First, I need to look up some new words because the current collection is inadequate for my needs. I want to thank you for so many things: Eight years of support, friendship, and allowing me to be myself rather than fit into a certain role. You are allowing me to be with you in meaningful ways as we face life and death together, and find ways to get on down the road. We are fashioning a faith that is founded on real life experiences and a relationship with God that sustains us in normal times and in the extremes.

There is a new word for my collection that arose out of the celebration of my 50 years of ordination; the word, "jubilee." It originally was a remembrance of the Wilderness Wanderings, and a thanksgiving for God's faithful guidance and deliverance during that long journey from enslavement to freedom. It was marked every 50 years with gratitude for the privilege of returning home, for restoration of what had become faded, for renewal of vigor and

vision. It was a new beginning.

That is happening in my life and I am seeing evidences of it across our parish. I hear it in the amazing singing of our choir, the high quality of the work in our gallery, the maintenance and usage of the labyrinth, the work being done on our cookbook, the really hard work of the vestry, the number of visitors who are

finding us and returning time after time. It seems that we have found home, freshness, new life. In addition,

some new initiatives are being planned that will raise our vibration even more.

I am so happy to be here with you, and pleased with all that is coming our way. In May I will begin my 9th year at St. Francis. It will be an incredible year for us.

Thanks for being on this journey.

Much love,

Everett+

Our Journey Together

The Song of Saint Francis

It’s a Date!

6/7 David Leahy, organ

concert

6/18 Salisbury Youth

Choir concert

7/14 Familiar Favorites

concert

8/11 String Quartet

concert

8/20 Three Triangle

Tenors concert

9/24 Lopez Tabor Duo

concert

10/14 Lobster Fest

12/26 Messiah Sing-Along

Saint Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church ● Salter Path, North Carolina May 2017

Page 2

Our Sunday mornings are jam-packed. Before and after our worship service, we are busy performing necessary tasks, focusing on what needs to get done. We scurry around making sure that everything that needs to be put out is where it

needs to be and subsequently that everything is then put back. We chat with neighbors and friends, reconnect with cottagers who are in town and welcome first time guests. We talk about upcoming football games, gardens, beach patrol, and other wonderful topics.

With all that going on, it's sometimes difficult to find the time to focus on something we all happen to share- our common life in Christ here at St. Francis by the Sea. It's important to take a breath, relax, come together and have focused time to think about the larger picture. And just like very busy families who need to periodically schedule time to sit down and actually talk to

each other about the things that matter most to them, we as a church want to do the same.

Of course you can speak with a vestry member at any time, but in addition we want to schedule a couple of opportunities in which special time is set aside for you to be able to speak with us. We will schedule two "Open Door" listening sessions in which several vestry members will be available to do just that... listen. We want to hear from you our parishioners about whatever is on your mind.

Do you have an idea you'd like to share? A program you'd like to see implemented? A vision for our church? Something you would like the vestry to know? We want to listen to you.

The dates are tentatively scheduled for Sunday, July 16th after church and also the evening of Wednesday, November 8th in conjunction with a potluck supper. Look for more information to follow as the time gets closer. We'll look forward to hearing from you!

- Barbara McCreary

Vestry View by Barbara McCreary

ECW News by Bobbie Hill

Meeting—May 17th ECW will meet at the home of Pegge Knecht Wednesday May 17 at 6PM. Pegge will have the “ greens” for our build-a-salad dinner. Everyone should bring a topping for the salad, dressing, bread, or a dessert. Please let me

know if you plan to come so Pegge will have a number. Her address is 538 Coral Drive in Beacon’s Reach. Turn down Murex off 58 and Pegge’s driveway is almost directly in front of you when you stop at the stop sign. PKS police want us to be completely on the grass and off the road. There is a pool across from Pegge’s drive where you can also park. Bring your own adult beverage if you want something other than wine or if you are a wine snob.

