The Sandpiper
The Newsletter of Saint Nicholas Episcopal Church
Scarborough, Maine
November 2016
From Our Vicar
Dear Friends:
In the introduction to his recent book The Road to Character, New York Times columnist
David Brooks reflects on the difference between the resume virtues and the eulogy
virtues. He writes: The resume virtues are the ones you list on your resume, the skills that
you bring to the job market and that contribute to external success. The eulogy virtues are
deeper. They’re the virtues that get talked about at your funeral, the ones that exist at the
core of your being—whether you are kind, brave, honest, or faithful; what kind of
relationships you formed.
The eulogy virtues are moral qualities. Among them, says Brooks, are having a serene inner character, a quiet
but solid sense of right and wrong—not only to do good, but to be good. They entail loving intimately,
sacrificing self in the service of others, living in obedience to some transcendent truth, and having a cohesive
inner soul that honors creation and one’s own possibilities. They invoke living for some sacred purpose
beyond mere worldly success.
Brooks also suggests that we cannot attain such virtues on our own. Everybody needs redemptive assistance
from outside—from God, family, friends, ancestors, traditions, and institutions. We have to draw from
traditions that encourage certain values and educate the heart. For me, the Church—that circle of community
that is the body of Christ—has been indispensable in nurturing those virtues of the heart.
It is good to be grateful for that larger sphere of meaning and purpose that touches all our lives. Gratitude for
gifts that have been handed down over time, and that daily bless and enrich our lives, is a habit of the heart
that leads to joy. It is our privilege to contribute to that larger sphere of meaning, a common beauty that
transcends individual beauty.
In that beautiful spirit of joy and of giving thanks, you are warmly invited to our annual Ingathering
Celebration on Sunday, November 20. At that time, you will be asked to bring forward your financial pledge to
support the life of the congregation for the upcoming year.
As always, please know of my heartfelt thanks for all of you. This year, I have been made keenly aware of the
blessings of our church community in facing medical challenges. You have been a continual source of love and
healing to me, as I know you are to one another even now.
With warmest regards,
David
OCTOBER FEST by Jane Ducott
We celebrated our second October Fest on October first. The Scarborough Community Garden, Project
GRACE, local cub scouts, the Sandpiper Children's Center, the State Street Traditional Jazz Band, and a
children's author graced Saint Nick’s with so much joy and community spirit that many guests stayed all day.
The cub scouts planted herbs and lettuce to be delivered to the Scarborough Food Pantry and distributed to
our neighbors. They harvested kale and Swiss chard for samples of sautéed greens. Chris Taylor also provided
samples of salsa and kale smoothies. The samples were a huge hit for young and old, and food will be a major
focus for 2017's festival. The jazz band added so much excitement to the gathering. Josh Parenteau was once
again our chef extraordinaire, and we sold many baked goods. The Fest was great! Thanks to all of the "staff "
for creating a spectacular event for our neighbors.
STEWARDSHIP NOTES by John Sutton
For more than thirty years when we lived in Connecticut, Dorothy and I were members of Grace Church,
Norwalk. One year our congregation adopted for our annual stewardship program the slogan Gratitude,
Loyalty. Sacrifice. May I suggest that we at Saint Nick’s apply these same words to our 2017 stewardship
campaign? You have recently received—or soon will—a letter from Warden Erik Jensen about it and a
pledge card. My words here are meant to supports Erik’s and to present other ideas you might consider as
you make your pledge. (When you fill out your card you will be in the pink!) And please take note of our
Treasurer’s financial report below.
It has been said that there are no wrong reasons for giving to the church, but I believe the highest and best
reason is that we are returning to God just a small part of what God has given us. That's gratitude. Before
you make your pledge, count your blessings--and respond accordingly.
We give to Saint Nick’s because it's our church home and we are a family. We care about each other. We are
committed to doing everything we can to support our congregation. This loyalty also involves paying salaries
and maintaining our church "house," our building, which needs regular upkeep and must be lighted, heated,
and its parking lot plowed. As you make your pledge, think about what Saint Nick’s means to you--and
respond accordingly.
Many of us try to put our pledge to Saint Nick’s at the top of our giving list. To do this we sacrifice, giving up
things we really don't need in order to do our best for God. Many of us try to raise our pledges each year,
experiencing the joy of stretching in our giving. As you make your pledge, think about what you might give up,
however little it may be--and respond accordingly.
