The Weekly E-Pistle

Thursday, November 21st, 2024

A Reflection from the Reverend George Stevens

Dear Friends-

This Sunday we celebrate the Christ the King Sunday. This feast day falls each year on the final Sunday of the Season after Pentecost.

The Episcopal Church follows the Anglican tradition of this holy day which says, "[t]he year that begins with the hope of the coming Messiah ends with the proclamation of his universal sovereignty.’

Christ the King is a relatively recent addition to our liturgical calendar. The Holy Day was instituted by Pope Pious IX in 1925 in response to growing secularism and ultra-nationalism of the day.

It entered the Episcopal Church’s calendar when we adopted the Revised Common Lectionary.

Like the season of Advent, Christ the King Sunday points us to the ‘coming of Christ’ and the end of time when the kingdom of Jesus will be established in all its fullness to the ends of the earth.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday!

Blessings-

George

UPCOMING

Cathedral Parking Lot Striping Postponed due to Weather

Initially Scheduled for tomorrow, November 22

Our parking lot at 134 Park Street will be open tomorrow following a postponement of painting of new parking space stripes due to weather. This service was originally scheduled for this Friday, November 22.

Please stay tuned to cathedral publications for a new date which will be determined.

Stewardship Campaign 2025 Updates

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

As our Walk in Love Stewardship Campaign draws to a close, we invite you to join us in celebration of our collective journey of giving and purpose through the opportunities below:

The Dean’s Forum on Stewardship

This Sunday, November 24

At the Conclusion of the 10:00AM Service

The Nave

The Reverend George Stevens, our Interim Dean, will speak about the heart of stewardship—how our shared gifts align with our call to walk in love. This is an opportunity to reflect deeply on how we give of ourselves, our time, and our resources to further God’s work in the world.

Stewardship Celebration and Dedication Sunday

Next Sunday, December 1

during the 10:00AM Eucharist

The Cathedral Nave

On December 1st, we will bring forward and bless all of the pledge commitments we’ve received. Together, we’ll celebrate the generosity of this community and dedicate these gifts to God’s work in the coming year.

Let these Sundays inspire us to walk boldly in love, answering God’s call to share our time, talent, and treasures.

Additional Pledge forms are available in the cathedral office or by clicking the link to download here.

You can make your pledge online by clicking the link here.

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

Ad Hoc Preparedness Committee

At its November meeting the vestry unanimously approved the formation of an ad hoc Preparedness Committee. Chaired by Linda and Peter Carleton and Ruth Roemer, the purpose of the committee is to help St. Luke’s address for the threatened mass deportations and the growing number of transgender people fleeing from hostile states.

In the coming days, the Committee will gather information as to what ideas and actions are being considered by the State of Maine, the City of Portland, the Maine Council of Churches, the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, and local immigrant and transgender rights groups. The committee will then present findings to the vestry and the Cathedral and will give suggestions as to ways St. Luke’s and its members might participate in these efforts.

As time is of the essence, there will be an introductory meeting today, immediately after the 10:00 service in the Parish office. Attendance at this meeting is not necessary to join the group. Please contact Linda Carleton via email with any questions or to join the effort.

Newsletter Available from the Haiti-Maine Partnership

The Haiti Partnership has produced a newsletter which is available with updates from the St. Simon/St. Jude Episcopal School in Haiti.

To read the newsletter, please click the link here or pick up a printed copy on Sunday morning, available at both entrances of the Nave.

The committee is in touch with the school director on a regular basis about all of his hard work to make sure the children in Duny have a meal and an education.

The quarters you put in the plate on a weekly basis help to fund a lunch program for 201 students, this is especially important given the conflict and violence in that country right now. The school committee in Duny expresses deep gratitude for our support.

With thanks, Meredith Cough - chair of the Haiti Partnership Committee

Portland Rossini Club Concert

This Sunday, November 24 at 3:00PM

The Cathedral Nave

Join the Portland Rossini Club for their next concert on Sunday, November 24 at 3:00PM in the Cathedral Nave.

