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The Dio Log -
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news & events in
the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
since 1999
Volume 21, Number 2
~ January 25, 2019
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The diocese hosted the five nominees for election to become the 10th Bishop of Maine this past weekend. Over 400 people came out to meet them in Augusta, Bangor and Portland. Despite some pretty bad weather in Portland on Sunday, the energy and enthusiasm was palpable. Pictured above from left to right: Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, Rev. Janet Waggoner, Rev. Kenneth Brannon, Rev. Anne Mallonee, Rev. Thomas Brown
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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
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Prayers for...
Prayer for the Unemployed, especially Federal workers
Gracious God, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work, and especially those whose livelihoods are at risk due to our neglect and inaction. Give compassion to the leaders of our country and guide us so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP p. 824, #31 adapted)
Voices among us...
The Rev. Shirley Bowen, Executive Director of
Seeds of Hope
in
Biddeford
, successfully advocated for a public restroom to be placed in downtown Biddeford
to aid the city's homeless. She said, "I wanted to come before City Council because our community is hurting. Some may not realize it yet, but when some of us suffer, we all suffer." Read more
here
in the Journal Tribune.
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From the Bishop...
We're now just a couple of weeks from the
Electing Convention for the Tenth Bishop of Maine. I give heartfelt thanks for the labors of the Discernment and Transition Committees in nominating and presenting five strong nominees for bishop. Many of you were able to attend the walkabout meetings, and the videos from those meetings are now online at
youtube.com/episcopalmaine. These are professional video recordings with good sound and picture. You may also find written responses to questions and other information on our
Bishopquest website.
If you haven't already, now is the time to hold a parish meeting or to speak with your delegates and clergy about your discernment and your preferences. Remember that voters may well need a second and third choice, if their preferred candidate is eliminated.
And some folks are reading
The Rebirthing of God
by John Philip Newell as part of their prayerful preparation for voting. I commend the book to you.
The Electing Convention will be live streamed so that anyone interested may watch in real time to learn what happens. I hope you may want to take advantage of the live stream.
Finally, please hold the convention, the clergy, the delegates, the staff, and me in your prayers. This is a critical time in our common life. Pray that God will bless our discernment and guide us in choosing a bishop to work with us and guide as we join God in our neighborhoods.
Faithfully,
Bishop Steve
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From the Transition Committee...
Walkabouts Wrap Up
Thank you to everyone who attended last weekend's walkabouts with the nominees for the 10th Bishop of Maine. Despite the weekend's wintry weather, sessions were well attended. The meetings provided clergy and members of the diocese the opportunity to meet the nominees and hear their responses to questions asked.
Videos of the Augusta, Bangor and Portland Walkabouts are now available for viewing on the following links:
Preparing for the Electing Convention
Clergy, delegates and alternates are encouraged to review these videos and nominee profiles prior to the
Special Convention to Elect the 10th Bishop of Maine on February 9th (snow date: February 23rd) at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
Convention check-in will be held from 8:45 to 9:45am, the convention seated at 9:45am, and convened at 10am
As a reminder, this convention is open to registered clergy and delegates only: there will be no public or visitors' gallery provided.
You are invited to watch the results live February 9th at 10am on the links listed above. Everyone who has registered will receive an email in February containing the full agenda and other important details. Information will also be posted at episcopalmaine.org/convention/2019.
Let us pray together as we continue our quest for the 10th Bishop of Maine
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
-The Transition Committee
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How to read the Bible: What Is It and Which Translation:
an online seminar in the Diocese of Maine February 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.
"Gospel Celebration of Black History Month" Feb. 10th
Join St. Ann's Episcopal Church, Windham along with five other area churches for an ecumenical "Gospel Celebration of Black History Month" on Sunday, February 10th at the North Windham Union Church. FMI contact The Rev. Tim Higgins.
Take part in one of two Diocesan Youth Events this March
REACH: Reaching In, Reaching Out, Reaching God
March 9-10,
Christ Episcopal Church, Gardiner
Middle School Youth Event (6-8 Grades)
Spend an overnight playing games, doing a service project, making friends, eating awesome food, and worshiping God.
Called to Serve: The Way of Love
March 22-24, St. John's Episcopal Church, Bangor
High School Youth Event (9-12 Grades)
We will laugh together, serve together, pray together, and make friends we can rely on as we figure out how we are called by God to serve.
Keep track of all of those first quarter report due dates
We've compiled a list for congregations of upcoming forms and reports with their due dates. Download it
here.
Any questions? Contact Teresa at
tpinney@episcopalmaine.org.
Engage the Way of Love throughout the liturgical year
To assist congregations, dioceses, and communities of faith to engage the Way of Love throughout the liturgical year, The Episcopal Church and partnering organizations offer
resources
for every time of the year:
Today is Baptism Day by Anna V. Ostenso Moore
This book was one of the many things shared at the Christian Ed Collaboration Network gathering last week. Participants described it as "A diverse, inclusive, theologically sound and intriguing book about baptism." Take a look here.
Connect to the Maine Episcopal Network for Justice
The Maine state legislature continues to gear up for a very busy session. Over three hundred bills have already been printed and assigned to committees of jurisdiction awaiting a public hearing. Several bills relating to health care, creation care, homelessness and food shaming prevention have caught our attention and will be part of the advocacy agenda.
If you want to receive more updated information about our work in Augusta and DC, fill out the information
here
to connect.
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Upcoming in Maine and Beyond
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, meet at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 69 Winthrop Street, Augusta.
Tuesday, March 26, meet at the Cross Café in the Burton M. Cross Building adjacent to the State House.
"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.
Diocesan Youth Summer Opportunities
Read more about the new summer opportunities below at maineyouth.org where you can also sign up for a January 22nd Summer Opportunity Online Info Session. Contact The Rev. Sara D'Angio White, Youth Missioner, with any questions ~ 502-7742 or sdangiowhite@episcopalmaine.org
Middle School White Mountains Trip
3-nights, 4-days in early July 2019, White Mountains in New Hampshire
(graduating 6th-8th graders; spots limited)
No experience necessary for this awesome trip to the White Mountains, where you'll get to hike, bond, play, and worship in the woods.
High School Mission Exchange
July 7-14, 2019, traveling to the Diocese of South Dakota
(graduating 9th-12th graders; application required)
Travel to the Black Hills in South Dakota, where we'll teach the 5th-6th grade camp session at Thunderhead Episcopal Center. As part of this Mission Exchange, we will welcome a South Dakota team to Maine in 2020.
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