Volume 28, Number 6

June 18, 2026

May Visitations

Last month, Bishop Brown visited (clockwise from top right) Trinity Church, Portland (May 3), St. George's, York Harbor (May 17), and St. Peter's Bridgton (May 24) for confirmation, reception, and baptism. He also visited St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland (May 10) and St James', Old Town (May 31.)

The Rev. Tim Walmer Retires from St. Barnabas, Rumford

After 10 wonderful years at St. Barnabas in Rumford, the Rev. Tim Walmer retired on May 24. The celebration was a mixture of joy and sadness at his departure.

Colleagues Celebrate John Hennessy's Retirement

John Hennessy, who spent more than a decade as a diocesan staff member and consultant, retired as director of public policy on April 30. His tenure with the diocese began in 2015 during Bishop Stephen Lane’s episcopacy with a grant from The Episcopal Church to form and lead a network for advocacy in Maine. Since then, he served for a time as an interim director of communications, as well as faithfully continuing to strengthen diocesan advocacy in Augusta and beyond through the Maine Episcopal Public Policy Network (MEPPN).

On May 21, John was celebrated at a gathering with Bishop Brown, current and former diocesan staff, members of the Maine Council of Churches (where he continues to represent the Episcopal church in Maine on the board), and members of MEPPN.

St. David's Next-Level Recycling Project Puts Textiles to Multiple Uses

From left: volunteers pack textile drive donations; coordinators Janet Oliver, left, and June Smoot

The three-times-a-year textile drives also support church ministries.

A primary goal of our commitment to creation care is keeping items we no longer have use for out of landfills. For clothing and other “soft goods” there are plenty of options. Some of our churches host free clothing closets where we can drop off that pair of pants that never quite fit right or the snowsuit a child has outgrown, while gently used sheets and towels might go to St. Elizabeth’s or Bridging the Gap’s essentials pantries.

At St. David’s in Kennebunk, parishioners have taken the recycling of textiles to another level by partnering with EcoSmith Recyclers, Inc., a family-owned business in New Boston, NH. EcoSmith pays the church for textiles it ships to South and Central America, where the items are reused or repurposed. The proceeds are divided between St. David’s Social Justice Council—for distribution to local nonprofits—EarthKeepers, and the operating budget. Nonprofit recipients have included Community Outreach Services of Kennebunk, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project in Portland, and Wells Reserve.

Read more here.

Between Bridging the Gap and Emmanuel Church it's an Open Door Policy

From left: Bridging the Gap Interim Executive Director Bobbi-Jo Burdin and CHEF (Centralized Helping Fund) Program Director Sarra Maddocks

On a Tuesday morning in late April, the former parish hall at Augusta’s Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church is arranged much like a boutique, welcoming visitors to browse through carefully organized racks and baskets of gently used apparel before having their selections packed up by a friendly volunteer at the front counter. Named Addie’s Attic, the free clothing bank is overseen by Melissa Furrow, who maintains it with scrupulous attention to detail. “Every single piece has at least four pairs of hands on it before it goes in there, to make sure there are no stains, holes, or even a little rip,” Furrow says as she works in a storeroom where the items are sorted and shelved.

Addie’s Attic is one of three primary ministries offered by Bridging the Gap (BTG), headquartered at the church since 2018 and open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Others are the Basic Essentials Hygiene Pantry—housed in the church’s former professional kitchen—and the CHEF (Centralized Helping Fund) program, which provides financial assistance for everything from rent and utility payments to car repairs and groceries, as well as referrals to other resources.

Read more here.

Portland Pride Parade 2026

Saturday, June 20, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. (ish)

Poster making 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

Please join us as we walk in the 2026 Portland Pride Parade! All are welcome! You are invited to make signs about God’s love for all people, to wear rainbow clothing, and to walk in celebration of the glorious spectrum of humanity God has made.

If you’d like to do that in community, you are invited to join Episcopal Maine youth in the Lower Hall at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke on State Street in Portland from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. for coffee and donuts, poster-making and fun.

At 11 a.m. the group will gather for the parade in Zone E: Line up on Brown Street between Congress Street and Cumberland Avenue, facing Congress Street. Look for someone holding an Episcopal Maine flag.

Bangor Pride Parade

Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Bangor Waterfront

In fellowship with its sister churches in Orono and Brewer, St. John's in Bangor will once again be marching in the Bangor's Pride parade and sharing an Episcopal Pride booth. All ages are invited to march in the parade and staff the booth. Sign up here to volunteer and get the assembly point for the parade. Learn more about Bangor Pride here.

2026 Capital Area Multi-Faith Pride Service

Sunday, June 28, 2 p.m.

Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church, Augusta

Organized by the Capital Area Interfaith Social Justice Coalition, this festive service will be a joyous opportunity to remember that in our church, all are welcome. Come and celebrate with people of faith from all over Maine's capital city! For more information, email the church office or call 207-623-9486.

Downeast Pride

Sunday, June 28, noon - 6 p.m.

Eastport

The Rev. John Lein, rector of Christ Church Eastport and St. Aidan's, Machias, invites all to join him at Washington County's only Pride event. Activities include a March and a Tea Dance. Email the Christ Church office with questions or call 207-853-4598. Learn more about Downeast Pride here.

**Is your church participating in one of the many other Pride events happening around Maine? Let us know, and take lots of photos we can share in future communications! **

‘Vote Faithfully’ networking calls

Thursdays: July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5, 1:30–2 p.m.

On the first Thursday of each month through November, The Episcopal Church's Public Policy and Witness team will host a series of “Vote Faithfully” calls to support voter engagement in ways consistent with Episcopal values. During the calls, hosts will share resources and ideas to help congregations promote voting and civic participation while remaining nonpartisan (avoiding support for specific political parties, candidates, or platforms). Register here. Read more about "Vote Faithfully" here.

SAVE THE DATE!

Summer Finale Weekend

Friday, Sept. 11 - Sunday, Sept. 13

Camp Bishopswood, Hope

The Episcopal Diocese of Maine invites everyone to celebrate the end of summer together with a weekend at Camp Bishopswood, which is located on Lake Megunticook, about five miles from Camden.

All are welcome … we really mean it! Although Camp Bishopswood serves our youth during its regular season, Summer Finale is a time when everyone joins the fun! That means households or individuals, friends and family, and YOU!

More details and registration info coming soon.

St. Andrew's in Millinocket seeks a quarter-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:

• Half-time priest in charge, St. Dunstan's, Ellsworth
• Full-time rector, the Aroostook Cluster
• Two-thirds time rector, St. Peter's, Rockland
• Three-quarter time rector, St. Ann's, Windham
• Full-time rector, the Parish of St. Mary and St. Jude, Northeast Harbor

St. Peter’s in Bridgton seeks a part-time (12-15 hours/week) parish administrator to support the rector and lay leaders of the parish in their mission and ministries. Requirements for this position include a college degree and/or associate business degree and/or three years of work experience as an office manager in a comparable office situation; excellent written and verbal communication skills; well-developed computer skills; strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence and ability to work both collaboratively and independently. See a full job description and application instructions 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. 



June 19 Juneteenth, Diocesan Office closed

June 20 Portland Pride Parade

June 24-October Bishop Brown on sabbatical

June 28 Deacons Day in the Diocese of Maine

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

July 9 Summer Chapels Gathering, the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Portland

Sept. 11-13 Summer Finale, Camp Bishopswood, Hope

Oct. 27 Pre-Convention Meeting

Oct. 29 Pre-Convention Meeting

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

Note: From May 29 through Sept. 4 the Diocesan Office will be closed on Fridays.

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