This time of year, when the weather moderates, the wind blows hard, and sea birds congregate in small groups and massive assemblies; when the sky is a soft Robin's egg blue, the cumulus, fluffy clouds beg you to lie down on your back the way you did when you were a child and identify the shapes overhead; and when you realize that you are nearly alone on one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet - we at St. Francis begin to think about how lucky we are, how grateful and honored we are, to live here.

We know that the beach will not stay this way much longer. It is about to get better. The beauty of the beach, the golf courses and tennis courts, the walking trails and fishing boats, the restaurants and clubs, will be better because our old friends, who linger with us in all these places, will soon be back. And we have missed them.

Much is happening here. Worship services continue to be casual in attire but at the same time cohesive and substantive. We get a lot from these times with each other as we receive nourishment from God. The music is always great. The circle around the altar is hopeful, loving, and flowing with energy that ignites the soul. The Memorial Garden and Labyrinth continue to be beautiful and calming. We have become the cultural center of the island.

At the same time, these are hard days for us. Too many are challenged by sickness. We have lost precious people. The air is heavy with bereavement. Much is uncertain and slippery. We need each other. Not just those of us who live here. The whole family, it seems to me, is getting tighter. We are realizing that

whether you live in Pine Knoll Shores or Wilson, in Raleigh or Washington, in Henderson or Clayton or Richmond, there is in our hearts one table, one loaf of bread, one chalice, one Father of us all. We are learning that there are many good ways to stay connected to each

other in spite of the distance that could divide us.

So, as Rector, I have a request. Would you let me know when there are special needs in your life, so that your name can be mentioned in our prayers. You may call me at 252-725-5819, or email at ethomas256@aol.com. The St. Francis email address is stfrancisbts@gmail.com.

At the same time I ask your prayers for the whole family of St. Francis, including me. There are so many needs, and so much for which to be grateful, especially each other.

Love to all, Everett+

One FamilyOne FamilyOne FamilyOne Family

The Song of Saint FrancisThe Song of Saint FrancisThe Song of Saint FrancisThe Song of Saint Francis

It’s a Date!It’s a Date!It’s a Date!It’s a Date!

3/4 ECW Annual Retreat

3/8 First Lenten Supper

3/25 Heeling Our World

workshop

4/7 Art gallery opening;

Celtic harp concert

4/16 Easter Sunday

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 March 2017

Page 2

Vestry View by Terry SmithVestry View by Terry SmithVestry View by Terry SmithVestry View by Terry Smith

I enjoy the solitude of kayaking on the sound. In silence, I experience the beauty of where we are on this beautiful island. In these moments, I can experience a “peace that passes

all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Every now and then I’ll paddle west toward Salter Path. I leave from behind our house and head toward Trinity Center, past Sander’s Point, Ocean Bay, and Sea Isle Plantation. Just past the back side of Kiawa as I round their seawall on Kiawa Way, I see it pointing above the trees. It is the cross rising above our church sanctuary. I snapped this photo just before coming ashore and walking the path to our building.

I was reminded of this scene during our beautiful and moving service today (2-19) while Father Everett read Peter Makuck’s beautiful Eucharistic

Prayer. In fact, each time I hear Father Everett read or Robin sing Peter’s words I’m taken to a spot where I’m “surrounded by evidence of your divinity.” Seeing the cross towering over the trees

in the middle of the island is a tangible reminder to me that Christ is present among us, and that our church must be a beacon of love and service in the midst of this beautiful place.

“And so we come together today under a sun-shafted canopy of maritime forest to receive your Word and join with Saints and Angels in a chorus of praise and thanks that rings through eternity, lifting our voices to magnify you…”

Consider the cross extending above the trees. What might that say to

us, and how might we all be of service to each other and our community? Peace Terry Smith

Who Are These Masked People? Phantom of the OperaWho Are These Masked People? Phantom of the OperaWho Are These Masked People? Phantom of the OperaWho Are These Masked People? Phantom of the Opera————February 28, 2017February 28, 2017February 28, 2017February 28, 2017

Page 3

The Phantom of the Opera/Shrove Tuesday Pancake fundraising event was well attended by an enthusiastic, appreciative crowd. Our heartfelt gratitude to Dorothy Papadakos for providing this unforgettable performance. We are blessed to have a congregation full of kind folk whose joy it is to share their gifts and talents to bring all our family and friends together for events like these. Great thanks to Libba Shelton, Romaine Riddle, Layne Helwig, Linda Keeter, Bill and Moni Bottlinger, the men who cooked the pancakes, Charlie McCurry, Beth Beswick, Barbara McCreary, Jolene McCann, Jeanne Baxter, all the folk who provided food for the reception, Ellen Marriott, Elaine Tempel, John Clarke, and all those who caught the spirit and attended in costume.

