Christmas Open House, Silent Wreath Auction, Fri, 12/1/2017
See this ad in the November 16, 2017 MDIslander
A Welcome Visit from Pilgrim Daughters of Lincoln Congregational Church
Bar Harbor, ME — “We had a great visit today from some of the “Pilgrim Daughters” of the Lincoln Congregational Church. Donna R. Hanscom presented part of their annual donation of gift items for our Christmas Program. Donna is on the right and Pastor Josh is in the back. (From David Snyder, Mission reception/clerical associate)
First Congregational Church of Lincoln, 19 School St, Lincoln, ME. “We have been right here at the center of the community since 1831.”
Sunbeam V Christmas Cruise 2016: A Beautiful, Life-Affirming Whirlwind
Director of Island Outreach Douglas Cornman sent this report and photos from the Sunbeam V‘s Christmas Cruise 2016:
The Sunbeam V and crew cruised to three islands in just over twenty four hours this week, to offer Christmas Services to the islands’ year-round communities. The communities of Frenchboro and Isle au Haut were visited on Tuesday, and the island of Matinicus was visited on Wednesday.
Residents gathered, either in their island’s church or aboard the Sunbeam, to listen to St. Luke’s account of the Christmas story, sing their favorite hymns and carols, and watch a nativity play performed by the island’s children and a few lobstermen and women.
Frenchboro’s nativity even had a living baby Jesus, played by the island’s newest addition. In his sermon, Director of Island Outreach and Sunbeam chaplain Douglas Cornman, asked the children if anyone knew what Christmas was all about (a line borrowed from one of his favorite Peanuts characters).
Love, taking care of one another, taking care of our planet, and compassion towards others are just a sample of the answers he heard. The Sunbeam’s 2016 Christmas cruise truly was a beautiful and life affirming whirlwind that is not to be soon forgotten.
Merry Christmas from the Sunbeam V and her crew!!
Neal Bousfield: Delivering Mission Christmas Presents 1940
Rev. Neal Bousfield, Mission Superintendent (1938-1972) delivering Christmas presents in 1940. As of this writing, we have no other details about this photo. We welcome any factual background information readers are willing to share.
One published account by Mount Desert Island Historical Society describes Rev. Bousfield this way:
“For thirty-six years Reverend Neal Bousfield…worked tirelessly to improve the live of coastal Maine people. Employing his philosophy that outright charity demeans and even destroys the individual, Rev. Bousfield endeavored to help people help themselves. Educational opportunity was one pillar of his self-improvement philosophy.”
Mrs. Christmas’s Command Central at Maine Seacoast Mission
BAR HARBOR — Monday, December 19, 2016. A few photos of the Colket Center floor dedicated in large part to the Mission’s Christmas Program. Rooms, shelves, drawers, and closets once used for resident living space are now Mrs. Christmas’s Command Central.
Sunbeam V Christmas Cruises This Week to Maine Islands
The Sunbeam V is making a few Christmas Cruises to Maine islands this week. Director of Island Outreach Douglas Cornman sent these cruise details.
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Who: Mike, Storey, Jillian, Douglas and the communities of Frenchboro, Isle au Haut, and Matinicus
What: The Sunbeam’s annual Christmas Cruise. What is included in the service will vary depending on the island. Islands with enough children will have a Christmas pageant. Islands with fewer children will have Lessons and Carols. Every island will hear a Christmas message and have a carol sing with cookies and cocoa served following the service.
Where: Frenchboro and Matinicus have agreed to heat their churches for the day of the service, so the services on these two islands will be in their church buildings. The service on Isle au Haut will be aboard the Sunbeam.
When: The dates are listed below
Sunbeam Christmas Trip to Frenchboro
When: Sunday, Dec 18, 2016
Sunbeam Christmas Trip to Isle Au Haut
When: Tuesday, Dec 20, 2016
Sunbeam Christmas Trip to Matinicus
When: Wednesday, Dec 21, 2016
Sunbeam Christmas Trip (Return to Northeast Harbor)
When: Thursday, Dec 22, 2016
Why: These islands do not have year round ministers “on island,” so the Sunbeam and her crew (minus Director of Island Health Sharon Daley) visits each year. It is my understanding that the Sunbeam’s minister has led Christmas services for each of these island communities for many years. I do not know the exact number of years, however.