News
Spiritual Links for Children
Daily readings for Mom, Dad and the kids, with pictures.
We Wonder on Apple Podcasts
An excellent podcast where we wonder together about the story of God. We Wonder is a contemplative devotional for children, and the grown-ups who remember that we are God’s children too.
Download the app for videos and games to explore and learn about Jesus.
Spiritual Links For Life
“Being a Christian is not essentially about joining a church or being a nice person, but about following in the footsteps of Jesus, taking his teachings seriously, letting his Spirit take the lead in our lives, and in so doing helping to change the world from our nightmare into God’s dream.”
~Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
Want to find a verse, search a Biblical word or idea, read various translations here.
Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation
Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation: Great spiritual guidance for today’s world from a Franciscan Monk.
The Online Book of Common Prayer
This is the red book we use every Sunday.
What will be read every Sunday on a three-year cycle.
Thoughtful readings for the week by Fr. Jay Sidebotham, a recent guest speaker for the clergy of Maine.
AA Daily Reflections: Daily Readings – AA Happy Hour
Remembering our Veterans at All Saints Sunday Nov 12, 2023
Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Armistice Day – what is the difference, what do these days mean and how as Christians do we deal with bearing arms?
Our Junior Warden, David Stark, will share reflections from serving in Vietnam, Father Jack will preach and we will sing “Where have all the Flowers Gone” by Pete Seeger, recorded by Peter Paul and Mary.
The congregation is invited to bring in a photo or memento depicting a loved veteran. We will take time to introduce each one during coffee hour.
Sincerely in Christ, Father Jack
Change in date! Dr. Sean Birkel to speak October 15, 2023
Dr.Sean Birkel is the assistant extension professor at the UMaine Climate Center, and our Maine State Climatologist, providing information to Maine stakeholders to facilitate decision-making about the future. Come with your questions!
Welcome to All Saints Episcopal Church and the Season of Creation
Every Sunday in September
We invite you to All Saints to deepen your trust in God. Join in our efforts to protect the
gift of creation, and to spread the awareness that human behavior is causing climate change.
We must change our ways or suffer unavoidable worsening consequences.
Many thanks to our September Sunday morning guest speakers for the Season of Creation.
Bring your pets for the Blessing of The Animals on St. Francis Day, Sunday, Oct 1, 2023.
Sincerely, Father Jack Fles and the leadership of All Saints
Schedule
Sept. 3 – Cynthia Stanicoff enjoys nature, having experienced multiple overnight canoe trips
around Maine, complete with portages and heavy lifting. She will share a provocative essay she has
written for newspapers to start our conversations.
Sept 10 – Jane Brekke – representing the Sierra Club, Jane began her love for nature at an Episcopal
Summer camp in Wyoming. Membership to the club will be offered as well as information
regarding effective measures to protect the earth and what we can do together.
Sept 17 – Sarah Callan – has been our host to visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens twice over the
past year; Sarah and her staff have created a first-of-its-kind garden climate tour. All Saints members were
the first group to experience the tour as Gardens guests earlier this summer. Fantastic!
Climate Impacts Around Us Tour
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, July 31 – October 20 – 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join us on this BRAND-NEW tour of the Gardens as, together, we examine shifts in human values
and behaviors and discuss the future of nature’s interactions.
Sept 24 – Dr. Sean Birkel – Dr. Birkel is an Assistant Extension Professor at UMaine Climate
Change Institute. Sean is the Maine State Climatologist, providing climate weather information to
Maine stakeholders to facilitate decision-making and planning.
We will hear his predictions for the future. Come with your questions!
Oct 1– Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis and the glory of the animal world.
Father Jack’s Blog
What is worship anyway? Such an unusual term in today’s world.
The word worship comes from an old English word, worthship, which literally means “to give a deity worth and value.” We do this through song, scripture readings, an engaging sermon and the Book of Common Prayer; Common because those prayers bind us together in both the joys and unexpected changes of life.
When we take life for granted in God’s wonderful universe we no longer need to worship. Worship is to look at the things we see everyday and respond with heartfelt joy, “This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous to our eyes.”
What is the Episcopal Church?
We hope to be a loving, liberating and life giving safe place to explore our core values and life in the Spirit. Historically, we separated from the Roman Catholic church to form The Church of England In 1549. The books which bind us together are the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer, which has undergone various revisions since it was first compiled in 1549.
Here in Maine We are more than 10,000 people in 57 churches and ministries, under the guidance of our much beloved Bishop Thomas Brown. You can find more information here: https://episcopalmaine.org/about/
Is anything expected of me? I’m not sure about this whole “church” thing?
We understand that lots of folks have had negative experiences with a kind of religion that is closed-minded, judgmental and life-denying. We strive to be authentic, honest, life-affirming people who are motivated by love. Join us, ask questions, and become part of the family. We will support you on your spiritual journey in any way that we can.
What is the Meaning of Epiphany?
Here is a link to Fr. Jack’s Epiphany column that was in the Friday, January 6, 2023 Morning Sentinel newspaper – https://www.centralmaine.com/2023/01/06/33967154/
Christmas is Coming
In a few short weeks Christmas will be upon us. I believe, now more than ever, in our dangerously shattered Untied States of America, the teaching and life examples of Jesus the Christ need to be understood, studied and lived now more than ever.
Before you shut down thinking, more Christian propaganda from the conservative right, let me remind you of the basic differences among Christians as to interpret and apply the concepts of the Bible to modern life.
