The Next Edition of The Song of St. Francis The Next Edition of The Song of St. Francis The Next Edition of The Song of St. Francis The Next Edition of The Song of St. Francis The Song of Saint Francis The Song of Saint Francis The Song of Saint Francis The Song of Saint Francis It’s a Date! It’s a Date! It’s a Date! It’s a Date! 7/5 Jennifer Licko concert-New Bern 7/8 Art gallery opening and Summer Concert 2 7/16- 23 Beach Towel Ministry-Swansboro 8/8-12 Vacation Bible School 8/12 Art gallery opening and Summer Concert 3 9/20 ECW Evensong 10/8 Lobster Fest 10/16 The Three Tenors Concert 7/13 Prayer Shawl Ministry 7/27 Prayer Shawl Ministry 12/26 Messiah Sing-Along 7/17 Beach Towel Ministry Luncheon Once I subscribed to The Pilot, a small newspaper in Southern Pines, a town in which I have never lived. So did thousands of people across the country and beyond. The draw for us was that Sam Ragan, for many years editor of the News and Observer in Raleigh, had moved to Southern Pines and became editor of that small newspaper. His passion was poetry ( he was NC Poet Laureate at the time) and his passion was expressed in the articles he printed. He invited poets from everywhere to submit poems for publication, and they did. The Pilot became one of the most fascinating venues for poetry at that time. I have been thinking lately about that era of The Pilot because I sense that the time is ripe for us to become more creative about the very publication you are reading, The Song of St. Francis. Our parish is growing, and as we grow we are becoming even more complex and amazing. We attract people from everywhere, of many areas of expertise and interest. The common denominator is our treasuring of this island and our shared faith. My experience of contributing articles to The Song for the past 8 years is that there is ready interest in articles about every facet of bring here. Cottagers seem to love articles about what is happening on the island as well as at St. Francis. So do those of us who live here. At this point I am not advocating any particular changes in The Song. I am simply pointing out that we are not a typical parish church because of our location, composition and far-flung family. Neither should our newsletter be typical. It should be as creative as we are, and it should regularly tell the story what we are doing, how we are doing it, and what is happening around us. I would like to begin this process by listening to you. What are your thoughts and ideas about The Song? What would you enjoy reading about? Let me give you an example: I am fascinated by our labyrinth. An untold story is how it came to be, especially how it was designed. That is the story of Skip Kemp, who drew many designs on the beach, mowed designs into his yard with his lawn mower, until the design we have now (Continued on page 2) Saint Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church ● Salter Path, North Carolina July 2016
Transcript
The Next Edition of The Song of St. FrancisThe Next Edition of The Song of St. FrancisThe Next Edition of The Song of St. FrancisThe Next Edition of The Song of St. Francis
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! 7/5 Jennifer Licko
concert-New Bern
7/8 Art gallery opening
and Summer
Concert 2
7/16-
23
Beach Towel
Ministry-Swansboro
8/8-12 Vacation Bible
School
8/12 Art gallery opening
and Summer
Concert 3
9/20 ECW Evensong
10/8 Lobster Fest
10/16 The Three Tenors
Concert
7/13 Prayer Shawl
Ministry
7/27 Prayer Shawl
Ministry
12/26 Messiah Sing-Along
7/17 Beach Towel
Ministry Luncheon
Once I subscribed to The Pilot, a small newspaper in Southern Pines, a town in which I have never lived. So did thousands of people across the country and beyond. The draw for us was that Sam Ragan, for many years editor of the News and Observer in Raleigh, had moved to Southern Pines and became editor of that small newspaper. His passion was poetry ( he was NC Poet Laureate at the time) and his passion was expressed in the articles he printed. He invited poets from everywhere to submit poems for publication, and they did. The Pilot became one of the most fascinating venues for poetry at that time.