God is counting on you! Please give with gratitude, loyalty, and sacrifice.
And please plan to bring your pledge card to church on Sunday, November 20th. Thank you.
The 197th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
by Nancy Nickerson
Fortunately for me, I had the opportunity to attend the convention with David Heald, Nancy Agan, and John
Sutton. It was a terrific day, and here are a few highlights of what went on.
Convention this year was an experiment, in the words of Bishop Stephen Lane, in that we followed a one-day
format. This differed from past years, and was tried for a number of reasons, most prominently to give an
opportunity for a greater variety of folks to attend. Having convention be only one day made it more feasible
and affordable. The Bishop encouraged us to invite members from our parishes to be delegates who might
have been unlikely to attend with the old format of two days, sometimes two overnights.
Convention was varied, as we had social and eating time, lots of worship time (three times in the course of the
eight-hour day), and time for attending to diocesan business. We started with a beautiful morning worship
service, which included a thoughtful and inspiring address from Bishop Lane. He spoke of the changes in
Convention and the reasons for it, and also gave us a sense of our life as a diocesan entity. He reflected on
changes and trends in our own diocese as well as in the Church nationally. He spoke of our mission as Christfollowers, and introduced us to the new diocesan initiative “Living Local—Joining God.” This is a formal effort
to take church outside of our buildings and comfort zones and to encounter God in our communities. Our
Scarborough Community Garden---a community-wide endeavor in which Saint Nick’s is the lead partner-exemplifies this thinking.
We had two beautiful Mission Moments at Convention, videos giving us food for thought and cause to be
uplifted and inspired. The first featured Presiding Bishop Michael Curry expounding on The Jesus Movement:
loving, liberating, life-giving action in our world based on the teachings and spirit of Jesus. The other Mission
Moment consisted of interviews with parishioners across the state who are participating in “Living Local—
Joining God” program.
We passed three resolutions, none of them controversial: the dissolution of a diocesan committee which
never meets; compensation for lay employees in the Diocese to ensure a living wage; and compensation for
clergy. We heard a dynamic and comprehensive presentation on the annual diocesan budget by the Rev. Nina
Pooley of Saint Bart’s, Yarmouth-- it is no small task to make a budgetary report lively! We remembered
clergy who have died, and we honored folks who have served at the diocesan level for numbers of years.
When Bishop Lane pointed out that this year marks forty years of the ordination of women, there was
thunderous applause. We also elected diocesan officers, members of committees, deputies to General
Convention, and delegates to Diocesan Council.
The day was an affirming one, and enlightening. I encourage NEW representatives from Saint Nick’s for next
year’s convention. I have attended four times, and I recommend it!
MUSIC NOTES by Terry Foster
SAINT NICHOLAS CHIMERS TO PLAY
Hand chime enthusiasts from our congregation will play on All Saints Sunday, November 6. Their final
rehearsal will be at 8:45am on that Sunday.
MESSENGERS OF HOPE TO SING ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Back by popular demand, the Messengers of Hope gospel quartet will again sing during the service at Saint
Nick’s on Sunday, November 6. That Sunday is traditionally the day that we celebrate All Saints Day. Their
selections, as well as our hymns, will reflect themes that speak of saints and heaven. Don't miss this old-time
gospel quartet!
GUEST ORGANISTS TO PLAY AT SAINT NICK’S
While our church musician, Terry Foster, is on vacation, two guest organists will be on the bench. On
November 13, Peter Plumb will be our organist. On November 20, Clarissa Brown will serve as our church
musician. Both of these organists are well-known in southern Maine and are recognized as being highly
proficient at the instrument.
SANDPIPER CHILDREN’S CENTER by Lorna Kerbel
We are moving forward with the paperwork and projects that need to be completed for accreditation. The hall and small
classroom floors will have the carpeting removed and vinyl tile put down the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
Because this will cost about $2600, the parent group will have two more fund raisers this year: a card sale and our annual
wreath and poinsettia sale. If anyone knows of a business that needs a wreath, please let Marlene know.
