News & Events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine |
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Volume 24, Number 11
June 2, 2022
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Message from Bishop Brown in the wake of gun violence |
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The Psalmist says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)
We need this blessed assurance for the living of these days. Certainly, the communities of Buffalo and Uvalde (along with the other communities where...
Read Bishop Brown's full letter here.
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EPF Maine encourages us to "Wear Orange" June 3-5 |
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As we face yet another mass shooting, this time at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, it's more important than ever to speak out against gun violence.
Every year in June, members of the movement against gun violence in every state across the country come together to honor survivors of gun violence and to demand a future free from this crisis. This year's observance is June 3-5.
Wear Orange originated on June 2, 2015—what would have been Hadiya Pendleton's
18th birthday. Just one week after performing at President Obama's 2nd inaugural
parade in 2013, she was shot and killed at the age of 15. In the aftermath, teenagers in
Chicago who wanted to honor their friend wore orange to raise awareness around gun
violence.
people shot and killed every day in the United States. Every parish in the Diocese of
Maine is encouraged to join in National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear
Orange Weekend June 3-5. Show our support for prevention of gun violence!
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Celebrate ordinations at the Cathedral on June 18 |
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By the Grace of God and with the consent of the people, The Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Brown will ordain Carlisle Blind, George Cooper, and Heather Sylvester to the diaconate on Saturday, June 18 at 10:00 am at the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke, 143 State Street, Portland.
Reception immediately following the service. Clergy red stoles; lay are invited to wear red. Offertory will be for United Thank Offering (UTO). Learn more about UTO here.
Download the invitation here. All are welcome!
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Join a diocesan conversation about global mission |
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Global mission is no longer the domain of professional missionaries - it has become the work of everyone in the church. We go on mission trips to build schools, clinics, and churches, participate in medical missions, raise funds to support our international partners, and sell fair trade coffee, chocolate, and olive oil in our churches to be in solidarity and provide a living wage to laborers in those industries.
Whether you’re selling coffee at church, praying for displaced people throughout the world, trying to maintain a relationship with a church abroad, wondering how you might help people in places like Ukraine, or just curious about global mission, you’re invited to participate in a conversation facilitated by the Rev. Ted Gaiser on June 21!
Tuesday, June 21 5:00-6:00 pm
Click here for the Zoom link.
Meeting ID: 825 9962 5911
Passcode: 193676
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Episcopal Maine Youth collecting prayer shawls for graduates |
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Episcopal Maine Youth is reaching out to two different groups of people - 2022 high school seniors, and knitters and crocheters. Or maybe you're a crocheting graduate - we've had those, too!
In July, Episcopal Maine Youth will be honoring their outgoing seniors. It has become a tradition to wrap our seniors in a prayer shawl and pray over them as they prepare to enter the world of young adulthood in the church.
We are looking to collect prayers shawls for our youth, as well as looking for the names of any graduating seniors you might have in your congregation. They do not have to have been participants in Episcopal Maine Youth events. If you'd like to donate a shawl for one of our seniors, or know a senior you'd like honored, please email Rev. Cn. Sara D'Angio White or call Sara at (585) 749-9125.
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Help Camp Bishopswood finish gearing up for summer |
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Camp Bishopswood staff & campers are so exited for the season! Anyone want to help with some supplies for the summer or other items on their wish list? Items can be shipped to camp directly: Camp Bishopswood, 98 Bishopswood Road, Hope, ME 04847. See the list and find contact info here. Cash donations always welcome, too!
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News From Our Congregations |
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Emily Carter will join the Episcopal parishes of MDI: Church of Our Father, St. Saviour's, St. Mary & St Jude, and St. Andrew and St. John as their first-ever summer seminarian this month. Emily is a postulant for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and senior at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. She has explored hospital chaplaincy and parish ministry during seminary, and she is passionate about bringing people together across political difference. Welcome, Emily! |
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St. David’s, Kennebunk is seeking to contract an experienced, technically-minded individual to run their audio and video system to livestream and to pre-record worship services and other events. To apply to be their AV techinician, please send resume to Rev. Andrew D'Angio White by July 31.
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Join St. George's, Sanford on Friday, June 3 at 6:45 pm for a Pride Candlelight Procession and Prayer Service at Gateway Park. This service will include both lament and rejoicing as everyone holds space for all that it is to be LGBTQ+ identified in today's world. For more information, contact Rev. Lauren Kay.
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Bishop Brown and Rev. Tom Mousin the Celebration of New Ministry at St. Margaret's, Belfast. |
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Bishop Brown speaking with the parish of St. Columba's, Boothbay Harbor during his visitation with them on May 15. |
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The people of St. James', Old Town welcomed Bishop Brown on May 22 at their Sunday service. |
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"The Genesis story of Christ Church begins in 1895 when a small group of residents with connections to or inclinations toward Episcopal practice began meeting informally in private homes. A letter was written to Bishop Neely..." Read more about Christ Episcopal Church in Norway celebrating 125 years of worship here.