The Choir of St. Phillip's Episcopal Church Durham, under Lewis Moore, Director of Music Ministries, will join us in worship at St. Francis by the Sea on Sunday, March 26. It will be a treat for us to have a double choir and to offer a combined choral anthem. We hope you will be present to welcome Lewis and his choir on that day.

Join us for upcoming events at St. Francis by the Sea:

Wednesday, March 8, 2017 – 5:30pm – Lenten Soup Suppers (Wednesdays in the season of Lent)

6:30pm – “The Arts of Clear Thinking and Rethinking” – Marietta McCarty, Virginia Philosopher and author, will conduct an interactive presentation. Both events are free and open to the public.

Friday, April 7, 2017 – 7pm – Carol Bowman Green, harpist, “fills the 'vaults of silent space' and creates acoustic sanctuary for those able to listen...” with contemplative, meditative music on her Celtic harp. Her concert follows the art gallery showing of Artist/Calligrapher Anne Cowie. Art Gallery Opening – 5:30.

Concert seating begins at 6:45. Both events are free and open to the public (donations accepted).

Wednesday, June 7 – 7pm – David Leahey, organist, Christ Church New Bern delivers a mix of stunning selections for the organ, certain to excite the spirit and stir the soul! Art Gallery Opening – 5:30. Concert seating begins at 6:45. Refreshments are served. Both events are free and open to the public (donations accepted).

Sunday, June 18, 2017 – 10am – The Salisbury Presbyterian Church Youth Choir from

Midlothian, Virginia will join us in worship for another double-choir opportunity. Then, at 5pm, the SPC Youth Choir will present a benefit concert of sacred and traditional music. Youth choir excellence under the direction of Dr. Mark Patterson, Director of Music. Concert seating begins at 4:45.

Free and open to the public – donations benefit Camp Trinity ministry – refreshments served.

Friday, July 14, 2017 – 7pm – Familiar Favorites...music of Schumann, Liszt and Gershwin. Pianist Brenda Bruce presents an evening of our beloved favorites for solo piano. Art Gallery Opening – 5:30.

Concert seating begins at 6:45. Both events are free and open to the public (donations accepted).

Friday, August 11, 2017 – 7pm – String Quartet. Chris Ellis, violin, returns with his friends (and ours!) Heather Barlow, Barbara Salter Gates and Dee Braxton Pelligrino, to entertain us with a variety of selections for string quartet. Art Gallery Opening – 5:30. Concert seating begins at 6:45.

Refreshments are served. Both events are free and open to the public (donations accepted).

Sunday, August 20, 2017 – 5pm – The Three Triangle Tenors Concert. George Deaton, Wade Henderson and Timothy Sparks return to thrill us with a new program for 2017. This concert is a ticketed event.

Sunday, September 24, 2017 – 5pm – The Lopez Tabor Duo. Alfonso Lopez, violin and Michelle Tabor, piano present a selection of fiery works for violin and piano duo. This concert is a ticketed event.

Saturday, October 14, 2017 – 11am to 4pm – Annual Lobster Fest at St. Francis by the Sea [save the date!]

Tuesday, December 26, 2017 – 5pm – MESSIAH Sing-Along. If you love to sing, join us to sing through Handel's MESSIAH oratorio (all three sections). This 3-1/2 hour music marathon is led by Lewis Moore, Conductor, and is accompanied by David Leahey, organ and a professional string quartet. This is the fourth annual sing-along and a jolly good time is had by all! Stay tuned! ~ Linda

Grace Notes by Linda LaughtonGrace Notes by Linda LaughtonGrace Notes by Linda LaughtonGrace Notes by Linda Laughton

Page 4

“Reaching out with the Love of Christ to others in need” “Reaching out with the Love of Christ to others in need” “Reaching out with the Love of Christ to others in need” “Reaching out with the Love of Christ to others in need” ---- St. Francis OutreachSt. Francis OutreachSt. Francis OutreachSt. Francis Outreach

SOUPERBOWL OF CARING Through this year’s SFBTS Souper Bowl of Caring, we were able to donate $359 and 188 food items to Hope Mission in Morehead City. All totals were reported

to the national Souper Bowl of Caring organization. Thank you to all who helped make the event a great success! So far, nationwide, this year 5,152 organizations participated, collecting over $7,732,549 in cash and food items.

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. Special needs for this month include: jars of pasta sauce, boxes of spaghetti, bags of fresh onions, and toilet paper.

