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St. Peter's Episcopal Church

Rector's Page

FEED MY SHEEP!
John 21:15

With these words to the disciple, Peter, Jesus sent his disciples into the world to share the Good News that the Kingdom of God has come very near!  St. Peter is the “patron saint” of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Bridgton, Maine.  Through him those words from our Lord and Savior are the basis of our life and mission as well.

Feed my Sheep!  Feed my people.  Feed my people in mind, in spirit, and in body!  Steep yourselves in the Kingdom of God which has come very near you – is within you, among you, near and here in Jesus Christ.  Share that Good News with all of my people in the world!   That is the very heart of St. Peter’s Church’s life and mission.

Feed my people – in spirit, through worship and prayer, through a loving faith community who supports and nurtures folk in their spiritual quest and pilgrimage, that we all may experience the unconditional, generous presence of God.  There is something greater in human life than the world would teach us.  Share that with all of God’s people.

Feed my people – in mind, through regular study of Scripture, in teaching and learning, through educational events that enable folk to ask those important questions of life and of our relationship to God so that each of us may grow in faith and as St. Paul puts it, “to maturity, into the full stature of Christ.”

Feed my people – in body, by providing for the physical needs of those around us, reaching out with the compassion of Christ in whose name we are called and sent.  Feed the hungry!  Clothe the naked!  Care for and heal the sick! Give drink to the thirsty!  Welcome the stranger!  These are all the practical actions for those who have experienced the compassion of Jesus.   We at St. Peter’s Church take seriously our ministry of reaching out to the world around us in tangible, physical ways.

Feed my people – in heart, by living out Jesus’ command to love one another as he has loved us, that by our love for one another the world may know that Jesus has come and that the Kingdom of God has come very near!

            It is to this community faith that we invite you.  Come and share with us in worship, in life-long learning, in helping to feed God’s people who are hungry in spirit, mind and body.  We invite you and welcome you!

                                                                                    Faithfully in Christ,
                                                                                    The Rt. Rev. John H. Smith, Rector