THE WATER CONNECTION: RISKS AND IMPACTS OF METAL MINING IN MAINE
The community is invited to the third program in the series:
Turn on the Taps: Ensuring Clean Water for All on Saturday, September 7 at 10:30 a.m. in the Rockport Opera House.
This program, The Water Connection: Risks of Metal Mining in Maine, will feature two speakers who will explore how mining affects the quality of both surface and underground water supplies and the social, environmental and cultural disasters that result when mining companies put profits over safety.
The speakers, Jan Morrill and Ralph Chapman, bring an array of knowledge and experience to the discussion. Jan Morrill is the Tailings Campaign Manager at Earthworks. Since 1988, Earthworks has helped communities secure protections of their health, land, water and air from extractive industries. It is the only national organization in the U.S. to focus exclusively on preventing the destructive impacts of extraction of oil, gas and minerals. Jan works with communities around the world directly affected by dangerous tailings storage facilities, including in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, South Africa, and beyond. As a resident of Rockland, Jan has closely followed the debate around opening Maine up for metallic mining.
Jan will be joined by Ralph Chapman, now retired, who had a multifaceted career as an industrial engineer, applied physics research scientist, science educator and former State Legislator. For eight years, Ralph represented the only Maine House District that has had commercial metal mining in the past century. He and his wife live in Bucksport.
This program, sponsored by Nativity Lutheran Church, is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. For more information please go to the Church’s website at http://www.nativityrockport.org or contact Denise at das75gms@gmail.com
The black walnut tree in my back yard in Thomaston is the last of my trees (I have 28 in my yard) to get its leaves in the Spring and the first to begin dropping them in the Fall. They began fluttering to the ground in noticeable numbers a few days ago. It lets me know the seasons are changing. That, and cooler nights, and shorter days…and yard signs. As we enter fall “political season,” yard signs are popping up in our neighborhoods, along our roadways and at busy intersections. I carefully positioned one in my front yard yesterday---first time ever for me.
Last week I saw a couple of yard signs that really made me smile. I was driving some back roads to visit a friend at her camp on Sibley Pond and as I drove through Albion, bright yellow signs with blue letters caught my eye--maybe first because of the colors which are Lions International colors (I’ve been a Lion almost twenty years) or maybe because of what they said: “BE KIND.”
I was so buoyed by their simple message.
There’s a famous biblical passage that says the same thing, but it is often nuanced in ways that don’t emphasize its call to be kind.
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.---1st Corinthians 13:4-7
It’s often read at weddings maybe as an illustration of the love of the couple coming together or maybe as a benchmark for them. But it’s not often that the individual characteristics of love (notice kindness comes first) are emphasized. The focus of the passage is indeed love, but when you read the passage in context with the rest of the letter, you realize the writer is not speaking of an intimate or romantic relationship.
The letter has been written to a congregation—a community—and in the chapter that immediately precedes this passage, the letter talks about all the different gifts and traits that community members have and how all the gifts combine to create the community, in this case , the Body of Christ. The passage is about loving others in the community: being kind and patient, and NOT being arrogant, boastful or irritable. It’s about rejoicing in truth.
The tricky thing is, the way God created us, we can see truth differently. Which makes being kind (and patient), not rude, all the more difficult. I pray we can set an example this yard sign season. Things may get crazy, and kindness might be hard to find. Let’s let people find it in us, no matter which yard signs we erect on our lawns. Let’s help others show it, no matter which yard signs they erect.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Anderson
p.s. If you want to read in your Bible about intimate, romantic love find the book Song of Soloman (It’s between Ecclesiastes and Isaiah).
...will be held on October 19th this year!!!!
*As in the past the event will be held from 9AM to 1PM on that date.
*Proceeds will be shared with “Homeworthy” (previously Knox County Homeless Coalition).
*Craft and Bake Sale items should be pre-priced before drop off at the church.
*Craft and Bake Sale items MAY be delivered to the church 10/18 before noon.
(Please ALERT KARIN OR PHIL concerning YOUR TIMING.)
*YES!!!!! Tag Sale items in the BASEMENT ONLY will be 1/2 OFF from 12:30 - 1:00PM.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ALL SUPPORT POSITIONS!!!!!
Standing, Sitting, Walking, Talking
(Experience not necessary to apply!!!!)
We have varying FUNCTIONS needing your expertise across all categories: Crafts, Bake Goods, Cafe, Ladies Boutique, Silent Auction, Tag Sale.
Choose the ones you like - multiple choices strengthens your resume.
Support HELP needed in Preparation for the Event:
A) Set Up and Presentation
B) Pricing
Support HELP needed the Day of the event (October 19):
A) Cash Table Coverage (2 people per table, plus back-up coverage).
B) Pack Up scheduled on days following the event starting on 10/21.
C) Delivery (we supply delivery HELP to those needing it).
D) Exterior signing. (Set up 10/14, take down after 1PM 10/19.)
