Volume 28, Number 2

Feb. 12, 2026

Muamba Chicken for the Soul (and Safety)

Above, from top left: Holly Stuhr and David Mering of Christ Church, Norway, portion out Muamba chicken in the commercial kitchen at the Alan Day Community Garden in Norway, which allowed parishioners to use their facilities; the Rev. Dave Dalzell, rector of Trinity, Church, Saco, delivers stew to St. Luke's Food Pantry in Portland; St. Luke's Cathedral parishioner Pam Siewars delivers containers of the stew she picked up in Bangor and Thomaston; he packed freezer at Trinity Church, Portland.

In response to the recent ICE operation in Maine, several of our congregations stepped in to to provide prepared food for New Mainers afraid to leave their homes. Nearly 500 containers of muamba chicken, a traditional Angolan dish, were made by churches from as far away as Calais and delivered to families in Portland and Lewiston. Read more about the ways in which the diocese and other organizations responded to the crisis in this story from the Portland Press Herald (gift article).

While this particular project has ended, our vulnerable immigrant neighbors continue to need help in a variety of ways. Learn more and find a link to donate funds that we will distribute to organizations providing food, rent assistance, and legal services on our website here.

Visit the Holy Land with Bishop Brown and Deirdre Good, Th.D

Thursday, Jan. 28 - Monday, Feb. 8, 2027

For more than 30 years, family-owned Qumri Pilgrimages has guided Christians on experiences to deepen their relationships with Jesus in the Holy Land. This pilgrimage is a unique opportunity to walk through the land where Jesus was born, lived, died and was resurrected. Together with Bishop Brown and TK your journey will take you to such holy sites as the Western Wall, Capernaum, Church of the Nativity, and the Garden of Gethsemane; you will not just "visit," these sacred places, you will "live" them.

Please complete this form to express your interest in joining the pilgrimage and for more details.

Introducing: The Shops at Loring House!

Drum roll, please...show your Episcopal Diocese of Maine pride with our new line of branded merch! We're excited to debut a collection of high-quality, reasonably priced clothing, outerwear, accessories, and more, which you can order from our online shop and have shipped directly to you, or sent as a gift. Access the Shops at Loring House directly via the button below, and on our website, find it in the Connect drop down at the top of the home page.

Confirmation Exploration Weekend

Friday, March 13 - Sunday, March 15

Barbara C Harris Camp and Conference Center, Greenfield, NH

No matter where a young person is on their confirmation journey (ready to go, curious, not at all sure they want to be confirmed...), this is a weekend that will help us meet new people and explore this important step in a young person's life of faith. Mainers, there is the possibility of diocesan funding and carpooling for a group, so please let Emily Keniston know if you are interested or have questions. Learn more about the program and sign up here.

Youth Climate Justice Event

June 29 - July 2, 2026

Schoodic Institute, Winter Harbor, ME

The triennial Episcopal Youth Event is not being held in 2026, so the Episcopal Diocese of Maine is offering a way for our youth from all over the church to come together, build community, and learn about protecting our earth—in the beautiful corner of the world called Downeast Maine!



There will be a combination of science programming, presentations from leaders in faith-based advocacy, and time for prayer, art, reflection and more. Register your interest via the button below and Director of Faith Formation Emily Keniston will be in touch.

Time for Some ‘Holy Cancellation’: A Lenten Quiet Morning Led by Fr. Martin Smith

Saturday, Feb. 28, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

St. Peter's, Portland

The two New Testament words that we translate as forgive, actually mean "to cancel" and "to let go." Lent is specially a time when we celebrate God’s constantly renewed cancelation of everything that puts us in the wrong. And it is the season when we seek the Spirit’s help to do our own timely work of holy cancellation. Forgiving others, and letting go of resentment. Canceling our ‘subscriptions’ to ideas and authorities that the gospel shows to be false. Canceling those inner voices that distract us from the love of God. Join us for a quiet morning of reflection and prayer in which we will receive guidance for the holy ‘cancel culture’ we foster as disciples of Christ.



Download a flyer here. For more information, please contact St. Peter's by email or at 207-775 -1179.

Lenten Book Group: “The Serviceberry” by Robin Wall Kimmerer

In this five-session online book group, participants will explore this book together and see what they can learn about gratitude as a way to give thanks by word and deed for the gifts given by the world around us. While reading the text prior to the meeting will enhance your experience, it is not required. You’re also welcome to attend all five sessions or just the ones when you’re available or where a topic interests you. All meetings are on Tuesdays at noon. Hosted by the United Thank Offering. Register here.

• Feb. 24: Chapters 1 + 2 (p. 1-26)
• March 3: Chapters 3 + 4 (p. 29-50)
• March 10: Chapters 5 + 6 (p. 53-82)
• March 17: Chapter 7 (p. 85-105)

Season of Gratitude and Reciprocity with Indigenous Leaders

Tuesday, March 24, noon on Zoom

Join the United Thank Offering (UTO) for a Lenten panel discussion on this year's Lenten theme: "A Season of Gratitude and Reciprocity,” featuring the following Indigenous Episcopal leaders:

• The Rev. Isaiah Shaneequa Brokenleg, interim Indigenous missioner for The Episcopal Church
• The Rev. Mary Crist, coordinator of Indigenous theological education for The Episcopal Church
• Forrest Cuch, author, speaker, and activist
• The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, author, speaker, and priest

The Rev. Heather Melton, staff officer for the UTO will serve as moderator. Download a flyer with more information here. Register here.

