News & Events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine |
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Volume 25, Number 14
July 27, 2023
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Prepare to celebrate the Season of Creation |
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The Climate Justice Council is urging parishes to begin planning for the Season of Creation which officially gets underway on September 1, continuing through October 4.
Its observance can range from outdoor services, labyrinth walks, new liturgies to book groups — whatever holds a focus on God’s Creation and the urgency of protecting it.
A resolution committing the diocese to the observance of the Season of Creation was passed by the 2021 Diocesan Convention. It encourages us to observe this time by making use of the published liturgical resources and participating or hosting an interfaith event.
The theme this season is “Let Justice and Peace Flow”, in recognition of the call of the Prophet Amos, "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!"
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In creating events for the five Sundays in the Season of Creation (9/3, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24 and 10/1), please consider using the following resources:
Learn more about our Climate Justice Council here. |
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Come to Summer Finale this August |
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Join us as the Episcopal Diocese of Maine celebrates the end of summer at Camp Bishopswood in Hope, ME 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!
From check-in at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 25 and an optional pizza dinner on Friday night to a farewell breakfast on the morning of Sunday, August 27, you are invited to spend the weekend with us.
There is also a one day-only option that begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 26 and includes lunch.
It's a chance to meet Episcopalians from around the diocese and to be with God in an intergenerational community. Read through the FAQ guide and register using the link below. We hope to see you there! |
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Questions? Please be in touch with Director of Faith Formation Emily Keniston. |
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Nominations are open for leadership positions |
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Do you love the Church? Do you want to help guide us into the future?
Please prayfully consider whether you may be called to serve as a diocesan leader or called to talk to a fellow church member about filling one of these important roles. Elections will take place on November 11 at the business session of the 204th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Maine.
Complete the form below to nominate yourself (or someone else) by September 15!
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Follow the links to learn more about each open position.
- Elect one clergyperson for each of the six areas; three-year terms
- Voting will take place in Area caucuses at a Pre-Convention Town Hall
- Need to elect one; one-year term
- Need to elect one; one-year term
- Clergy - need to elect one; three-year term
- Lay - need to elect one; three-year term
- Need to elect two; four-year terms
- Nominees are vetted by the Trustees before being accepted
- Clergy - need to elect two; two-year terms
- Lay - need to elect one; two-year term
- Clergy - need to elect two; two-year terms
- Lay - need to elect two; two-year terms
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Indigenous justice book studies begin in September |
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The Province 1 Indigenous People's Justice Network and the Episcopal Diocese of Maine Committee on Indian Relations invite you to a series of book studies beginning with a discussion of The Gatherings: Reimagining Indigenous-Settler Relationships by Rev. Shirley Bowen and Shirley Hager on Wednesday, September 13, 7:00-8:15 p.m. on Zoom. The co-authors will join the discussion!
The book documents what happened when Indigenous and non-Indigenous people participated in a series of long weekend gatherings over several years, in an Indigenous-led traditional Council format. Seven Indigenous and seven non-Indigenous authors, collectively Mawopiyane (a Passamaquoddy word that translates “Let us sit together”), share their experiences in their own words. It's available here or any bookstore or online outlet.
To register for this book study, please click here.
And save the dates for these additional book studies:
- Nov. 8, 2023 – This Land is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving by David J. Silverman
- Jan. 10, 2024 – Our Beloved Kin: A New History of King Philip’s War by Lisa Brooks (Abenaki)
- March 13, 2024 – Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe by David Maraniss
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News From Our Congregations |
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St. Alban's in Cape Elizabeth celebrated their patronal feast on June 25 with a parish potluck and bluegrass! |
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Parishioners at St. Peter's, Portland gathered on Sunday, July 9 to dedicate a new raised bed garden. The garden was begun by parish Earth Keeper Janene Gorham (pictured above with the first harvest). With the help of parishioners, it was set up and made ready for planting. Other parishioners brought herb and vegetable plants. Blessed with prayer, holy water, and a gentle rain, the garden is already producing abundantly! As part of her ministry Janene has also organized recycling efforts for everything used at St. Peter's. |
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St. John's, Bangor will be using its undercroft this fall after several years of renting it out to other parties and having restricted access. This past Saturday, twenty-seven parishioners came together to get it ready for fall programs by washing the walls and starting to paint. The Rev. James Nutter extends a huge thank you to the twenty-seven volunteers who spent time washing the walls and painting and to others who supported them in spirit, encouragement and with dollars. Once the space is prepared, it will be ready for their new "Great Wednesdays" program to start in September. The parish looks forward to a variety of classes that will be offered on these Wednesday evenings and community-building when they together afterwards to feast. Visitors are welcome! |
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Meet "The Young and the Restless", the Cathedral of St. Luke’s group for those in their 20s and 30s! They're an active group at the parish which also gets together outside of the church once a month. They go hiking, ice skating, play trivia, or just enjoy each other’s company! |
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Two Maine congregations in transition recently completed their ministry profiles and had their job posted to the Episcopal News Service Jobs & Calls board. Follow the links to read about the search in Grace Church, Bath and St. Francis in Blue Hill. Find all open positions here on the employment page of our website. Questions? Please email the Rev. Suzanne Roberts, Transition Officer.
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Bishop Brown visited the Church of the Redeemer, the summer chapel in Sorrento, on July 16 where he made small new friends! Find out where Bishop Brown will be next at episcopalmaine.org/calendar and follow along with his travels on Instagram @bishop_thomas_brown.
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St. Anne's, Calais celebrated 170 years of worship in their building last weekend. Festivities included a celebration with food, a craft sale, Eucharist with Bishop Brown, and singing "Happy Birthday"!
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Christ Transfigured: Maine Artist Discusses Painting
Jim Day of St. Patrick's, Brewer created this image of Christ Transfigured for the Season of Epiphany 2023. He writes about his inspiration on our blog.
Read more
episcopalmaine.org
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Reflection on the Gathering of Leaders by Canon Katie Clark
"How did you get invited into the secret society?" This question came from a clergy colleague who has always wanted to attend Gathering of Leaders. While we both had a great laugh about her question, I had to admit that I wasn't sure what to...
Read more
www.thegatheringofleaders.org
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St. Giles Country Fair set for July 29
The annual fundraising event for St. Giles Episcopal Church is set from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at 72 Gardiner Road. Activities are planned outside under the pines for all ages. Pictured above is parishioner Debbie King from 2022's fair.
Read more
www.centralmaine.com
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Join Restoration Laos in January 2024
Restoration Laos, supported by the diocese through an International Poverty Grant in 2023, has created a way for you to discover Laos while supporting the work of their bomb-clearing team.
Read more
restorationlaos.org
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Collect for the Transfiguration
O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 243)
Download The Episcopal Church's bulletin insert for August 6 here. |
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Prayers of thanksgiving for the summer chapel congregation of St. Christopher's-by-the-Sea in Winter Harbor. They will celebrate the 130th anniversary of the first service at the church on August 6! Bishop Brown will join them to lead a Festive Eucharist. |
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Together let us pray for those affected by natural disasters including the flooding here in the Northeast. God, we ask that you strengthen those facing devastation and those able to give aid to these communities in the days ahead. |
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Please pray for all the children and counselors at Camp Bishopswood this season. May their time at camp teach them to take care of themselves, others, and the environment and provide lifelong memories. |
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Limina Renewal Center in Searsport
Liminia is a new resource in Maine. This healing space was created to support people living through life’s changes. It offers spiritual, themed, and quiet retreats including a "Helping Professionals Stay" in August.
Read more
liminarenewal.com
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