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The Dio Log
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news and events in
the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
since 1999
Volume 18, Number 15 ~ August 12, 2016
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The Rev. Craig Hacker prepares to throw the first pitch at a recent Sea Dogs games, with a little help from the kids of St. Peter's, Bridgton.
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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
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congratulations to...
All Saints by the Sea, Bailey Island, and
St. Martin in the Fields, Biddeford Pool, summer chapels that celebrate 100 years this summer. Bishop Steve Lane visited both recently.
Read his sermons, including his comments about what summer chapels can show year-round congregations, on his blog at
www.roundmaine.org.
the Rev. Elizabeth Miller and
the Rev. Larry Estey,
who have been named by Bishop Lane as the new Chaplains to Retired Clergy.
They follow in the footsteps of the Rev. Tom Benson, archdeacon at St. John's, Bangor, who served in that role for many years.
Learn more about their hopes for this ministry on the New Northeast blog,
newnortheast.me
prayers for...
healing for
Debra Wagner, the wife of the Rev. Beau Wagner, rector of St. Matthew's, Lisbon Falls.
the Rev. Dick Bamforth as he begins treatment for cancer. Please, no phone calls or visits at this time.
the Rev. Dick Johnson, home now, recuperating from a minor stroke
the Rev. Lynne Orville, recuperating from spinal surgery.
voices among us...
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Around the Diocese
The Comp Committee welcomes your comments on a draft resolution affecting minimum lay compensation for 2017 - deadline August 26
At its June meeting the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church issued a resolution offering support for a Living Wage of $15.00 per hour. The resolution converged with a conversation members of the Clerical and Lay Compensation Committee were about to have with Bishop Stephen Lane about lay compensation in the Diocese of Maine.
The result is the Compensation Committee, as it has done in the past, asks Maine Episcopalians to offer comments on a draft resolution over the summer. In late August, after the deadline for comments (August 26) has passed, members will consider your comments and propose a final version of the resolution to go before clergy and delegates at our Diocesan Convention in October.
The following links offer the opportunity to read the draft resolution, a letter of explanation and invitation from Bishop Lane as well as the language of the resolution passed by Executive Council. Additional links include the comment form and a sign-on form for churches that wish to co-sponsor the resolution.
Nominations for diocesan offices are open through September 9
The following offices in the Diocese of Maine are open for nominations. Elections will be held at the Convention in Portland on Saturday, October 22.
Secretary (1 year term)
Treasurer (1 year term)
Standing Committee-Clergy (3 year term)
Standing Committee-Lay (3 year term)
Disciplinary Board-Lay (3 year term)
Provincial Synod-Lay Deputy (2 year term)
Provincial Synod-Clerical Alternate Deputy (2 year term)
General Convention Deputation (4 Clergy, 4 Lay)
Trustee of Diocesan Funds (4 year term)
*Nominations will be reviewed by the Trustees before being added to the ballot.
Consider serving the diocese in a new way! The nomination form is available
here. Nominations must be received by the September 9 deadline.
Other information about Diocesan Convention - the form for submitting resolutions, the lay delegate form (deadline June 30, ahem,) information about the convention site at the University of Southern Maine, and more - may be found on the
Convention page.
Nominations for lay members of Diocesan Council are open
Diocesan Council is a decision-making body of the Diocese of Maine comprised of two elected members from each of the eight diocesan Areas. Clergy members are elected to a two year term in odd years and lay members are elected for a two year term in even years.
In 2016, we are electing lay members and elections will take place on October 22 in Portland at Convention.
Diocesan Council serves as our "Convention between Conventions." Council meets four times each year - generally an overnight meeting (Friday evening-Saturday afternoon) in May and December and a Saturday meeting in February and September. Mileage reimbursement is offered and all overnight accommodation costs are covered by the Diocese.
If you wish to nominate someone, please check with that person for a willingness to serve before submitting this form. The nomination form may be found here. The deadline for nominations is September 9.
Director of Christian Formation opportunities in Maine congregations
Saint Mary, Falmouth
The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary in Falmouth, is seeking a part-time Director of Christian Formation. The position is for an average of ten hours per week beginning this autumn, or as soon as possible. Duties will include, but are not limited to, supervising the church school program including the nursery and Guiding RAY program for ages three through grade 5. The applicant will also be involved in coordinating with our program for middle school students. Working knowledge of Godly Play would be advantageous. The applicant must have a desire to serve God and share the Gospel, have excellent verbal and written communication skills, be able to organize people and materials, and have an open and welcoming temperament with both children and adults. For further information, contact Father Nathan Ferrell at
smary@smary.org
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St. Thomas', Camden
St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Camden is seeking a candidate for Christian Education Coordinator. Average weekly time requirement: 12 hours. Send resume to
stthoscamden@roadrunner.com
No telephone calls please.
