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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 4 ~ February 17, 2017
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It's annual meeting time. Prayers for all our of congregations gathering to look to a new year. Here the people of Trinity, Portland, share breakfast, fellowship, and decision-making for 2017.
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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
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voices among us...
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
has just begun hold revivals across the church to inspire Episcopalians to take their place in the Jesus Movement. Here's a short video from the first revival in Pittsburgh.
Click the image to go to the video page
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Around the Diocese...
Questionnaire on emerging networks in the Diocese of Maine:
Age Friendly Congregations and New Mainers Network
Today's the last day to respond -
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
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Resources for keeping a holy Lent...
Make Lent/ Easter Gardens - Start the Sunday before Lent begins, and use a sort of extended coffee hour model to get people creating together. Then families take them home and use them throughout Lent and Holy Week. Pairing this project with handing out of whatever Lenten devotional the congregation is using seems to be a good way to reinforce community building practice with prayerful home life. (Recommended by Emily Keniston, St. Ann's Windham) Learn more
here.
Lenten Supper, Film Study, and Sharing - Instead of a book group this lent, St. Paul's Church in Brunswick is trying the film Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Pacifist, Nazi Resister. The movie will be offered over a four-week period. There will be an introduction by the presenter, a clip (1/4) of the DVD, a question for small groups, and then a coming back together again for more discussion.
5 Marks of Love is offered by the Brothers of SSJE. Each week, they will explore one of the Anglican Marks of Mission (Tell, Teach, Tend, Transform, Treasure) so we all can speak more clearly and act truthfully, motivated always by hearts marked by God's love. It is designed for both individuals and small groups. For individuals, daily videos and reflections will lead them through the process. For small groups, there are facilitators' guides. The site has videos, exercise, reflection questions, bulletin inserts, posters and materials for your church. It is free.
www.5marksoflove.org
Lent Madness offers a 32-saint bracket with weekday matches. It's a fun way to learn about saints and holy heroes. It kicks off on Thursday, March 2.
www.lentmadness.org
The Building Faith website has creative ideas for families, adults and children.
www.buildingfaith.org
Forward Movement
offers
A Season of Prayer: 40 Days in the Desert
. This season of prayer will run concurrently with Lent, beginning Ash
Wednesday, March 1
. Each day features a prayer or a scripture reading encouraging people to pray and reflect on our response to the global refugee crisis and the Christian obligation of hospitality and welcome. Bulletin inserts and other resources are available on the Forward Movement website and its Facebook page.
St. George's, York Harbor, seeks minister for children youth and families
St. George's seeks a compassionate person of faith to serve as our part-time Minister for Children, Youth and Families. This person will lead and work alongside parents and the congregation to help our parish envision new and creative models of ministry for the future. Our new leader will build strong relationships with children, youth and families. She or he will connect with the church and wider community through clear personal communication and through social media and other technologies.
St. George's is a welcoming, inclusive, vibrant Christian community where every person of every age is invited to engage in mission and ministry. We are dedicated to involving all members in spiritual growth through mission opportunities and service projects in the community and the world.
Applications from lay or ordained candidates will be accepted until February 28 or until the job is filled. To receive full consideration, a resume and cover letter should be sent to the Parish Administrator, Jennifer Davidson at office@stgeorgesyorkharbor.org.
Click here to view the job description.
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. If you have questions about your report, please email Canon Reimer at treimer@episcopalmaine.org with "Parochial Report" in the subject line.
Ashes to Go across Maine
Next Wednesday marks Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. Many Episcopal congregations including those in Portland, Windham, Brunswick, and Rockland will take Ashes to Go into their communities.
If your church intends to participate, please send times and locations to Heidi Shott at
hshott@episcopalmaine.org for inclusion in state-wide press releases.
Church Pension Group offers tax guide
2017 Tax Guide for Episcopal Ministers (For 2016 Tax Returns). This guide, which will assist you as you complete your 2016 federal tax returns, is now available online at
www.cpg.org/2017taxguide and is offered as a searchable and downloadable PDF file. Careful about printing, it's 76 pages.
To learn more, click
here for CPG's introduction letter to this guide.
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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.
Join Bishop Steve Lane at the State House on February 22 for an interfaith prayer vigil
Maine Council of Churches and the Maine Equal Justice Partners invite people of faith to the State House for a prayer vigil as members of the Joint Committee on Appropriations consider the biennial budget. Prior to the vigil, Bishop Lane will offer testimony to the Committee calling on legislators to craft a moral budget that considers the needs of all Mainers, especially our most vulnerable neighbors.
Prayer vigil participants will gather in the Hall of Flags beginning at 11 a.m.
Bishop Lane and representatives from eight other faith communities will lead prayers at 11:30. Click here for an event flyer that offers parking options near the State House. Information about the implications of the proposed budget from Maine Equal Justice Partners is available on the Maine Episcopal Network for Justice webpage.
The vigil will conclude by 12:15 p.m.
Stephanie Spellers speaks at St. George's, York Harbor, on February 26: Overcoming Divisions By Sharing Hopes And Hurts
The Rev. Stephanie Spellers, Canon for Evangelism, Reconciliation and Creation for the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church will be the special guest lecturer at St. George's, York Harbor, on Sunday, February 26, at 3 p.m. She offers the next in a series on civil discourse with the session, "Overcoming Divisions by Sharing Hopes and Hurts."
