March 19, 2020
www.mainebiz.biz
Maine’s ‘unbridged’ islands hunker down
By Laurie Schreiber
Islands in Maine without bridges to the mainland are taking special steps to protect residents from the threat of coronavirus.
=====
“We’re taking our cues from our island communities,” [Mission President John] Zavodny said. “North Haven has taken the step of prohibiting non-island residents. Whether you agree with that decision or not, we think the spirit is a good one, of trying to self-isolate, trying to flatten the curve.”
The mission’s regularly scheduled island visits are suspended through March 31. However, the suspension doesn’t mean the mission is unavailable to island residents, he emphasized. His team is discussing ways to best support island residents during the pandemic and would like to hear their ideas.
BAR HARBOR, ME — Through ice storms, fire, world wars, recession, and countless Nor’easters, the Maine Seacoast Mission has supported Maine’s isolated communities on the outer islands and in Downeast coastal communities since 1905. Never is Mission support more needed than in times like these.
The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges for the people supported by the Maine Seacoast Mission. While isolation may slow the spread of the virus in our communities it also limits access to food, to services, and to community. From groceries to health care to human connection, everything is more dear and more difficult to come by in remote communities. During times of crisis, satisfying basic human needs gets harder still.
Compounding the challenge, the very community events, meals, and activities that help sustain our kids, families, and elders – like the Mission’s Downeast Table of Plenty, EdGE afterschool programs, and Food Pantry – become a source of concern and must be considered with great care and offered, as possible, with real creativity.
With creativity and commitment, the Maine Seacoast Mission will do everything we can during this crisis to continue to provide access to healthy food, community building, programs for kids, housing rehabilitation, health care access, island support, spiritual support, and access to other help. Programs for children might be online or on paper, food might be distributed differently, and community building might be accomplished through phone visits, but the Mission will continue to serve.
The Mission Commitment During COVID-19. And always.
* During this time of extreme challenge, to the best of our abilities the Maine Seacoast Mission will:
* Continue to be guided by our mission of service to Maine’s isolated communities on the outer islands and in Downeast coastal communities.
* Prioritize the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, community members, and families.
* First address basic needs, then continue to strengthen individuals and build community through services, programs, and individual support.
* Conduct our work in a spirit of hope, creativity, and compassion to ground, reassure, and inspire each other and our communities.
* Support our staff through the Mission’s compensation and benefits system, foster creative ways to continue work, and facilitate employee self-care.
* Coordinate with other agencies and follow the guidance of medical and emergency management authorities and encourage others to do the same.
For 115 years, the Mission has worked to build community in some of Maine’s most isolated communities. Now those communities are being tested.
In this time of need during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maine Seacoast Mission will continue to strengthen Maine’s isolated communities on the outer islands and in Downeast coastal communities to the best of our abilities, in a spirit of hope, and in whatever way possible.
Please take care of yourself, your families, and your community in this challenging time. If you can, also consider a gift to the Maine Seacoast Mission so we can continue our work with Maine’s most vulnerable communities.
ROCKPORT, ME — Maine Seacoast Mission spent last weekend at the 45th Maine Fishermen’s Forum. The Sunbeam crew and Mission President John Zavodny, took turns at the Mission booth, reconnecting with old friends, and meeting plenty of new ones. The accompanying photo shows (L-R) Sunbeam Engineer Storey King, Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley, RN, and President Zavodny.
The Mission booth highlighted the Sunbeam crew’s work among island unbridged communities. The Forum was also an opportunity for the Mission to provide informational updates on the Sunbeam‘s routine major refit.
BAR HARBOR, ME — It is an example of how the Mission watches and listens to our communities and responds creatively. That’s how Maine Seacoast Mission President John Zavodny described the Mission’s island Middle to High School Transition Program. Led by Mission Island Outreach Director and Chaplain Douglas Cornman, the annual Transition Program retreat helps students living on unbridged Maine islands prepare for their transition to mainland high schools.
“Every summer, a group of resilient young teens scattered across eight unbridged islands off Maine’s coast are faced with the reality that..they are about to trade the island life they know for a life utterly foreign to them. Nearly all these island students will be boarding on the mainland during high school…with relatives or family friends,” said President Zavodny.
