A Long-Awaited Inauguration

From 1793 until 1933, U.S. Presidents, having been elected in November, weren’t inaugurated until the 4th of March in the subsequent year. During this gap of roughly four months, most Americans forgot who the new president was going to be, and began preparations for celebrating the (British) King’s official birthday, lining up marchers for local enactments of the Trooping of the Colour, featuring local Boy Scout troops, tractor brigades, Shriners clowns, etc. It was from this tradition that the more-familiar American Fourth of July parade developed later. The new presidents, spotlight-chasers that they were, were so miffed by the lack of attention that they demanded Congress push the date of inauguration forward to build on the remaining celebrity they had from the previous year’s campaign.

Rarely has there been as long a gap between the hiring of a church staff member and their installation as you and I are experiencing now, and I imagine you, like I, feel a little disoriented! But the gap is about to close, and I will arrive at St. Luke’s on Monday 29 August to begin serving as your new Canon for Music & Liturgy. I am excited to join you in this role; I’ve had St. Luke’s and Portland on my short list of dream jobs and homes since the late 1990s, so, at least on my end, expectations are high!

Read Full Article Here

Ever since my first day at St. Luke’s, I have been inspired by the amount of work and dedication put forth by so many loving and passionate parishioners. 

As a fellow episcopalian I cherish the ability for our church to be advocates and activists for change in our communities both close to home and around the world. St. Luke’s most certainly lives out this hope every day through the countless ministries that happen in and around the church. 

Read Full Article Here 

Calling All Worship Participants 

Smoke, fire, streamers, and sticks…who wouldn’t want to play with those, especially in church?

The Cathedral Church of St. Luke’s has a long tradition of using incense, torches, streamers,

banners, processional crosses, and verges (those symbolic “sticks” that the vergers carry).

With the retirement of two invaluable head vergers, Thurl Headen and David Savage, we’ve

entered a rebuilding and recruitment mode. We’re seeking people of any age who would like to serve in one of the following roles:

Vergers – think stage managers

Crucifers – carrying the processional cross

Torchbearers – carrying the torches in the processions

Thurifers – carrying/swinging the censor to emit the incense

Boat bearers – carry the incense to be added to the censor

Streamer bearers – those who create magic with streamers in processions

Banner bearers – those who carry banners representing aspects of the Diocese

Acolytes – the training ground and ministry of all of the above

Read Full Article Here

Families and households throughout Maine are invited to celebrate the end of summer together at Camp Bishopswood. Spend a night or two camping (cabin or tent) while you swim, boat, hike, rest, and worship on scenic Lake Megunticook. 

All meals are included. There will be free diocese-wide programming during the day on Saturday, August 27, including worship.

Come for the day or stay for the weekend. Learn more. 

Book Discussion Group: Refugia Faith

St. Luke’s is celebrating the Season of Creation, which runs from September 1st through October 4th, in order to renew, repair, and restore our relationship to God, all creation, and to each other. As part of this celebration, Sarah Braik will facilitate a book discussion on Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth Monday nights at the Cathedral in the Chapter Room from 7-8:30 PM Mondays Sept. 12 and 26, Oct. 3, 10, 24, 31 and Nov. 7 and 14. Parishioners from St. Alban’s will be joining us. 

Read Full Article Here

Public Policy and Environmental Action Team Eco-Tips

How fashion impacts the environment:

According to the United Nations Environmental Program, the fashion industry contributes 10% of the global carbon dioxide output and also 1/5th of the plastic produced yearly.

Synthetics such as polyester are produced from oil and cause micro plastic pollution in rivers and oceans, harming marine and river species. In addition, wastewater from textile production sheds dye, lead, and mercury pollutants into seas and rivers.

Read Full Article Here

The second Thursday of each month we will gather for Community Suppers in the Lower Hall. We need members of our community to prepare and donate specific side dishes to make these important gatherings break-even.

A notice will go out asking for a specific side dish (e.g., salad, green beans, stir-fry vegetables, potatoes, bread) in the epistle, bulletin, a sign-up sheet at each supper, and posted on the bulletin board.

To volunteer and get on the Community Supper email list, please contact Dawn Brennan-Daly. 

                           To learn more about St. Luke's Community kitchen please visit their webpage. 

• The Healing Team will be on hiatus for August. They will resume offering prayers in September. For information on the Healing Team, email Sarah Schmalz.

• We look forward to Sunday, September 11, as we resume our Sunday School and the Cathedral Choir. We hope all have had a restful and restorative summer, and we look forward to being all together in the community once again. 

• Our Kneelers and Prayer Shawl Knitters are on hiatus and will return on September 15.

• Join the Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ and renowned organ virtuoso Richard Elliot for the first annual John Weaver Memorial Concert on August 19 at the Merrill Auditorium. For more information, please visit the Friends of Kotzschmar Organ’s website.

• We look forward to hosting the Casco Bay UkeFest on October 1, 2022 from 9 am to 4 pm. The day will feature morning workshops for all levels of players  as well as afternoon concerts!  The Ukefest is excited to feature Amy Conley as a special guest for the festival. You can read more about her work and music here.