- written by the Rev. Nancy Moore, Chaplain to the Episcopal transition process

Download the prayer card pictured (two cards to a page) to share with members of your congregation.

From the Bishop - Delegates to the Electing Convention

Dear Friends in Christ,

By now you know that the Episcopal Transition Process is well underway in Maine. The Discernment and Transition Committees met last week for their retreat, and once the celebrations of Advent and Christmas have been accomplished, they'll begin their work in earnest. I think we have a great Transition Team in place.

One matter of concern for every parish and every Maine Episcopalian is the process for electing parish delegates to the Diocesan Convention in 2018 and the Electing Convention in 2019.

Most parishes elect their delegates to Convention early in the year at their Annual Meetings. When you do so this January or February (2018), you may want to decide that your delegates will also serve for the Electing Convention in February, 2019. There will not be sufficient time in early 2019 to elect and register new delegates for the Electing Convention. (Registration takes place at least 30 days before the Convention.)

The alternative approach would be to hold a special parish meeting in the Fall of 2018 to elect delegates specifically for the Electing Convention. Such a special meeting requires advance notice in writing and may address only the issue of electing delegates.

Each of these processes is a legitimate way to choose your delegates to the Electing Convention. It will be up to each church to decide which process is best.

If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call at 800-244-6062.

Faithfully,

+Stephen T. Lane

St. Bartholomew's, Yarmouth, is searching for a Religious Education Coordinator to support and further the youth programs of our church community. We are looking for an energetic, dedicated person who is skilled at engaging children and adults, to fill this important role.  

The position of Religious Education Coordinator requires eight hours each week. This schedule is flexible, but includes being present at church on Sunday mornings for 3-4 hours weekly, from early September through mid-June. The remainder of the work time will include preparation of teaching materials, managing teacher and childcare room staffing schedules, teacher support, communication with parents, inclusion of the congregation in Sunday School projects as needed, planning family friendly community building activities, and quarterly meetings with the Rector and Education Committee.

There is an opportunity for the Religious Education Coordinator position to grow in the future, if desired. This would include the development of older youth programs (and could also include Adult Education). The Religious Education Coordinator will report to the Rector and Vestry of the church, and will be supported by the Education Committee.

Applications for this position are being accepted until January 11, 2018,  with hiring expected to be completed by the end of January. Please send a current resume, three references with contact information and a letter of interest for the position to St. Bartholomew's Church, 396 Gilman Rd, Yarmouth, ME   04096, attention:   Education Committee, or email to: [email protected] and indicate in the Subject line: Education Coordinator Position.

A Nazareth Manifesto: Being With God  by Samuel Wells is a thought-provoking book about re-envisioning Christianity's approach away from working "for" people to being "with" them.  The prologue is a stirring sermon about relationships, Christmas, the incarnation and the character of God.  

The author moves into a tight synopsis, ten principles of "being with," and an exploration of "doing for," "doing with," "being for" and "being with."  

As the book jacket says, "Supported by a range of historical, contemporary, exegetical and anecdotal illustrations,  A Nazareth Manifesto  will prove to be a provocative and valuable contribution to the conversation surrounding Christianity's role in confronting the social challenges of today's world."    (Recommended by Deacon Chick Carroll  and Jane Hartwell)

Bringing Church Home - for the six Sundays in Epiphany - is a resource created by Merle Marie Troeger of St. Mary's, Falmouth, for use this winter.  

These six resources are designed as bulletin inserts for January 7 - February 11, or you could also extract pieces for other uses.  

Each is a single page containing short passages from the lectionary, a ritual to try at home, talking points for conversations, an idea for putting faith to work, a prayer and more. 

Many Maine churches used the Easter Season version that Merle Marie made available earlier this year. To receive them by email, please contact Jane Hartwell at  [email protected].