Welcome to The Rev. Dr. Paul St. Germain

as Transition Priest in Charge

Paul is serving as Transition Priest in Charge for St. Luke’s from February 1 until May 1. He is available in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays and available at other times on an as needed basis.

A native of Vermont and cradle Episcopalian, Paul has served parishes of many sizes, primarily in the Midwest, for over thirty years. He graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in History, followed by a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School where he received Yale’s prestigious Wilcott-Caulkins Award for public speaking. In addition to a Diploma of Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School, he holds a Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary.

Professionally, he has twice been appointed to the State of Ohio’s Council on the Humanities, and served for over a decade as a technical advisor to the Diocese of Southern Ohio on liturgy and the use of imagery in worship, and website communication. He also has consulted on church development and planning—and served for ten years as head of The Miami Valley Episcopal Russian Youth Exchange Program. Paul loves travel, and has built a number of collegial relationships through service here, Central America, and Eastern Europe, leading over thirty pilgrimages and ministry trips since 1995. His focus is often Anglican history with a primary interest in the role of ritual in modern culture. He is a close follower of the British Royal Family, enjoys Star Trek and Good Food, sailing with Cunard, motoring in his Mini Cooper, and caring for Tavish, a particularly vocal and opinionated Scottish Terrier.

He lives a few blocks away from St. Luke’s. Paul will be assisted by the Rev. Suzanne Roberts, the Rev. Anne Fowler and the Rev. Christopher Worthley.

He can be reached at [email protected]

Celebrate the Ministry of

the Rev. Benjamin Shambaugh

This Saturday, February 4th

6:00 p.m. -8:00pm

Location: The Cathedral Nave



-Childcare is available at the Cathedral

-Light refreshments will be served

-Livestream for speeches will begin at 7pm

-Please carpool to help with parking considering the cold temperatures expected

Join Us Saturday, February 4th at 6pm at the Cathedral to celebrate the 18 years of ministry together with the Rev. Dr. Benjamin Shambaugh and his family.

We hope that you can join us in saying thank you to him as he embarks on his new call to St. Luke's in East Hampton, New York.

Give a Contribution in Support of Dean Shambaugh's

Farewell Celebration or to a General Collection

Dear cathedral community,

If you wish to make a financial gift in support of Dean Shambaugh's farewell celebration or for a general collection please drop off a check to the parish office or mail to the cathedral at P.O. Box 4141, Portland, ME 04101.

Please denote in the memo either "For the Dean's Farewell Celebration" or

"For Ben's General Purse."

For any additional questions please email our treasurer Tim Wilkins.

Thank you for your generosity.

Highlights of the Annual Meeting

The 2022 Annual Meeting was held on January 29, 2023.

The results of the election were as follows:

Sam Allen was elected Senior Warden

The following were elected to the Vestry: Jamie Cough three-year term, Jamie Moore three-year term, Nancy Brain three-year term, Michael Thorne two-year term, Catherine Hyde one-year term.

The following were elected as Diocesan Delegates: Curtis Maurand, Orion Williams, Fred Fowler, Judd Hume, Gayl Anglin.

The Dean appointed Chairs of the Standing Committees for 2023 as follows:

Finance: John Watson

Endowment: Sam Spencer

Stewardship: Randi Hogan

Memorial Garden and Columbarium: Priscilla Webster

Building and Grounds: Claire Hammen

Senior Warden Anna Klein Christie and Junior Warden Claire Hammen gave brief remarks. The Dean thanked retiring Senior Warden Anna Christie and retiring Vestry members Peter Bingham, Jamie Cough, Gayl Anglin and Joanne DeKay for their service. The Treasurer gave a report and the congregation accepted the 2023 Budget approved by the vestry. The Dean recognized members of Cathedral organizations.

