The Rev. Claudia Smith
Rector St. Francis by the Sea
The Third Sunday of Easter April 15, 2018, 10 am Sermon by The Rev. Elaine Hewes:
The Rev. Elaine Hewes
The Third Sunday of Easter April 15, 2018, 10 am Full Service celebrated by The Rev. Elaine Hewes which includes the Anthem: “Oh Christ, Our Joy and Gladness” Composed by Carlton T. Russell with text by Edward Dufresne, based on Gospel of John 20:1-18:
The Rev. Steve Hayward
The Second Sunday of Easter sermon by The Rev. Steve Hayward:
The Second Sunday of Easter full service celebrated by The Rev. Steve Hayward:
Easter Sunday April 1, 2018, Sermon by The Rev. Steve Hayward:
Easter Sunday April 1, 2018 Full 10 am Service celebrated by The Rev. Steve Hayward:
The Great Vigil of Easter Saturday March 31, 2018m, 7 pm Sermon by The Rev. Steve Hayward:
The Great Vigil of Easter Saturday March 31, 2018, 7 pm Full Service celebrated by The Rev. Steve Hayward:
On Palm Sunday during his visit to the Holy Land, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry delivered his Easter 2018 Message while standing outside of St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem.
Click here to see the video
Palm Sunday March 25, 2018, 10 am Sermon by The Rev. Elaine Hewes:
The Rev. Elaine Hewes
Palm Sunday March 25, 2018, 10 am Full Service celebrated by The Rev. Elaine Hewes:
The Fifth Sunday of Lent March 18, 2018, 10 am Sermon by The Rev. Elaine Hewes:
The Fifth Sunday of Lent March 18, 2018, 10 am Full Service celebrated by The Rev. Elaine Hewes:
The Fourth Sunday of Lent March 11, 2018 10 am Sermon by Saint Francis by the Sea Rector, The Rev. Claudia Wyatt Smith:
The Fourth Sunday of Lent March 11, 2018 10 am Full Service from St. Francis by the Sea, Blue Hill, Maine:
*Just a quick note: We attempt to post the sermon and service each week as soon as possible. Most weeks it is late evening of that day. But, for various reasons, sometimes it is not until Tuesday Morning. Thank you for your inquiries and understanding.
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry has released a video calling for action, “We must make our country safe because all of us are valuable and we are all children of God: We must make our country safe because all of us are valuable and we are all children of God.”
You can view the video he posted by clicking here.
Resources
The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations: Take action with the Episcopal Public Policy Network on an assault weapons ban here, and tell the Senate to oppose the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act Click here.
Bishops United Against Gun Violence resources here. Bishops United Against Gun Violence statement on Parkland, Florida, Click here.
On March 24, the kids and families of March For Our Lives will take to the streets of Washington DC to demand that their lives and safety become a priority and that we end gun violence and mass shootings in our schools today. Click here for a link to the “March for our Lives”, sponsored by some of the kids in Parkland, FL who survived the shooting.
There was a Christmas present for the St. Francis Family and it was opened on Christmas Eve with help from young Ambrose Chung.
This gift was specifically directed by the anonymous donors to be used to upgrade the kitchen. We are in the planning stages and will share more information as soon as it is available. So stay tuned.
It can happen!! On Sunday November 12, 2017 the Rector St. Francis by the Sea Blue Hill, Maine the Rev. Claudia Wyatt Smith was serenaded by the Sunday School Singers under the direction of organist Lorna Russell. It was part of a surprise for Claudia’s 10th anniversary at the helm of St. Francis. The celebration was coordinated by a number of parishioners under the leadership of Charity Chung and Brenda Higgins
Claudia was visibly touched:
Dear Friends,
As you are aware, I am rarely lacking words and yet that is what happened to me last Sunday. Not only did you totally surprise me with your amazing gifts, but also I was so deeply touched by your love, that it was beyond my ability to find the words to express my thanks at the time. That said, I hope you will now accept my thanks and appreciation for all that was done to celebrate my tenure here. In truth any celebration is one that needs to be shared among you all since all of the good things that have happened at St Francis have very much been a combined effort.
So thank you…thank you…thank you for the amazing party last Sunday AND thank you… thank you…thank you for the past 10 + years together. May God continue to bless our work in the days to come.
With love and thankfulness for the people of St. Francis,
Claudia+
Among the gifts, a color painting of St. Francis by a parishioner 
That is the recommendation of the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. 
In the wake of the deadly shooting at the First Baptist Church, Sutherland Springs, Texas The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry says, “We pray for those who suffer and for those who have died”.
When disaster strikes many of us want to help in some way. Presiding Bishop The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry reminds us not to send food, clothing or other items because affected dioceses have limited or no capacity to receive, store or distribute goods. It is more efficient and better for the local economy to make a donation. He strongly suggests a donation to Episcopal Relief & Development is an excellent way to do it. The reason is that Episcopal Relief & Development already has actions in place for assistance.
Give to ERD’s Hurricane Relief Fund and help people recover. This fund will support affected communities in the Caribbean and the US devastated after hurricanes and tropical storms. Your donation will help meet urgent needs after Hurricane Irma and other storms by providing critical supplies such as food, water and other basics and offering long-term assistance as needed.
As Saint Francis by the Sea Rector, The Rev. Claudia Wyatt Smith explained during the Sunday Announcements:
· To donate to the Hurricane Response Fund to support impacted dioceses as they meet the needs of their most vulnerable neighbors after this event, click here.
· Sign-up on the Ready to Serve database to register as a possible volunteer in the future.click here. Episcopal Relief & Development staff share these lists with dioceses when they are ready to recruit external volunteers.
By Terri Stephens Smith
One of the things that makes the local church a success is the volunteers that take a special interest in blessing the church with their talents and time. We wish to share with you our current heroes and invite you to join them.
Now, we will be enlightening you with our “Holy Mowers” volunteers. 
This group keeps the outside of St. Francis by the Sea looking neat and green to those that attend our church and those that drive past. Organized years ago by Peter Smith, this summer group of volunteers meets every other week for 2 or 3 hours to mow the lawns, trim the bushes, etc. And then meets at Marlintini’s for lunch and socialization.
The 2017 group includes Brent Follweiler, Brinley Hall, Steve Hayward, John Higgins, Kevin Hunt, John Paul LaLonde, Bob Publicover, Ralph Topham, Tom Boardman, Giffy Full, Peter Smith, Simon Wesley, and Coordinator, Page Williamson.
More help is still needed to help with tree trimming, and flower beds. Also, it would be great if the shed behind the church could be enlarged to fit all the lawn equipment in it.
Left to right Steve Hayward, Page Williamson, Brent Follweiler and Ralph Topham re-hydrating at Marlintinis after and morning of Holy Mowing!
If you have an extra weed whacker, we could certainly use it. Please call Page Williamson at 207-359-0903 if you can be a blessing to this group. Women are encouraged to help, also.
Photos by Marshall Smith
