The Cathedral to Welcome Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie

from The National Council of Churches This Sunday

This Sunday, November 5th, the Cathedral will welcome Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the Interim President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches. 

Bishop McKenzie is visiting Maine as a guest of the Maine Council of Churches. She will bring to our community a message of care and concern, whilst inquiring about the immediate needs that the churches in the greater Lewiston area and their clergy have in the aftermath of the tragedy last week. .

Bishop McKenzie, the 117th bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and first female elected to that office, has also served as presiding bishop in Southern Africa – Botswana, Swaziland, Mozambique, and Lesotho and in the United States in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Texas. A graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, Howard University School of Religion, who holds a doctorate from United Theological Seminary, Bishop McKenzie has been active in social justice issues for more than three decades. She was appointed in 2009 by President Barack Obama to be on the inaugural White House Commission of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnership and was named by Huffington Post in 2014 as one of the 50 Most Powerful Women Around the World.

Serving as a leading voice of Christian witness in the public square since 1950, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) brings together 37 member communions and more than 30 million Christians in approximately 100,000 congregations in a common expression of God’s love and promise of unity to live as a community of denominations called to visible unity and sent forth to promote justice, peace, and the healing of the world.

The Maine Council of Churches is an ecumenical coalition of seven mainline Protestant denominations* founded in 1938 whose mission is to speak with a prophetic voice of faith, connecting people within, through, and beyond the church to create a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world. 

Its member denominations represent more than 400 local congregations across the state with over 50,000 parishioners in their care, including 15 congregations in Lewiston, Auburn, Winthrop, Lisbon, and Lisbon Falls.

Christmas Table For Fair

If you have any Christmas related items for the fair please contact Liz Stover by email or phone at (207)-272-4922

Please bring all items to St Luke's on Friday 11/10 (The day before the fair).

Calling All Bakers For the Fair!

We need everyone's help with providing baked goods for the fair. 

Donations of pies, cakes, cookies, muffins or any other baked goods would be greatly appreciated. Please label ingredients.

Let Liz Stover know what you can bring via a call, text or email and please deliver to St Luke's on Friday 11/10 (The day before the fair).

With any questions please contact Liz Stover by email or at 272-4922.

Thank you for your help!

Trinity Jubilee Center in Lewiston

The pioneer Episcopal Jubilee Center in Maine is in Lewiston, and was started – 30 years ago! - by Trinity Church there and for many years has operated out of the Trinity basement, serving more than 1,000 needy folks every week. Trinity operates 6 days a week and runs a soup kitchen, a food pantry, a day shelter, a resource center (including a

weekly health center) and provides referrals and connections to all sorts

of social services.

They also have a thriving refugee assistance program. Now Trinity has more than outgrown the cramped Trinity basement and is looking to build a purpose-built building across the street. To that end it has embarked on a Capital Campaign.

St. Luke's parishioners Nancy Brain and John Watson are keen supporters of Trinity Jubilee Center. They would be delighted to talk to anyone at St. Luke’s who might be interested in finding out more about their plans.

Contact John and Nancy via email to learn more information

John Watson & Nancy Brain

Hold the Date! PPEAT Coffee Hour

On November 12 at the Coffee Hour after service, come hear about the mission and work of the Maine Climate Council. 

On June 26, 2019, Governor Janet Mills and the Maine State Legislature created the Maine Climate Council, an assembly of scientists, industry leaders, bipartisan local and state officials, and engaged citizens to develop a four-year plan to put Maine on a trajectory to reduce emissions by 45% by 2030 and at least 80% by 2050.

The plan was delivered to Governor Mills on December 1, 2020. State Representative Christopher Kessler, one of the four State Legislators who serve on the Council will be with us to share an update about the structure and work of the Council.

 He’ll also share information about key actions that have been taken as well as plans and projects under way to achieve the goals of the four-year plan. 

News from the Canon for Liturgy & Music regarding our longtime Volunteer Assisting Organist

Randy Mullin, CSL’s longtime Volunteer Assisting Organist, has withdrawn from his role. Randy has been a generous contributor to CSL’s musical life for years, and we have all benefited from his immense talent, professionalism, and meticulousness.

I have been particularly helped in my new leadership role here by his musical offering. Randy demurred when we offered to hold a public celebration and farewell, preferring to leave quietly, much as he has exercised his ministry these many years. 

If you would like to reach out to Randy to express your own gratitude and good wishes, he can be reached by e-mail or by mail at 215 E Grand Ave #608, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064.

