|
The E-Pistle of Thursday
February 22nd, 2023
| |
Please note that due to the length of content, the full E-pistle may not appear on your screen. Please click the 'View Entire E-pistle Here' button above to access the whole newsletter. | |
An Update on the Transition as
St. Luke's Seeks a New Dean
Written by Sam Allen, Senior Warden
The Cathedral is at the beginning of a multi-stage transition process as we seek a new Dean to succeed Dean Shambaugh. For the immediate future, The Rev. Paul St. Germain, Transition Priest-in-Charge, is our clergy leader. Paul has a half-time appointment with us and also serves part-time at Trinity Church, Lewiston. Paul’s work at St. Luke’s is assisted by Associate Priest Suzanne Roberts, Deacon Rebecca Grant, and Assisting Clergy Anne Fowler and Christopher Worthley.
Read Full Piece Here
| |
|
Meetings of the Lesser Chapter and
the Cathedral Finance Committee
| |
|
Messiaen Concert by Ensemble Chamarré
This Sunday, February 26th | 3:00pm
Location: The Cathedral Nave
Freewill offering in support of St. Elizabeth's Pantry
Contact: Christian Clough
Please join us on Sunday, February 26th at 3pm in the Cathedral Nave as we host Ensemble Chamarré for a concert of the music of Olivier Messiaen. Please read the description of the concert below:
Ensemble Chamarré is dedicated to performing the powerful and moving "Quatuor pour la fin du temps" by Olivier Messiaen. This piece (translated as the Quartet for the End of Time) was composed during an excruciatingly difficult time while Messiaen was captured and held in a German POW camp during World War II. The Quartet for the End of Time draws its inspiration from the Book of Revelation, birdsong, and the colors of the northern lights. The first performance was held in the camp during the bleak winter of 1941 with Messiaen at the piano, and fellow prisoners playing violin, cello, and clarinet. Ensemble Chamarré seeks to help the listener to experience the context of this extraordinary masterpiece of chamber literature by describing the conditions at the camp and details of Messiaen's experience as it relates to the music. Listeners may draw inspiration from this musical and spiritual journey of triumph and redemption over despair.
Past performances were greeted with great enthusiasm from audience members, who described it as “a transforming experience”. Following these successful performances together playing Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time, and witnessing the transformational qualities of that musical work and the audiences' response, as well as the musicians’ chemistry of working together, the musicians decided to formally create an ensemble dedicated to playing this powerful piece. The musicians who make up Ensemble Chamarré individually bring a great mix of experiences to the ensemble: from performances with the Boston Symphony on international stages to recording for Aerosmith, from movie soundtracks to concerto solo performances. They have performed worldwide, earning praise from reviewers citing their “mesmeric” and “brilliant” playing and “amazing delicacy” and “musical wizardry”.
| |
|
Highlights from Last Week
| |
Last week we honored the Rev. Richard Ellis who was celebrating his 65th anniversary of his ordination. | |  |
|
At the 10:00am Service our Transition Priest in Charge, The Rev. Dr. Paul St. Germain commissioned our new vestry members.
| | |
|
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
| |
|
Lent 2023: “Our Hope for Years to Come – The Search for Spiritual Sanctuary”
Meditations by Micah and Martin Marty
Explore the depths of the soul on a journey of “ressourcement” (or a return to the divine source) in this modern spiritual classic. Through images, hymnody, and words let us wade into the “well-spring of living water” and discover the Spirit’s own sanctuary. This individual journey begins on Ash Wednesday and triumphs on Easter morning. Throughout Lent, this theme will be uplifted in a number of ways – from sermons to the “mere Christianity” of CS Lewis.
Several meditation “spaces” around the cathedral will available to encounter this book. We are invited to pause, ponder, and perhaps reflect upon the divine beginnings (or sparks) of our faith. Books are also available for purchase it here– or any online bookseller.
| |
|
Walking with Jack” (The Story of C.S. Lewis)
Thursday Evenings beginning March 2nd
7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: The Upper Hall
Contact: The Rev. Dr. Paul St Germain
Considered by some the greatest Christian writer in the English language, this tells the story of how a brilliant atheist embraced faith in Jesus Christ in the mid Twentieth Century.
“Walking with Jack” is a series of multimedia events that will include illustrated presentations reflecting 40 years of study and travel to Oxford University and Lewis’ home – The Kilns; the biographical tribute: “The Magic Never Ends”(narrated by Sir Ben Kingsley); and an old-fashioned “reading-group style” gathering to hear passages from Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, A Grief Observed, and the beloved Chronicles of Narnia.
