any of them if you have any questions about this location, community-based project. 
January 17: Martin Luther King Day

On Monday, January 17, 2022, at 12:15pm online, The Maine Council of Churches and The BTS Center will host a public reading of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s sermon "Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution." Join this public reading, reflection, and celebration of Dr. King's message that will include multiple voices, contemplative music, and space for reflection. Click here to register.
January 16 – February 7
"Mission: Joy" Film Screening, Discussion, and Book Group Invitation on MDI
 
The MDI Partnership with St. Mary and St. Jude's is hosting an online screening of the film Mission: Joy Finding Happiness in Troubled Times. This series is open to anyone, so this is a great opportunity to invite a friend to participate in a church community event! 
 
Watch the Film 
1. Participants watch the 90-min. film at their leisure between January 16 – February 7. The link will be distributed on Monday, January 17 via a special email. If you not receive church emails, contact your church office for the link during this viewing window. 

2. Join a film discussion with Mother Holly, Father Steve, and others over Zoom on Thursday, February 10 at 7 pm. 

3. If you want to watch and discuss the film in person, Church of Our Father will host a screening in their Parish Hall on Wednesday, January 26 at 9 am following the 8 am service of  Holy Eucharist. Please email Mother Holly if you would like to attend. (limit to 20 people, masked and socially distanced)   

Read the Book

4. Join the community and read the book upon which the documentary is based: The Book of Joy: Lasting happiness in a changing world. Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shop in downtown Bar Harbor has copies of this book in stock for $26. It is also available on Audible.com and on Kindle and Nook and in Large Print.  

5. A book discussion will be held Thursday evening on February 24 over Zoom at 7 pm. An in-person book talk will be hosted by Church of Our Father on Wednesday, February 23 at 9 am in their Parish Hall following the 8 am service of Holy Eucharist. Please email Mother Holly if you would like to attend. (limit to 20 people, masked and socially distanced)   
Covid Task Force Update

Our Covid Task Force of the four Episcopal parishes of MDI meet biweekly.

We will continue: 
  • Masking required for all, regardless of vaccination status at all indoor gatherings
  • Social distancing will be marked within the worship space of all our churches
  • We will keep a lis of attendees at services to assist in contact tracing, should that be necessary
  • Refreshments will be only served outdoors (as has been our policy)
  • Ushers will take care to remind people of masking when entering the building and maintaining social distancing, especially during the distribution of Communion
  • The celebrant will either mask during the celebration of the Eucharist or cover the elements being consecrated so as to not unknowingly transmit the virus 
  • Continue to promote other online opportunities for worship such as at St. Luke's Cathedral, the National Cathedral, and monthly diocesan pre-recorded services
We will extend precautions to include: 
  • Limit congregational singing (specifics to be determined at the parish level by the priest based on the particular context and in discussion with the Music Director and wardens)  
  • Offer a streamed, in-real-time option for attending worship wherever possible (currently only Church of Our Father and St. John's have this capacity)
  • The clergy request that all mask during visits to parishioners' homes for the safety of all. 
  • Encourage people to not cluster or block exits following a service so that those who want to exit swiftly may do so.
  • Promote the option of attending the Wednesday 8 am service of Holy Eucharist at Church of Our Father where social distancing is easily maintained. 
Note: Full vaccinations expected, unless medically prohibited. 
Bishop Thomas Brown released a message to the diocese in light of the Omicron variant surging around the world and here in Maine where it's impacting our healthcare systems, schools, our work and home lives. He states that our guidance has not changed and in consultation with our COVID Advisory Team, includes additional information about safety protocols. Read the full message here.
Growing in Faith
Youth & Family Formation
 

Children's Faith Formation at Home on MDI

Brad Berry and Chris Krenicki of Church of Our Father send home materials to support faith formation at home monthly for elementary and middle school aged youth. If you would like to receive these materials or be notified when in person events are happening here for youth in this age range, please be in touch with the parish office. Contact information is at the bottom of this email. 
Episcopal Maine Youth of all ages are gathering online
 
All youth grades 6-12 are invited to join a fun and prayerful online space each month! The next meeting for this age group is Monday, January 17 at 6:30 pm.

No registration needed! Youth can just click here to join via Zoom to spend time getting to know one another, playing some games, and praying together.
 
High schoolers and young adults (21 and younger) are also invited to gather for conversation and prayer online.

They can cick here to join on Zoom on the first Monday of each month. The next meeting is Monday, February 7  at 6:30 pm. The group will talk about current events, their faith, God, and everything in between - wherever the conversation goes! 

Questions about either of these monthly gatherings? Please contact the Rev. Cn. Sara D'Angio White.
 
Register now for Maine Youth Ice Fishing on January 15
Sign up now for the Maine Youth Ice Fishing Trip on Saturday, January 15! All youth are invited to join in ice fishing, led by world-renowned fly fisherman Macauley Lord, and joined by special guest Bishop Brown. Feel free to invite a friend! And interested parents are invited to register, as well. No prior experience needed, and no equipment needed outside of warm clothing! We'll be fishing near Brunswick. Click here to register. (*Space is limited to 20 people at a time, so register soon to get your preferred time slot of 11 AM to 1 PM or 1 PM to 3 PM. Storm date is 2/5.)
Adult Formation
Bible Study with the Rev. Stephen Muncie on Wednesday mornings at 10 am.  If you would like to be added to the class mailing list please send Fr. Steve an email here:  Email Father Steve.
 
