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The Dio Log -
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news & events in
the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
since 1999
Volume 21, Number 3
~ February 8, 2019
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Pictured above: Maine Episcopal Youth volunteering at Preble Street. Learn more about two upcoming March youth events and register at maineyouth.org.
Download a flyer for use in your church
here
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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
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Thanksgiving for...
the ministry of the
Rev. David Heald
as he retires from his role as Rector of
St. Nicholas, Scarborough
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Prayers for...
the
Special Convention this Saturday, February 9th
God of Grace, we give you thanks for all the blessings of our common life and ministries as the Episcopal Diocese of Maine. We thank you for the faithful work of the Discernment Committee and for all who have offered themselves to your service in this season of change. May the Holy Spirit continue to bless the Transition Committee, and to infuse this process with the gifts of faith, hope and love. We give thanks and pray for Anne, Janet, Ken, Rachel, and Thomas. May they be filled with vision, courage, patience and hope as our work of discernment continues. In Christ's name we pray, Amen
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Special Convention to Elect the Tenth Bishop of Maine...
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To: The People of the Diocese of Maine
We have received several inquiries about guests attending the Electing Convention. Please Remember/Don't Forget that there is no provision for guests at the Electing Convention. (Letter from November 2018 here explains that decision.
) There is no Visitors' Gallery seating and no food. If you want to follow the actions of Convention, please watch the live stream at
bishopquest.episcopalmaine.org.
For more information about the Electing Convention, and the Worship Booklet, please visit
bishopquest.episcopalmaine.org.
We hope everyone who is not present at the Cross Center will lend their spirit ...... and their prayers.....to the proceedings either from the comfort of their own hearth, or in a community gathered.
Faithfully,
Bishop Steve
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From the Bishop...
To: The People of the Diocese of Maine
Re: Healing the Church of Sexual Abuse and Misconduct
Dear Friends in Christ:
Below you will find the first few paragraphs of my Pastoral Letter addressing the statute of limitations for reporting and addressing sexual abuse and misconduct by clergy against adults.
All priests-in-charge of a congregations, and/or Senior Wardens are asked to please have copies of this letter posted, copies made available, and read during services before the third Sunday in February.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to be in touch with my Executive Assistant, Barbara Martin (207-772-1953 x 125 or by reply to this email message).
Faithfully,
+Stephen T. Lane
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As you are well aware, the church is not immune to the sins that beset every human institution. The news frequently carries stories of improper and abusive behavior on the part of clergy, a great deal of which is coming to light in response to the activism of victims, the #MeToo movement. The Episcopal Church has made great strides over the last generation in educating clergy and lay leaders about the maintenance of personal boundaries and the responsibilities we share to protect the most vulnerable from harm. But we are not exempt from bad behavior. There are far too many instances of sexual misconduct in our church.
At last summer's General Convention, The Episcopal Church suspended for three years the statute of limitations for reporting and addressing sexual abuse and misconduct by clergy against adults. (There is no statute of limitations for sexual abuse and misconduct committed against children and other vulnerable persons.) Beginning January 1 of this year and continuing to December 31 of 2021, any victim may report incidents of abuse and misconduct to the diocesan intake officer for consideration and response.
The Diocese of Maine has two Intake Officers: the Rev. Michael Ambler, priest and Canon to the Ordinary, and Ms. Elise Magnuson, a lay member of St. Luke's Cathedral experienced in working with persons affected by abuse. (Their contact information may be found at the end of this letter.) Persons wishing to report sexual abuse and misconduct, as well as other sorts of clergy misconduct, may do so by reaching out to either of them by phone or by email. The intake officer will respond to you directly.
Read the full letter
here.
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Gospel Celebration of Black History Month
Together in Unity! Join St. Ann's Episcopal Church, Windham for an Ecumenical Gospel Celebration of Black History Month featuring the gospel choir of The Green Memorial AME Zion Church joined by the choirs of St. Ann's Episcopal Church, Windham Hill U.C.C., Faith Lutheran Church, Windham Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and North Windham Union Church on
Sunday, February 10th from 4-5pm at the North Windham Union Church, 723 Roosevelt Trl, Windham, Maine 04062. Event hosted by Windham Area Clergy Association. Download a
poster here. FMI contact the
Rev. Tim Higgins.
Reverend Absalom Jones
First African American Episcopal Priest
Absalom Jones was an abolitionist and clergyman. He was born enslaved
to Abraham Wynkoop in 1746 in Delaware. Jones moved to Philadelphia after his mast
er sold his plantation along with Absalom's mother and six siblings. Jones bought his wife Mary's freedom and later his master awarded Absalom emancipation in 1784. In 1
78
7, with his friend Richard Allen, they founded the Free African Society, a mutual aid benevolent organization that was the first of its kind organized by and for black people. Jones was ordained a priest on September 21, 1802, faithfully serving the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia, a church which remains a vibrant congregation today.
A liturgy of thanksgiving for Absalom Jones can be found
here
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Spring Training 2019
Saturday, April 27th
What are you called to? Would you like to change up your spiritual practice? What are the needs of your parish?
