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

Dear Friends-

This Sunday our community will welcome sixteen new members through Baptism, Confirmation, and Reception at the 10:00 a.m. service. 

Led by our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Thomas Brown, this service is a wonderful opportunity to give thanks for those who are making a commitment to God and the Church. 

The service also gives us the opportunity to hear and reaffirm our Baptismal Covenant. 

In the Baptismal Covenant, we affirm our belief in our Triune God and our commitment to the community of believers across time and space known as the Church. We declare God’s love is present and resurrection is real. We then make a series of promises to live our lives in such a way as to reflect God’s dream for humanity.

• We promise to remain in community with one another, even when things get hard.
• We promise to resist evil and fight against the inequality, prejudice, racism, and disregard for life which too often permeates our world and our own lives. When we fail, we’ll admit it, seek forgiveness from those we have harmed, and start again.
• We promise to share the story of how God, in the person of Jesus, has transformed us and our world, and to invite others to experience God’s love and grace in Christ.
• We promise to love and serve all God’s people, including ourselves, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, political affiliation, language, religion, national origin, age, martial or family status, or economic or social situation. And we promise to call our friends, family, government and institutional structures, and faith communities to do the same.

By joining with those who are joining the Church in their commitment to do this work, we acknowledge our own need to redouble our efforts to bring God’s reign into being. 

I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday. 

Blessings-

George

This Sunday following the 10:00 a.m. service, the ninth Bishop of Maine, the Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Brown will speak with the people of St. Luke’s about what it means to be the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Portland. 

The Cathedral of St. Luke has a dual vocation; as a congregation engaged in liturgy, advocacy and service and as a cathedral, which is the outward and visible sign of unity for the Diocese of Maine. 

In addition to the work we have undertaken in mission, hospitality and stewardship, understanding our Bishop’s vision for us is essential in preparing to call our new dean. 

The presentation and discussion will take place in Emmanuel Chapel and will be both livestreamed and recorded.   

Parking Lot Management

Beginning June 1, parking lot operations at the Cathedral will be managed by OODA Parking Solutions, a Portland-based parking lot management firm with experience serving churches and other faith-based organizations in Maine. Our partnership with OODA Parking Solutions will allow us to better manage and maintain the parking lot, while also helping us generate revenue to support our parish operations.

Last week, we hosted a parish-wide meeting via Zoom to introduce OODA Parking Solutions to the parish community. Click here to view a recording of the meeting.

Please note: this change will not impact parking for Sunday services, Cathedral events, or St. Luke's ministries. If you have questions about parking, please contact Jamie Cough at jrwarden@cathedralofstluke.org or contact the office at office@cathedraofstluke.org.

Seeking Readers for Pentecost

In anticipation of the Feast of Pentecost, we are looking to gather readers who can read the gospel in different languages during our 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday, June 8. Last year, members of the congregation read the gospel in German, Latin, Arabic, French, Danish, Italian, Koine Greek, and Spanish. These readings deepened our worship in observance of Pentecost, and we'd like to continue the tradition this year.

Would you be interested in reading the gospel in a language that is meaningful to you? Please contact Susan McCuller before Sunday, June 1 at smcculler@gmail.com to express interest and learn more. 

St. Luke's Saturday Newsletter

Starting back up on May 31!



We are bringing back the Saturday newsletter starting this Saturday, May 31. The Saturday newsletter will be a short announcement email that will include information about the Sunday worship services happening the following day. This email will include links to bulletins and livestream information.

The focus of our Saturday newsletter will be our Sunday worship services. Community announcements, resources, and upcoming events will be sent via our Thursday newsletter, as usual. To receive the Saturday newsletter, please sign up below.

Sign up to receive St. Luke's Saturday Newsletter.

UPCOMING

5:15 Service on Sunday

Please note: Service will start at 5:30 p.m. this Sunday, June 1

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 Linda Carleton. Judd Hume will offer a reflection, and our celebrant will be the Rev. Tom Mousin. Please join us.

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 Update

With Gratitude

In a nutshell: we did it! Your donations to the Diaper Drive will provide our projected diaper needs for the year! My unofficial calculations based on donation records show that, as of May 12th, St Elizabeth’s has exceeded our Diaper Drive Goal and brought in more than $20,000 specific to the diaper drive. Not included in this number are "in kind" donations which are difficult to track because they flowed in by the armloads, truck loads and trunk loads from individuals, the Youth Group, community organizations and parishes.  

Thank you to the dedicated St E Board, our tireless volunteers, gracious partner churches, individual members at our partner churches, friends and family of parishioners, local community organizations and the Episcopal Diocese of Maine. Whether you donated a bundle of diapers or wrote a check for a months worth of diapers, or maybe you helped just by sharing our story with your yoga class, dentist or cousins.  Your kindness and generosity have raised St E's up in an uncertain time. Your show of love and support for the good work that goes on every Tuesday is heartwarming and we are grateful.

Onward.

-Gus Goodwin

St Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry co-chair 

Eco Tips

From the St. Luke's Public Policy and Environmental Action Team

Ways to save water:

1. Shower for not longer than 5 minutes and install water-saving shower heads.
2. Insulate your hot water pipes.
3. Minimize the use of the garbage disposal, as this uses a large amount of water. Instead, compost fruit and vegetable scraps.
4. Wash full loads of laundry and dishes.
5. Do not run the water while brushing your teeth; this can save 2-3 gallons of water each day.

Source: greenamerica.org.

What are we doing as a church in this moment?

Reflecting on ‘A World Unraveling’ with Brian McLaren

St. Luke's member Shana Rose wrote a reflection for the Episcopal Diocese of Maine blog about her experience attending a recent event with author, theologian, and activist Brian McLaren. The theme of the event was 'A World Unraveling' and explored concepts from McLaren's most recent book, Life After Doom.  

Read Shana's reflection on the Episcopal Diocese of Maine blog.

St. Luke's Food Pantry: Hannaford Fundraiser

Minutes of last month's Vestry meeting are available via the link below:

April 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:

June 1 - Gail Kesich, Judd Hume

June 8 - Elise Magnuson, Peter Carleton

June 15 - Sara Schmalz, Peter Carleton

June 22 - Elise Magnuson, Joanne DeKay

June 29 - Sara Schmalz, Gail Kesich

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

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. 

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.

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, June 5. Click the link below to join.

Meeting link for Noon Zoom Prayer Group

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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