Contemplative Prayer Group: Mother Regina Christianson and the Rev. Dr. Jenny Reece are gathering those who have or would like to learn a centering prayer practice every Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Oranbega Retreat Center in Orland, Maine. Beginners are always welcome, as are the more experienced, so long as they have "beginner's mind"!  Participation via Zoom will be available for those who live too far away to come to Orland for an hour on Fridays. To receive a link, use the above contact info. If you intend to come to Orland in person, please call or text Jenny at 207-952-2363 for the schedule (or if you need directions), as the meeting will be Zoom only on the weeks when she is absent and Mother Regina is leading the group.
An Invitation to Pray
Transformation Northeast is a nondenominational effort to renew Christianity in New England. Tony Sousa, Senior Warden of Church of Our Father in Hulls Cove, encourages churches in our diocese to become involved. Join them in praying 24/7 for Church and regional renewal, transformation, and awakening. Click here to "start to pray". Sign up for a time slot that isn't yet taken. You will receive an automatic reminder to let you know your prayer time is coming. Find prayer guides here. Email questions to David Janssen.
Praying Compline in the Diocese
Monday-Friday at 8 pm 

A core community at the Cathedral of St. Luke, Portland have been praying the service of Compline together for sometime. They would now like to invite anyone in the diocese to come and pray with them! Follow this Zoom link to join them Monday through Friday at 8:00pm. They look forward to meeting you as they end the day in prayer together.
Prayers of the Parishes
We pray for the victims of the recent natural disasters around the world.
We pray for all essential services personnel, the first responders and healthcare workers affected by the pandemic.

Church of Our Father 
Please let us know if we don't have your birthdate or anniversary date to celebrate! shalomcoof@gmail.com
Birthdays:
January 11         Margie Sweet
January 22        Joel Linscott
January 25        Rachel Libitzki-McCabe
January 25        Joanne Beal

Anniversaries:
January 19  Mother Holly and Jonathan Hoffmann

 
St. Saviour

We pray for Yolanda Ferrari, Cheryl Kolodziej, Julie Grindle, Geoff Schuller, Eleanor Raynes, Howard Brush, John Stewart, Ruth Westphal, Gretchen Westphal, Lucy Triplett, Gail Leland, Christopher Lebida, Christopher Walls, Linda Carman, Mary Smith, John Fibiger, Ray McDonald, Emily O'Connor, Sarah Cleaves, Nicholas, Janet Flood, Rachel, Mimi, Charlie, Sarah B., Dickie, Alex, Penny Ayer, Arletta Sullivan, and Anne Cleaves.   

Please let us know of any updates.

Please let us know if we don't have your birthdate or anniversary date to celebrate!  info@stsaviours.me
Birthdays:
January 1   Charlie Lyons
January 12  Lee Garrett  
January 17  Dave Cuthbertson
January 28  John Stewart
January 30  Marjorie Walls
January 31 Connie Hartley Brush   
Anniversaries:
January 19  Mother Holly and Jonathan Hoffmann
 
St. Andrew and St. John

We pray for Ward and Gen MacKenzie, Edie Stanwood, Susan Buell, Elizabeth Ward, Bunny Watts, Anne Wetzel, Paul Haertel, Chuck Bradshaw, Ted Bromage, Jean Storace, Spencer Ervin, Geoff Schuller, Doris McCorison, Gail Leland, Jeremy Harkins, Michael Shook, Joyce and Jim Risser, Loretta Schmidt, Theresa Mitchell, Fred & Dollis Sprague, Sara Winchenbach, Richard Ramsdell, Dorothy & Jim Clunan, Bill and Barbara Loveland.


Please let us know if we don't have your birthdate or anniversary date to celebrate!  sasj@mdi-episcopal.org
Birthdays:
January 13 - Rod Lucas
January 31 - Sally Clark
 
Anniversaries:
January 19 - Mother Holly and Jonathan Hoffmann
January 22 - Paul and Margot Haertel
 
Mother Holly's Office Hours
Sunday as scheduled and where needed
Monday at St. John's
Tuesday at St. Saviour's
Wednesday at Church of Our Father
Thursday where needed and sermon preparation

She is happy to schedule an appointment if you would like to see her!
Call the parish office or E-mail her


For pastoral emergencies, call her at 207-244-8144
and leave a message,
if you do not reach her immediately.

 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT . . .
$$   No Frills Oil Discount  $$
No Frills Oil gives a discount to all Episcopalians for a private home: 8 cents off the cash price. Inquire directly with No Frills and contact Andrew McMullan, Junior Warden of St. Andrew and St. John, with questions. 
Support Your Church
Online Giving
To facilitate stewardship, the Diocese of Maine has an online giving site at no charge to the parishes. The Diocese will transfer the funds you give to your church or summer chapel using this online payment system. Simply select your church and set up your one-time or recurring gift or establish automatic weekly or monthly donations to the parish, either charged to your credit card or to your personal checking or savings account. You can also name your gift in memory or honor of someone through this site in the memo section. Congregation names begin with their town; chapels begin with "Chapel" followed by town and chapel name. Click here to visit the online giving portal of the Diocese or click the button below. 

As always, the church accepts other forms of donations. Contact the church office if you would like to request pledge envelopes for the future. 
Donate to Your Church
Stock Gifts 

Gifts of appreciated stocks are greatly appreciated and can have significant tax advantages. (Please consult your tax advisor for details.) To make such a gift to your church, please follow the follo