The Weekly E-Pistle

Thursday, November 7th, 2024

A Reflection from the Reverend George Stevens

Dear Friends-

The scriptural readings we use in our worship each week come from the Revised Common Lectionary. One of the gifts of the lectionary is how it furthers ecumenical discussion and ties us together as followers of Christ.

Given that the lectionary was set decades ago by a bureaucratic committee, it always amazes me when it aligns with what is happening in the world. (Does God work through bureaucracies?)

This week is no different, with a beautiful story from the Gospel of Mark about generosity-which seems especially timely for me today.

Here's a bit of history about the Revised Common Lectionary:

A lectionary is a table of readings from Scripture appointed to be read at public worship.

The Lectionary (1969, revised 1981) developed by the Roman Catholic Church after Vatican II provided for a three-year cycle of Sunday readings. This Roman lectionary provided the basis for the lectionary in 1979 edition of The Book of Common Prayer, as well as for lectionaries developed by many other denominations.

The Common Lectionary, published in 1983, was an ecumenical project of several American and Canadian denominations, developed out of a concern for the unity of the church and a desire for a common experience of Scripture. It was intended as a harmonization of the many different denominational approaches to the three-year lectionary.

The Revised Common Lectionary, published in 1992 and officially adopted by The Episcopal Church in 2006, takes into account constructive criticism of the Common Lectionary based on the evaluation of its trial use, and as the current prayer-book lectionary, is a three-year cycle of Sunday Eucharistic readings in which Matthew, Mark, and Luke are read in successive years with some material from John read in each year.

This work on lectionaries is not finished. The same group (The Consultation of Common Texts) has developed a trial book of prayers that accompany the appointed texts. 

I share one of those texts with you that also resonates with me today.

Merciful God, your strength and courage pour forth to sustain the witness of your faithful people: Awaken in us the humility to serve wherever creation is broken and needy, that we may follow in the way of our brother Jesus, die as he did to all that separates us from you, and be raised, as he was, to new life. Amen. (p. 88). 

I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday for our Holiday Open House and Bazaar and on Sunday for church.

Blessings-

George

UPCOMING

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

We look forward to this time of fellowship and greeting our neighbors as welcome in the holiday season!

A Presentation on

Charles Fletcher Dole, Liberal Theology, and Reform

by Paul Burlin

This Sunday, November 10

Upper Hall

11:30AM

Join us this Sunday 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.

The Public Policy & Environmental Action Team

Next Meeting

November 12

6-7PM

Zoom

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

meet Tuesday November 12, from 6-7 PM. All are welcome!

Join us via Zoom 

For more information email Ruth Roemer.

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!

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

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

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

Last chance—Choir for Diocesan Convention Eucharist

St. Luke’s Canon for Liturgy & Music, Christian M. Clough, and Hentus van Rooyen, Director of Music Ministries at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Cape Elizabeth, will lead a choir which will sing during Diocesan Convention Eucharist. All are invited!

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

Singers are expected to learn their notes before arriving, as rehearsal time is limited!

Contact Christian Clough right away to receive the music.

Episcopal Youth Service Corps Gathering

Sunday, November 24

11:30AM-2:30PM

Trinity Episcopal Church, Portland

The Next Episcopal Youth Service Corps (YSC) event will take place on Sunday, November 24th from 11:30 to 2:30 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church in Portland.

Here are details for you to share with adult and youth volunteers who are interested:

11:30 am - Meet at Trinity Episcopal Church, 580 Forest Ave. Portland

11:30 am - Pack food (dry goods) to supply boxes of meals to End Hunger New England, part of The Outreach Program

1:00 pm - Pizza with Youth Service Corps friends

1:30 pm - Community building games, tour of the church, planning for December's event

2:30 pm - Pick up from Trinity

If you have youth who are interested in attending, but you yourself are not able to join us, please have their families contact Amber Burks directly via email.

If you haven't already filled out a YSC Participation Form, please do so at your earliest convenience and email it to Amber.

Please RSVP, by today, November 7th, to ensure spots for those who want to participate. This event draws a crowd and spots are limited!

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.

A NOTE OF THANKS

Thank you to all who participated

in last Sunday’s Fauré Requiem

We offer deep thanks for the moving music and liturgy, and for the efforts of the cathedral musicians who offered their talents, time, and musical gifts to present a deeply impactful experience for the wider community.

On behalf of the entire cathedral community, we thank you for all of your efforts.

COMMUNITY NOTES

Stewardship Campaign 2025

"Walk in Love"

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

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.