Presumptive Senior Warden-Elect Sam Allen described the transition process and asked questions. The first step in the transition is to celebrate the Dean's service. The Rev. Paul St. Germaine will be Transition Priest-in-Charge, responsible for Staff and worship, from February through May. He will be assisted by Associate Rev. Suzanne Roberts, Deacon Rebecca Grant, and Assisting Clergy Rev. Anne Fowler and Rev. Christopher Worthley.

Bishop Brown will select an Interim Dean to start around May 1. The process of discernment for the Cathedral will probably begin in the fall, after which there will be advertisements for the position of Dean, and a new Dean will probably begin in mid-2024.

Choral Evensong Resumes

Sunday February 5th, 2023

4:00pm

The Cathedral Nave

Contact: Christian Clough

Please join us this Sunday at 4pm as the choir resumes with a service of choral evensong.

Music for this service includes Responses: Craig Phillips. Evening Canticles: Stanford in B-Flat Major. Psalm 34, Anglican chants by J. Marcus Ritchie & Graham Griggs. Anthem: Abendlied by Josef Rheinberger.

5:15 pm Service Has Transitioned To Seasonal Status

With Dean Shambaugh's departure, the 5:15 pm Sunday Service has gone on hiatus. This service will be on seasonal status with the appointment of a full time interim. For additional questions please email the Rev. Dr. K. Paul St. Germain.

Cathedral Snow Policy Reminder

The Cathedral offices and programming will be closed when Portland Public Schools have also announced a closure. We will not make a separate announcement for the Cathedral. Thank you for your understanding!

Messiaen Concert by Ensemble Chamarré

Sunday, February 26th | 3:00pm

Location: The Cathedral Nave

Freewill offering in support of St. Elizabeth's Pantry

Contact: Christian Clough

Please join us on Sunday, February 26th at 3pm in the Cathedral Nave as we host Ensemble Chamarré for a concert of the music of Olivier Messiaen. Please read the description of the concert below:

Ensemble Chamarré is dedicated to performing the powerful and moving "Quatuor pour la fin du temps" by Olivier Messiaen. This piece (translated as the Quartet for the End of Time) was composed during an excruciatingly difficult time while Messiaen was captured and held in a German POW camp during World War II. The Quartet for the End of Time draws its inspiration from the Book of Revelation, birdsong, and the colors of the northern lights. The first performance was held in the camp during the bleak winter of 1941 with Messiaen at the piano, and fellow prisoners playing violin, cello, and clarinet. Ensemble Chamarré seeks to help the listener to experience the context of this extraordinary masterpiece of chamber literature by describing the conditions at the camp and details of Messiaen's experience as it relates to the music. Listeners may draw inspiration from this musical and spiritual journey of triumph and redemption over despair.

 Past performances were greeted with great enthusiasm from audience members, who described it as “a transforming experience”. Following these successful performances together playing Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time, and witnessing the transformational qualities of that musical work and the audiences' response, as well as the musicians’ chemistry of working together, the musicians decided to formally create an ensemble dedicated to playing this powerful piece. The musicians who make up Ensemble Chamarré individually bring a great mix of experiences to the ensemble: from performances with the Boston Symphony on international stages to recording for Aerosmith, from movie soundtracks to concerto solo performances. They have performed worldwide, earning praise from reviewers citing their “mesmeric” and “brilliant” playing and “amazing delicacy” and “musical wizardry”.

New Online Giving Platform Launched

The Cathedral has launched our new online giving platform, Realm, which also serves as our new database.

If you are interested in establishing monthly or weekly recurring gifts for your 2023 Pledge or other outreach gifts, now is the time to do so.

Please see the link here to be able to access our giving page.

Please note, Realm is not where you make your pledge. It’s where you will schedule payment of your pledge in whatever increments you might like to do. That could be weekly, monthly, or in one lump sum payment as you set up your recurring gift or one time gift please look at those options and make sure the amount that you enter is what you want withdrawn each week or each month.

You can also donate to St. Luke’s through our new and secure “Give and Text” feature. Please TEXT “TEXTCSL” to 73256. Our 2023 Pledge Campaign is ongoing. Pledge materials and information are available here.

