Volume 27, Number 8

Aug. 21, 2025

St. Margaret's Leans In and Reaches Out for Refugee Sunday

In February, Bishop Brown announced that the diocese would show its support for the ministry of refugee resettlement by hosting a Refugee Sunday on the First Sunday of Lent, March 9. Realizing that churches might have other plans in place for that Sunday, they were offered the flexibility to choose another date. Among those who did so was St. Margaret’s in Belfast, which celebrated Immigrant and Refugee Sunday on July 13 with a special worship service, preceded by four weeks of related and meaningful programming.

An ad-hoc committee convened by St. Margaret's rector, the Rev. Barbara Briggs, brought in speakers from organizations that work with immigrants and refugees, mounted an exhibit of immigrant art, and led the congregation in exploring their own families' migration experiences. “It underscored that we are all children of immigrants," said committee member Pat Griffith, "and it expands our empathy and identification with people who are trying to establish new lives in this country.” Read more about the project on our blog here.

Photos, from left: Parishioners were asked to mark their family’s country of origin on a world map; the “Honor Roll of Courage” pays tribute to ancestors’ immigrant experiences.

St. Michael's Serves the Auburn Community with Free Boxed Lunches

Over six months ago, Ryan McArthur, a dedicated member of St. Michael’s in Auburn, headed up a new outreach program called Lunch To-Go. On the first Saturday of the month several members of the congregation gather to put Lunch To-Go boxes together. These boxes consist of a sandwich (peanut butter and jelly or bologna and cheese), water, fruit, granola bars, and a prayer card. When the program started, 50 Lunch-to-Go boxes were made and distributed to the unhoused in the area. It has now grown to 120 boxes, which are delivered to the unhoused and to the Drop-in Center on Mill Street in Auburn.

Happy 125th Anniversary, All Saint's, Orr's Island!

Congratulations to the congregation of All Saint's, Orr's Island on its 125th Anniversary! The chapel community marked the occasion on Aug. 3 with a service of choral evensong officiated by Bishop Brown, followed by a festive garden reception. The service featured music by Portland-based string ensemble Palaver Strings and the Una Voce Chamber Choir of Brunswick, and included the rededication of the chapel's recently restored stained glass windows. See more photos on our Facebook page. Photos by Tom Henning.

In July, Bishop Brown was welcomed for Sunday services at (clockwise from top): St. Ann's, Kennebunkport (photo by Lu Stanton Léon); St. Cuthbert's, MacMahan Island; and All Saints by the Sea, Bailey Island. He also visited Church of Our Father, Hull's Cove (no photo). 

Register Now for Summer Finale Weekend!

Friday, Sept. 26 - Sunday, Sept. 28

Camp Bishopswood, Hope

Summer Finale is the Episcopal Diocese of Maine’s annual celebration at Camp Bishopswood, located on Lake Megunticook, about five miles from Camden.

All are welcome—we really mean it! Although Camp Bishopswood serves our youth during its regular season, Summer Finale is a time when everyone joins the fun. That means households or individuals, that means friends and family, and that means YOU, whoever you are!

Saturday's event, which is free to attend and includes lunch, is the only time in which diocesan programming will be offered. Scholarships are available to defray the cost of staying overnight, which includes food and lodging.

Questions? Email Director of Faith Formation Emily Keniston.

Does Your Parish Have an Earth Keeper Yet?

With the support of Bishop Brown, the diocesan Creation Care Team inaugurated the Earth Keeper program in 2021. Currently 17 parishes have active Earth Keeper programs; the team would like to add at least 10 more by the end of the year.

Earth Keepers inspire their parishes to fall in love with the natural world, educate parishioners about global overheating and other crucial environmental issues, organize advocacy efforts, encourage creation-centered worship experiences, and nurture sustainable practices in the parish and at home. 

If you are interested or want to learn more, email Sarah Braik—and please spread the word in your parish!

Praying with Creation, 2025

Most of us know very little about the great web of life that surrounds us. The purpose of these daily devotions is to open our eyes to some of the “created ones” with whom we share common ground, to awaken our hearts to their needs, and to take new steps toward living together in peace. 

Each day of the Season of Creation (Sept. 1 - Oct. 4) participants will receive an email that highlights a different keystone species in our newly designated Province One EcoRegion. Each email will include a photo, a brief description of the species for the day, a few thoughts on how the species reflects our image of God, and a closing prayer. The Devotions will be prepared by Episcopalians from around Province One. Sign up here.

The Devotions will also be accessible on the Episcopal Path to Creation Justice website.

Call to Convention

OFFICIAL NOTICE is hereby given, in accordance with Canon Six, Section I, of the Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, that the 206th Annual Diocesan Convention will assemble, God willing, at the Cross Insurance Conference Center in Bangor on Saturday, Oct. 25.

An online pre-convention meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. We will repeat this session online on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 5:30 p.m. for those who cannot make the first one. Clergy and lay delegates are asked to please attend one of these sessions.

Find a list of open positions, the nomination form, guidelines and form for resolutions, and details about our hotel rooming block at episcopalmaine.org/convention. Additional information will be posted to this page as it becomes available. 

Certification of Lay Delegates

Lay delegates elected to serve at the diocesan convention must be certified using the form below ASAP. There are only seven churches who need to submit! How can you tell if you are one of them? Once a congregation has submitted their certificate, the church will no longer appear in the dropdown list on the form. If you can't find your church's name, we already have your form—thank you!

Youth at Convention

Do you know young people who are interested in learning more about how The Episcopal Church creates the rules that govern us and how they can have their voices heard in the process? If so, please email Director of Faith Formation Emily Keniston.