I have been thinking lately about that era of The Pilot because I sense that the time is ripe for us to become more creative about the very publication you are reading, The Song of St. Francis. Our parish is growing, and as we grow we are becoming even more complex and amazing. We attract people from everywhere, of many areas of expertise and interest. The common denominator is our treasuring of this island and our shared faith.
My experience of contributing articles to The Song for the past 8
years is that there is ready interest in articles about every facet of bring here. Cottagers seem to love articles about what is happening on the island as well as at St. Francis. So do those of us who live here.
At this point I am not advocating any particular changes in The Song. I am
simply pointing out that we are not a typical parish church because of our location, composition and far-flung family. Neither should our newsletter be typical. It should be as creative as we
are, and it should regularly tell the story what we are doing, how we are doing it, and what is happening around us.
I would like to begin this process by listening to you. What are your thoughts and ideas about The Song? What would you enjoy reading about? Let me give you an example:
I am fascinated by our labyrinth. An untold story is how it came to be, especially how it was designed. That is the story of Skip Kemp, who drew many designs on the beach, mowed designs into his yard with his lawn mower, until the design we have now
(Continued on page 2)
Saint Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church ● Salter Path, North Carolina July 2016
Page 2
If you find yourself lost at any time, simply keep on going and sooner or later you will eventually get where you need to be.
As a child I grew up in the Episcopal Church, a cute little white church in New Jersey. A church where we
all felt at home and we were active members. At the end of my third year of high school, we moved away from this little church and began a journey to find a new home church. My journey took me to joining Presbyterian and Catholic churches along the way, but never finding that perfect home.
When I moved to Emerald Isle in 2001 I started on that path again to find where I needed to be. I needed my special church home. As many of us did, I attended several churches in the area trying to find my new home. Everyone wants a happy home filled with love and companionship. Quite by accident I stumbled upon the little church in the Maritime Forest. St. Francis by the Sea is a unique church that allows visitors and
parishioners to be what they want to be at church. When I first arrived I wanted to be a little quiet mouse in the corner and just attend church on Sunday mornings. SFBTS did not infringe on my space to do just that without feeling guilty about not being more active. Slowly I have ventured out of my mouse hole to take an active role through Lay Ministry and the Vestry. I did not know that I was really searching for a place where I was needed. I found out that I will receive the most in my spiritual life from my home church when I can give of my time and talents.
To me this is the special secret behind SFBTS: we can be what we want to be just as we would in our own homes.
By the way, if you are looking for a way to be a little more active in the church we do need assistance on Sundays with the Lay Ministry. We have a strong need for Torchbearers. But we would like to have assistance with the other areas too: Altar Guild, Nursery, Lectors, and Chalicifers. If you are interested please contact me at: [email protected].
Our Home Church in the Maritime Forest by Pat JonesOur Home Church in the Maritime Forest by Pat JonesOur Home Church in the Maritime Forest by Pat JonesOur Home Church in the Maritime Forest by Pat Jones
Calling all Authors! by Everett ThomasCalling all Authors! by Everett ThomasCalling all Authors! by Everett ThomasCalling all Authors! by Everett Thomas
Continuing our desire to publish parishioner-written articles, for August our
theme will be “My Favorite Plant for Gardening in the Coastal South.” Tell
us what and why! If you have pictures, share them! Or, write about topics from
previous months (local walks, birdwatching, and beachcombing), or anything
you like!
emerged. I have asked Skip to write that story for The Song, and he accepted.
I would like to know how Renfro is doing these days. Maybe he would write an article for us.
Would it be good to have a small editorial board to suggest topics and help us move to our next
level? Would it be fun for you to serve in this way?
Please, let's talk. I am thinking that there is much we can explore together. Everett+
Prayer Shawl...Plus!Prayer Shawl...Plus!Prayer Shawl...Plus!Prayer Shawl...Plus! The Prayer Shawl Ministry will gather on Wednesday, July 13 and 27 Wednesday, July 13 and 27 Wednesday, July 13 and 27 Wednesday, July 13 and 27 at 10:00 in the
parish hall. Come and share your talent, whether or not your item is intended for the
Prayer Shawl Ministry. All are welcome to join the gathering to “knit one and pray too.”
