Ellsworth United Methodist Church

Ellsworth United Methodist Church sadly learned today that Patrick Harris, our courageous and tenacious friend in Christ, passed away on September 11 of this year in Augusta. We know now that he is skydiving, scuba diving, para sailing, and hiking to his heart’s content, whole once more, in his body, soul and mind.

Read Patrick’s full obituary here.

Our hearts and prayers go out to Patrick’s family and loved ones.

Luther Young, husband of EUMC Pastor Susan Young, and science writer for The Jackson Laboratory, recently completed a human interest story on Patrick for the Bangor Daily News. Published on January 5, 2009, the piece tells the story of a Bar Harbor man who has been many things – social worker, equestrian, skydiver, teacher – and, since 2001, a quadriplegic.

Read Luther’s story

Patrick first came to our attention in the fall of 2008, when he called, requesting that Communion be brought to him at his home in Bar Harbor. Susan and Luther went and met him, and were instantly drawn to this strong, but for all intents and purposes, broken man. In the last few months, Luther has developed a rapport with Patrick, spending time interviewing him and his stepfather for the BDN piece, visiting him at his apartment or in the hospital, quietly talking or singing to him, or just being there. In every interaction, Patrick’s strength of character, sense of humor and will have shown through, though both have been severely tested in the past few years.

Patrick has written and self-published a book entitled “Quadriplegics Can Do”  The book is $19.95 and is available:

• Online at amazon.com
• By mail by emailing Amy Briggs, music director and web master for Ellsworth United Methodist Church
• By picking one up some Sunday at the Ellsworth United Methodist Church on Hancock Street in Ellsworth. Doors are open from 9:30-12:30 every Sunday.