A Reflection from the Rev. George R. Stevens, Interim Dean

Dear Friends-

Each year the season of Epiphany ends with Jesus’ Transfiguration.

Dorothy Lee describes the Transfiguration as ‘a pivotal moment', and says that 'the setting on the mountain is presented as the point where human nature meets God: the meeting place of the temporal and the eternal, with Jesus as the connecting point, acting as the bridge between heaven and earth.'

In his book, Whistling in the Dark, theologian Frederick Buechner explains the miracle in a way that, I believe, is worth sharing.

See you Sunday!

George

HIS FACE SHONE like the sun," Matthew says, "and his garments became white as light." Moses and Elijah were talking to him. There was a bright cloud overshadowing him and out of it a voice saying, "This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." The three disciples who witnessed the scene "fell on their faces, and were filled with awe" (Matthew 17:1-6).

It is as strange a scene as there is in the Gospels. Even without the voice from the cloud to explain it, they had no doubt what they were witnessing. It was Jesus of Nazareth all right, the man they'd tramped many a dusty mile with, whose mother and brothers they knew, the one they'd seen as hungry, tired, footsore as the rest of them. But it was also the Messiah, the Christ, in his glory. It was the holiness of the man shining through his humanness, his face so afire with it they were almost blinded.

Even with us something like that happens once in a while. The face of a man walking his child in the park, of a woman picking peas in the garden, of sometimes even the unlikeliest person listening to a concert, say, or standing barefoot in the sand watching the waves roll in, or just having a beer at a Saturday baseball game in July. Every once and so often, something so touching, so incandescent, so alive transfigures the human face that it's almost beyond bearing. -Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark.

UPCOMING

Ash Wednesday Services

Join us next Wednesday, March 5^th for our Ash Wednesday services. The Cathedral will host three services: 7:30 a.m., Noon and 7:00 p.m. All services will include the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Eucharist.

‘Episcopal 101’ Begins Sunday, March 2

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

COMMUNITY NOTES

A Prayer for Black History Month

Compassionate God, who sent Jesus Christ to deliver us from all manner of injustices and inequalities, create in us new hearts and enlarged visions, to see the image of God in every person irrespective of background, race and ethnicity. May we be generous in our love of others as we work towards ending racism and injustice; creating communities of human flourishing, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Episcopal Church joins religious freedom lawsuit.

You may have read on Tuesday that the Episcopal Church joined a diverse group of religious institutions challenging ICE enforcement actions within church buildings.

The Office of Public Affairs has written an informative story about the Episcopal Church’s role in the suit and our theological understanding of why a suit like this is necessary. I commend it to you: Link to Story about ICE Lawsuit

Annual Meeting Wrap Up

Thanks to all who participated in last week’s Annual Meeting. More than 75 parishioners were able to join us in person for a great meeting.

We heard reports from the Interim Dean, Junior Warden and Outgoing Senior Warden and elected new leadership including John Hennessy as Senior Warden and Peter Carleton, Catherine Hyde and Laura Lyons as members of our Lesser Chapter.

Minutes from the meeting are available here: Minutes of Annual Meeting

Hard copies of the Annual Report (which includes reports from our many ministries) are available in the church office and a digital copy can be found here: 2024 Annual Report

A recording of the meeting can be viewed on the Cathedral’s Youtube page or by clicking here: Link to Youtube Recording of Annual Meeting

A video of the presentation of our 2025 Budget discussion is available here: Video of St. Luke's 2025 Budget Presentation

The Slides that accompanied the discussion are available here: S lides for Budget Presentation

An overview of the Budget is available here: 2025 Budget Overview

A Note from our Junior Warden, Jamie Cough about 'Parking Lot Conversations'.

As Randi Hogan, our treasurer reported in the 2025 Budget presentation last week, the Cathedral of St. Luke is facing a deficit budget again this year.

In exploring options for keeping the gap as small as possible, a group of parishioners met last week to discuss the possibility of leasing our parking lot.

The hope is to find a suitable vendor to manage our parking while allowing for current church activities to be maintained with as few limitations as possible.

It is important to note that, should this proposal proceed, parking lot rental will not impact Sunday services, or the weekday morning ministries and normal church business. But this will involve changes to our parking.

