The Weekly E-Pistle

Thursday, October 17th, 2024

Join Us This Sunday!

Parish Wide Conversation with the Reverend Pamela Mott

Regarding First Steps in Search for Our Next Dean

This Sunday, October 20

Following the Conclusion of the 10AM Service

Emmanuel Chapel

This Sunday, October 20 we are grateful to welcome the Reverend Pamela Mott to worship with our community as she serves as this morning’s preacher. She will be serving as our search consultant as we prepare as a community to call a new dean.

She has many years of experience in parish work. She has been Assistant Rector at Grace Church, Millbrook, NY; Rector of St. Eustace Church, Lake Placid, NY; Canon Pastor of Trinity Cathedral, Portland, OR; Rector of St. Mary’s Church, Portsmouth, RI; and Priest-in-Charge at Grace Church, Bath, ME. She served for several years as Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, where she managed transitions, and assisted and supported parishes in a variety of ways. She is also a trained and certified coach, and coaches clergy around the country, and continues with her training.

Following the 10:00 service, she’ll guide us through the first steps of our search for a new Dean. Please join us for this important conversation.

UPCOMING

In Memoriam

A Service in Celebration of Life for the Reverend Richard Ellis

Thursday, October 24 at 11:00AM

The Cathedral Nave

Please join us on Thursday, October 24 at 11:00AM in the Cathedral Nave as we hold a service in celebration of the life of The Reverend Richard Ellis. All are welcome to attend.

World Café Executive Summary and Data Available

Last Tuesday, October 8, the congregation received a letter from the Reverend George Stevens discussing the executive summary and data from the world café, along with an outline of the next steps moving forward in the coming weeks.

In case you missed the letter, you can read it here.

Please click on the buttons below to view the Executive Summary and the data from the World Café. Hard copies of both documents are available in the parish office.

Summary of World Café Findings

Individual Table Responses

A Note From the Cathedral Finance Team

A friendly reminder: Help us finish the year well

As we move through the final months of the year, we want to take a moment to thank you for your ongoing generosity and support.

Your faithful giving allows us to continue the ministry and mission that makes St. Luke’s such a special place.

So far, we’ve received $287,462 toward our $425,000 pledge goal for 2024, and we are relying on the remaining pledged amounts to meet our obligations.

If you have already fulfilled your pledge, we are deeply grateful. For those who still have a balance, we kindly ask that you complete your pledge as soon as you're able.

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference in ensuring we finish the year well.

With questions please email treasurer Randi Hogan.

Stewardship Campaign 2025

"Walk in Love"

Materials Have Been Sent Out Electronically and Via Mail!

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

-Ephesians 5: 1-2, NRSV

This past Wednesday, October 16 and Thursday, October 17, our stewardship mailing materials were sent out via mail and electronically.

Please be on the lookout for your materials to arrive very soon!

We offer our deepest gratitude to the parishioners who volunteered their time to help stuff envelopes. Everyone present contributed to a joyful time spent in community, conversation, and fellowship. Thank you!

This year, our stewardship theme, 'Walk in Love' invites us to journey together in faith, unity, and purpose.

Inspired by Ephesians 5:1-2, we are called to imitate God's love in our lives and our community.

As we navigate our path forward, including our ongoing process of conflict transformation, walking in love reminds us that our faith journey is not solitary but shared.

It challenges us to align our actions with our values, to support one another in times of need, and to be open to the transformative power of God's love.

Through our stewardship, we have the opportunity to tangibly express this love - whether through our time, talents, or resources.

As you reflect on the stewardship theme please use the following questions:

What are examples of walking in love you have experienced at St. Luke’s?
What ministry of our congregation is most hopeful or most exciting to you?
When was a time that the community was there for you?
How do you experience God’s abundance?

If you are interested in sharing your reflections with the wider congregation in the form of testimonial during an upcoming service, participating in a stewardship video, or sharing your thoughts in writing, please contact the parish office via email.

With any questions you may have please contact Stewardship Chair & Treasurer, Randi Hogan.

Luke's Garden

To Host a Screening of Documentary

1946: The Mistranslation

that Shifted Culture

October 27th at 12PM

in the Chapter Room

Join Luke's Garden, St. Luke's LGBTQ+ group for their next gathering on October 27th following coffee hour, for a screening of 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture.

This impactful documentary is described as the following:

"1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture is a feature documentary that follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946.

It chronicles the discovery of never-before-seen archives at Yale University which unveil astonishing new revelations, and casts significant doubt on any biblical basis for LGBTQIA+ prejudice.

Featuring commentary from prominent scholars as well as opposing pastors, including the personal stories of the film’s creators, 1946 is at once challenging, enlightening, and inspiring. "

Learn more on the webpage here.

The screening is open to all who would like to attend. For more information contact Orion Williams.

Concert for Climate

October 27

2:30PM

Cathedral Nave

Join pianist Sydney Patten alongside musical guests and speakers for the Concert for Climate on October 27th at 2:30PM in the Cathedral Nave.