Chair—Anyone? I am still looking for a new ECW Chair. I have been Chair for 4 years and I think it is time to pass the torch. Please pray that someone will volunteer to be your new leader.

-Bobbie Hill

The St. Francis by the Sea Outreach and Episcopal Church Women will host Bunco for all church wom-en and their guests from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Tues., June 6th in the parish hall. We will have a build-a-salad lunch. All participants are asked to bring toppings or additional ingredients, and/or dessert. Lettuce and drinks will be pro-vided. [For parishioners: from Sunday, May 28 until June 4, we will begin collecting card tables (need 11), tablecloths, and door prizes.]

Each player is asked to make an altruistic dona-tion of $15.00 to benefit the Beach Towel Min-istry. We look forward to hearing from Carol Eaton about the efforts of the youth and their accomplishments, outcomes, and of course, how much fun they had helping others in our local communities. To reserve a spot sign-up in the parish hall, call, or email me at (726-7452 or shagcastle@ec.rr.com). - Geraline Castle

Beach Towel Bunco—June 6th

Page 3

The first Sunday following Easter, known as "Low Sunday'" was anything but "low" at St. Francis. It was a day marked with festivities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Everett's ministry.

During the processional Everett used rosemary to sprinkle parishioners as a reminder of their Baptismal covenant.

The Reverend Tom Midyette, long-time friend of Everett's, preached a meaningful sermon. (I am sure we will long remember the story he told that was analogous to Jesus removing death's sting!)

The congregation, led by the choir and Linda Laughton, sang a version of the old Irish ballad "Oh, Danny Boy" with lyrics adapted especially for Everett. The Rev. Stephen Elkins-Williams and Deacon Carol Eaton led the people in prayers.

At the reception hosted by the vestry, Everett was presented with a basket of Congratulations" cards given by the

congregation. Everett also received a photo book featuring pictures of him with many of his parishioners throughout his years at both St. Francis and his church in Asheboro. Tim Bradford presented a gift made possible by the

generosity of many: a painting by Everett's friend, artist and teacher Ann Cowie. A group of precious Highland dancers from Jacksonville under the direction of Claire Nicholson performed, charming everyone with their talent.

- Barbara McCreary

Celebrating Our Rector's 50th Ordination Anniversary by Barbara McCreary

Page 4

ST. FRANCIS OUTREACH “Reaching out with the Love of Christ to others in

HOPE MISSION

If you’d like to continue to help support Hope Mission through non-perishable food donations,

please leave them in the Parish Hall in the tub labeled Hope Mission.

FAMILY PROMISE We continue to collect items in the basket in the Parish Hall for Family

Promise of Morehead City. Please continue to bring toiletries, laundry and cleaning supplies, gently

used twin sized bedding, Wal-Mart gift cards, etc. Place items in the basket in the Parish Hall

labeled Family Promise.

F A M I L Y P R O M I S E O F C A R T E R E T ( F P C ) I S A

C O O P E R A T I V E O R G A N I Z A T I O N C O M P R I S E D O F

M A N Y L O C A L F A I T H - B A S E D C O N G R E G A T I O N S

W H O H A V E C H O S E N T O P O O L T H E I R

R E S O U R C E S , T A L E N T S A N D C O M P A S S I O N T O

M E E T T H E N E E D S O F H O M E L E S S F A M I L I E S I N

C A R T E R E T C O U N T Y .

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Carteret Landing, an assisted living and

memory care facility in Morehead City, is

looking for volunteers to help in the following

areas: music with residents, piano or choral

performance; Bible study; knitting or crochet,

sharing needlework supplies; building a raised

bed garden, birdhouses or bird feeders;

painting, crafts, basket making; nail polishing;

or Bingo. If you are interested, please let Denise Throckmorton know.

