E-Pistle of Thursday

January 19th, 2023

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Weekly Ministries



  • St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center is offered every Tuesday from 8:30 am to 11 am.
  • The Food Pantry is open from 9 am to 11 am every Thursday.
  • Noon prayer is offered every Wednesday via Zoom.
  • The Tuesday 12:10 Eucharist gathers weekly in Emmanuel Chapel. Join via Zoom.
  • Contemplative Prayer is offered every Thursday at 4:30 pm via Zoom.
  • Compline is also offered weekly on Friday from 8-9pm on Zoom. For additional details contact Ray Murdoch Curry
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A Weekly Reflection

An Urban Cathedral


A Reflection by Dean Shambaugh


In his essay “My Vision for an Urban Cathedral,” the Very Rev. John Downey, retired Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in Erie Pennsylvania and longtime chair of the North American Dean's Association, describes a cathedral as being both open to all and grounded in Christian faith and practice, centered in worship, education and outreach, and focused on serving the city and the diocese at large, providing a space of gathering and home for both.


Read Full Reflection Here

Finance Town Hall Meeting This Sunday

Sunday, January 29th|11:30 a.m. (Following the conclusion of the 10am service)

Location: The Upper Hall


Livestream Available at Youtube Live and Facebook Live

*(Please wait for 20 minutes following the conclusion of the 10 am service to access the livestream)


Join us for this Sunday's Finance Town Hall Meeting after the 10:00 am worship service to hear about how the surplus from 2022 will allow us to pay off our bank loan and hear about our budget and solid current financial status. We look forward to coming together as a community to talk about these matters.


Approved Annual Budget 2023
Endowment Report Slideshow
Finance Townhall Slideshow 

Cathedral Snow Policy Reminder

The Cathedral offices and programming will be closed when Portland Public Schools have also announced a closure. We will not make a separate announcement for the Cathedral. Thank you for your understanding!

Celebrate the Ministry of Dean Shambaugh

February 4th|6:00 p.m. -8:00pm

Location: The Cathedral Nave


Join Us Saturday, February 4th at 6pm at the Cathedral to celebrate the 18 years of ministry together with our Dean, The Very Rev. Dr. Benjamin Shambaugh.


We hope that you can join us in saying thank you to him as he embarks on his new call to St. Luke's in East Hampton, New York.

Annual Meeting & Vestry Nominations

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held next Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 11:30 am. This year’s meeting includes the presentation of the budget and the election of a Senior Warden for a two-year term, three vestry members for three years and one vestry member for one years, and five delegates to Diocesan Convention. On January 29, Anna Christie (senior warden), Peter Bingham, Jamie Cough, and Gayl Anglin (vestry members) will be rotating off.


Vestry Nominations

Sr. Warden - Sam Allen

Vestry (three 3- year and one 1-year position) Jamie Moore, Mike Thorne, Jamie Cough, Linda Carleton, Judd Hume. The top vote getters will have the three year positions.

Delegates to Convention (5 positions): Curtis Maurand, Gayl Anglin, Judd Hume, Orion Williams, Fred Fowler


Nominations are allowed from the floor. While the annual meeting will be live-streamed, parishioners will need to be present in order to vote.

(Votes are limited to parishioners in Good Standing, people of regular attendance who are pledging members or givers of record). 

Please see the biographies of vestry and Diocesan Convention nominees below.


Vestry and Diocesan Convention Nominees

Judd Hume

-Nominated for Vestry and Delegate to Diocesan Convention


"Judd Hume began attending St. Luke's in April, 1994, after retiring from serving as a minister in the Mennonite Church. Since he joined St. Luke's, he has participated as a torch bearer, a crucifer, sub-deacon, and sang with Hank Beebe and Albert Melton in the Cathedral Choir. He also taught Sunday School. From 6/91 until 10/2011, Judd worked as a substance abuse counselor. He currently volunteers at Reiche Elementary School as a tutor with first graders.


Judd feels he was particularly blessed singing with Albert Melton. He learned of servant leadership, patience and grace while singing with Albert. More recently, he serves on the Healing Team and on the BBCC. Both of these ministries are calling of his soul. Since being a sophomore in high School (1972), he has had a calling to racial reconciliation. Prior to coming to St. Luke's, he has served in a bilingual church in NJ, and a multiracial Mennonite church in Philadelphia.


He has a desire to serve on the Vestry in addressing the spiritual, physical and financial needs of the Cathedral congregation."

