This newsletter sent to Churches, Priests and Deacons (active), Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, Chancellor, Wardens, Treasurers, Parish Administrators, Jubilee Center and Camp Leadership, Trustees, Summer Chapel Leadership, and Diocesan Staff.

New Rectors Installed

Congratulations to the Rev. Douglas Beck (left) who was installed on April 14 at St. Francis, Blue Hill, and to the Rev. Misty Kiwak Jacobs, who was installed on April 21 at Grace Church, Bath. 

Ordination of Ben Cooke to the Priesthood at St. Peter’s, Rockland

Your prayers and presence are requested on Sunday, May 12 at 4 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church, Rockland, for the ordination to the priesthood of Ben Cooke by Bishop Brown. Reception immediately following the service. Clergy are requested to wear red stoles. Learn more here.

Archdeacon Aaron Perkins Wraps Up Executive Council Term

The Ven. Aaron Perkins, Archdeacon, has concluded his six-year term on the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church. He attended his final meeting in North Carolina April 18-20. The entire church thanks Archdeacon Perkins for his service! At left: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Archdeacon Perkins, and House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris.

Information Needed For Confirmation at St. David’s, Kennebunk

If there are people from your congregations being received or confirmed at St. David's Kennebunk on June 1, please email the bishop's Executive Assistant, Lauralee Raymond.

Award-Winning Video Series Provides Resources for Talking About Crisis in the Middle East

Are you and your congregation looking for constructive ways to talk about the devastating situation in the Holy Land? "Bearing Witness" is a free, video-based study program from the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ). It tells the stories of people living in Palestine and Israel and the remarkable ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem that bring hope and healing in this volatile part of the world. 

Congratulations to former Episcopal Diocese of Maine Communications Director, Heidi Shott, also former communications director at the AFEDJ, who won a Polly Bond Award of Excellence for "Bearing Witness" at the 2024 Episcopal Communicators conference, held in Portland last week.

JUST LAUNCHED: Our Digital Museum is Live!

Thanks to a partnership with HistoryIT, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our Digital Museum! Hundreds of archival materials have been digitally preserved and are now fully accessible and searchable at any time of day. Initial exhibits now on view include the diocesan Bicentennial and Bishops of Maine; you can also browse the Image Gallery and peruse the Timeline.

Much more will be added to the museum in the months to come! Please enjoy the initial offerings here.

Church Leaders Launch Independent Racial Justice Coalition

On Friday, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and President of the House of Deputies Julia Ayala Harris signed the incorporating legal documents required to make the Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice an official independent New York nonprofit corporation.



This action realizes a vision started more than three years ago by the church’s then-presiding officers to address the harms of white supremacy and foster a churchwide culture of truth-telling, reckoning, and healing in pursuit of racial justice. Read more here.

Call for Nominees for Province I Clergy Representative to Executive Council

Province 1 will be electing a Clergy Representative to Executive Council of General Convention for the term 2024-2027 at the May 29 meeting of Provincial Conference. The election will be conducted by the Provincial House of Bishops and the Provincial House of Delegates, made up of Provincial Delegates elected by Diocesan Convention. Bishops, priests and deacons canonically resident in one of the seven Dioceses of the Episcopal Province of New England are eligible for nomination.

This is an important role in the life of the church, and expects a commitment of approximately 30 days of work annually, including travel. All expenses will be reimbursed. More information, and full instructions for nominees, can be found here.

Youth Called to Join Bishops United Against Gun Violence at General Convention

June 25-27

High school students who are called to be advocates and witnesses against gun violence are invited to join the Episcopal Diocese of Maine at the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Louisville, KY. Youth will learn from experienced community organizers in the gun violence prevention movement, spend time with participants in Bishops United Against Gun Violence, and experience the convention. Lodging and most activities will be at Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville. The deadline to register is May 8. Those interested in participating, are urged to contact Director of Faith Formation, Emily Keniston, as soon as possible. All registration materials must be received by May 8.

Award Winning Documentary "The Philadelphia Eleven" Coming to Portland

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of women’s ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church, the compelling new documentary "The Philadelphia Eleven" will have a limited theatrical release in 11 selected cities—including Portland.

The screening on Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Nickelodeon 6 will feature a post-screening conversation with five noteworthy Maine women priests: the Rev. Merrill Bittner, one of the Philadelphia 11; the Rev. Sukie Curtis, the first woman ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Mississippi; the Rev. Cn. Nancy Moore of Christ Church, Norway; the Rev. Dr. Vicki Lovely Smith of St. Martin's, Palmyra; and the Rev. Portia Royall Hirschman, a parishioner of St. Mary's Falmouth and a supply priest. Tickets are $15. 

Please help us to promote this exciting event by sharing the above information and this flyer with your congregations!

Formation Conversations with Emily Keniston

Thursday, May 16, 10-11 a.m.

“Formation” is the work of deepening our faith and learning about God, our faith tradition and ourselves throughout the course of our lives. And how we “form” Episcopalians is changing a lot as our churches and communities change! No matter what your connection to forming Christians is, you are welcome at these informal conversations where participants share ideas and updates, bring questions, and pray for one another. You can come to one, two or all conversations; they are held via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month from 10-11 am. Questions? Please be in touch with Emily Keniston.

Open Clergy Positions

• Part-time Priest-in-Charge, Trinity Episcopal Church, Castine

• Full-time Rector, St. Paul Episcopal Church, Brunswick

Other Open Positions

The Episcopal Diocese of Maine seeks a Canon to the Ordinary, who serves as the senior advisor to the bishop for mission strategy, governance, congregational development, and as the chief of the diocesan staff. Lay professionals as well as ordained are encouraged to apply for this position. Learn more on the employment page of our website.

Spiritual Care Services of Maine (SCS) is seeking a clergy or lay person who has completed a unit of CPE, to do some part-time, in-person community support in Oxford, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Franklin and Somerset counties. The position is funded by a 10-month grant, and can offer work from 8-40 hours a week. For more information, email SCS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Lori Whittemore.

Is your church hiring? Would you like us to share the job description? If so, let us know!

See the full events calendar here.

APRIL

28 Bishop's Visitation, St. James' Old Town

28-30 Clergy Conference: Schoodic Institute, Winter Harbor

30 Canon to the Ordinary application period closes

MAY

12 Bishop's Visitation, St. Margaret's Belfast

12 Ordination of Ben Cooke to the priesthood, St. Peter's Rockland, 4 p.m.

19 Bishop's Visitation, St. George York Harbor

22 Ecumenical Pentecost with Bishop Brown at St. Ann's Windham, 5-8 p.m.