HEELING OUR WORLD ATTENTION YOUTH AND ADULTS OF ST FRANCIS!!! An exciting interfaith Outreach opportunity is in the works. We are hoping to collaborate with youth (middle school and high school age) and adults from other churches on

the island to participate in “Heeling Our World”. Heeling Our

World is a project which impacts and improves the lives of

children both in the U.S. and in Africa. It addresses the issue of

the 300 million barefoot children around the world who are at risk of disease and death due to lack of footwear. In the U.S. this project raises

awareness among students and gives them a pathway to advocacy. Looking specifically at shoes for children, a simple design called KLEM, made from locally sourced materials, are provided to barefoot children. We can be a part of this initiative by learning to make these simply designed shoes, and providing them to the children. On Saturday, March 25 from 2-4 pm, Mitch Lewis, Executive Director, will lead a workshop for St Francis and interested persons from other local churches to learn about Heeling Our World and learn to make these simple KLEM shoes. All materials will be provided and no sewing skills are required.

Any questions, see Denise Throckmorton or Barbara McCreary.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Carteret Landing, an assisted living and memory care facility, 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.

FAMILY PROMISE We continue to collect items in the basket in the Parish Hall for Family Promise of Morehead City. Gently used twin sheets and blankets, toiletries, pre-packaged breakfast items, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies are greatly needed. If you find yourself with a few hours a week with nothing to do and would like to do something good for someone, please consider volunteering at the Family Promise office on Arendell Street. “It’s a hand up, not a hand out.”

“The Simple Path Silence is Prayer

Prayer is Faith Faith is Love

Love is Service The Fruit of Service is

Peace” ― Mother Teresa

Denise Throckmorton and the Outreach Committee

Page 5

Disturb us, Lord, when

We are too pleased with ourselves,

When our dreams have become true

Because we dreamed too little, When

we arrived safely

Because we sailed too close to the

shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when

With the abundance of things we

possess,

We have lost our thirst

For the waters of life;

Having fallen in love with life,

We have ceased to dream of eternity.

And in our efforts to build a new earth,

We have allowed our vision

Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,

To venture on wider seas

Where storms will show Your masters;

Where losing sight of land,

We shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back The

Horizons of our hopes; And to

push us in the future

In strength, courage, hope, and love.

This we ask in the name of

our captain, Who is Jesus

Christ.

Disturb Us, Lord Disturb Us, Lord Disturb Us, Lord Disturb Us, Lord ———— contributed by Bill and Becky Clingmancontributed by Bill and Becky Clingmancontributed by Bill and Becky Clingmancontributed by Bill and Becky Clingman

Portsmouth, England, 1577. This prayer was written on the

departure of Sir Francis Drake’s one-ship expedition in the

Golden Hinde to be the first person in history to circumnavigate

the world.

Emily Gowdy Canady, Program Officer for Youth and Young Adult Ministry with the Diocese, will be a guest at St. Francis By The Sea on Sunday, March 5, 2017. She will join us for our regular Sunday liturgy and afterwards, at 11:30AM,

she will lead a discussion on the direction that we as a Parish want to take our Youth Ministry Program.

We want to assure that every constituency in our community with an interest in this vital program,

including the "Kids of St. Francis", their parents and grandparents, and all other interested parishioners, have a voice in our next steps of this exciting ministry. This will be a key piece of the data gathering process. Participating in this meeting is just one of many ways that you can live out the Baptismal covenant of "doing all in your power to support young people in their life in Christ." We anticipate the meeting will last approximately one hour. We hope you'll join us on March 5th at 11:30AM in the sanctuary.

Charlie McCurry, Lisa Park, Carol Eaton, and Sandy Quinn

Search Committee for Youth Minister

St. Francis by the Sea Youth Ministry Program Meeting: March 5, 2017St. Francis by the Sea Youth Ministry Program Meeting: March 5, 2017St. Francis by the Sea Youth Ministry Program Meeting: March 5, 2017St. Francis by the Sea Youth Ministry Program Meeting: March 5, 2017

Page 6

ECW News by Bobbie HillECW News by Bobbie HillECW News by Bobbie HillECW News by Bobbie Hill The Diocese is hosting a Lenten Retreat March 4th. Registration begins at 9:00 AM at Trinity Center. Lunch is $20 and is prepaid. Please see the information at the Administrative Office window. Geraline Castle will be sending names of those who sign up for

this program to the Contact. You do not often have an opportunity to travel to such a close destination for any Diocesan meeting.

The Cookbook Committee met February 15 at 2:00. We accessed the number of recipes; are diligently verifying names associated with recipes and are insuring the format used in typing each recipe is the same. We are searching for a Graphic Artist to design our cover which is the first step in advertising our Cookbook. If you are aware of someone you think would fit this need, please let us know.

We are also seeking LOANS in any amount to acquire “Seed Money” of $8,000 for the initial deposit. Our intent is to pay you back through presales of Openings. These presales will begin as soon as we have advertising posters. We will be having two Tastings to be held on a Sunday afternoon – one in January and one in February. We plan to have different items at each Tasting.