Thursday evenings 7:30 to 9:00 PM. Refreshments will be served. Presented by The Rev. Dr. Paul St Germain.
| |
|
PPEAT Lenten Resources
The Public Policy and Environmental Action Team recommends these two resources for Lenten practice and reflection.
The Creation Justice Ministries 2023 Lent Resource: Daily Reflection-Action Calendar to Cultivate Creation Justice can be downloaded here. This calendar includes daily tips for personal action, learning, advocacy and reflection.
The Rev. Mary Jane O'Connor-Ropp, of St. David's in Kennebunk, has developed Walking with Suffering Creation: A Meditative Experience in Eight Days, which can be downloaded here.
Each meditation includes an invitation, reflection and prayer, and they need not be done on consecutive days.
| |
Support our Cathedral Communications by
Joining our Communications Committee
The Third Wednesday of the month
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: The Upper Hall
Contact: Avery Schott
Do you have an interest in engaging with our wider community? Do you have a passion for design of our web materials and newsletter?
If so, our Cathedral Communications Specialist Avery Schott needs your help! Consider joining our Communications Committee!
If you are interested in offering support, have ideas, or are simply interested in learning more about our communications please email Avery for further details.
| |
|
Sign Up to Support the Flower Guild
We’re pleased to announce that the 2023 Flower Chart is up on the bulletin board and ready for your memorials and celebrations. We thank the many individuals who signed up on the flower chart in the past for their donations and special flower requests in memory of, or in honor of loved ones, and in celebration of births and anniversaries. The requested donation is $75. Your memorials also contribute to the sanctity of each service and add to the beauty of St. Luke’s Cathedral.
For additional information contact Kathy Watt or Mary Doughty.
| |
|
|
Thank you from the Shambaughs
Dear St. Luke's friends,
Thank you for the wonderful "Dean's Purse" which arrived in the mail today. Thank you for your generosity and love and the gift of your presence in our lives. May God be with us all as our journeys continue.
with love and prayers,
Ben and Shari Shambaugh
Dean Shambaugh Deploys with the Coast Guard
At the end of the month, Dean Shambaugh will be deploying with the Coast Guard to help with Operation Vigilant Sentry (click here for more information.) Please keep him and the men and women of the Coast Guard in your prayers.
| |
Hannaford Giving Tag Program: Anytime you are in a Hannaford you can purchase new reusable bags and follow instructions on the tag to choose ST LUKE FOOD PANTRY from their list and $1. comes to us. Even better: throughout March, all bags purchased at the Hannaford on Cottage Road in South Portland all donations automatically come to St. Luke's, no need to register online. | |
|
St. Luke’s Food Pantry Needs a Deeper Bench on Thursday
Know anybody? We're looking for a few good people who can lift 20 pounds, roll carts around, and laugh at our jokes for a couple of hours Thursday mornings. I wouldn't say that St. Luke's Food Pantry Volunteers are the best people to spend time with, but our volunteers are the best people, they are interesting, caring, and sometimes witty.
Also: the work is compelling and satisfying. If we get a couple more folks we can staff an information table to address other community needs.
| |
|
Temporary Housing Needed for Angolan Couple
Paul and Rose are a young married couple who are asylum seekers from Angola, having just arrived in Portland this fall. They have become valuable volunteers at St. Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry and St. Luke’s Food Pantry.
We are seeking host families for Paul and Rose for short 2-week stays in parishioners’ homes while they continue the search for permanent housing. Currently, they are staying in two Yarmouth homes with St. Bart’s families until March 3. They are in need of temporary housing from March 3-17 and possibly beyond.
Paul has many years of experience as a teacher of science and geography. He has a strong command of the English language and is skilled as a translator for our Portuguese neighbors. Rose is fluent in French and Portuguese, is trained as a cook and is currently taking English classes. They are very self-sufficient and eager to begin their new lives in Maine. Those who have hosted them so far share that it has been an enjoyable and rich experience. They are available to answer any questions.
If you are interested in hosting Paul and Rose in your home in the coming weeks, please contact Sarah Borgeson.
| |
|
New Ventures Maine
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
Event Details Here
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. Luke's Community Kitchen to
Host Cooking Classes with Guest Chefs
Monday, March 6th|6:00p-8:30pm
Location: The St. Luke's Community Kitchen
All proceeds support St. Luke’s Community Kitchen.
To Register: Dawn Brennan-Daly
Community Cooking Classes
Cost is $75/pp with seating for 12 participants.
Chef Will Donnelly will show you how to prepare home-made pasta with a delicious sauce, and then enjoy dinner together. Please BYOB.