Denise Throckmorton and the Outreach Committee

“The Simple Path

Silence is Prayer

Prayer is Faith

Faith is Love

Love is Service

The Fruit of Service is Peace”

― Mother Teresa

Art Gallery Opening—Wednesday, May 3rd

Artist, Deanna Grant will show her work from 5:30—7:30 PM. Her paintings are done in oil and are

principally nature scenes. This event is free (donations appreciated), open to the public and

refreshments will be served. Come and bring a friend!

Page 5

Lay Ministry Schedule

5/7 5/14 5/21 5/28

Youth Sunday

Vestry George Hirawawa Larry Castle Layne Helwig Beth Beswick

Lector Libba Shelton Marian Goetzinger Meg Bradford Kids

Prayers Carol Eaton Carol Eaton Carol Eaton Carol Eaton

Crucifer Scott Shelton Pat Jones Marian Goetzinger Kids

Bible Bearer X X X Kids

Chalice

Marian Goetzinger

Bob Gallo

Jolene McCann

Pat Jones

Marian Goetzinger

Jolene McCann

Pat Jones

Jolene McCann

Altar Guild

Linda Davies

Bobbie Hill

Meg Bradford

Linda Davies

Linda Davies

Betsy Randall

Meg Bradford

Betsy Randall

Torchbearers

Larry Castle

Pat Jones

Scott Shelton

Linda Davies

Sharon Watling

Beth Beswick

Kids

Offerings & Ele-ments

X X X Kids

Nursery Jeanne Baxter Beth Beswick Betty Watson Sam Baxter

Children’s Class X X X X

Children’s Class Assistant

X X X X

Children’s Homily

X X X

Audio John C Stover Gary John M

Coffee Hour Ellen & John Marriott Jolene M. and Beth B Marion & Stover Morris Betsy & Jay Randall

Celebrating May Birthdays Sally Benson 1st

Sharon Culpepper 1st

Kieran Venable 1st

Bob Gallo 4th

Kyle Venable 4th

Meg Bradford 6th

Bob Hunt 8th

Rachel Kemp 12th

Betsy Randall 14th

Roger Hahn 16th

Joe Ragland 20th

Owen Burns 21st

Lavonda Van Benthuysen 21st

Wilton Burns 25th

Jolene McCann 27th

Volunteers Needed! The Sound Board team is still looking for one or two more volunteers to add to their rota. It does not require a major time commitment. You would participate only about every six to seven weeks. All training will be provided. Contact John Marriott with any questions

you may have and to volunteer.

The Song of St. Francis is a monthly publication of

St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church.

Sound side of NC 58 between Mile Marker 10 and 10½

920 Salter Path Road ● Salter Path, North Carolina ● 28512

(252) 240-2388 ● © 2017 All rights reserved

stfrancisbts@gmail.com ● www.stfrancisbythesea.org

St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church

920 Salter Path Road

Salter Path, NC 28512

First Class Mail

Save the dates!

Rector The Rev. Everett Thomas, Ph.D.

Deacon The Rev. Carol Eaton

Vergers Tim Bradford Marion Morris

Parish Administrator Sharon Watling

Treasurer Dan Riddle

Sexton David Shapiro

Vestry Class of 2017 Tim Bradford

Larry Castle, Junior Warden Romaine Riddle

Vestry Class of 2018 Beth Beswick

Pat Jones Terry Smith

Vestry Class of 2018 Layne Helwig

George Hirasawa Barbara McCreary, Senior Warden

Clerk of the Vestry

Sharon Watling

Music Director Linda Laughton

Art Gallery Director Tim Bradford

ECW Chair

Bobbie Hill

Outreach Chair Denise Throckmorton

Director of Youth Ministry Open

Sunday Schedule:

9:00 am — Adult Forum; 10:00 am —Eucharist Service

Nursery available; casual dress welcome

Wednesdays — 12:00 noon — Celtic Eucharist

St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church is a parish in the Diocese of East Carolina

The Right Reverend Robert Skirving, Bishop