The E-Pistle of Thursday

May 16th, 2024

A Reflection from the Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean

Dear Friends-

This week we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. The Feast of Pentecost marks the birth of the Church and the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide followers of Christ following his Ascension. 

Each year we hear the remarkable story of Pentecost in the second chapter of Acts. In the Pentecost event, the Spirit gives those gathered from the all corners of the world the ability to hear the story of Christ’s life, death and resurrection in their own languages. Upon their departure they carry the story to the whole world.

Today we pray that the Spirit, so readily available to the disciples then, will be present for us too and help us to hear the story of Christ again and carry it into the world.

 David Wilkerson, in his book The Cross and the Switchblade says, “When you strip it of everything else, Pentecost stands for power and life. That's what came into the church when the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost.” We pray for that power and give thanks for the life! 

 --George

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Lesser Chapter Appoints New

Junior Warden & Treasurer

The Lesser Chapter met last evening, May 15th, and voted to appoint Jamie Cough as Junior Warden and Randi Hogan as Treasurer of the Cathedral.

Minutes from the meeting will be forthcoming and published in next week's newsletter.

Jamie is succeeding Acting Junior Warden Fred Fowler, and will serve the remainder of a two-year term that ends with the 2026 Annual Meeting.

Randi is succeeding Tim Wilkins as Treasurer.

Biographies and photos of both Randi and Jamie can be seen below.

Per our bylaws, the Junior Warden is elected for a two-year at the Annual Meeting, but we had no candidates for the position in January.

The Treasurer is appointed annually by the Lesser Chapter at the first meeting following the Annual Meeting, but we had no candidates for that position either.

Both Fred Fowler and Tim Wilkins graciously agreed to serve until candidates could be recruited. Our bylaws stipulate that vacancies in both positions may be filled by the Lesser Chapter.

We are extremely grateful for the gift of service and devotion that Tim and Fred have given through their work at the Cathedral. An event to thank them and celebrate their service is planned. Details will be announced soon.

In the meantime, please make an effort to thank them in person when you have the opportunity.

Jamie and Randi are stepping into prominent roles that are essential to smooth operation of the Cathedral's physical plant and finances, respectively. Each is making a major commitment to our communal life.

They have support in their work from the Building and Grounds Committee, Finance Committee, Stewardship Committee, Endowment Committee, and Financial Administrator Nina Andersen.

Both Jamie and Randi are overseeing broad domains where additional help and expressions of appreciation make their service all the more rewarding.

Please look for opportunities to support Jamie and Randi in their new roles.

Sam Allen, Senior Warden & The Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean

Jamie Cough

Junior Warden

Meredith and I landed at St. Luke's over 30 years ago and have been involved in many aspects through the years. 

I am the father of 3 adult children and grandfather of 1.

We moved to Portland after school. 

I have been working in the power industry for a long time in various capacities.

I am grateful for the wonderful and supportive home that is St. Luke’s.

I hope to give back in a way that is beneficial and serves the community.

I look forward to serving you as Junior Warden.

Randi Hogan

Treasurer

I joined St. Luke's in 2021 and have had the privilege of serving as vestry member, verger, chair of stewardship, and member of the finance committee.

This year I was appointed this year by the Bishop to serve on the Special Commission to Study Diocesan Investments.

Earlier in life, I was active in my parish church and the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, serving in many lay leadership roles. I delight in the ways lay people can meaningfully engage throughout their lives in the governance and ministries of the Episcopal Church, as we grow in loving relationship with God, each other, and creation.

Professionally, I am a charitable giving consultant who helps individuals and families contribute to positive social and environmental change through joyful philanthropy. In my community, I serve as board president of the Eastern Trail Alliance and chair of the Scarborough Conservation Commission.

I live in Scarborough with my husband, Jude, and the sweetest, long-haired miniature dachshund, Moxie.

