The Reverend Martin Smith will celebrate Holy Communion at the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services at All Saints by-the-Sea on Sept. 4 and 11. The All Saints season ends on the 11th. A social hour with refreshments follows the 10 a.m. service. At 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6 and Tuesday, Sept. 13, Rev. Smith will lead a discussion group on the church porch. All Saints welcomes visitors of all faiths.

Smith is well known throughout the Episcopal Church as writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and teacher exploring contemporary spirituality. A priest since 1971, he most recently served as the senior associate rector at St. Columba’s church in Washington, D.C., in the Diocese of Washington, while continuing to travel widely for his teaching ministry. He retired in July 2012, and continues to devote himself to writing, preaching and the leading of retreats and workshops.

He was born in the northwest of England in 1947 and was trained as a theologian at Oxford University, receiving his BA in 1968 and MA in 1970. After preparing for the priesthood at Cuddesdon College, Oxford he was ordained in the diocese of St. Albans, where he served in two parishes before joining the Society of St. John the Evangelist, the oldest religious order for men in the Anglican Communion. He served in the community in Oxford until he transferred to the North American branch of the Society in 1979. After completing three terms as superior, he left the Society in 2002. From 2002-2006 he was on the staff of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. He is the author of a number of widely read books exploring contemporary spirituality, including "Reconciliation," "A Season for the Spirit," "The Word is Very Near You," "Love Set Free," "Compass and Stars," and "Go in Peace: the Art of Hearing Confessions" (with Julian Gatta).

All Saints by-the-Sea is on Southport Island on All Saints Road about two miles on your left as you drive south on Route 238 (look for the Episcopal Church sign by the side of the road). Parking is available along Route 238, or if necessary, in the limited number of handicapped parking spaces off All Saints Road. A golf cart will ferry persons from the handicapped lot to the church steps. You may also come to church by private boat or by the tour boat Novelty, which leaves Boothbay Harbor from Pier 8 at 9 a.m.