News & Events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine | |
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Volume 25, Number 21
November 30, 2023
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Recap of the 204th Annual Diocesan Convention | Click on the image above to download a one-page recap of the 204th Annual Diocesan Convention held on Saturday, November 11. Once downloaded, you can access links embedded to the Bishop's address, reports, resolutions, and more! |
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General Secretary of the National Council of Churches visits Maine | |
Bishop Brown preached at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke on All Saints Sunday. His message of inclusive hope and the theme of all people coming together in gladness, were so necessary to hear in the aftermath of the tragedy in Lewiston. Present at the service was special guest, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches.
She was joined by the Rev. Jane Field of the Maine Council of Churches, and both worshiped with the congregation before an afternoon visit to Lewiston to meet with area clergy. Bishop McKenzie spoke of the work of the National Council to amplify our voices in the halls of Congress and to describe a ministry of presence.
Watch the service here:
(Bishop Brown's sermon begins at 28:00 and runs through 42:02.
Bishop Mc Kenzie's remarks begin at 55:00 and run through 1:00:00.)
Congregations and people in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine are supporting the Lewiston-Auburn communities with prayer and money. Find more info here.
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Share in the quiet wonder of Advent | |
Share in the quiet wonder of the Advent season with Godly Play as we prepare our hearts and minds for the One who is coming, and who is already here. In this gentle series, caregivers and children will gather for 1, 2 or all 3 weekly ‘circles’ to share in the story of Advent as it builds week to week.
You will leave refreshed and reconnected with the stillness, mystery, and wonder that prepares us for the joy of Christmas. Let Advent be more than hectic shopping and a list of to-dos. Let it be a time when your family/household can talk about the deep meaning of Christmas so that it’s meaningful not just this year but for years to come.
All sessions are Tuesdays from 7-8 PM
December 5th is on Zoom.
December 12th is at St. David, Kennebunk.
December 19th is at a private home in the Freeport/Pownal area.
All events are free. Register here.
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Observe Advent with a devotional calendar | |
Please enjoy the 2023 Advent calendar, a devotional resource, which includes a scripture reading and suggested devotion for each day of Advent, created annually by the Revs. Merry Watters and Tom Mousin. Download the calendar here.
Explore more Advent calendars here in this list compiled by Building Faith.
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Take part in three conversations to nourish your spirit | Each Advent, we are invited to contemplate themes such as prophecy, preparation, and anticipation. This year as you prepare for the birth of Jesus – and for preaching during this season if you’re clergy – join Dr. Deirdre Good and the Rev. Dr. Libby Catania for a series of three conversations that invite new ways to experience this season. |
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Prayers for Jane Hartwell | |
Jane Hartwell, former diocesan staff member and a friend to us all, especially youth and young adults and the communities at Camp Bishopswood, entered Gosnell Memorial Hospice House earlier this week. Please hold Jane in your prayers, her husband, Davis, and their families.
Memories, reflections, thoughts and prayers of and for Jane can be posted on this Kudoboard.
From St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans:
My hope is that my visit with you is going to be one of Christ’s most extravagant blessings. I have one request, dear friends: Pray for me. Pray strenuously with and for me—to God the Father, through the power of Jesus, through the love of the Spirit.
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News From Our Congregations | |
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St. Brendan the Navigator in Deer Isle once again took up the work of Window Dressers in their community. WindowDressers is a non-profit organization that brings people together to make low-cost insulating window inserts that help to improve the warmth and comfort of homes, lower heating costs, and reduce carbon dioxide pollution.
People receiving inserts were a big part of the volunteer workforce. The effort was spearheaded by Miriam Antich and Josephine Jacob (pictured here) who were present in their Window Dressers t-shirts.
Approximately 250 windows (including rewraps) went out their doors!
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As of November 9th, Trinity, Portland has offered 11 Laundry Love sessions at Wash Tub 2 in Portland. A total of 462 individuals and families have been served since the beginning of the year. A total of 1,666 loads of laundry have been done since the beginning of the year!
They are currently seeking grants from the diocese as well as other foundations and actively negotiating with the owner of the laundromat to receive a discount or credit.
In the past month, they have had 15 volunteers from Trinity and fellow local church, HopeGateWay, take part in Laundry Love, Beyond laundry, they were able to offer food assistance and sleeping bags to unhoused individuals. Through the aid of Maine Needs and because of the Laundry Love program, Trinity has been able to offer referrals to job fairs, prayers, hugs, and conversation with many of their neighbors!
