The Dio Log

news & events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine since 1999

Volume 22, Number 12
June 25, 2020

207.772.1953 I episcopalmaine.org
The Rev. Andrew D’Angio White of St. David’s, Kennebunk officiated at the traditional Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday, June 21 at Cape Porpoise Pier. The service was held in remembrance of Captain Arnold “Joe” Nickerson IV who was lost at sea earlier this year. Video recording of the service available here .
Prayers
We pray for Matthew Roberts , a seminarian who will serve with St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth this summer. He's a senior at Yale Divinity School and a postulant for Holy Orders from the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas. Welcome to Maine!
Let us pray for the eternal rest of Jean Tilton Wilkinson who died peacefully at the age of 91 on June 15, 2020. She served as a Trustee of Diocesan Funds and was a parishioner of the Episcopal Church of Saint Mary, Falmouth . Read Jean's obituary here .
We offer prayers and thanksgiving for The Rt. Rev. Thomas James Brown, Tenth Bishop of Maine, upon the first anniversary of his ordination and consecration. Watch this video that takes a look back on the past year and brings greetings to Bishop Brown from around the diocese and the wider church. You are invited to send your greetings to Bishop Brown by adding to the Kudoboard at this link: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/tqWUVWGM
Join us in praying for all victims and survivors of sexual abuse, violence and harassment, and in supporting the work of The Episcopal Church's Task Force on Women, Truth and Reconciliation. Please consider taking an online survey designed to assess patterns of church-based abuse here by July 1, 2020.
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for the Rev. Timothy Boggs upon his retirement from St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth where he has served as rector for 10 years. Goodbye and Godspeed!
Let us pray for the Justice Commission of the Diocese of Maine. Bishop Brown has appointed the  Rev. Eleanor Prior  of the Cathedral of St. Luke, Portland to chair the newly formed commission which will integrate existing committees and networks including the Episcopal Peace Fellowship and the Committee on Indian Relations with new initiatives to equip us for the hard work of listening, learning, and joining together to work for racial justice.
Voices among us
Despite the heat, St. John's, Bangor volunteers successfully helped fill a truck with food donations and unload them at the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter. Their efforts were covered by WABI 5: " Big Red Food Truck food drive helped out those in need Saturday" To support BAHS, give online here . Select the "Food Donation" fund.
The Very Rev. Ben Shambaugh of St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland was featured in WMPG's Grit podcast to speak about "Church in the Time of COVID" last month. Since broadcast, St. Luke's has begun to broadcast from the sanctuary again. View recorded and upcoming services here .
"Seeking the Gift of Hope", the eight-part Faith in Maine podcast series featuring audio essays by the  Rev. Martin L. Smith, continues with a new episode each week. Check out episode 2 here: "Hope and Jesus’ Proclamation of the Reign of God" . Faith in Maine can be found on any platform where podcasts are found, including iTunes, Spotify, Pocket Casts and more.
The latest  " Social Justice & Advocacy Engagement Update " includes a list of policy initiatives being pursued in DC by our Office of Government Relations, a petition for a Maine climate action plan, and links to tools to help Episcopalians vote faithfully in our Maine primary on July 14. Sign up to receive these updates in your inbox here by selecting "Maine Episcopal Network for Justice".
The Rev. Maria Hoecker , St. Columba's, Boothbay Harbor joined area clergy for the Blessing of the Fishing Fleet on Sunday June 21. Video of the service available here . Event was also covered by the Boothbay Register: "36 boats get blessed" . We pray for a safe and prosperous season for Maine's fishermen.
Maya Dowling-Wolf , parishioner at St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland and Bowdoin College undergraduate, spoke out about racial inequality experienced in schools in a letter written to RSU5 School Board and Freeport High School administration, teachers, and staff. Read Maya's letter here .
Barbara Martin , Canon for Administration and Registrar, issued official notice on June 19, 2020 that the 201st Diocesan Convention will assemble, God willing, via electronic means for an online convention, on (or about) Saturday, October 17, 2020.
Around the diocese
Worship online with the diocese this Sunday
Join us for another diocese-wide service for this Sunday, including music and a sermon from Bishop Brown. Clergy and lay leaders will be provided with a downloadable video file on Friday, June 26 to use as they wish. The video will be broadcast on our YouTube channel at 8:00 am and on Facebook at 10:00 am. Services will be offered on on July 26 and August 23, too. If you are interested in participating in the planning of an upcoming service, please email Katie Clark , Director of Communications.
Attend an innovative, earth-conscious service
World Too Beautiful is returning in July and August. This special earth-conscious service celebrating the beauty of creation, hosted by St. Luke's Cathedral and funded in part by the diocesan New Initiative Fund, will be adapted to an online version.