For the fourth year, the diocese will offer a free day of 20 new workshops for clergy and lay people to choose from. As always, we will begin our day with fellowship, followed by three sessions of workshops with breaks for a bagged lunch, worship and an address from Bishop Steve. This is a great opportunity to see old friends and make new connections with folks from all around the Maine diocese.
Please spread the word to your fellow parishioners to save the date. Consider checking in with each other to see who needs a ride and which workshops you are interested in. Bring back what you've learned to incorporate into your own journey or to share with your parish.
What:
Workshop topics to include music, stewardship, art-based prayer practice, vestries, creation care, social justice and discernment for everyone. More topics to be announced soon!
Where:
South Parish Congregational Church, Augusta
When:
Saturday, April 27th
Coffee and conversation starting at 8:30 am
Workshops from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Look for updates with course titles and registration information in the DioLog and on the diocesan website! Contact
Jane Hartwell with questions.
Webinar offered for UTO Grant Applicants
UTO Annual Grant Applications and materials are available from the first Friday in December through the first Friday in March at
www.episcopalchurch.org and are announced and paid in June of 2019.
Applicants and those supporting applicants through the Annual Grant Process should join us for the last webinar before the deadline on
Wednesday, February 13 at noon and/or 8pm.
All webinars are held using Zoom:
Meeting ID#: 814 040 8194
For questions, support or information on the United Thank Offering, please visit www.episcopalchurch.org/uto. Download a flyer here that includes the details above as well as info about theYAS! Grants.
Maine Episcopal Musicians' Workshop 2019
Everyone who leads or loves music is invited to this workshop which is sponsored by the Episcopal Musicians' Network. It's
March 2 at St. Paul's Church in Brunswick. Coffee will be available at 9:30 and the day is from 10:00 - 2:30.
Many musicians in our churches have expressed a desire to exchange ideas with musicians from other churches. So this year the workshop content will be provided by EVERYONE. Please register below, and plan to bring music to share. There'll be time to network, exchange ideas and hear the best of what each church has to offer.
This program is free, but so that we can make appropriate plans for supplies and space, registration is required (Registration will close on February 28.) FMI contact
Jane Hartwell. Register
here.
Planning ahead for Lent...
Visit
Lenten Resources 2019 for a handy list of links to Lent Madness, Episcopal Relief and Development's Lenten Meditations, Living Compass: Living Well Through Lent, UTO Lent Calendar, Sermons That Work, Way of Love lenten resources including adult forum, quiet day and test kitchen.
Also,
SSJE is re-issuing its four Lenten programs: Meeting Jesus, Five Marks of Love, Growing a Rule of Life, and It's Time To...Stop, Pray, Work, Play & Love.
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Upcoming in Maine and Beyond
Only six spaces left! Last chance to register for this two-session workshop with Deirdre Good.
How to read the Bible: What Is It and Which Translation: an online seminar in the Diocese of Maine Feb. 21 & 28
An online two-week discussion of how the Bible came into being, ways to read it, and how Episcopalians read it. You can join this from the comfort of your home. We will meet online on Thursday February 21 & 28. Orientation and introductions are at 6:00pm and the seminar is from 6:15-7:15. If you are new to using Zoom on your computer, we will help you to get oriented before the first session, and if that fails you can participate by phone.
Our leader, Deirdre Good ThD, is an experienced teacher of the New Testament and Christian origins. She is a licensed lay preacher in the Diocese of Maine, a parishioner at St. Margaret's Belfast, and on the faculty at the Stevenson School for Ministry in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. We'll record the presentation for churches who want to use it in the future.
"What's New, What's Now, What's Next"
CEEP's Annual Conference Feb 20-23 in Boston
Laity and clergy of the Diocese of Maine are invited to participate in What's New, What's Now, What's Next CEEP (Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes) Conference being held from February 20-23 at the Westin Copley Place in Boston. Along with parish host Trinity Church, Boston CEEP will bring over 30 workshops, 12 pre-conferences, a powerful keynote address by Christena Cleveland of Duke Divinity School and a closing charge from the Rev. Dr. Sam Wells of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. More information about the conference may be found at
www.ceepconference.com.
The member rate and an additional $100 discount on registration fees is begin offered to any lay or clergy leaders from Maine who are able to attend.
Maine Council of Churches holds Faith-Based Advocacy Days March 25-26
Prophetic voices of faith can make an impact in advocating for a culture of justice, compassion and peace here in Maine! Join leading policy analysts and theologians who will come together for this two-day event designed to inspire and equip people of faith to speak confidently and with conviction to legislators about key issues facing our state: health care and the opioid crisis, climate justice, hunger and poverty, and immigration and racism.
Featuring keynote speaker, The Rev. Dr. James Gertmenian "Speaking the Truth, Even If Your Voice Shakes"
Monday, March 25
Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 69 Winthrop Street, Augusta
Tuesday, March 26
Cross Café in the Burton M. Cross Building adjacent to the State House
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