Words From The Well

December 2015

CHURCH OF OUR FATHER 91 State Hwy 3, PO Box 186

HULLS COVE, MAINE 04644

207-288-4849 ~ shalomcoof@myfairpoint.net

churchofourfather.org

The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane, Bishop of Maine

The Rev. Suzanne Cole, Priest-in-Charge

The Rev. Mary-Carol Griffin, Deacon

The Wonder of Christmas

A number of years ago my parents gave us their old Christmas albums. I am the proud owner of,

“Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians- Twas the Night before Christmas”, “Guy Lombardo and his

Royal Canadians”, and “The Harry Simeone Chorale- Sing We Now of Christmas” and others.

Jack’s Mom has also given us their albums which included, “Dennis Day with Jack Benny”, “The

Original Gene Autry sings Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”, and that classic, “Snoopy’s Christ-

mas”. We have quite a few of our own including a set which highlights the popular tunes from the

40’s to 80’s as well as some timeless classics and ageless hymns. Of course, these are all record

albums, or vinyl, as they are now called and need to be treated with the utmost of care to avoid scratching and breaking.

One of my favorite Christmas songs from these oldies is “I Wonder as I Wander”. As a child I was captivated by the

beauty of the music, especially when sung by an opera soprano voice. I love all of my Christmas music, but that one is

above the rest in beauty and mystery. It is a song that makes me stop what I am doing and listen to it.

Last week I was reading through some Christmas theme stories and came across one about this very song. I learned

that it is an old Appalachian Christmas Carol and was recorded just before WWII. While that fact does not seem too

unusual, the story of how John Jacob Niles heard it and gave it to the world is very unusual. Mr. Niles wandered the

Appalachian Mountains in search of the origins of songs for much of his life while also becoming a recording artist for

RCA in the 30’s and 40’s. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky and loved the folk songs and rural music of his

birthplace.

One cold December day in North Carolina Mr. Niles was observing people from a poor community as they went

about their daily lives. What a contrast to the hustle and bustle of NYC where shoppers were busy getting ready for all

the festivities of the holiday. Yet in this village he could hear the snow crunch and see children in ragged clothes look

longingly into store windows where toys were displayed. While he was taking in this scene a small voice quietly

singing a haunting melody beckoned to him. A small girl sitting alone on a bench was softly singing a song he had

never heard.

When she finished, Niles took out his pencil and pad, introduced himself to the child and asked about the song. All

she knew about it was that her mother had taught it to her, like her grandma had taught it to her mother before her.

When asked to sing it again, the youngster smiled and quietly repeated the short ballad.

The song, which she called, ‘I Wonder as I Wander’ haunted Niles. He continued to study the words long after she had

left for home. He was amazed at how the words were so spiritual and so simple. The lyrics embraced the joy and

wonder of Christmas but also spoke of the sacrifice of a child grown into a man that died on the cross. Both the words

and music were perfect and inspired.

He pursued the mystery of the song’s origin until he died in 1980. Niles could never trace it back any further to the

little girl on the bench who he never saw again. It was as if she was an angel sent to deliver a message that embraced the

wonder of Jesus’ birth and sacrifice. Because of this chance meeting, we have gained an unforgettable Christmas song

that has never ceased to cause me to ‘wonder’ when I hear it.

Merry Christmas!

Mother Sue+

P A G E 2 ~ DECEMBER 2015

“SOUNDINGS II”

This is the month when the Church year begins. The Advent season prepares us for Christmas. It

is a time for reflection and anticipation. Reflecting back on 2015, we remember many activities,

including the Fish Fry sponsored by our Youth & Family Ministry. Two happenings that stand out

were, the renewal of our healing ministry, first with Bishop Herzog, retired Bishop of Albany who led

us in a three day teaching and preaching weekend. Then our first healing service this November.

Those two events were led by Mother Sue and Deb & Chuck Scott Henderson.

