From the Deacon’s Bench — May 2022

By Clay Collins, MSG Chaplain
207 837-0564

“After this, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but they caught nothing.”

John 21:1-3

The weather is finally getting warmer (slowly, true, but still warmer!). How many of us are thinking about going fishing? Yes, I’m sure there are the die-hards that have been fishing all winter! That is great. I hope you had great luck!

Did you ever think about when Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples at the seashore? The scripture that I chose this month only touches upon it. Read the rest of the chapter to get the full story.

The disciples get into their boat, go fishing all night, but catch NOTHING. When they saw Jesus on the shore, they did not know who it was, but they had their suspicions of who it actually was. They did not come right out and say His name.

He told them to cast their nets on the opposite side of the boat. When they did, the nets were so heavy they could not haul them in!

We are like the disciples. Instead of fishing for fish, we are, in a way, fishing for souls. Every day we are working, socializing, and meeting new (and old) friends. We should be trying to show them the way to the Lord. Sometimes we fail, but as Jesus said to the disciples, cast our “nets” to the other side. You might just “catch” a few new believers.

Later, in the same chapter, you will read that when Simon Peter realized it was Jesus on the shore, he covered himself and jumped into the water because he was ashamed of himself. Don’t be ashamed in the sight of Jesus, feel blessed for He loves you, and if you ask forgiveness, He will take you to the Lord.  

Enjoy the warm weather, go fishing, go for a walk, meet new and old friends, or just set out in the sun and take in the beautiful world around you!

DON’T FORGET TO THANK A VETERAN AND ALL FIRST RESPONDERS FOR THEIR SERVICE!!

Benediction: “Gracious Father of us all, help us to be fishers of men, and cast our ‘nets’ in the right direction. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”  

Thought for the month:
May the sun shine, all day long,
Everything go right, and nothing wrong.
 May those you love bring love back to you,
 And may all the wishes you wish come true.

an Irish Blessing for Health and Prosperity

Vintage Grange Songs – Katherine Rhoda

For those who were unable to attend the (virtual) New England Folk Festival, we are pleased to offer a recording of the Vintage Grange Songs by Katherine. Our deepest appreciation to the New England Folk Festival Association and Katherine for sharing with us.

Katherine offers a great page of information about Vintage Grange Songs on her website. You’ll love some of the photos of old song and music books and how Katherine captures the historical contributions of the Patrons of Husbandry. How fortunate we are that she is preserving such an important part of our heritage! Katherine performs throughout the state of Maine, and you will want to check her show schedule.

The 2022 NEFFFA recording of Vintage Grange Songs is also available on Vimeo. Next year’s Festival is planned to be “live” in Marlboro, Massachusetts from April 21-23, 2022.

Grange Heirloom — May 2022

Use the icons below to share this Grange Heirloom on social media and help others understand what the Grange stands for! If this heirloom has a particular meaning for you, click the responses link at the top right and share your comment with us!

Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Rituals and Declaration of Purposes.

For additional information and resources regarding the Heirloom Program, visit the Heirloom Resource Page on the Maine State Grange Website.

Mill Stream Grange Visits Church on Grange Sunday

Pictured from left: Judy Dunn, David Varney, Ingrid Grenon, Ed McCarthy, Allan Harville, Jill Sampson, Ellie Andrews, Debbie Lavender, Paul Lavender, Barabara Gilman and Murray Campell. Refreshments were enjoyed after the service.
 

Mill Stream Grangers attended North Vienna United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 24 as part of Grange Month activities.

Ocean View Grange Springs to Life!

Ocean View Grange is located in Martinsville Maine

By Larry Balley, Master

OCEAN VIEW GRANGE is having our first meeting of the year on Monday, May 9, 2022 at 6:30 pm at the hall, 435 Port Clyde Road. 

I hope we will have a good turnout as it has been so long since we got together at the Grange.

We used to have some snacks right after every meeting and it would be great to continue with that tradition. If you can, please bring something to pass around… cookies, finger sandwiches, potato chips, soda or juice…anything you want to bring We can make coffee.

Remember, Saturday, May 7, 2022 is Road Clean-up Day. We meet at the Town Office at 7 am, pick up our buckets and bags, eat a donut, and go to our road. It usually takes only about an hour.

