The E-pistle of Sunday, November 19th, 2023

The Twenty-Fifth Sunday

after Pentecost

The altar flowers are donated in loving memory of Rodman B. Webb

by Toby & Stacie Webb.

Holy Eucharist, Rite II

7:30AM in Emmanuel Chapel

Holy Eucharist, Rite II

10:00AM in the Nave & Livestreamed

The Cathedral Church of St. Luke

in the

City of Portland

and the

Episcopal Diocese of Maine

Whoever you are,

and wherever you may be on the journey of the spirit,

The Episcopal Church welcomes you.

Welcome to St. Luke’s Cathedral

We are a community of faith with ancient worship and modern thought, catholic traditions and progressive theology. We proclaim a Biblical perspective for thinking people, a respect for reason, science, and a diversity of perspective. This empowers compassion and care for both the wider community and one another. Our commitment to welcome and inclusion is central to our mission modeled on the Kingdom of God and proclaimed by Jesus Christ.

Bulletin

Youtube Live

Facebook Live

Sunday Morning Service Participants

Preacher & Celebrant

The Reverend George R. Stevens, Interim Dean

Assisting

The Reverend Rebecca A. Grant, Deacon

Music Leader & Organist

Christian M. Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music

Lector

William Salomon

Prayers Leader

Sam Allen

Ushers

Susan McCuller, Melissa Coy, Stan Kuziel, Mary Linneman

Head Verger

Eleanor Roberts

Crucifer

Lucy Pride

Live Streaming

Jack Swanton, Sam Allen

The Healing Team

Ruth Roemer, Sara Schmalz

Contributing Ministries

The Cathedral Choir, Acolytes, Vergers, The Flower Guild, The Altar Guild, The Kneeler Guild, The Healing Team

Music copyrights granted under OneLicense.net #A-713087. Sources: The Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, Wonder, Love, and Praise, Voices Found, My Heart Sings Out, The Saint Helena Psalter, The Book of Common Prayer,, Enriching our Worship, The Holy Bible (NRSV).

Happening at the Cathedral Today

Meeting Regarding the Sunday 5:15 pm Service

We are seeking input from parishioners interested in restarting the Sunday 5:15PM service in the chapel. A working group is forming to explore how we might form this service, possibly using lay leadership. One option is to launch a time limited series of 5:15 services starting in the Sundays following Epiphany, and reassess whether continuing into the new year is feasible.

We are hoping this group will consider options, ask questions and explore ideas together on how to proceed. An organizational meeting is planned for today, Sunday, November 19 at Noon in Emmanuel Chapel

If you have thoughts or are interested in joining in, please contact Tim Wilkins.

Rainbow Love Bug Painting with Luke's Garden!

Join Luke’s Garden and learn how to paint rainbow love bugs to give out at the 2024 Pride parade!

Join us today, Sunday, Nov. 19 at 12:00 in the Lower Hall

Our goal is 1000 bugs!

This is a great way to pass the time on cold winter evenings.

Roots of Jesus Study Group

Sunday Mornings|8:45-9:45AM

Location: The Chapter Room

Contact: The Rev. Dr. Bob Hanson at 207-405-8250.

Join us in the Chapter Room from 8:45–9:45 AM on Sunday mornings. Bob Hanson, Biblical scholar, linguist and theologian, leads our group. For more information call Bob at (207) 405- 8250. Activity units are distributed for each session. Assigned readings are from the Biblical books under consideration. The journey is a joyous one.

Community Announcements

Thanksgiving Day Service at the Cathedral

Please join us on Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd, 2023 at 10:00 AM in Emmanuel Chapel for a service of Holy Eucharist with The Right Reverend Thomas J. Brown, The Bishop of Maine, presiding.

All are welcome!

A Message from the Reverend George R. Stevens, Interim Dean

Regarding Next Steps in the Interim Process

Dear Friends,

In the ten weeks since I arrived at the Cathedral of St. Luke, I have learned much about this community of faith. Some of you have been here for generations, others have just arrived, and all of you are committed to deepening your faith through service, worship and prayer.

