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The Dio Log
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news and events in
the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
since 1999
Volume 19, Number 3 ~ February 3, 2017
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An island ordination: The Rev. John Allison was ordained to the priesthood at St. Mary and St. Jude's, Northeast Harbor, on Thursday, February 2. John is the chaplain of Maine Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth and married to the Rev. Kathleen Killian, who serves at St. Saviour's, Bar Harbor, and St. Andrew and St. John, Southwest Harbor. More than 100 people gathered in the winter chapel to celebrate the occasion. |
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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
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prayers for...
the family of
the Rev. Richard E. Johnson, 81, of Hampden, who died on January 25. Until October 2016, Dick was priest-in-charge of St. James', Old Town, where he served, in various roles, since 2005. Over the past 39 years he served in the Aroostook Cluster; Trinity, Castine; St. Aidan's, Machias; St. Thomas', Winn; St. Matthew's, Hallowell; and Christ Church, Gardiner.
His full obituary may be found
here.
A service celebrating Dick's life will be held at St. James', Old Town, on June 24, at 1 p.m. Condolences may be sent to his wife Christine Talbott at 32 Summer Lane, Hampden 04444.
Memorials may be sent to New Hope Hospice, 1344 Main Street, Eddington, ME 04428 or San Francisco Zen Center, 300 Page Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
congratulations to...
the
Maine Episcopal Network for Justice, upon being awarded a renewal grant of $20,000 for 2017 by the Episcopal Church. Learn more about MENJ and how to be involved on its
web page, by signing up for its
monthly newsletter and action alerts, and joining the MENJ
Facebook group.
the Rev. Andrew D'Angio White and the
people of St. David's, Kennebunk, as they gather on Sunday, February 26, at 4 p.m. for a Celebration of New Ministry. All are welcome. Clergy white stoles.
from the Bishop
Read the
Pastoral Letter
Bishop Lane offered this week to the people of the Diocese of Maine.
Links to statements by the
Presiding Bishop and other Episcopal leaders as well as actions to support refugee resettlement may be found on the Episcopal Public Policy Network's
refugee advocacy page.
Check out
Bishop Lane's
sermon, "A blessing: To be met by in weakness by God," preached at his visitation at St. Giles', Jefferson, last Sunday.
Listen to the Bishop's message to those gathered from 13 Maine congregations at Christ Church, Gardiner, on January 21, to kick off the Living Local: Joining God initiative.
voices among us...
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Around the Diocese...
Questionnaire on emerging networks in the Diocese of Maine:
Age Friendly Congregations and New Mainers Network
Bishop Lane invites members of the diocese to share their experiences and ideas about two emerging ministry networks designed to serve our elderly neighbors and new Mainers. Read his invitation letter to clergy and wardens
here.
"It is my hope, and that of those Maine Episcopalians who desire to draw other congregations into their work, to learn what is happening in these areas both in your church and in your wider communities, who your partners are or might be, and how you think members of your congregation might become more deeply engaged." - Bishop Lane
Whether your congregation is already involved in these ministries or interested in connecting with and learning from those who currently are, please complete the brief, online questionnaire at
www.surveymonkey.com/r/mainenetworks.
It's that time of year: parochial reports due March 1
Guidelines are available here: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/parochial-report. Each church was mailed its UEID and PIN in January. Please mail a copy of the signature page to Cn. Terry Reimer, Episcopal Diocese of Maine, 143 State Street, Portland ME 04101 once completed.
Lenten Resource from SSJE: 5 Marks of Love
Watch...Answer...Share. The Brothers of SSJE offer this six week series to provide an opportunity to observe and reflect on the ways in which the Divine expresses itself in and through us.
Each week, they will explore one of the Anglican Marks of Mission (Tell, Teach, Tend, Transform, Treasure) through videos, questions and exercises, so we can speak more clearly and act truthfully, motivated always by hearts marked by God's love.
Those served by Episcopal Relief & Development to benefit no matter who wins the Super Bowl
New England dioceses unite to support Episcopal Relief & Development in a friendly rivalry with our brothers and sisters to the south.
"Many of us in Maine are excited that the New England Patriots are once again in the Super Bowl. Let's share that excitement with a gift for health and wholeness for all God's children through Episcopal Relief & Development." -- Bishop Stephen Lane
At press time, Team Patriots had reached 68% of its $10,000 goal, while Falcons fans had reached 58%. Go Pats!
Donate here before kickoff on Sunday.
