Volume 27, Number 5

May 15, 2025

Stained Glass Window Repair Complete at St. John Baptist in Thomaston



St. John Baptist's more than 150-year-old stained-glass windows are home again, after having been removed about 18 months ago for restoration. The windows spent the intervening time at Willet Stained Glass Studios in Winona, Minnesota, which specializes in the repair and restoration of church stained glass. "They take them apart, re-lead the glass, and clean each piece," said Chris Rector, junior warden and longtime member of St. John Baptist. He credits church treasurer Sandra Hoekstra for finding Willet, and for noticing—along with several members of the altar guild—that the windows were in bad shape. To fill the frames while they were being repaired, Willet "created transparencies and installed plexiglass windows that matched the design of the originals," Rector said, which was a benefit not only for parishioners, but also for the public. The Carpenter Gothic-style church, built in 1870, is highly visible on Route One in downtown Thomaston. 

 On April 23, a Willet crew put the windows back in place using "cranes, heat guns, and a great deal of care," according to a story in the Midcoast Villager. The company also installed "a specially designed storm window for each one that allows air to circulate but keeps moisture out," said Rector. On the same day, different crews worked on painting the building's board-and-batten siding and repointing the brick foundation. The work was funded by a $100,000 capital campaign that also funded a complete re-shingling and of the church building, and replacing the rotted steeple base structure—"things that were necessary to preserve the church for the long term," said Rector. "We consider ourselves a landmark, and a thriving church on the outside indicates a thriving church on the inside." 

Photos courtesy of Chris Rector

Easter at the Cathedral

Bishop Brown celebrated the Easter Vigil and Easter Day at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke's in Portland.

Easter Vigil at St. Francis, Blue Hill

Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Mark Furlow (left), joined the Rev. Douglas Beck, rector at St. Francis by the Sea, Blue Hill, for the Easter Vigil.

Kristen Burkholder and Myrna Koonce Ordained

Congratulations and blessings to Kristen Burkholder, who was ordained to the diaconate on April 6 at St. Margaret's, Belfast, and Myrna Koonce, ordained to the transitional diaconate on April 27 at St. Paul's Brunswick. 

Above, right: Kristen (left) with St. Margaret's Rector, the Rev. Barbara Briggs. Above left: Myrna (left) with Bishop Brown.

A Weekend with Author Brian McLaren

During a day long public seminar entitled "A World Unraveling" and the spring clergy conference that followed, many from both in and outside the diocese heard author, theologian, and activist Brian McLaren's perspective on what we can do and how our faith can help in this time of extraordinary change. Shana Rose, a young member of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke who attended the public event, shared her reflection on his message. Read it on the blog here. To learn more about McLaren visit his website.

McLaren signs his latest book,"Life After Doom" for attendees at his public event, on Saturday, May 3, at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel. It was sponsored by St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth with support from the diocese.

Bishop Brown speaks to clergy gathered for their spring conference in the Emmanuel Chapel at the cathedral on Tuesday, May 6. The clergy heard from McLaren on Monday, May 5.

Diocese of Maine Members Attend Global Episcopal Mission Network Conference

The last week in April, members of the Diocese of Maine traveled to San Pedro Sula, Honduras to engage in a conference hosted by the Global Episcopal Mission Network (GEMN), and to participate in their formation program in global mission.

Participants engaged in learning on a variety of topics including women’s empowerment, climate care, microloan and financial programs with dignity, and invitational evangelism. They also attended courses on the history of mission in The Episcopal Church and best practices for mission in the 21st century. Bishop Allen and the staff of the Diocese of Honduras organized a series of field excursions for conference participants to better know the schools, programs, churches and people of the diocese. Through shared worship, meals, and experiences new relationships were formed and established relationships deepened.

This conference was energizing for all of the delegation from Maine and it gave new ideas and new ways of engaging in partnership with the global church as we seek to live ever more as the Body of Christ and as Episcopalians.



--From Emily Kenniston, director of youth formation and global mission advocate

Bishop Brown Offers Message for Frances Perkins' Feast Day

Frances Perkins' Episcopal faith deeply impacted her life and work. The first woman to serve as a U.S. cabinet member, she famously said “I came to Washington to work for God, FDR, and the millions of forgotten, plain, common working men.”

Perkins, whose home in Newcastle is now a national monument known as the Frances Perkins Center (FPC), was designated a Holy Woman by The Episcopal Church in 2009. Bishop Brown provided a message for the FBC's newsletter commemorating her May 13 feast day. Read it and learn more about the center's opening for the season here.  