Director Douglas Cornman agrees. “Transitioning into the first year of high school can be intimidating and stressful. The Transition Program retreat offers a place where students can ask questions and have discussions about the transition. A lot of preparation and attention goes into making sure the students attending this three-day, two-night event, feel the safety and comfort needed to open up and engage in the process,” said Cornman.
Island students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade can take part in the retreat. One way Douglas keeps things fresh is by changing retreat venues each year from Camden, to Belfast, to Bar Harbor.
This year, January 17-19, St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church‘s Parish Hall, Bar Harbor, was home base for the Transition Program retreat. Eight students from six islands, along with their parents or chaperone, took part. Douglas was joined by Mission’s Director of Student Pathways Christina Griffith in co-leading the retreat. According to Douglas, Christina used her expertise mostly working with the parents on their thoughts, concerns, and excitement.
Douglas also had help working with the students from Mission EdGE Outreach Coordinator Matthew Cole, Executive Director Nicole Cardano of Theater Today based in Seal Cove, and assorted staff and students from public and private high schools.
This year’s Transition Program retreat helped students and their parents with problem solving, skill building, communication and social skills development, and alleviating anxiety during social interaction. There was also plenty of time for meet-and-greet, game playing, and swimming.
Director Cornman said Sunday’s scheduled retreat activities were “very condensed” because an impending storm sent students boating back early to their home islands. Beforehand, Douglas had each student write a letter to themselves. He will hold onto the letters for a year before mailing them back to the students. This exercise gives the students a chance to reflect on how their thoughts and feelings regarding high school change from one year to the next.
“Yes, we had snow, winds, high seas, had boat cancellations, resilient island kids, parents, and chaperones. And, yes, we had a fantastic fun-filled weekend,” said Douglas.
Island Outreach Director Douglas Cornman ties up the ‘Moonbeam’
Mission crew walking to Frenchboro church from Frenchboro dock
The Nativity pageant
Mission President Zavodny accompanying Christmas caroling
The Brightest Star – Jillian
Christmas presents for Frenchboro children
Singing Christmas carols.
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — On Friday, December 20th, The Moonbeam, crew (Storey, Jillian, & Douglas), and two special guests – Mission President John Zavodny and Communications Associate Hunter Billings – traveled to Frenchboro through some rough seas and cold to offer a Christmas service, including a Nativity pageant.
All of the Frenchboro children and almost all Frenchboro’s adults joined us at the Frenchboro Congregation Church. Natalie Hyde-Peterson, Frenchboro’s Island Institute Fellow, turned on the church heat prior to our arrival so we could worship and celebrate together in the church.
John graciously agreed to bring along his guitar to accompany the hymns and carols. He is quite skilled on the guitar. His carol singing accompaniment may become an annual Christmas tradition.
Hunter, Storey, Douglas and Natalie lit candles around the church to help set the holiday mood.
Douglas asked the kids (and a few parents) to portray characters from the Nativity. There was Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus (played by the island’s youngest resident), along with angels, shepherds, and the three Magi.
Douglas shared with the congregation, just prior to starting the service, that the Nativity pageant could either “go like clockwork” or “be a little chaotic.” The pageant was some of each, but absolutely perfect and adorable. Douglas narrated the pageant, while Jillian directed from the back of the church. Jillian also had a guest appearance as the Brightest Star.
The evening ended with Douglas handing out the Mission’s gifts, wrapped in white paper with red string, to all the youngsters. The kids were overwhelmed with joy, especially one young lad who had received a toy Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Douglas had delivered the gifts to the island’s elders on a previous trip to the island.
After the service, Jillian offered apple cider and a tray of homemade cookies for folks to enjoy.
Photos by Mission Communications Associate Hunter Billings
CHERRYFIELD, ME — Open Mic Night on fall and winter Wednesdays at the Mission’s Weald Bethel Community Center are a great way to bring people together to make and/or listen to music. October 30, 2019, Mission President John Zavodny stopped by at Open Mic, grabbed a guitar, and played an impromptu “Werewolves of London.” John was accompanied by Steve Harley (gtr), Cambo (perc), and Mission Downeast Campus Facilities Manager Scott Shaw (bs).
Learn more about all the happenings at the Weald Bethel Community Center.
