The Weekly E-Pistle

Thursday, October 3rd, 2024

A Reflection from the Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean

Dear Friends-

This Sunday marks the closing of our ‘Season of Creation’ at the Cathedral of St. Luke.

In addition to the liturgical additions we’ve made to the Prayers of the People, Confession of Sin, and Hymnody, that have marked this season, on Sunday we’ll be hosting two events that honor our commitment to Creation.

The first will be our annual ‘Blessing of the Animals’ in our beautiful labyrinth at 9:45 a.m. Please bring pets, pictures of pets and stuffed animals for this special service.

The second special offering will be an Evensong service at 4:00 p.m. that features work by Dorothy Papadakos, Jennifer L. Stammers, Louis Halsey, Théodore Dubois, Joseph Canteloube.

I am thankful for the leadership of PPEAT (The Public Policy and Environmental Action Team) who have coordinated speakers, a hike and worship resources that we’ve used this month.

See you Sunday!

-George

Prayer of Gratitude for Beauty of Creation

God, our Creator of heaven and earth, how blessed we are to be surrounded by the beauty of your creation.

We lift our prayer of gratitude as we see the stars of heaven, and the beauty of the sunset.

We are amazed by the seas and waterways and all that are in them.

We are enchanted by the flowers and trees which are clothed by you.

We are awed by all the animals you created.

For the beauty of the earth, the mountains and valleys, the sun and the moon – we give you praise.

Amen.

-Author Unknown

UPCOMING

Stewardship Campaign 2025

"Walk in Love"

Additional Communications & Materials Coming Soon!

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

Please continue to stay tuned to the E-pistle in the coming weeks for upcoming communications for our 2025 Stewardship Campaign.

Yesterday, Wednesday, October 2, the Reverend George Stevens sent a letter to the congregation speaking towards the journey of 'Walking in Love' as part of our 2025 stewardship campaign. You can read his letter here.

Additional Stewardship materials, including our online pledge card, is available on our website here.

If you are interested in receiving your stewardship materials digitally rather than a physical mailing, please email the cathedral office.

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.

Help Stuff Envelopes

If you would like to help stuff stewardship materials, please join us in the Upper Hall on Wednesday, October 16th at 1PM for a mailing party.

Coffee, tea, and pastries will be available! If you are interested in participating please email the parish office.

Thank you to all who attended the World Café last Saturday

We are grateful to all members of the community who contributed to the fruitful discussions and reflections as part of our conflict transformation work. Please stay tuned to our E-news this coming week for a summary of findings from the event.

Thank are given to parishioner Nancy Mawhinney for the photos below.

Blessing of the Animals

This Sunday October 6th

The Labyrinth

9:45AM

This Sunday, October 6 we will observe the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Please join us at 9:45AM in the labyrinth to the right of the State Street Entrance for the Blessing of the Animals.

All are encouraged to bring their beloved pets to receive a blessing.

If you have a pet who would not be comfortable out in public, please bring a photo of them, and we will bless the image. We also encourage all of our younger members with stuffed animals to bring them along so that they might also receive a blessing.

All are welcome, even if you do not have a pet!

Pick-Up Choir Opportunity This Sunday

Join Us!

During the 10:00AM Service

This Sunday October 6

Meet in the Choir Room at 8:45AM

Join us this Sunday, October 6, for a pick up choir which will sing during the 10:00AM Eucharist.

We will meet in the choir room at 8:45AM to prepare Shaker songs and psalm

All ages (yes, including children!), abilities, experience levels are welcome!

For more information, contact Christian Clough

Choral Evensong

This Sunday October 6

4:00PM

The Cathedral Nave

Join us this Sunday, October 6, at 4PM for our first choral evensong of the choir season.

The service will feature music by Dorothy Papadakos, Jennifer L. Stammers, Louis Halsey, Théodore Dubois.

Help us spread the word! Invite your friends and neighbors!

We look forward to gathering together for this moving service of worship and music.

PPEAT Meeting

October 8

6-7PM

The St. Luke's Public Policy and Environmental Action Team will

meet next Tuesday October 8 from 6-7 PM.

All are welcome. Join us via Zoom

For more information email Ruth Roemer.

Vote Forward Letter-Writing Party

Sunday October 13

11:45AM

The Upper Hall

In Romans 13:8-9 Paul exhorts us to love our neighbor and participate in the life of civil society grounded in the commandment to love our neighbor. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry tells us that “It is a Christian's obligation to vote and more than that it is the Church's responsibility to get souls to the polls.”

To that end, on Sunday October 13 at 11: 45 AM, following coffee hour, the St. Luke’s Public Policy and Environmental Action Team is sponsoring a Vote Forward letter-writing party to encourage Americans to go to the polls this November.

We will supply letters and envelopes and you will add your own positive, heartfelt and nonpartisan personal note in the body of the letter. Come and write as few as 5 or as many as 20 letters.

