jan 1, 1905 - St. George's, Sanford
Description:
The church was consecrated on St. Bartholomew’s Day, August 24, 1906
by Bishop Robert Codman.
Our stained glass window in the sanctuary was installed in the mid 1980s. It captures the
sunlight and radiates into the church; a representation of our faith and ministry.
The center of the window, as the center of our lives, is the Chalice and Holy Host; as a
symbol of the Eucharist. This is also a symbol of our faith and worship we share. From the
center, concentric circles reach out and flow one into another. Like a raindrop that falls into a
puddle, one circle becomes the next…. the circles are a symbol of our lives and ministry
reaching out from our faith into our community and the world. Notice the circles are of many
colors, embracing our differences and the circles travel through the window and beyond the
window frame. A symbol of sharing our faith and love through the waters of our Baptism.
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many
ripples”…. Mother Teresa
Our Prayer Bear ministry is very special to us. At the front of the church is a basket of small
bears with tags to be filled out for the recipient. Before the Service starts a bear is selected
by someone asking prayers for another. The first name of the person for whom prayers are
requested is printed on the tag worn by the bear. An announcement is made of whom the bearis for and is then passed through the congregation. Each person then hugs and says a prayer to send with the small bear, as it makes its journey through the pews. It is held by the last person until the Offertory. It is then placed in the Alms Basin with our offerings and then
placed on the Altar for the remainder of the Service. After the Service, the bear, now bearing
our prayers, is sent to person for whom we have prayed.
Our Prayer Bears have gone all across the country and to Iraq. They also go to hospitals with those starting chemo treatments and facing surgery, as well as Hospice, for those preparing for their final journey. It is a visual reminder that we are praying for them and holding them close in our thoughts and hearts.
One of our first Prayer Bears was requested by a very young member of our parish for a friend
who with his family had lost their home to a fire. Our children indeed lead us in God’s work.
Added to timeline:
Diocese of Maine Bicentennial
Date:
