All Saints by-the-Sea is pleased to present an exciting weekend of spiritual reflection and musical enjoyment. Saturday Aug. 13 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., the Rev. Dr. Virginia M. Sheay will offer a reflection entitled “Mystics, Music and Musings: Wisdom Learning in a Time of Pandemic and Beyond.” On Sunday, Aug. 14 at 4 p.m. Mr. Henry Lowe will present a free organ recital as a gift to the greater Boothbay community.

Dr. Sheay is Assisting Priest at Trinity Church, Solebury, Pennsylvania, and summer parishioner of All Saints by-the-Sea. What can we learn from the wisdom and insight from ancient and modern mystics, from music, poets, art, and of those insightful women and men whose lives have experienced similar pandemics? Any discussion of mysticism causes one to enter into the region of awe, penitence, silence, humility, and the mysteries of life. The morning is an invitation to a friendship with these incredible mystics. What future hope can we derive from these wisdom learnings and the exceptional beauty of creation that surrounds us? As mystic Cynthia Bourgeault writes, this kind of hope is “a quiet strength beyond anything we have ever known.” It is the purpose of the reflection to experience a glimpse of the Holy who calls you forth in faith to believe that the pandemic is not the last word. God is.

Our summer organist-in-residence, Henry Lowe, will also lead us to experience beauty and uplifting reflection through musical experience. Mr. Lowe is a world renown recitalist having performed at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, Notre Dame in Paris and venues in Germany and Holland. During his long career as a church musician, he has served parishes in Baltimore, New York City, Hamilton, Massachusetts and Cincinnati, Ohio. Recently, Mr. Lowe was recently featured in the summer concert series at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine. He is a member of the American Guild of Organists where he has been a presenter for conventions, workshops and recitals. He and his wife Leigh, an accomplished artist, are summer residents of Walpole, Maine.

Mr. Lowe has chosen an impressive program including the popular Bach Prelude and Fugue in D major, Trumpet Tune by John Stanley and Concert Variations on “The Star-Spangled Banner” by John Knowles Paine. Works by Balbaste, Sumsion, Manz and Vierne will also be featured. A reception will be held on the chapel deck after the concert.

All Saints by-the-Sea is on Southport Island on All Saints Road about two miles on the left driving south on Route 238. An Episcopal Church sign marks the side of the road. Parking is available along Route 238 or in a limited number of handicapped spaces off of All Saints Road. A golf cart will ferry persons from the lot to the church steps.