RESOURCES FROM THE DIOCESE

& WIDER CHURCH

A Message from the Bishop of Maine



Dear friends in Christ,

We knew that whatever the election’s result there’d be work to do. But today, those of us who believed in the vice president to lead us are devastated, while those who believe the former president can do this are rejoicing. Given that the president-elect has pledged to make sweeping changes to our government, some are feeling uncertainty, even fear, about what that will mean, and others are looking forward to what they see as the best way forward.

There is work to be done, and we will do it together. The Episcopal Church in Maine will continue to respond to the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the best way we know, which means we’ll keep:

• preserving democracy
• separating the institutions of church and state—they’re not the same
• making sure there’s healthcare for all, including mental health services, reproductive healthcare, treatment for addiction, and that LGBTQ adults and kids are safe and respected
• caring for creation
• caring for the least and lost, including immigrants and asylum seekers

This election will not keep us from being disciples of Jesus Christ who join with God in the work of peace and justice. God is bigger than today, and bigger than the United States. We will be still—some of us less so today than we’d like —but we shall be still and know that God is God. 

In one of the Psalms we hear this: 

The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. The mountains tremble in tumult. The Lord of Hosts is with us.

Take very good care with one another, and with yourself. 

May God bless you and keep you and may the Light of God’s countenance remain with you, always.



In Christ,

The Right Reverend Thomas J. Brown, Bishop of Maine

Letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe

on the U.S. presidential election

Dear People of God in The Episcopal Church,

Early yesterday morning, we learned that President Trump has been elected to another term as president of the United States. I pray that he will govern wisely and justly.

Regardless of our political allegiances, we must remember that God has called us in The Episcopal Church to seek and serve Christ in all persons. No matter the party in power, we are one church, and we will continue to fulfill our baptismal covenant by proclaiming in word and example the Good News of God in Christ, striving for justice and peace among all people, and protecting the dignity of every human being.

We commit to working with the new administration to advance policies that follow the teachings of Jesus by supporting the most vulnerable among us. Through Episcopal Migration Ministries, we abide by God’s command to welcome the stranger, and since 1988, we have resettled more than 100,000 refugees through a bipartisan program with a strong record of success. We urge President Trump and members of Congress to exercise compassion toward the immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees we serve and to know that, at every turn, we will stand for the dignity and human rights of all of God’s people.

We are Christians who support the dignity, safety, and equality of women and LGBTQ+ people as an expression of our faith. I pray that President Trump and his administration will do the same.

In the coming months, I ask us all to be agents of peace and reconciliation in our communities, both in person and online. As people of faith, we can work and pray for peace and unity among God’s people whether we are joyful, hurting, or afraid. Especially now, when we know of efforts by domestic terrorists and foreign adversaries to undermine our trust in institutions and in one another, we can combat the misinformation and fear by which the Enemy seeks to divide us from one another.

I give thanks for all the ministries in dioceses and congregations across the church that are tangible expressions of our belief in a God of compassion and mercy. In every season, this is the work that God has set before us.

The Most Reverend Sean W. Rowe, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church

From the Book of Common Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you. And then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the well-being of all people; through our Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Prayer attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let us sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is discord, union;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

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. Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, our next meeting will be November 19.

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.

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.

LAST WEEK'S SERVICE

To view last week's 7:30AM bulletin click here.

To view last week's 10:00AM & 3:00PM bulletin click here.

To view last week's service livestream at 10AM click here.

To view last week's service livestream at 3PM click here.

To listen the the sermon offered by the Reverend George Stevens, click here.

To View past services visit our Youtube Page or visit the archive page on our website to read past bulletins, sermons, and newsletters.

Weekly Ministries

• St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center is offered every Tuesday from 8:30 am to 11 am.



• The Food Pantry is open from 8 am to 11 am every Thursday.

• The Tuesday 12:10 Eucharist is offered every week in Emmanuel Chapel in-person and on Zoom.

• Contemplative prayer meets each week on Zoom on Thursday at 4:30PM

• Noon Zoom meets on Thursday afternoons at 12:00PM on Zoom.



• Compline is offered weekly on Friday from 8-8:30pm on Zoom.

Click on the Episcopal Maine Logo above to learn about all that is happening in the wider Diocese.

https://episcopalmaine.org/

stlukesportland.org

(207)-772-5434

Email

Physical Address:

143 State Street, Portland, ME 04101

Parking Available at:

134 Park Street, Portland, ME 04101

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 4141, Portland, ME 04101