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Words from the Well February 2019
The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane,
Bishop of Maine The Rev. John Allison, Rector
The Rev. Mary-Carol Griffin, Deacon
CHURCH OF OUR FATHER PO Box 186
HULLS COVE, MAINE 04644 207-288-4849
www.churchofourfather.org
Dear members and friends of our parish family,
On February 2, The Feast of the Presentation, I celebrated the second anniversary of my
ordination to the priesthood. Two years is not a long time and second anniversaries are not
obvious markers within our culture, but in the course of my regular yearly reflection on what
it means to me to be a priest I’ve been struck with a particular awareness of how I have been
growing into my ministry and more broadly of how I understand my priesthood.
in the years leading up to my ordination I read much about the theological underpinnings
of priesthood and this year I’ve found myself drawn back to one essay in particular. This es-
say, entitled “Because Beset with Weakness,” takes it title from Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews
(5:2), which reads in it’s entirety “He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward,
since he himself is subject to weakness.” The author goes on the contrast the commonly accepted notion of the
priest as one who is gifted with various abilities and aptitudes and is able to to use those in the service of robustly
building up the body of Christ with a more tempered, less obviously capable view of the priest as one who is
acutely aware of his or her various imperfections and weaknesses and is as prone as anyone, perhaps more so
even, to suffering the plight of our human frailty.
It’s an interesting piece of writing but one that I wasn’t so keen on fully accepting. Like anyone, it’s hard to
fully live into and admit vulnerabilities and the need for help. More specifically, as a new priest the need to ap-
pear confident and capable rises to the surface much more readily than the admission of vulnerability and humil-
ity.
The essay concludes by saying that, “To live this way is to live the paschal mystery of Christ in weakness and
in love . . . ‘He is not weak in dealing with you, but powerful in you. For he was crucified in weakness; but lives
by the power of God. For we are weak in Him, but in dealing with you we shall live with him by the power of
God’ (2 Corinthians 13,3,4).” There is much paradox in our lives as disciples and that paradox continues in my
vocation as priest.
I’ve been especially aware of that paradox this year as my ordination anniversary came on the heels of the
unexpected death of Kathleen’s brother and the not so distant death of her father last fall. These losses have been
hard for our family as have the various complications of geographic distance as we attend to the closing of their
personal affairs. Two things have been constant for me through all of this: first, the gentle tug of my various
priestly responsibilities and pastoral concerns; second, and, I’m learning most important, is the love of God that
has been shown to us in the many prayers and cards and phone calls that we have received from so many of you.
Indeed, this has been a reminder of just how subject I am as priest to the weakness and suffering we experience
in our humanity and how God does not leave us alone in that condition. In order to open myself to that Divine
love, I must first admit that I can not do it on my own, without God’s help and the help of God’s people. We live
in a culture where self-sufficiency and pride often hinders us from receiving what others have to offer and in
some ways, a priest is especially subject to that culture of self-sufficiency. What I have learned this year, as I re-
flect on my ordination, is that it’s in embracing my vulnerabilities that I’m enabled to more fully live into my
calling. You have all helped me to do that in my time here and especially in this time of healing that follows
great loss. I thank you and I thank God for your ministry to me and to Kathleen and pray that we continue to
grow together in our call to love one another as God loves us.
Faithfully,
John+
2
Fr. John’s Available Office Hours are: Tuesday, 11 am-2pm Wednesday, 9 am—Noon Thursday, Noon-2 pm Friday, Noon-2 pm AND by Appointment Call 207-669-2033 or E-mail : [email protected]
Come Home For Supper is back!
Look for the sign up sheet on the hallway bulletin board then join the fun starting Sat-
urday, March 2nd! The suppers at various parishioners’ homes are a way for folks to
become better acquainted and to increase the feeling of community in our island con-
gregations through food, fellowship and fun! The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board
and the deadline to sign up for the March 2 supper is Sunday, February 17th!