Chef Donnelly was born in South Africa and started cooking at an early age with his family after moving to New York City. He continued his education at the Culinary Institute of America and has cooked in professional kitchens and restaurants in London, New York and Portland. He brings over 18 years of experience to his cooking, catering and classes, and is committed through his teaching to preparing better, healthier meals at home while supporting local, organic, humane farming.
Learn more by going to Loving Bite Catering and on Instagram, Will Donnelly (@sharplikeknife)
| |
|
The Healing Team
The Healing Team will serve on these dates with the following Healing Team members:
February 26, 2023 Gail Kesich and Judd Hume
March 5, 2023 Oscar Mokeme and Sara Schmalz
Please contact Judd Hume at (207) 773-5611 or with any questions.
| |
|
Contributions for Dean Shambaugh's Farewell Party
The Cathedral Finance team still welcomes contributions in support of the farewell party held for Rev. Benjamin Shambaugh.
If you wish to make a financial gift in support of Dean Shambaugh's farewell celebration please drop off a check to the parish office or mail to the cathedral at P.O. Box 4141, Portland, ME 04101.
Please denote in the memo either "For the Dean's Farewell Celebration."
For any additional questions please email our treasurer Tim Wilkins.
Thank you for your generosity.
| |
|
Realm Online Giving Platform
The Cathedral has launched our online giving platform, Realm, which also serves as our new database.
If you are interested in establishing monthly or weekly recurring gifts for your 2023 Pledge or other outreach gifts, now is the time to do so.
Please see the link here to be able to access our giving page.
Please note, Realm is not where you make your pledge. It’s where you will schedule payment of your pledge in whatever increments you might like to do. That could be weekly, monthly, or in one lump sum payment as you set up your recurring gift or one time gift please look at those options and make sure the amount that you enter is what you want withdrawn each week or each month.
You can also donate to St. Luke’s through our new and secure “Give and Text” feature. Please TEXT “TEXTCSL” to 73256. Our 2023 Pledge Campaign is ongoing. Pledge materials and information are available here.
| |
|
St. Alban's Lenten Series
St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Cape Elizabeth, will be presenting a Recital Series for the season of Lent. These 30-minute recitals will take place each Tuesday during Lent at 6:00 p.m., and are intended to serve as an opportunity to gather in a holy space and let go of our earthly troubles. Admission is free, but donations are kindly encouraged. The first recital is next Tuesday, February 28.
| |
|
St. Mary Schola
De Profundis:
Music for the Lenten Season
Saturday, March 25th
Location: The Cathedral Nave
St Mary Schola will present two performances of the De Profundis: Music for the Lenten Season.
The program includes a capella works by Champion and Josquin and Cantata 131 Aus der Tiefen by J.S. Bach. Also featured is a rare performance of a Miserere mei setting attributed to Costanzo Festa which likely served as a model for the famous setting by Gregorio Allegri.
| |
How to Get Involved at St. Luke's | |
St. Elizabeth's Mittens, Gloves, and Hats Collection
Winter has finally arrived, and our neighbors are in great need of mittens, gloves and hats for both adults and children. You can drop them off in the blue box next to the stairs at the Park Street entrance to the Cathedral.
| |
Family Promise Needs Your Help
Portland Friends is hosting GPFP families. Help is still needed!
The GPFP rotational model is up and running and we still need your help!
There are currently two sets of volunteer opportunities. One involves shifts at the day center at the YMCA on Forest Avenue. We are looking for help filling morning, midday, and afternoon shifts Monday - Saturday. The day center is generally staffed with one Family Promise staff person and a volunteer. We need the most help Tuesday and Thursdays between 10-2 and on Saturday when the kids are there. Sign up at the YMCA day center here.
The other involves volunteering at the host church, which alternates every two weeks. Portland Friends will host our families from February 8 through February 22. There are opportunities for spending time with the families from 5:00 to 8:15 pm, and overnights, as well as shifts on Sundays and Presidents’ Day on February 20. Sign up at Friends with this link.
Please Contact Ann if you have questions, or Wayne if you’re having trouble signing up.
At this time, we welcome both trained and untrained volunteers from our faith communities. Many thanks to all who have stepped up to help - we could not do this without you!
Lynne England: (207) 318-9848
Connie Bingham: (207) 415-1441
Mary Linneman: (207) 409-4253
| | |
|
Monday Night Zoom Book Group |
Every First and Third Monday of the Month
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?
| |
Select the Episcopal Maine Logo to learn about all that is happening in the wider Diocese. | |
|
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
| | | | |