Enriching Your Retirement: A Conversation with the Church Pension Group for Retired Clergy and Spouses and Surviving Spouses

Wednesday, June 11, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

St. Paul’s, Brunswick

Retired clergy and their spouses, along with surviving spouses are invited to join representatives from Church Pension Group (CPG) for a "Enriching Your Retirement", a robust presentation and conversation around the array of benefits and resources available to retirees and beneficiaries of the Episcopal Clergy Pension Plan. Topics will include important details about the Church Pension Fund, beneficiary information, the Medical Trust health plans for retirees, clergy taxes, fraud protection, legacy planning, and other resources available to all retired beneficiaries.



The day will begin at 9:30 a.m. for conversation and snacks. The presentation and discussion will begin at 10 a.m. At noon we will break for lunch and following lunch the program will continue. The program is expected to wrap up between 2 and 3 p.m.

Please direct questions to retired clergy chaplains the Rev. Stephen White and the Rev. Mary Lee Wile.

Sign Up to Receive Weekly Prayers from The Episcopal Church Public Advocacy Team

To focus its response to the many challenges stemming from the new administration, The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations (OGR) has come up with the acronym LEAP: litigation, education, advocacy, and prayer. Recently, the OGR began releasing weekly prayers, "focused on various issues of the week that might have otherwise fallen through the cracks," according to the Episcopal News Service. Chief of Public Policy and Witness Rebecca Blachly and her OGR team "decide on the prayers’ topics after discussing the top issues of the week, based partly on the feedback that office receives from its weekly webinars and Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) members." Anyone who is signed up for the EPPN's weekly Action Alerts will receive the prayers on Fridays. Sign up here. Learn more here. 

Growing Shared Kitchens in Maine - Maine Food Convergence Workshop Monday

Saturday, May 19, 2 - 4 p.m. on Zoom

Join this online meeting to hear stories about the evolution of several shared commercial kitchen spaces in Maine. Whether you are curious about opening a new space, expanding use of an existing space (such as in your church or parish), or have been running a shared commercial kitchen space for years, organizers would like to hear what's working, what the obstacles are, and how a shared kitchen is, or could, meet the needs of your local food system.

How can shared kitchen spaces remove barriers to growing a food system business and supporting communities through structures that increase financial accessibility, offer business planning resources, and support community efforts to increase access to culturally relevant food? If you have rented space in a shared kitchen how has that worked for you? What would have made it easier? Register here. Contact Christine Burns Rudalevige with any questions.

Pride Planning Meeting for Maine Youth

Sunday, May 20, 6 - 7 p.m. on Zoom

In advance of the annual Portland Pride Parade on Saturday, June 21, Maine youth, who have led the diocese's parade delegation for three years, are expanded their involvement to include specific learning about theological foundations, history of LGBTQ+ community organizing within The Episcopal Church, and specific strategies for organizing people for advocacy.

The subject for this third and final session is: "How to organize in your community: the "recipe" for group advocacy.' For more information, please contact Director of Faith Formation Emily Keniston.

St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church in Falmouth is receiving applications from Episcopal priests for the position of rector. Find out more information about St. Mary's on their website. Find out more information and application instructions in the Ministry Portfolio.

Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church in Augusta is seeking a part-time church office administrator. Responsibilities include overseeing the operation of the church office and performing general clerical duties to support the church, clergy, and the leadership team. This position includes both routine work such as general administrative duties and assisting with projects. To apply, please submit a letter of interest and a resume to the Rev. Ben Cooke. Please include “Church Office Administrator” in the subject line of your email.

Trinity Episcopal Church in Castine is receiving applications from Episcopal priests for the position of part-time priest in charge. Find more information about Trinity Episcopal Church on their website. Find more information and application instructions in the Ministry Portfolio.

Is your church hiring? Would you like us to share the job description? If so, let us know!

See the full events calendar here.

See the bishop's visitation schedule here. 

June 1, Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church, Augusta, and the Rev. Ben Cooke Celebration of New Ministry, 4 - 5 p.m.

June 15, St. Francis by the Sea Blue Hill 50th Anniversary

June 21, Portland Pride Parade led by Diocesan Youth

June 29, Deacon's Day

Sept. 26 - 28 Summer Finale at Camp Bishopswood

Oct. 25, 206th Diocesan Convention, Bangor

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