Volume 26, Number 12

December 12, 2024

Participants in the 205th Diocesan Convention walked from the Holiday Inn by the Bay to St. Luke's Cathedral carrying signs advocating for gun safety legislation.

Collecting Signatures for the Safe Schools, Safe Communities Initiative

You may have signed a petition for the Safe Schools, Safe Communities Initiative at your polling place on Election Day. While 60,000 signatures were gathered that day, more are still needed, and you can help by collecting them at your church.

This citizen initiative to pass an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law in Maine will help keep our kids, families, schools, and communities safe by empowering family members to get help when a loved one is in crisis. ERPOs provide a much-needed tool for families and law enforcement to intervene before a crisis becomes a tragedy. Other states have used these laws to disarm people who threatened school shootings. Additionally, these types of laws are effective in reducing incidents of suicide—the leading cause of firearm death in Maine, especially among men.

By signing the petition, you will support encouraging the Maine legislature to pass an ERPO Law. If lawmakers fail to take action, this petition will let us put this common-sense proposal to prevent gun violence out to the voters.

To collect signatures at your church, please contact the Maine Gun Safety Coalition.

The coalition needs 8,000 more signatures in the next three weeks to qualify for the 2025 ballot.

The Safe Schools, Safe Communities campaign is a coalition effort by gun responsibility advocates, health care and mental health professionals, teachers, gun owners, veterans’ groups, and faith leaders, including The Maine Council of Churches and the Episcopal Diocese of Maine.



Please contact the diocese's Director of Public Advocacy, John Hennessy, with questions.

The 205th Diocesan Convention Is In The Books

The first in-person convention since 2019 was by all accounts a great success. Held on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay and St. Luke's Cathedral, it was joyful and productive, with festive music during Eucharist and special presentations during the business meeting by the Creation Care Team, Evangelism Task Force, and Restoration Laos. Read Bishop Brown's address to convention here. See all convention reports and other materials here. See more photos on the diocesan Facebook page.

Construction of New, Expanded Trinity Jubilee Center Underway in Lewiston

On Thursday, Dec. 5, Trinity Jubilee Center broke ground for its new building at 123 Bates St. in Lewiston. From its beginning in 1991 as a project of Trinity Church in Lewiston serving three meals a day out of the church basement, the center has grown substantially. It now serves more than 1,000 people each week through five programs: the soup kitchen, food pantry/diaper bank, day shelter, resource center, and refugee integration program.

The new, 10,300 square foot building will allow the soup kitchen, which currently operates outdoors year round, to move inside, and will double the size of the day shelter, which will have shower and laundry facilities. A walk-in refrigerator and freezer will increase food storage. There will also be a dedicated medical clinic room, more workstations for assisting people with resumes and job applications, and private meeting space.

To date, $4.47 million of the $5.13 project budget has been raised. To learn more about this exciting and much-needed project, and to make a donation, visit the Trinity Jubilee Center website.

Saxophonist Paul Winter Brings Band to Maine for Concert Series

Renowned musician Paul Winter, a frequent performer at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, is bringing his celebrated "Winter Solstice" show to Maine. There will be three shows in three locations around the state: tomorrow in Portland, Friday in Orono, and Saturday in Rockport. The Consort group includes Paul Winter on soprano sax, cellist Eugene Friesen, Brazilian pianist Henrique Eisenmann, Bulgarian bassist Peter Slavov, Brazilian drummer Rogerio Boccato, and the renowned voice of Theresa Thomason. For tickets, see links below.

Dec. 13 | 7 p.m. | Hannaford Hall, Portland,

Dec. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Collins Center for the Arts, University of Maine, Orono | with special guest Noel Paul Stookey

Dec. 15 | 3 p.m. | Rockport Opera House, Rockport

Grants Town Hall

Tuesday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m.

On Zoom

The Grants Committee of the Diocese of Maine is rolling out a new process in 2025 with the goal of making grantmaking easy, accessible to everyone, and transparent.

Please join Bishop Brown and the Grants Committee on Tue.,Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. for a Grants Town Hall to learn what grants are available, the types of projects and ministries that can be funded, and how to apply.

Please be sure to send a representative from your church! All are welcome! Register here. 

Holden Evening Prayer

Wednesday, Dec. 18, 5:30 p.m.

St. Bart's, Yarmouth

Holden Evening Prayer is an evening prayer sung liturgy by Marty Haugen, written while he was an artist in residence at the Lutheran intentional community, Holden Village, in the North Cascade mountains of Washington state. For those who have attended the clergy retreat, Holden Evening Prayer has been offered there for the past three years. 

Download an information poster you can share with your congregation here.

You Are Not Alone: Responding to Grief and Trauma by Building Relationships

Friday, Dec. 20 - Sunday, Dec. 22

Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, Greenfield, NH

The Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, has raised the alarm

about what he refers to as a epidemic of loneliness and isolation. "You Are Not Alone" is an opportunity for learning, retreat, and healing with co-presenters, the Rev. Bob Davidson, an Episcopal priest and social worker who has served as a hospice chaplain and trauma counselor, and Dr. Anthony Valdini, professor of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine. Saturday will be structured around three presentations; Facing up to loneliness and isolation—medical, psychological and spiritual impact; overcoming grief and trauma—gaining insight and discovering everyday recovery tools; and building relationships and social connection—healing support and Interdependence. Additional overnight options include: Friday evening get acquainted and community building; Sunday morning healing community worship. Download the flier to share with your parish. Register here, by e-mail, or by calling the office, 603-547-3400.

