November 25, 2009
2424 Studios
We're on the third floor.
Please come visit us. We love guests and mail. Bryan needs a competitor for Pac Man and we have really cool art displays. Right now, there is a giant balloon display–that is what Bryan and Lauren are looking at in the gathering space from the second floor in our building. Hope to see you soon!!
Pac Man anyone?
Gathering Space
November 25, 2009
Welcome!
Here is our cozy office.
Bryan and Lauren's Desks
Completion Wall!
Pastor Dan, Lauren and Bryan after our Thanksgiving Lunch
November 25, 2009
As I walked in to Alvin and Dot’s warm home Monday night I was greeted with, “I heard you had lunch in the Wickachee.” I certainly did. “My friend saw you, she said you held the door for her.” I certainly did. “Well let’s go to dinner.” And lucky for me the Wickachee was just as delicious the second time around… the same day. :) I’m sure it happens in the other small communities I visit too, people notice when you’re new or from out of town and they love to tell their friends about where you go and what you do.
My trip to Maine was a wonderful experience. I was able to meet so many wonderful people and see so many wonderful things. I arrived Saturday afternoon and spent some quality time in a laundromat… you’ve got to love the traveling lifestyle! Calais is a quaint little town that sits right on the border with Canada. I could literally step out of my hotel room and swim across the river to Canada… I wouldn’t recommend doing that this time of the year, it’s quite cold.
Calais reminds me of the beach towns back home. There’s a relaxed pace that carries the people here. There are a slew of fun stores that line Main Street, some of which are run by friends of YouthWorks! I was able to meet Melissa Royer, and you’ll all be glad to hear that My Favorite Things is still open!!! She’s a wonderful woman with a big heart for her community, and someone who has been a great support and friend to us during our time in Calais. I was also able to stop by Carmen’s and meet the new management who was still just as eager to help us put on a pizza night. Just outside of Carmen’s you can see evidence of YouthWorks presence. There’s a boat on the corner with our name painted on it. It was fun to notice the little things like that; things that made me feel at home.
While in Calais I also had the pleasure of visiting the different churches that we partner with. It was a whirlwind service weekend. I started off the morning with our friends at St. Anne’s Episcopal and had a wonderful time with Father David and church family. After having a great breakfast and conversation with them I jetted over to our friends at the Methodist church to help them say goodbye to Pastor Karen. After 5 years of service in this wonderful community, she is moving on and will be missed. It was a wonderful service, full of laughter, tears and dancing. Then I had the joy of having lunch with them. That evening I was able to see our dear friends at Second Baptist. I had a wonderful time with Sally, Tom, Pastor Dave and everyone there. They are getting a new pastor in February and when I walked in they all thought that I was him! It was fun to talk to them about the summers we have spent with them.
The next few days I met so many wonderful people; John at Parks and Recreation who we help run a summer camp with, Jim at the City Building, Shirley and Elly from First Congregational, Randy at the high school, Darin at the community college, and of course all our friends in Eastport. There are so many wonderful people that we have the awesome privilege of working with throughout the summer! I was able to stop by Grampie Bill’s in the IGA parking lot and share a hot dog and laughs with some great friends there. I was also able to connect with some people who were very instrumental in helping us get started in Calais. Pastor Flowerdew is a wonderful man. He showed me around his building and told me many stories of past AD’s who had come through on the way to setting up such a wonderful site.
There is a deep connection here between the people and the staff that who have had the pleasure to serve here. Each ministry I stopped by to meet, there were pictures of the past staff and many questions about how each of them was doing now. It was great to be part of such a rich tradition and loving relationship. I’m looking forward to my next trip and as promised I want to pass on the love and greetings from all of our friends in Calais!
~Bryan, AD
