The Dio Log 
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news & events in  the Episcopal Diocese of Maine  since 1999

Volume 21, Number 22  ~  November 25, 2019

 

207.772.1953   | www.episcopalmaine.org  

Deirdre Good and Kristen Burkholder of St. Margaret's, Belfast attended the Historic Bicentennial Service on November 16 which celebrated 200 years of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine in the place it began, Christ Church,  Gardiner. Here they are preparing to rehearse to sing in the Bicentennial Choir.
What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
Prayers for...

the  Rev. Lauren Kay , who will be ordained to the priesthood on Sunday, December 15 at 3:00 pm at  St. George's, Sanford . A reception will follow in the parish hall. Find more info here

for those who participated in the rites of Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation last Thursday at the  Episcopal Church of Saint Mary in Falmouth . We rejoice in their faith journey and ask the Holy Spirit to be their guide, guardian, and help.
Jefferson D. Perry III, Cathedral of St. Luke (Confirmation)
Darren D. Clark, Church of Saint Mary (Reception)
Katie E. Clark, Church of Saint Mary (Reception)
Steven Conley,  Church of Saint Mary (Reception)
Patricia A. Peard, Church of Saint Mary (Reception)
Alice C. Brock,   Church of Saint Mary (Reaffirmation)

for our diocese as we journey into the Advent season that our praise and worship and preparation may draw us together in unity and mission
Thanksgiving for...
Voices among us...
Around the Diocese...
Community Thanksgiving service in Windham tomorrow


Visit St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Windham on Tuesday, November 26 at 7 pm for " Giving Thanks" , an ecumenical Thanksgiving service hosted by Windham Area Clergy Association.  Join the combined choirs and congregations of St. Ann's Episcopal Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Faith Lutheran Church, North Windham Union Church and Windham Hill United Church of Christ.  Donations (non-food) appreciated for St. Ann's Essentials Pantry. View poster here.
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer is now online

The full Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for the coming year is available here on our website and here  as a pdf. A copy will also be mailed to all church offices.
Donations to Episcopal Relief & Development will be matched

Episcopal Relief & Development is kicking off its annual holiday match, offering supporters and donors the opportunity to double their impact.  The Million Dollar Match will benefit the organization's Global Needs Fund, enabling work around the world with local partners, helping communities overcome poverty, hunger, disaster and disease. 
Between now and December 31, eligible contributions up to $1 million will be matched. Donate online at episcopalrelief.org/match.
Advent retreat at St. David's, Kennebunk Dec. 7

Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
The gift of light comes when the darkness is deepest.
Such paradoxes have power - power to lead us by way of seeming contradictions or sudden reversals to a threshold of grace. In Advent, we prepare our hearts by journeying not away from but into the darkness. There we find a womb of renewal where the mind falters but the spirit blooms. 

Join us on Saturday, December 7 from 9 am to 3 pm as we pray with scripture, poems and images rich with Advent paradox as we wait expectantly for the birth of Christ. The retreat, "Darkness & Light to You Are Both Alike ", will be led by Br. Keith Nelson, SSJE and be held at St. David's in Kennebunk To register, please email Cathy Zub  or call 985-3073.  $20 suggested donation. Download a flyer here. 
EYE20 applications being accepted through Jan. 1

Teens from across our global Episcopal Church will Unite! ¡Unámonos! at EYE20, July 7-11 at the University of Maryland, College Park, right outside Washington, DC. Please consider encouraging current 9th-12th grade teens from your parish to apply to attend this triennial event. Teens will sleep in college dorms, be a part of huge worship, take interesting workshops and tour our nation's capital.