In contrast to a literal, inerrant and infallible view of the Bible, the approach I find most inspiring and sensible may be called Christian modernism. It takes into consideration today’s knowledge, and the progressive insights uncovered as we explore science and ethics. It emphasizes the importance of reason and experience over doctrine and dogma. Basically, it calls for each of us to make our own life choices, our own world view, influenced by, but unfettered by, doctrines of an external authority such as the Bible. I believe we call that process, “growing up.”
As an Episcopalian, I visualize our Christian faith as sitting upon a three-legged stool of Scripture, Tradition and Reason. Reason, a knowledge of history, science and ethics, modulates our reading and understanding the printed words of Holy Scripture and the times they represent, some events dating as far back a 1400 BC.
Being raised in a conservative home, (Missouri Synod Lutheran) and viewing the Bible as authoritative in every instance since childhood, my journey to Christian modernism has been long, mentally challenging, and has called for courage to leave some of the beliefs of my youth behind.
How did this happen?
My heart has always been trusting, but my mind skeptical towards so many things metaphysical. For decades I have been indebted, to Pastor Frederick Buechner, a Vermonter who wrote, much to my comport, “Doubt is the ants in the pants of faith.” Doubt and wonderment get one to thinking.
I used to believe it was Jesus only that opened doors to the bright light of salvation. However, looking for more salvation light, finding myself in a tough spot, I started attending AA meetings in 1993. As Father Richard Rohr has written, “Suffering can be the springboard into spiritual growth.”[1]
AA was the final experience that helped me extricate myself from the “Jesus Only” point of view. AA gives members permission to seek the God of One’s Understanding. I was somewhat skeptical, but time and observations of members transformed into contributing members of society was impossible to ignore.
As a clergy person, more than 30 years a priest, I saw lives changed, freedom found, prayers and spiritual concepts being shared by people who talk about and revere their “Higher Power” with a fervency long coveted in church life. AA meetings were open, honest and provided steps for healing. Sometimes, one has to bleed to see the need and find a better way.
Our Nation needs to find a better way. Let’s start with telling the truth about our own life stories. How do you assess the state of our nation, and status of your own soul? How is your spiritual blood pressure? Are you spiritually fulfilled and motivated to serve your neighbor and community? Do you forgive easily? Do you need to be forgiven?
Choose your place of worship carefully, but choose one. As Bob Dylan reminds us, “Don’t stand in the doorway, don’t block up the hall.” We can restore kindness, civility and the ability to forgive on another. Take a drink of living water. This holiday season find your church, synagogue or mosque. Now more than ever.
Father Jack Fles
All Saint’s Episcopal Church
Skowhegan, Maine
Mobil: 207 441-9747
Home: 46 Water St. Gardiner, ME. 04345
[1] Father Rohr is the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/47131-understanding-necessary-suffering-richard-rohr.html
November 20 at All Saints:
1. Important Bishop’s Committee Meeting, Short Sermon.
2. What if Father Jack were to attend three Sundays in a row?
3. Guitar meditation before service, organ postlude following.
4. Guitar song – The Times they are a Changing – Bob Dylan
5. Dedication of Bishop’s gift of the new Chalice and Paten
6. This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday.
7. Food for thought: In your opinion, why does the church proclaim Christ as King?
Earth Care COP 27
Dear Mr. Jack Fles,
Thank you so much for your application to be on the Presiding Bishop’s delegation to the United Nations 27th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27).
On behalf of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and our COP27 delegation team, we would like to express our thanks to you, for the time, care and attention you gave to your application. Your commitment to climate advocacy and the care of God’s creation is evident, and is a blessing to our Church.
While we are unable to offer you a place in the Presiding Bishop’s COP27 delegation, we would like to invite you into the wider circle of Episcopalians bearing witness to COP27 and joining together for Episcopal climate advocacy events next month.
Episcopal COP27 Events:
Tuesday, November 1st at 12 PM ET: Episcopal Climate Advocacy at the UN: COP27 Kick-Off with the Presiding Bishop’s Delegation
Join the Episcopal Presiding Bishop’s Delegates to the United Nations 27th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) and our partners for this public launch event! Participants will meet our delegates and get an introduction to global climate advocacy through a faith lens, just in time for the start of COP27 on November 6th, 2022. We will share Episcopal policy priorities and advocacy strategies, and invite the whole Episcopal Church to join in prayer and witness for this critical global conference.
Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMtce-hqjgrGNF4n1NyZPiJMONE1rSl8C6E
Wednesday, November 30th at 12 PM ET: Episcopal COP27 Closing Event and Report Back from Delegates
After the close of the 27th Conference of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, gather with Episcopal advocates and ecumenical partners for this closing event. Our Presiding Bishop’s Delegation will offer reports from their witness at the conference and summaries from the results of the negotiations. We will finish with a faith-led vision of the future of Episcopal advocacy around climate change.
Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIrfuGrpzgqHNLTymlNpkHFXNa6naMZLeO7
You are now on our list to receive more information leading up to these events; please let us know if you have questions or would like to be taken off the list. We are still available to you as we can be helpful, to offer clarification, encouragement, and resources as you continue your own ministry on creation care and climate justice.
Many blessings,
The Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus
The Rev. Melanie Mullen
Lynnaia Main
Phoebe Chatfield
Ice Cream Social and Climate Change
