Volume 28, Number 9

Sept. 17, 2026

Episcopal Maine Youth Lend a Helping Hand in Kentucky

Three adults and seven youth from Christ Church, Gardiner, and St. Alban’s, Cape Elizabeth traveled to Eastern Kentucky for a week of service, adventure, and learning. We flew into Cincinnati and caught a Reds game before heading to Prestonsburg, Kentucky, where we were hosted for four nights by the Prestonburg First United Methodist Church and St. James’ Episcopal Church.

During the day, we worked with St. Vincent Mission to clean out warehouse spaces that will be used to store necessities for families impacted by floods, an emergency shelter, their Christmas store, and more. It was hot and dirty and hard work, but our youth were determined and diligent. We made much more progress than the organizers believed was possible in the few days we were there. On Sunday, we worshiped with the small congregation of St. James', and they were incredibly welcoming.  

On Sunday afternoon we headed to the Red River Gorge area where we hiked and took in some beautiful views of the Appalachian mountains and forest. We stayed at a cabin on the top of a mountain and enjoyed some well-deserved relaxation after our work days before we headed back to Maine.  

The attitudes and work ethic of our youth were amazing, and they represented Maine and the Episcopal Church well.



— The Rev. Kerry Mansir, rector, Christ Church, Gardiner

A Dual Celebration at All Saints by-the-Sea, Southport

This summer marked the 120th season for the chapel of All Saints by-the Sea on Southport Island. The occasion was celebrated on Sunday, Aug. 23 in tandem with honoring the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith, retired Bishop of Newark, (above, wearing stole), who has been leading services at All Saints for 20 years.

Earth Keepers (left) and lay preachers (right) gathered at Camp Bishopswood on Friday, Sept. 11 for their respective annual retreats.

Learn more about Earth Keepers here, and if you would like to be an Earth Keeper for your parish, please email Director of Communications and Engagement Susan Sherrill Axelrod. Learn more about the diocesan lay preaching program here, and if you are interested, please email Director of Faith Formation, the Rev. Emily Keniston

On Saturday, Sept. 12, 125-plus members of St. Thomas', Camden, St. Margaret's, Belfast, St. Peter's, Rockland, and St. John Baptist, Thomaston, gathered at Camp Bishopswood for a special worship service, followed by a picnic. The festivities had to move indoors due to the rainy weather, but all involved agreed the event was a grand success!

Clockwise from top left: the family of Sam and Sarah Cotton, whose baby girl, Helen, was baptized at the service; St. Thomas' Music Director, Chris Donley, rehearses the combined choir; a moment of relaxation on the porch; the indoor picnic; Chris Urick, senior warden at St. Margaret's (in pink jacket) with diocesan Transition and Deployment Officer, the Rev. Suzanne Roberts, who served as celebrant for the service; St. Thomas' Rector, the Rev. Paul Briggs, shows baby Helen to a group of children with Roberts in the background.

Clergy Press Newport Landlord Not to Rent Former Courthouse to ICE

The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel, rector of St. John's, Bangor, and the Rev. Chris Warne, priest in charge at St. Martin's, Palmyra, and St. John-the-Baptist, Brownville Junction, were quoted in news stories by Maine Public, WABI, and Fox Bangor about their efforts to urge Charles Cox, an attorney in Newport, not to rent a building he owns to ICE. Kerbel and Warne, along with the Rev. Lisa Fry, priest in charge of St. Patrick's, Brewer, were among local clergy members who made their appeal to Cox in a letter, and gathered outside of his office last week to deliver it to him.

"Cox wasn’t available when the clergy delivered the letter but it was taken to him by a receptionist, says Rev. Jarrett Kerbel of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bangor. The encounter was polite," wrote Maine Public's Kendra Caruso. “'We set out to do what we did, decided to do, which is a very polite delivery of a letter asking for a meeting concerning the property in Newport, where ICE will be renting space,' he says."

Saturday, November 7

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Abromson Center at the University of Southern Maine, Portland

Everyone attending should register! Guests are welcome to join us in person or watch the livestream of Convention business and Eucharist on the diocesan YouTube channel.

Parking is conveniently located in the garage attached to the Abromson Center; the garage entrance is on Surrenden Street (see this map). The diocese will cover the $10 per car fee for the day, and carpooling is encouraged!

We will have a limited amount of space for ministry exhibit tables. If you would like to secure a table for your ministry, please email Susan Sherrill Axelrod by Oct. 24.

