Volume 28, Number 3

March 12, 2026

In February, Bishop Brown visited with the congregations of St. Margaret's, Belfast (top photos); St. Mary's, Falmouth (right center and bottom photos); and St. Thomas', Camden (left center and bottom photos).

On Valentine's Day weekend, a group of 27 middle- and high school-aged young people from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts gathered for a snowy and joyous winter retreat. The theme for the weekend was "What is love?", rooted in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 —“Love is patient; love is kind…”

Along with guided explorations of the theme and worship, activities included sledding, making ice cream in the snow, and team games and challenges that served to create trust and build community. See more photos from the weekend on our Facebook page, and find the full calendar of youth events for the year on our website.

'You Heard the Song. Now, Cook the Stew:' Reporters Pick Up on Initiative to Feed Immigrants in Maine

The outpouring of help for Maine immigrants during the ICE operation in Maine earlier this winter sparked interest from media outlets close to home and across the country.

Reporter Gillian Graham of the Portland Press Herald first reported on how Mainers stepped up to feed and protect their neighbors. "When the Rt. Rev. Thomas Brown...heard members of the immigrant community didn’t feel safe leaving their homes, he said he knew one of their greatest needs would be food," she wrote.

Graham's mention of the Angolan national dish, Muamba Chicken Stew, and how "churches as far away as Calais" made it for immigrants afraid to leave their homes, piqued the curiosity of Press Herald Food Editor, Peggy Grodinsky, who asked for the recipe. Her subsequent piece focused on the stew project's back story, which, like Graham's article, involved Trinity Church, Portland rector Peter Swarr and Bishop Brown.

Out in Washington State, Brian Sellers Petersen, co-host of the food-ministry podcast, SpadeSpoonSoul, got wind of the chicken stew project and invited Brown and Swarr to join him and co-host Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Bishop of Indianapolis, for an episode of "Triple S."

And the song? Graham's story also inspired Portland singer-songwriter Jim Sharkey to write a resistance ballad, "Muamba Chicken Stew." Like the podcast, it's well worth a listen!

Photo by Patsy Beckett, St. Anne's, Calais

Digital Archives Expands

HistoryIT has recently completed digitizing about 1,500 new pieces of archival material and uploading them to our website. If you haven't visited this treasure trove for a while, it's a good time to dive back in and discover more about the fascinating history of our diocese. Did you know, for example, that the building now home to St. Francis by the Sea, Blue Hill was originally a Methodist church that was cut into pieces and moved eight miles down the road from its original location to where it sits now (see photos above)?

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 Deirdre Good, 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.

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

Submit Prayers for the Next United Thank Offering Prayer Booklet

Each triennium, the United Thank Offering releases a book comprising prayers by writers from around the world. People of all ages are encouraged to submit prayers in any language for 2027-2030 book. Congregations and small groups might find this to be an ideal activity during Lent.

Don’t know how to write a prayer? Read past examples, and download a prayer writing guide based on the collect structure found in the Book of Common Prayer here.

Writers are encouraged to submit their prayers online by Aug. 1.

Spring Work Weekend

Friday, May 1 - Sunday, May 3

Camp Bishopswood, Hope, ME

Join us as we help to care for our beloved diocesan camp and get it ready for summer fun. We'll wash windows and walls, clear trails, prepare cabins and camp sites, set up the swim area, and more—and we'll have some time for play together, as well. Youth who come with their families are welcome to join other youth for the day and spend the night with their family in their cabin. Learn more and register here, and reach out to Director of Faith Formation Emily Keniston with questions.

Youth Climate Justice Event

June 29 - July 2, 2026

Schoodic Institute, Winter Harbor, ME

Registration is now OPEN for this Province 1 youth gathering at Schoodic Institute in Acadia National Park! Intended for middle and high-school students, the event offers an

opportunity for youth to come together, build community, and learn about protecting our earth—in beautiful Downeast Maine. Participants will engage in national science-standard aligned, hands-on science programming through the National Park Service rangers, work with our own Public Policy Director John Hennessy, hear from Wabanaki neighbors about Indigenous stewardship at Acadia, and more. It will also be a fun way to form friendships, explore faith in action and spend time outside on the Maine coast this summer.

Registration is expected to sell out, so don't wait! Find more details here and reach out to Emily Keniston with questions.

See the full calendar of youth events and more formation resources on our updated webpage!

St. Ann’s in Windham is seeking a substitute music director from March 22 through June 21. Duties consist of one service at 9 a.m. through Lent (March 22 and 29), then expanding to two services beginning April 5 at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., with additional services during Holy Week. The position includes working with the priest on selection of hymns and anthems, preparation of the anthems at choir practice, and playing of hymns and service music on the organ or the piano. Learn more including how to apply here.

St. Paul's in Brunswick seeks a part-time (10 hours per week) assistant parish administrator to support the St. Paul’s operation, staff, and parish administrator. The position requires a mature understanding of the confidential nature of information shared within the staff, the ability to work as a member of a team, readiness to troubleshoot administrative problems and give careful attention to detail. The administrative assistant must be reliable and efficient, able to communicate with others clearly and with sensitivity. Must be in the office on Thursdays plus at least one other day; typical hours are 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. but there is some flexibility. See the full job description and how to apply on the St. Paul's website. 

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.



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. 

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

March 25 Celebration of New Ministry, Greg Baker and St. Mary's, Falmouth

March 25 Installation of Sarah Mulally as Archbishop of Canterbury

April 18 Ordination of Nancy Devor to the Priesthood, St. George's, York Harbor

April 19 Celebration of New Ministry, Jarrett Kerbel and St. John's, Bangor

May 1 - 3 Spring Work Weekend at Camp Bishopswood

May 3 - 5 Clergy Conference, Schoodic Institute, Winter Harbor

May 9 Ordination of Maribeth Payne to the Transitional Diaconate, St. Luke's, Portland

May 29 and 30 Faithful Givers Roadshow, St. John's, Bangor, and St. Mary's, Falmouth

May 31 Celebration of New Ministry, Liz Marshall Casasola and Trinity Church, Castine

June 28 Deacons Day in the Diocese of Maine

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

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

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