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The Dio Log -
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news & events in
the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
since 1999
Volume 21, Number 4
~ February 21, 2019
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Above: the Rev. Maria Hoecker, the Rev. Susan (Sukie) Curtis and the Right Rev. Stephen Lane celebrating Sukie's Restoration of Ministry earlier this month in the Emmanuel Chapel, Portland.
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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
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Two weeks ago, our diocese gathered in Special Convention, and elected the Rev. Thomas James Brown to serve as the Tenth Bishop of Maine. It was a spirit-filled and exciting day. But... where is he? What happens now?
In The Episcopal Church, a bishop is elected for the whole Church. So now, the whole Church must speak. First the Church, through the Presiding Bishop's Office, asks for medical and psychological testing. Once that testing has been accomplished, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Maine and the Presiding Bishop's Office seek consents from a majority of Standing Committees and Bishops with Jurisdiction from every diocese across the Church. Some of that work is done electronically these days, but it may still take several weeks.
In the meantime, Bishop-Elect Brown is saying good-bye to the people of the Parish of the Epiphany, Winchester, MA, and preparing his household for the move to Maine. He will complete his work at Epiphany at the end of March. In addition, the Standing Committee of Maine is working with him on a Letter of Agreement. We anticipate that, by God's grace, Bishop-Elect Brown will be in the Diocese of Maine by late April. Bishop-Elect Brown will work with Bishop Lane for 6 - 8 weeks prior to the consecration on June 22.
The Office, the Standing Committee and the Transition Committee are already at work preparing for the consecration. The Service of Consecration and Ordination belongs to the Presiding Bishop and there is a lengthy protocol to follow. Planning has already begun and there is a meeting scheduled for next week. More information will be forthcoming as plans take shape.
As you can see, there's a lot going on. We ask your prayers for a smooth transition as we all follow the Way of Love.
The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane The Rev. Maria J. Hoecker
Bishop of Maine President of the Standing Committee
Let us pray:
We give you thanks, O God, that you have called us to a goodly fellowship of faith in the Diocese of Maine. In the power of the Spirit, you have guided us in the election of the Tenth Bishop. We ask your blessings on all our people, especially on Bishop Lane, Bishop-Elect Brown and their households that each may move safely into their new callings and that, together, we may work to strengthen and share your Mission among us. We pray this in Christ's name. Amen.
Download a copy of this announcement and prayer here.
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Prayers for...
the
Rev. Thomas James Brown as he is about to enter the canonically required consent process and prepares to support the clergy and lay leaders throughout Maine to help them "be the people of God that they are called to be".
the
Rev. Claudia Smith
upon her retirement from the position of rector at
St. Francis-by-the-Sea, Blue Hill
. Sunday, March 3rd will be Rev. Claudia's last Sunday service. There will be sad farewells but so many wishes for her happiness as she moves forward.
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Voices among us...
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, invites all Episcopalians to join together in observance of
Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday on March 10, 2019.
"
As we follow in the footsteps of Jesus this Lent, we know that living out God's love for the world is our ultimate goal," said Presiding Bishop Curry. "I invite all congregations to devote a Sunday in Lent to reflect on the life-giving work of Episcopal Relief & Development and to demonstrate God's love by giving meaningfully to this vital ministry."
At the 2009 General Convention, Lent was officially designated as a time for dioceses, congregations, and individuals to remember and support the life-saving work of Episcopal Relief & Development. Although the first Sunday in Lent is the official day of observance, churches may hold a special service on any Sunday. For additional information and to download a planning guide, visit
episcopalrelief.org/Sunday. Find downloadable
hope chests, pew envelopes, bulletin inserts and special prayers at
episcopalrelief.org/Lent
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Planning for Lent
Visit
Lenten Resources 2019
for a handy list of links to Lent Madness, Episcopal Relief and Development's Lenten Meditations
, Living Compass: Living Well Through Lent, UTO Lent Calendar, Sermons That Work, Way of Love lenten resources including adult forum, quiet day and test kitchen.
Also,
SSJE is re-issuing its four Lenten programs: Meeting Jesus, Five Marks of Love, Growing a Rule of Life, and It's Time To...Stop, Pray, Work, Play & Love.
Save the date for the Diocesan Retreat on June 14-16
Refresh your heart, mind and soul at the diocesan retreat in June. Join with people from all over Maine for a weekend at Bishopswood as we step away from the busyness of everyday life and spend a weekend connecting with God through nature, scripture and community and in the depths of our hearts. More details coming soon....
High School Mission Exchange
July 7-14 in the Diocese of South Dakota
A team of up to 20 teenagers and adult chaperones from Maine will travel to the Black Hills in South Dakota, and meet youth and young adults there engaged in living into God's vision for their local community. We will partner with staff at Thunderhead Episcopal Center's overnight camp during their 5th-6th grade session, creating and teaching fun and faith-informed games and activities for the campers. In 2020, camp staff from South Dakota will return to visit and partner with us here in Maine. Teens currently in 9th-12th grade are invited to come and experience God at work between and within these two communities.
First round of applications due on Monday, March 4
Click here for the:
Application Mission Exchange 2019. Application includes an information page with details about itinerary, costs, fundraising, and more. Watch the video on the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota's homepage to learn more about Thunderhead Episcopal Center's camp:
episcopalchurchsd.org.
