The Weekly E-Pistle

Thursday, October 24th, 2024

A Reflection from the Reverend George Stevens

Dear Friends-

Last week we were joined by our search consultant, the Rev. Pam Mott to begin our work in identifying new clergy leadership for the Cathedral of St. Luke. Moving through small groups, parishioners moved through the twelve questions that will eventually be on our Ministry Profile. At the conclusion of our time together, Pam asked parishioners answer (with one word or phrase) the following questions.

What would you consider a core value of the Cathedral?

What quality would you like to see in our next Dean?

What will my commitment to be to the Cathedral during this time of transition?

Reading the many diverse responses was helpful in recognizing the wide array of values we treasure, gifts for leadership that are desired and support for the process and cathedral during this time of transition. I’ve included the responses below.

Our next piece of work will be populating the four teams that will work to bring our next Dean to the Cathedral.

Below, I’ve included a Transition Team Volunteer and Nomination Form. This form includes ‘job descriptions’ that will help guide you.

Please return the form to me in one the following ways:

1) Please send me your completed form via email

2) Drop off the completed form to the church office

3) place them in the offertory plate on Sunday

Nominations will be accepted through Monday, November 18.

Please note if you are nominating someone else, you must first have their permission.

See you Sunday!

-George

Access Nominations Form Here

Responses to questions posed last Sunday

What would you consider a core value of the Cathedral?

Social justice issues, Sense of Spiritual community, Inclusivity, Expressing mission in traditional liturgy, Diversity, Community, Love/Caring, Openness, Open mindedness, Acceptance, Biblical Education, community care, spread church values, worship, Preaching the Gospel, Accept God’s future plans for change, outreach, Quality worship, pastoral care ministry, meaningful worship, Engaging with a variety of people and their spiritual needs in as many ways as we can, to be a source and resource for the community and parishioners, be a relevant part of the community, Active, Openness, Progressive, Love, caring for others, balance of tradition and change, Openness, Experimental, Communication, Choir, Cooperation, Service, Excellence in Worship, Love is Love is Love, Clarity, Inspiriting, Encounter the Divine, Spiritual Home, Honesty, Transparency, Servitude, Concern for one another, Service to Community, Commitment to individual Growth, progressive theology, Seeing the face of Jesus in all that we encounter.

What quality would you like to see in our next Dean?

Empathetic but assertive, credible, communication, Great pastoral care, young (age), Eye Contact, Spiritually Centered, Good Communicator, Open-mindedness, Charism, One on One, Faith Story Shared, Organized, Honesty about self and issues in the Cathedral, Inspiration, Integrity, Approachable, Commitment to the, Kerygma. Quality presentations of the New Testament, Care for the community inc. outsiders, Spirituality, profound grounding in Episcopal Faith, Dignity, ability to listen, Discerning, Encouraging, Pastoral, Faithful, Enthusiastic, Energy, Optimism, Sympathetic, Heart for Social Justice, Engaging, Leadership, Relatable, Wonder, Inspiration for Imagination, Competence, Credibility, Administrative, Compassion, Spirit of Joy, Ability to handle Conflict, Well Adjusted, Charisma, Good Listener, Moderator.

What will my commitment to be to the Cathedral during this time of transition?

Time & Money, Hospitality, Making the space beautiful, Help where asked, Be helpful, Make St. Luke’s More Hospitable, Continue to be faithful member, Loyalty, Intentional Presence, Willingness, Open to new ideas, Not to criticize or second guess, Dedication, Praying, Serve on committees or participate in any way possible, Be faithful, Liturgy, Participate, Be supportive, Give time, Serve on committee, Participate, Stimulate, Hospitality, All in, Stewardship, Listener, Active participation, Share gifts , Increase involvement, Participate, Pastoral Care, Liturgy, Stay present through process, Be Open, Mission Clarification, Discernment, Help where needed, Be involved, Cooperation, Not be anxious.

