On July 11, the Maine Sea Coast Mission held its annual meeting at the College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, celebrating its 100th year of service to Midcoast and Downeast Maine residents. The Mission is a non-denominational, nonprofit organization that offers church and pastoral support to island and coastal communities, medical assistance to remote islands, youth and scholarship programs, and has established food banks and clothing recycling centers.
The mission was founded by brothers Angus and Alexander MacDonald, who wanted to provide spiritual and practical support to remote Maine island communities. Members of the MacDonald family, including great-great grandchildren, came from as far away as California and the Midwest to attend the celebration.
At the annual meeting the mission premiered its new documentary, “Century of Hope on a Sea of Change” which covers a century using archival photography, interviews and imagery. Islesboro resident Sharon Daley is featured in the film in her role as the Mission’s first traveling nurse through the Island Health Services program. She makes regular visits aboard the vessel SUNBEAM to the outer islands connecting medical personnel with island patients using telemedicine technology.