During this interim period, it is now time for us to learn from your varied experiences and opinions about the readiness for our cathedral to begin a search for our next Dean. On the recommendation of the Rev. Pamela Mott, our search consultant, the vestry has engaged Holy Cow! Consulting for our first step in the process.

The Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT) is an online assessment of a congregation that is completed by members of the church. This tool will provide the Vestry with understanding of the health of our congregation, a sense of where members think the church should head in the future, and a description of the church as a unique body of people.

On Monday, November 20 you will receive an email with a unique link to the CAT. That email will include a link to the survey where you can share your experiences in and priorities for our church. Please do not discuss the survey or your answers with others as this may influence their answers.

If you need a paper copy, please come to the office, or email the cathedral office, and we will provide one for you along with a self-addressed stamped return envelope.

All answers are strictly anonymous. We have no way of matching any assessment to a particular person, so please feel free to candidly share your perceptions, opinions and experiences. Our next steps in the search process are dependent on your participation and honest answers.

If you have questions, please contact the Rev. George R. Stevens, Interim Dean by email or by telephone in the church office at (207) 772-5434 extension 201.

Many thanks,

The Rev. George R. Stevens

Interim Dean

Healing Team Schedule

The Healing Team offers prayers of healing during or after communion. The following team members will be offering prayers on the following Sundays:

November 19, 2023

Ruth Roemer, Sara Schmalz

November 26, 2023

Peter Carleton, Judd Hume

December 3, 2023.

Betsey Deleuse, Oscar Mokeme

If you have any questions, please contact any of the Healing Team Members or email Judd Hume. Judd can also be reached by phone at (207) 773 - 5611.

Altar Guild Polishing Party

December 2nd, 2023

9:00AM-12:00PM

The Upper Hall

RSVP to Rita Siavelis

Please join the Altar Guild for our upcoming polishing party on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 between 9 am and noon. We'll enjoy treats, holiday conversation, and merry company and conversation while we polish the silver and brass to shine for the Christmas season. All you need to bring is yourself and a little elbow grease! RSVP to Rita Siavelis or just show up the day of the event. We look forward to seeing you!

Cathedral Offices to be Closed Next Wednesday through Friday

Next week the cathedral offices will be closed beginning on Wednesday, November 22nd through Friday, November 24th in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

We ask that all submissions for the E-pistle and the bulletin be submitted no later than 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 21st to the cathedral office email.

Contemplative Prayer Group To Take Off Thanksgiving Day

In observance of the Thanksgiving Day Holiday, The Contemplative Prayer group will not meet.

Please contact Sarah Braik with any questions that you may have.

Parish Prayer List to Renew in Advent

With the upcoming season of Advent, the parish prayer list will renew beginning on December 3rd.

If you wish for a name to be added to the prayer list, please email the parish office. A name will remain on the prayer list for a period of 3 consecutive weeks.

If you have any additional questions please email The Rev. George Stevens.

Christmas Serving Opportunity

St. Luke's is seeking additional helpers in the Christmas Eve Vigil and the Christmas Day service. Interested in participating in the service?

Please contact Head Verger Eleanor Roberts for more information. All ages welcome

Advent Choral Liturgies at St. Luke’s

Please join us for our next Choral Evensong 4PM Sunday 3 December,

and for A Service Lessons & Carols for Advent & Christmastide at 4PM Sunday 17 December.

For additional information contact Christian M. Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music with any questions you may have.

St. Elizabeth's Pantry Coat Drive

As we gear up for colder temperatures, St. Elizabeth’s is launching its annual coat and boot drive. Many of our neighbors come from warmer climates and don’t have the necessary clothing for fall and winter in Maine.

Large and Extra-Large sized coats for both men and women are most needed, but coats and boots of all sizes are welcome. Items should be in clean, good condition.