Linda Carleton

-Nominated for Vestry


The spiritual journey that led me to The Cathedral Church of Saint Luke has been a rocky, winding road. I was raised in a family that was decidedly hostile to religion in general and Christianity in particular, and it took me many years to shed that bias. I’ve always been a spiritual seeker, and as a former teacher of high school history and comparative religions, I have a deep appreciation for the sacred in all religious traditions. For a while I considered my “spiritual but not religious,” but was drawn to the community of church. I passed five years as a Unitarian Universalist, before finding a home in the United Church of Christ. After 25 years of teaching, I received a powerful call from God and retired to attend Yale Divinity School. In 2001 I was ordained in the U.C.C. to a ministry of refugee resettlement, founding the Melita Welcome House through a church in Guilford, Connecticut.

When Peter and I retired to Chebeague Island In 2008, I parleyed my childhood piano

lessons into serving as organist for the Chebeague United Methodist Church. For five years I

painted, wrote and led workshops on mandala journaling and the Enneagram at churches and

retreat centers in Maine. I discovered Saint Luke’s after coming for its Taizé services. I fell in

love with this church that serves the Portland community, is true to its liturgical past and

doctrinal traditions while honoring other sacred tradtions, and embraces contemporary

movements in Christian theology and worship. Over my past decade as a member of Saint

Luke’s I have worked with both Saint Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry and Saint Luke’s Food

Pantry, served as Chair of the Outreach Committee and its Alternative Giving Program,

coordinated our World Too Beautiful service, participated in the Strategic Planning Committee,

served as a Stewardship Ambassador, and facilitated book groups and mandala journaling and

rock painting workshops. It is now my very great joy to be singing in the Cathedral Choir.

In serving on the vestry at Saint Luke’s, I hope I might contribute toward helping the

Cathedral build on the many ways it already serves as a spiritual resource for its members and

the greater Portland community and envision new ones as well.

Sam Allen

-Nominated for Vestry


I retired in 2013 after a career of teaching, research, and administration at MIT. My field is physical metallurgy (when asked, I say I’m an engineer who knows a lot about metals). My wife, the Rev.’d Anne Fowler, grew up in Portland and we both felt a strong pull to relocate here after retiring. We moved to Deering Highlands in 2013 and began to attend St. Luke’s early in 2014.


At St. Luke’s I served as Junior Warden from 2015-2019, and then as Senior Warden 2019-2021. I am also a member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, the Finance Committee, the Endowment Committee, the Public Policy and Environmental Action Committee, co-leader of Noon Zoom, and have served as a delegate to Diocesan Convention for several years. I love St. Luke’s and look forward to continuing to help shepherd the Cathedral forward.



Michael B. Thorne

-Nominated for Vestry


Perhaps the happiest day of my life was the Sunday was when Jim, Nate, and I stood with our newborn Alec, stood at the baptismal font of this church.

His older brother had been baptized at another church where we as "a two dad family" had been relegated to a private chapel- away from the congregation.

For me this church, St. Luke's, and our Episcopal Church, more broadly are a national treasure.

I'm not sure that I am very successful at being a Christian, but the people in this community provide me with examples of what that looks like in real life and make me want to work at being a better person.


I also believe, that this faith community has not only "the right stuff" to survive but actually thrive in this city. To achieve that we need to compliment our clergy with a strong lay leadership team.


We have been at St. Luke's for 15 years now. And during that time I've had a turn at serving on the Vestry, attending Diocesan Conventions, teaching Sunday School, getting in the way at St. Elizabeth's, and offering unsolicited opinions on a host of topics. If I can master the steps of liturgical garb, you may see me swaying with a cross or candle stick on Sunday morning.


I've been back in Maine for twenty years now after a career in Boston, where I was a minor officer of a major Boston bank. I was an Area Leader in the realm of human resources, mergers, and systems conversions.


My formal schooling was at UMaine and Harvard Extension.


My partner, now spouse, Dr. Jim Theberge and I have been together 35+ years and have lived in Cape Elizabeth where we've raised two sons Nate (20) and Alec (15) who have been active members of St. Luke's.