And check out the Episcopal Church’s Vote Faithfully Election Election Engagement Toolkit

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

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.

Details regarding participating in the liturgy will be published soon. Please stay tuned!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Dioceses of Maine & New Hampshire:

A Call to Prayer and Action for those impacted

by Hurricane Helene

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

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.

2025 Budget Preparation Update

A small team met this week to kick off planning for the upcoming budget year; this team included The Rev. George Stevens (Interim Dean), Sam Allen (Senior Warden), Jamie Cough (Junior Warden), John Watson (Finance Committee Chair), and Randi Hogan (Treasurer).

We began by discussing key priorities, needs, and changes coming our way in 2025. As we look ahead to the exciting opportunities for our community, we're committed to crafting a financially responsible budget that makes the most of our collective resources.

We're currently developing a budget process that covers both operating and restricted funds, and we plan to meet with lay and clergy leaders in October to gather input and ideas.

Your participation is important to us, so we encourage you to get involved in the process. Please write to Randi Hogan, Treasurer, via email.

Food Pantry Looking for a Refrigerator

St. Luke's Food Pantry needs a refrigerator to replace the unit shown in the photo.

Do you have a used one to donate?

Please contact Mary Brighthaupt

at 443-223-7675 or by email

We appreciate your support!

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.

Nightingale Fall Festival

October 17 from 4PM-7PM

144 State Street, Portland, ME 04101

Ageism Awareness Day

October 9

Ageism refers to stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) toward others or ourselves based on age. It negatively impacts our health and well-being, our financial security, and the economy. It exists in many forms, influencing everything from personal interactions to public policy, and impacts us at every age.

The good news is that we can do something about it, and we begin by spreading the word on Ageism Awareness Day Oct. 9, 2024.

Learn more here.

Preble Street Conference on Homelessness:

Solutions Start with ME

Thursday, October 17th

8AM-5PM

The Holiday Inn by the Bay

88 Spring St, Portland, ME 04101

Homelessness is a crisis and is continuing to escalate throughout Maine. This crisis is driven by a wide range of complex factors including a lack of affordable housing and accessible emergency shelter, minimal shelter funding, an increase in unsheltered individuals, and rising numbers of people needing support for managing substance use disorders and behavioral health issues. 

New effective strategies and systemic changes are needed to meet the growing challenges in Maine. This 2nd Conference, Solutions Start with ME, provides an opportunity to hear from leaders doing similar work in other parts of the country. Through collective action, we hope to have greater impact for the most vulnerable people in our community. This year’s event will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at the Holiday Inn By the Bay, in Portland, ME.

Join Preble Street, the Atlantic Charitable Fund, and other key stakeholders from throughout the state – state and local government, nonprofits, faith leaders, funders, people with lived experience, and business leaders – to collectively focus on critical solutions for Maine to tackle this growing issue.

To learn more visit the webpage 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.

Spirit Chats

Tuesdays, Oct. 15, 22, 29, and Nov. 5,12, 7 p.m.

On Zoom

Published by the Episcopal Diocese of Maine

"Deepen your connection with God and fellow companions this Autumn through Spirit Chats, an exciting opportunity for small group faith sharing. Have you ever experienced a “God-incident” in your life and wanted to share it but weren’t sure where or with whom? Perhaps this has so spilled over into your daily life, you want to talk about it with others but find it difficult to find the setting. If you feel God has been moving in your life, and you want to hear from others how God is moving in theirs, the Evangelism Task Force—a joint project of the Episcopal dioceses of Maine and New Hampshire—has an opportunity and an invitation for you to share your story during Spirit Chats."

Register here to receive the Zoom link. Reach out with questions to the Rev. Tim Higgins or the Rev. Alanna Van Antwerpen.

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

Join the Cathedral Choir

The Cathedral Choir is welcoming new members; 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 most Thursdays 7-9PM, singing most Sunday 10AM liturgies & for several additional services throughout the year.

Contact Canon for Liturgy Christian Clough via email.

St. Luke's Flower Guild

There are still openings on the altar flower schedule until the end of the calendar year if you would like to sign up to give flowers in memory of someone or to acknowledge an occasion such as an anniversary.

If you are interested, please see the sign-up chart posted on the bulletin board outside of the parish office. Once you have signed up, please bring or send a monetary donation (a 75$ gift is customary) to the office along with the information to be included in the Sunday service bulletin.

If you have questions about the process please contact the parish office at (207)-772-5434 or contact flower guild co-chairs, Mary Doughty and Kathy Watt.

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 2, October 8

God, the Father.

Led by the Rev. Christopher Worthley

Week 3, October 15

The Birth and Nature of Jesus.

Led by the Rev. George Stevens

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 an informal coffee and discussion group exploring our faith and experience of God meeting on fourth Tuesdays, 10-11:30 in the Chapter Room.

Our next meeting will be October 22nd.

Come once a month or once in a while!

If you’d like to receive materials prior to each month’s meeting contact Linda Carleton via email.

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.