Bring your furry friend and join us on October 4th at 4PM in front of St. Margaret’s Church as we celebrate St. Francis and his love of animals in a short pet blessing service. This annual event is always very heart-warming and fun!
Sunday morning, June 4th, we had the opportunity to celebrate, appreciate and thank Linn Johnson who has been our faithful and devoted organist for over 30 years.
Our talented Kristin Frangoulis penned the following Ode to Linn.
ODE TO LINN Linnea’ Gunnarson Johnson a Swedish girl by name, Hailed from Yonkers, but in Belfast gained much fame. You can find her Sunday mornings atop the organ bench, Playing music at St Margaret’s like it was an easy cinch. She plays preludes, postludes, and hymns in between. At St. Margaret’s Linn is the Music Queen. Beethoven, Bach, Schuman, and Liszt, Haydn and Handel are fellows on her list. She makes these greats proud as her fingers grace the keys. Their notes she plays with passion, that helps us all to see, That the Holy Spirit is within, and loves us one and all, No matter if we stumble, no matter if we fall. On Easter Linn gets Louis to help her with his horn, To play “Christ Is Risen” as we all sing along. While working on the tulips, weeding on her shift, Ruth paused to hear Linn practice, a celestial music gift. A little bit of Linn’s history we shall now let spill. She went off to Rutgers and there she met her Bill. Eric and Chris, their two sons that make the family tree Had in turn four sons, Drew, Devon Brian, and Steve. In 1989, Linn and Bill moved here with their gifts, And joined St Margaret’s an Episcopalian church. Linn also played accompany for a music group, The Penobscot Bay Singers, a terrific choral troupe. Linn, we are happy you’ll stay with us, sitting in a pew. And keeping us all mindful of our music cues,
Mark your calendars! Throughout the year, GBAM hosts a monthly prayer in the tradition of Taizé in various locations in the Greater Belfast area. JUNE 6, 7PM: St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 95 Court St. Belfast (6:30 Song Practice) JUNE 11, 5PM: Moose Point State Park. SUMMER MONTHS: Semi-weekly Taizé prayer at St. Margaret’s at 7 p.m., June 20, July 11, 18, 25, Aug 1 ,8, 15, 22, 30.
On Sunday afternoon at 4PM on May 21 Bishop Brown is coming to celebrate Baptism, Confirmation and Reception with us during a service of Evening Prayer. There will be a simple reception following the service as we greet Magnolia Vandiver, (Baptism), Caleb Briggs, (Confirmation), and Chris Quigley, (Reception).
We are familiar with the service of Baptism, and even of Confirmation, but we do not often get to celebrate reception. Baptized persons who have been members of another Christian fellowship and who wish to be affiliated with the Episcopal Church may make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their baptism in the presence of a bishop. The bishop lays hands on the candidate for reception and says, “We recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion” (BCP, p. 418). Candidates for reception normally have made a mature commitment in another Christian fellowship.
On Thursday, May 18 at 6PM we will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. This feast is one of the major festivals in the church calendar, but since it always falls on a Thursday, (since it is always on the 40th day after Easter), we will never encounter it on a Sunday. So, we’ve added a Eucharist for that Thursday!
The Ascension marks the conclusion of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. It is the final elevation of his human nature to divine glory and the near presence of God. What it means for us is that jesus is no longer bound by time and space. At the ascension, he becomes present to all humanity at all times and in all places, being no longer subject to the impossibility of being in two places at once. When Jesus stops showing up in bodily form, he is able to uphold his promise to be with us always.
The church was packed with parishioners, clergy and guests from five midcoast churches (St. Margaret’s, Belfast, St. Thomas’, Camden, John the Baptist, Thomaston, and Nativity Lutheran, Rockport. Bishop Thomas Brown was present for a baptism and to celebrate Eucharist at this highly spiritual and joyful service.
COME ONE! COME ALL! Come to our Epiphany celebration this Friday, January 6. We shall begin with church service in the sanctuary at 5:00 to remember the arrival of the Magis. We shall then process into the great hall (the parish hall) led by bagpiper Shaun King. The hall will have been prepared for a feast and frivolity, fun. Everyone should bring a potluck dish (fit for a king). Dessert will be provided. Bakers, Nancy Perkins and Nan Cobbey will provide a king cake. Three lucky people will be crowned king/queen. Louis Pelletier will blow his trumpet for the royal fanfare.Thre will be crowns and capes. After dinner the games and music will begin. Kristen Burkholder will be the Mistress of Fools. Please bring a small, wrapped gift for men in the Reentry Center, or for women in need. Costumes are optional, but part of the fun. Wear something festive, silly, outrageous, or with a medieval or renaissance flair. Have fun being creative. A nonalcoholic punch will be provided, but you are welcome to BYOB. Come and share in this festivity this Friday evening.
Meet our choir! Under the direction of Kristen Burkholder!
Back row from the left: Bob Sirota, Shaun King, Caleb Briggs, Judy King, Craig Watson, Francis Stewart. Middle row: Vicki Sirota, Jean Goldfine and Mary Bigelow. Front row: Cindy Grohdahl, Ruth Shaw, Alexandra Stewart & Linda Dunson. Choir Director: Kristen Burkholder.
They’ll be singing at the 8 p.m. Christmas Eve service!
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church invites you to the season of Advent and Christmas.
Advent Holy Eucharist at 9:30 in the church every Sunday.
Advent education series: Waiting with Expectation” Sessions begin at 10:30 in the parish hall. No prior knowledge is required.
Nov 27 The Annunciation With Deirdre Good and others
Dec 4 Waiting in the midst of suffering With Kristen Burkholder
Dec 11 The Visitation With Barbara Briggs
Dec 18 Signs of Hope St. Margaret’s
Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist with choir at 8:00PM in the church.Christmas Day “Come as you are” Holy Eucharist at 9:30 AM in the church. An all-request Christmas carol service you can attend in your pyjamas.