The second event was the passing of Robbie Bothen who was a longtime member of our Church

and a champion of those in need, especially our Prison Ministry. His funeral brought together an

amazing cross section of the Maine community showing how wide his influence and friendship

reached. Of course what made his funeral and reception memorable was the full participation of all,

and especially his two beautiful daughters. His funeral cannot be forgotten because as Robbie usually

was, he was “Late to his own funeral”. Robbie, you will be missed!!

During December along with our Advent preparations we will look forward to renewing our “First

Friday” Hearthside dinners starting on December 4th. Our final Church Service on December 27th will

be the traditional Lessons and Carols, led by our Deacon, Mary Carol. December is also a time for the

business of the Church to transition and plan for the coming year. Your Vestry is busy and have

scheduled a special meeting to discuss the congregation’s Discernment comments and the recent

review comments. The Nominating Committee, the Budget Committee, and the Worship Committee

are all meeting and planning ahead for 2016.

Looking forward to 2016, the Bradshaws will be coming home early in the year. They need to

spend some time raising funds for their remaining time in Uganda. As the sending church we will be

welcoming them and helping them in raising the remaining funds. We will work towards having a

special fund raiser which should involve the whole community.

May Our Lord Bless our Church, our families, our friends and neighbors, as we prepare for

Christmas during this penitential season of Advent.

Blessings,

Tony Sousa,

Senior Warden

“SOUNDINGS”

Mother Sue’s vacation time

Mother Sue will be taking the last week of December off, which includes

Sunday, the 27th. Instead of finding a supply priest, the parish will have one

service at 10:00 am of Christmas Lessons and Carols.

This is your opportunity to participate in a unique service and sing Christmas

hymns! Mother Sue will be back for the 8 and 10am services on January 3.

W O R D S F R O M T H E W E L L ~ P A G E 3

Excel Training Seminar

Mother Sue and Lexie will be in Bangor on December 10th for an all day

Excel training through Fred Pryor Seminars. The office will be closed so both

of us can attend.

“Just an Old Fashioned Christmas Sale”

Saturday, December 5 ~ 9 am to 1 pm ~ Church of Our Father, Route 3,

Hulls Cove. Luncheon with Soups, Sandwiches & Pie, Baked

Goods, Christmas White Elephant Table, Jewelry, Wreaths,

and Crafts of all kinds.

Come see us!

Lunch with Mother Sue

The sign-up sheet for Wednesday and Thursday lunches has been extended

to include the next couple of months into the new year.

If you haven’t done so already, please put your name on a date!

We can go anywhere you would like; Governor's is only a suggestion.

Rectory Open House

Saturday, December 19

2-4pm.

Sand Point Rd.

There will be light refreshments

as well as some hot mulled cider on hand.

Please come and enjoy!

Fresh Start Meeting

The Fresh Start group consists of clergy in the Diocese of Maine who are

either new to the diocese or in a new parish within the state.

Mother Sue is in her second year of the program which meets monthly at

St. Mark’s in Waterville. She will be at this meeting on December 17 and

January 7.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Nov 29 1st Sunday of Advent 8 am & 10 am Holy Eucharist .

30 Dec 1 5 pm Gospel Gents

2 8 am Holy Eucharist & Light Breakfast

3

4

5 Just an Old Fashioned Christmas Sale 9am-1pm

6 2nd Sunday of Advent 8 am & 10 am Holy Eucharist

7

8 5 pm Gospel Gents

9 8 am Holy Eucharist - Light Breakfast

10 OFFICE CLOSED .

11 Men’s Christmas Party 5:30 pm

12

13 3rd Sunday of Advent 8 am & 10 am Holy Eucharist

14

15 5 pm Gospel Gents

16 8 am Holy Eucharist & Light Breakfast

17 ECW Christmas party noon Gail’s house

18

19 Open House at the Rectory 2-4 pm

20 4th Sunday of Advent 8 am & 10 am Holy Eucharist YFM cookies and conversations

