The Dio Log 
    _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
 

news & events in  the Episcopal Diocese of Maine 
since 1999

Volume 21, Number 5  ~  March 7, 2019


207.772.1953   | www.episcopalmaine.org  
 
Please email items for The Dio Log to: diolog@episcopalmaine.org

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

the Rev. Catherine Amy Kropp as she prepares to be ordained by the Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane to the Sacred Order of Priests on Tuesday, March 26th 4:00pm at Battell Chapel, Yale University. 
for the work of Episcopal Relief & Development as all Episcopalians join together in observance of ER& D Sunday this week on March 10th.  Find downloadable  pew envelopes, bulletin inserts and special prayers at  episcopalrelief.org/Lent
Voices among us...

STL Lent Message 2019
How about fasting from the culture of contempt this Lenten season?

Hear Bishop Lane's message to the diocese about the good news of God and Jesus Christ that is fundamentally about restoring relationship with God and one another. Contempt has no place in such relationships.

Around the Diocese... 
 
 
2019 Spring Training: Diocesan Workshop Day on Saturday April 27
 


Gather with Bishop Lane and Episcopalians from all across the diocese for a day of learning, sharing and growth. With 22 diverse workshops to choose from, you'll find what you're looking for.  It will be held at South Parish Church in Augusta. Coffee begins at 8:30, workshops are at 9:30, and we'll gather together at mid-day for worship and an address by Bishop Steve.  There's no charge. But registration by Easter is required. 
 
Share Spring Training with members of your congregation! Download a flyer.

More information, the day's schedule, registration and full workshop descriptions may be found at episcopalmaine.org/spring-training
 
Pledge to Care for Creation

 
Reflect and commit to grow a loving, liberating and life-giving relationship with God's Creation. Episcopalians and friends concerned about all of God's creation are invited to join Presiding Bishop Michael Curry in pledging to take action to protect and renew God's world and all who call it home. The goal is to gather at least 1,000 pledges with concrete, personal commitments by Earth Day, April 22.

The Pledge to Care for Creation is part of living as the Jesus Movement. It's a promise to protect and renew this good Earth and all who call it home. It's a promise to share our stories, stand with those who are most vulnerable, and live more gently on the Earth.
What can you do?
  • During Lent, reflect on the Pledge alone or in a group, with the help of the Reflection Guide
  • During Lent, decide on your 3 commitments to be more LOVING, LIBERATING and LIFE-GIVING in relation to Creation
  • By Easter Sunday (April 21), take the Pledge, including your specific, personal commitments
  • On Earth Day (April 22), the day after Easter, let's celebrate at least 1,000 pledges
  • All year long, keep your specific commitments to be more loving, liberating and life-giving
Read the Pledge here

Beyond a Binary God: a presentation by Rev. Tara Soughers

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The Waterville-Winslow Interfaith Council is sponsoring a presentation by Rev. Tara Soughers at the new Chace Forum-on the first floor of the Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street Commons, 150 Main St., Waterville on March 14th at 6:30pm. Free to attend. Dinner will be served.
Tara is a priest of the Diocese of Massachusetts and author of  Beyond a Binary God: A Theology for Trans Allies. Tara is a parent of a trans young adult as well as an Episcopal priest. 

Save the Date: March 30th Festive Eucharist in Augusta

Come help  Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church celebrate becoming one church in Augusta with a Festive Eucharist Federation service with Bishops Hazlewood and Lane from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Emmanuel, 209 Eastern Ave., Augusta. FMI call 207-623-9486 and view the invitation here.



New Initiative Fund Grants Available

New Initiative Fund Grant applications will now be accepted on a rolling basis. If you have a big idea or a small idea an NIF Grant can help your idea come to life! Congregations and organizations in the Diocese of Maine are eligible to apply for funding to help create a new ministry, expand an existing ministry in a new direction, or for discernment.
 
Once your application is received and reviewed, it will be evaluated to determine how closely it meets the Diocese of Maine's Seven Criteria for Mission. It will then be assigned to a Diocesan Council member will contact you and serve as your advocate through the process. Find more instructions and the application here. Questions? Please contact Council member, kimberley512@msn.com.
 
Parochial Reports Past Due

Parochial Reports to the national church were to be submitted to the Diocese of Maine by March 1, 2019.  Some congregations haven't met the deadline.  How can we help? 

Please be in touch with Cn. Terrry Reimer at treimer@episcopalmaine.org or 772-1953 x134 for assistance.

