News & Events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
Volume 25, Number 4
February 23, 2023
Around The Diocese
Attend Chrism Eucharist on March 28 in Bath
You are invited to join us for a diocese-wide Chrism Eucharist on Tuesday, March 28 at Grace Church in Bath.

Bishop Brown will lead us in renewing our promises of baptism, and holy oils will be blessed for the coming year. Bishop Chilton Knudsen and Bishop Steve Lane will join us!

  • 9:30 am Refreshments & Fellowship
  • 11:00 am Eucharist, Renewal of Vows, Blessing of Holy Oils

To help us plan, it's important for all guests to RSVP here before March 20.
Bishops Brown and Hirschfield join youth at February retreat
What a weekend! Current middle and high school youth from the Episcopal Dioceses of Maine and New Hampshire participated in a joint event last weekend. The "Have Your Say: Teen/Tween Forum and Retreat" was a two-night, two-day retreat at Barbara Harris Camp and Conference Center in NH. Emily Keniston, Director of Faith Formation, and the Rev. Josh Hill, Rector at St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth, led youth in prayer, community building, fun, and discernment about how youth experience God at work in the world right now. It included time in conversation with Bishops Brown and Hirschfeld (NH) around the fire, arts & crafts, time outdoors, and games. Enjoy this photo of the whole group (minus the parent taking the photo- thanks, Chris!) and view more pics from the weekend here.
Working to address growing homeless population in Maine
The growing homeless population in Maine, asylum seekers and others, has created a humanitarian crisis. Churches throughout the state have been trying to find ways to help, and John Hennessy, Director of Public Advocacy for the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, and Rev. Jane Field, Director of Maine Council of Churches, have been involved in meetings with officials from the Governor’s office, DHHS, Portland legislators, the Maine Housing Authority, the City of Portland, and the Greater Portland Council of Governments with a goal of creating a coordinated response to the challenge. Read John Hennessy's full update here on our blog. Please email him with specific questions or ideas.
News From Our Congregations
During Bishop Brown's visit to St. Patrick's, Brewer this month, he aided them in welcoming 10 new members! Several more were unable to be present.

One new member noted they chose St. Patrick's as their home because of the "radical welcome, commitment to serving in the community, and creativity in music and worship".

Bishop Brown received an update on the congregation's discovery process and the exciting foundational connections beginning within their church and extending to other churches and other denominations in the call to live their baptismal covenant in the neighborhood.
Front: Kai Ce and Rev. John Burton; Nick Tolbert; Jonathan, Megan, and Brad Sutker; Ame Barrier; Lorna Bryant; Vivianne Raymond; and Patricia Keogh. Back: Rev. Lev Sherman [Not Pictured: Asher Legris, Lona Gagnon, and Joanna Russell]
Bishop Brown visited Rumford this month. He says of St. Barnabas' Episcopal Church, "The Rock Church in the center of this Western Maine mill town knows a lot about 'choosing life'."
The Rev. John Balicki of St. Luke's, Wilton took to the streets of Farmington and Wilton on Ash Wednesday to offer prayers and ashes to the community.
St. Mark’s in Waterville has an immediate opening for a part-time Parish Administrator, who has experience with Microsoft Office and is detail-oriented. The parish administrator serves as the church receptionist and provides secretarial and administrative support to the rector, vestry, church organizations and ministries. For more information, contact St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 207-872-7869. Email resume here.
Voices Among Us
Bishop Brown's announcement about diocesan staff transitions on February 8 included the news that Tina Pickering has been called to serve as the new Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, starting March 1, 2023. Pickering will also continue in her role as Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Church. Read more here in this Episcopal News Service article.
Exciting Episcopalians Interview with Bishop Brown

Bill Green of Trinity, Portland interviews an exciting Episcopalian...Bishop Thomas Brown!

Read more
www.youtube.com
Brewer's St. Patrick's Church celebrates Shrove Tuesday

The upcoming Lenten season is a time of reflection and sacrifice for many Christian faiths. That makes the night before the last chance to feast big. St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Brewer celebrated Shrove Tuesday with a pancake supper.

Read more
www.wabi.tv
Trustee of Diocesan Funds, Carlos Mello, receives nomination

Carlos R. Mello, who has served as acting CEO of the Finance Authority of Maine since February 2021, has been nominated by Gov. Janet Mills to take over the role permanently.

Read more
www.mainebiz.biz
Licenses for hotels serving as emergency shelter extended

For months, hotels in South Portland have been home to asylum seekers and people experiencing homelessness, and their licenses were set to expire at the end of February. The Rev. Peter Swarr was at the meeting to advocate for the extension.

Read more
www.newscentermaine.com
Justice Commission Town Hall Recap
Thanks to those of you who joined us for the recent Justice Commission Town Hall. We are building God's dream on Earth together, one person, one prayer, one action at a time! Here are some resources for you as a follow-up:
Prayers
Thanks be to God for Maine's newest priest, the Rev. Nancy Ludwig, ordained by Bishop Thomas Brown on Sunday, February 19 at Church of the Good Shepherd in Rangeley. Read more about Nancy here.
The Rev. Dan Warren has concluded his ministry with St. Peter's in Bridgton. He began serving as the interim rector at The Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan in Corvallis, Oregon on Ash Wednesday. We wish him well in his new position and pray for the people of St. Peter's as they enter this period of discernment.
Every Triennium, UTO releases a beautiful Book of Prayers comprised of prayers written by folks from around the world, and the 2025-2028 Prayer Book is now in the works! UTO encourages everyone to submit a prayer, no matter your age, profession, or language.

For more information and to submit a prayer, visit the UTO website here.
At the end of the month, Chaplain Ben Shambaugh will be deploying with the Coast Guard to help with Operation Vigilant Sentry working to stop migration-related deaths at sea by rescuing people in rustic, unsafe vessels. Please keep him and the members of the Coast Guard in your prayers.
Resources
Invitation to meditate on the commandment to love our neighbor throughout Lent
According to The Book of Common Prayer, Lent provides us with the opportunity for self examination, repentance, prayer, fasting and self-denial; and to read and meditate on God’s
holy Word (BCP, p 265).

This Lenten Season, Episcopal Relief & Development invites you to join them as we meditate on loving our neighbor with their 2023 Lenten Meditation Guide.

If you would like to share your personal reflections on these meditations, please send email here. Reflections of two or three sentences will be shared out on their social media channels @episcopalrelief.
Attend workshop to learn how to keep your church safe
The Protecting Houses of Worship event originally scheduled for January 26 in Augusta has been rescheduled to Thursday, March 9. You are automatically registered for the rescheduled date. If March 9 does not work for your schedule, and you won’t be able to attend, please email Maine Council of Churches. Click here for resources from the October event.
Diocesan Event Calendar
Save these dates below! For the full events calendar, click here.

MARCH
2 Spring Clergy Retreat on Zoom
28 Chrism Mass, Grace Church, Bath

APRIL
30 through 2 May Clergy conference with Dr. Catherine Meeks, Schoodic Institute

Mark your calendar for Convention in three parts: 
  • 10, 17, 24 and 31 October: Town Halls as Pre-Convention Gatherings
  • 21 October Diocese-wide Convocation at the Cathedral
  • 11 November Annual business session via Zoom for clergy and lay delegates