Fred Fowler

-Nominated as Delegate for Diocesan Convention


Fifteen years ago, my wife, Pat and I moved to Maine permanently from Cazenovia, NY. Prior to our move our goal was to find a new church home. After visiting a number of Episcopal Churches during vacation

trips to the Portland area, we connected with St. Luke’s as participants in the Tuesday 12:10 pm Eucharist service led by Fr. Webster. He was the first to make us feel at home and fed us spiritually. Immediately upon moving here we became active volunteers at the Cathedral finding it a way to meet new people with common interests. As time progressed we became more active in leadership roles. I was raised up as Jr. Warden, working closely with Fr. Webster to learn all aspects of the building physical plant. After serving my terms as Jr. Warden I took on the role of senior warden. I found it rewarding and satisfying to serve God in this capacity. I took an interest in the governing structure of the Diocese and was elected the Diocesan Council for one term and then was chosen by Bishop Lane for a second term where I served on the Finance Committee. This last fall I rotated off of an additional term of being the area representative on Diocesan Council but was invited to stay on as a lay representative on the Grant Committee. A couple of years ago I approached the Diocese with the idea to develop an advisory group for parishes to request guidance on building projects and issues that rise up. Working with Canon Martin, we recruited three other diocesan members, with specific skill sets to serve on the group and be available to address questions from parishes. I am an active member of the Cathedral Finance, Endowment, and Buildings and Grounds Committees enjoying working with a variety of folks focused on doing God’s work through management of resources and making improvements to the building to better serve those who use it on a regular basis. I continue my connections with the Diocese by offering oversight of property maintenance and repair working with Canons Martin and Reimer. It is always a joy to attend Diocesan Convention and connect with folks from around the State and listen to their spiritual journey stories, struggles and successes that I can then bring back to our Cathedral.

One of our most rewarding volunteer activities is coordination of the 10:00 AM

ecumenical morning prayer service each Tuesday at Piper Shores Retirement Community in Scarborough. It continues to be a joy in providing access to worship opportunities for those who may no longer have a connection to a parish since moving to the facility. We are blessed to have been invited to participate in this ministry by Fr. Richard Ellis, a resident and member of St. Luke’s.

Jamie Moore

-Nominated for Vestry


I'm a social worker living in Portland with my partner and my 9-year-old son. I came to St. Luke's through the youth group in the 90s, and I participated in a lot of Diocesan youth events from middle school through young adulthood. After living outside of Maine for a while, I've been attending St. Luke's steadily for about the past 7 years and have become more involved in various groups and activities over the years - most recently joining the choir last September. I love the people at St. Luke's, and I look forward to the potential opportunity to represent and support the congregation as a member of the Vestry.

Orion Williams

-Nominated as Delegate for Diocesan Convention


I am a 24 year old living in South Portland. I love Portland as well as the church community I have found myself in. St. Luke’s has made me feel more welcome and safe than I have ever felt in such a community. I love the environment and the aesthetic feeling the services give me, and I love being a part of it. I feel truly loved here. 

Gayl Anglin

-Nominated as Delegate for Diocesan Convention


Gayl was raised in the church, but did not become an Episcopalian until graduate school. As many graduate students in the social sciences, she took a critical look at her entire life and decided to find a church that aligned not only with her spiritual beliefs, but also with her social values. During this time, she was enrolled in a feminist theory course with an Episcopalian priest (with whom she is still in contact) who was instrumental in her finding the Episcopal church. She has lived around the US and has experienced a wide variety of parishes, finally landing in Maine in 2011 and Portland in 2014.

Gayl has a doctorate in Political Science and is a college professor and department chair in the health sciences, where she specializes in health law, ethics, policy, and cultural competence. She lives in Portland with her husband, Vern, and teenaged sons, Matthew and Isaac. Unlike their mother, the boys are cradle Episcopalians and were recently confirmed at St. Luke’s. She has been a member of St. Luke’s vestry for the past three years and is passionate about the national church’s commitment and work towards racial reconciliation. 

Curtis Maurand

-Nominated as Delegate for Diocesan Convention


I came to St. Luke’s in 1999 and was confirmed through St. Luke’s in 2,000. I have been a member of the choir since 2001. I am always interested in sacred music and liturgy. I have been involved Native American and South American Spiritual groups in the past and have a special interest in the Diocesan efforts at reconciliation. I was an information technology professional. I retired in 2019. I have interests in history, photography, cooking and baking.


Curtis's Website

Jamie Cough

-Nominated for Vestry


I grew up as a catholic and was received into the Episcopal church after we landed at St. Lukes over 30 years ago. 

I am the father of 3 adult children and recently welcomed a grandchild to the family.

 We live in Portland and I have been working in the power industry for a long time in various capacities. I am grateful for the wonderful and supportive home that is St. Luke’s. I hope to serve this community in any ways as I am able to.


Community Announcements

PPEAT Eco-Tips

Green New Year’s Resolutions-suggestions for helping the earth


1. Reduce food waste. Food in landfills releases harmful methane. Choose to check the refrigerator and eat leftovers or compost them.


2.Replace single use water bottles with a a reusable one that is made from glass, aluminum, or recycled plastic.. Oil is used to manufacture plastic water bottles and contributes to carbon in the atmosphere.


