In his blog, Signs of God’s Grace, the  Rt. Reverend Mark Beckwith has been writing recently about gun violence and about the pressing need for civil discourse. These are the sort of social issues and problems that have engaged him throughout his career. He has also been reflecting on his upcoming retirement, describing his last months as bishop as a strange “in-between time” as he welcomes his successor and prepares for a new phase of life. The blog gives a flavor of this priest and bishop who is a favorite All Saints preacher, and who has been invited to return over many summers.

On Aug. 5 and 12, Bishop Beckwith will conduct the 8 and 10 a.m. celebrations of Holy Communion. After the 10 a.m. services refreshments are served on the church porch. On Tuesday, Aug. 7 and Aug. 14, Bishop Beckwith will lead a discussion group on the church porch. All Saints welcomes visitors of all faiths.

Elected the 10th Bishop of Newark, New Jersey in September 2006 Beckwith was consecrated in January 2007.   Prior to his election, he was rector of All Saints Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts.  He also served as associate rector of St. Peter’s, Morristown and rector of Christ Church, Hackensack.  He is a 1973 graduate of Amherst College, and a 1978 graduate of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.

Throughout his career Beckwith has been involved in finding solutions to social problems.  During his tenure as rector of All Saints Church, the congregation was nationally recognized for its neighborhood ministry.  In the Diocese of Newark Beckwith co-founded Morris Shelter, Inc. and was the first president of the Inter-Religious Fellowship of the Homeless in Bergen County. He continues his active engagement, for example recently joining Better Angels (better-angels.org), a growing national movement that was organized after the 2016 election and that is committed to creating civil and depolarized discourse.

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. Novelty picks up passengers from the church dock at 11:40 a.m for return to Pier 8. 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 http://allsaintssouthport.org.