Additional Phase II Educational Session Dates Update

This evening, Susan Czolgosz from Worklife Consulting will be concluding her initial six Phase II Educational Sessions with members of the congregation. The sessions have been well attended. Thank you to all who have participated thus far.

In the coming weeks we will be publishing a sign-up for additional Phase II Educational Sessions with Susan which will begin in late June.

Please stay tuned to our newsletter and the announcements section of our bulletin for additional information regarding dates, times, and how to sign-up.

If you have additional questions please contact the parish office by email. 

Work on Cathedral Connector Roof

Beginning this coming Monday 20 May, Horch Roofing will be working on repairs to the connector roof between the offices and upper hallway (weather permitting).

Access to this portion of roof will make the portico entrance unavailable as Horch will have their equipment stationed in this area.

All individuals accessing the building from Park Street will be asked to please use an alternative door directly adjacent to the lower hall and oratory. Proper signage will be displayed to indicate this.

As a result of this project, parking directly near the portico entrance will be reserved for Horch Roofing employees.

The anticipated timeframe of the repairs will be approximately one week.

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding as we make the necessary repairs to the building.

With any questions please contact Fred Fowler at (207)-233-9572.

An Update from St. Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry

Over the past three months, volunteers with St. Elizabeth's have provided an average of  300 neighbors each week with diapers, soap, toothpaste, etc., as well as cookware and linens.

The number of neighbors attending St. E’s continues to increase.

Please help St. E’s replenish their shelves with new or gently used cookware and linens.

One suggested place to find cookware is at yard sales.

With any questions please contact St. Elizabeth’s Executive Director, Sarah Coburn Borgeson.

Contribute to St. Luke’s Summer Music Ministry

The Cathedral Choir will be in recess from 9 June through Labor Day, and summer is a great time to make a musical contribution to our worship as a singer or instrumentalist. Help us to keep our music well-supported with your offerings.

Please email Christian Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music.

Eco-Tips from the

Public Policy and Environmental Action Team

The Farm Bill is an omnibus, multiyear legislation that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policy. Updated every 5 years, the 2023 Farm Bill was extended until fall 2024.

The biggest fight over climate policy this year will be in the Farm Bill.

It’s time to start advocating that the 2024 Farm Bill include policies and practices that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector. We believe that it is no longer acceptable to use taxpayer money to support industrial farming and ranching practices that continue to degrade agricultural land, pollute our waterways, and harm the environment.

We can do better, and the new farm bill can be a great start.

The House and Senate Farm Bill frameworks have been released for comments. The Senate framework contains the climate mitigation guardrails from the Inflation Reduction Act. The House framework deletes the guardrails in Title I Conservation text. The House Agriculture Committee will consider markups during May.

Please call your senators and representatives to urge them to support the Senate recommendations in the new Farm Bill.

• Contact Senator Angus King
• Contact Senator Susan Collins 
• Contact Representative Chellie Pingree

Summary of Phase I in Conflict Transformational Work

Last Wednesday May 8th, the Reverend George Stevens and Senior Warden, Sam Allen sent a letter which included a link to the summary of Phase I interviews with Susan Czolgosz.

To read the letter, click here.

A link to the summary is available here.

Copies of both the summary and the letter are available in hard copy form at both entrances of the Nave as well as in the cathedral office.

The Departure of the Reverend Suzanne Roberts

On Friday, April 26th, the Reverend Suzanne Roberts, Associate Priest, communicated with the congregation that she would be stepping away from her role at the cathedral on June 30th.

To read the communication to the congregation, please click here.

The letter from the Reverend Roberts is available at both entrances of the nave. On the back of the letter the Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean, expresses words of thanks for Suzanne’s service and ministry at St. Luke’s over the last 19 years.

In order to thank Suzanne for her dedicated care to our community, our service on Sunday, June 30 will include a Liturgy of Leave-taking followed by a festive coffee hour reception, in which we will offer our blessings for the next chapter of her ministry.

If you would like to participate in preparations for the celebration please contact the parish office.

