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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 19 ~ September 22, 2017
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Episcopalians from Maine, New Hampshire (including their four brand new Episcopal Youth Service Corps members), Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts gathered last weekend with Lutheran pastor Alexia Salvatierra at the Barbara C. Harris Conference Center for a training on Faith-Rooted Organizing.
The workshop was sponsored by the Maine Episcopal Network for Justice, the Episcopal Church in New Hampshire, and the Episcopal Church Office of Social Justice.
Participants learned about following the Jesus who transforms the world. What makes people of faith particularly poised to transform the world?
Salvatierra says: "The good news gives us the strength to change the bad news."
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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
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Prayers for...
A Collect for Peace (September 21 marked the International Day of Peace)
Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquility your dominion may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
for all people affected by the many recent natural disasters and all those who assist them.
Episcopal Relief & Development offers this short item to include in bulletins or newsletters:
"Episcopal Relief & Development works closely with church partners after disasters, equipping them to meet needs of those most vulnerable in their communities. Currently, our staff is responding to areas devastated by multiple Hurricanes, and watching developing tropical storms. Because of our strong diocesan partnerships, Episcopal Relief & Development is ready to assist in the recovery of the impacted areas for as long as necessary. You can help provide critical relief to affected communities by donating to our Hurricane Relief Fund. To donate and read the latest updates, visit episcopalrelief.org/hurricanes2017."
An updated bulletin insert may be found here. More on the response to those affected by the earthquakes in Mexico may be found here.
For
Bishop Steve and Gretchen Lane and all the bishops of the Episcopal Church gathered in Fairbanks, Alaska, this week for the House of Bishops meeting.
Alaska
Bishop, Mark Lattime, shares stories about the Episcopal Church in Alaska with four short videos that range from how changes in the climate are threatening the traditional way of life for Episcopalians in the region, how models of lay leadership in Alaska offer models for the rest of our church to how indigenous Episcopalians live and work and minister on behalf of Jesus Christ in the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska.
In the news...
More than 120 Episcopal bishops have signed an open letter supporting DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, that was published as a full-page ad in the
New York Times yesterday.
Bishop Lane and Maine's retired bishop,
Chilton Knudsen, are on record with the many bishops who support Dreamers.
A reader-friendly version may be found
here.
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for by doing so, some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews 13:1
Congratulations to...
On Saturday, September 9, members of
Diocesan Council at their fall meeting at St. Peter's, Rockland, approved three New Initiative Fund Grants and two international outreach grants.
Trinity Church, Saco, received a New Initiative Fund grant for $1,000 to begin an on-site Christian yoga program called, Pray-Yin.
Trinity Church, Portland, received a New Initiative Fund grant for $4,950 to launch
a program that will engage Scripture through storytelling and drama.
St. Peter's, Rockland, received a New Initiative Fund grant for $15,000 to provide first year support for an after-school program called RAISE: Rockland After In-School Enrichment.
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| A new student in the culinary arts program in Ramallah. |
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International Outreach grants have, since 2007, made 0.7% of diocesan income available to programs that alleviate extreme poverty. Recipients must have a Maine congregation or group initiate an application.
The
Episcopal Technical and Vocational Training Center of Ramallah, Palestine, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, received a grant of $6,000 to support its work. The application was sponsored by the Maine Episcopal Pilgrims who visited the school last October the Episcopal Peace Fellowship-Maine Chapter.
The Joel Nafuma Refugee Center, a ministry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Rome, Italy, received a grant of $6,000. Christ Church, Norway, and St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth, sponsored the application.
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Around the Diocese...
Materials 198th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Maine
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
CONVENTION MATERIALS:
or its parts
REGISTRATION:
Early registration fee through October 2: $30.00
Regular registration fee through October 11: $35.00
PRE-CONVENTION HEARINGS: All delegates, alternates, clergy, and interested others are invited to attend one of the two pre-convention hearings scheduled for next week.
Wednesday, September 27, at 7 p.m. at St. Martin's, Palmyra
Thursday, September 28, at 7 p.m. at Trinity, Portland
Both meetings will be recorded for later on-demand viewing.
