The Dio Log - 
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news & events in  the Episcopal Diocese of Maine 
since 1999

Volume 21, Number 17  ~  September 7 , 2018


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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
Prayers for...

the Rev. Rebecca Schlatter Liberty, who has been appointed as the new director of the Wilson Center for Spiritual Exploration and Multifaith Dialogue in Orono at the University of Maine Learn more about at  umaine.edu/wilsoncenter.
 
new clergy staff at St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland. The Rev. Drew Baker joins as Pastoral Associate and the Rev. Eleanor Prior as Canon Pastor. Please welcome them both!
 
the Rev. Peggy Schnack who joins St. Paul's, Brunswick as Assistant Rector for Children & Youth.
 

In the News...

ELCA presiding bishop, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, issued a statement addressing our call to care for creation to mark the start of the Season of Creation Sept. 1 to Oct. 4 inviting the global Christian community to focus our worship, our stewardship and action on honoring God by honoring and caring for God's handiwork.  Read the full statement here.


Thanksgiving for...

St. Thomas' Church in Winn, celebrating 150 years of service this Sunday,  September 9th, with a 9AM service followed by a reception.  Bishop Lane will be the celebrant.  They would love to see old and new friends there!
 
the Rev. Shirley Bowen, Executive Director & Chaplain of
the Seeds of Hope (Jubilee) Neighborhood Center, who was awarded the Coin of Excellence for at the Maine Military and Community Network Annual Conference in Augusta. Seeds of Hope celebrate its 10th Anniversary on Saturday, September 8, from 5 to 7pm at Main Street, Biddeford. Learn more at  www.seedsofhope4me.org.
 

 
From the Bishop...

Diocesan Communications Update
 
Dear Friends,

Several weeks ago I announced that Canon Heidi Shott had resigned to take a new position with the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Heidi began that work this week.

Today I'd like to share with you the decisions I've made to cover the communications' tasks that are necessary for the smooth functioning of the diocese.

John Hennessy is continuing his work as Director of the Maine Episcopal Network for Justice. He will also function as Director of Communications. John will work on our behalf with the Maine Council of Churches and will continue his advocacy training and work with the state legislature. In addition, John will coordinate diocesan communications and will work with me in making public statements and engaging with the press. John will have an office at Loring House.

The DioLog, the New Northeast, and other diocesan communications will be the shared responsibility of Barbara Martin and Teresa Pinney, members of our diocesan staff. Pictures and announcements of parish events should be directed to  diolog@episcopalmaine.org. Teresa will also support parish Wordpress websites.

Mark Spahr, a member of Council and of St Patrick's, Brewer, has taken responsibility for our social media presence: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. He will post information from the diocese and items of interest from the wider church. Mark would also be happy to receive photographs and items of interest from across the diocese. Mark will work remotely.

Lis Ingoldsby, a member of the Transition Committee and of St Brendan, Deer Isle, will oversee communications for the Episcopal Transition process. Lis has a background in corporate communications and will help us coordinate and present information about the nomination and election process. Lis will work closely with diocesan communicators to see that we are all on the same page. Lis will work remotely.

I am deeply grateful to all these folks for their willingness to take on these responsibilities during the Transition. Their work will be compensated as hourly contracts and will continue until the Tenth Bishop is able to make decisions about communications.

Faithfully,

+Steve

 
Around the Diocese...

Get ready for Social Media Sunday


Social Media Sunday was born in the Episcopal Church in 2013, but it has grown into an ecumenical event to share the good news about building community using social media.

This Sunday, September 9th, use the hashtag  #SMS18 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or whatever other platform you regularly use. Check in at church, tweet the sermon, post selfies of yourself and the clergy, share a photo of people at your church or a video of your favorite hymn being sung -be creative and have fun being a faithful witness!

Download a flyer to share with your congregation here.

Find more resources at Building Faith.

Register for Diocesan Convention before Oct. 5th
 
The registration form for the 199th Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Church in Maine "The Way of Love" is ready to accept your submission. Please fill out the registration form and submit it as soon as possible. Registrations submitted by October 5th are eligible for a discount of $5.

The theme for this year's Convention comes from our Presiding Bishop: The Way of LoveThe Way of Love details practices for living a Jesus-centered life, and it will help us as we consider our direction for the future.
 
All other Convention info at www.episcopalmaine.org. 
 
