News & Events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine |
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Volume 23, Number 11
June 10, 2021
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Worship online with the diocese this Sunday |
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Please join us for a full service for the Third Sunday After Pentecost which includes music, a sermon from Bishop Brown, and participation from across the diocese.
Watch on Sunday morning:
On the diocesan YouTube channel at 7:30 am
On the diocesan Facebook page at 10:00 am
More diocese-wide Sunday services are planned! Please be in touch with Director of Communications Katie Clark if you would like to take part in an upcoming service.
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Join us for Summer Finale at Camp Bishopswood |
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Gather with folks from across the diocese to experience the joys of Christian community and the beauty of Camp Bishopswood for Summer Finale! Swim, boat, hike, rest, lunch and worship on beautiful Lake Megunticook on Sunday, August 29 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
We will gather as a body in the morning and late afternoon for worship, and in the afternoon for a free Bishopswood lunch. Stations will be set up across camp throughout the day, where individuals and households can experience the liturgy on their own terms, at their own pace.
Want to camp overnight? Come up on Friday or Saturday (August 27-28) and enjoy Camp lodging, food and hospitality. Diocesan programming is only provided on Sunday, but everything Camp has to offer is available all weekend long. Scholarships available - we want this to be accessible to all!
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Play, Pray, Connect LIVE! for Maine Youth |
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All youth completing 5th to 12th grades are invited to join us to Play, Pray, Connect LIVE! Youth will play fun games, work on an outreach project, connect with one another, and gather around good ice cream and good worship. Three Sunday dates and locations available. Take part in one, two or all three!
June 27 1:00-4:00 pm
St. Mark's, Waterville
July 25 1:00-4:00 pm
St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland
August 29 1:00-4:00 pm Camp Bishopswood, Hope*
Families who register will be provided with a list of fun things to do in the area while you wait. We take your child's safety very seriously, and will be in communication about safety precautions during these events. Questions? Contact Rev. Cn. Sara D'Angio White
*This final summer youth event is a part of diocese-wide Summer Finale.
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St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry receives big diaper donation |
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The demand for infant diapers at St. Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry, Portland has doubled from last year. To meet the growing need, St. Elizabeth's always welcomes donations and purchases a significant amount from the Diaper Bank for Southern Maine at the Jewish Community Alliance (JCA). Their original agreement with the JCA for 2021 provided for purchase of 20,000 diapers. Last month, when they asked if it could be doubled , the JCA was able to increase the order to 40,000 at no additional cost! St. E's feels truly blessed for its partnership with the JCA.
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Listen to the latest podcast episode in Way of Love series |
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The latest episode of Faith in Maine focuses on the third practice in the Way of Love: Pray. We talk with Bishop Brown about how prayer has impacted his life, simple changes we can make to be more present with God throughout the day, and how those who are new to prayer can approach this practice, without apprehension and fear. We also share some favorite prayers!
The Faith in Maine podcast can be found on any platform where podcasts are found, including iTunes, Spotify, Pocket Casts and by telephone! The permanent number is 207-223-6402.
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News From Our Congregations |
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St. Patrick's, Brewer continues recognizing the connection between art and spirit with their upcoming program "Writing as a Spiritual Practice” on Sunday, June 20 at 4:00 pm on Zoom. It's for both writers and non-writers with several different types of exercises adapted from spiritual teachers and plenty of time to share. It is not about ‘how to write’ but about how to use writing as a means for spiritual growth. You only need a pen and paper! Register here if you wish to join. Contact
Paula Baines, Artful Spirit Connection leader, with any questions.
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St. Martin's, Palmyra built six raised garden beds for the community to use for free as a way to help their neighbors. When a Boy Scout needed an Eagle Scout project, parishioners came up with the idea - with the thought being that there are lots of people who for one reason or another can't garden at home. The beds were dedicated on Sunday, May 13 with a celebration that included hot dogs, hamburgers, cake, balloons, and a banner on Route 2.