Faith Formation Connect kicks off soon
Last chance to join this group of folks interested in Christian formation for children and teens.
The leader Emily Keniston says: "We will meet via web call once per month, on the last Sunday of the month, at 1 pm EST. Our group will continue to accept new members until February 26, which is the date of our next web call. At that point we will close the group until June to allow a deeper sense of community to develop."
Grant funding available for your church's new or expanded ministry
At its meeting on December 2 and 3, Diocesan Council issued a call for the first round of New Initiative Fund grants in 2017.
Each congregation and organization in the Diocese of Maine is eligible to apply for funding to support new ministries or expanding existing ministries in new directions. Applications will be evaluated on the how closely they meet the Diocese's Seven Criteria for Mission.
All applications must be submitted to the online form by the end of business on Friday, February 17. Council will review applications at its March 4 meeting. Download this
application worksheet Word doc to use as a working copy of your application. Then cut and paste your responses at
www.surveymonkey.com/r/2017NIF-Round1.
2017 UTO grant applications now accepted
The focus for the 2017 United Thank Offering grants is The Jesus Movement - evangelism, reconciliation, and following Jesus' way of creating loving, liberating, and life-giving relationships with God, each other, and all creation.
Applications must be submitted to Heidi Shott at hshott@episcopalmaine.org by February 17, 2016. Each diocese may submit only one grant application, so all applications must be reviewed by the diocesan UTO screening group. One grant will be recommended by Bishop Lane.
Please be in touch with Heidi or the Diocesan UTO Coordinator Sherri Dietrich at ssdietrich@gmail.com if you have any questions about the application process.
UTO ingathering resources may be found here.
Regional confirmation in May
A regional confirmation scheduled for
4 p.m. on
Sunday, May 7, at the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke in Portland. All congregations are welcome to participate by sending those seeking confirmation/reception/
reaffirmation or baptism. Everyone is welcome to attend.
If your congregation would like to participate, please be in touch with Dean Ben Shambaugh at
bshambaugh@cathedralofstluke.org. If you need general information or your congregation is interested in hosting a regional confirmation in the future, please be in touch with Barbara Martin at
bmartin@episcopalmaine.org
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Upcoming in Maine and Beyond
February Church Finance Workshops in Brewer and Falmouth
Are you new to the job of treasurer, warden or vestry member? Do you have questions on how to fill out your congregation's parochial reports? Do you wonder how to properly handle priest discretionary funds or designated donations?
Please join Terry Reimer, the diocese's Canon Missioner for Finance and Stewardship, as he presents these topics and others about finances in a church setting. The topics to be cover include payroll system/clergy and lay compensation, parochial reports, clergy discretionary funds, designated donations, insurance, and audit. Terry will also provide ample time for questions and answers.
Workshops will be held Saturday, February 18, St. Mary's, Falmouth, and Saturday, February 25, St. Patrick's, Brewer. Both run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no fee or need to register. Morning refreshments will be served.
Session on PTSD presented by member of St. John's, Bangor
The National Alliance on Mental Illness will host and Educational Speaker Night on Tuesday, February 21, featuring St. John's own Keith Young. Keith will be presenting "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Effective Treatments for Adults and Children," with time following for questions, answers, and discussion. The event will be held at located at Acadia Hospital at 268 Stillwater Ave in Bangor in the Osprey Room from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Upcoming Diocesan youth events
Mark your calendars and invite kids!
Faith in Action: Maine Advocacy Days - March 27 and 28
The Maine Episcopal Network for Justice along with the Maine Council of Churches, The Preble Street Faith Advocacy Network, and the Capital Area and Winthrop ministerial associations will sponsor a two-day Interfaith advocacy training on Monday and Tuesday, March 27 and 28 in Augusta.
On Monday participants will gather at South Parish Congregational Church to worship, hear an address by the Rev. Bill Barter, priest-in-charge of Trinity, Lewiston, and attend sessions on two of the following issues: healthcare, poverty/hunger/ the environment, and housing.
Each session will be co-led by a Maine policy expert and a person of faith to offer a faith-based perspective on that issue. There will also be an panel on civil discourse and advocacy led by leaders of different faiths.
On Tuesday participants will gather at the State House for breakfast and a send-off to meet their local legislators and to attend the legislative sessions and hearings.
A $20 registration fee will cover two lunches, breakfast, and materials. Look for a link to register soon. Questions, contact MENJ Director John Hennessy at
jhennessy@episcopalmaine.org.
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