Stewardship Update

As of January 7, 2023, the parish had received 142 pledges for $411,417.84. There are 13 new pledging units. Half the pledgers increased their pledge from the previous year. Several dozen of 2022 pledgers have not been heard from yet, and Finance Committee and Lesser Chapter members are in the process of reaching out to them for their support.

Give/ Pledge to St. Luke's

St. Luke's Community Kitchen to

Host Cooking Classes with Guest Chefs

Sunday, February 6th |6:00p-8:30pm

Monday, March 6th

Location: The St. Luke's Community Kitchen

All proceeds support St. Luke’s Community Kitchen.

To Register: Dawn Brennan-Daly

The Community Kitchen is hosting its first pilot cooking class on Monday, February 6th from 6:00 - 8:30 pm in the Kitchen and Lower Hall. Reservations are required. Cost is $75/pp with seating for 12 participants.

Chef Will Donnelly will show you how to prepare home-made pasta with a delicious sauce, and then enjoy dinner together. Please BYOB. Chef Donnelly was born in South Africa and started cooking at an early age with his family after moving to New York City. He continued his education at the Culinary Institute of America and has cooked in professional kitchens and restaurants in London, New York and Portland. He brings over 18 years of experience to his cooking, catering and classes, and is committed through his teaching to preparing better, healthier meals at home while supporting local, organic, humane farming.

Learn more by going to Loving Bite Catering and on Instagram, Will Donnelly (@sharplikeknife)

Chef Donnelly will also be offering a class on Monday, March 6th from 6:00 - 8:30 pm.

All proceeds support St. Luke’s Community Kitchen.

PPEAT Eco-Tips Regarding PFAS chemicals

PFAS, or Per and Polyfluoralkyl substances are a group of chemicals used to make water, grease, and stain-repellant items. Often labeled Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster, Polartec, and Gore-tex, these have been found to create environmental degradation through product disintegration, pollution, and discharge into waterways. Some of these have even been reported in human blood. According to the Environmental Working Group, some carpets, clothing, and Glide Floss contain PFAS.

The Environmental Working Group lists items contaminated with PFAS and provides a pdf that one can download for more information. Go to www.ewg.org

PPEAT Eco-Tips for Diocesan Climate Justice Council

Have you checked out the Diocesan Climate Justice Council web page yet? Even if you have, we urge you to take another look and read about the Council's work. New things are always being added. Take a look at "Sustainable Practices for Individuals" and other resource links. Recently added are links to some excellent blogs written by fellow Mainers about environmental topics and a link to the Maine chapter of Third Act, Bill Mckibben's new climate organization for those over the age of 50. And if you want to do something to address global warming but are not sure what, here is a helpful survey developed by Yale Climate Communications: What can YOU do about climate change? Take this quiz to find out.

Faith-Based Advocacy Series through the

Maine Council of Churches

Tuesday February 2nd, February 7th, and

February 9th

6:30- 8:00 p.m.

Tour of the Statehouse in Augusta: February 27th (tentative)

Location: Online

Contact: Sarah Braik

Register Here

The Maine Council of Churches invites you to its 2023 Faith-Based Advocacy Series. Designed to inspire and equip people of faith to advocate for policies and people that align with their deepest beliefs and values, this training event will include four online sessions beginning Tuesday, January 31 and concluding Thursday, February 9, followed by an in-person tour of the State House in late February. Cost for individual participants is $30 but if we have 5 or more from St. Luke's we are eligible for a $100 flat cost.

 Visit here for additional information or contact Sarah Braik.

Becoming Beloved Community Newsletter from the

Episcopal Church

Please read the reflection below from the Episcopal Church's Becoming Beloved Community Newsletter in reflection of the death of Tyre Nichols.