Monetary donations may also be made for the purchase of new coats and boots for our neighbors.

Financial contributions can be mailed to: St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center PO Box 4036 Portland, ME 04101 or visit here.

Visit Hannaford over the Bridge

and Support Our Food Pantry in November

During November, St. Luke's Food Pantry will receive $1 from every $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag sold during the month of November at the Hannaford on 50 Cottage Road in South Portland.

Plus, our pantry will receive $0.25 from every Hannaford Snack Pals Plate sold there.

Ongoing Opportunities & Announcements

Help with Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour needs hosts. It's fun and easy! No commitment required— you can do it once and that's a help. Please check out the schedule and if there is a date you can serve, contact Gail Kesich or Liz Griffin.

St. Luke's Food Pantry in Need of Contributions

The Food Pantry welcomes your contributions of oil, flour, and dried beans!

These continue to be the most wanted items and and the most difficult for us to keep in stock.

Donations can be dropped off at any service or at the Cathedral's rear entrance. Thank you! Both neighbors and volunteers are grateful for your support!

With any questions please contact Mary Brighthaupt.

Join the Young and The Restless

We are St. Luke’s 20s-30s-year-old ministry. We are an active group at the cathedral which also gets together outside of the church.

Join us as we go hiking, ice skating, play trivia, or just enjoy each other’s company! If you are new to us, welcome! We meet every Tuesday at Maine Beer Company in Freeport for Trivia from 6-8.

Other events happen sporadically throughout the month, however trivia is a great opportunity to meet us if you’re joining us for the first time. Contact Shana Rose to stay up to date with group activities and information.

Join Luke's Garden

LGBTQIA+ Group

Luke's Garden is the cathedral's LGBTQIA+ group which meets every 2nd Sunday of the month following coffee hour.

All are welcome!

For additional information contact Orion Williams

Access Your Realm Profile

The Cathedral’s new online database, Realm, is a useful tool for parishioners to manage their contact and pledging information.

Realm helps our community by improving our record keeping in a more streamlined fashion.

When joining Realm you can sign-up to be a part of the online directory in the database.

To activate your Realm profile please contact our financial administrator Nina Andersen.

Nina will assist you with the few steps necessary to access your profile.

We look forward to sharing this exciting new technology with you!

Events in the Wider Community

Portland Rossini Club Performance

November 26th, 2023 at 3:00PM

Join the Portland Rossini Club for their upcoming performance at the cathedral on Sunday, November 26th at 3:00PM.

This concert will feature Mark Braun, pianist, Seth Blank, horn, and Steve Schiffman, clarinet, who will perform two movements of Gustav Jenner’s Trio in E-flat for Clarinet, Horn, and Piano.

New member, pianist Ryan Slocum and guest violinist, Jenelle Westerbeck, will perform two of Ryan Slocum’s original compositions, as well as the F-A-E Sonata by Johannes Brahms

Torrey Gimpel, soprano, will perform selections from musicals by Lionel Bart, Lin Manuel Miranda, Sara Bareilles, Frank Wildhorn, Alan Menken, and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

To learn more about the Rossini Club and to buy tickets, visit their website here.

Renaissance Voices Concerts at the Cathedral

Join Music Director Harold Stover, (St. Luke's Parishioner) and Renaissance voices for their Christmas Concerts, December 9th and 10th at the cathedral.

This program will feature works by Heinrich Isaac, Igor Stravinski, Franz Biebl, a new work by Harold Stover, and more.

To learn more about Renaissance Voices and to buy tickets online visit their website here

St. Mary Schola presents A Neapolitan Christmas

Join St. Mary Schola and Guest Conductor Christian Clough (Canon for Liturgy and Music) as they present a program entitled 'A Neapolitan Christmas' featuring a moteto by Francesco Durante, and six voice setting of the Magnificat by Michael Praetorius.

To learn more about St. Mary Schola and to buy tickets online visit their website here.