E-Pistle of Thursday December 8th, 2022 | |
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St. Nicholas' Day
A Reflection by Dean Shambaugh
Did you know that December 6 (not December 25) is St Nicholas’ Day?
St. Nicholas is a 4th century bishop of Myrna (in Turkey) who was known for his generosity, particularly in one story of giving gold coins to young children.
Read Full Article Here
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The Joy of Advent
A Reflection by Dean Shambaugh
It was getting late. We were most of the way through a two-hour rehearsal and people were getting tired, tripping over tempo changes, and making simple mistakes. There was only a dress rehearsal left before two concerts and we just weren't gelling. The conductor looked at us and asked, “Do you have Sleigh Ride in your folders?”
Read Full Article Here
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Reflecting on a Day of Service and Action in Augusta | |
Yesterday, Dean Shambaugh joined Bishop Brown, clergy, and parishioners from around the Diocese of Maine at the statehouse in Augusta for a day of prayer, action, and service. Those present stood for the rights of the Wabanaki and other indigenous communities, those seeking asylum, and our neighbors experiencing homelessness. | | |
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St. Mary Schola
"Blow the Trumpet"
An Advent Concert
December 10th | 3:00 pm
Location: The Cathedral Nave
Contact: The Parish Office
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The Maine Pop's Band Christmas Benefit Concert
Benefiting the St. Luke's Food Pantry
December 11th | 2:30 pm
Location: The Cathedral Nave
Contact: The Parish Office
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Christmas with Renaissance Voices
December 17th| 7:30 pm
December 18th | 2:00 pm
Location: The Cathedral Nave
Contact: The Parish Office
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A Christmas Eve Family Service | |
December 24th | 5:00 PM
Location: The Cathedral Nave
A Christmas Eve Family Service with the Bishop of Maine featuring our Christmas Pageant
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A Candlelit Christmas Eve Service
December 24th | 10:00 PM
Location: The Cathedral Nave
A Candlelit Christmas Eve service with the Bishop of Maine and music offerings from the St. Luke's Cathedral Choir.
Prelude begins at 9:30
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St. Luke's Community Announcements
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Thank You to All Lessons and Carols Participants | |
Special thanks are given to Christian Clough, Randall Mullin, members of the choir, readers, and many other active service participants who worked tirelessly to present an incredible service of Lessons and Carols to observe the Advent Season at St. Luke's. | |
First Pageant Rehearsal This Afternoon Following Service | |
Our first Christmas pageant rehearsal will be held this Sunday, December 11th, in the Nave following church. All children and youth are invited! For any questions you may have, please contact Sarah Dowling. | |
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Congregation is scheduled for 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 Gayle Anglin (vestry members) will be rotating off. Per our bylaws, the outgoing vestry members and officers and Dean form a nominating committee. This committee received nominations from the congregation in November and will bring proposed candidates to the vestry at its December for approval, which will then be put on a slate for the annual meeting (nominations are also allowed from the floor). Candidates for vestry must be communicants in good standing, at least 15 years of age, and contributors of record to the Cathedral. If the dean is absent, the Annual Meeting is chaired by the Senior Warden. For all committee members and leaders of ministries and activities, annual reports are due to the Cathedral office by January 15. Watch the bulletin and E-pistle for pre-annual meetings and other events.
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Sabbatical Update
Clergy of the diocese are given four month sabbaticals ever five years. Dean Shambaugh was due a sabbatical this year but it had been delayed because of Covid. At its November meeting, the vestry agreed to give Dean Shambaugh a four month sabbatical beginning in January, with the exact dates still begin determined. We are pleased to announce that during this time, the Rev. Paul St. Germain will be available for ten units (mornings, afternoons or evenings) during the week and three Sundays a month. Paul comes with extensive large church experience and will be the primary contact for day to day operations, pastoral care, and worship planning. He may be contacted through the office 772-5434, [email protected] He will be assisted by the Rev. Suzanne Roberts, the Rev. Christopher Worthley, and the Rev. Anne Folwer, as well as our deacon, the Rev. Rebecca Grant. Note that in the absence of the dean, the authority of the parish rests with the Senior Warden. For more information about the Rev. St. Germain, see his website.
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St. E'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 accomodations 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!
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Food Pantry Advent Calendar
Please see the calendar below to learn more about the needs of the pantry in their efforts to care for our neighbors during this holiday season. For additional information please contact Mary Brighthaupt.
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Stewardship Update
Many thanks to all who have submitted pledge cards for 2023. As of November 19, We have received 110 pledges for $345,476.72. Nine are from new pledgers. Over half of repeat pledgers increased their pledge amounts. Both the amount pledged and the number of pledges is running somewhat ahead of the past several years.
A gentle reminder to the approximately 75 of you who pledged for 2022 but not yet for 2023, and to other members and friends who would like to pledge: please take a moment to fill out a pledge card, on paper or online, and submit it to the Cathedral so that we can move forward with budgeting for next year. To pledge online, visit www.stlukesportland.org/Give and click on Online Pledge Form.
Thank you again, and have a memorable holiday season.
Dan McDonald, Chair, Stewardship Committee
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"The Healing Team will serve, at the 10am Eucharist (and Christmas Eve at 10pm) on the following dates with the following Healing Team members:
December 11, 2022. Ruth Roemer, John Leddy
December 18, 2022. Sara Schmaltz, Peter Carleton
December 24, 2022. Sara Schmaltz, Judd Hume
January 8, 2022 Ruth Roemer, Oscar Mokeme
If you have any questions, please contact Judd Hume or call (207) 773 - 5611.
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How to Get Involved at St. Luke's | | |
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St. Elizabeth's Boot Drive Update | |
Contact: Martha Parshley
Wow, what a day! We set a new record at St. E's this morning with 264 neighbors arriving for their essential products and 164 pairs of boots distributed. Many of our neighbors arrived early (a growing trend) and were eager to make their boot selections. This distribution of boots was made possible by the support of our partner churches, concerned individuals and others who contributed to our successful boot drive this year and a wonderful crew of volunteers.
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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!
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A Christian Life of Faith:
Signs and Thresholds Along the Way
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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
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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
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Public Policy and Environmental Action Team Meetin |
December 13th| 6pm-7pm
Location: Zoom
Contact: Sarah Braik
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Diocesan Youth Group Service Corp
January 7th| Time to be announced
Contact: Sarah Dowling
This gathering will involve packing food for those experiencing homelessness who are served by the Trinity Episcopal Community. The goal is to serve 10,000 meals in 2 hours.
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Family Promise Housing Help
Thank you for your ongoing support of Family Promise and the unhoused families in our area. As you may know, Many families who have been living in area motels have received eviction notices because Emergency Rental Assistance is ending. The warming shelter in Portland - the City of Portland Family Shelter overflow has been full and 14 families (52 people who are seeking safety and asylum in Maine) were on the street.
Greater Portland Family Promise is organizing faith communities to begin housing families in their buildings. Woodfords along with their partner Coastal Church began hosting at Woodfords this week. We are looking for volunteers from St. Luke's to help at Woodfords.
The shifts are from 5 pm - 8:45 pm in the evenings to socialize with guests and also from 8:30 pm - 8:00 am which is an overnight shift. Here is the link to sign up.
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Select the Episcopal Maine Logo to learn about all that is happening in the wider Diocese. | |
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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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