SCC Hallowe’en Party
SEPTEMBER BISHOP’S COMMITTEE MEETING
At the meeting the Committee……
received a report on the Sandpiper Children’s Center: tuition , staff raises and increased “rent” to Saint
Nick’s (in January), painting and building repairs. It was noted that the SCC was recently listed as one of
the “Best of the Best.”
reviewed the progress of the Mutual Ministry Review (parishioners interviewed about their
perceptions of how we’re doing at Saint Nick’s).
learned about the diocesan convention to be held in Portland on October 22 and the work of the
Worship Committee.
received a report from the treasurer: pledge statements mailed, only $10,000 having to be taken from
reserve funds, $4000 received from the congregation and a two-year grant for $9000 from the Diocese
for building maintenance; plans for the annual stewardship campaign and its time line are in place;
after this campaign Vicki will give up her position as stewardship chair and, at the end of the year, her
financial work with the children’s Center.
reviewed maintenance projects which need attention.
granted approval to Nancy Nickerson to sell chocolate bars and to urge donations for Haiti relief to
Episcopal Relief and Development, and to Nancy’s son’s raising money for relief in Syria.
Chocolate Bar Sale Coming in December by Nancy Nickerson
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On two Sundays in December—the 4 and the 18 --I will be selling Equal Exchange chocolate bars. These luscious bars
---organic and mostly dark chocolate----have been popular in the past and come in several varieties. The cost is $5 a bar
or $12 for three. Our purchase of these from Equal Exchange supports living wages for Latin American farmers and
encourages sustainable agriculture. AND, for every fifteen pounds of any EE product our church purchases, money is
given to Episcopal Relief and Development. AND the proceeds from this December sale will be donated to Konbit Sante
to help with its work in northern Haiti. ADDITIONALLY, you get terrific chocolate to give at the holidays---or keep it for
yourself. So, how can you resist??!! As December gets closer, listen for news about the sale in the weekly announcements.
FROM VICKI LAQUERRE, OUR TREASURER
Dear Friends,
I am always amazed at the generosity and enthusiasm displayed when we share a common goal or request help from
each other. The response from a significant majority of our members to the call for matching donations for the Lovett
Grant (funds to be used for maintenance of our physical plant) was overwhelming. To date, we’ve raised $3,940 (we
only asked for $1,500!). The Diocese awarded us not only $4,500 for the fall 2016 projects but committed to another
$4,500 in the spring of 2017! We now have almost $13,000 to replace windows, paint some interior rooms, repair
rotting exterior framework, and possibly restain and repaint the entire exterior! Making this investment on our twelveyear-old church home and childcare center is coming at just the right time. Thank you, Erick Jensen, and all members
involved with making to-do lists, working with vendors to get quotes, and getting started already on some of the
needed repairs.
Thanks also to the many members who are supporting the cost of our use of green electricity (about $36 a month) . A
special thank you to Nancy Nickerson for stewarding this effort!
Our cash flow as of mid-October has been very consistent, with the steady payment of pledges being a key factor. We
have also received another $10,000 anonymous gift (the third in as many years) for the principal portion of our
mortgage.
Total income:
$106,258
Total expenses:
$111,291
Net income (loss)
$ (5,033)
This past spring we transferred $10,000 from savings to balance the budget, and another $10,000 will be needed in
November as we start to pay for snowplowing, propane ,etc. This will bring our savings balance to about $50,000 by the
end of the year.
As we all consider our 2017 financial commitment to Saint Nicholas, please know that many members work hard to
manage expenses. We continue to be thankful for the continued blessings of additional support and special gifts that
ease us through each year in better shape than we anticipate. Thank you all!
THE DUCOTTS’ VISIT TO ITALY: aka “The Janey Adventures”
Milan Cathedral
Michaelangelo’s David & Friends
Altar at Milan Cathedral
Leonardo’s The Last Supper
A GRACE FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER
For this earth, Lord, and for your guidance to use its resources rightly, give us grateful hearts.
For the leaders of the world, this nation, our state, our community, give us grateful hearts.
For farmers, ranchers, growers, packers, processors, and drivers, give us grateful hearts.
For our friends and loved ones present, absent from us, or departed, give us grateful hearts.
For those who have prepared this feast for our enjoyment, give us grateful hearts.
For the homeless, helpless, poor, weak, jobless, and our enemies, turn our gratitude into love and action.
And to you, Master of the Feast, Creator and Source of Abundance and Love, we ask you to bless this food for
our use, strengthening us to do Your will at all times in all places, through Christ our Lord. AMEN.