The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith returns to Southport Island for his 16th year where he will preside over the services for the next two Sundays at All Saints by-the-Sea. Holy Communion will be celebrated at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 22 and at 9 a.m. on Aug. 29. Morning prayer will be offered at 10:30 on Aug. 29. The organist for the Aug. 22 services is Mr. Timothy Harrell from Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury, Pennsylvania. Our resident organist Mr. Henry Lowe will return to lead the music for the Aug. 29 services. Worshipers of all faiths are welcome to join our community as we worship God in this sacred space.

Ordained in the Episcopal Church in 1979, the Rt. Rev. Beckwith served in parishes in Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Elected Bishop of Newark (N.J.), he served in that capacity for twelve years until his retirement in 2018. As an active bishop, he helped reorganize the Coalition of Religious Leaders of New Jersey and served as president. In the wake of gang violence in Newark, he helped found the Newark Interfaith Coalition for Hope and Peace. With a local Rabbi and Iman from that coalition, he appeared several times on Morning Joe on MSNBC and did two PBS interview shows hosted by Jon Meacham. He currently serves as the bishop liaison for Bishops United Against Gun Violence, a network of 100 bishops he co-founded after the Newtown, Connecticut killings in 2008. He has been part of the leadership team for Braver Angels, a national movement that seeks to de-polarize America. Rev. Beckwith is a kayaker and cyclist and loves to explore the “thin place” of our region where heaven and earth touch each other through its extraordinary beauty. He and his wife live in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. They have two children and two grandchildren.

The wearing of masks is strongly encouraged inside the chapel at this time. Outdoor porch seating is also available for worshipers not yet comfortable with indoor seating. The chapel is located on Southport Island on All Saints Road about two miles south on Route 238 on the left. 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 All Saints Road. A golf cart will ferry persons from the handicapped lot to the chapel steps. You may also come to church by private boat and use the church dock. The beautiful, simple wood chapel is open for private prayer and meditation during the week.