You are cordially invited to play Bunco on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at 1:30-4:30 p.m. in the parish hall at St. Francis by the Sea. The event is hosted by the Outreach Committee and the Episcopal Church Women (ECW).

If you have any questions, please contact Geraline Castle at shagcastle@ec.rr.com or 252-726-7452.

Each week during Prayers of the People we pray cyclically for churches in our diocese. In addition to the diocesan cycle, we will be adding an ecumenical cycle in which we will pray for churches of other denominations near to us.

Every Sunday you will hear the names of two churches from a list of 71 compiled from locations in Bogue Banks, Morehead City, Newport, Beaufort, Cape Carteret, and Swansboro. We will notify the church via post card the date on which we will be praying for the first time for their church, including the following words:

“We pray that the work you do to further God's Kingdom in the world will continue to be blessed. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 KJV

It's easy for these churches to become part of a blurred landscape that mean nothing to us

as we speed along 58 or 24, but these are the churches of our neighbors, friends, relatives, and the people in our community with which we do business on a daily basis. By praying for these churches, our hope is that you will feel increasingly

connected to those in our community who also serve God.

When you drive by one of the many, many churches in our area for which we have prayed, some small, some large, all beautiful in its way, we hope it will have a deeper meaning for you.

Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer by Barbara McCrearyEcumenical Cycle of Prayer by Barbara McCrearyEcumenical Cycle of Prayer by Barbara McCrearyEcumenical Cycle of Prayer by Barbara McCreary

Page 7

Lay Ministry ScheduleLay Ministry ScheduleLay Ministry ScheduleLay Ministry Schedule

March 3/5 3/12 3/19 3/26

YOUTH SUNDAY

Vestry Terry Smith Romaine Riddle Pat Jones Beth Beswick

Lector Robin Smith Linda Davies Meg Bradford KIDS

Prayers Carol Eaton Carol Eaton Carol Eaton Carol Eaton

Chalice Jolene McCann Tim Bradford

Pat Jones Martha Edwards

Marian Goetzinger Jolene McCann

Pat Jones Marian Goetzinger

Altar Guild Marian Goetzinger

Meg Bradford Meg Bradford

Bobbie Hill Linda Davies

Pat Jones Meg Bradford

Marian Goetzinger

Crucifer Pat Jones Marian Goetzinger Larry Castle KIDS

Torch Bearers Marian Goetzinger

Linda Davies Ainsley Horton

Jami Turner Scott Shelton Beth Beswick

KIDS

Sound System John Marriott Larry Castle Gary Keeter Stover Morris

Nursery Jeannie Baxter Bobbie Hill Jeannie Baxter

Coffee Hour Terry & Craig

Griffin Margaret & Bob

Hunt Kay Brackens

Linda & Gary Keeter; Alexandra

Kluttz

3/1 7:00 pm Ash Wednesday

Tim Bradford

Martha Edwards

Carol Eaton

Martha Edwards Pat Jones

Pat Jones

Larry Castle Scott Shelton

John Clarke

X

Lent, Holy Week, and Easter Service Schedule April 9 Palm Sunday 10:00 am April 13 Maundy Thursday 7:00 pm April 14 Good Friday 12:00 noon April 16 Easter Sunday 9:00 and 11:00 am

Name, Please? By Barbara McCrearyName, Please? By Barbara McCrearyName, Please? By Barbara McCrearyName, Please? By Barbara McCreary

We're encouraging parishioners to begin again wearing their name tags during Sunday service. Seeing name tags helps newcomers associate names with faces. Wearing our name tags is just one of many subtle ways we can show newcomers we are glad they have come to St. Francis and that we want to get to know them better.

"Where is my name tag?" you might ask. For now the name tags are located inside the closet doors near Everett's office. We are thinking of an attractive way to display them in a more accessible spot upstairs. Suggestions welcome. If you do not have a name tag and would like one, please sign up on the bulletin board. J.B. Bagley will make one for you. Thanks, J.B.!

12—Tom Tempel 12—Jean Turner 14– Andrew Burns 17—Pat Shuping

24—Layne Helwig 24—Christian Pruitt 26—Graham Pittman 27—Tim Bradford 31—Jean Nelson

1—Tootie Piver 5—Jay Randall 5—Leigh Westbrook 8—Bowen Ellis 10—Sharon Whitehurst

March BirthdaysMarch BirthdaysMarch BirthdaysMarch Birthdays

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!

Buy an engraved brick paver to honor or

commemorate someone or something special to you!

Now only $125! Go to www.stfrancisbythesea.org to

download an order blank or buy on-line with a credit card.

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