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The Dio Log -
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news & events in
the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
since 1999
Volume 20, Number 15
~ August 10
, 2018
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Prayers for all campers (young, old, and somewhere in between) who will gather at Bishopswood beginning August 20 for the second annual Summer Finale Week.
Why is there a great big cross on the top of Maiden's Cliff in Camden Hills State Park?
Find out when you join other Maine Episcopalians NEXT summer at Finale Week!
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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
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Thanksgiving for...
Mr. Ken Barrett of St. George's, York Harbor, and
Mr. Larry Dwight of St. David's, Kennebunk, as they step down after many years of service as Trustees of Diocesan Funds.
Prayers for...
members of the Bishop Discernment Committee and the all those who will be interviewed over the summer.
After all interviews are completed, the Committee will meet in early September to discern which candidates invited to attend an October retreat here in Maine to continue in the discernment process.
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry as he recovers from surgery for prostate cancer. Here's a link to an ENS story on his recovery.
Update: A celebration of the life of the Rev. Ben Barnes will be held at St. Paul's, Brunswick, on Saturday, September 1, at 11 a.m.
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Around the Diocese...
A message from Bishop Lane - Transition in Communications
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Heidi in Jordan in 2016 |
It is with deep appreciation and a good bit of sadness that I announce that our Canon for Communication and Advocacy, Heidi Shott, has been called as the new Communications Director for the
American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, an organization that raises funds for 21 humanitarian institutions in Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. This is a new position for which Heidi is highly qualified, and I am personally delighted that she has been chosen from among a field of more than 100 candidates. Heidi is passionate about this work and will be a great asset to AFEDJ.
I'm also saddened to lose the person who has become the public voice of the Diocese of Maine, and who has served our parishes and diocese for 20 years. All our electronic communications bear her vision and her abiding appreciation for life in Maine. We at Loring House will especially miss her calm, good-humored presence and her encyclopedic knowledge of the people and places of the diocese.
Heidi begins her new position on September 4, and we are preparing for the transition.
I'm pleased to announce that John Hennessy has agreed to continue his work as Director of the Maine Episcopal Network for Justice and to pick up other advocacy work that has been part of Heidi's portfolio. He will work with the Maine Council of Churches, the Jubilee Centers, other program groups and committees, and will continue the work of training Episcopalians for advocacy in the public square.
As we work to cover Heidi's communications responsibilities, we are seeking a contract worker to facilitate our social media presence and
The Dio Log and to maintain our diocesan and parish websites. I anticipate identifying a person to do this work in the next few weeks.
Because we're in the midst of the Episcopal Transition, these new positions will be contract-based and will conclude in 2019. The new bishop will need to decide about future staff structure and employment.
In near term, Barbara Martin and Teresa Pinney will manage
The Dio Log and other electronic communications from Loring House. Questions about communications should be directed to Barbara Martin at
bmartin@episcopalmaine.org. News and event items for
The Dio Log should be sent to
diolog@episcopalmaine.org
I know you will join me in wishing Heidi godspeed as she begins her new venture. We will follow her work with great interest and pride. Thank you for your patience as we rework the communications staffing for the diocese.
Faithfully,
+stl
The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane
Bishop of Maine
Diocesan Convention: Just one more month to submit nominations and resolutions
Nominations for the following elected offices in the Diocese are now open:
- Secretary (one-year term)
- Treasurer (one-year term)
- Standing Committee, Clerical Member (three-year term)
- Standing Committee, Lay Member (three-year term)
- Disciplinary Board, Clerical Member (three-year term)
- Provincial Synod, Lay Deputy (two-year term)
- Provincial Synod, Clerical Alternate (two-year term)
The nomination form for
diocesan offices may be found
here.
Also, nominations for two-year terms for
a lay representative from each of the Diocese's eight areas to Diocesan Council are now open. Information about Council and the nomination form may be found
here.
The deadline for nominations for all offices is September 7.
Resolutions to be considered by Diocesan Convention in October may be submitted until September 7
here.
Applications now accepted for funding international outreach and domestic poverty initiatives
Since 2007, the Diocese of Maine has made .07% of its income available to support international efforts and ministries that help to alleviate poverty. Any Maine congregation or program group may offer a proposal to Diocesan Council for consideration to fund an international outreach or development effort. Past grants have awarded funds to the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza run by the Diocese of Jerusalem, midwife education support in Haiti, teachers salaries at a school in the Diocese of Liberia, and support for the ministry of St. George's Anglican Church in Baghdad. In 2016 the available funds were split between school projects in Kenya and South Sudan, and in 2017 they were split between refugee ministry in Rome, Italy, and the Episcopal Technological and Vocational Center in Ramallah, Palestine.