This link shows what the VICTOR GRANGE in Fairfield has done in the way of community programs and what they intend to do. Be sure to notice that they have already held a few suppers! Do you remember when we filled our dining room with over 80 guests? Also, note the varied menus.

Victory Grange also holds “Senior Circle Lunches”. This is something to think about. 

There are two very important things you can bring to our Grange at any meeting 

  1. You and your friends
  2. Ideas to help the Community and our Grange 

Victor Grange Shares News

Victor Grange is located in Fairfield Maine.

Not only does the spring issue of Victor Grange’s newsletter list all their meetings and events, but there’s also some exciting news in this issue! You’ll want to read it! You’ll learn how Victor received an AED (automated external defibrillator) and maybe wonder just how many Granges in Maine have one. You’ll meet seven relatively new members who have finally been officially recognized. Where did 100 new chairs come from? (And what’s special about some of the ones being replaced.)

Victor Grange describes itself as “The Grange built by the community, for the community to fill the needs of the community.”

Read the Spring 2022 issue of the Victor Grange Newsletter!

Valley Grange of Guilford Celebrates Community!

Supper will be served from 5:30 — 7:00 or until the food runs out, so come early. Our upstairs hall will be turned into a social center and game room so you can visit with your neighbors, play a game, build a puzzle… have some good old-fashioned fun! This is a celebration of community–a gathering of friends, neighbors, and strangers., (You won’t be a stranger for long!) All are welcome! We have a Busy Box and Book Bin for kids! If you have a favorite board game, bring that along and challenge others.

If you’d like to help with the supper, call Mary at 564-0820 or Janice at 343-1842. If you’d like to help us spread the word, download and print this flyer/invitation. Give it friends, post it where you can!

Maine Animal Health Officials Respond to Bird Flu Cases

MSG Comm Department Logo
This article is reprinted with permission from an e-newsletter published by Paul Stearns, State Representative for District 119.

Due to multiple detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Maine and New England, Maine Animal Health Officials announced an advisory recommending cancellation or postponement of competitions, exhibitions, shows, swaps, or other in-person events encouraging the gathering or comingling of domestic fowl or poultry.

Advisory: The risk for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) remains high, and bird owners are advised to keep birds indoors to prevent the spread of this disease. The trends observed with past North American HPAI outbreaks are that we often see a reprieve in the summer months. This is because summer is when the virus present on the landscape (outdoors) is degraded by sunlight and heat. Animal Health Officials from the six New England States recommend that all competitions, exhibitions, shows, swaps, or other in-person events encouraging the gathering or comingling of domestic fowl or poultry be postponed until July 1, 2022, or later.

“The best way to prevent spread of HPAI from infected poultry to healthy poultry is to avoid unnecessary mixing of groups of domestic birds,” said Maine State Veterinarian Dr. Michele Walsh. “With the risk of HPAI considered high in Maine, we are confident that a smart tactic to control the spread of HPAI is to recommend canceling or postponing poultry events through July 1, 2022, and re-evaluating the HPAI threat to domestic poultry and pet birds at that time.”

For a complete snapshot of HPAI in Maine, the state’s response, a list of frequently asked questions, and additional HPAI resources, visit maine.gov/dacf/hpai

To report sick poultry or unusual domestic bird deaths, call the USDA’s toll-free sick bird hotline at 1-866-536-7593.

To report a strange-acting or dead wild bird, call the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife at 207-287-8000.

Teacher Appreciation Week Is May 2 – 6

Some ideas for Granges…

  • Send flowers or food to school for the teacher’s lounge
  • Hold a teacher’s car wash at the Grange Hall
  • Print and sign this poster and hang copies around the community.
  •  Wear red on National Teacher Day (May 3, 2022)
  • Post messages of appreciation on social media
  • Put together this cute and crafty  “chill pills” gift for the office or teachers’ lounge
  • Ask local restaurants, bakeries, shops, or spas to partner with you to provide teachers with a free item or small gift card
  • Draw and write chalk messages on the sidewalks outside the school*
  • Visit the staff parking lot and clean car windows during the school day; leave a note under the wiper*
  • Write a letter to the editor of local newspapers

*Communicate with school administration and get permission, especially for anything you’d like to do on school property. If you’ve got a really neat idea, add it as a comment here.