COMMUNITY NOTES

Lesser Chapter ("Vestry") Meeting Guest Policy

One very clear theme that emerged from our World Café discussions concerns “transparency” in the Cathedral’s governance and decision-making processes. Our main practice to communicate what we do in our Lesser Chapter meetings has been prompt publication of minutes of our meetings.

These are spotlighted with links in the E-Pistle newsletter and archived on the Cathedral’s website. Please see the announcement below for the most recent approved minutes and draft minutes.

The Lesser Chapter’s Bylaws explicitly state that meetings are open to members of St. Luke's, unless otherwise stated by the Bishop, Dean or Wardens.

Most often, our guests attend because they are asked by the Dean or Wardens to help inform items that appear on the Lesser Chapter’s meeting agenda. But any interested member of the Cathedral is welcome to attend and observe our meetings, per our Bylaws.

In addition, the Lesser Chapter is instituting, on a trial basis, the practice of beginning each meeting with a ten-minute period where any member of the Cathedral may attend as a guest and address the group on issues of interest or concern. After being heard, guests are welcome to stay for the remainder of the meeting but will not have speaking privileges.

We encourage parishioners who have ideas or concerns that warrant attention by the Lesser Chapter to speak to the Interim Dean or Wardens ahead of time when possible.

The Lesser Chapter customarily meets in person on the third Wednesday of each month from 6:00–8:00 p.m., September–June, in the Loring House Conference Room.

We will institute the practice of announcing upcoming meetings in the Sunday Bulletin and E-Pistle so that those interested in attending can plan accordingly.

The Wardens and Interim Dean welcome your participation and will gladly answer questions about the guest policy.

Sam Allen

Senior Warden

Most Recent Minutes from the Lesser Chapter

& Finance Committee

To read the most recent draft minutes from the Lesser Chapter Meeting held on October 16 please click here.

To read the most recent approved minutes of the Lesser Chapter Meeting held on September 18 please click here.

To read past minutes of the Lesser Chapter visit the vestry resource page on our website here.

To read the most recent draft minutes from the Finance Committee Meeting held on October 15 please click here.

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

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

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.

All Saints’ Prayers for the Departed

If you would like to add names of deceased friends & relatives to be prayed for next Sunday, please write them on the sign-up sheets near the doors from the church, or in the Upper Hall (site of Coffee Hour), or e-mail them to the parish office no later than 5PM next Wednesday (30 October).

We will be praying for all individuals who have been buried out of the cathedral in the last year.

All names submitted in time will be included in the prayers for the dead.

During the 10AM & 3PM liturgies, this will follow communion, after which the choir will sing the burial hymn, “In paradisum” (“Into paradise, may the angels lead you”) from Fauré’s Requiem mass.

UPCOMING

Luke's Garden

To Host a Screening of Documentary

1946: The Mistranslation

that Shifted Culture

This Sunday 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

This Sunday 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

Please help to spread the word to your communities outside of St. Luke's!

Posters are available at both entrances to the Nave.

A downloadable version of the poster is available here.

A Requiem “for the pleasure of it”

— Christian M. Clough, Director of Music

So proclaimed Gabriel Fauré in giving cause for writing a Requiem mass.

Odd, since the Requiem mass had come to be known as the genre of magnum opus, the place in which a composer makes his most profound expression of self. Mozart, Cherubini, Verdi, Bruckner, Brahms—their masses for the dead are defining works. But then, perhaps the notion of a Requiem mass being one’s ultimate musical statement is purely a Romantic affectation. Some people have written more than one; Brazilian composer José Maurício Garcia, for example, composed four, the last of them in 1816. This was, however, before that selfsame Romantic notion could have arisen, and commissions of musical settings for actual liturgical use were more common in the 18th century and earlier.

To read the rest of Christian's letter, please click here.

Cathedral Open for Prayer on Election Day

Tuesday, November 5

9:00AM-5:00PM

The Cathedral Nave

On Tuesday November 5, the cathedral will open its sanctuary doors from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to all who would like to pray.