Yarn is available free of charge. Beginners are always welcome!Yarn is available free of charge. Beginners are always welcome!Yarn is available free of charge. Beginners are always welcome!Yarn is available free of charge. Beginners are always welcome!
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Grace Notes by Linda Laughton, Music DirectorGrace Notes by Linda Laughton, Music DirectorGrace Notes by Linda Laughton, Music DirectorGrace Notes by Linda Laughton, Music Director
The choir of St. Francis by the Sea performed Dietrich Buxtehude's “Command Thine Angel That He Come” cantata for choir, strings and continuo as the opening piece in this summer's concert series. The piece was written for the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel and all angels, which is commemorated each year in September. The choral octavos were among a large sheet music donation made to the church music library in 2013 by Nina and Guy Hobbs, our cottagers from Albuquerque, New Mexico. The string trio of Chris Ellis, Heather Barlow and Barbara Gates previewed the instrumental scores during intermission at last December's MESSIAH sing-along and agreed to work-up the cantata as a part of their June string concert. The choir learned the piece during regular weekly rehearsals starting in February. Click the HERE to experience the sound of strings with choir and organ in our live acoustic space.
Chris Ellis, Barbara Gates and Heather Barlow in the June 2016 string trio concert Stay Tuned! --LL
10—Ed Dombrofski 10—Logan Whitehurst 19—Marianne Davis 19—Amy Hahn 19—Elaine Tempel
July BirthdaysJuly BirthdaysJuly BirthdaysJuly Birthdays
July Art Gallery Opening
The next art gallery opening is on Friday, July 8, from 5:30The next art gallery opening is on Friday, July 8, from 5:30The next art gallery opening is on Friday, July 8, from 5:30The next art gallery opening is on Friday, July 8, from 5:30----7:00 pm. 7:00 pm. 7:00 pm. 7:00 pm.
The featured artists are Judy Schmutz (3D textural art in mixed The featured artists are Judy Schmutz (3D textural art in mixed The featured artists are Judy Schmutz (3D textural art in mixed The featured artists are Judy Schmutz (3D textural art in mixed
mediums) and Tim Bradford (abstract paintings).mediums) and Tim Bradford (abstract paintings).mediums) and Tim Bradford (abstract paintings).mediums) and Tim Bradford (abstract paintings).
The event is open to the public, free of charge, The event is open to the public, free of charge, The event is open to the public, free of charge, The event is open to the public, free of charge, and refreshments are served.and refreshments are served.and refreshments are served.and refreshments are served.
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Reaching Out with the Love of Christ to Others in Need: St. Francis OutreachReaching Out with the Love of Christ to Others in Need: St. Francis OutreachReaching Out with the Love of Christ to Others in Need: St. Francis OutreachReaching Out with the Love of Christ to Others in Need: St. Francis Outreach
On June 16, Outreach and the ECW partnered and over 30 women gathered at SFBTS for a tea party Bunco afternoon. Ladies dressed in their tea party finest and feasted on an assortment of tea sandwiches, cakes, a variety of hot tea, iced tea and lemonade. The gathering was to raise money for Carol Eaton's Beach Towel Ministry (BTM). Over $600 was collected and given to BTM which will be used for food, supplies, & fun for the youth who volunteer for one week each summer to do repairs and refurbishments on homes for those in need. Thank you to all who brought door prizes, card tables, tablecloths, tea party food, decorations, flowers, and vases, dressed up for an afternoon of tea, and helped set up and clean up.
Thank you for your support by attending and bringing friends. We were successful because of you!