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St. Mark welcomes new music minister.
The Episcopal Church of St. Mark in Waterville is pleased to announce Benjamin Ha as their new Music Minister. Welcome, Ben!
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Ribbons commemorating the people killed in the Lewiston shooting hang in the Trinity, Lewiston garden. | | | |
The Budget Box of St. David, Kennebunk welcomed Bishop Brown this month. This incredible ministry supports many worthy causes in their community and around the world. The Bishop got to hear about those causes as well as the caring ministry of welcome that happens day by day through the hearts and hands of our many volunteers. | |
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Bishop Brown spent a joyous day with the people of St. Nicholas, Scarborough as they welcomed Melissa, Yvonne and Mike! Allelujah! | | | |
Bishop Brown on Maine Public "Love Lewiston" special | |
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Maine Public's recent special program "Love Lewiston" focused on how Lewiston can heal after the mass shooting, how the event will change Maine, and how people move forward. Guests and panelists shared their experiences and thoughts, including Bishop Thomas Brown.
Click below to watch.
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on 10,000+ dead in Gaza: Stop the killing | Presiding Bishop Michael Curry released a statement on November 7 on the 10,000+ dead in Gaza: Stop the killing. | | | |
Vermont bishop speaks out against violence after three Palestinian students wounded in shooting | Our Assisting Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown said in a November 28 letter, “I grieve the hatred that fueled this senseless violence. I grieve the fact that the lives of these young men, who are about the same age as my daughter, will never be the same again. I grieve the seemingly unstoppable epidemic of gun violence that plagues our nation." | |
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Church of Our Father to hold fundraiser for window restoration | |
After more than a century of sunlight streaming through its stained glass windows, the Church of Our Father in Hulls Cove has had those windows refurbished after undergoing a two-year-long window restoration project.
The refurbishment process is lengthy, costs tens of thousands of dollars, and requires sending the windows to a restoration facility in Wisconsin. The process involves removing each small pane from its frame, cleaning them, repairing any cracks or blemishes, and, in some cases, re-leading and coloring the glass or replacing panes damaged beyond repair.
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Julia Mead Knox, the daughter of the Rev. Regina Gilmartin Knox, retired rector of All Saints’ in Skowhegan, and John Benton Knox, died on November 7 in London from overwhelming sepsis following a Covid infection. Remember in your prayers our sister, Regina; Julia’s father, John, and the repose of Julia’s soul.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 2 at 9:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Chapel of the Cathedral of St. Luke in Portland.
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We pray in thanksgiving for our newest Transitional Deacon, the Rev. Benjamin Cooke, who was ordained on November 11 at St. Andrew, Newcastle. Ben has been assigned to serve at St. Andrew. Congratulations! | |
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The new Cycle of Prayer for your Prayers of the People is here, uniting us in faith and hope.
This isn’t limited to a list of congregations. It’s a tool for spiritual enrichment and growth to equip the whole diocese to pray for many concerns, people, and possibilities.
Download your copy now and join us in lifting prayers for our diocese and the world.
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Join the Anglican community in prayers for The Holyland and Middle East this Advent.
Leaders from Churches Beyond Borders call for peace in the Holy Land and offer this 2023 Advent Prayer Cycle for download. Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry's prayer is featured for Dec. 3, the first Sunday in Advent.
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A Sign for You: Episcopal Advent and Christmas Resources | |
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This Advent and Christmas, The Episcopal Church offers the following resources to help you and your congregation share signs of God’s love through the coming of Jesus Christ—the “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10).
Find links to all resources
- Digital and printable resources to promote your Advent and Christmas events on social media, websites, or around town
- Customizable promotional video for your Episcopal congregation
- Advent curriculum, calendar, bulletin inserts: “Journeying the Way of Love”
- Advent curriculum: “Preparing to Become Beloved Community”
- “Sermons That Work”
- “Lesson Plans That Work”
- “Prophetic Voices” podcast series
- “d365” devotions
- Advent wreath-making video and blessing
- Printable letter to Santa and Christmas card
- “Las Posadas” churchwide Christmas pageant
- Episcopal Relief & Development Advent toolkit
- AdventWord inspirational online calendar
- And more
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Toolkit to help us stand in solidarity with other religious communities to combat antisemitism | |
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The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships released a new toolkit for faith communities who are seeking ways to stand in solidarity with other religious communities to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate in September.
You can download a copy for free from the resources page of the Maine Council of Churches website.
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