Through his action and instruction, Jesus invites us to prayer. When we pray we come before God with humble hearts, offering our thanksgivings and concerns to God or simply listening for God’s voice in our lives and in the world. Whether in thought, word or deed, individually or corporately, when we pray, we invite and dwell in God’s loving presence.

Come and pray before you vote, come and pray after you vote, come and pray vigil for all who are voting on Tuesday day or will have cast their absentee ballots earlier.

Prayer resources will be available and our usual 12:10 Tuesday Eucharist will be offered with the special intention of the Election.

If you would like to provide hospitality and welcome throughout the day, please contact the Rev. George Stevens via email.

Donate Handmade Items and Baked Goods

for the Holiday Open House & Bazaar

Please join us on Saturday, November 9, from 9AM-1PM in the Nave for our Holiday Open House and Bazaar as part of the State Street Stroll.

This festive gathering is two weeks away and fast approaching!

We are looking for donations for handmade items e.g. knitted scarves, hats or toys, as well as baked goods.

We will not be accepting donations of household goods.

With questions about handmade items, please email Elizabeth Burger

With questions about baked goods, please email Kathy Watt.

With additional 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!

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.

Choir for Diocesan Convention Eucharist

Canon for Liturgy & Music, Christian M. Clough, and Hentus van Rooyen, Director of Music Ministries at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Cape Elizabeth, will be leading the choir for Convention Eucharist.

All are invited to sing!

Mandatory rehearsal Friday 15 November 7-9PM at the cathedral.

To participate please contact Christian by email by the end of October.

Singers will receive scans of music in advance, and are expected to learn their notes before arriving, as rehearsal time is limited!

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.

Eco Tips from St. Luke’s Public Policy

and Environmental Action Team

This week PPEAT offers a prayer from Creation Justice Ministries for those afflicted by the recent hurricanes.

"God of the rain, God of the wind, God of the storm

We stand humbled by the power of the world you have made

You have created this world in balance yet so often our efforts disrupt that balance.

Even so we know that in the midst of the strongest storm, you stand with us with us in love.

Help us now to stand with our brothers and sisters, as they grieve, clean, repair, and rebuild.

Give us the compassion to mourn with those who mourn.

Give us the wisdom to rebuild in ways that work with your Creation instead of against it.

Give us the courage to question our part in scarring your world.

May we be voices of calm in a volatile world.

May we be the presence of peace in a perilous world.

May we have hearts of compassion in a turbulent world.

May we be the helpers in a scary world.

We pray in the name of the One who walked on the waves and spoke the storm into silence."

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.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Vote Forward Letter Writing Party

Thank you to all of the participants in last week's Vote Forward letter writing party organized by the St. Luke's Public Policy and Environmental Action Team.

Following last Sunday's 10:00AM service 11 volunteers wrote 200 letters to individuals in swing states who are registered to vote but haven't voted in recent elections.

An Update from the Haiti-Maine Partnership

Good news from Haiti!

School started last month in Duny; new desks and food for the daily lunch program have been purchased. On behalf of the St. Simon and St. Jude Church Committee, "we would like to greet you on behalf of the great architect of the universe. So we also take this opportunity to thank you for your full presence at our school. We ask God in our prayer to keep your life healthy."

Thank you to all the members of St. Luke's that support this partnership through quarters in the plate and other donations.

Wisly, the director of school, and his wife welcomed their second daughter into the world, she was born on Friday morning, Oct. 18. Mother and child are doing well. Look for a newsletter in November updating you all on the latest from Haiti and our partner parish school, St. Simon and St. Jude.

With thanks,

Meredith Cough

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 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.

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.

Contemplative Prayer

Contemplative prayer meets every Thursday at 4:30 PM on Zoom.

Please join us for a half hour of silent meditation followed by a brief conversation about our experience. All are welcome. No experience is necessary.

For more information email Sarah Braik.

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.