This is a multimedia event designed to educate, entertain and inspire the audience of all ages to take specific actions to help mitigate climate change. This is a not-for-profit educational and fundraising event. Proceeds will benefit the Maine chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby, and help to bring young people to the annual conference in Washington D.C.

Tickets are available at the link here.

For more information contact the organizer of the concert here.

The Cathedral Choir Presents: Gabriel Faure's Requiem

Sunday, November 3

10AM & 3PM

The Cathedral Nave

For more information contact Christian Clough, Canon for Liturgy and Music

Holiday Open House and Bazaar

As Part of the State Street Stroll

November 9

9:00AM-1:00PM

The Cathedral Nave

Join us from 9:00AM-1:00PM in the Nave for our Holiday Open House and Bazaar as part of the State Street Stroll.

With questions please contact the co-chairs via email.

Dan McDonald and Catherine Hyde.

A Presentation on

Charles Fletcher Dole, Liberal Theology, and Reform

by Paul Burlin

Sunday, November 10

Upper Hall

11:30AM

Join us on Sunday, November 10 following the 10AM service, for a presentation by Paul T. Burlin, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of New England, and St. Luke's parishioner, on his recently published book titled Charles Fletcher Dole, Liberal Theology, and Reform.

Charles Dole, a long term Unitarian minister and Social Gospel advocate who lived from 1845 to 1927, was born in Maine into what he described as “an ultra-orthodox” Congregational family. As an adult he tacked off to the radical wing of Unitarianism. While his theological perspective was time-bound, Dole might well provide inspiration to any adult who struggled (or struggles) with the religious perspective of their upbring.

To read this text and Paul's other books, please visit the link here.

St. Luke's To Host Service of Holy Eucharist

for Diocesan Convention

Saturday, November 16

11:30 AM

The cathedral will host a service of Holy Eucharist during the 205th Diocesan convention on Saturday, November 16th at 11:30AM.

All are welcome to attend!

If you are available for rehearsal at the Cathedral in Portland (143 State St.) on Fri., Nov. 15 from 7-9 p.m. and would like to sing in the Convention Choir at Eucharist on Sat., Nov. 16 (11:15 a.m. -1 p.m.), please sign up here before Oct. 31.

Guests are welcome to register to attend in person ($25) using the same link or to watch on YouTube.

The business portion will be available on the Diocesan youtube page. (9-11 a.m. and 2-4:30 p.m.)

Eucharist (11:30 a.m.) will be available to be streamed on the cathedral's youtube page.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Dioceses of Maine & New Hampshire:

A Call to Prayer and Action for those impacted

by Hurricanes Helene & Milton

As we gather in faith communities in the coming weeks please pray in solidarity with the millions of people impacted by devastation from hurricanes Helene and Milton.

To give in support to the Episcopal Relief & Development, who are helping to respond to those impacted, please visit the link here

Please join us in the prayer below as we offer our support:

O God, our deepest needs cannot be met by ourselves,

and so we ask you to give us courage as well as the humility to reach out to you and our neighbors in the southeast.

Join our hands and hearts with theirs in grief, and equip us to support and to contribute to their aid.

Finally, in your mercy, embolden us to work together to heal your earth.

We pray this in the power of love, even the same, Jesus Christ. Amen.

St. Elizabeth’s Coat Drive

As the cold weather approaches, St Elizabeth's is looking for donations of coats and boots (new and gently used) to make available for our neighbors.

Please leave your donations in the blue box in the lower hall, next to the stairs.

Contact Byrd Wood if you have questions.

Eco Tips from St. Luke’s Public Policy

and Environmental Action Team

Plastic-free tips for Halloween to avoid single use of plastic

Many costumes, decorations and treat containers are made from plastic.

Go plastic-free this Halloween by incorporating some of these ideas:

Make costumes from old cloth or buy some from a thrift store or use ones that friends have used and outgrown.
Carve pumpkins and use Led lights inside or, for a younger child, provide drawing pens to decorate the pumpkin.
After the holiday, scoop out the seeds and roast them for snacks. Consider leaving the pumpkin outside for wildlife after Halloween.
Make scarecrows with old clothes.
Make Halloween “trees” by getting some old branches, planting these in a pot, and decorating these with decorations you would make from construction paper. You can also add LED string lights.

Halloween candy comes in hard-to recycle foil and /or plastic wrappers, avoid these by doing the following:

Buy candle in bulk and put it in small paper bags to hand out to trick or treaters or pick candy that is already packaged in small paper or cardboard containers to give out.
Hand out quarters instead of candy.
Give out small gift certificates to a local ice cream shop.

These and many other ideas are on the beyond plastics website here.

To read the most recent minutes from the PPEAT meeting held on October 8, 2024, visit their page on the St. Luke's Website here.

RESOURCES FROM THE DIOCESE

& WIDER CHURCH

To read about stories, resources, and events from around the Diocese of Maine, read their newsletter, The DioLog, by clicking the link here, or by clicking on the Episcopal Maine Shield in the bottom of this email. Please note that events highlighted below are only a small portion of all resources available.

A Service of Remembrance, Lamentation, Hope,

and Re-dedication

Friday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.