3. Use cloth instead of paper napkins and paper towels. These actions will not only save trees but also keep paper out of landfills.


4. Remember to bring reusable bags to the grocery store. This is an effective way to reduce your carbon footprint.


For other ideas see these websites:


https//:www.treehugger.com


https//:www.smallfootprintfamily.com


https//: www.greencitizen.com

Faith-Based Advocacy Series through the Maine Council of Churches

Tuesday January 31st, February 2nd, February 7th, and February 9th

|6:30- 8:00 p.m.

Tour of the Statehouse in Augusta: February 27th (tentative)

Location: Online

Contact: Sarah Braik

Register Here


The Maine Council of Churches invites you to its 2023 Faith-Based Advocacy Series. Designed to inspire and equip people of faith to advocate for policies and people that align with their deepest beliefs and values, this training event will include four online sessions beginning Tuesday, January 31 and concluding Thursday, February 9, followed by an in-person tour of the State House in late February. Cost for individual participants is $30 but if we have 5 or more from St. Luke's we are eligible for a $100 flat cost.

 Visit here for additional information or contact Sarah Braik.


Roe 50 Years Later: Faith Communities Response to a Post-Roe America

January 22nd|1:00 p.m.

Location: Zoom

Register Here


You are invited to join the Office of Government Relations on January 22 at 1 pm ET for a discussion about the reproductive rights policy landscape following the Dobbs Supreme Court decision in June, on the 50th anniversary of the landmark

Roe v. Wade decision from January 22, 1973.

Policy Advisor Rushad Thomas will moderate a panel featuring Carolyn Davis, Founder and Principal of CJD Strategies, and Glenn Northern of the National Council of Jewish Women as we explore where the pro-choice faith community goes from here. This 45-minute ZOOM event will feature audience Q&A at the end of the discussion.

Have Your Say: Youth Retreat & Forum

February 17th-19th

Location: Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, New Hampshire

Contact: Emily Keniston

Interest Form


Current middle and high school youth from the Episcopal Dioceses of Maine and New Hampshire are invited to participate in Have Your Say: Youth Retreat & Forum. This event is a two-night, two-day retreat at Barbara Harris Camp and Conference Center in New Hampshire to invite prayer, community building, fun, and discernment about how youth experience God at work in the world right now, and what they want their church to do about it.


Interested caregivers can fill out this interest form to indicate their middle or high school child’s interest in attending the event. A registration form will then be emailed to interested parties. Email Director of Faith Formation in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, Emily Keniston, with questions or concerns. 

 

*The Episcopal Church in New Hampshire is having a Family Fun Day at Barbara Harris Camp and Conference Center on the Saturday of the youth event, Feb 18th, so some families may want to participate in that event but have a teen join in the Have Your Say track, too. Please email Emily Keniston for more information about how that can work.


Episcopal Youth Event 2023

 Tuesday January 24th |7:00 p.m.

Location: Zoom

Contact: Emily Keniston


Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023, EYE is the church’s second-largest event after General Convention, drawing nearly 1,500 young people ages 15-19 from every province every three years.

EYE programs focus on helping young people develop leadership skills, spiritual practices, and early stages of vocational discernment. In addition to meeting and socializing with other Episcopalians from around the world, EYE participants will spend time in worship, large-group presentations, small-group discussions, and workshops on a variety of topics.

Come and learn more about the opportunity to attend EYE, meet some participants and adults who are involved, and ask any questions you may have! This session is open for parents/guardians, clergy and church leaders, and interested youth. Reach out to Emily Keniston with any questions. She has also prepared this helpful FAQ document, and you can also complete the interest form to get onto the email list for EYE updates from Emily.


Bishop Brown Shares Annual Convention 2023 Dates and Updates


Safe Talk: Suicide Alertness for Everyone

Saturday January 28th |2:00pm-6:00 p.m.

Location: St. Mary's Episcopal Church: 43 Foreside Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105

Contact: The Rev. Nathan Ferrell


The Rev. Nathan Ferrell will lead, Safe Talk, a training in suicide alertness, on January 28 (was originally January 21) from 2-6:00 p.m. at Saint Mary's in Falmouth. This workshop is valuable for everyone. All are welcome!


Please register by January 15. To do so, contact Nathan at 207-310-0268 or via email. 



New Ventures Maine

Feb. 7, Mar. 7, Apr. 11th | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Location: St. Luke’s Cathedral Community Kitchen,

143 Park St., Portland, ME 04101

Contact: Sarah Hutchins


New Ventures Maine is a statewide program of the University of Maine at Augusta, University of Maine System, an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.


