This week the Rev. Stephanie Wethered will preach and conduct services at All Saints by-the-Sea. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services. A social hour with refreshments follows the 10 a.m. service. At 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, Wethered will lead a discussion group on the church porch.

Wethered is Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Essex Fells, N.J. where she has served since 2005. She returns to All Saints following a number of visits since her first in 2002. After an early career in financial management she graduated from Yale Divinity School, and was ordained in 1993. She first served as assistant to the rector at St. Peter's, Morristown for three years before becoming rector at St. John's, Boonton, where she served for nine years. She notes that one of her early challenges at St. John’s was to ouster the mafia, which had been using the church to launder money! During her tenure there she started St. John's Development Corporation, which continues today to serve children who live below the poverty level.

The church is on Southport Island on All Saints Road about 2 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. Novelty picks up passengers from the church dock at 11:40 a.m. for return to Boothbay. The very beautiful and simple wood chapel is open for quiet prayer and meditation during the week. More information about the church and its history can be found at www.allsaintssouthport.org.