The Dio Log - 
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news & events in  the Episcopal Diocese of Maine 
since 1999

Volume 20, Number 21  ~  November 2, 2018


 
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 eleven people killed in a Pittsburgh synagogue last Saturday and their grieving friends, family and community
  
those participating in Maine Miqra 2018 this weekend. To follow along with the public proclamation of scripture happening at the Miqra Fall Youth Event and across the diocese, check out Facebook and Instagram using #mainemiqra2018.

the family of Larry Dwight of Kennebunk, former chair of the Trustees of Diocesan Funds, upon his death on October 20th. His obituary may be found here.

 Voices among us... 
 
John Hennessy writes as the featured blogger for Maine Council of Churches
about living out our call to care for our neighbors as ourselves by engaging in the public square. Read the post online or download the full version here.

Madeline Roberts (daughter of Rev. Suzanne Roberts, Associate Priest at St. Luke's Cathedral) is working as a Missioner for the Episcopal Young Adult Service Corps. Follow her work in the Diocese of Liverpool at her blog.

Bishop Steve and Mrs. Lane joined with many Episcopalians and about 1,500 community members on Tuesday night to mourn the 11 people killed in a Pittsburgh synagogue last Saturday. The rabbi of Congregation Bet Ha Am, Jared Saks, told those assembled that Judaism calls on survivors to do more than weep for the dead. "Let our grief galvanize us," Rabbi Saks said in the poem he composed, "Let our mourning motivate us.  Let our tears turn our hearts toward others. Let our weeping make us wise to elect leaders that actually care about our lives."  We are honored to share the entire poem with you here.
Bishop Search update...  

Slate of Candidates to be announced Nov. 8th

The Discernment Committee is planning to present a slate of candidates for the 10th Bishop of Maine to the Standing Committee next Wednesday, November 7th. After a time of prayerful consideration the slate will be announced to the diocese on Thursday, November 8th via email, social media and the Bishop Quest website.

With the announcement of the slate, responsibility for preparation will pass from the Discernment Committee into the hands of the Transition Committee, diocese and electing delegates. You will have an opportunity to attend the "Walkabout" gatherings and to visit the Bishop Quest website to learn about the candidates. These events will be offered in Bangor, Augusta and Portland the weekend of January 18 - 20. Details are being finalized and will be published soon.

The Electing Convention will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2019 (snow date: Saturday, February 23rd) at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Details about this event will be published once everything is finalized.
Around the Diocese... 



OUR FAITH, OUR VOTE, OUR VOICE 
Election Engagement - Fall 2018

Learn more about the role you and your faith community can take in elections.  Check out the new election engagement page  on episcopalmaine.org for useful resources. For more information, contact John Hennessy at jhennessy@episcopalmaine.org.  



Report from the 199th Convention of the Diocese of Maine
"The Way of Love"

Bishop Lane's 2018 Convention Address
Video of Bishop Lane's 2018 Convention Address

 
Address & Sermon

Photos

Voting Results
 
Elections:
Treasurer (1 year term) ~ Mr. Dick Rozene
Secretary (1 year term) ~ Ms Leigh Spahr
Standing Committee - Clergy (3 year term) ~ The Rev. Maria Hoecker
Standing Committee - Lay (3 year term) ~ Ms Brenda Hamilton
Provincial Synod - Clerical Alternate Deputy (2 year term) ~ no nominees
Provincial Synod - Lay Deputy (2 year term) ~ no nominees
Disciplinary Board - Clergy (3 year term) ~ The Rev. Jud Pealer
Diocesan Council Lay Representatives (2 year terms)~  Ms Nancy Mooers, Ms Rita Redfield, Ms Christine Talbott, Ms Melissa Sparks, Mr. Tom Ward, Mr. Steven Ward, Ms Kim Wallace
 
Budget:
Pre-Convention Budget & Narrative ~ approved as presented
 
Resolutions:
Clergy Compensation 2019 Resolution #1 ~ approved
Lay Compensation 2019 Resolution #2~ approved
Admission of Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church into Union with the Diocese of Maine Resolution #3 ~ approved
Special Rules of Order for Election of a Bishop-Elect Resolution #4 ~ approved
From the floor: Amendment to Title III, Sec. 3 (4) of the Constitution of the Diocese of Maine ~ referred to the Committee on Canons & Constitution


Maine Evangelism Network to kick-off Nov. 8th

"Evangelism is not trying to put butts in the seats but rather building up the Kingdom of God."  Bishop Michael Curry
 
The Rev. Kerry Mansir and the  Rev. Tim Higgins had the opportunity to attend the Evangelism Matters Conference this past March in Cleveland and came away completely inspired and with the blessing of Bishop +Lane with a hope to develop our own Evangelism Network. They will kick-off this initiative on Thursday, Nov. 8th at Christ Church, Gardiner from 5:30-7:30--a light dinner is included. RSVP to Kerry@christchurchgardiner.org.  Kerry and Tim will offer a brief EVG 101 presentation and then talk about best practices in Evangelism. Other congregations will be invited to share! Then we'll discuss ongoing ways that we can all promote our PB's new initiative. All are welcome! Questions? Contact Rev. Tim Higgins.
 
 
Resources for The Way of Love: Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life
 
The Episcopal Church has started to produce excellent handouts for the Way of Love, and many Maine churches are using the framework for stewardship, adult formation, orientation or publicity.  Here's where to find  Way of Love materials that can be downloaded: tri-fold brochures, wallet cards and the Reflection & Discernment papers we used at Convention. Or if you prefer professionally printed versions, Forward Movement is selling  packets of the tri-folds and  wallet cards.  St. Luke's Cathedral sent the tri-fold in their stewardship mailing, and several churches are using the Reflection & Discernment handout as the basis for simple weekly adult discussions. In the words of one leader: "It gets people talking about their own experiences and sharing with each other, which has been really nice."  If you're doing anything with Way of Love, please email Jane Hartwell.
 

