January 27 post

Alice Smith and Beazie Larned-Our Unsung Heroines!

This past Sunday we held the 65th annual meeting of St. Francis Episcopal Church.  My, how time flies!

When you think about 65 years, you recognize that it is no small feat to maintain a ministry for that time.  Conversely, one also recognizes the drop in the bucket of our time together compared to the larger Christian tradition, or the Jewish tradition from which we were birthed, and, of course, the life of our island home:  earth. 

Nevertheless, reflecting on the longevity of any institution, you can't help but be mindful of God's grace and the blessings that have allowed us to endure and, we hope, thrive.  One also remains acutely aware of the numerous gifts of time, talent, and treasure from so many for so long that allow for life and ministry to continue.  We stand on the shoulders of those who labored faithfully years before, and we hope and trust that others will be able to stand upon our shoulders and continue the good works begun and furthered in this place.  Community, in this sense, is not just immediate; it is temporal, crossing time and space.  We are connected to those who have gone before and those who will come after us. 

During the meeting, we recognized our unsung heroines, Alice Smith and Beazie Larned.  They embody the hope, trust, faith, humility, commitment, and love for God, St. Francis, and others that is vital to our life together.  For many, you may not even know much about Alice or Beazie.  They go about their work of beautifying the Historic Church and Church with the understatement for which New Englanders are famous.  However, we would not enjoy the richness of this community were it not for Alice and Beazie. 

Thank you, Alice and Beazie!!

Margaret Mead's famous dictum,

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has," holds true for our little faith community as well.  Over the years, we have recognized the faithful commitment of so many.  And there are so many more who go unrecognized and yet give so freely and generously.  Thank you to those of you who embody the love of God and humanity in simple and profound ways:  chalicing, teaching, ushering, visiting, planting, cleaning, coffee houring (try that verb formation on for size!), singing, working on committees, lectoring, dinging, Midnight Running, Dove Boxing, and on and on.  With small and large steps we continue to move faithfully ahead.

Of course, we rely on the goodwill and generosity of everyone.  Again, thank you to all who give so freely.  If, perchance, you are not involved in an activity, I invite you to consider helping here or there as time allows.  It does not need to be a great time commitment (one hour during the course of a month can be extremely helpful) and, yet, it makes such a difference.  We are certainly blessed when you do this, and, if you talk to Alice and Beazie, I'm sure they will say that you will find a blessing as well.

Pax Christi,

Mark