News & Events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine | |
|
Volume 26, Number 10
October 10, 2024
| |
|
Bishop Brown visits Machias and Eastport Churches
| |
In early August, Bishop Brown visited with St. Aidan's, Machias (top), and Christ Church, Eastport (bottom) for services at each church and a joint retreat at the Cobscook Institute. | |
Season of Creation Celebrations in the Aroostook Cluster | |
On Aug. 30, more than 40 people from four denominations attended an outdoor ecumenical service hosted by the Church of the Good Shepherd in Houlton (above) to celebrate the beginning of the Season of Creation. First fruits in the form of vegetables, flowers, and fruits from attendees’ gardens were collected and blessed by Father Kinsey, with the help of several children. | St. Paul's in Fort Fairfield kicked off the Season of Creation with original artwork, fresh produce and liturgies reflecting the mission of the season and this year's theme—the beauty and bounty of the earth. | |
St. James Celebrates 130th Consecration Anniversary | |
On Sept. 8, St. James in Old Town celebrated the 130th anniversary of the consecration of its building and the ongoing ministry of the people that make up the church. The original document signed and sealed by Bishop Henry A. Neely in 1894 was reframed, hung in the church and unveiled during the service (left). The celebration continued at coffee hour, where the Rev. Jane White- Hassler (right) did the honors of cutting the cake. | |
St. Patrick's in Brewer celebrates 50 years | |
Admitted to the Diocese of Maine at convention in October, 1974, the neophyte St. Patrick’s mission got its start in the living room of a member. The congregation became a self-supporting full parish at convention in October, 1996. Attendees at this year's Celebratory Eucharist included some original members, including the daughters of the congregation’s first priest, the Rev. Ralph Durgin, as well as several members who’ve joined the church in the last year. The festivities continued in the Shamrock Room with a sumptuous potluck buffet, slideshow retrospective, history narrative, epic poem, and a trivia contest with prizes. | |
Announcements and Updates | |
|
Diocese Hosts Annual Intergenerational Summer Finale at Camp Bishopswood
All ages came together for the Episcopal Diocese of Maine’s Annual Summer Finale to gather, pray, and rest from Sept. 13-15. It was a celebration of faith, fellowship, and fun at our own Camp Bishopswood! Individuals, households, families, and friends ate meals together in the Great Hall, swam, boated, paddled, and explored beautiful Lake Megunticook, prayed Morning Prayer and Compline, and participated in Eucharist on Saturday. Some spent time in the Art Barn, Nature Nook, and theater and spent free time to make connections with other Episcopalians and to find space to rest and reconnect with God. The weekend also included the first-ever retreat for diocesan Earth Keepers from eight parishes. Read more about their experience here.
| |
|
A Service of Remembrance, Lamentation, Hope, and Re-dedication
Friday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church and Commons, Lewiston
As the community of Lewiston-Auburn marks one year since last year's horrific mass shooting, Trinity Episcopal Church and Commons will open its doors for a solemn service of remembrance, lamentation, hope, and re-dedication. All are invited and welcome to offer prayers and honor those whose lives were lost. The labyrinth will be open to the public following the service. Find more information here.
Congregations wishing to hold their own commemorations may use "A Litany in the Aftermath of Gun Violence," by Ninth Bishop of Maine Stephen T. Lane
| |
|
Bishop Brown featured in Queer Spirit podcast
From 2019 to 2022, the Rev. Marvin Ellison, a former professor of Christian ethics at Bangor Theological Seminary (now closed), and Tamara Torres McGovern, then a Congregational minister serving in Maine, co-hosted the community radio program "Queer Spirit," which included three dozen interviews with queer faith leaders and spiritual seekers in Maine. Among those interviewed were Bishop Brown and Rev. Amanda Gerken-Nelson, rector of St. Bartholomew's, Yarmouth. The programs have now been converted to podcasts and are available on Spotify, as well as the website of the LBGTQ Religious Archives Network. Learn more here. Listen to the interview with Bishop Brown here.
| |
|
St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center Winter Coat and Boot Drive
As preparation for colder temperatures begin, St. Elizabeth’s is launching its annual coat and boot drive. Many neighbors in need come from warmer climates and don’t have the necessary clothing for fall and winter in Maine. Donations from this generous community will help them feel welcome and keep warm. Large and extra-large sized coats for both men and women are most needed, but coats and boots of all sizes are welcome. Items should be in clean, good condition. Items can be dropped off at St. Luke’s Cathedral or at any of our partner churches from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31. Our partner churches are: St. Alban’s, Cape Elizabeth; St. Bartholomew’s:,Yarmouth; St. David’s:, Kennebunk; St. Luke’s Cathedral, Portland; St. Mary’s:, Falmouth; St. Nicholas', Scarborough; St. Peter’s, Portland; and Trinity, Portland.
Monetary donations may also be made for the purchase of new coats and boots, mailed to: St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center, PO Box 4036, Portland, ME 04101 or via the website. Please contact Sarah Coburn Borgeson with questions.
| |
|
The 205th Convention of the Diocese of Maine
We look forward to welcoming the diocese to the 205th Annual Convention in Portland!
Everyone attending should register here by Nov. 1. Voters must attend in-person. Guests are welcome to join us in-person or watch the livestream of Convention business (9-11 a.m. & 2-4:30 p.m.) on the diocesan YouTube channel and Convention Eucharist (11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.) on the Cathedral's YouTube channel.