Diocesan Electronic Communications Alert

Spoofing emails from Bishop Lane and other diocesan clergy and leaders have been circulating. Many of these are emails asking the recipient to be quickly in touch or asking for gift cards.  If you look closely at the sender's address, it will not read as the correct one. For example, you'll see an email from the bishop reads "stlane(at) my.com ".  Please know that no one in the diocesan office would contact you by email asking for help. The best action is no action.  Do not open, click or respond.  Simply mark them as 'spam' and hit the delete button.  To learn more about spoofing and phishing, and how they are different, please follow this link.   Read the full communication from Bishop Lane here.


Safe Church Training

According to the Safe Church Policy, Safe Church Training (Parts A and B) is required of the following "...all Diocesan employees, volunteers, and others acting on behalf of the Diocese, as well as all clergy of the Diocese and persons otherwise accountable to the ...Safe Church training is required every four years...". Read the Safe Church Policy here.

Safe Church Training is required for all licensed lay ministries - Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, Preacher, Worship Leader.  (The Lay Licensing application will be released soon.)

Safe Church Training is available electronically by visiting www.episcopalmaine.org and using the alpha index "S" to navigate to the Safe Church Training page.

 
United Thank Offering Survey
 

The United Thank Offering Board has launched a new membership database to help better track and support parishes, dioceses, and coordinators throughout the UTO membership structure. They want to learn more about what is happening on the ground, so they've created a survey to learn more about your experience leading and participating in UTO. Please click on this link to fill out the survey. They will collect responses until December 1, 2018.


 Also, please note: All materials for the 2019 Annual UTO Grant Process will be available the first Friday in December, and applications will be due the first Friday of March. 

 
 
Upcoming in Maine and Beyond

 
RECLAIMING JESUS: Our Confession of Faith in a Time of Crisis Nov. 3rd

A few months ago, a small number of folks from St. Paul's, Brunswick and Grace Church, Bath met with seven Roman Catholic parishes, a Presbyterian, United Church of Christ and Lutheran church to begin working together to create a public statement of public values. The group adapted freely from " A Confession of Faith in a Time of Crisis" drafted by an ecumenical group of 23 faith leaders, including Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

On Saturday, November 3rd the group will gather at 1:30 PM on the Brunswick Mall for a time of prayer, speakers, music, singing and refreshments. Future programs, study and prayer groups are planned to assist folks who wish to rely more greatly on the words and values of Jesus.
 
 
Annual Harvest Fair in Kennebunk Nov. 3rd 
 
The Annual Harvest Fair will take place at St. David's Episcopal Church, 138 York Street (Route One south), in Kennebunk, Saturday, November 3, from 9 AM to 2 PM featuring baskets for raffle, a silent auction, a large bake sale, homemade chicken pot pies, gluten-free treats and homemade jams and jellies. The Table of Treasures will offer home decorative items, a jewelry table, wreaths for sale, handmade items and, new this year, a special raffle for a handmade quilt with sales limited to 50 tickets. CafĂ© Lunch will feature soups and sandwiches provided by area restaurants. FMI call Cathy at 985-3073 or visit www.stdavidskennebunk.org
 
 
Day of Deepening Prayer Nov. 10th

"Lord, teach us how to pray."

If you feel like you struggle with prayer, you are in good company. Since the time Jesus walked the earth, his followers have sought ways of how best to connect with God, how to pray. Please join us as we spend a quiet day, a day away from our daily distractions to spend a little time talking about prayer in theory but more time learning and experiencing a variety of prayer practices. This day will be led by the Rev. Laura Peckham, rector of St. Martin's and the Rev. Deacon Leonetta Burns
at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Palmyra on Saturday, November 10 from 9am - 3:30pm.

Please register by calling and leaving a message at 938-3385 or by emailing MotherLaura67@gmail.com. Coffee and refreshments will be available starting at 8:30 a.m.  Brown bag your lunch - we have  refrigerators and a microwave available for use.
St. Martin's is located on Rte 2 at 900 Main St. Palmyra and is handicapped accessible.

 
Episcopal Committee on Indian Relations Meeting Nov. 17th
 
The next meeting of the committee will take place on Saturday, November 17, 11 AM to 1:30 PM at St. James' Episcopal Church, Old Town  

 
Clergy: Save the Date April 11th
 
Members of the College of Clergy: Our survey (now closed) of interest in a Winter Clergy Retreat has revealed that fewer than half those who responded were either 'certain' or 'likely to attend'. That number is less than the guaranteed minimum we need for the Samoset, so this retreat has been cancelled.  Instead, a retreat-like program and atmosphere is being planned for Chrism Eucharist and Blessing of Holy Oils to be held on Thursday, April 11th at the Cathedral.  Please save the day as agenda times are not yet certain.  Car pooling is encouraged and lunch will be provided for clergy attending. 
 
 
"Exploring Our Anglican Roots" Trip  - Spring 2019
 
Have you ever wanted to explore the Anglican roots of our worship and spirituality? If so come and join a small group led by the Rev. Claudia Smith, rector of St. Francis by the Sea in Blue Hill for a journey departing on April 29, 2019. Whether one's interest is to experience religious sites and stories for their spiritual impact or whether one leans more toward an exploration of the history of Great Britain that has formed us as a society - come. This trip has an abundance of both the sacred and the secular to satisfy everyone. There are only a few spots still available however, so contact Rev. Smith at revclaudiainmaine@gmail.com as soon as possible for more information and a detailed itinerary.    
 
Bishop Lane's blog, www.roundmaine.org | The New Northeast blog, newnortheast.me
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