The Dio Log 
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Dio Shield
news and events in  the Episcopal Diocese of Maine  since 1999

Volume 19, Number 10 ~  May 12, 2017


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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine

Thanks and Welcome...

The Rev. Richard Rasner, who steps down this month, after ten years, as the director of the St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry in Portland, a thriving ministry of eight congregations in southern Maine located at St. Luke's Cathedral. 

Thank you, Dick! 

We welcome volunteer and retired priest, the Rev. Dan Riggall of Kennebunk, as he steps into the role as the pantry's new director.

Thank you, Dan!


Prayers for...

the family of the Rev. Frank Baker, 94, formerly of Waterville, upon his death on April 5. He served churches in Massachusetts but was well-known at St. Mark's, Waterville in his retirement to Maine. He also served as visiting priest for many years at St. John's, Brownville Junction. His obituary may be found here.

the family of the Rev. William White, of Brunswick, upon his death on May 2 - his 93rd birthday. Over the course of his long ministry, Bill served as rector at St. Peter's, Rockland; St. Andrew's, Millinocket; and St. Paul's, Brunswick. He also served churches in New York, Maryland, and Arizona. His obituary may be found here

the Rev. David Robinson, rector of Trinity, Saco, upon the death of his mother, Jean Robinson, 98, of Ocean Park, on April 29.


Congratulations to...

On May 3  Bishop Steve Lane celebrated the ninth anniversary of his consecration as the
Ninth Bishop of Maine. 

To mark the occasion his wife, Gretchen Lane, along with members of the Standing Committee and St. Luke's Cathedral and diocesan staff surprised him with a Eucharist service in Emmanuel Chapel followed by lunch in the upper hall.

The Rev. Nancy Moore, rector of Christ Church, Norway, who was the president of the Standing Committee when Bishop Lane was elected, preached. Here's a link to more photos from the day.


Voices among us...

The Rev. Mary Lee Wile, deacon at St. Paul's, Brunswick, writes on the Grow Christians blog about what happened when she offered "Free Listening" downtown. 

Read what happened at www.growchristians.org









Around the Diocese...


Application process for the 2018 diocesan budget is out

Maine congregations interested in applying for Strategic Mission Support and diocesan program groups, ministries, or committees wishing to receive funding have until June 30 to apply.

Guidelines, instructions, and details for applying are available online at the links below. The SMS process was also emailed to all priests-in-charge and senior wardens. The diocesan programs process was emailed to leaders of groups that have received funding over the past few budget cycles, however all established groups and diocesan ministries are welcome to apply.

Click here for SMS and here for diocesan programs.


Summer Finale Week - A new summer program for all ages at Bishopswood
The all-ages camp at Bishopswood - August 21-27 (1/2 week options are available)

The Diocese of Maine and Camp Bishopwood invite you to join us for our first-ever Summer Finale Camp. Everyone is welcome - families, adults, grandparents and grandkids, teens, and young adults. 

Enjoy a wonderful, meaningful time in this camp community. Bishopswood is one of the most beautiful places to experience a week of Maine summer. The camp is being designed by Mike Douglass, Kerry Mansir, the Rev. Tim Higgins, Emily Keniston, Thew Elliott, Fred Fowler and Jane Hartwell.  

Visit the Bishopswood website or check out this brochure for more on Summer Finale Week. Register at www.tinyURL.com/SummerFinale2017. 


Youth Camp at Summer Finale Week for kids completing grades 6-12

Middle and high school kids are invited to the Youth Events Camp which takes place during Summer Finale Week at Bishopswood. It will be similar to BION Camp, which was offered from 1999 to 2016. There are a few half-week slots for kids who have pre-season sports. 

Financial aid is available so no teen needs to be excluded because of inability to pay. Find out more here

Register here.




Upcoming in Maine and Beyond

Alumni Choral Evensong at St. John's, Bangor, May 21

All are welcome to St. John's, Bangor, to an Alumni Choral Evensong on Sunday, May 21, at 4 pm. The music will include the magnificent setting of the  Magnificat and  Nunc dimittis composed by British musician, Herbert Howells, for the choir of St. Paul's Cathedral, London.  The extended anthem will be "Blessed be the God and Father," an Easter anthem by S.S. Wesley.

All contributions received at Evensong will go to the Fred Jones Music Fund. The service will also include installation of new choristers and a new head chorister.


Register Now: Playing with Fire: The Parables of Jesus, a diocesan retreat for adults - June 9-11

Join us for a weekend at Camp Bishopswood on beautiful Lake Megunticook near Camden, to enrich your heart, mind and soul. This retreat is for everyone who has wondered what Jesus had in mind when he told a parable. Moral teaching? Confounding truth? Topsy-turvey gospel? Read, pray, sing and embody the parables with others who are wondering the same things. The weekend will be hosted by Rev. Bill Blaine-Wallace, Merle Marie Troeger, Jane Hartwell and musician Thew Elliott.

There is financial aid for everyone who needs it and also scholarships for Sunday school teachers and youth event volunteers. For more information, contact Jane Hartwell at jhartwell@episcopalmaine.org

 Download an information flyer and register at www.tinyURL.com/AdultRetreat2017


2017 Downeast Spiritual Life Conference, July 21 - 23

"Your Spirit. Your world. Connecting Heart, Earth & Soul." 
Schoodic Institute in Winter Harbor, Maine
Friday and Saturday July 21-22, 2017.

Once again St Francis, Blue Hill, will bring some of the country's prominent spiritual leaders to Maine for its 2017 Downeast Spiritual Life conference. This year's conference features Mirabai Starr as keynote speaker. Mirabai has been called a "luminary" in the emerging inter-spiritual movement that focuses on the loving spirituality that is common to all the world's religions.

Joining Mirabai as workshop presenters will be Indie Spiritualist Chris Grosso, Muslim slam poet Mona Haydar, meditative gong musician Todd Glacy, eco-activist Fletcher Harper, and Dana Sawyer, professor of religion and philosophy at the Maine College of Art.

In addition to six workshops and Mirabai's keynote "Saying Yes to the Call of Love," the conference will offer meditation; Quigong; a concert with Jenny Bird; and a cook-out complete with bonfire and sacred drumming.

This conference is limited to 125 people so please register early.For complete information or to register go to www.downeastspiritual.org or call the office at St. Francis at 374.5200.


Not that we mean to skip over summer and move right into fall, but...

Information about the 198th Convention of the Diocese of Maine to be held in Bangor on  Saturday, October 28, is now available

Visit  episcopalmaine.org  for all available forms and information. Any updates will be posted here. Check back often!

Bishop Lane's blog, www.roundmaine.org | The New Northeast blog, newnortheast.me
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