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

Dear Friends-

Over the last ten weeks we’ve been meeting, following the 10:00 a.m. service, for ‘Episcopal 101.’ 

Last week we tackled ‘What Episcopalians believe?’ It’s a harder question than you might imagine because Episcopalians do not have an established doctrine or dogma. Instead, our faith is grounded in our common life together as experienced in worship and community and united by our love of God and others. 

At this week’s Diocesan clergy conference, we were joined by the public theologian Brian McLaren. Brian has written 16 books that speak to the ‘big C’ Church and folks who are seeking a relationship with God and creation. The title of one of his books will tell you much about his perspective. It’s called A Generous Orthodoxy: Why I am a missional, evangelical, post/protestant, liberal/conservative, biblical, charismatic/contemplative, fundamentalist/calvinist, anabaptist/anglican, incarnational, depressed-yet-hopeful, emergent, unfinished Christian. 

A quote from that book speaks to ‘What Episcopalians Believe.’ He says, “We must never underestimate our power to be wrong when talking about God, when thinking about God, when imagining God, whether in prose or in poetry. A generous orthodoxy, in contrast to the tense, narrow, or controlling orthodoxies of so much of Christian history, doesn't take itself too seriously. It is humble. It doesn't claim too much.”

I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

-George

New Process for Expense Requests 

The St. Luke's staff is implementing a new, streamlined process for expense requests. At the center of this new process is an online submission form. This online form will enable our administrative and finance staff members to pay Cathedral expenses in a timely manner while also ensuring that detailed reviews and information tracking happen at each step along the way. 

If you need to… 

• Submit a check request
• Request an invoice be paid
• Request a vendor be paid 
• Request reimbursement for purchases 

Please submit your request via our new online Expense Request Form. (Once you've navigated to the form, bookmark the webpage in your web browser for quicker reference.)

We will no longer accept hard-copy requests for payment or reimbursement. All expense requests must be submitted via the online form. Follow the instructions on the form to fill in the necessary details. If you have questions about the form or require any assistance, please contact: office@cathedralofstluke.org. 

We thank you for your cooperation in implementing this new process. Your support in this work helps us to continue to be careful stewards of the Cathedral’s resources and helps us improve efficiency so that we can better serve the St. Luke’s community. Thank you!

Flower Offering

In thanksgiving for her family, the Rev. Anne Fowler donated flowers for the worship services on Sunday, May 4. Thank you, Anne!

UPCOMING

'Episcopal 101': Next Meeting on May 18



'Episcopal 101' will not be meeting this week. We will start back up on May 18 with a discussion about baptism and confirmation. Below are the dates and topics for the remaining sessions of 'Episcopal 101.'

May 18 - Baptism & Confirmation

May 25 - Historical Tour of the Cathedral

June 1 - Confirmation during the 10 a.m. service

This series is open to all, but specifically for those interested in Confirmation, Reception or Baptism in the Church. Meetings will be live streamed and recorded. View previous sessions on our YouTube page.

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

5:15 Service on Sunday



The 5:15 p.m. service is a lay-led 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. Music this week will be provided by Georgia Bancroft and by Rachel Rivera, who is returning to play the singing bowls. Madeleine Nowak will offer a reflection, and our celebrant will be Bishop Thomas Brown. Please join us.

St. Luke's Food Pantry: Hannaford Fundraiser

Community Garden, Gilsland Farm by Meredith Cough

Available to bid on at the upcoming art auction and community dinner!

Join Luke's Garden to Make Love Bug Rocks

Might you join Luke’s Garden to paint rainbow love bug rocks for St. Luke’s to distribute at the Pride parade? Join us on Sunday, May 18 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the lower hall. Ages 10+ invited to join!

Contact Linda Carleton for more information: lindacarleton01@gmail.com

Renaissance Voices 30th Anniversary Concert: Sunday, May 18

Renaissance Voices, directed by St. Luke’s parishioner Harold Stover, will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a concert in the Cathedral next Sunday, May 18, at 2:00 p.m., with music by Palestrina, Byrd, Clara Schumann, Vaughan Williams, Stover, and others. More information and tickets at www.renaissancevoices.net.

New Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025

Cookie Sale & Portable Cookies & Sweets Cookbook

St. Luke’s is assembling a small portable cookie cookbook. Serve at: sporting events, girl scouts and boy scouts, birthdays, and family gatherings. These are family favorites to share with friends! This cookbook is designed to take with you on trips to: camping, skiing, tenting, and to share with friends. The cookbook will feature a photo of you making the cookie and will include the recipe. Sign up today to help us create delicious cookies and a portable recipe book. Sign-up sheets will be available at this week's worship services and in the Upper Parish Hall.

The cookie sale will be held on Sunday, June 8 after the 10 a.m. service. If you have questions or want more information, contact: Jeri Edgar at jeriedgar1@gmail.com.

YAR Picnic on June 15

The Young and the Restless will be holding a spring picnic on the Eastern Prom on Sunday, June 15 at about 1:00 p.m. Bring your own picnic and/or something to share (picnic salad, snacks, dessert, etc.). Frisbees, lawn games, etc. are also a great idea! Rain plan tentatively to meet in the Lower Parish Hall. Any questions, please contact Phoebe Blume at: prblume@gmail.com.

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. Click the link to read: Information Sheet.

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

WALKING TOGETHER: A Faithful Response to Fear and Uncertainty

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

The Healing Team

Prayers of Healing are offered at the 10 a.m. service each Sunday. The Healing Team offers confidential prayers of healing, support and strength, in All Saints Chapel (to the right of the communion rail), throughout communion until the end of the postlude. Two members of the healing team offer prayers of healing or rejoicing for whatever your request is. The following team members will pray, with you, on the following Sundays:

May 11, 2025 - Elise Magnuson, Gail Kesich

May 18, 2025 - Peter Carleton, Sara Schmalz

May 25, 2025 - Joanne DeKay, Judd Hume

Soul Talk

Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 3

10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Oratory

Soul Talk is an informal coffee and discussion group exploring our faith and experience of God. The topic for our next meeting will be Wisdom.

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

The Biblical Study Group

New study group topic starting May 18

The Biblical Study Group will explore in conversation the demands of the Lord for living an authentic and Christian life. This is a 10-week study group addressed to how one becomes an authentic self and how one lives in a rapidly changing scientific environment. 

We will be exploring how to understand our origins as well as the beginnings of the universe(s), neuroscience, quantum mechanics, and modern theological emphases. We will learn skills and techniques for being in God’s presence. We will understand, perhaps for the first time, how to live an authentic and vital Christian life.

The presentation will not be in a lecture format but as questions inviting responses. Our plan’s design is to learn together. We treat all questions as a part of the learning process. The presenter will be The Rev. Dr. J. Robert Hanson (Bob), a dedicated member of the St. Luke’s community for more than 25 years. Dr. Hanson brings a Biblical and a scientific background to the presentation of these essential topics. Many of your questions about truth in the Bible can be addressed during the sessions. 

Our first session will be held Sunday, May 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. We will meet in the Chapter Room. At this first meeting, we will decide as a group the best day and time to meet moving forward for the remaining weeks of the study group.

If you would like to learn more, or if you have questions about the study group, please call Dr. Hanson at (207) 405-8250. 

Noon Zoom Prayer Group

The Noon Zoom Prayer Group meets every other Thursday at 12:00 p.m. via Zoom. The next meeting will be on Thursday, May 22. Click the link below to join.

Meeting link for Noon Zoom Prayer Group

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 p.m., singing most Sunday 10 a.m. 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

Tuesdays

2:30 p.m.

The Upper Hall

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.

For additional information contact Jeri Edgar 207-303-8447 or Nancy Mawhinney 207-775-7500.

Contemplative Prayer

Contemplative prayer meets every Thursday at 4:30 p.m. 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

• 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

Parking Available at:

134 Park Street, Portland, ME 04101

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 4141, Portland, ME 04101

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