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The Season of Creation 2022 | |
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Perspectives on the Earth and Creation from
Various Faith Traditions
By Barbara Ryland, St. Luke’s Parishioner and member of the Public Policy
and Environmental Action Team (PPEAT)
For thousands of years, creation care and love for the Earth have been integral to many religions. Not only have the earliest traditions expressed reverence for creation, but also the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Islam, and Christianity) as well as Eastern faiths (Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism) have seen the natural world as a theophany of the Holy One.
Some of the oldest faith traditions are those of indigenous peoples. Despite arising in very different environments, all teach that humans are part of nature, not separate from it. These cultures embrace all creatures and the elements as brothers and sisters interwoven in a vast web of life. They emphasize having an attitude of gratitude and living in harmony with the Earth. In her book Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer of the Potawami Nation stresses the importance of giving back to the Earth in equal measure what we take from her.
In Judaism the Torah informs practice. It states that humans are part of creation and have a responsibility for its care. The concept of Tikkun Olan, meaning to heal the world, refers both to our duty of working for social justice and of conserving the natural world, for humans are servants of God. As Psalm 24 proclaims “The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, for He has founded it upon the seas and established it on the rivers.”
Read Full Article Here
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Ecological Saints
(A blog from our neighbors at St. Alban's on 'Ecological Saints' by Meredith Tipton)
Greta Thunberg (born 2003)
“ You all come to us young people for hope! How dare you? You’ve stolen my dreams and my
childhood with your empty words, and yet; I am one of the lucky ones. People are suffering.
People are dying. Entire eco-systems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass
extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you?”
(This was from a speech Greta gave to the United Nations Climate Action Summit 9/21/19) at
age 16 years old.)
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish Environmental Activist who is known for challenging world
leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigation. She was nominated for the
Nobel Peace Prize in (2019) (2020) and (2021)
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Watershed Stewardship Workshop
This Sunday, September 25, St. Ansgar Lutheran Church will host a Care of Creation Sunday, with a Watershed Stewardship workshop beginning at 12:00 noon.
We have been invited to participate to learn more about how we can foster watershed health in our community.
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En-ROADS Climate Workshop
Join us Sunday, September 25, 11:30–12:30 P.M. in Emmanuel Chapel with
Sam Allen, En-ROADS Climate Ambassador.
Evidence that global warming is caused by human activity is incontrovertible. Is there any hope that global warming can be arrested? What would it take to achieve the 2015 Paris Climate Accords goal to limit the average global temperature rise to well below 2°C (ideally, 1.5°C)?
Read Full Article Here
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Eco-tips from the St. Luke's Public Policy and Environmental Action Team
Imagine a bustling group of neighbors gathered in a local building, talking and laughing while building Insulating Window Inserts. Each person has learned a simple step in an assembly process, with different jobs for a wide range of abilities and mobility levels. Another volunteer is putting out a meal to share. Those who are receiving the inserts are working alongside other community volunteers. This is a Window Dressers Community Build. It’s like an old-fashioned barn raising or quilting bee— for windows!
Build Dates: October 3-7, 2022
Location: Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St, Portland, ME 04102
Contact: Meaghan LaSala, meaghan.lasala@windowdressers.org
Sign up to volunteer
Sign up here if you wish to receive window inserts
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Sacred Ground - A Film Based Dialogue on Race and Faith
All are encouraged to join St. Luke's next Sacred Ground circle. Sacred Ground is a film and reading based dialogue, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, political and regional identity. We will start the St. Luke's group on Saturday, October 1, 2022. This first meeting will be from 10:00- 2:00 in the Upper Hall, co-facilitated by Judd Hume and Jean Smart.
If these times don't work, other Sacred Ground Circles led by the Dioceses of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont will be starting this fall.
Read Full Article Here
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Try on the Cathedral Choir!
New season, new director, new lease on life... Isn’t it time for you to check out the Cathedral Choir?
Rehearsals are held on Thursdays from 7-9 PM, in the choir room in the undercroft.
Enter through the doors off the parking lot (from Park St.). Fear not: Your showing up does NOT oblige you to commit to a life of choral singing here! Come and see if this is a community and a ministry you'd like to engage with. No audition required. Christian Clough, our new Canon for Music & Liturgy, would be happy to discuss the program with you, as would many returning choir members. For more information, contact Christian Clough.
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Bishop Brown to join us for Confirmation at the 5:15 Service on September 25th
We are delighted that Bishop Thomas J. Brown will be back to St. Luke’s for a service of Confirmation, Reception, and Renewal of Baptismal Vows at the 5:15 service this Sunday, September 25.
This service will celebrate the following parishioners in their walk with Christ:
Charles Scott Hornor, Matthew Okulski, Isaac Okulski, Alec Thorne, Shana Rose, Orion Williams, and Tammy Parker.
This service was to be held originally in June but had to be postponed due to health concerns related to Covid-19. We thank members of the youth confirmation class who have had this service put off several times for their patience and flexibility! This service, open to all, is a special opportunity for those who wish to reaffirm their faith or to formally become part of the Episcopal Church and St. Luke’s.
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St. Elizabeth's Toothpaste Collection Drive
Please help us to collect toothpaste for our communities in collaboration with other parishes throughout the Diocese! We need your help in order to be good stewards of health and wellness for our neighbors in need!
Every tube of toothpaste can make a difference in the total that we are able to raise as a congregation. Let us join together and raise the total amount of toothpaste contributed by St. Luke's
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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
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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.
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St. Luke's Community Kitchen Featured in West End News
The work of the St. Luke's Community Kitchen was recently featured in the West End News. This is wonderful spotlight of their active work in the community.
To read the full news article please select here.
