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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 19 ~ October 7, 2016
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The Rev. Christopher Szarke of St. Margaret's, Belfast, takes blessings "all creatures great and small" to a new level with this sweet-looking great dane.
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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
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prayers for...
all of those who have been in the path of Hurricane Matthew this week. Episcopal Relief & Development's bulletin inserts about the disaster are available here. Updates on the residents and students of St. Vincent's Centre, a ministry supported by many Episcopalians in Maine, is here.
the teens at the Fall Maine Episcopal Youth Event help at the Cathedral next weekend.
voices among us...
Maine Episcopalians from 16 congregations gathered last Saturday for a session in Augusta to learn more about the new diocesan initiative, Living Local: Joining God. Tune into the
Bishop's greeting to those gathered.
The
October edition of the Maine Episcopal Network for Justice's newsletter is out. Director John Hennessy's column, "The End Is Near" is a good read.
in the news...
St. Paul's, Brunswick, with support from a New Initiative Grant, is partnering with area groups to provide supports for at-risk and homeless teens in the midcoast area. The Times Record reports on a recent gathering of service providers.
Follow Canon Heidi Shott's reporting from a Jordan over the next eight days. She joins a group of Episcopal writers and bloggers on a tour of "the other Holy Land" sponsored by the Jordan Tourism Board. She'll post on The New Northeast blog at newnortheast.me and share on our social media channels. Follow the hashtag #holyjordan to track the posts of all participants.
congratulations to...
the people of St. Ann's, Windham, upon being named Volunteer Organization of the Year by Neighbors Helping Neighbors. St. Ann's was recognized for its support for fuel oil assistance for neighbors in need as well as backpacks for the food insecure, 100 backpacks at Christmas, St. Ann's Essentials Pantry, support for Long Creek Youth Center, Monday Meals, and its partnership with St. Barnabas, Treile, Haiti.
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Around the Diocese...
Today is the last day to register for the 197th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Maine
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Everyone who will be attending is asked to
register
online here
by the end of the day.
Click for registration and to discover more information about convention at
A few more tellers needed
Diocesan staffer Tom Sumner thanks those who have responded to the call, but he still needs the assistance of a few more friendly people to serve
as tellers/ballot counters at Convention.
Missed the Pre-Convention hearings? No problem, view the 'greatest hits' online
Christian Educators' Learning Group
If there is sufficient interest, the Christian Ed Collaboration group will offer an 8 month online learning group for
12-15
Christian Ed leaders and teachers. The group would
meet monthly online for a well-prepared teaching and discussion session led by Emily Keniston. Additional resources and support would be available through a facebook group. This would be a cooperative project with Province One, but we need at least 5-8 Mainers to make it feasible. Please contact Jane Hartwell at
jhartwell@episcopalmaine.org.
From the Bishop: Forward Movement offers "A Season of Prayer: For an Election."
Brothers and Sisters,
The upcoming election with its intensifying rhetoric is a source of great anxiety for many. What can we do that will help calm people's fears and restore a sense of dignity and civility? For Christians, there is always one certain response: pray. Pray for our nation. Pray for the candidates. Pray for those with whom we disagree. Pray for all who will vote and all who will live with the outcome of the election.
Forward Movement is providing resources for daily prayer for the period between October 9 and November 9. The resources are free and come in the form of a weekly bulletin insert or a single document for the whole period. You can download them here:
https://www.forwardmovement.org/
I also invite you to use one of several collects found in the Book of Common Prayer: For the Human Family (p. 815), For our Country (820), For an Election (822), In Times of Conflict (824), and For the Poor and Neglected (826). These might be used with the Collect for the Day, in the Prayers of the People, or following the Thanksgiving Prayer.
Dignity and civility begins with each of us. Prayer not only lifts others before God, it centers us in the traditions of our faith and in the love of God. May we be a calm, compassionate presence in the midst of political strife.
Bishop Steve
Lay and clergy employees reminded of Church Pension Group's South Portland conferences
From Martha Gardner, Education and Wellness Coordinator at the Church Pension Group:
"I hope all active clergy who participate in the Church Pension Fund's Clergy Pension Plan have received the invitation and plan on attending the upcoming Wellness Conference on Finance and Health being held on
November 15 and 16th at the Doubletree by Hilton Portland Hotel. A combination of the Planning for
Tomorrow and Steps to Wellness Conferences, this conference will also include a presentation on the proposed Clergy Pension Plan Revisions going into effect on
1/1/18. Registration and additional information can be found at:
www.cvent.com/d/tfqbym
"Lay employees who participate in the CPF's Defined Contribution or Defined Benefit plan are encouraged to attend a Planning for
Tomorrow conference on
November 14th at the same location. Registration and additional information can be found at
www.cvent.com/d/cfq6xc. Questions? Please contact Martha Gardner at
2017 Church Leadership Conference
Registration is now open for the
2017 Church Leadership Conference,
February 17-19 at the Kanuga Conference and Retreat Center in Hendersonville, NC. Join author Rachel Held Evans, the Rev. Canon Frank Logue and a team of workshop leaders, representing ECF, Episcopal Relief and Development, Forward Movement, Invite Welcome*Connect, and the Center for Religion and the Environment at Sewanne, as we delve into avenues of "finding your place" as leaders within our congregations. We will discuss reasons people find their way to our churches, how to make them feel appreciated and effective courses for personal growth. Save 10% when you register by
November 17 at: https://www.kanuga.org/
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Upcoming in Maine and Beyond
New Mainers celebrated at Trinity, Portland's Butterfield Series on Wednesday, October 19
Trinity, Portland, will host its annual Butterfield Series at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19.
This year's topic is
Celebrating New Mainers with a talk by Maine author and Muslim scholar Reza Jalali and a performance by Pihcintu Chorus, a Portland-based singing group of young women from 17 different countries.
Mr. Jalali has taught courses at the University of Southern Maine and Bangor Theological Seminary. He is the Coordinator of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at USM and advisor to the Muslim Student Association at Bowdoin College. In exile from Iran, Reza Jalali, who works closely with the immigrant community in southern Maine, will talk about Maine's New Americans.
A reception will follow the program. The evening is free to the public; the doors open at 6:15.
Download a flyer
here
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Celebration of New Ministry at Trinity Church, Lewiston Sunday, October 30
Come join the people of Trinity Episcopal Church, 247 Bates Street, in Lewiston, Maine as we commemorate our ministry and service to the world around us. We will welcome and commission the Rev. Dr. William "Bill" Barter as the Priest in Charge, when he becomes the newest member of our ministry partnership at Trinity. A celebration of Holy Eucharist will mark the event, with the Rev. Dr. Jane Field, Executive Director of the Maine Council of Churches, preaching. The Rev. Canon Michael Ambler will represent the Diocese of Maine.
The Eucharist will be at
2:00 p.m. on Reformation
Sunday, October 30th.
Only the principle clergy will vest. Refreshments will follow.
Save the Date: Annual Clergy Retreat Feb 12-14, 2007
The Annual Clergy Retreat will be held Feb 12-13-14, 2017 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME. All Clergy are invited to attend. Additional information and registration (required) will be available in the near future.
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