The Rev. Paul Tunkle, our neighbor from Dresden, will be presiding over the season opening services of Holy Communion on June 16 at All Saints by-the-Sea Episcopal Chapel on Southport Island. Please join us at 8 and 10 a.m. as we celebrate the resilience of our community on both the peninsula and at the chapel. The sermon and hymn selections will serve to uplift and encourage those worshiping together.

Rev. Tunkle will also lead a discussion of the week’s scriptures on the chapel porch on Tuesday, June 18 from 9 to 10 a.m. Organist Mr. Henry Lowe will enhance our worship with his tremendous musical talent at both Sunday services. Worshippers of all faiths are invited to join both gatherings.

Rev. Tunkle was born and raised in a secular Jewish family in New York City. He and his wife, Judy, moved to Midcoast Maine in 1972. After graduating from the University of Maine and beginning his career as an accountant, he was baptized at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rockland where he was called to train for the priesthood. He was ordained at St. Luke’s Cathedral in Portland and served parishes in North Carolina, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Maryland before retiring as the rector of the Church of the Redeemer in Baltimore in 2014. He is currently a regular supply priest at many parishes in the area. The Tunkles live on 38 acres in Dresden where they enjoy farming, managing their forest land, and living and driving at net zero energy due to solar technology.

All Saints by-the-Sea is located on Southport Island about two miles south on Route 238 on All Saints Road to the left. An Episcopal Church sign marks the side of the road. Parking is available along Route 238 with a limited number of handicapped spaces off All Saints Road. A golf cart will ferry persons from the handicapped spaces to the church steps. Due to damage from the winter storms, the dock is not currently available. The historic, wooden chapel is open during the week for private prayer and meditation.