There will be a youth event alongside Diocesan Convention! Youth will gather on Saturday, Nov. 6, the night before Convention, at Embassy Suites hotel in Portland for a fun youth event (and pool time!), and then will bring the fun to convention the following day! Learn more here.

The deadline to register is Nov. 2.

TONIGHT! The Urgency of Now: An Author Talk with Rev. David Beckmann

Thursday, Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m.

The Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Portland

Decades of progress against poverty are being reversed. Drawing from his new book, "Poverty Abolitionists," economist, pastor, and activist David Beckman explores what it will take to restore that progress, and what people of faith can do now.

Beckman is the former leader of the World Bank and president of Bread for the World. He now provides leadership for the Circle of Protection, a coalition of Christian leaders advocating for programs that serve low-income people, and he teaches on religion, politics, and poverty at Virginia Theological Seminary. This event is free and open to the public.

National Day of Remembrance

Wednesday, Sept. 30

Our Council of Indigenous Relations invites you to participate in the National Day of Remembrance. Also known as Orange Shirt Day, it is an annual opportunity to remember and honor those who attended Indian boarding schools, to tell the truth about this history, and how it continues to impact Native communities today. Many boarding schools were supported and run by Christian denominations and churches. As we remember this legacy, Christians have a responsibility to engage in the work of truth telling. Here are two ways to join in the National Day of Remembrance.

Every Child Matters Orange Shirt Day Walk

5 - 6:30 p.m.

Indian Island Pavilion, Old Town

All ages are welcome to wear orange to join the Penobscot Nation in remembrance and celebration of survivors, their families, and those lost to residential and boarding schools. A limited number of shirts will be available.

Engaging in the Work of Repair

7:30 - 9 p.m. , online

Everyone is invited to join the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery for a presentation by the Rev. Canon Debbie Royals (Pascua Yaqui) and a panel discussion with: Vance Blackfox (Cherokee), director of Ecumenical and Tribal Relations of the Indigenous Theological Circle; the Rev. Dr. Allen Buck (Cherokee), director of the United Methodist Church's Circle of Indigenous Ministries in the Northwest; and Pearl Chanar (Alaska Native), co-chair of The Episcopal Church’s Truth, Justice & Healing on Native Schools Commission.

'They are Not Disposable:' An Art Exhibition

Artist talk: Saturday, Oct. 10, 12:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.

Exhibition open Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 11, 10:45 a.m. - noon

Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church, Augusta

An exhibition of 12 collage portraits by artist Steven Parlato, "They Are Not Disposable" honors Black Americans whose lives were stolen by racial violence. These fantastic works of art humanize the victims made invisible or are only depicted through lurid reporting at the times of their deaths. This exhibition is a visual requiem for the dead and one man’s profoundly human response to the disempowerment many of us feel in confronting racism in our lives and society. For more information, please email the church office.

St. Andrew's in Millinocket seeks a half-time priest in charge who will help its congregation deepen their spiritual life, strengthen relationships within the parish, and engage the wider community with compassion and faith. The church seeks leadership that is grounded in prayer, thoughtful preaching, strong pastoral care, and a collaborative approach to ministry. They hope their priest will honor their traditions while helping them grow in welcome, outreach, and discipleship. This ministry takes place in a small town and surrounding area in northern Maine, characterized by a close-knit population where many families have lived for generations. The rural community values relationships, local traditions, and a strong sense of neighborly support. See the complete Position Profile and learn how to apply here.

The following clergy positions are also open. Visit the employment page on our website to learn more about them:

• Two-thirds time rector, St. Peter's, Rockland
• Full-time rector, the Aroostook Cluster
• Half-time priest in charge, St. Dunstan's, Ellsworth
• Three-quarter time rector, St. Ann's, Windham

The Episcopal Diocese of Maine is seeking a customer-service and detail-oriented finance associate to join our small, dedicated, friendly staff. The person in this full-time role will assist the finance director in bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll. We are seeking someone with 3+ years experience in payroll and bookkeeping but are willing to train the right candidate! The position offers an exciting opportunity to develop your expertise in financial nonprofit management within a collaborative and team-oriented environment. Learn more, including how to apply, here.

Visit the employment page on our website to learn about other job opportunities.



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. 



Sept. 30 National Day of Remembrance/Orange Shirt Day

Oct. 8 Maine Council of Churches hosts an evening with Bishop Mariann Budde, Merrill Auditorium, Portland

Oct. 27 Pre-Convention Meeting

Oct. 29 Pre-Convention Meeting

Nov. 7 207th Diocesan Convention, Abromson Community Education Center, University of Southern Maine, Portland

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