Also in June, St Francis, once again, collected money and necessities for Trinity Center Campers. The money is still coming in, but at last count was several hundred dollars. It will be given to the Trinity Center Camper's discretionary fund to provide necessities to those campers in need. Please make your contribution by July 3.
In July SFBTS we provide lunch for Beach Towel Ministry youth from St Peter's, Swansboro.
Denise Throckmorton and the Outreach Committee
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ECW Events by Bobbie HillECW Events by Bobbie HillECW Events by Bobbie HillECW Events by Bobbie Hill ECW ladies and any gents who would like to join us, we have been asked to provide lunch for Deacon Carol’s Beach Towel Ministry on Sunday July 17th at 1:00 – after coffee hour. Please sign up at the office window for sandwiches, deviled eggs, tomato slices, lettuce, pickles or condiments such as mayo, mustard, ketchup and cookies or brownies which are easily picked up on a napkin. The ECW will provide drinks and chips.
Again, a sign-up sheet will be at the office window. Please sign up. If you are going to be away, make a dessert which we can freeze and use that day.
Also, do not forget our Evensong Pot Luck on Tuesday September 20th at 6:00PM at the Trinity Pavilion on the ocean. There will be tea and water. If you would like an adult beverage or something other than what we offer, please bring your own. We will have a social hour with hors d’oeuvres and begin dinner about
7:00PM. After dinner, we will have Evensong.
Finally, please submit your or your friend or neighbor’s fabulous hors d’oeuvre/appetizer recipes for our soon-to-be cookbook (soon is Mother’s Day in 2017). We will accept submissions until the end of September. Anyone who would like to serve on our planning committee, please let me know at [email protected]. You can also call or text me at 252-515-6122. . Our book will be called Openings in honor of our Labyrinth where you open your soul to God and our Art Openings on the first Friday of the month where we serve hors d’oeuvres and enjoy wine and the art.
Shelling by Alexandra KluttzShelling by Alexandra KluttzShelling by Alexandra KluttzShelling by Alexandra Kluttz
Ahhh…the ineffable plash of gentle waves as they wash upon a shell-studded shore. It is one of the most relaxing yet enticing sounds because it reminds me that I am in my happy place and I know that there are tiny treasures awaiting my discovery.
It’s not so much about where my favorite beachcombing spot is as it is about the timing. There are so many shelling honey holes along the Crystal Coast, so the type of shell you are hunting will determine your specific beach destination. As many beachcombers are already aware, probably the best time to go shelling is around low tide. However, as a seasoned beach resident, I have learned that with the ebb and flow of the tides, the ever-changing winds, and natural beach erosion, the slant of the sand and the general landscape of a familiar beach is in a constant state of evolution. Some days there are tons of shells littering most of the shoreline; other days can be very sparse, and if the weather has been rough, the shells that are there are in pieces. Timing is everything.
I’ve lived the last and so far the best decade of my life in Carteret County, beginning in beautiful Beaufort. My first friend here and fellow art teacher and I made the most of our summers by boating out to Carrot Island, Shackleford Banks, and Cape Lookout at least once a week. Laura would pick me up in her little Parker at the town docks or a Fisherman’s Park, and we’d motor out of Taylor’s Creek for a day of fun in the sun and shelling on the shore. Once we’d anchor up at our chosen destination, we’d carry our beach buckets, throw and mesh bag over our shoulders, and Coronas in hand, we’d scout the tide line.
Like tourists, Laura and I had a penchant for the large whelks and helmet shells that washed up on the far reaches of Shack and the Cape (otherwise known by their misnomer, the conch). We’d hike through the sandy, sticky dunes to start our search on the ocean side, often sighting the wild ponies as they traversed the untamed island. Since we would plan our shelling days during the work week, we largely had the vast expanse of these beaches to ourselves. On some rare adventures, we’d arrive shortly after a storm to pluck treasures from the deep that were churned up among the flotsam and jetsam.