AND MORE!!!!!
THE MERCHANDISE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU!!!!!
For early consideration of your application please call right away!!!!
Karin or Phil Pratt
207-832-4335
Our exploration of the elements that make up our Sunday worship service continues this month as we think about the Great Thanksgiving. Having shared the peace of Christ with one another and sung and prayed over our offering for the support of the congregation and our mission in the world, we move now into the Great Thanksgiving – a series of prayers of thanks for all that God has done for us.
The Great Thanksgiving begins with a dialogue between the presider and the assembly, which sets the tone for the prayers that follow. Pastor Chris Repp writes to his congregation about it saying “You could think of it like the preflight exchange between a pilot and ground control. “The Lord be with you.” (Here the presider invokes God’s help in the coming prayer.) “And also with you.” (“Back atcha!”) “Lift up your hearts,” (i.e. “bring your whole self into these prayers.”) “We lift them to the Lord.” (“Check!”) “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God,” (another way of saying, “Let us pray,” or “cleared for takeoff” in the above analogy.) “It is right to give our thanks and praise.” (“Roger, here we go…”)”
The prayer continues in dialogue form but takes on a different shape. The presider affirms the assembly’s thanks and praise chanting or speaking “It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and all places give thanks and praise” leading into the proper preface for the day. The rhythm and the cadence of the words of the proper preface are like poetry. They also change according to the Church Year or the Festival Day. The proper preface ends with words that connect us to the worship of the whole church on earth, together with that of “the hosts of heaven” and lead the assembly to respond in song with the Sanctus or “Holy, Holy, Holy.”
The words holy, holy, holy come to us from Isaiah 6:3 as recorded in the prophet’s vision of God’s heavenly court. They acknowledge we are coming into the presence of God in a special way in our celebration of Holy Communion. The words then quickly transition to verses of Psalm 118, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosannah!” (literally, “save us!) In Judaism, this was the entrance liturgy used at the temple during the festival of Passover, praising God for saving the Israelites. The early church applied it to Jesus freeing us from the power of sin and death through his crucifixion and resurrection. In the Gospels, this is what the crowd chants as Jesus enters Jerusalem, so it makes sense that now as Jesus comes to us in the sacrament we sing those very same words. A little later in the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus says to the religious authorities of Jerusalem: “For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’” As we echo his words it’s a way of saying, “Jesus, I want to see you again. I want to meet you here in this meal.”
The Great Thanksgiving continues with the Eucharistic Prayer. That will be our Worship Matters topic next month.
Ensuring Clean Water for All
For more pictures from the event, click here
Vegetarian Recipes for September
Now that the weather is a little cooler, many of us are back in our kitchens stirring up some great vegetable combinations.
Many thanks to Sue Dawson for this Teriyaki Veggie Pita Pockets recipe. If you like onions, peppers, mushrooms, and the flavor of teriyaki, this recipe is for you. It’s also available on video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGOsc98KZJw
Another tasty vegetarian recipe is Spinach & Artichoke-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms. The addition of cream cheese gives this dish a lovely taste and texture.
https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/277963/spinach-artichoke-stuffed-portobello-mushrooms/
Thank you for all you are doing to care for our Earth.
-- Lynne Taylor for the Creation Care Team
Reminder: All of the vegetarian recipes can be found online: here
Pastor’s “Out of the Office Hours,” a time for casual conversation, will be into creation for the first half of September and back to local coffee shops the second half. Come and go as you like during the scheduled time (Tuesdays, 9:30-11:00 AM) and enjoy the company of other Nativity members.
September 3 - Owls Head State Park, Lighthouse Road, Owls Head
September 10 - Walker Park, Sea St, Rockport (Pascal Ave. to Elm St. to Sea St.)
September 17 - School House Bakery, Tenants Harbor
September 24 - Hole in the Wall Bagels, 754 Main St, Rockland
October 1 - School House Bakery, Tenants Harbor
7 - Ted Long
16 - Clara Mason
18 - Fran Kresge
22 - David Paul
26 - Kasie Waters
Editor's note: Did we miss your birthday? Please email your birthday date to kmusicorama@gmail.com so that we can add you to our monthly salutation.
Reminder:
Worship service will change to 10:30 AM on September 8th
Sunday, September 1
9:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, September 2
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, September 3
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours and into Creation
Owls Head State Park, Lighthouse Road, Owls Head
Thursday, September 5
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room
Saturday, September 7
Turn on the Taps, Ensuring Clean Water for All: Part 3
10:30 AM at the Rockport Opera House
The Water Connection: “Risks of Metal Mining in Maine” with speakers Jan Morrill and Ralph Chapman
Free, open to all, refreshments provided.
Sunday, September 8
9:00 AM - Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, September 9
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, September 10
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours and into Creation
Walker Park, Sea St, Rockport (Pascal Ave. to Elm St. to Sea St.)