Upcoming Pre-Convention Hearings scheduled

Everyone is encouraged to attend one of two pre-convention hearings that will be held in the coming month:
  • Wed., Sept. 26th 7:00pm-9:00pm ~ St. Mark's, Waterville
  • Wed., Oct. 3rd 7:00pm-9:00pm ~ Trinity, Portland 
"Come Away Awhile" EPF Maine sponsored retreat Sept. 29th 
Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF) Maine is sponsoring a retreat entitled "Come Away Awhile" led by the Reverend Jonathan Appleyard on Saturday, September 29, from 9:30-2 PM at St Andrew's Episcopal Church, Newcastle. Please bring a brown bag lunch and drinks will be provided. A $10 donation is requested to defray cost. Limit of 30 participants. If you are interested, please call or email Kathy Coughlan ( irishlass@roadrunner.com, 380-6780) or Diane Paterson ( dcp@gwi.net, 841-7035).
 
 
Organist wanted for St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Calais
 
St. Anne's in Calais is looking for an organist to play on Sunday mornings and occasional weekday services. The position is flexible -- can be every week or part-time, or even seasonal.  The beautiful Moller organ was refurbished a couple years ago and is tuned regularly.  If interested, please contact The Rev. Sara Gavit at rev.sara.gavit@gmail.com or call 207-454-8016.
 
Regional Confirmation to be held Oct. 18th

A Regional Confirmation will be held at St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth on Thursday October 18th.  Congregations who are interested in participating should be in touch with the Rev. Holly Clark at hclark@stalbansmaine.org.  
 
Upcoming in Maine and Beyond

 
Luther Seminary's 2019-20 Missional Leadership Cohort Applications now being accepted

Applications are now open for Luther Seminary's 2019-20 Missional Leadership Cohort for Episcopal Clergy. 

Now in its third iteration, this grant-funded leadership development experience brings together 12 Episcopal priests for an 18-month learning journey in a supportive, structured peer environment. The process focuses on core challenges of forming and leading Christian communities today. Participants use action learning to lead faithful innovation and adaptation around central dilemmas facing their ministry contexts. 

Details on the program, including the application, can be found here: www.luthersem.edu/episcopalcohort  Thanks to a generous grant, there is no cost for participants other than their travel to meetings. Download this flyer for more information.

 
Pihcintu Chorus Concert
 
Saturday, September 29 at 3:30pm
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
27 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME

The Pihcintu Chorus is a multi-national refugee and immigrant girls' chorus based in Portland, Maine. These amazing young people have performed all over the United States, including the White House and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Family Ministries at St. Paul's is organizing special 45-minute pre-concert activities on the same afternoon (2:30-3:15) for K-12 students and their families.  Please call the church office at 207-725-5342 if you wish to participate in the pre-concert activities so we can have enough supplies for everyone. 
   
There will be a reception following the concert, at which you can meet and talk with the members of the group.  A free-will offering will be taken to benefit the Pihcintu Chorus.


24th Annual Changing Maine: Exploring Diversity of Tactics in Maine Movements

Saturday, September 8, 2018
8:30AM - 5:00PM
Viles Arboretum, 153 Hospital Street, Augusta, ME

Join in a day of exploring what it means to use a diversity of tactics in grassroots organizing and campaigns, how power and privilege play out in which tactics people feel are necessary, and how our choices and reaction to others' choices impact coalition building. Changing Maine is an annual meet up of roughly 80-100 organizers, activists, and nonprofit workers who come together to explore different topics that affect social change. Register and find carpool info here.


Join in a morning of wondering at St. Alban's on Sept. 15th
  
"I wonder..." Workshop  
Godly Play... it's not just for children!
Saturday, September 15th 9am-12pm  
  
Join in Saturday 9/15 at St. Alban's, 885 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth for a morning of wondering with Sally Thomas, one of New England's beloved Godly Play trainers. Enjoy a stress-free morning to play with some Godly Play concepts and language. Learn a bit about Godly Play and how it might impact areas of your life and ministry. Consider joining in if you are a  Sunday School teacher, leader or participant of a ministry team, or someone who longs to deepen your relationship with God through wonder. Contact Katie Holicky with questions and to RSVP ~  kholicky@stalbansmaine.org.
 

Apple Fest at St. Anne's, Calais
 
Apple Fest!  It's that time of year -- time for the annual fundraiser at St. Anne's in Calais.  Apple Fest is a daylong celebration featuring lots of delicious baked goods, great items to be raffled, a silent auction, a rummage sale, breakfast and lunch. Gather on Saturday, September 29th to visit and eat and raise money for the many ministries of St. Anne's. For more info, visit stannescalais.org or call 207-454-8016. 
 
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