UTO INGATHERING
An ingathering to the United Thank Offering will be included in the closing worship. Churches are encouraged to hold an congregational ingathering and bring checks for the offering at Convention.
Need ideas about how to promote UTO giving? Please be in touch with our diocesan UTO Coordinator Sherri Dietrich at [email protected].
Got prayerbooks?
St. Dunstan's, Ellsworth, is in search of some red pew size (5 x 7.5") copies of the Book of Common Prayer in good condition.The newly published ones are in a light, small font and our parishioners cannot read them.
Please contact Muffet Stewart at [email protected] if you have any questions or are able to help us.
Church management software questionnaire still open
Staff members at St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth, have developed a brief survey to learn more about church membership programs and how they are used across the Diocese. They will share the results in an upcoming edition of The Dio Log.
If you've already responded for your congregation, thanks! If you haven't, please consider sharing your information to help create a base of knowledge for all churches in the diocese to benefit from.
You may find the survey
here.
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Upcoming in Maine and Beyond
Episcopal Peace Fellowship-Maine meets on September 30
EPF-Maine will meet on Saturday, September 30, at 10 a.m. at St. John Baptist, Thomaston. We will review the events of summer and very early fall, including the Peace Fair in Brunswick, the George Rishmawi talk in Bath, and the Common Ground Fair where we have a presence. We have submitted and will discuss a resolution at Diocesan Convention and will also move forward on measures we might consider against gun violence.
All members, inquirers, and newcomers are welcome. Our meetings tend to be small in number but engaging, and we end with an informal and simple potluck lunch. Click here for a flyer.
Pathways to Peace (a.k.a. Miqra) - the fall youth event for grades 6-12 - October 9-11
Join kids and teens from all over our diocese at St. Luke's Cathedral in Portland over the weekend of October 9 to 11 to explore Pathways to Peace. We'll use games, activities and discussions to explore together how our differences can help to bring peace, joy, and justice to the world around us. We will discover stories of people in the bible, the international communities in Portland and our own stories.
Bishop Steve will share how we are part of God's dream for the world, and we'll worship with the Sudanese community at Trinity Church in Portland.
Leaders include Fred Fowler, the Rev. Sara D'Angio White and Jane Hartwell. There will be laughter, music, games, swimming, great food and new friends. We hope you join us!
Music with John Bell, musician and songwriter from the Iona Community
Friday, October 20,
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.,
"Singing about Jesus Between Christmas and Easter"
Saturday, Oct 21,10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.,
"Music for Rediscovering the Psalms"
Both sessions will be held at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road (Rte 207),
Scarborough, ME.
This event is sponsored by many churches and Maine's Episcopal musicians. If you can help by arranging a home stay or if you can offer hospitality, contact
[email protected] by September 30.
Clergy events in 2017 and beyond...
Please mark your calendar and save the dates. Updated information will be available soon and posted on the diocesan web calendar; registration is required for all events except Ordination. FMI: Barbara Martin
[email protected]
2017
Two clergy gatherings with Bishop Lane
Thursday, October 5
Cathedral Church of Saint Luke, Portland
Fellowship at 9:30 (morning hospitality provided); meeting convenes at 10 a.m.
Bring your own brown bag lunch, adjourns at 2:00PM
Saturday, October 14
St. Martin's, Palmyra
Fellowship at 9:30 (morning hospitality provided); meeting convenes at 10 a.m.
Bring your own brown bag lunch, adjourns at 2 p.m.
Clergy Day
Tuesday, November 7, location TBA
2018
Clergy retreat
Sunday, February 25 - Tuesday, February 27
Samoset Inn, Rockport (residential retreat; no commuters, please)
Clergy morning with the Bishop; Chrism Eucharist/Renewal of Vows
Tuesday, March 20, Waterville
And down the pike...
Saturday, April 28: Spring Training Day (clergy program included during the training day)
Tuesday, June 5: HOLDING: Clergy Day
Saturday, June 9: Ordination(s): Cathedral
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