Bar Harbor Food Pantry Sign
up—Volunteer list online—click below:
https://
signup.barharborfoodpantry.org
Men’s Bible Study at
St. Mary’s NEH
at 1 pm on Tuesday,
February 12!
If you are interested in read-
ing Romans as part of The
Good Book Club study start-
ing in January, you may click
on the link <here> . This is a
national study group and eve-
ryone is welcome to partici-
pate!
3
Our ECW ladies having fun making their special Valentines!
We wish you a day full of love and mercy on Thursday, February 14th!
4
CORRECT REPORT FOR
Youth and Family Ministry 2018
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be
the peace of your children (Isaiah 54:13)
Mission Statement: “To bring youth and families into a closer
relationship with Jesus Christ and one another.” Adopted in
February 2012
Youth and Family Ministry (Y&FM) is dedicated to growing not only our youth, but families as well, in the love
and knowledge of Christ. The committee is most appreciative of the many parishioners who have helped and
planned and participated in the various Y&FM events.
What Blessings and Great Joy Abound for Church of Our Father Youth and Family Ministry
2018 has been another year of change and growth for the Youth and Family ministry.
With a focus on family we are so thankful to parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who have faithfully brought
children to worship in 2018.
Each week the children join us in worship and have grown in their understanding and participation.
After the worship the children join at the “circle table “where they attend a time of education and fun.
“Having the children present in the parish hall gives them a feeling of being part of the church community and
gives our church community an opportunity to be part of and witness what the children are learning. I especially
love when we can be interactive with the congregation as a whole. It is the body of Christ at work!” Chris
Krenicki
Education time has included
Making a booklet that looks at different aspects of our worship service and what they mean
A series of lessons on Lent ,Easter and Pentecost
A variety of lessons based on the readings or sermon on that Sunday
An Advent study “What we do in Advent, an Anglican kids Workbook” By Anne Kitch
Mission opportunities included
Learning about our sponsor children in Mityana and providing financial support so they can continue their educa-
tion.
Researching and giving money to Compassion International
Shopping for and packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child
Loading Food Pantry donations
Cards for folks on our prayer list and others we miss seeing at worship
Providing assistance for those in need at Christmas
Highlights of the year include
Two baptisms – Marley Nichols and Samaria Hudak
A fall train ride on the Downeast Express
A family advent event including a craft , meal and a viewing of “ The Star”
Our year was capped off with a Christmas eve service full of the voices of children and a great showing of teens
and young adults who have grown up in our church family. God Is Good!!!!
See next page
5
(Cont’d from page 4)
Hopes for the future
Some hopes for the future:
Interact with other MDI Episcopal youth as the inter church cooperation expands
Play a role on some level in the services
Have an off-site event – maybe summer
Invite their friends to some of what we do
Utilize new and inspiring curriculum/ideas
Encourage some to go to Camp Bishopswood – there are funds in the Dedicated for some coverage of expenses.
Chris Krenicki – Chair of Youth and Family Ministries
January 27
Epiphany 3
10 am
Holy Eucharist
And Annual
Meeting
28
Labors of Love
&
Newsletter
articles and
photos due
29
Fr. John
away
30
8 am Morning
Prayer &
Breakfast
Fr. John away
31
Fr. John away
February 1
12-2 Fr. John
in
2
3
Epiphany 4
8 am & 10 am
Holy Eucharist
4
5
11 –2
Fr. John in
6
8 am Holy
Eucharist &
Breakfast
9-12 Fr. John in
7
12-2 Fr. John
in
8
12-2 Fr. John
in
9
Election of
the 10th
Bishop of
Maine
10 Epiphany 5
8 am & 10 am
Holy Eucharist
Fr. Tim Fleck
here
11
12
11 –2
Fr. John in
1-3 Men’s
Bible
Study St
Mary’s
13
8 am Holy
Eucharist &
Breakfast
9-12 Fr. John in
14
12-2 Fr. John
in
15
12-2 Fr. John
in
16
17
Epiphany 6
8 am & 10 am
Holy Eucharist
11:45 am Vestry
meeting
18 19
11 –2
Fr. John in
20
8 am Holy 8 am
Holy Eucharist &
Breakfast
9-12 Fr. John in
21
12-2 Fr. John
in
22
12-2 Fr. John
in
23
24
Epiphany 7
8 & 10 am
Holy Eucharist
25
Labors of Love
&
Newsletter
articles and
photos due
26
11 –2
Fr. John in
27 8 am Holy
Eucharist &
Breakfast
9-12 Fr. John in
28
12-2 Fr. John
in
March 1
12-2 Fr. John
in
2
February 2019
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
3 February ~ Epiphany 4
The congregations of St. Andrew’s, Millinocket and St. Thomas’,
Winn. For all prayerfully preparing to participate in the Convention
to Elect the Tenth Bishop of Maine.