St. Elizabeth's Blanket Collection

Response to a Crisis in the Community: Many have raised concern about hundreds of asylum seekers and others who are at risk of losing their accommodations in local hotel rooms. St. Luke's is working with other local congregations, with the diocese, and with St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center in figuring out the best way to move ahead. Watch the e-pistle for more information In the meantime we are doing a special drive to add warm blankets to the winter coats and boots we are currently collecting. Want to help? Bring warm blankets, boots and coats to St. Elizabeth's and we will make sure they get to those who need them!

Stewardship Update


As of January 7, 2023, the parish had received 142 pledges for $411,417.84. There are 13 new pledging units. Half the pledgers increased their pledge from the previous year. Several dozen of 2022 pledgers have not been heard from yet, and Finance Committee and Lesser Chapter members are in the process of reaching out to them for their support.


Give/ Pledge to St. Luke's


The Healing Team

"The Healing Team will serve, at the 10am Eucharist with the following Healing Team members:

January 22, 2023.  Mary Strnad, John Leddy

January 29, 2023  Sara Schmalz, Mary Strnad

February 5, 2023.  Oscar Mokeme, Ruth Roemer


How to Get Involved at St. Luke's

Help Asylum Seekers through Family Promise


Volunteers are needed at the day center on Forest Avenue and at the host congregations. People ask "what do volunteers do?" Its evolving, with guidance and support from staff and host congregation coordinators. Volunteers need not be trained, but should be warm, welcoming, culturally sensitive, and flexible.  

Sign ups:  For the day center at the Y on Forest Avenue:  https://signup.com/go/ko/KGQdm

For Williston Immanuel:  https://signup.com/go/to/FYzzi

Questions? Reach out to Lynne England (after December 26) at [email protected]; 

Connie Bingham at [email protected]; or Mary Linneman at [email protected]. 

Buy a Hannaford Bag and Support the St. Luke's Food Pantry

  • We are participating in the Hannaford Bag Tag Program
  • Purchase a $2.50 reusable Community or Fight Hunger Bag at any Hannaford Store and use the attached giving tag to direct a 1$ donation to our pantry!
Learn about how you can help the St. Luke's Food Pantry

A Christian Life of Faith:

Signs and Thresholds Along the Way

Sunday Mornings| 9am-10am

Location: The Chapter Room

Contact: Dean Shambaugh

So much of what we do at St. Luke’s is designed to help others. What about nurturing and exploring our own spiritual lives? What about our questions and struggles of faith, our relationship (or not) with God? 

  • Lead by Dean Shambaugh
  • All are Welcome (resuming Jan 8)
Learn about how you can get involved with this group

Journaling with the

Sacred Circle

The First Saturday of the Month Beginning February 4th | 9:30am-11:30am

Location: The Chapter Room

Contact: Linda Carleton



Journaling Within the Sacred Circle (or mandala) is a way to deepen your connection with God and with your own soul. Come explore the 12 Stages of the Mandala Great Round as they relate to the seasons of the year, the stages of our lives and the Christian story. . The only thing you’ll need is an open heart and mind. All materials are provided. You can come every month or drop in when you’d like.

Monday Night Zoom Book Group

Every First and Third Monday of the Month Beginning January 16th

6:00-7:00 pm

Location: Zoom

Contact: Linda Carleton



We will be reading Sophronia Scott’s Louie Award winning book, The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton. A 2004 nominee for the African American Literary Awards best new author, Scott was hailed by Professor Henry Louis Gates as “potentially one of the best writers of her generation." In The Seeker and the Monk, she writes an imaginary conversation with 20th century mystic, monk and activist Thomas Merton based on his extensive private journals and offers guidance on how to live in these fraught times. As a Black woman who is not Catholic, Scott both learns from and pushes back against Merton, holding spirited, an intimate conversations on race, ambition, faith, activism, nature, prayer, friendship, and love. She asks: What is the connection between contemplation and action? 

Try on the Cathedral Choir

Thursday Evenings| 7pm-9pm

Location: The Choir Room (Adjacent to undercroft)

Contact: Christian M. Clough


  • Showing up does not commit you to the choir
  • No audition required
Learn about singing in the choir and how you can get involved

Select the Episcopal Maine Logo to learn about all that is happening in the wider Diocese.

https://episcopalmaine.org/

stlukesportland.org

(207)-772-5434


Physical Address:

143 State Street, Portland, ME 04101


Parking Available at:

134 Park Street, Portland, ME 04101


Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 4141, Portland, ME 04101

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