They wish to thank Gavin, Scouts of Newport Troop 63, Stewart Landscaping, Indian Lake Market, Tractor Supply of Palmyra, Cinjin Gowie, and Bernard Williams for their support of this project!
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The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary, Falmouth seeks someone to lead their children's ministry effort, Guiding RAY. The Guiding RAY Coordinator will organize Sunday morning programs while working approximately 10 hours a week during the school year. This position will begin in August as Guiding RAY relaunches for the 2021-2022 program year. Good communication, organization and people skills are a must. Reach out to the Rev. Nathan Ferrell, Rector, for more information.
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During Bishop Brown’s visit to St. Margaret’s, Belfast where he celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, he also blessed their newly restored and repositioned baptistry window. Thank you to Chris Urick for sending us this photo of Bishop Brown with Faye Ward and Julian Sheffield in front of the stained glass window.
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Bishop Brown visited St. John's, Brownville Junction on June 6 where he offered communion and healing blessings, and he dedicated the painting by Suzette East (shown here along with the artist and Bishop) in memory of Patricia Ricker.
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On Wednesday, June 2, the Maine Legislature convened for the first time at the State House since the start of the pandemic. Bishop Brown was invited to offer the opening prayer. Click here to read his remarks.
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Lebanese Brothers Find Solace in Newcastle
After several months of fundraising and a more than 5,000-mile journey, the two sons (Marc and Ralph Zoorob) of a Lebanese archdeacon in the Episcopal Church are now studying at Lincoln Academy, thanks to the efforts of local Episcopalians.
Read more
lcnme.com
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Most of the bishops of New England gathered for lunch in Worcester, MA on June 4. It was their first time together since February of 2020. At the end of the visit, they donned orange stoles—in solidarity with Bishops United Against Gun Violence. Pictured from left to right are Bishops Ian Douglas, Laura Ahrens (CT); Douglas Fisher (Western MA); Nicholas Knisely (RI); Thomas Brown (ME); Shannon MacVean-Brown (VT); Alan Gates (MA).
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“Love is ecumenical. Love is interfaith. Love is bipartisan. Love is multiethnic. Love embraces and includes us all.” Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry celebrated Pentecost Sunday with all of the Church, reminding us that Pentecost is an extension of the incarnation, and a revolution of the Spirit and love.
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The "Tree Streets" neighborhood where Trinity, Lewiston is located has received a $30-million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. They are so excited! Lots of people worked hard for three years to develop the plans for improvements - from builders and business people, to service organizations, to the people living in substandard housing. The grant will mostly go toward building new mixed-income housing and support Community Concepts (across the street from Trinity) in workforce development. Read more here in the Sun Journal and MPBN.
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We pray for the Rev. Pamela Mott who has been called to serve Grace Church, Bath. Her past parish work includes serving as Assistant Rector at Grace Church in Millbrook, NY, Rector of St. Eustace Church in Lake Placid, NY, Canon Pastor of Trinity Cathedral in Portland, OR, and Rector of St. Mary’s Church in Portsmouth, RI. Most recently, she served for several years as Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. Pam will begin her new role as priest-in-charge on July 1. Let us welcome Pam and celebrate this transition with the people of Grace.
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Let us pray with the members of the Episcopal Church of Saints Matthew and Barnabas, Hallowell who celebrated their final service in the church on Sunday, June 6 with Bishop Brown. God's mission in the building will continue through the work of the Capital Area New Mainers Project, a cross-cultural organization that welcomes immigrants and works to create a thriving, integrated community in central Maine. They will lease the church to create new affordable housing space, utilize already existing office space, and use the beautiful sanctuary as event space for dinners, speakers, holiday celebrations and events. Click here to watch the final service. Read more here.
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We pray together for those confirmed, received, and reaffirmed in their faith at a Regional Confirmation service with Bishop Brown at Trinity, Portland on June 5 Watch the recorded service here.
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We offer prayers for the Rev. John Balicki as he retires. He has long served as Rector at St. Mark's, Waterville. The parish celebrates and thanks John for his ministry among them. His final Sunday services will be held on June 27.
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