Seeking Input for 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 Sunday, November 19 at Noon.

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

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.

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.

Autumn Eco-Tips

from the Public Policy & Environmental Action Team (PPEAT)

1.Leave the leaves on the lawn. They will go through the cycle of decomposition and promote healthy microbial activity in the soil. If you do decide to clean up the leaves, put them in a compost pile.

2. For fall ( and any season) beverages such as pumpkin lattes, hot cider and coffee, use a reusable mug. This action will save on the many paper cups that are thrown in the landfill and will also help to save trees.

3. Purchase local and seasonal foods. This action decreases fossil fuel used in transportation over great distances. In addition, the local produce is fresher, and its purchase helps local farmers.

4. For Halloween, consider making costumes at home and refraining from using plastic containers for the trick or treat event.

Join the Young and the Restless on Saturday November 18th at 6pm for their annual Friendsgiving dinner! 

Bring your favorite casserole, side dish, pie, libation, or non-libation to share! The church will supply a rotisserie chicken and all the plates, utensils, and cups.  Also, bring your favorite card or board game that we could play while eating yummy desserts. Please contact Shana Rose to RSVP.

Opportunity for morning meditation in Emmanuel Chapel

St. Luke’s Parish Administrator Avery Levesque-Schott invites you to join him in Emmanuel Chapel from 7:00AM-8:00AM on Tuesday & Thursday mornings for a time of silent sitting and walking meditation.

A brief reading will be offered with accompanying active listening dyads. Coffee, tea, and pastries will be available in the Upper Hall following the conclusion of the meditation. 

Contribute to CSL’s music ministry

Recently, several longtime choir members have retired from or taken breaks from the Cathedral Choir, and we could use your vocal talents to rebuild our membership. If you fit the bill (or aren’t sure), please drop in on a choir rehearsal (Thursday 7PM or Sunday 8:45AM) and check it out.

Or, offer to play an instrument or sing. We invite you to share your musical talents with our worshiping community in our praise of God. Or, do you know someone with talents to share? For more information or to discuss your interests, please contact Christian Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music.

The FLUKES, an ensemble of enthusiastic ukulele musicians, presents a family friendly concert to benefit St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry, a low-barrier pantry serving non-food essentials to all those in need, including new Mainers and Mainers whose families have been here for generations.

The FLUKES play and sing songs from Bach to the Beatles and beyond. 

Suggested donation $10, free for children under 12.

AGO Annual Members Recital

The Portland Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present their annual members’ recital, Advent and Christmas Preview on Sunday, November 12 at 3:00 PM at the First Parish Congregational Church, 9 Cleaveland Street, Brunswick, Maine.

The program is free and open to all. Selections by Albrecht, Bingham, Chapman, Joseph, Stover and others, including works by the performers. Organists: Jane Hagness, Paul Schnell, Harold Stover and John Sullivan.

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.  

Help the Cathedral With Recycling

As Portland does not pick-up recycling for businesses we are looking for volunteers to take home the paper we gather in blue bins and add them to parishioner's recycling bins at their homes (We do however recycle cardboard and compost both of which have been a very successful campaigns). 

If you would like to help please contact Sarah Braik or Tim Wilkins. Thanks for your help.

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!

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 each Tuesday at Maine Beer Company in Freeport, 6-8 PM for Trivia.

Other events happen sporadically throughout the month, however trivia is a wonderful 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

The Kneeler Guild and

Prayer Shawl Knitters

Tuesday

2:30PM

The Upper Hall.

For additional information contact Jeri Edgar 207-303-8447 or Nancy MaWhinney 207-775-7500

Everyone is welcome, whether you are curious or want to begin. Kneeler kits cost $75, which include directions, yarn, needles & canvas. Novices are welcome; we will teach you as needed. Prayer Shawls: 26-29” by 60”; select your yarn & needles. Coffee & Tea available.

Weekly Ministries

• St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center is offered every Tuesday from 8:30 am to 11 am.

• The Food Pantry is open from 8 am to 11 am every Thursday.

• The Tuesday 12:10 Eucharist is offered every week in Emmanuel Chapel in-person and on Zoom.

• Noon prayer is offered every Wednesday via Zoom.
• Contemplative Prayer is offered every Thursday at 4:30 pm via Zoom.

• Compline is offered weekly on Friday from 8-8:30pm on Zoom. For additional details contact Ray Murdoch Curry