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

Volume 19, Number 11 ~  May 26, 2017


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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine

Thanksgiving for...

Three deacons about to retire from diocesan ministry. Prayers go with them as they move to new ways of serving God and the people they encounter. 

The Rev. Linda Cappers of Trinity Church, Saco

The Rev. Rebecca Grant of Church at 209, Augusta

The Rev. Jan Matter of St. James', Old Town.

Congratulations to...

The Rev. Suzanne Cole, as she departs as rector of Church of Our Father, Hulls Cove, to join the people of St. Luke's, Wilton in ministry later this summer.

George Sheats, M.Div., of St. Michael's, Auburn, upon his recent graduation from Episcopal Divinity School.

Around the Diocese...

Three opportunities to pray, fast, and address the needs of those around us and across the world


Thy Kingdom Come: Prayer from Ascension to Pentecost

The Archbishop of Canterbury invites us - as an individual, as a family, and as a church - to prayer each day from May 25 to June 4. Resources (including a daily prayer journal to download), suggestions for prayers, and daily videos from church leaders across the world are available at www.thykingdomcome.global. Below is Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's message  featured in the video for Ascension Day. 

#ToJesus - The Most Reverend Michael Curry - 25 May 2017
#ToJesus - The Most Reverend Michael Curry - 25 May 2017

For Such a Time as This: A Call to Prayer, Fasting, and Advocacy


Faith leaders, including Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, call us to pray, fast, and advocate for our most vulnerable neighbors on the 21st of each month through the close of the 115th Congress at the end of 2018. The 21st was chosen because that is the day when 90% of SNAP benefits - formerly known as food stamps -  run out for families. 

Stay up-to-date with advocacy efforts on behalf of low-income Mainers by subscribing to the Maine Episcopal Network for Justice newsletter and action alerts. The next several weeks will see many bills come to the floor of the Maine Legislature that affect low-income children and families. Sign up for the MENJ newsletter here or join the public Facebook group for frequent updates. Here's a link to this week's Call to Action on how to advocate for bills currently under consideration.


River of Life Pilgrimage: 40 days on the Connecticut River

Members of the seven Episcopal dioceses of New England, together with Kairos Earth, will paddle the length of the Connecticut River from May 31 to July 9. While only a few hardy souls will paddle the entire river, all New England Episcopalians and friends are invited to take part in prayer on their own body of water or at one of the land-based events scheduled. Learn more at www.kairosearth.org/river.

Download the booklet of daily prayers hereWith the River of Life Prayer Book, all can join the paddling pilgrims in this 40 days of prayer and reflect on the same Scripture readings, songs, prayers, and lessons that will be read and sung on the river. The River of life Prayer book also contains several articles, creation-centered practices, and other resources to accompany you on your pilgrimage at home.


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.


Electronic organ needs a new home

Christ Episcopal Church in Norway is offering to a good home a Rodgers electronic organ. It was used in the sanctuary for many years, but was replaced about a decade ago and has been mostly idle since. It includes: two manual, great and swell "pipes," 32 pedal "pipes;" wooden cabinet and organ seat, and a closing cover over the keys. If you are interested, please contact Christ Church at christch@megalink.net or call 743-6782.


Faith Formation Director opening at St. Ann's, Windham

St. Ann's, Windham, is seeking a part-time Faith Formation Director. This qualified individual will be responsible of the oversight of our religious education program (Godly Play) from  nursery age through adult formation. Working closely with the rector, this staff person will coordinate and train volunteers, recruit participants in the program as well as work with other adult education teachers in the congregation. Please send inquiries to Rev. Tim Higgins at revtimhiggins@gmail.com.


Education for Ministry (EfM) Mentor Training offered; New participants welcome

Interested in getting involved with EfM? Do you want to join an existing group? Start a new group? Inquire about mentor training? Receive advanced training?  

Diocesan EfM coordinator Patricia Welton patriciawelton@gmail.com is here to help you. Basic mentor training is being offered in Massachusetts in September. New members are welcome to join existing groups in the fall. 

Grants from the Wolf Fund are available for lay education and formation opportunities like these. EfM is a four-year program of theological education for everyone from the University of the South. Hundreds of lay people in our diocese have attended EfM in their churches over the last decade. Find out more!



Upcoming in Maine and Beyond


VTS eFormation conference is free and all online

The 2017 eFormation conference will be held online via webinar on Tuesday, June 6, at www.eformationvts.org

This free digital media for ministry learning conference, sponsored by Virginia Theological Seminary, provides opportunities for personal and professional development. Workshops include: Digital-Only Faith Formation, Using Videos for Ministry, Theology by Design: A Practical Approach to Design Thinking for Congregations, Trying Everything: Experiences of Digital Evangelism and Fundraising. 

Two affinity group gathering times will also be offered for participants to share and ask questions about the future of their ministry. All workshops will be available afterwards. Register, receive email reminders, and gain access to the June 6 conference on ministry in a digital world at bit.ly/eformation2017.


Bishopswood is where it's at this summer!
Opportunities for fun, learning, and fellowship for all ages

Learn more about the Open House weekend, June 2 to 4.

It's not too late to sign up for the Diocesan Adult Retreat! Join others from congregations across the diocese for a three-day retreat titled, "Playing with Fire: The Parables of Jesus." Learn more here. Register here.

Bishopswood's spectacular summer youth camp still has openings. Scholarships are available. Information and registration is available at www.bishopswood.org.

NEW! Summer Finale Camp for all ages will be held August 21 to 27. Find out all about it, including half-week options, at  campbishopswood.org/finale-week/ 

Youth Camp at Finale Week for teens grades 6 - 12. Information and registration information is available at www.maineyouth.org.





Save the Date: "Faith-Rooted Organizing with Alexia Salvatierra," September 15-16

The Maine Episcopal Network for Justice, in partnership with The Episcopal Church's Office of Social Justice and the Diocese of New Hampshire, will host a workshop with the Rev. Alexia Salvatierra at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center on Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16.

A Lutheran pastor, Salvatierra is the author of Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World. This workshop, open to all Episcopalians in New England, will be limited to 40 participants. Because of support from The Episcopal Church, the training-session will be deeply subsidized to make it affordable.

Registration will be open by June 1 and advertised in the next edition of The Dio Log. Stay-tuned.


Excited for Diocesan Convention?  Just can't wait to submit your congregation's certificate of delegates? 

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. Updates will be posted in subsequent editions of The Dio Log


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