We Must Stop Forgetting

By Stephanie Spellers

I have not watched the film of five Black Memphis police officers beating 29-year-old Tyre Nichols to a pulp. I have not seen the EMTs who did so little while a beloved child made in God’s image lay dying at their feet. 

I have not looked, yet it is all I can see. Just reading the account is enough to conjure the most horrific, tortured images—worse than anything Hollywood could script. I have not seen the video, but I cannot unsee it, and I honestly don’t want to unsee it. We have become too good at forgetting.  

Read Full Newsletter Here

Have Your Say: Youth Retreat & Forum

February 17th-19th

Location: Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, New Hampshire

Contact: Emily Keniston

Interest Form

Current middle and high school youth from the Episcopal Dioceses of Maine and New Hampshire are invited to participate in Have Your Say: Youth Retreat & Forum. This event is a two-night, two-day retreat at Barbara Harris Camp and Conference Center in New Hampshire to invite prayer, community building, fun, and discernment about how youth experience God at work in the world right now, and what they want their church to do about it.

Interested caregivers can fill out this interest form to indicate their middle or high school child’s interest in attending the event. A registration form will then be emailed to interested parties. Email Director of Faith Formation in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, Emily Keniston, with questions or concerns. 

*The Episcopal Church in New Hampshire is having a Family Fun Day at Barbara Harris Camp and Conference Center on the Saturday of the youth event, Feb 18th, so some families may want to participate in that event but have a teen join in the Have Your Say track, too. Please email Emily Keniston for more information about how that can work.

The Healing Team

"The Healing Team will serve, at the 10am Eucharist with the following Healing Team members:

February 5, 2023.  Oscar Mokeme, Ruth Roemer

Maine Episcopal Youth Corp Invitation

From Christian Education Director Sarah Dowling

Greetings Families and Youth,

Peter Swarr, the rector at Trinity Church in Portland has invited St. Luke’s Youth to join in their Maine Episcopal Youth Corp activities. If you don’t know Peter is a Maine native who in his youth participated in Diocesan youth events. He is very high energy and enjoys working with Youth.

It's a great opportunity to contribute to local needs while having fun with other Youth and Rev. Swarr.

For more information or for letting Peter and I know you plan to attend, please contact Sarah Dowling at [email protected] or call 207-653-1017.

State Street Church Housing Help with

Maine Episcopal Youth Service Corp.



February 5th, 2023

12:00pm

Contact: Please RSVP to the Rev. Peter Swarr

State Street Church is moving ahead with creating a winter shelter for unhoused families at their Church. They have been meeting with Maine Immigrant's Rights Coalition, other area faith leaders, the City of Portland, and they are beginning to transform part of their lower level into a place where people are able to stay warm, stay safe, and find shelter even as the city is no longer to offer shelter to so many individuals in our city.

Our State Street Community members need help to move items out of their space, help with cleaning, and loading a commercial dumpster. The Youth Service Corp. will be contributing $1000 towards this project. As we advocate for safe and warm housing for all.

Family Promise Needs Your Help

The GPFP rotational model is up and running and we still need your help! There are currently two sets of volunteer opportunities. One involves shifts at the day center at the YMCA on Forest Avenue. We are looking for help filling morning, midday, and afternoon shifts Monday - Saturday. The day center is generally staffed with one Family Promise staff person and a volunteer. We need the most help Tuesday and Thursdays between 10-2 and on Saturday when the kids are there. Sign up at the YMCA day center here.

The other involves volunteering at the host church, which alternates every two weeks. Families have just moved to St. Albans Church in Cape Elizabeth. Most churches have an evening shift, which includes the dinner hour as well as an overnight shift for which we really need staffing. There are also shifts on Sundays and holidays when the day center is closed. Sign up at St. Albans with this link.

At this time, we welcome both trained and untrained volunteers from our faith communities.

Many thanks to all who have stepped up to help - we could not do this without you!

Lynne England, 318-9848

Connie Bingham, 415-1441

Mary Linnemam, 409-4253