Our favorite spots to explore are along the Cape Lookout bight and along the sandy edges of Beaufort and Barden Inlets. As the tide rushes in and out, the fast-moving currents swirl up and deposit shells in all shapes and sizes. Another rich shelling spot is in ankle to knee deep water alongside jetties. There is a treasure trove of sea urchins and starfish, although most of them are better left among the living. We’d
(Continued on page 6)
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scoop up whatever we would find in droves, and with heavy-laden bags and buckets, we’d traipse back to the boat, clinking our beers to cheer the success of another banner shell day.
If scallops, clams, tagelus, and periwinkles are what you are after, your best bet is to scour the south-facing shore of Carrot Island, or along the many inner islands adjacent to the Intercoastal waterway in Bogue Sound. Here, the rise and fall of the tide occurs in much less dramatic fashion than along the oceanfront. These shells can easily be spotted in the semi-clear ankle deep water or along the tide line. While many of these shells are found in pristine condition from their lack of wave jostling, they likely will need to be soaked in a bleach bath to remove the algae and sometimes murky silt from which they are acquired. However, if you wish to collect shells in their cleanest, whitest, sun-bleached glory, they can best be found at these inner island ends where there are white-shell mounds of oysters, clams, and scallops; detritus left behind by satiated shore birds that had dropped these bivalves from their beaks and had previously plucked their dinners from their cracked open shells.
My favorite gathering places for these bright white beauties are perhaps closest to home along the inner islands parallel to Archer’s Point in Emerald Isle. The one caveat involves getting there: these islands are surrounded by very shallow water, preventing most boats and watercraft from reaching them safely. So, Taylor and I enjoy a kayak workout to reach these shells. We braved chilly spring waters on many weekends leading up to our wedding to pile buckets full of the gleaming white oyster shells. I used them to line and decorate the mirror centerpieces that adorned the tables at our wedding reception. After all, it was when I was beachcombing at Cape Lookout that I stumbled upon Taylor, down on one knee, calling me over to check out an amazing find, which turned out to be a proposal and a gorgeous emerald cut engagement ring!
Now, on to beachcombing for most along the Crystal Coast: what can be found along the beaches of the incorporated towns that comprise Bogue Banks. When I lived in Beaufort, I often drove over to the public beach accesses from Fort Macon to Salter Path,
whichever parking lot was least crowded was where I ended up. Since moving to Emerald Isle in 2008, my trips to the beach became far more frequent and thus my shell collection has grown exponentially. Along these oceanfront beaches, I have found the biggest variety of shells, from perfect baby’s ears (probably one of the most commonly found shells in my collection) to swirling moon snails, winding augers to lettered olives, dainty slippers to shiny jingles, white arks to yellow cockles, razor clams to sharp tusks, and colorful butterfly coquinas.
I usually have the best luck finding the aforementioned shells in clusters along the high tide line and in shell washed deposits in between down to
the water’s edge. Oddly enough, if I have picked up a couple of one type of shell, I am likely to find many more of the same in a single visit. I’m not sure if there is a scientific reason for that—whether it has a marine biological explanation or if it’s because my sub-conscious has trained my eyes to continue to seek a same shell pattern. God only knows!
Over the years I have learned I cannot take a simple walk on the beach and arrive unprepared. I have filled many of mine and Taylor’s pockets with random treasures and find myself shaking out sand and the tiniest fragments left behind before doing laundry. I even have a glass shell-shaped soap dish as a catchall on the cabinet next to the washing machine! I have stolen many of the small doggie bags attached to Jackson and now Kelson’s leashes to use as pouches for my gatherings. Most recently, I have commandeered two plastic disc strainers from my niece’s beach toy basket to collect my findings. I can easily rinse the sand off as the tide rolls in and give them another fresh water spray to drip dry once I get home.