The initial round of applications is due on Monday, March 4. After that date, if there are still spots available, applications will remain rolling until we need to buy plane tickets in the spring. Mail application and a $50 deposit to Episcopal Diocese of Maine Youth Events, 143 State St, Portland, ME 04101.
Contact Youth Missioner, Sara D'Angio White Youth Missioner, with any questions - 502-7742 or
[email protected]
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Maine Episcopal Musicians' Workshop 2019
Everyone who leads or loves music is
invited to this workshop which is sponsored by the Episcopal Musicians' Network. It's March 2 at St. Paul's Church in Brunswick. Coffee will be available at 9:30 and the day is from 10:00 - 2:30.
Many musicians in our churches have expressed a desire to exchange ideas with musicians from other churches. So this year the workshop content will be provided by EVERYONE. Please register below, and plan to bring music to share. There'll be time to network, exchange ideas and hear the best of what each church has to offer.
This program is free, but so that we can make appropriate plans for supplies and space, registration is required (Registration will close on February 28.) FMI contact
Jane Hartwell.
Register
here.
Parochial Report Reminder
Parochial Reports to the national church must be submitted to the Diocese of Maine by March 1, 2019. You will need the UEID and PIN which will was mailed to your church in order to log on. Once completed electronically, please print and mail a copy of the signature page only to Episcopal Diocese of Maine, 143 State Street, Portland ME 04101.
Find instructions and link to the online report here:
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please be in touch with Cn. Terrry Reimer at
[email protected] or 772-1953 x134.
World Mission Sunday: March 3rd
Traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday after Epiphany, this year, World Mission Sunday is celebrated on March 3.
On World Mission Sunday, Episcopalians are invited to focus on the global impact of the Baptismal Covenant's call to "seek and serve Christ in all persons" (Book of Common Prayer, p. 305). It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the many ways in which The Episcopal Church participates in God's mission around the world.
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry invites the church to observe World Mission Sunday in the video posted here:
"As Christians, we are called to reach out across borders, across walls, across divides and to always put family first, and our family is the whole of humanity. There are no geographical borders in God's world, there is only love, and love knows no boundaries," the Rev. David Copley, Director of Global Partnerships and Mission Personnel said in a sermon posted
here.
Currently, Episcopal Church missionaries serve in many international locales, including Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, England, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel/Palestine, Panama, the Philippines, Qatar, Romania, South Africa, and Tanzania. Find more information
here.
Roanridge Trust Award Applications Open
Applications are now being accepted for the 2019 Roanridge Trust Grant Awards. Dioceses, congregations and Episcopal-related organizations and institutions are invited to apply.
Offered annually, Roanridge Trust Grants support creative models of leadership development, training, and ministries in small towns and rural communities across The Episcopal Church. Awards generally range from $5,000 to $20,000 and are given to help equip leaders who serve as catalysts for civil and
social well-being in rural municipalities where the community is uniquely interwoven with the vitality of the local church.
Although previous recipients are eligible to apply, priority is given to new applicants.
Application
deadline is April 30, 2019.
uestions about the Roanridge Trust and the application process can be addressed to Ann Hercules,
[email protected]
.
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Upcoming in Maine and Beyond
Lenten Quiet Day March 27
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 [email protected] or 743-6782. Christ Church is located at 35 Paris Street, Norway.
Camp Bishopswood 2019 Season
Enrollment is open at Camp Bishopswood in Hope, Maine! Located in the beautiful woods of mid-coast Maine, Bishopswood is an Episcopal, coed, affordable overnight camp. It looks like it is going to be a busy summer. Register kids 8-16 today at
https://www.bishopswood.org.
You are also invited to participate in the camp's Annual Spring Volunteer Work Weekend to clear away winter and prepare for summer. Everyone is welcome May 3 - May 5, 2019. Stay for the weekend or join us just for Saturday. Lodging and meals provided. If you are able to make a donation towards food, it would be greatly appreciated. Bring work gloves, sturdy boots or shoes, clothing for layering, bedding, toiletries, shop vacs, your travel tool kit and your enduring camp spirit. Read more here. Download a flyer here.
Choral Evensong in Falmouth February 24
Please consider visiting Saint Mary's for choral evensong Sunday February 24 at 4:00 PM at the Church of Saint Mary, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth ME. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Howard Helvey. Phos Hilaron sung by the Saint Cecilia Youth Choir and Handbell choir. Anthem: 'Evening Hymn' by H. Balfour Gardiner.
Still time to register for 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
Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 69 Winthrop Street, Augusta
Tuesday, March 26
Cross Café in the Burton M. Cross Building adjacent to the State House
March Events for Youth
REACH: Reaching In, Reaching Out, Reaching God
Middle School Youth Event (6th-8th graders)
March 9-10 at Christ Church Episcopal in Gardiner
Join us for this NEW one-night only youth event for middle schoolers. We will play games, eat good food, worship together, do a community service project and meet new friends. Get ready to reach into yourself as you grow, reach out to others who need help, and reach towards God.
Called to Serve: The Way of Love
High School Youth Event (9th-12th graders)
March 22-24 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Bangor
Join us to talk, laugh, question, worship, and lean on one another as we figure out how to do the hard work of loving and serving. We will do a service project in the community, and utilize our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's practice The Way of Love.
Find more information & registration here.
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