The cost this year for youth is $100. Applications for youth and adult chaperones are due January 1, as EYE20 registration opens in January, and spots are expected to fill quickly.  More information is available here on the application form or at  www.maineyouth.org . Questions? Contact the Rev. Sara D'Angio White  or (207) 772-1953 ext. 130.
Beware of email "phishing" in Maine churches

Please note that there are bogus email requests for money wire transfers and gift cards in the names of Bishop Brown and other clergy being sent around the diocese. The names on these emails may be familiar, but the email address used will not be the one you know.  N o one from the Bishop's office will ask you for gift cards or similar items (for themselves or for others) via email. Please don't answer these messages! These are phishing scams and the addresses should be marked as spam/blocked and reported to your email provider,
Maine's bicentennial hymn for all to download and use

Maine's bicentennial hymn, " On Christ the Solid Rock ", using the tune of Solid Rock (1863) with lyrics from the Rev. Maria Hoecker, Rector at St. Columba's in Boothbay Harbor, is available here  and on the Bicentennial page of the diocesan website. Permission for all followers of Jesus to share and sing this hymn with their neighbors in perpetuity for the Glory of God and without cost is granted! 

The author of the hymn tune, William Bradbury (1816-1868), was born in York, Maine. He was a prolific composer and taught music for a time in Machias, Maine. Here is a summary of his history and a long list of his compositions.  
New podcast series available in time for Advent

The Lectionary for Preachers, Pundits, and Public Proclaimers from the Stephenson School for Ministry in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania is available to you as an additional learning resource in Advent and beyond!

The podcast series takes Lectionary readings as a starting point to explain the Bible. Listen in on conversation amongst scholars Deirdre Good (Stephenson School for Ministry, Dio of Central PA), Althea Spenser-Miller (Drew University Theological School), and Joshua Davis (Alabama School for Ministry) in this different but powerful form of learning.  Episodes provide listeners with alternative and memorable ways to take in and understand complex ideas as we journey through the liturgical year together.

Find episodes available for Sundays in November as well as Advent 2019 with more on the way! Why not try out these lectionary   podcasts ?
Prepare for Faith Climate Action Week 2020

Put your love for the earth into action in 2020 by taking part in Interfaith Power & Light's Faith Climate Action Week April 17 - 26. 
Click here to reserve a copy of your 2020 Faith Climate Action Week kit today. Faith Climate Action Week is IPL's annual program of climate-themed worship services and sermons that spans ten days of activities in celebration of Earth Month. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the 20th anniversay of Interfaith Power & Light. 
Saint Andrew's Day Celtic Concert in Winthrop Nov. 30

St. Andrew's, Winthrop is hosting a Celtic Concert to celebrate their patron saint on Saturday, November 30 at 4:30 pm. Performing on the fiddle is Winthrop's own musical prodigy, Owen Kennedy. (Pictured at right.)

Following the concert, enjoy haggis, mash, apple sauce, scones, shortbread and other Scots delicacies. The concert will be at 219 Winthrop Center Road. Entrance by free-will donation. For more information, please call 395-2015.
St. Alban's Eventide Ensemble perform a Celtic Concert on Dec. 5

The St. Alban's Eventide Ensemble will perform a Celtic Music Concert on Thursday, December 5, at 7 pm at St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth (885 Shore Road). Five of Portland's most talented musicians will present a wonderful evening of holiday-inspired music, featuring original compositions and arrangements of traditional Celtic repertoires.  The program is part of Concerts for the Community, a fundraiser to support St. Alban's ministries and missions. Download a flyer here. Tickets ($20 adults, $10 students, and children free) are available at  www.brownpaper.com, email to  events@stalbansmaine.org, or call 207-799-4014. A dessert reception will follow the concert.
December holiday events hosted by St. John's, Bangor

On Saturday, December 7th, from noon - 4 pm, St. John's Episcopal Church invites you to the Homes for the Holidays house tour.  

Five architecturally and historically significant homes will be open to the public. The homes will be decorated for the holidays, with pamphlets describing the significant features of each house for every visitor. Music of the season and refreshments will be served at each home.  

Tickets are $25 and will be available at Sprague's, Chapel Hill Floral, Bangor Floral, Rebecca's, St. John's Office at 234 French Street, and at each home on the day of the tour. 

You can also join St. John's on Sunday, December 15th at 4 pm for Advent Lessons and Carols . This annual service in preparation for Christmas will feature familiar carols and be followed by a festive Advent Tea. Child care provided. 

   FMI about either event, please call 947-0156.

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