A note from Bishop Thomas J. Brown, Bishop of Maine

Dear People of God called to be the Cathedral Church of St. Luke,

Your beautiful work these past 24 months is bearing fruit that will last. Each time I'm with you, whether it's in worship on a Sunday morning, or at the 5:15 liturgy, walking through the parking lot, chatting with you in the upper parish hall, or attending meetings of the Lesser Chapter I see, hear, and feel God's grace. Bless you.

When I invited George Stevens to join us as interim dean I envisaged that he'd be with us about 12-14 months. What all of us learned, pretty quickly after George arrived, is that communication, especially during moments of conflict or tension, frequently reflected a tendency to be indirect, and sometimes we did this mean-spiritedly. In short, we learned that we had big work to do, and that George's many gifts and skills would help us if he stayed longer than 12-14 months.

George is not our "forever dean" but he has agreed to remain with us until our work is done, and we're ready to look for and then to welcome and work with a permanent successor, a dean whom we hope will be with us for several years. Until that happens I think it will help all of us, including myself, understand that George is more than an interim, and far more than a place-holder. Consequently, I have asked him to accept the title Dean. In one way removing the word "interim" from George's title changes nothing, but in another more symbolic way (and we are a faith community who use a lexicon rooted in symbology) he is THE Dean.

Therefore, I'm delighted to announce that George has agreed to be our Dean; beginning on Palm Sunday you'll notice the absence of the word "interim" next to his name. I hope you'll join me in thanking and congratulating him, and even more, pledging your ongoing commitment to work with him and one another to make our community a lively outpost of God's mission.

Faithfully in Christ,

Thomas J. Brown

Bishop of Maine

UPCOMING

Join us tonight to welcome Spring the Lower Hall We'll begin gathering at 5:30 p.m. and then dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. Interested in lending a hand? Contact Meredith Cough.

‘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

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 provided by Nina Anderson, clarinet.

Please join us!

The Women Around Jesus: Lenten Quiet Day

It's not too late to join the Reverend Anne Fowler for a Quiet Morning on Saturday 5 April 9:30–11:30. We will use art and poetry as prompts for a time of prayer and meditation as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Easter Story. Questions? Please sign up!

St. Luke’s Cathedral Easter Choir for Children Beginning Today!

We invite all children 7 to 12 years old to join us for an Easter Choir!

Three Rehearsals: Thursdays 3, 10 & 17 April 3:30 to 4:15 PM in the St. Luke’s Choir Room (lower level, entrance from parking lot at 134 Park Street, Portland)

We will learn 2 songs to sing during the 9 AM worship service on Easter Sunday 20 April. (meet Easter morning @ 8:30 AM)

Parents are welcome, but not required, to attend rehearsals.

Questions? Contact Christian Clough, music director, at <cclough@cathedralofstluke.org> or (207) 772-5434 ext. 204

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.

Young and the Restless Powerpoint Party!

Please join the Young and the Restless on Sunday, April 13 after church for our annual Power Point 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.

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

10-11:30AM 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 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 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.