Volume 26, Number 2

February 15, 2024

The Bishop visits St. Luke, Wilton

Welcome Rev. Misty Kiwak Jacobs

The Rev. Misty Kiwak Jacobs was welcomed to her new position as rector at Grace Church, Bath with a festive, Mardi Gras-themed Shrove Tuesday event.

Happy 105th Birthday Barbara Bean!

On February 4, St. George's in Sanford celebrated the 105th birthday of Barbara Bean, who says she has been a member of the parish for "as long as I can remember." The festivities included chocolate cake and "lots of cards," she said. What does she especially like about St. George's? "It's a beautiful church, well made, and I think church is important for everybody because it keep us a little bit in order," said Barbara. "Church has always been a very integral part of her life, and she has been dedicated and supporting," said Stacey Bean, one of 23 grandchildren, many of whom take turns driving Barbara to church on Sundays. "I’m sure that’s what added to her reaching 105, and she’s going for 110."

Robert Burns night at St. Lukes

St. Luke's Cathedral celebrated Burns Night, complete with a bagpiper and the requisite haggis, which was addressed by Jonathan Radke before being paraded around the room. From left: Catherine Worthley, Radtke and the Rev. Christopher Worthley.

St. James, Old Town completes window restoration

A few years ago at St. James in Old Town folks noticed that the beautiful leaded glass windows were beginning to let the wind through and buckling.

The wardens divided the window refurbishment project into finding an artisan to do the work and raising the money to cover the cost. The junior warden did a lot of research and found a Maine company, Vintage Glass Works of Bath,. to assist with the removal and reinstallation of the windows.

The senior warden took on the challenge of raising more than $100,000 to cover the cost of the project. Parishioners donated, and some money was taken from the church’s endowment.

The bulk of the money however was donated by families and descendants of families whose histories are intertwined with the 150 years of St. James' church life. Many memories and reminiscences of how the church gave their lives structure and spirituality were presented as very strong motivation for preserving this church for generations to come.

St. James is pleased to announce that the restoration is complete and thanks all who contributed to the project's success.

Gun Safety Awareness Sabbath

Friday - Sunday, February 16 -18

Province I Formation Network Conference and Retreat

Thursday, March 14 - Saturday, March 16

The annual Province I Formation Network Conference and Retreat takes place March 14-16 at the St. Methodios Center in Contoocook, N.H. Those involved in formation for any age are invited to attend. Entitled “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Christian Formation in 2024,” the conference will offer time in large and small groups to discuss: What do we need to let go of, what do we need to reuse, what do we need to recycle? There will be time to discuss specific topics, as well as free time built into the schedule for personal retreat. Thanks to a Province I grant, the cost to attend is significantly reduced. Please reach out to Emily Keniston with any questions.

Have Your Say Youth Retreat 

Friday, March 8- Sunday, March 10

Current middle and high school youth from the Episcopal dioceses of Maine and New Hampshire are invited to a retreat, March 8-10 (Friday night to Sunday after lunch) at Barbara Harris Camp and Conference Center in New Hampshire.

Participants will welcome prayer, community building, fun, and discernment about how youth experience God at work in the world right now, and what they want their church to do about it. Assistance in finding carpools is available.

Good Neighbor Books Project

The Racial Justice Council in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine has partnered with the Racial Reconciliation Commission in The Episcopal Church in New Hampshire and through a Province I grant, has purchased one traveling Welcoming Library for each diocese. These libraries, curated and created by Portland non-profit I'm Your Neighbor Books, are visiting churches for month-long visits. The library comes in two boxes and includes 30 books about immigrant and New American experiences, a wooden display, and resources for discussion and prayer.

Please email Emily Keniston if you'd like to be put on the list to host Maine's Welcoming Library!

Save the Date for Chrism Eucharist

All are invited to join us for Chrism Mass on Tuesday, March 19 at St. John in Bangor from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The day will include a renewal of ordination vows for clergy and baptismal promises for laity and the blessing and distribution of holy chrism. Registration will be sent in early March. Learn more here.

Your prayers are requested for Rev. Susan Berry Taylor, who retired as rector of St. Andrew's Winthrop.

Rev. Vicki Smith and the faithful lay leaders who keep up the Good News in Somerset County at St. Martin of Tours in Palmyra celebrated her new ministry among them with Bishop Brown on January 14. We wish them blessings on their ministry together!

Rev. Rick Cross, retired priest who most recently served at St. Patrick in Brewer, died at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough on February 10. Please remember in your prayers his daughters, Katherine (who is also in hospice), and Carrie. Funeral arrangements will be announced soon. May he hear the words of invitation “Come, you blessed of my father.”

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Patricia (Pat) Bamforth who died at Maine General Hospital in Augusta, on February 5, after a long and full life of care for family and community. Pat was married to the Rev. Richard A. Bamforth for 58 years, until his death in 2017. She assisted him in parish ministry in Missouri, Massachusetts, and at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Augusta. Most recently, she was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church of Augusta.