Resolution Learning Session

Thursday, Sept. 4, 5:30 p.m. on Zoom

5:30 pm on Zoom

The deadline for submitting a resolution for Diocesan Convention is fast approaching (Sept. 22)!

If you are working on a resolution, have an idea for a resolution, or want to learn more about the process, please mark your calendar for Sept. 4 at 5:30 p.m.. The diocese invites you to a learning session and workshop focused on crafting a resolution, the life cycle of a diocesan resolution, and a look back at the impact of previous resolutions passed in the Diocese of Maine.

Who can submit a resolution? You! Resolutions can be submitted by parishioners in good standing, convention delegates, parishes, interim bodies, justice councils, and the bishop. Resolutions call on the convention to take specific legislative action, such as amending the canons, creating/funding/starting a particular initiative, or enacting specific policies and procedures.

Use this form to submit your resolution. Find detailed instructions here.

Call for Nominations

Do you feel called to serve in diocesan leadership? Nominations for consideration by the 206th Convention of the Diocese of Maine must be received at the diocesan office by Monday, Sept. 22. You may nominate someone else with their permission, or you may nominate yourself.

Learn more about the open positions and find the link to the nomination form here.

Join Presiding Bishop Rowe in Sacred Ground Program Year Launch

Tuesday, Sept. 2, 1 - 2:30 p.m., on Zoom

Episcopalians and all interfaith partners are invited to join a fall program year launch event for Sacred Ground, the church’s 11-part film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Join on Zoom for a virtual conversation with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe about the spiritual dimension of Sacred Ground. Hear what makes the program compelling and why the series continues to challenge participants to do the deep work of racial healing, reconciliation, and justice.

Antisemitism Today: A Community Conversation

Sunday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hannaford Hall, Portland

Hosted by the Jewish Community Alliance, this half-day summit will convene some of Maine's most influential Jewish and non-Jewish leaders to stand against antisemitism. Participants will hear from national leaders on antisemitism, learn specifically about Jew hatred happening right here in Southern Maine, and come together to ask the question: how can we fight rising antisemitism in our state?

Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and the entire event is free of charge.

White Christian Nationalism: A Call to Faithful Witness

Thursday, Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m., on Zoom

All are invited to join the New England United Methodist Church for a powerful and timely webinar hosted by the Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships (CUIR) as we confront the rise of White Christian Nationalism in our churches and communities.

The featured speaker will be Jim Wallis—renowned public theologian, justice advocate, and author of "The False White Gospel." With decades of leadership at the intersection of faith and public life, Jim will guide participants in exploring how Christian communities can respond faithfully and prophetically in this urgent moment.

Democracy in Crisis: How We Got Here and What We Can Do About It

Monday, Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m.

First Parish Church, 217 Maine St., Brunswick



In these difficult and divided times, is it possible to identify a common vision that could hold us together as a nation and help us meet the challenges we face? Is it possible for Americans to unite around an alternative to the ethno-nationalist agenda currently threatening our democracy?

At this event, hosted by the Maine Council of Churches, renowned author and historian Colin Woodard will explain what his research reveals about core beliefs most Americans share regarding our national story, identity, and purpose and suggest ways this common ground could be the foundation for our country’s future. And he’ll discuss the role—for good and for ill—that religion has played in contributing to the current crisis and has the potential to play in helping us find our way out. Tickets are $35 and the the lecture will be followed by refreshments and book signing.

St. Paul’s, Brunswick seeks a new organist to join its dynamic music program. In addition to providing music for about 48 services per year, the position also includes accompanying St. Paul's choir for rehearsals (the choir joins about eight services per year); right of first refusal for weddings and funerals and other pastoral services, paid by separate fee; free use of organ and other church instruments for hosting lessons and teaching, except when worship space is needed for religious services. Compensation starts at $12,000/year paid in 26 installments. The application deadline is Sept. 30, 2025. For more information please see the St. Paul’s website.

St. John Baptist, Thomaston, seeks a cheerful, friendly, part-time (15 hrs./wk) sexton who will be responsible for weekly cleaning and minor general maintenance of the church facility, interior and exterior. Applicants must have at least a high-school diploma or equivalency; a minimum of two years of handyman work or relevant experience, and be able to complete Safe Church training and a background check. Pay is $20/hr. Please our website for more details.

St. Thomas’ Church, Camden is searching for a part-time music director, who will be responsible for leading, building, and sustaining the instrumental and choral music offerings of the church, with particular attention to congregational singing. St. Thomas’ has a 1992 Schantz pipe organ with 37 ranks in three divisions and Chickering grand piano. The salary range is $20,000 – $26,000 commensurate with experience. The application deadline is Sept. 29, 2025. Those interested are asked to contact the Rev. Paul Briggs.

Is your church hiring? Would you like us to share the job description? If so, let us know.

See the full events calendar here.

See the bishop's visitation schedule here. 

Sept. 4 Resolution Learning Session

Sept. 17 Retired Deacons Luncheon, St. Mary's, Falmouth

Sept. 22 Diocesan Nomination and Resolution Forms due

Sept. 23 Diocesan Council Meeting

Sept. 26 - 28 Summer Finale at Camp Bishopswood

Oct. 7 Clergy Day with the Bishop at St. Andrew's in Newcastle

Oct. 14 Pre-Convention Meeting on Zoom, 7 - 8:30 p.m. (plan to attend one of the two)

Oct. 16 Pre-Convention Meeting on Zoom, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Oct. 25 206th Diocesan Convention, Bangor

Please note that diocesan offices are closed on Fridays through Labor Day.

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