Godly Play Storytime

Join Godly Play online each Tuesday during the season of Lent for children’s book readings by authors from around the globe. Participants are encouraged to invite friends and family to come hear a story, find peace, and foster connection as we make the journey together to Easter. Register once and attend one, some, or all sessions for free. Register here.

'Once Upon a Hill in Maine:' The Pedro Tovookan Parris Story

Saturday, Feb. 21, 3 - 4 p.m.

St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland

Pedro Tovookan Parris was born in Eastern Africa, and found his way to Maine after being enslaved and transported to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on a ship captained by Cyrus Libby of Scarborough. A story of resilience, created and performed by sward-winning and internationally acclaimed storyteller Antonio Rocha, “Once Upon a Hill in Maine” vividly examines Maine’s connection to the slave trade through Parris’ perspective. Presented by Portland Ovations. Admission is free and donations will be accepted. Doors open at 2:45 p.m. Download a flyer here.

Join St. Alban's for Haiti Sunday on March 8

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Cape Elizabeth will host an event to raise funds for its sister parish, St. Luc’s School and Church in Trou du Nord, Haiti. Services are at 8 and 9:30 a.m., and 5:30 p.m. All are welcome to learn more about this special partnership.

St. Alban’s has partnered with St. Luc’s for 19 years, helping them grow from modest

beginnings (no roof or drinking water, fewer than 200 students) into a thriving church

and school that now educates 750 kids, from kindergarten through high school. This

year, the congregation is focusing on supporting essential needs. $80 pays for a student’s tuition for a year! It’s challenging for one parish to fully fund the school’s growth, so St. Alban's always welcome additional support.

For more information about this event, or about partnering with this ministry in the future, please email Debbie Fisher or call 207-799-4916. If you’d like to donate directly, you can send a check to St. Alban’s with ‘Haiti’ in the subject line, or give directly at this link (select “Haiti Fund”).

Democracy, Not Theocracy: A Training on How to Recognize and Resist Authoritarianism and White 'Christian' Nationalism

Thursday, Feb. 26, 6:30 – 8 p.m. on Zoom

The Maine Council of Churches and Multifaith Justice Maine are co-hosting this free training, which is designed to equip you to speak and act with the moral clarity this moment demands.

“Faith communities have superpowers in this moment to make a real difference in unique ways. We will focus on showing what those superpowers are and how to activate them through interfaith nonviolent civil resistance," says training leader Adam Friedman of Interfaith Alliance.



He and others from Interfaith Alliance will teach participants how to refuse to cede ground to anti-democratic activists who think their “religious freedom” should be a license to hurt others. At the end of the training, you’ll learn about next steps you can take right here in Maine, including a follow-up training that will be offered by Multifaith Justice Maine, a group led by MCC Board member Rev. Dr. Jodi Hayashida.

Trinity Church in York Harbor is seeking a new summer music director in 2026. As a summer chapel, Trinity's season runs from mid-June to Labor Day. The church seats over 400, and has a well-maintained Wicks pipe organ and two Yamaha pianos: a grand and an electronic model. The choir of around 16 singers has a long tradition of excellence. Read the job description link here. For more info, email Dr. Bill Wieting or call him at 207-363-5258.

Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church is seeking a part-time choir director. The church’s volunteer choir performs twice a month and rehearses weekly, September through May, with additional performances on Christmas Eve and during Holy Week. The ideal candidate will help Emmanuel Lutheran grow in confidence, expand the choir's and congregation's knowledge of singing, and bring joy to their worship through music. For more information, please email the Rev. Ben Cooke, rector at Emmanuel Lutheran, or call 207-623-9486.

St. Thomas’ Church, Camden is searching for a part-time music director, who will be responsible for leading, building, and sustaining the instrumental and choral music offerings of the church, with particular attention to congregational singing. St. Thomas’ has a 1992 Schantz pipe organ with 37 ranks in three divisions and Chickering grand piano. The salary range is $20,000 – $26,000 commensurate with experience. Those interested are asked to contact the Rev. Paul Briggs.

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. 

Feb 13 - 15 Province 1 Winter Youth Retreat, Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, Greenfield, NH

Feb. 16 Diocesan Offices closed for Presidents' Day holiday

March 1 Parochial Reports due

March 3 Bishop Brown delivering the opening prayer at the Maine State Senate

March 5 Lenten Clergy Quiet Day, Grace Church, Bath

March 13-15 Confirmation Exploration Weekend, Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, Greenfield, NH

March 14 Province 1 Antiracism and Racial Justice Training, Grace Church, Manchester, NH

March 24 Chrism Eucharist and Renewal of Vows, Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church, Augusta

June 29 - July 2 Youth Climate Justice Event, Schoodic Institute, Winter Harbor

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