What do I do with all of these thousands of shells I have collected over the years? That too has been in a constant state of evolution. They used to sit in a jumbled mix among buckets and baggies and such, but after living in Carteret County for three years and facing a move from my single apartment in Emerald Isle to a house with a roommate, I knew I had to clean up my act. I spent a couple summer days sprawled out on my apartment floor sorting and organizing shells
Vestry Romaine Riddle Beth Beswick Pat Jones Beth Beswick
Lector George Hirasawa Terry Smith Joe Nelson KIDS
Prayers Pat Jones Meg Bradford Pat Jones Linda Davies
Chalice Richard Seale
Jolene McCann Andy and Marilyn
Smetana Richard Seale
Bob Gallo Marian Goetzinger
Andy Smetana
Altar Guild Linda Seale
Elaine Tempel Meg Bradford
Phyllis Makuck Meg Bradford
Linda Seale Betsy Randall Linda Davies
Crucifer Pat Jones Tim Bradford Tim Bradford KIDS
Torch Bearers Linda Davies Scott Shelton
Stover Morris Linda Davies
Linda Davies Larry Castle
KIDS
Sound System John Marriott John Marriott John Clarke Stover Morris
Nursery Jeannie Baxter Jeannie Baxter Beth Beswick Sam Baxter
Children’s Homily X X X
Children's Class Marian Goetzinger Marian Goetzinger Marian Goetzinger X
Children’s Class Assistant
Coffee Hour George Hirasawa
& Pat Jones Margaret & Bob
Hunt Geraline & Larry
Castle Jami Turner
7/31
Stover Morris
Libba Shelton
Carol Eaton
Pat Jones Jolene McCann
Linda Davies Pat Jones
Pat Jones
Scott Shelton Beth Beswick
Larry Castle
Betty Watson
X
Marian Goetzinger
Mary Kurek
according to type. They went in gallon-size zip top bags to quart-size bags and snack-size bags for the tiny ones. The entire collection went into a large roll away under bed plastic tote, and I’ve been sorting and putting away what I have gathered there ever since. Until this spring.
Oh, what a shame to hide these treasures away! I would pull them out every year around Christmas to create keepsake, handmade gifts for friends and family. With guidance and fellowship from my art teacher friend Laura, we would gather around her kitchen table or mine and peruse the piles to pick the best-fitting shells to puzzle-piece together on mirrors, picture frames, letter initials, and table centerpieces. On cold December afternoons, we’d reminisce of those warm, sunny summer days on the sand, finding the shells we were using to craft and create.
Finally, after a handful of Christmas seasons and one of our guestrooms being chaotically taken over and dubbed as “Santa’s Workshop” by Taylor, he kindly suggested I clean up my act (for once and for all!) and offered to help by building me a craft closet like one of the many I’d drooled over on Pinterest. I was on a mission! I had purpose! Many winter weekends were spent cleaning out and organizing that same “Santa’s Workshop” guest room closet that had become a catchall I could close the doors to and forget about
ever since we moved in and got married a couple of years ago.
I knew I wanted to display my shells and have them within easy reach for my crafting projects, but I wasn’t exactly sure as to how until my neighbor told me she had been cleaning out and organizing as well and had a couple of boxes of mason jars she was getting rid of. I remembered boating over to a friend of Laura’s house in Atlantic Beach a while ago. Barbara loved to shell as well and made some of the most ornate and intricate shell mirrors I had ever seen. She had shelves in her garage lined with mason jars filled with shells of the same variety in each one. Barbara explained that when she sat down to create, the jars helped her see what she wanted to use and strategically place on her mirrors. This woman was the inspiration for my bag organization system; now that I have a permanent space for my collection, the mason jar storage helped it come full circle!
Beachcombing is in my blood and in my soul. It is where I find my peace. It is where I feel closest on my walk with God. It is where I commune with nature and discover these gifts from the sea. It is what fosters my creativity and provides an outlet for personal expression. It is where I find what God so perfectly designed. It allows me to gather His bounty and give these gifts to others.
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