The good news about having to migrate online is that now people from all over can join in this musical and meditative gathering!

Everyone is most welcome to participate on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 5:45 pm. That's July 1, July 15, August 5, and August 19.

Join all upcoming services via Zoom:
Diocesan funding applications for 2021 available
Congregations and diocesan groups may now apply for funding in the 2021 diocesan budget. Find information and application forms from the Finance Committee for the two processes at episcopalmaine.org .

Strategic Mission Support (SMS) is open to all congregations who meet the basic criteria of viability, vitality, and location. Details about the criteria, application materials, and instructions are available here . Please direct questions to SMS Subcommittee Chair, Lael Sorensen . Deadline: July 17, 2020.

Funding for diocesan programs and committees from the diocesan budget is also available. The criteria, application form, and instructions are posted here . Questions? Contact Mission Priorities Subcommittee Chair, Paul Beaudette . Deadline: July 17, 2020.
The Enduring Call to Love: Reflecting on Racial Justice
An ecumenical group in the Augusta area are gathering for an online discussion of racism in the light of scripture tonight, Thursday, June 25 at 7:00 pm. Christ Episcopal Church, Gardiner and Episcopal Church of Saints Barnabas and Matthew, Hallowell are joining with St. Michael's Catholic Parish, Augusta and Cox Memorial United Methodist, Hallowell to sponsor the participatory Zoom session entitled “The Enduring Call to Love: Reflecting on Racial Justice” with Elizabeth Keene.

Elizabeth Keene is the vice president of mission integration for St. Mary’s Health System in Lewiston and a parishioner at St. Michael's. The presentation will entail facilitated discussion around individual and societal aspects of racism in light of the scriptural call to “do justice and love goodness". Keene says, “Our hope is that by praying together and learning together, we can also commit to act together to address racism in our hearts and in our society.”

All are encouraged to participate in the free session. To register, email Gina Czerwinski .
News from our congregations
Individually and in groups, people in the diocese are striving to learn how to talk about racism and work to end it. Below are a few of the books that are being read, studied, and discussed in Maine. Find more racial justice resources curated by the diocese here .
Parishioners at Christ Church, Gardiner are spreading love and prayers to church members they haven't seen for awhile through pocket prayer quilts. These have been crafted with care and sent to those who receive a mailed copy of their newsletter. They are making more for their pastoral care group to give out as needed. For those who might be interested in creating a similar quilt, the pattern is available here .
St. Luke's, Wilton held it's first in-person service in three months, outdoors on a beautiful June day. Parishioners brought their own chairs and Rev. Sue Cole presided from just outside the church's front door.
* Please send your news and photos to diolog@episcopalmaine.org ! *
Faith resources
Way of Love podcast returns featuring conversations between Bishop Curry and guests
The third season of The Way of Love with Bishop Michael Curry podcast has kicked off. These weekly conversations, featuring Bishop Curry and a variety of guests, center on ways to live a life committed to living the way of God’s unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial and redemptive love. Season 3 changes include longer conversations between Bishop Curry and his guests: faith leaders, authors, and thinkers who are committed to following the Way of Jesus in the world today. In the first episode, Bishop Curry talks with Richard Rohr, OFM, about what it takes to turn and follow a Christ who is as big as the Universe, choosing the Way of Love instead of the way of our ego. Listen and subscribe here: https://wayoflove.episcopalchurch.org/.
Explore our call to seek, name and celebrate Jesus
Embracing Evangelism : A six-part digital course exploring our call to seek, name, and celebrate Jesus’ loving presence in the stories of all people – and then invite everyone to more - is now available. Each session features teachings on Episcopal evangelism, group discussion, and exercises to help Episcopalians understand the ministry and call to evangelism. The full series consists of six video sessions, each under 45 minutes.

This offering is made possible through a partnership between The Episcopal Church and Virginia Theological Seminary. Begin  here  with session one.