An Invitation to Holy Week

Dear People of Christ Church,

Palm Sunday begins Holy Week, the most sacred period of our Christian faith. It is a time when we gather together as a community to journey with Christ to Jerusalem, to hear his teaching on the night before he dies, to stand with him before his accusers, to walk to Golgotha and to stand at the foot of his cross. Finally, on Easter Sunday, we will joyously celebrate the resurrection of Christ, lifting our voices in praise of the hope that is ours and the world’s.

Join us for all of it, if you can, remembering that without the journey of Holy Week, Easter loses its deep meaning. Because the week’s schedule is unlike others, I’ve included it within this message.

I wish you a blessed Holy Week!

George

HOLY WEEK

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcoming Our New Parish Administrator

Please welcome our new parish administrator Abby Ericson! Abby brings a wealth of experience in higher education and the private sector. She has an eye for detail and a heart for ministry. Abby grew up in Maine and currently lives in Wells. She can be reached via email at office@cathedralofstluke.org and via telephone at (207) 772-5434 ext. 203.

Beware of Scam Emails

This week another round of scam emails were sent to parishioners purportedly from the Rev. George Stevens asking for ‘a favor’ in the form of gift cards. Please know that private requests for gift cards will never come from any staff member at the Cathedral.

UPCOMING

'Episcopal 101' Continues this Week!

Interested in the History of the Episcopal Church? How Episcopalians view scripture? The Book of Common Prayer and its history?

This ten-week series is open to all, but specifically for those interested in Confirmation, Reception or Baptism in the Church. We’ll meet after the 10:00 a.m. service on most Sundays in March, April and May. Meetings will be live streamed and recorded.

Interested in more information? Contact the Rev. George R. Stevens via email at <gstevens@cathedralofstluke.org>.

PPEAT Coffee Hour

This Sunday, April 13, please join us for coffee hour hosted by members of the Public Policy & Environmental Action Team (PPEAT). We’ll be looking at Maine’s food loss and waste generation as well as ways to make unwanted food a more environmentally friendly contribution to the earth in the form of composting. We’ll begin our discussion shortly after coffee hour begins so that those interested can engage in a portion of the discussion prior to joining George and others in the ongoing discussion of 'Episcopal 101.'

5:15 Worship Speaker Series

Beginning this week, members of our Vestry will offer reflections at 5:15 PM services. The series begins with newly-elected vestry member, Peter Carleton, who will speak on March 30^th. Junior Warden, Jamie Cough, will be featured on April 6^th, followed by Senior Warden John Hennessy on April 13^th. The series will continue after Easter. This is an unusual opportunity for St. Lukans to hear our lay leaders share insights on spiritual matters. Please join us!

This week the officiant for the service will be the Rev. George Stevens and music will be by Hentus van Rooyen.

Young and the Restless PowerPoint Party!

Please join the Young and the Restless on Sunday, April 13 after church for our annual PowerPoint Party! Make a presentation in the format of your choosing (powerpoint, canva, posterboard, etc.) about a topic that is a special interest of yours, or perhaps sharing a bit about your own life-story so far. This is a great chance to learn more about each other! Please bring a snack or small dish to share too (perhaps something that is a personal favorite!) and we'll plan on a casual potluck lunch.

Special Easter Offerings

Each year our Easter Bulletin includes gifts in thanksgiving for and in memorial of family, friends and neighbors. You can donate to the Cathedral by filling out this form and dropping it off with a check to the parish office.

Donations via our online giving portal (Realm) are also possible. You’ll be contacted about the names you would like to have included in the bulletin in the coming weeks.

https://onrealm.org/StLukesCathedra/-/form/give/Music

https://onrealm.org/StLukesCathedra/-/form/give/Flowers

Please note: the deadline for submissions is Wednesday, April 16 at noon.

COMMUNITY NOTES

St. Elizabeth's Diaper Drive and Information Sheet

The great folks at St. Elizabeth's have provided a fantastic Information Sheet. It includes stats on the number of neighbors served (more than double since 2021) the diverse languages of the guest the ministry serves (dozens) as well as specific ways to help with physical donations of diapers and financial support.

Here's a a link to the Information Sheet.

Minutes of last month's Vestry meeting available by clicking this link: March Vestry Meeting Minutes

Might your Lenten practice include finding a new way to support our immigrant and LGTBQ+ neighbors and the organizations that serve them? You are invited to attend coffee hour after the service where you can learn more about St. Luke’s Walking Together ministry and the ways you can support it. You can donate much-needed goods to our food pantry and St. Elizabeth’s essentials pantry, volunteer to assist the work of organizations such as Hope Acts, Presents! Maine, and the State Street Church shelter, or simply wear a button to show your support for those who feel vulnerable and afraid.

Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) has put together a really good video on Immigration Basics and Know Your Rights for Churches and Individuals. You can watch it at: https://dfms.formstack.com/forms/feb3webinarrecording

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

Camp Bishopswood Summer Registration is Open!

Since the 1960’s Camp Bishopswood has been owned and operated as an arm of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine. Open for youth aged 6-17, Camp Bishopswood offers an affordable, fun and faith centered summer experience. More information can be found by visiting, www.campbishopswood.org. Scholarships are available!

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.)

Soul Talk

Every Fourth Tuesday of the Month

10-11:30 AM 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.

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.

The Biblical Study Group

The Biblical Study Group meets in the Chapter Room at 8:30 AM.

The focus of the current class is 'What must I do to fully live the Christian life?'

This life giving process is already known to us through Jesus Christ and the Saints. Consider this five step process: 1) to fully understand God's commands 2) to understand and accept God's love for us 3) to understand and fully accept God's forgiveness 4) to understand and to fully accept that God is within us 5) we are adopted by God to become part of God's own family and brothers and sisters to His Son.

Join us on Sunday mornings at 8:30 AM in the conference room. Call Dr. Bob Hanson for more information (207) 400-8250.

Sing with 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 7-9 PM, singing most Sunday 10 AM liturgies & for several additional services throughout the year.

If you are interested in joining, please contact Christian Clough.

Sunday 5:15 PM Service of Holy Eucharist

The 5:15 PM 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.

We look forward to welcoming you to future services. Please join us!

The Kneeler Guild and

Prayer Shawl Knitters

Tuesday

2:30 PM

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.