Maine congregations invited to participate in the National Concert Across America to End Gun Violence, Sunday, September 25
Faiths United and Bishops United Against Gun Violence are two of a large group of gun violence prevention organizations encouraging Americans, especially churches, to hold a live musical events to remember the victims of the gun violence epidemic and to "raise the volume on the national effort to save lives from gun violence" on
September 25. Learn more at
Concert Across America.
In 2007, Congress designated
September 25 as the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.
Participation in the concert can include everything from offering a special anthem, to choosing a Sunday's worth of hymns around the theme of peace, to holding a special performance by a choir, musician or musical group.
Congregations can publicize their concert by using the "Add your Concert" link on this page
concert.faithsunited.org. Ready-made bulletin-style announcements, graphics and flyer-templates are available by clicking on the "Resources" link on the same page.
Episcopal Relief & Development Supports All Saints' Syrian Outreach Ministry in Belgium
Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the outreach efforts of
All Saints' Episcopal Church in Waterloo, Belgium, to provide meals and other needed services for people seeking safety from violence in Syria and elsewhere in the region. Although the total number of people entering Europe has decreased since late 2015 (UNHCR estimates that
1 million people entered in 2015, half of them from Syria; to date in 2016
more than 240,000 people have entered by sea alone), Belgium is still a major transit point and local organizations are uniting compassionate community members to assist those recently arrived or awaiting legal status. The congregation of All Saints', a member of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, welcomes people with food and fellowship as they navigate their next steps.
Donations to the Global Needs Fund will enable Episcopal Relief & Development to respond where most needed, in crises large and small. Please continue to pray for Syria and countries around the world where violence and conflict devastate lives and tear communities apart.
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Upcoming in Maine and Beyond
An Icon painting workshop, October 3-9, at the Kennedy Learning Center at Camp Kieve, Nobleboro, Maine
Experience painting an icon using techniques developed before the year 1000 A.D. Using gold leaf and egg tempera on gessoed boards, instructor Suzanne Schleck guides you through a week of art and prayer. Schleck has studied iconography for more than 20 years and welcomes experienced artists as well as beginners, with no experience in painting. Materials will be provided. Just bring along a willingness to be open to a prayerful process while your icon unfolds. Participants may choose to paint one of two traditional icons displayed: The Good Shepherd or the Archangel Michael.
Suzanne Schleck is a retired public school art teacher from New Jersey, she has studied icon writing for more than 20 years. Her work has been published in Episcopal Life and in several online exhibits with Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts, as well as the 2006 General Convention and Princeton Theological Seminary.
The Kennedy Learning Center has twin bed rooms with baths. All meals will be at the center. WE will start and end the day in prayer. Our icons will be blessed at a final Eucharist
Costs:
Shared room, meals, program: $1,000
Single room, meals, program: $1,500
Commuter: Lunch and dinner, program: $600
From Mudslinging to Mutual Respect: How To Make Politics More Civil
Featuring Keynote Speaker Senator George Mitchell
7:30 am to 9:30 am, October 20, Best Western Hotel, Waterville
Join Bishop Lane and other Maine Episcopalians in Waterville as the Maine Council of Churches hosts an important election year event on Thursday, October 20, at the Best Western Hotel in Waterville. Keynote speaker will be Senator George Mitchell, a member of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, New York City. Doors will open at 7:30 am for a continental breakfast, the program will begin promptly at 8:15 am, and the event is free and open to the public. Space is limited, so advance registration is strongly recommended: go to
www.mainecouncilofchurches.org and click on the photo of Senator Mitchell to reserve your seats.
The event, titled "From Mudslinging to Mutual Respect: How to Make Politics More Civil," will focus on what grassroots constituents and voters can do to support those candidates and elected officials who abide by the principles of civil discourse, and to hold accountable and change the behavior of those who do not. Senator Mitchell will reflect on these questions in light of his own experiences building bipartisan coalitions in the Senate from 1980 to 1994, and working for peace as U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland (1995-2001) and to the Middle East (2009-2011).
A companion study guide, "A Faithful Call for Civility in Politics," designed for clergy, churches, and small groups is available
here.
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