The Weekly E-pistle from the Cathedral Church of St. Luke

The Weekly E-Pistle

Thursday, December 19th, 2024

A Reflection from the Reverend George Stevens

Dear Friends-

This Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Advent, the Gospel celebrates Mary’s visit with her cousin Elizabeth. Known as 'The Visitation of Mary', the story picks up after Mary had learned from the angel Gabriel that she was carrying the creator of the universe in her womb. Elizabeth was herself pregnant with John the Baptist at the time, and the Gospel account tells us that John leapt for joy inside his mother when she embraced Mary.

The joy of these two hosts – Mary and Elizabeth – is a reminder to us of the delight that comes when we practice hospitality, inviting God to come right into our lives.

See you Sunday.

-George

P.S. Please join us Sunday at 4:00 p.m. for Christmas Lessons and Carols.

IN MEMORIAM

A Pastoral Note: Victor Wakefield

This morning, December 19, we received notification of the passing of Victor Wakefield.

Victor and his wife Celia have long been associated with the Cathedral and are deeply loved by many.

Please hold Victor and his family in your prayers.

There will be a private burial.

Condolences can be sent to the family at: 223 Sliver Lane, Limerick, Maine, 04048.

Prayer for the Departed

Father of all, we pray to you for Victor and for all those whom

we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let

light perpetual shine upon them. May his soul and the souls

of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

Prayer for Those Who Grieve

Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our

understanding: Deal graciously with all who grieve.

Surround them with your love, that they may not be

overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your

goodness, and strength to meet the days to come;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

UPCOMING

The Cathedral Choir Presents a Service of Lessons and Carols

This Sunday, December 22

4:00PM

The Cathedral Nave

Join the Cathedral Choir this Sunday, 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

Last Call for Christmas Greens

& Flower Donations

Deadline tomorrow at 12:00PM

Christmas Flower and Greens Contributions

Each Christmas Season the St. Luke’s Flower Guild welcomes contributions to support the flowers and greens present during Christmas Services at the cathedral.

Gifts are made in memory of and thanksgiving for loved ones. The names of all individuals are noted in the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Bulletins.

To make a Christmas Flowers and Greens Contribution

1)Complete the online form by clicking the button below.

Online Flower and Greens Form

2) Submit payment

Options include:

Drop off a physical check to the cathedral office. Please note "Christmas Flowers" in the memo.

Visit our Realm Giving Page and select Flower Fund Contribution in the dropdown menu.

Please note that we will be accepting names until tomorrow, Friday, December 20th at 12PM.

Christmas Service Schedule

Nominations Open!

Annual Meeting to be Held Sunday, February 2 at 11:30AM

Cathedral Nave

Nominations for Vestry, Senior Warden, and delegates to Diocesan Convention are being received by the Nominating Committee of the Lesser Chapter.

Members of the Nominating Committee are: Sam Allen, Catherine Hyde, Dan McDonald and the Rev. George Stevens.

At our Annual Meeting, scheduled for Sunday, February 2 at 11:30 a.m., we’ll elect a Senior Warden for a two year term, three vestry members for three year terms and five delegates (as well as alternates) for Diocesan Convention.

Please contact the Rev. George Stevens for ‘Job Descriptions’ or to nominate yourself or someone else. Please contact George via email.

Please note: please have permission of the person you’d like to nominate before submitting their name.

COMMUNITY NOTES

Parish Office To Be Closed During the Week Between

Christmas and New Years Day

The parish office will be closed the during the week between Christmas Day (12/25/24) and New Years Day (01/01/24).

In case of a pastoral emergency, please contact the Reverend George Stevens at 978-578-8084.

Looking for Ushers for Christmas Day

The cathedral ushers are looking for three volunteers who would be willing to serve on Christmas Day for the 10:00AM Eucharist.

If you are interested please email Anna Messmer.

A Note from the Interim Dean

regarding the departure of Parish Administrator,

Avery Levesque-Schott

Dear Friends,

Last week I received word that our beloved Parish Administrator, Avery Levesque-Schott, will be leaving the Cathedral for a position with the University of Southern Maine Foundation. Avery joined the staff in June of 2022.

Since that time, he has generously shared his gifts with this community. He is a great listener and clear communicator, has brought organization and technical skills to the office, and possesses a keen attention to detail. But his most important gifts are his patience, warmth and sense of humor.

I am truly grateful for his work among us. Avery will be working through the end of December, but has agreed to be thanked publicly on Sunday 5 January at Coffee Hour following the 10:00AM service. There will be more to say later about hiring a new Parish Administrator. Until then I hope you will join me in sharing appreciation for all Avery’s hard work. — George Stevens

Eco Tips & Announcements

from the St. Luke's Public Policy

and Environmental Action Team

Avoiding consumerism at Christmas

1. Question your purchases

-Are you spending money just because of sales?

-Are you buying gifts out of obligation?

-Is buying more toys for a child the best thing for him or her?

2. Focus on people and not presents

-Being fully present to another is the best gift you can give.

-Children will remember your loving attention, presence and memories, not all the stuff purchased for them.

3. Rethink your traditions

-Keep traditions that make the holidays meaningful.

-Leave out traditions that create stress, debt, and fatigue.

4. Consider “no cost gifts”

-Be generous with your time by spending it with a loved one, having friends over for coffee or tea, going for a walk or to a movie or museum.

5. Donate to a charity in honor of a loved one.

Interested in learning more? Visit the webpage here to read in greater depth.

PPEAT Book Discussion Group & Most Recent Minutes

The Public Policy and Environmental Action Team (PPEAT) would like to host a 6 to 8-session book discussion beginning in mid to late January on Citizen: Faithful Discipleship in a Partisan World, by Andrew Doyle, an Episcopal bishop from Texas.

Citizen provides a biblically and theologically grounded guide to how we can be both citizens of the kingdom of God and citizens of our community, state and country. The discussion will be led by Sarah Braik.

If you are interested please email Sarah Braik and indicate your preference for Monday or Wednesday evening, and whether you would prefer in-person or Zoom. Thank you!

To read the most recent minutes from the PPEAT Meeting held on December 10, please click here.

The Healing Team

Prayers of Healing are offered at the 10AM service each Sunday, during or after communion and to the end of the postlude. Two members of the Healing Team offer these healing prayers in All Saints’ Chapel (the small chapel to the right of the communion rail.) The following team members will offer healing prayers:

December 22, 2024 Gail Kesich, Elise Magnuson

December 24, 2024 Sara Schmalz, Judd. Hume

The Healing Team will not be offering prayers on December 30

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

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 bookkeeper, Wendy Kopera.

Wendy 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

Please join us after the 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM services on Sunday mornings 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.

Check the hosting schedule by visiting the link here.

Hosting instructions can found on this link here.

Please email Meredith Cough with your date.

Thank you!

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.

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.

In January, we will learn about the development of Jesus. We will look at how he grew from being a rural peasant apocalyptic preacher to later become the son of man, the son of God, the Risen Christ, the person of God, and finally the sovereign Ruler of the Universe. In February, we will consider how to live the vital life of Christ. Stay tuned!

We are led by Bob Hanson, retired university professor, Episcopal priest, author, peace activist, and Jungian analyst. 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.