The Healing Team Schedule

The Healing Team members offer prayers of healing in the small chapel, to the right of the communion rail, during and after communion through the end of the postlude.

The following team members will be serving on the following Sundays:

May 19, 2024  Betsey Deleuse, Mary Strnad

May 26, 2024  Judd Hume, Elise Magnuson



June 2, 2024.  Betsey Deuleuse, Oscar Mokeme

COMING UP SOON at ST. LUKE’S

Looking at our Rose Window through Mandala Eyes

11:30AM This Sunday, May 19th

After Church this Sunday, May 19th join Linda Carleton in the Nave for a discussion about how our rose window evokes the twelve stages of the Mandala Great Round and of the Christian life. Bring your coffee and your eagerness to engage in fruitful discussion!

Contact Linda Carleton with any questions you may have.

5:15 Service Potluck Dinner

Following the conclusion of Service

Sunday, May 19th

Parishioners participating in the 5:15 Service of Holy Eucharist invite all to join them for a potluck dinner in the upper hall following this Sunday's service.

With any questions you may have please email Tim Wilkins.

Soul Talk

10:00AM Tuesday, May 28th

Soul Talk is a monthly conversation about our spirituality and relationship with God.

Join us 10:00-11:30AM the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Oratory

(lower level at the far east end of the building.)

Our first meeting will be Tuesday 28 May.

The topic this month will be “SOUL— What might it be and how do we experience it?”

Feel free to just drop in, but if you’d like to receive short readings, videos, and/or art work beforehand, contact Linda Carleton to get on the list.

The Final Choral Evensong of the Choir Season

4:00PM, Sunday June 2nd

The Cathedral Nave

Join the cathedral choir under the direction of Christian Clough, Canon for Liturgy and Music, for their final evensong of the choir season on June 2nd. The service will feature music of Dorothy Papadakos, Henry Walford Davies, John Reading, Daniel Gawthrop.

Last Week's Service

To view last week's bulletin click here.

To view last week's service livestream click here.

To listen to last week's sermon preached 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.

Resources from the Diocese &

the 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.

Youth Called to Join Bishops United Against Gun Violence at General Convention

June 25-27

published by The Episcopal Diocese of Maine



"High school students who are called to be advocates and witnesses against gun violence are invited to join the Episcopal Diocese of Maine at the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Louisville, KY. Youth will learn from experienced community organizers in the gun violence prevention movement, spend time with participants in Bishops United Against Gun Violence, and experience the convention. Lodging and most activities will be at Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville. The deadline to register is May 8. Those interested in participating, are urged to contact Director of Faith Formation, Emily Keniston, as soon as possible. All registration materials must be received by May 8."

Ongoing Opportunities &

Community Resources

St. Luke’s Food Pantry Fundraiser Bags



St. Luke’s Food Pantry will receive $1 for each $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag sold in May at the Bayside Hannaford at 295 Forest Avenue, Portland. Donations of the bags themselves would also be gratefully received. Thanks to our ever-generous supporters; you allow our work to continue.

The Biblical Study Group

Summer Learning Resources

The Biblical Study Group will be on vacation until 1 September.

When we resume, we will meet Sundays 8:00-10:00AM.

Our ongoing theme is discovering the nature and meaning of “being created in the image of God.” To stimulate spiritual growth over the summer months, we invite you to read the following recommended resources:

1) God: A Biography by Jack Miles. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, The New York Times calls this text “a tour de force.” Published by Vintage Books, Random House Publishing, New York, 1996

2) Jung’s Thoughts on God: Religious Depths of the Psyche by Donald Dyer, PH.D. Published by Nicholas Hays, 2000 P.O. Box 2039, York Beach, ME 03910.

“It is only through the psyche that we can establish that God acts upon you.”

3) Jung’s Map of the Soul: An Introduction and In Support of Jung’s Extensive and Intensive Thought by Murray Stein.

Published by Open Court Publishing Co., P.O. Box 300, Peru, Illinois 61354. To order call 1-800-815-2280.

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