Rev. Canon Spellers will help attendees to understand the importance of having brave, honest conversations. She'll explore how we as individuals, and a society, can move toward freedom by sharing our deep hopes and hurts around race, class, politics, and so many other divisive issues.
A reception will be held following the program, and donations are welcome. To reserve your place at the event, call 363-7376. Download a
flyer with more information here.
Gather for a virtual pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Five Sunday afternoons in Lent
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Maine pilgrims meet in a cave with our first guest, Daoud Nasser, (second from right) at Tent of Nations outside of Bethlehem |
Last October an group of Maine Episcopalians from a dozen congregations traveled to Israel and Palestine and were profoundly moved by the people they met and the conditions they witnessed.
As they considered how to share their experiences with their fellow parishioners here in Maine, they lighted upon the idea to bring the remarkable Palestinian Christians and Muslims they met
to Maine...by way of online conversations.
All are invited on a 45 minute virtual pilgrimage on Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. Time will be allowed for Q&A at the end of each presentation.
March 19:
March 26:
April 2:
Violette Khoury, Director of Sabeel Nazareth: Life as a Palestinian Christian in Israel
April 9:
All that is needed to participate is a trusty Internet connection and a webcam or phone.
More about each speaker and the organization or church they represent, as well as links and directions to participate in the conversations, will be posted soon on the New Northeast blog
www.newnortheast.me and in upcoming editions of
The Dio Log.
Three test conversations are offered prior to the Sunday Conversations for those who would like to try out a Zoom web meeting in advance.
Simply click on the link and follow the prompts on your screen.
E-Formation workshop for digital evangelists comes to New England, March 10 and 11
Co-sponsored by the Episcopal Province of New England, the Center for the Ministry of Teaching at Virginia Theological Seminary and the Boston University School of Theology, a great collection of digital evangelists will share their wisdom and offer practical tools for ministry.
Come for Friday, Saturday or the two-day event. On Friday,
the Rev. Keith Anderson, author of
The Digital Cathedral, introduces "Networked Ministry in a Wireless World." Stay for light refreshments and conversations with digital natives and digital immigrants. Saturday offers three sets of workshops designed to teach useful techniques you can immediately put into practice.
Workshop info and registration links may be found
here.
Have fun and grow at the Winter Middle School Event!
Now is the time to invite kids in grades 6-8 to the Winter Middle School Event. Led by Fred Fowler, Jane Hartwell and lots of kids and adults, the event will be at St. Paul's, Brunswick, on March 10-12. The leadership team had a fun overnight choosing games, discussions, activities and surprises. There'll be a campfire with s'mores, youth-led worship, swimming in the Bowdoin pool, discussions, music, service project options and lots of good food and new friends.
The theme is parables. How can the parables that Jesus told be used by middle schoolers to make it easier to love God, neighbor and self? Click for a Middle School Event
flyer. Register at
www.maineyouth.org.
Rob Voyle to speak at Saint Mary's, Falmouth, March 24 to 26
The Rev. Dr. Rob Voyle (The Appreciate Way and the Clergy Leadership Institute) is coming to Saint Mary's in Falmouth for a special teaching weekend!
Friday, March 24, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Teaching Others How to Forgive - a Continuing Education/Professional Development day with the Rev. Dr. Rob Voyle. Designed for clergy, chaplains, counselors, psychologists and social workers to learn practical steps in leading others to a place of sustainable forgiveness.
Saturday, March 25, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Discerning Your Core Purpose - a retreat with the Rev. Dr. Rob Voyle. Co-sponsored by the diocesan Commission on Ministry, this is designed for all people (lay and ordained) who want to love and serve God with the gifts and talents given to them. The goal is for each person to know and embrace their unique call to ministry.
On Sunday, March 26, the Rev. Dr. Rob Voyle will be preaching and teaching at Saint Mary's. Everyone is welcome to any or all of these events. For more information and to reserve your spot, contact Saint Mary's at
smary@smary.org or 207-781-3366.
Invite high schoolers to TEC!
TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) has been beloved by hundreds of high school teens. It will be at Trinity Church, Portland, on March 24-26. The teen leaders will be Kaleb Eddy and Zach DeFosse from St. Ann's, Windham, and the adult leader is Kim Wallace. The weekend includes fun (games, drama, music, swimming), conversation, worship and creativity. If you ever wanted a weekend of honesty and community, this is for you! Click for a TEC
flyer. Register at
www.maineyouth.org.
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 homelessness/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. Sessions will also offer instruction on how best to advocate for that particular 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.
Save the Date: Spring Training 2017
St. Paul's, Brunswick - Saturday, April 29
Gather with Bishop Steve Lane and Episcopalians from across the diocese for a day of learning, sharing, and growth. A church leader? A clergy person? Someone interested in spiritual growth or community outreach?
With 20 workshops to choose from, you'll find what you're looking for. The topic offered by each workshop will be framed around he question: How do I be a Christian? There's no cost for this event, which will be held at St. Paul's Church and the public library in Brunswick. Stay tuned for details!
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