10 February ~ Epiphany 5 The congregations of Christ Church, Norway and Trinity
(Lutheran), South Paris . For all those in ministries of teaching and
Christian formation.
17 February ~ Epiphany 6 The congregations of St. Margaret’s, Belfast and St. Andrew’s,
Newcastle . For all church musicians and choirs
24 February ~ Epiphany 7
The congregations of St. Alban’s, Cape Elizabeth and St.
Nicholas’, Scarborough. For the sick and those who care for
them
Intercessory Prayer for our Friends, Family, Military, Prison Ministry, Diocese & Missionaries:
Pray for Sean Killian, departed this life; for Geoff Schuller, Bill Krenicki, Isabel Cordova, Haji, Avila, Beth Kid-
der, Gina Farnsworth, Fr. Bob Raymond, Bill Kirk, Stacey Austin, Donna Cardillo, Cindy, Roger Evans, Carl
Hatch, Christina Heiniger, Ursula Heiniger, Helen, Cameron Knable, Kim and Jean Lasater, Gary Lyons, Ronald
Olson, Tony & Shawn Smoker, Bob Theriault, Lloyd Woods, Anne Zaslau, the Ministry of Hospice and the Bar
Harbor Food Pantry. Our Military: Pray for those who serve in the armed forces, of the USA. Prison Ministry:
Pray for peace in our prisons.
February
Birthdays 2/1 Nancy Salisbury 2/2 Ursula Heiniger 2/8 Hayley & Maya Libitzki-McCabe 2/10 Isaac Higgins 2/12 David Hawkes 2/13 The Rev. John Allison 2/14 Aggie Sawyer 2/19 Steve Biggers 2/23 Ken Linscott 2/29 Mary Leland-Hopkins Anniversaries 2/2 The Rev. John Allison Celebrates his ordination as priest 2/14 Frank Gray & Ada Hatch
(Please let Muffet know if we may add yours)
Anglican Cycle of Prayer Sunday, 3 February 2019
Pray for the Anglican Church of Burundi, The Most Revd Martin Blaise Nyaboho - Archbishop
of Burundi & Bishop of Makamba
Sunday, 10 February 2019
Pray for the Anglican Church of Canada, The Most Revd Frederick Hiltz - Primate of the Angli-
can Church of Canada
Sunday, 17 February 2019
Pray for the Church of the Province of Central Africa, The Most Revd Albert Chama -
Archbishop of Central Africa & Bishop of Northern Zambia
Sunday, 24 February 2019
Pray for the Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America.,The Rt Revd Julio Murray
Thompson - Primate of IARCA & Bishop of Panama
Church of Our Father Holy Eucharist: Sunday 8 and 10 am
Wednesday 8 am
(followed by light breakfast)
Words From The Well
IN THIS ISSUE P. 1-2 Fr John Allison P. 3-5 News/Announcements P. 6-7 Calendar/Birthdays/Anniversaries/Prayers
February 2019
CHURCH OF OUR FATHER P.O. Box 186 HULLS COVE, MAINE 04644 Office—207-288-4849 [email protected] www.churchofourfather.org (GPS location: 91 State Hwy 3, Bar Harbor)