Historically, we have leased our parking lot through various management companies. Most recently, to Mercy Hospital. Since Mercy Hospital’s relocation to the Fore River site, we have lost a significant amount of parking income. While we do have some individual “contracts” , there are many times our parking lot could be utilized for parking revenue.

We hope to receive approximately $3000/month for leasing the parking lot, but this may be adjusted based on our final lease restrictions. (This is the equivalent of gaining more than 12 average pledging families a year.)

There will be more details to follow and ample opportunity for discussions and before a vote by the Vestry on any agreement, but I just wanted to give you an update on our progress.

If you have any questions, please contact me, Jamie Cough, via email at: jamiecough@gmail.com

Minutes of last month's Vestry meeting available by clicking this link: F ebruary Vestry Minutes

I need your help! Do you know our next Parish Administrator?

A recently posted Job Description invited applications to be our next Parish Administrator.

It begins: "The Cathedral of St. Luke is a vibrant parish located in the West End of Portland, Maine. As the Cathedral for the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, St. Luke’s is a welcoming space for diverse outreach ministries, worship and community gatherings.

The Parish Administrator provides a warm welcome to those who visit the Cathedral of St. Luke and ensures the smooth-running operation of the Parish Office. The position requires management experience, knowledge of, and commitment to church ministry, excellent communication skills and the ability to multitask. This position can be full-time or part-time and includes benefits.

This position requires: a friendly, warm cooperative attitude, especially with volunteers and visitors, initiative, attention to detail and follow-through, an understanding of confidentiality as well as a good sense of humor. A bachelor’s degree is preferred and candidates with management experience, especially with ministry, are a plus."

A link to the specific list of Principal Functions as well as application instructions are available Parish Administrator Job Description

Please share this position! Any questions? Email me at gstevens@cathedralofstluke.org

-George

Please note: Parishioners of the Cathedral of St. Luke will not be considered for this position.

Through its Walking Together ministry, we at St. Luke’s seek to walk together with

God, with one another, with immigrants and members of the LGTBQ+ community, and

with our partner organizations who serve them. By volunteering with our partner

organizations, members of the Cathedral can make a real difference in the lives of those

who currently feel most vulnerable and afraid. Here are some ways you can help.

— St. Luke’s Food Pantry Unloading food and setting up the pantry: Wednesday,

8-10ish; Serving our neighbors: Thursday, 8-11. Contact Mary Brighthaupt.

— St. Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry Providing non-food essentials like soap, toilet

paper, diapers and household wares: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 8-11:00. Contact Sara Borgeson.

— State Street Shelter Greeting people/playing with kids: daily, 6-8:30pm; Overnight

sleeping (separate space): daily, 8:30pm - 6:30am; preparing breakfast, 6:30-8am.

(207) 774-6396

— Hope Acts Greeting and assisting clients at the door. (Previously done by asylum-

seekers for whom it is no longer safe.) 2-4 hour shifts daily. Contact Connie Schmalz.

— Presente! Maine, a grassroots, mutual aid organization by and for Afro/Indigenous-

Latines in Maine. Drivers to assist with food distribution to homes. 2nd and 4th Sat. 12-

3. (207) 800-7453, info@presentemaine.org or Peter Carleton.

If you would like to become part of St. Luke's Walking Together Ministry, contact Linda Carleton

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

10-11:30AM 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.

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 8:30AM.

The Bible Study group is analyzing the forces or efforts of the Mediterranean Christian’s cultures to determine the real or authentic nature of Jesus-the one some are insisting is the promised Messiah or the Christos; literally the ‘Anointed one”. Nicaea, the first attempt (325 CE) was being reflected, or seriously discussed throughout the Empire. Was Jesus of Nazareth the appointed of God or the one sent to provide a way to salvation for all believers?

How are we to understand (and accept) this Jesus. Historically, this entire question was not raised as an issue until 100 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. This issue’s resolution determines how we are to understand the choices we must make about living as an authentic Christian life! Join us on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. 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 7-9PM, singing most Sunday 10AM liturgies & for several additional services throughout the year.

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

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.

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

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.

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.