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St. Luke's Cathedral dedicated their newly installed labyrinth on State Street in Portland this past Sunday. News Center Maine attended the celebration. Watch here.
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Neighbors and members of St. George's, Sanford came together last Thursday night to search for comfort and answers in the wake of the Texas school shooting. Read more here.
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Last week, the Episcopal Diocese of Maine hosted "Communication Workshop: Church Websites." If you missed it, a recording is now available here.
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Cape Elizabeth church has a new set of pipes
CAPE ELIZABETH - Parishioners at St. Alban's Episcopal Church realized about five years ago that the pipe organ inside their place of worship was no longer able to do its job, no matter who was playing it.
Read more
www.pressherald.com
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"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come." (John 16:13)
A blessed Pentecost to all!
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Let us pray for the Rev. Amanda Gerken-Nelson and St. Bartholomew's in Yarmouth who will celebrate a new season of ministry on June 12 at 4:00pm. All are invited. Clergy may vest and process (white stoles). |
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Pray for the healing and recuperation of the Rev. Peter Bowen who had spinal surgery on May 24. |
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A Responsive Reading for Pride Month
We are grateful for the gift of our lives and the gift of others in our lives.
Each of us is created with dignity and worth.
We are called to love each other and to do nothing to others that we would find hateful to ourselves. We honor the many ways that people live and love. We repent for the times when our faith traditions have named lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people unworthy.
Love does not exclude. We are all worthy.
We suffer when LGBT persons are oppressed, excluded and shamed by religious people who overlook the fundamental call to justice in our scriptures.
True justice flourishes when we can live with authenticity and integrity.
May we work to build a community where LGBT people are celebrated as full and equal members, recognizing their many gifts.
We celebrate sexual and gender diversity as a blessing that enriches us all.
© RELIGIOUS INSTITUTE, 2010 (closed 2020)
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We pray for Deacon Wendy Rozene (shown here offering Ashes2Go) upon her retirement from St. Ann's, Windham. The St. Ann's community will say goodbye and celebrate their beloved deacon this Sunday, June 5. |
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Let us ask God to bless all graduates that they may use all that they've learned to make world a better place. We pray in thanksgiving for all teachers who helped get them to this moment. |
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Episcopal church releases updates to 'Sacred Ground' |
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Three years after launching Sacred Ground, a dialogue series on race, racism, and whiteness with more than 20,000 participants thus far, The Episcopal Church’s Racial Reconciliation and Justice Team has released a comprehensive evaluation report, updated curriculum, and expanded licensing that invites people in other denominations/faiths to start their own Sacred Ground circles.
The resulting 63-page report is designed to help Sacred Ground facilitators, organizers, and churchwide staff discover what they can do to create the best outcomes for circles.
These and other survey results—as well as a curriculum review by volunteers, consultants, and advisors—informed changes, updates, and additions to the Sacred Ground program that include the following:
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A list of best practices for organizing and facilitating Sacred Ground circles, including a recommendation for more interracial circles.
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“We Bless You,” a 22-minute invitational video produced collaboratively with the Union of Black Episcopalians that speaks to those discerning whether to participate in a circle, and whether to form a White or interracial circle.
- A revised session 10 and new session 11 to help address the desire for help in moving from reflection to action.
- Curriculum additions, such as some related to the history of Indigenous boarding schools.
- Higher visibility of theological reflections in the program.
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Deeper Dive, a list of supplementary videos and readings for those who want to go further in their learning and exploration.
- In addition to the updated curriculum, Sacred Ground’s three-year licenses for videos and readings have been renewed, with an expansion for other local-level faith groups that would like to offer the program without direct Episcopal Church involvement.
Learn more about Sacred Ground and how to start a circle here.
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Save these dates below! For the full events calendar, click here.
JUNE
4 Pride Parade, Belfast
7-8 Province of New England Annual Conference
12 Celebration of New Ministry with St. Bartholomew's Yarmouth and Amanda Gerken-Nelson
15 Communications Workshop: Social Media Basics for Churches
18 Ordinations, Cathedral Church of Saint Luke
18 Pride Parade, Portland
21 Retired Clergy Gathering with the Bishop, St. Mark’s in Waterville
22 Retired Clergy Gathering with the Bishop, Loring House and Emmanuel Chapel
22 Celebration of New Ministry with St. Alban’s in Cape Elizabeth and Joshua Hill
25 Pride Parade, Bangor
29 Quiet Day for the Deacon Community, Loring House and Emmanuel Chapel
JULY
8-11 General Convention
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