In 2018, $13,000 is available for international outreach ministries.
In 2015 an additional $5,000 was included in the diocesan budget to fund ministry that serves those living in poverty in Maine. The first year's recipients were Church at 209 in Augusta to support the settlement Iraqi refugees and the "Dinner is Served" community meal program out of St. Brendan's, Deer Isle. In 2016 the grant went to the Compassionate Housing Initiative, founded by churches in Yarmouth to offer emergency housing for newly-arrived refugee families. In 2017, the funds were shared with Bridging the Gap, a ministry serving its neighbors at Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church in Augusta.
Diocesan Council will meet on September 15 and consider proposals for both grant programs.
The deadline for a letter outlining a proposal is Friday, September 7. Proposals should be addressed to Diocesan Council and emailed to Canon Terry Reimer at
treimer@episcopalmaine.org. Please be in touch with Terry if you would like to receive copies of proposals that were funded in the past.
Nominations for Appointment to Interim Bodies Due August 20
Episcopalians from across the church are invited to apply for appointment to the various interim bodies created by General Convention. These committees, commissions, and task forces carry out the work of the Episcopal Church between conventions. A list of the interim bodies and the scope of their work is here.
Serving on an interim body is a way for Episcopalians across the church to participate in its governance. While the Joint Standing Committees are only open to bishops and deputies to the 79
th
General Convention, all other interim bodies are open to all members of the Episcopal Church. Appointments to standing commissions are generally for six years while appointments to joint standing committees or task forces are generally for three years. Information regarding the work of a specific interim body may be found by clicking on its name.
For more information or to submit an application, please click here. Applicants will be asked to indicate their interest in up to three interim bodies.
The deadline for nominations is August 20, 2018. Appointments will be made by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies and announced in late September.
Voter engagement materials available from The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations
"Voting and participation in our government is a way of participating in our common life and that is a Christian obligation." - Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
We can play a unique role in this election by empowering every voice in our congregations. The Office of Government relations, in partnership with Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and the United Church of Christ, have developed a Vote Faithfully Toolkit with resources and ideas for getting out the vote in your faith community!
Included in this toolkit:
Action Steps: Register, Mobilize, Communicate, and Advocate
Worship: Litany, Quotes, Music, and Prayers
On September 4, look for more materials and resources from the Maine Episcopal Network for Justice on the Diocese of Maine's home page at
www.episcopalmaine.org. Contact MENJ Director John Hennessy at
jhennessy@episcopalmaine.org if you would like information about hosting a voter engagement activity or event this fall.
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Upcoming in Maine and Beyond
Help Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center celebrate its 10th Anniversary
Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center in Biddeford, a Jubilee Center of the Diocese of Maine, will celebrates its tenth anniversary on Saturday, September 8, from 5 to 7 at 40 Main Street, Biddeford. Festivities will be held on the second floor lobby area. All are invited. Tickets are $20.00 and may be purchased at
www.seedsofhope4me.org.
Seeds of Hope is a Biddeford drop-in center serving its downtown neighbors. It is also home to an essentials pantry and a career resource center and led by the Rev. Shirley Bowen and a team of volunteers.
Transforming Generosity Northeast conference offered in September.
A regional conference sponsored by The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) and The Diocese of Rochester will be held at St. Paul's Church in Rocester, NY, on Saturday, September 15, from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The keynote address, "When Responding to God's Generosity, No Gift Is Too Large," will be given by the Rev. Charles Cloughen Jr., the Director of Planned Giving in the Diocese of Maryland. Both Cloughen and Richard Felton, the executive director of TENS, will offer several workshops including:
- Year-Round Stewardship
- Narrative Budgets: Telling Your Story
- Don't Leave a Mess: Planning for the End of Life
- Money Autobiography
- The Rector's Role in Stewardship
- Developing Major Gifts
- Accessing the TENS materials
The cost is $50 by September 1. Funds to cover travel from Maine are available. Contact Canon Terry Reimer at treimer@episcopalmaine.org. Registration and event details may be found here.
Maine clergy: Save the date for clergy gatherings with Bishop Lane
Gather with Bishop Steve Lane at one of two regional meetings in October:
Thursday, October 4, at Trinity Church, Portland, or Thursday, October 11, at St. Martin's, Palmyra.
Fellowship will begin at 10:30 am. with a meeting from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please bring your own brown bag lunch.
All members of the college of clergy are invited to attend. Additional information and registration will be available soon (registration required).
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