21

22 5 pm Gospel Gents

23 8 am Holy Eucharist & Light Breakfast

24 Christmas Eve

25 Christmas Day Office Closed

26

27 First Sunday after Christmas 10 am Lessons & Carols

28 29

30 8 am Holy Eucharist & Light Breakfast

31 New Year’s Eve

1 January New Year’s Day Office Closed

2

December 2015

Intercessory Prayer for our Friends, Family, Military,

Prison Ministry, Diocese & Missionaries:

Cindy, Stacey Austin, Sally Bradshaw, Karen Brown,

Barbara, Betty Bullard, Isabel Cordova, Margaret

Delehanty, Donahue Family, Kristi Dunn, Grace Dwyer,

Ginny & Buddy Eaton, Laurie Fineman, Sarah Flynn,

West Frazier, Jennifer Hatch, Kathleen Hawkes, Chris-

tina Heiniger, Helen, Isabelle, Cameron Knable, Yvonne

Lavant, Diane Lefever, Katie Leighton, Joseph

Manghan, Lousie Manza, Mary McEnroe, Peter Mills,

Carly Murphy, Fannie Oldford, Sue Olson, Kay Sawyer,

Don Sciacca, Claire Shaw, Nicholas Shuck, Sara, Shawn

Smoker, Bob Theriault, Tom Tukey, Jon Turner, Father

Bob Raymond, Craig Wells, Darlene Wells, the ministry

of Hospice, the Bar Harbor Food Pantry and in loving

memory of Mary Cheyney Gould.

Our Military: Pray for those who serve in the armed

forces and are away from family.

Prison Ministry: Pray for those who have loved ones in

prisons.

~ Diocesan Cycle of Prayer ~

“Please pray for

6 December ~ 2 Advent

For our Hispanic sisters and brothers on the feast of Our

Lady of Guadalupe.

For all migrants and refugees.

13 December ~ 3 Advent Gun Sabbath Join places of worship across the nation, the Washington

National Cathedral, the Newtown Foundation, Faiths

United to Prevent Gun Violence, and Episcopal Bishops

United Against Gun Violence, including Bishop Lane, to

remember those who have lost their lives to gunfire, pray

for those whose lives have been forever changed because

of the loss of a loved one, and to educate one another on

proven strategies to reduce gun violence.

20 December ~ 4 Advent

The congregation of“209”: St. Barnabas’, St. Mark’s, St.

Matthew’s, and Prince of Peace Augusta For our Jewish

sisters and brothers who will begin their celebration of

Hanukkah December 24.

25 December Christmas Day: Oh God, you make us

glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son

Jesus Christ. Pray for Peace on Earth.

27 December ~ Christmas 1 ~ The Holy Name of Our

Lord Jesus Christ

The congregations of St. Andrew’s, Winthrop, Winthrop

Center Friends Church (Quaker), and for the Deacons of

the Episcopal Diocese of Maine

DECEMBER AND JANUARYDECEMBER AND JANUARYDECEMBER AND JANUARY

ANNIVERSARIESANNIVERSARIESANNIVERSARIES

December 18 Joel and Sharon Linscott

December 31 Tom and Joan Tukey

DECEMBER AND JANUARYDECEMBER AND JANUARYDECEMBER AND JANUARY

BIRTHDAY S BIRTHDAY S BIRTHDAY S December 5 Sandy Beatty

December 5 Elisabeth Bradshaw

December 11 Jen Caeti

December 12 Margaret Delehanty

December 16 Katherine Sawyer

December 16 Deb Scott –Henderson

December 18 James Kitler

December 20 Brad Thompson

December 21 Leigh Beatty

December 22 Anthony Smoker

December 25 Carol Johnston

December 28 Jan Biggers

January 3 Terry Baker

January 8 Sam Hoff

January 8 Amy Hodgson

January 9 Jack Cole

January 11 Marge Sweet

January 13 Bob Sinnett

January 13 Bob Hicks

January 22 Joel Linscott

January 31 Olivia Underwood

Please remember with a Call, Card or Visit:

William Kitler, 276 Knox Rd., Bar Harbor, ME 04609

Beth & Chuck Bradshaw, Bishop Lutaaya Theological

College, P. O. Box 102, Mityana, UGANDA (EXTRA

POSTAGE)

P A G E 6 ~ DECEMBER 2015

Parish Life……………………………………………………Parish Life……………………………………………………

Classes to begin in January 2016

Starting on Sunday January 3, Mother Sue will lead a class between services entitled,

“Reading Beyond the ‘Dirty Pages’, Learning about The Book of Common Prayer.”

Each week the group will focus on a different section of the prayer book. This is not a series,

so you are welcome for one class or all of them.

Our 12 week series, to begin on Thursday, January 7 at 6 pm, will use the program, “First

Place for Health”. It incorporates a healthier lifestyle and a closer walk with God for men

and women.

There is a cost for the program if you wish Mother Sue to order the materials you need, or

you may order them on your own.

Please come to the first meeting on the January 7 to learn more.

Christmas Outreach

Christ’s Birth is the Day the Lord has Made– Hallelujah!”

Thanks to all parishioners who participated in giving presents to the children

at the Emmaus Center.

Also, the gifts to the Fuel Fund were and are greatly needed by those in need

of heat this winter. Our giving will, hopefully, send a message that Christ

loves them and cares for them.

Youth and Family Ministry will host Cookies, Conversations and

Celebrations ~ Sunday December 20. Details to be announced.

Mary McEnroe volunteering at theThanksgiving Dinner

held at the Riverside Café in Ellsworth for the Emmaus Center.

Church of Our Father Annual Meeting: January 17, 2016

The Annual Meeting will take place after the 10:00 am service on January 17th.

Please have all reports and articles to Lexie (email preferred) by Thursday,

the 7th of the month.

We could also use some help around the 14th with assembling the booklets, stapling, etc.

Thank you in advance for your dedication.

Archiving

For some time now archiving of important Church of

Our Father materials has been occurring in the church

basement. These efforts were started a while back and

are now resuming. While a large volume of archival

materials have been located in the church, it is also

possible that appropriate materials for the fire proof file

cabinets may be outside the church walls and in

parishioner’s homes. This may be especially true of past

Treasurers, who had to keep track of large volumes of

records.

The list is long from Episcopal Church USA of what

should go into the archive files. Many materials only

need to be held for 5 or 7 years. However, there are

some records that have to be kept forever. The list is not

being published here. However, if you believe that you

may be in possession of materials for the archives

contact Brad Berry (667-5087) regarding whether they

are needed. Much is missing before 2000. Thank you.

P A G E 8 ~ DECEMBER 2015

Youth and Family Ministries

The youth and family committee members, adults and the youth have been

busy these last few weeks: the youth have begun a new study during our cookies

and conversation time called “Pray Daily : Igniting Our Passion for God.” This

study breaks down the Lord’s Prayer line by line. It gives supporting scriptures

and leads the participants to reflect respond and pray. It is in a format that works

well for young adults and not so young adults alike. Curious? Chris would be

happy to share the information with you.

Thanks to the Vestry, Brad and committee members who offered site

suggestions the beautiful artwork given to us by Kampire our Compassion child is

proudly displayed in our parish hall. We are working on a dedication plaque to

accompany this tangible reminder of our work and commitment to Kampire and

to honor our Lord. The youth of Church of Our Father continue to support

children in at risk areas by sponsoring three girls in Mityana. We have sent funds

from our Fish Fry proceeds, dresses from our congregation and most importantly

our prayers for Gloria, Helen and Olivia. We look forward to many opportunities

to uplift our sisters in Christ.

