According to news this week, the extreme safety measures put into place around the world during the pandemic have saved an estimated 3.1 million lives across 11 European countries, including 500,000 in the United Kingdom. They have also prevented an estimated 60 million coronavirus cases in the U.S. One of them could have been mine […]
Times Record Worship
Brunswick-area clergy hitting the road for Habitat for Humanity
BRUNSWICK — The Habitat for Humanity Spring Walk at All Saints Parish will go virtual this year, with the priests and deacons of the parish taking their support, and that of their parishioners, to the streets. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Rev. Thomas Murphy, pastor, and the Rev. Patrick Agbodi, parochial vicar, will be […]
Faith Notes: The resileince of nature
For the past couple of weeks, my family has been helping me prepare my gardens for summer. Truth be told, I’m not a great gardener, but having grown up on a farm, I find the wellbeing of my soul is tied to how much time I spend near the soil. So every year since we […]
Maine Catholic parishes offer restricted indoor Masses starting June 1
PORTLAND — Effective Monday, June 1, the Diocese of Portland is allowing Maine Catholic churches to hold public Masses with restrictions and safeguards in place to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. “We are, of course, anxious to return to our churches and have the opportunity to celebrate Mass,” said Bishop Robert Deeley in a […]
Brunswick priest marks 60th anniversary
BRUNSWICK — Ascension Thursday, May 21, marked the 60th anniversary of The Rev. Richard Rice’s ordination to the priesthood. The 86-year-old priest commemorated the milestone by celebrating Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brunswick. “So this Mass is being live-streamed, a phrase that I had not been familiar with until recently,” […]
Faith Notes: Hope unsinkable
In 1832 a small vessel, the Messenger of Peace, anchored off Manu’a, an island in the South Pacific. Aboard was John Williams, a British evangelist whose mission was to share the gospel with islanders, many of whom had little contact with passing ships. As Williams’ ship neared shore, several canoes rowed out to meet it. […]
Some Maine Catholic churches host parking lot Masses
LEWISTON/AUBURN — “This is the first time I’ve preached to cars. It’s rather odd I have to say.” The words of the Rev. Seamus Griesbach’s homily fell upon a parking lot full of parishioners listening from their cars to the Mass, celebrated before them on outdoor staging on Sunday, May 3. “Do you beep when […]
Edgecomb Community Church streaming worship on Zoom
EDGECOMB — Edgecomb Community Church, UCC, is worshiping on Zoom due to the stay-at-home order to help stem the spread of COVID-19. The church welcomes worshipers to join Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. For further information on how to access the Zoom meeting, see the church’s website edgecombchurch.org or email at edgecomb.church@gmail.com. The church building is […]
Faith Notes: The way home
Last week, I climbed in the passenger seat of our minivan and strapped in my seatbelt as my 17-year-old daughter, Lydia, slid behind the wheel. Not normally one for thrill rides, I leave most student-driving lessons to my husband, Dana. But I was on a mission. One month before, I’d ordered 50 pounds of fresh-ground […]
How to build community while worshipping online
THE CONVERSATION — Calls for social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic have forced churches to cancel weekly gatherings, with many church leaders moving worship online. To help facilitate this, church consulting groups and religious leaders have posted a varietyofguides to address concerns pastors have about technological issues and resources required to make this move. […]