Thursday, September 12
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
Sunday, September 15
9:00 AM -Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, September 16
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, September 17
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
School House Bakery, Tenants Harbor
Thursday, September 19
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
3:00 PM - Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers Grief Group for Parents, Meeting Room
Sunday, September 22
9:00 AM -Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
12:00 PM - Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Rockland
Monday, September 23
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Tuesday, September 24
9:30 - 11:00 AM - Out of the Office Hours
Hole in the Wall Bagels, 754 Main St, Rockland
Wednesday, September 25
Turn on the Taps, Ensuring Clean Water for All: Part 4
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM in the Sanctuary at Nativity Lutheran Church, featuring staff members from the Maine Water Company.
The program is free and open to the community.
Thursday, September 26
8:00 AM - Morning Prayer, via Zoom
Sunday, September 29
9:00 AM -Choir practice in Sanctuary/Adult education in Meeting Room
10:30 AM - Worship in-person and online
Monday, September 30
7:00 PM - Men’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Note For midweek prayer via zoom - there is a separate Zoom link.
Email Pastor at office@nativityrockport.org if you would like the zoom link. Please also email Pastor if you do not have the Sunday link.
Water Justice in Maine?
Across the globe, water is a live or die matter. It’s hard for us to imagine this, living in a state that seems so water-rich. And yet, we’re learning that Maine has its own concerns with water justice.
On August 3rd, Nativity’s Creation Care Team kicked off its second water stewardship series entitled “Turn on the Taps: Ensuring Clean Water for All”. We hosted a mother-son team, Nickie and Luke Sekera from Fryeburg, who have become passionate about water justice in Maine. The event drew 20 people from our congregation and the wider community.
In addition to her broad professional experience, Nickie has volunteered her time in many capacities across Maine. She co-founded the Community Water Justice network, served on the Maine State Water Commission, serves with grassroots advocacy groups, and faithfully stays informed about water policies and issues across Maine and the United States. She has testified before governing bodies and offered her knowledge to communities. Nickie also spends time mentoring young people who want to carry forward the torch.
Nickie and Luke shared information about municipal water systems in Maine and what it means for the residents when they are owned by for-profit companies. Our local Maine Water Company is a subsidiary of the San Jose Water Company, operating water systems in several communities across Maine and many more across the United States. Attendees also heard information about the extraction of water in Maine, again for profit. Living in Fryeburg, Nickie became involved in her own community’s struggle to have access to sufficient water, as initially Poland Spring, and later the Nestle Corporation, conducted large-scale extraction in their area and bottled water to be sold. The current company, Blue Triton, has gone on to extract water in a dozen communities across Maine, most of them small. In addition to Maine’s local water justice issues, Nickie provided us with an introduction to our state’s regulatory systems governing ground water and the legal challenges of ensuring a more just system of ‘clean water for all’.
Nickie and Luke thanked our congregation for hosting them and for caring. I couldn’t help feeling we were the fortunate ones. We learned a great deal and saw their caring in action. They offered us a vision for our relationship with water, a relationship of sacred, communal care, where no one person or company owns water, where all beings have access, and all have enough. In their vision and their work, we see them living our own Christian values of caring and justice and our congregation’s commitment to creation care.
If you haven’t been able to attend one of our Turn on the Taps events yet this summer, there’s still time. Our 3rd event brings us two presenters who will share their knowledge about the connection between water and metal mining. Please attend our presentation on September 7 at 10:30am at the Rockport Opera House.
- The Pastor’s Discretionary Fund: Please remember that an extra $5 or $10 each month may make a huge difference to a family in need! Please indicate any additional donations as "Pastor's Discretionary" when you mail in your monthly offering.
- Don't forget: One simple way to help care for creation is to download the weekly bulletin onto your smart phone or tablet and then bring that device to worship or use it when you zoom at home saving paper and resources. Need help figuring that out? Call Pastor for Android help or Denise Stadler for Apple help.
- Your aluminum pop tabs can help keep families with sick children close to each other and the care and resources they need. Look for the paper bag on the Social Ministry bulletin board in the Narthex. Place your tabs in the bag and take your container home and fill it again! The tabs are donated to the Ronald McDonald House.
A Note from your editor, Kim Murphy
Reminder - send articles and photos by the 20th of each month.
Email kmusicorama@gmail.com
Photos this month: Pastor Wendy Anderson, Elaine Isakson, Gretchen Hanna, Kim Murphy, Outdoor Gathering Photo by Krisztina Papp on Unsplash, Balloon Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash, Aluminum can tabs Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash, Water Photo by mrjn Photography on Unsplash, Drinking water Photo by Fiona Murray-deGraaff on Unsplash
Nativity Lutheran Church
Sunday Worship (Sept -May) 10:30 AM
Summer Sunday Worship (June - August) 9:30 AM
Email: office@nativityrockport.org
Website: www.nativityrockport.org
Location: 179 Old County Rd, Rockport, ME, United States
Phone: 207-594-4665