Our youth are out among our community participating in many programs in

and outside of school including sports, scouts and theater to name a few. It is with

your prayer and support that they are able to live their faith in all of these arenas,

showing Christ’s love in many unique ways. You may have noticed their amazing

heart for service as they rake and clear brush at Church of Our Father, stock

shelves at the Bar Harbor Food pantry, work the local “Everybody Eats” dinners

and provide coffee hour hospitality after our Sunday November 29th worship.

Thanks to our community of support, Liam Higgins was able to attend the

diocesan wide youth event with approximately 50 other middle school youth.

They studied, worshiped and had fun. Praise the Lord! Thanks to all who keep

this important part of our ministry alive with your prayers.

The committee has faithfully worked through our budget process and look

forward to 2016! Blessings and peace to you all this Advent and Christmas

season!!

Chris Krenicki

W O R D S F R O M T H E W E L L ~ P A G E 9

The Fall Middle School Event

at the Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine

This past weekend I attended the Episcopal Youth Event which is created to further connect us to

God and His kingdom. There is a different theme for about every event. This time around it was

about the "Heroes of the Bible and Spreading God’s Word." Heroes of the Bible means people

like Moses and Peter. Important people in the Bible, and spreading God’s word is quite self

explanatory, but they break it down so it is easy for us to understand. The people in charge create

group activities so we can learn even further. Thank you, members of Church of Our Father for supporting me in my journey to Portland. I

made many long lasting relationships with people my age. I cannot wait to attend the next event

and I hope you can continue to support the Youth Ministry. I also made a relationship with God,

connecting myself to His kingdom in learning to spread his Holy Word.

Liam Higgins

Friend of Christ!

Worship time at the close of the weekend

Cross of prayers

Packing up!

P A G E 1 0 ~ DECEMBER 2015

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because

of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of

rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:4-5)

Dear Brothers and Sisters of our Sending Church,

We greet you in the mighty Name of Jesus, the Son of God, whose kingdom en-

dures forever! We are enthusiastically looking forward to our March-April visit to

the US and to Maine.

At this time 3 years ago we were just getting started on our deputation. During the

first half of 2013 we visited churches and met with potential supporters, not mainly

to get something, but to witness to what the Lord is doing. We were aware that if

we did not raise the funds we would not get to Uganda. But SAMS had taught us

that financial support by itself is ineffective if you don’t have people praying for

you.

In 2013 we raised enough support (Praise God!) to get the “Go” from

SAMS. No church was more responsive than the Church of Our Father. Sus-

tained by those donations and pledges, and your prayers, we have completed a

little more than 2 years of our 3-year mission in Mityana.

We had not given much thought to fund-raising until November, when SAMS warned us that unless we generate more

support we will have to return to the US soon. Please pray for us to grow in faith and in the Lord’s joy, trusting him for

financial provision. We will be most appreciative of any year-end contributions and new pledges from friends at the

Church of Our Father.

What have we “accomplished” during our time in Mityana? We might point to classes taught, numbers of graduates,

relationships formed and, special projects. We have represented the Church in Maine to the Church in Mityana, and

vice versa. Perhaps we had hoped to save a lot of souls and improve people’s lives. In heaven we might learn how

much of that we accomplished.

The unexpected challenge has been to “have the mind of Christ” and follow the example of his humility; to rise above

misunderstandings, distrust, and stereotyping; to work through the protocols, bureaucracies, and unwritten cultural rules,

and to bring about necessary changes, without thinking or behaving in un-Christian ways.

We are preparing for the December 2 graduation of 7 early childhood teachers, 17 Lay Readers, 7 counselors, and the 13

new deacons who finished their course work in April. On that day the Bishop will also break ground for the construction

of a music building at Bishop Lutaaya. There will be a Christmas Concert and Fundraiser for the building on December

22, with the Bishop as guest of honor. We will share the fruits of the music program and encourage students, parents

and music lovers to give their support to the construction.

May the Lord grant you the grace of a holy Advent and a

blessed Christmas.