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Community Supper: October
October 12 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Lower Hall of St. Luke's Cathedral
$5.00 per adult
October Chef – John Bancroft
Please prepare and donate a side dish,
by contacting the parish office.
For more information or to volunteer
contact Dawn Brennan-Daly
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St. Luke's Holiday Fair
– Nov. 12, 9 AM – 3 PM
Please bring your fair donations to the Lower-Level foyer every Sunday starting September 25 – November 6, 7AM – 12 PM
We accept lightly used, “sellable” items only.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT CLOTHING, ELECTRONICS or LARGE FURNITURE.
For weekday donation drop off, please contact
Dawn Brennan-Daly
Mark all boxes “Holiday Fair.” Thank you.
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St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center Winter Coat & Boot Drive
Coats! Coats! Coats! We will be collecting adult winter coats for the next four weeks to give to anyone that needs a warm coat for the winter ahead. Coats should be suitable for the coldest months, clean, and readily usable - no missing buttons or broken zippers, please! You may drop off coats during pantry hours on Tuesday mornings between 8:30 and 11 am at the Park Street entrance ... or coats can be left in the blue box next to the stairs, at the Park Street entrance to the Cathedral. If you have questions please contact Martha Parshley.
Partner church leaders please note: Our adult winter coat and boot drive is in full swing! We'd like to increase our supply of coats in the next 3 weeks in order to start distribution on October 11th. Our greatest need is for men & women's Large and Extra-large coats and boots of all sizes.
Similar to last year, we hope to offer coats multiple times over the cold winter months and boots at least twice. All will be dependent on our supplies.
Extra help will be needed on an on-going basis to sort, size and hang coats as they come in. Please be in touch if this is a project for you!
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St. Luke's Food Pantry Town Hall Discussion
Not of our canned goods, but of our methods.
Can we improve? Can we become more efficient? The executive committee is calling for a pantry "town hall" discussion on Sunday, October 2 at 11:30 in the lower hall. Refreshments will be served.
This is a chance for pantry volunteers and the wider St. Luke's community to offer ideas or share other pantries' methods regarding: faster lines, food choice, closing policy. Ideas big and small.
If you prefer to email ideas by Friday, Sept. 30, please send to any of the committee: Catherine Hyde, Mary Linneman, Nancy Brain, or Mary Brighthaupt.
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A Christian Life of Faith:
Signs and Thresholds Along the Way
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?
Dean Shambaugh is leading a Sunday morning class called “A Christian Life of Faith: Signs and Thresholds Along the Way.” Although the class began last week, all are welcome to still join.
Gather with us at 9 am in the chapter room.
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Proposed Communications Strategy:
Cathedral Communications Group
The Cathedral Communications Group (CCG) will be a group of St. Luke’s volunteers who are committed to the support of our Cathedral Communications Specialist, Avery Schott, to ensure quality and consistency across all publications on the website, E-pistle, and community publications.
The CCG will be broken into 4 main task forces, allowing volunteers to participate at their comfort level.
These task forces pertain to:
1) Proofing, editing, and approving content
2) Social Media Involvement
3) Outside Publicity and Outreach
4) Appearance and Welcoming
If you are interested in learning more about the role of each task force, please read here.
Read Full Article Here
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Community Spotlight Opportunity | |
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Have you ever wanted the opportunity to share your story, interests, or work through an
E-pistle cover letter?
Now is your chance to reach out to fellow parishioners with an E-pistle cover letter through our new 'Community Spotlight'. This is an addition to our regular outreach and communications features.
If you are interested in being featured prominently in our E-pistle through a 'Community Spotlight' please contact the cathedral communications email with your submission details or any questions that you may have.
Submissions should be no longer than five paragraphs long and will also be posted as a blog on the St. Luke's website.
We will begin featuring submissions starting in the month of October.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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Bach Virtuosi Administrative Position Job Posting
The Bach Virtuosi Festival is an eight-day summer festival held primarily at St. Luke’s with one concert at Etz Chaim. The festival is seeking a new administrator. This is a permanent, salaried position, ideal for someone who wants to work from home on his/her own schedule. For eleven months of the year, you would work remotely for an average of 10-15 hours per week. During the month of the festival, the administrator would work up to 40 hours per week from home and on-site as needed.
Salary will be commensurate with experience and skills
The current administrator, Ellie Chatto, is stepping down to do more traveling, but is available to help with the transition.
The job description is attached.
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Centering Prayer Group at St. Alban’s
Join the St. Alban’s Centering Prayer Group on Wednesday September 28 at 7 pm to learn about this ancient form of spirituality. You will see a video by Cynthia Bourgeault, an internationally known writer and retreat leader, and have the opportunity to experience this contemplative form of prayer. Members of the Centering Prayer Group will be there to answer your questions and share their experience. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome.
When: Wednesday September 28, 2022 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Where: St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 885 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth
For more information: Liz Smith (201) 602-2494
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Eventide Candlelit Service at First Lutheran Church Portland
+meditative songs +silence +prayer + songs from Taizé.
a time and space for beauty, rest, and meditation
Every Sunday at 7pm
(Starting Full Moon October 9th)
Our gathering is held in the sanctuary
@ First Lutheran Church Portland
132 Auburn St, Portland, ME 04103
for more info email Aaron Hoffman
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The Healing Team
The Healing Team is resuming offering of prayers of healing on a weekly basis beginning at the 10am worship services.
The following Healing Team Members will be offering prayers of healing on the Sundays listed:
September 25: Elise and Judd
October 2: Mary and Peter
October 9: Gail and John
Any questions, please contact Judd Hume
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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.
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To read about other events at the Cathedral please visit our events page on the St. Luke's website.
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