The concert will feature the following musical offerings:

Pianist Steve Blumenthal will play Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata

Soprano Torrey Gimpel and pianist Jonathan Prak will perform songs by Giacomo Puccini, Douglas Moore, and George Gershwin.

Pianist Mark Braun, and Steve Schiffman on the clarinet, with Seth Blank on the French horn will perform Nocturne by Llamazares

Pianist Sydney Patten, will play her own Waltz of the Jellyfish and Seal Slide Rag as well as a Chopin Nocturne

For more information: 207-318-7465 or visit the Rossini Club website here.

Young and the Restless Friendsgiving Rescheduled

Sunday, December 1

Time and Location to be Determined

Join the Young and the Restless on Sunday, December 1st for our annual Friendsgiving!

Rotisserie chicken, rolls, beverages and paper goods will be provided.

Please bring a veggie side dish and/or dessert to share.

Specific timing of the gathering and location will be determined in the coming week.

Please stay tuned to the E-pistle next Thursday for details. Please reach out to Phoebe Blume via email with any questions.

The St. Luke's Altar Guild December Polishing Party

Saturday, December 14

10:00AM-12:00PM

The Upper Hall

The St. Luke’s Altar guild is having a silver and gold polishing party to get ready for the holidays!

Join us 10AM–12noon Saturday 14 December in the Upper Hall.

Everyone is welcome! You don’t need to be part of the altar guild to participate.

Coffee and goodies will be provided. Contact Kate Leschey with any questions.

Christmas With Renaissance Voices

Saturday, December 14

7:30PM

Sunday, December 15

2:00PM

The Cathedral Nave

Join Renaissance Voices and maestro Harold Stover, for their Christmas Concerts at the Cathedral.

Concerts will be held at 7:30PM on Saturday December 14 and at 2:00PM on Sunday December 15.

The program features music of Juan Esquivel, Sally Herman, Celia McDowell, and more!

Tickets are available for purchase on the Renaissance Voices Website here.

The Cathedral Choir Presents a Service of Lessons and Carols

Sunday, December 22

4:00PM

The Cathedral Nave

Join the Cathedral Choir on December 22nd at 4:00PM for a service of Christmas Lessons and Carols.

This service will serve as our first liturgical celebration of Christmas.

Please invite friends, neighbors, and family!

This offering provides an excellent opportunity to welcome in the wider community to our beautiful space and to experience a moving worship experience.

With questions please contact Christian Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music

COMMUNITY NOTES

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, Announcements, & Meeting Minutes

from the St. Luke's Public Policy

and Environmental Action Team

Eco-tips- for Home Weatherization

With the arrival of cold weather, many are concerned about heating costs and keeping homes warm.

A major way houses lose heat is through windows, which pull heat out of the home into the cooler air outside. In addition, many windows leak heat where the glass meets the frame or wall.

WindowDressers insulated inserts can help diminish heat loss, carbon dioxide pollution and save heating costs.

These inserts are easily installed and removed without fasteners. They are free to low -income home owners and are at low cost for middle and high-income households.

The company itself is a non-profit and volunteers provide much of the building and installing. To learn more about them visit their website here.

To read the most recent minutes from the PPEAT Meeting held on November 12, click here.

To read past minutes from PPEAT meetings, visit their page on the St. Luke's Website here.

PPEAT Announcement: Seeking a volunteer!

The Public Policy and Environmental Action Team is in need of a co-Chair for the committee as of December 11, 2024.

Please contact Ruth Roemer by email or by phone at 973-901-0345 if you would like more information or would like to volunteer.

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

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.

Sing with the Cathedral Choir

The Cathedral Choir welcomes new members throughout the season; we hope you’ll join us for fun, learning, fellowship, and the joy of music-making in community!

Previous singing experience is not required.

Short-term commitments are possible.

Rehearsals are most Thursdays 7-9PM, and the choir sings most Sunday 10AM liturgies & for several additional services throughout the year.

With questions contact Christian Clough.

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 Levesque- Schott, Parish Administrator via email.