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The Dio Log -
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news & events in
the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
since 1999
Volume 21, Number 16
~ August 24
, 2018
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Trinity Church, York Harbor, one of Maine's many summer chapel congregations, celebrated their 110th anniversary last Sunday and honored Cal Hosmer, Carol Hollingsworth, Carol Donnelly and Ala Reid, four longtime, retiring Trinity Trustees.
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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
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Voices among us
Ms Sarah Braik, of St. Luke's Cathedral's Eco-Justice/Creation Care Team, writes about new momentum found at General Convention for environmental stewardship
here in the New Northeast.
Mr. John Dieffenbacher-Krall, chair of our diocesan Committee on Indian Relations spoke to RNS about the Doctrine of Discovery that justifies the discovery and domination by European Christians of lands already inhabited by indigenous peoples and Maine's historic leading roll in renouncing the doctrine by convention resolution in 2007. Read the full article here: "Denominations repent for Native American land grabs"
Prayers for...
members of the Bishop Discernment Committee and the all those who will be interviewed this summer.
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Around the Diocese...
An invitation to register for Diocesan Convention from Bishop Lane
Dear Friends,
Here is the registration form for the 199th Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Church in Maine. 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.
We are in a year of transition, and important part of that year is carrying forward the work Jesus has called us to do. The theme for this year's Convention comes from our Presiding Bishop:
The Way of Love
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The Way of Love
details practices for living a Jesus-centered life, and it will help us as we consider our direction for the future.
Don't delay in registering! Save 5 bucks! I look forward to seeing you soon.
Peace,
Bishop Steve
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.
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.
Christ Church, Norway seeking advice about streaming Sunday services
Christ Church, Norway is looking for advice! We would like to begin streaming our Sunday worship service online, but aren't sure how to proceed. We would love to talk to anyone who is doing this, particularly any who might be doing so through Facebook (which links to our web page). If you have ideas to share, please be in touch: christchurchnorway@gmail.com. Thanks!
Art Donation Opportunity
In closing the Cambridge campus of Episcopal Divinity School, some pieces of art are in need of a new home. Bonnie Anderson, chair of the Board of Trustees is attempting to find a home for a large work by Clark B. Fitz-Gerald, who was a resident of Castine, ME, sculpture (Bramble Bush) that requires a 10'x 12' space.
The Board of Trustees would like it to be given to an Episcopal Church or Diocesan related structure in Maine where it would be displayed and enjoyed.
Here is a link to an article about the sculptor:
To learn more, please be in touch with Trustee, Edward Nilsson enilsson@nsaarch.com or cell phone at 978-578-0188 (Cell contact preferred).
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.
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Upcoming in Maine and Beyond
Join in a morning of wondering at St. Alban's on Sept. 15th
Godly Play... it's not just for children!
Saturday, September 15th 9am-12pm
Come join us
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. We will enjoy a stress- free morning to play with some Godly Play concepts and language. Come learn a bit about Godly Play and how it might impact areas of your life and ministry. You might consider joining us 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.
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).
Episcopal Peace Fellowship - Maine Chapter August Meeting
EPF-Maine Chapter is holding its next meeting on
Saturday, August 25, at the Church of St. Francis by the Sea in Blue Hill, Maine. The meeting begins at
11 a.m. and concludes around
2 p.m.
Members are encouraged to bring a simple potluck offering for the brunch that will be enjoyed during the meeting. On the agenda is a discussion of the resolutions related to Israel/Palestine that were passed at General Convention, plans for a curriculum on gun violence, and ideas for EPF participation at Diocesan Convention. We welcome anyone interested in peacemaking and issues of justice, especially members in the area who can't usually make it to our meetings in the Midcoast.
For further information, contact co-conveners Kathy Coughlan at
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
Still time to register -- don't miss out!
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.
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