Trinity Episcopal Church and Commons, Lewiston

As the community of Lewiston-Auburn marks one year since last year's horrific mass shooting, Trinity Episcopal Church and Commons will open its doors for a solemn service of remembrance, lamentation, hope, and re-dedication. All are invited and welcome to offer prayers and honor those whose lives were lost. The labyrinth will be open to the public following the service. Find more information he re.

Congregations wishing to hold their own commemorations may use "A Litany in the Aftermath of Gun Violence," by Ninth Bishop of Maine Stephen T. Lane

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

Considering the Creed

Tuesday Evenings in October

6:30-8:00PM

The Chapter Room

Some of us affirm the Nicene Creed each Sunday as a bedrock of our worship; others admit that they say it with their fingers crossed!

As we approach the 1700th anniversary of the Creed, St. Luke’s is offering a five-week class designed to explore our questions about the Creed and what it means to be a creedal church in the modern age.

Each week will be led by different members of the Cathedral staff and retired clergy. Come for one session or many!

Meetings will take place Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:00 in the Chapter Room or via Zoom.

With any questions please Contact Linda Carleton

Week 4, October 22

“The Comma” which represents the life of Jesus and the Passion, Death and Resurrection.

Led by Linda Carleton

Week 5, October 29

The Holy Spirit and the Church.

Led by Deacon Rebecca Grant

Soul Talk

Every Fourth Tuesday of the Month

10-11:30AM in the Oratory

Soul Talk is a monthly coffee and conversation group in which we talk not so much about our beliefs but about our faith and experience of God.

It meets on the 4th Thursday of each month at 10:00.

On October 22, our topic will be “Living on the Brink.” We’ll talk about how deal with our anxiety in the face of a daunting array of wars, climate change, the coming election, health issues and all the other uncertainties we face every day.

Please join us once a month or once in a while. Contact Linda Carleton if you’d like to receive an email with material for reflection before each meeting.

Sunday 5:15PM Service of Holy Eucharist

The 5:15PM Service is a lay-lead worship service of Holy Eucharist and meditation which gathers each Sunday in Emmanuel Chapel. Each week we welcome a member of the clergy to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

The service invites all in attendance into a space of quiet and stillness with music, scripture, and reflections.

With questions about the service please contact Liz Parsons.

We look forward to welcoming you to future services. Please join us!

Access Your Realm Profile

The Cathedral’s online database, Realm, is a useful tool for parishioners to manage their contact and pledging information.

Realm helps our community by improving our record keeping in a more streamlined fashion.

When joining Realm you can sign-up to be a part of the online directory in the database.

To activate your Realm profile please contact our financial administrator Nina Andersen.

Nina will assist you with the few steps necessary to access your profile.

We look forward to sharing this exciting new technology with you!

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour - Please join us after the service for a time of fellowship in the upper hall through the doors to the left of the altar. All are welcome.

Interested in hosting? It is an important part of our parish life and provides us with a time for connection. Hosting is fun and easy, it requires bringing in a baked good and brewing coffee the Sunday of your choosing. Please consider signing up, a lot of gratitude comes with the job. Thank you!

Check the hosting schedule by visiting the link here.

Please email Meredith Cough with your date.

Join the Young and The Restless

We are St. Luke’s 20s-30s-year-old ministry. We are an active group at the cathedral which also gets together outside of the church.

Join us as we go hiking, ice skating, play trivia, or just enjoy each other’s company! If you are new to us, welcome! We meet each Tuesday at Maine Beer Company in Freeport, 6-8 PM for Trivia.

Other events happen sporadically throughout the month, however trivia is a wonderful opportunity to meet us if you’re joining us for the first time. Contact Shana Rose to stay up to date with group activities and information.

The Kneeler Guild and

Prayer Shawl Knitters

Tuesday

2:30PM

The Upper Hall

For additional information contact Jeri Edgar 207-303-8447 or Nancy Mawhinney 207-775-7500

Everyone is welcome, whether you are curious or want to begin. Kneeler kits cost $75, which include directions, yarn, needles & canvas. Novices are welcome; we will teach you as needed. Prayer Shawls: 26-29” by 60”; select your yarn & needles. Coffee & Tea available.

The Biblical Study Group

The Biblical Study Group meets in the Chapter Room at 8:30AM.

The topic for our sessions is the search for the one and only God, Elohim or Adonai, within ourselves.

This topic asks us to reflect on several large questions. How is this possible? When did we begin our search? Why do we know so little about this concept? God invites us to call him “father.” Who then is our mother? What other divine presences do we need to meet? What then is our relationship to the Christ figure?

We will further discuss the concept of the Imago Dei. This is the icon or banner of the all powerful and creative maker of all universes, all space and time, and of us, humankind, as being “very good.”

Join us for our study of the search of becoming “who we were meant to be.”

We are led by Bob Hanson, retired university professor, Episcopal priest, author, peace activist, and Jungian analyst. With questions, contact Bob at (207)-405-8250.

The Parish Prayer List

Names remain on the prayer list for 3 consecutive weeks unless otherwise requested. If you wish for a name to be added, contact Avery Schott, Parish Administrator via email.