Faithfully,

Chuck+ & Beth

Beth and me waiting for our ride to

St. John’s, Lulagala this morning.

Group shot of Beth and me

with graduating Lay Readers

W O R D S F R O M T H E W E L L ~ P A G E 1 1

Fr Chuck and Beth –In the Spring

In the Spring – Yes, that is the time Fr. Chuck and Beth hope to return to the US and be with us for

deputation. It will be a time when they will attend the New Wineskins conference along with the Lacys, as

well as other SAMS missionary meetings. Hopefully, there will be some from Church of Our Father at New

Wineskins. It is an excellent conference to inspire and equip us to fulfill the Lord’s Great Commission.

The other day I was cleaning out old emails from even back in the summer of 2013. It was a time when

we were all preparing for Fr. Chuck and Beth to depart for Uganda. There was great organization, planning,

dialog in the whole process – like the Down East fair days. Many stepped forth in our role as the “Sending

Church” to participate in activities such as logistics, prayer, financial, communication, mail and return

deputation. We held a wonderful fundraiser, there were yard sales at the Rectory and who could forget the

removal process of the pool table from the Rectory basement. Many parishioners opened their homes to

store the Bradshaw’s belongs while they were on mission. Then with a touch of sadness, but also great joy;

the farewell trip to the Bangor bus station as they departed for Mityana. A time for working together and

embracing “Maine 2 Mityana.”

In 2014, Fr. Chuck and Beth returned for a visit. It was a time of joy of them being with us as they

shared their first year of mission in Mityana. We learned what daily life was like for them and the specific

mission activities. They brought us wonderful gifts, especially the unique “drum.” Beth taught us Mityana

music and showed the ECW specific crafts being done at the college. It was a great time of formal and in-

formal interaction with them.

They told us of new “Special Project” areas in which we could expand our relationship with their mis-

sion. Some of these areas were funds to help pay student needs, water purification and for a construction

loan for a pension house. An opportunity opened to support three girls to go to school in Mityana and was

quickly adopted in the beginning by our youth. These activities and sponsorships are a critical part of build-

ing the Lord’s kingdom in Uganda. In our lives, we have had situations where we wanted to achieve some

degree of accomplishment and it may have been directed by time. Certainly, Fr. Chuck and Beth have such

hopes of attaining establishment of their mission efforts during the remaining nine months of the mission.

They are making plans for the continuation of their work and are raising up people who are passionate and

committed to seeing the music program continue.

In the Spring is the best time for them to be here for deputation. It works out well to attend New Wineskins

and SAMS meetings. However, it is possible that the funds for their mission will have reached a depleted

level where they may have to return before springtime – winter for deputation is not the optimum time.

Many of you have been dedicated financial supporters of their mission in Mityana. If you can either in-

crease your donation, advance it at this time, or spread it out over time; it would help insure them coming in

March. If you have not given to their mission, please consider doing so now. Here are the ways that you

can do this;

Through the SAMS website https://secure-q.net/Donations/SAMS/3289 or you can send a check to

SAMS, Box 399, Ambridge, PA 15003. (Be sure to put the Bradshaws’ name on it.)

When Fr. Chuck and Beth are here, fundraisers are being planned. At present, the Vestry is developing and

exploring ideas for these fundraisers. However, many will need to help in planning, promoting and run-

ning the fundraisers. Please be ready to help so that Fr Chuck and Beth can be back in Mityana at the most

appropriate time.

In the Spring - The time for renewal, resurrection and salvation. A time to energize ourselves to be

“Senders” for Fr. Chuck and Beth.

Brad Berry

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. 2: “Soundings”

P. 3: Upcoming Events

P. 4: Calendar

P. 5: Prayers, Birthdays, Anniversaries

P. 6-9: Parish Life

P. 10-11 Maine to Mityana

December

2015

Bill Krenicki promoting the cheese challenge

for the Bar Harbor Food Pantry