Way of Love in Lent Calendar & Resources


Communities are invited to walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life this Lent using this  Way of Love in Lent Calendar.

The Episcopal Church is also offering 
Life Transformed - The Way of Love  tools including an adult forum, quiet day curriculum, and test kitchen to help guide you.

Visit Lenten Resources 2019 for access to more resources: Lent Madness, Episcopal Relief and Development's Lenten Meditations, Living Compass: Living Well Through Lent, UTO Lent Calendar, and Sermons That Work. 

Noon Music in Lent ~ Camden

St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, 33 Chestnut Street, Camden, Maine, will offer NOON Music in LENT, a free program of one-half hour of music in the church, starting at 12 Noon each FRIDAY in LENT, followed by a free lunch of homemade soup, bread and fruit in the Parish Hall. 

Jane Schroeder, Minister of Music at St. Thomas ( pictured right with rehearsingwith Suzanne Scott), invited you to come be a part of it!  ALL ARE WELCOME! The church is handicap accessible at the Wood Street entrance. A free-will offering is collected for the Camden Area Christian Food Pantry.  

For more info, please contact Jane Schroeder at 236-3680 or music@stthomascamdenme.org.
Upcoming in Maine and Beyond

Lenten Quiet Days offered in Maine

Two Lenten Quiet Days ~ March 16 & April 6 ~ Waterville

St. Mark's Waterville invites all to join us for two Lenten Quiet Days, March 16 and April 6, from 9 to Noon.  These quiet days will center on exploring all the practices of the Way of Love. We will reflect on Turn, Learn and Pray on March 16 and Bless, Go, Worship and Rest on April 6. The day will be a mix of prayer, discussion and individual reflection. There is no charge for this. RSVP if possible to stmarkschurch60@gmail.com.  If you wish to share lunch after the quiet day at Noon, please bring a lunch or a potluck dish to share. 

Silence and Slow Time: A Quiet Day in Lent ~ March 23 ~ Falmouth

The Maine Chapter of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross will host a Quiet Day this Lent. During this Quiet Day, they will explore the mystery and beauty and fear of silence, and also have a chance to spend some intentional time in silence. Join us March 23rd at St. Mary the Virgin, Falmouth from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. All are welcome, and lunch will be provided. Download a flyer here. FMI or to RSVP contact Sarah Braik sbraik642@gmail.com or 207-415-6556. 

Lenten Quiet Day ~  March 27  ~ Norway
  
Christ Church, Norway and St. Peter's, Bridgton, invite you to join us for a Lenten Quiet Day based on The Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila. Feel free to bring journals, prayer beads or stones, sketch book--anything that will help you settle in. Soup lunch will be provided. For more information or to RSVP, email christchurchnorway@gmail.com or 743-6782. Christ Church is located at 35 Paris Street, Norway.


Childhood Bereavement Conference March 22

On Friday, March 22nd, the Center for Grieving Children will host 150 colleagues at the Kittery Community Center (120 Rogers Road, Kittery) for a half-day conference titled Supporting Bereaved Families Impacted by Suicide or Overdose-Related Death. This year, the keynote speaker will be Dr. Pamela Gabbay, co-founder of The Satori Group, a national education and consulting company that provides training and consultation to the bereavement field. Click here to learn more or to register at no cost
      
2019 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 the Maine Council of Churches in Augusta on March 25 and 26 for worship, keynote address by Rev. Dr. Gertmenian, workshops (your choice of two from four options offered), a panel discussion on addressing white privilege when doing advocacy work, and, on Day 2, a hands-on experience in the State House speaking with legislators about your faith-based perspective on key legislation in the areas of health care and the opioid crisis, climate justice, hunger and poverty, and immigration and racism.

Monday, March 25, meet at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 69 Winthrop Street, Augusta.

Tuesday, March 26, meet at the Cross Café, Burton M. Cross Building adjacent to the State House.

Cost is $25 and continental breakfast and lunch are included both days. For those for whom this cost would be prohibitive, we are happy to provide scholarship assistance.  All meeting spaces are accessible.  Click here to register
 
2019 BTS Center Convocation April 6

The BTS Center's Convocation 2019 theme is  Brave Change: Courageous Churches being held Saturday, April 6 at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport, Maine. This event is a collaboration of the Maine Conference, United Church of Christ, the Maine Council of Churches, and The BTS Center.

To learn more and register for Convocation 2019, visit: https://www.thebtscenter.org/convocation-2019/  Please note that general scholarship aid is available.
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