September 7, 2023
Dear Ones,
Every autumn, we are invited to observe The Season of Creation. The materials we are using this year were prepared by a team of leaders from around The Episcopal Church. It’s a time to both celebrate the beauty of creation and face the hard facts about climate change. What I like about these materials is that, while it does call upon us to acknowledge the ways in which we have failed to be good stewards of God’s beautiful world, it doesn’t bash us over the head with it. I don’t think shame is a very useful motivator in the long run.
Last Sunday we used a canticle from A New Zealand Prayer Book, modified for the northern hemisphere called A Greeting for Creation. In it, we greeted all parts of creation: sun, moon and stars, waters of river, lake and sea, animals and birds, and all God’s people. As I enjoyed the cool(ish) water of Lake Pennesseewassee Tuesday evening, I thought about this prayer. What would it be like if we made a point of greeting all parts of creation as we moved through our days? It doesn’t need to be a big, loud production that elicits looks from strangers walking by. But even just taking the time to notice, and give thanks, might make us more aware of what there is to lose.
And as a person who has occasionally been overheard speaking to squirrels and chipmunks, crows and cardinals, I can assure you—the looks don’t harm you in the least.
In the meantime….keep the faith,
Nancy+
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Exodus 12:1-14 * Psalm 149 * Romans 13:8-14 * Matthew 18:15-20
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Malaikah Mulandi 9/10
Peter Bickford 9/11
Br. Matthias Tanner 9/11
Barbi Tinder 9/12
CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
Today: 10:15 AM Eucharist In-person & online
Wednesday: 9:00 AM Eucharist/Bible Study
Thursday: 9:00 AM Christ Church Book Group/Zoom
7:15 PM Zoom Compline
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nametags Please wear your nametag while you’re in church. You can leave it in the basket outside Nancy’s office as you leave and Linda will return it to the board.
Backpack/Back to School Blessing Postponed to September 10 during worship. Bring a backpack or some item that we can use to be a reminder to you that you are a beloved child of God every time you see it
Season of Creation Sept. 3 through Oct. 1.
School Supplies We will continue to collect school supplies through September 17.
Choir If you are interested in being part of a reconstituted choir, please speak to Nancy or Susan
Isaiah Study group will resume in September. Day/time TBA.
Directory Updates Please provide Linda with any updates to your directory entry by September 22. A new directory will be available on October 1. If you have not filled out a Family Information Sheet, please do so—it contains information not included in the directory.
CREATION CARE TIPS
Groundwater in our backyard
Last week’s subject was the groundwater hundreds of miles from here. Tuesday’s Sun Journal article on the Monmouth, Maine water supply brought the problem closer to home and quickly into focus. Wells providing water to homes surrounding the Tex Tech mill in North Monmouth have been tested for presence of PFAS, and its presence has been detected above the interim limit. (Why interim? Because not enough is known yet about their dangers to set a firm number.) The US CDC says “per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water.” PFAS are considered ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not break down in natural environments – including the human body. They are (or have been) used in the manufacture of furniture, to make your sofa stain-resistant, in raincoats, to make them waterproof, in non-stick pans, and in take-out containers, to keep the grease, oil and water in the food from soaking through and onto your car’s upholstery or carpeting, or onto your clothing. The good news in North Monmouth is that the mill will fund the installation of filters needed to ensure that the residents have safe water, and that the town is working on plans to expand the water system to include the affected area.
Where did these forever chemicals come from? They are all man-made, and were developed starting in the 1940s. The first well-known PFAS was Teflon. PFAS have been used in many industries, and in myriad applications. To be effective in waterproofing or in stain prevention, these chemicals had to resist breaking down. And they do such a good job of it that it is nearly impossible to change them into something non-toxic.
Maine is at the forefront of the new era of PFAS – controlling their use, researching how to clean up contamination, and banning the use of some PFAS. The Maine DEP website says, in part, “The law also prohibits the sale of carpets or rugs, as well as the sale of fabric treatments, that contain intentionally added PFAS beginning on January 1, 2023.” This includes household conveniences such as Scotch-Guard and its competitors. Maine is ahead of the rest of the nation in addressing the PFAS problem.
For more information, the Maine DEP has a long list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – with answers – on its website. – Patty
Hurt not the earth–neither the sea–nor the trees. Revelation 7:3