A Note from the Rev. George R. Stevens, Dean

Dear Friends-

Today begins the Paschal Triduum. 

Taken from the Latin root for ‘three days’, a triduum is the three-day preparation for any feast. Each of the three days that precede Easter prepare us for the Paschal Triduum. Here at the Cathedral of St. Luke, the three days which precede Easter include distinct worshipping opportunities that I've described below. 

Please join us.

-George

Maundy Thursday – service at 7:00 p.m.

The Easter Triduum begins with Maundy Thursday — the Thursday before Easter.

Tonight’s service recalls Jesus’ final night with his disciples. The name Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin ‘mandatum’ which translates to mandate or command. In the Gospel of John, Jesus invites this new way of life.  “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.” (John 13:34) Demonstrating what this love would look like, Jesus then washed his disciple’s feet and then instituted the Holy Eucharist. 



Here at the Cathedral our Maundy Thursday service includes the optional washing of feet and the Holy Eucharist. The service ends with the stripping of the altar, which symbolizes Jesus’ impending death. An overnight vigil which reminds us of Jesus’ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, will be held in Emmanuel Chapel. 

Good Friday – services at noon and 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday is the pivotal day in the Paschal Triduum. This solemn day is observed as a day of prayer, reflection, and commemoration of Christ’s crucifixion. Our service includes the Passion, the solemn collects and communion from the reserved sacrament. Following the Noon service, there will be an opportunity to participate in the Stations of the Cross in Emmanuel Chapel at 1:00 p.m. A special 'Good Friday' offering for the Anglican Diocese of the Holy Land (information below) will be collected.

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday marks the final day of the Paschal Triduum. This sacred day is a time of quiet reflection and anticipation within the Christian community as they commemorate the day Jesus Christ lay in the tomb after his crucifixion. 

Easter Vigil – service Saturday at 7:00 p.m. 

The Great Vigil of Easter is the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. As a night watch of expectation, this liturgy begins in darkness and then bursts into light, symbolizing Christ’s passage from death to life

As the service begins, a new fire is lit, from which the Paschal candle is ignited. An ancient hymn is sung before this candle that serves as a symbol of the light of Christ, which dispels all darkness and represents the eternal presence of God. The Easter Vigil is rich with symbolism; it includes the service of light, the Liturgy of the Word, the Renewal of Baptismal vows, and the first Eucharist of Easter. Bishop Thomas Brown will preside, and we’ll be joined by clergy and members from area congregations. 

Easter Day – services Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Easter Day, also known as Resurrection Sunday, is a joyous and celebratory occasion for Christians around the world. It marks the end of the Holy Week and contains the culmination of the Paschal Triduum. 



With Easter, the solemn silence and contemplative nature of the previous days are replaced with exultant church bells ringing out (don’t forget to bring your own bells to ring during the service) calling the faithful from their homes to church to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Our hope is that, through music and flowers and community, Easter Day will provide renewal and hope for our community and the world. 

Good Friday Offering Information

The history of the Good Friday Offering reaches back to 1922 when, in the aftermath of World War I, The Episcopal Church sought to create new relationships with and among the Christians of the Middle East. From these initial efforts which focused on a combination of relief work and the improvement of ecumenical and Anglican relations, the Good Friday Offering was created.

Through the years many Episcopalians have found the Good Friday Offering to be an effective way to express their support for the ministries of the three dioceses of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East.

This year, the need for our support of the Anglican Church in the Holy Land is especially important. 

As you may have read about in the news, an essential ministry of the Diocese of Jerusalem, al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, was bombed last Sunday. 

The hospital has been described in international news reports as the last fully functioning hospital in northern Gaza. 

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe released a statement after the attack, asking for prayers for the hospital staff and their patients.

"No matter how we understand the causes of violence in the Holy Land, we can surely agree that we must support our fellow Anglicans in alleviating the devastating humanitarian crisis now unfolding in Gaza," Rowe said.

Your generous support of the Good Friday offering is much appreciated. A secure link is here: Good Friday Offering

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 Next Week!

Next week, April 27, make plans to join the Rev. Christopher Worthley, as he leads, "What is Church? Anglicanism in Historical and Ecumenical Perspective."



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>.

SAVE THE DATE

FUNDRAISER: SILENT ART AUCTION AND AN ITALIAN COMMUNITY DINNER

TO BENEFIT ST. LUKE'S FOOD PANTRY

WHEN: THURSDAY, MAY 15TH starting at 5:30pm

WHERE: LOWER HALL 

Come join in the FUN, FELLOWSHIP, enjoy a delicious meal, and a chance to bid on fine artwork.

The artwork has either been donated by generous members of St. Luke's or created by the artistic and talented members of the congregation.

We are looking for members to DONATE Artwork to the cause. Betsy Bodor and Stan Kuziel will be available to accept donations on the Sundays in April BEFORE and AFTER the 7:30am and 10am services. They will also be available in the food pantry program on Wednesdays in April from 8:30am - 11:30am.

PLEASE submit donations by Wednesday, 4/30.

In addition to the Silent Art Auction on Thursday evening, 5/15, the artwork will also be available for viewing and submitting of bids during Coffee Hour after 10am services on Sunday, 5/11.

The announcement of individuals with winning bids will be done following the Italian community dinner on Thursday, 5/15.

The food pantry thanks you in advance for your continued support.

We look forward to seeing you at the fundraiser.

Any questions, please email Stan at: winstonduncan59@gmail.com

COMMUNITY NOTES

Our Partner Parish in Duny, Haiti

Our partner parish in Duny, Haiti sends blessings to St. Luke's for a Happy Easter. The Episcopal School in Duny is in session and classrooms are full, and the student population at St. Simon/St. Jude School is growing as a result of people fleeing more violent areas of the country. While the area around Duny is not experiencing violence, incursions are happening nearby, and resources are further strained with the cuts to USAID, which have resulted in many schools stopping lunches or closing altogether. We pray for continued safety in the village and for peace in Haiti. St. Luke's support of the lunch program means the children receive a meal every school day, and we thank you for your generous support.

Click here to support our Haiti partnership.

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.

The next Soul Talk conversation group will meet on Tuesday, April 22nd in the Oratory. Our topic will be the Gift of Limitations.

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

The Artist's Way

Jesus said, “Unless you become as little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt.18:3) The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron, is a 12-week program to help unleash the joyful, creative, and spiritual child who lives within each of us.

If you would like to discover (or rediscover) the Artist’s Way in May, contact Linda Carleton by May 1. We’ll decide together the time and way to meet.

The Biblical Study Group

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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



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

Click on the 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

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Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 4141, Portland, ME 04101

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