Dear Friends in Christ,

John Lein, our new colleague and the rector at Eastport and Machias, has worked with Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, a priest in Western Massachusetts, to develop this outstanding liturgical resource (you can download it as a PDF here) to keep the latter Sundays in the Season after Pentecost as the "Season of Creation." 

I am highlighting it in this edition of The Pine Tree for two reasons:

1. Many of our congregations observe the Season of Creation; I hope these additional materials will amplify what's already underway and will encourage those who have not yet done so.

1. All of our justice-making must be rooted in our formation in the faith of Jesus Christ. In our diocesan-wide commitment to climate justice, this particular resource highlights scripture and corporate prayer. It's a resource to ignite our prayer life (first step) so that we can act for justice (second step).

Congregations have blanket permission to use this. For more information, visit our diocesan website.

In Christ,

Congratulations and welcome to...

George R. Stevens who will be interim dean at the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke, effective early September. George is a priest in the Diocese of Massachusetts where he served St. Peter's in Weston, St. John's in Beverly Farms, and St. Mary's in Newton Lower Falls. 

Pray for the repose of the souls of ...

Snookie Holroyd, wife of David Holroyd, who died on August 9th at York Hospital, following a brief illness. David was the rector at St. George's in York Harbor (1973-1999). For the past 14 years, Snookie and David were active at Christ Church in Exeter, New Hampshire. Snookie's funeral will be at Christ Church at 11:00 am on Saturday, 26 August. All are invited. Condolences can be sent to David via email.

Susan Magnan, a vowed solitary religious with ties to the Bishop of Maine, died at home last month (she was outside feeding the birds). Susan's requiem will be Tuesday, 29 August at 2:00 pm at Gloria Dei Episcopal Church in Palenville, New York. Bishop Knudsen and I will be present and will join others in leading the liturgy. 

Pray for healing for...

Stephanie Batterman (deacon at Grace Church, Bath) who is recovering from two short hospitalizations to treat COVID. Stephanie is at home recuperating. Cards to encourage her healing can be sent to her at 3 Fairview Lane, Bath, Maine 04530, or via email.

Roy Partridge who is dealing with heart issues.

Nota Bene —I am always happy to include your prayer requests in The Pine Tree; simply send me an email.

There are several congregations seeking new clergy leadership. It's common for clergy seeking new positions to ramp up their search in fall and spring (versus summer); however, the Diocese of Maine might be experiencing now what other dioceses have for a few years: a dearth of applications.

Please encourage one another, and your colleagues outside of Maine to consider ministry here! Right now, Grace Church in Bath, St. Francis by the Sea in Blue Hill, St. Peter's in Bridgton, and St. John's in Brownville Junction are seeking new clergy leadership. Visit the diocesan website to learn more, or speak directly with Suzanne Roberts, acting transition and deployment officer.

Some of the "coming attractions" include Emmanuel in Augusta, the partnership churches on Mount Desert Island, the interim rector position at St. Paul's in Brunswick, and St. Giles in Jefferson.

• NEW! Clergy Day, Thursday, 28 September 9:30-2:30 at St. Martin's in Palmyra

• Convention in three parts: 
• Town Halls as pre-convention gatherings on 10, 17, 24, and 31 October 
• Diocesan-wide Convocation at the cathedral on Saturday, 21 October, 10:00-4:00 pm. THIS IS FOR THE WHOLE DIOCESE and is not limited to clergy and delegates to the convention, and will include worship, resource sharing, and fellowship.
• Annual business session via Zoom for clergy and lay delegates, Saturday, 11 November, 9:00-11:00 am. 

Congratulations go out to:

Deacon anniversaries:

• The Rev. Jean Cavanaugh, 08/01/2020
• The Rev. Steve Summerson, 08/04/2007
• The Rev. Judy Burleigh, 08/04/2007
• The Rev. Cindy Beaulieu, 08/09/2008
• The Rev. Tracy Shaffer, 08/09/2021
• The Rev. Madeline Murphy, 08/17/2021
• The Rev. Marcia Richardson, 08/29/1998
• The Rev. Wendy Rozene, 09/13/1990

Priesthood anniversaries:

• The Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, 08/01/1979
• The Rev. Lynn Rutledge, 08/08/2013
• The Rev. Abby D'Ambruoso, 08/23/2008
• The Rev. John Keggi, 08/26/1984
• The Rev. Josh Hill, 08/27/2013
• The Rev. Thom Rock, 09/12/2020
• The Rev. Eleanor Prior, 09/15/2018
• The Rev. Vicki Sirota, 09/17/1994
• The Rev. Susan Kraus, 09/17/2005
• The Rev. Virginia Rincon, 09/18/2005
• The Rev. Carolyn Rosen, 09/23/2018