Business will be at the Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring St., Portland with Eucharist at the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke, 134 Park St., Portland which is a short walk or shuttle ride away.
A block of rooms are set aside at the Holiday Inn by the Bay for the night of Fri., Nov. 15 under the Group Booking Code "EDM". If you need a room, please book directly using this link by Oct. 15.
Here are some important dates of note before convention day:
Find more information here. Please contact Teresa Pinney with any questions.
| |
|
Prayers of the People for Indigenous Peoples' Day
In honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, the Committee on Indian Relations has released a special Prayers of the People for Sunday, Oct. 13. Please feel free to share this prayer with your congregation, with friends, and with the community at large.
| |
|
Resources for celebrating the investiture of the new PB
The planning committee for the investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe has released a batch of resources to aid Episcopalians in hosting local watch parties during the churchwide virtual event at 11 a.m. ET on Nov. 2.
The service will be livestreamed on the event webpage as well as The Episcopal Church’s Facebook page. The space-limited, in-person component of the service will take place at the Chapel of Christ the Lord in The Episcopal Church Center in New York City—with diverse representation from around the church. A prelude showcasing the rich mosaic of The Episcopal Church will kick off at 9:30 a.m. ET with a video “roll call” of dioceses.
For those planning local watch parties, customizable invitations and promotional graphics are now available for download. A media kit with photos, biography, and statements by Bishop Rowe is also available—as are FAQs. Children’s activities will be added to the webpage in the coming weeks. Learn more here.
| |
|
Election Night Prayers
Everyone is invited to join Election Night Virtual Prayers hosted by The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations from 8 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 5. Bishop Sean Rowe, who will become presiding bishop on Nov. 1, will offer an opening reflection and prayer.
Episcopalians from around the church will hold silence and lead participants in prayers together for peace, the nation, and all people and countries. Join the event via Zoom by registering here, or watch a livestream on The Episcopal Public Policy Network’s Facebook page.
| |
|
October Communications Office Hours
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2 p.m.
On Zoom
Join the diocesan communications team, Susan Axelrod and Amy Redfern, for a tutorial on the Episcopal Asset Map. Created by Episcopal Relief and Development, the Asset Map is an important tool to help people find your church, learn about the services and programs you offer, and perhaps most importantly, to monitor and track disasters. We'll show you how easy it is to add information and keep it updated, and we'll be happy to answer your other communications questions, too! Register here for the Zoom link.
| |
|
Enjoy Maine Potatoes, Help Food Pantries
Saturday, Oct. 26, 6 - 9 p.m.
DiMillo's on the Water, Portland
All are welcome to attend the Second Annual Potato Palooza. Come enjoy all your favorite potato dishes along with entertainment while raising funds to purchase Maine potatoes for food pantries throughout the state. Donate to the Diocesan Hunger Initiative online here. Need more information? Please contact Jason Briggs.
| |
Open Positions
Part-time Priest in Charge | Trinity Episcopal Church, Castine
Director | Bridging the Gap, Augusta
Bridging the Gap is seeking a new director (35 hours per week). The person in this role will help guide the organization into the future! Bridging the Gap (BTG) is a low-barrier community resource serving individuals and families who are experiencing generational or circumstantial poverty, often with additional challenges including homelessness, being new to the country, substance use disorder, domestic violence, and mental illness. Read the full job description here. To apply, please send resume, cover letter and 3 references (at least 1 professional) via email to Bridging the Gap. No phone calls please.
Interim Choir Director/Organist/Pianist | St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, Windham
St Ann’s Episcopal Church in Windham is seeking a part-time Interim Church Choir Director (12-13 hours/week) to lead and enhance their musical worship program. The ideal candidate will play the organ and piano and have a general understanding of Episcopal liturgy and tradition, exceptional musical skills, and a passion for nurturing congregational singing and choir performance. As the church is between rectors, they would like all candidates to understand a long term commitment is pending the new rector’s approval. Read the full job description here. Please submit a resume, cover letter, and references to Patty Bruce, Senior Warden, or mail to St Ann’s, PO Box 911, Windham ME 04062 by October 30.
Is your church hiring? Would you like us to share the job description? If so, let us know!
| |
|
See the full events calendar here.
- Oct. 14, Indigenous Peoples Day, Diocesan Office Closed
- Oct. 16, Communications Office Hours, 2 - 3 p.m.
- Oct. 22, Clergy Day at St. Mark's, Waterville, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Nov. 1, Convention Registration Deadline
- Nov. 2, Investiture of Presiding Bishop online, 10 a.m.
- Nov. 7, Preconvention Meeting on Zoom, 5:30 -7 p.m.
- Nov. 12, Preconvention Meeting on Zoom, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
- Nov. 16, Diocesan Convention in Portland, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Nov. 28-29, Thanksgiving Break, Diocesan Office Closed
- Dec. 7, Diocesan Council Meeting
- Dec. 14, Fostering a Future with Leaders of Color in New England
- Jan. 27-30, 2025 Come Away Together: Forma and Province I Conference
- April 8, 2025 Chrism Eucharist at St. Mary's, Falmouth, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- May 4-6, 2025 Spring Clergy Conference
| |
Do you have a story to submit to The Dio Log? Did someone forward you this newsletter? Join our community and help us share the good news! | | | | |