Province 1 Indigenous People's Justice Network Book Discussion 

Wednesday, Jan 15, 7 - 8 p.m. on Zoom

The book that will be discussed is "The Land is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery," by Sarah Augustine. Register for the discussion here. 

Restoration Laos: Restoring Hope, Restoring Safety

A Night of Conversation with the Rev. Canon Michael Ambler

Thursday, Jan. 23

7 - 8 p.m. on Zoom

Listen to how a small group of people are making a transformative difference in partnership for peace and restoration

On Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m., join a conversation to learn how a community of people in Maine has partnered with the Mines Advisory Group, Mine Action Team 53 in Laos to accelerate the mission to find and destroy lethal bombs in the most remote and poorest areas of Laos still devastated fifty years after the conclusion of the Vietnam War. This team of courageous women execute their work so that villagers can once again grow rice, go to school, and live with safety and dignity. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions and leave with ideas of how to share this important work with your local community.

Hosted by SpiritBound Faith, a Digital Mission in the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire.  For more on Restoration Laos click here. Register on Zoom.

New Diocesan Cycle of Prayer Available

The updated Cycle of Prayer (1 Advent 2024 to Christ the King 2025) is available for download, as a Google calendar or iCal here.

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas?

If you've ever wondered how a first-century Greek bishop morphed into the gift-giving, red-suited guy in the flying sled, Maine Council of Churches has the full story by Executive Director Jane Field, here.

Clergy Positions

St. Martin's in the Field in Biddeford Pool is receiving applications from Episcopal priests for the position of July vicar. Ideal candidates will be be open-hearted and gracious, love to preach, and appreciate the quirks and gifts of a summer chapel faith community. For many years the vicar has also led one Sunday service at St. Philip's by the Sea, a neighboring summer chapel in Fortunes Rocks. The vicar also coordinates and leads an evensong service one Wednesday during the month and conducts funeral services when requested. Compensation includes a supply clergy fee for each service conducted and the use of a five-bedroom cottage near beaches and the yacht club. Find more information and application instructions here. 

Trinity Episcopal Church in Castine is receiving applications from Episcopal priests for the position of part-time priest in charge. Find more information about Trinity Episcopal Church on their website. Find more information and application instructions in the Ministry Portfolio.

Other Open Positions

Christ Church in Norway is looking to hire a part-time secretary (10-12 hours/week). Work hours can be flexible. Applicants must have previous office experience; familiarity with Word, Excel, and QuickBooks; knowledge of WordPress is a plus; be able to manage schedules for church programs and the use of the building; serve as a helpful resource for clergy, parishioners, and the public; and work closely with the priest-in-charge. Start date TBD. Interested parties should send an email  to receive the full job description. 

Trinity Episcopal Church in Portland is seeking a part-time director of children and youth music. The music director performs a combination of music, project, and operational support work. This position is responsible for engaging pre-school through high-school aged children and youth through diverse and cultural music and teachings, as well as for the development, leading, and enhancing the children and youth’s music program at Trinity in collaboration with the broader community. For more information, or to apply, contact the Rev. Peter Swarr.

Bridging the Gap in Augusta is seeking a new director (35 hours per week). The person in this role will help guide the organization into the future! Bridging the Gap (BTG) is a low-barrier community resource serving individuals and families who are experiencing generational or circumstantial poverty, often with additional challenges including homelessness, being new to the country, substance use disorder, domestic violence, and mental illness. Read the full job description here. To apply, please send resume, cover letter and 3 references (at least 1 professional) via email to Bridging the Gap. No phone calls please.

St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Windham has an opening for a part-time faith formation director (20 hour/week). They are seeking a joyful teacher with passion for bringing others to Jesus and his word, enthusiasm for starting and growing programs for all ages of children and the attention to detail and delegation skills to make it happen. Degrees and experience preferred but not required. Salary commensurate with experience. Requires completion of “Keeping Your Church Safe” online training. The 20 hour/week Faith Formation Director reports to St. Ann’s Rector and Senior Warden. Please contact Patty Bruce for questions and to submit a cover letter/resume.

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. 

• Dec. 14, Fostering a Future with Leaders of Color in New England
• Dec. 14, Vigil for Lives Lost to Gun Violence, Unitarian Universalist Church, Brunswick, 6:30 p.m.
• Dec. 16, Province 1 Conference and Budget Meeting, 6:30. - 8:30 p.m. on Zoom
• Dec. 20 - Jan. 2, Holiday Break, diocesan office closed
• Dec. 22, Bishop at Lessons & Carols, Trinity Church, York Harbor, 4 p.m. 
• Jan. 14, Diocesan Grants Town Hall, 6 p.m.
• Jan. 27-30, 2025 Come Away Together: Forma and Province I Conference
• March 13, 2025 Lenten Clergy Quiet Day, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Zoom
• April 8, 2025 Chrism Eucharist at St. Mary's, Falmouth, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• May 4 - 6, 2025 Spring Clergy Conference

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