Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Maine Sea Coast Mission do?
The Maine Sea Coast Mission provides spiritual, health, and youth development programs in coastal and island communities from mid-coast to Downeast Maine. Rooted in a history of non-denominational service, the Mission offers hope, encouragement and help to strengthen individuals, families and communities. Programs and services include: the Christmas Program; the EdGE, after-school and summer programs for youth in Washington County; emergency financial assistance, addressing immediate needs such as heat, electricity, and other emergency circumstances; food pantries; ministries to island and coastal communities, including partnerships with four island churches and a fisheries resource management policy consultant; scholarships; Sunbeam Island Health Services; and a thrift shop.

When and how did this work get started?
The Maine Sea Coast Mission was founded in 1905 by two brothers, who were also pastors, Angus and Alexander MacDonald. They took the first Mission boat, a sloop called Hope, to isolated island communities providing spiritual support where there were no churches, bringing books and learning opportunities, and always sharing in the spirit of giving and joy with Christmas surprises. The scope of the services provided by the Mission has grown considerably over the last 100 years, but the mission remains essentially the same.

Does the Mission have a boat now?
The Sunbeam V, launched in 1995 is 75 feet long and 21 feet in beam with a 7 foot draft. The boat cruises under a 250 horsepower single-screw diesel engine that can cruise at 10 knots. Sunbeam V often serves as the ice breaker, helping to clear harbors and protect the boats moored there from ice damage. Equipped with radar, Loran, GPS, a fathometer, and other safety and navigational equipment, the Sunbeam V can safely travel at any time of day and at any time of year.The boat is equipped with state of the art telemedicine equipment, which allows the Sunbeam Island Health Services to provide medical attention and remote doctor’s visits through closed circuit television. The boat also serves as a meeting place for services, fellowship, meals, and meetings.

Were there other Mission boats between the first sloop and the Sunbeam V? There have been five other boats between the Hope and the Sunbeam V. Following the Hope was an engine-powered cruising yacht called Morning Star only slightly larger than the Hope. Sunbeam I served the Mission.

What is it like in winter along the Maine Coast?
Heavy, bitterly cold winds generally blow steadily along the coast in the winter. Protracted cold weather causes ice to build up in the bays and harbors, threatening small boats at anchor and sometimes cutting off travel to and from island communities. Sunbeam V helps to break ice in harbors along the coast, saving towns and fishermen from costly damage to their boats and piers. From the Mission House in Bar Harbor on a winter morning, you can see a dramatic wall of sea smoke rising in the freezing air.

How many people serve the Mission?
The Mission currently employs 29 full-time staff and 10 part time staff.

Do people still live on the islands?
The Mission serves 2,789 people on eight different islands. Far fewer people live on the islands today than a hundred years ago when the Mission was founded. A significant reason for the decrease in island populations is the lack of industry and jobs. Most island communities rely solely on lobster fishing for the survival of their economy. The Mission, therefore, while serving a smaller group of people, none-the-less helps to meet the vital needs of struggling communities.

With fewer people on the islands, does the Mission have less to do than it used to? Through the growth of Mission outreach and technological advances, the Mission now has more to do than ever. The Mission now serves isolated mainland areas where needs are great such as Washington County, a large coastal section of the state between Mount Desert Island and Canada, which has been left aside by the population and prosperity booms of other places. As the poorest county in Maine, there is a heavy load of unemployment, many closed or weak churches, a preponderance of elderly and unwell people, and a spirit of discouragement based on generations of poverty. The innovative Mission programs in Washington County minister to all of these factors. Technology allows for the Sunbeam V to do more than ever too. The Sunbeam Island Health Services uses a closed circuit television connection and advanced medical equipment to meet with doctors and specialists on the mainland for diagnosis and treatment.

Where is the Mission headquartered?
Bar Harbor, Maine, has always been the Mission’s home base. The office is at 127 West Street and is known as the Mission House. The Mission House is home to all administrative offices as well as the Christmas Program.

What does the Mission do at Christmas?
Over 3,000 people in coastal and island communities receive gifts from the Mission. The Christmas Program director coordinates with local area agencies and churches to obtain the names of families in need. While children are especially remembered at this special time of year, parents, nursing home residents, shut-ins, and prisoners are not forgotten either. All of the presents donated and are brought to the Mission where they are wrapped by volunteers. Volunteers also deliver the presents each year.