The Dio Log

news & events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine since 1999

Volume 22, Number 3
February 6, 2020

207.772.1953 I www.episcopalmaine.org
What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Maine has a lot in store for 2020! Two events are happening in March - one for middle schoolers and an opportunity for high schoolers. Find out more and register at maineyouth.org.
Prayers
for St. Francis-by-Sea, Blue Hill and the Rev. Brent Was as they begin their ministry together
Voices among us
Rev. William Blaine-Wallace has published a new book, When Tears Sing: The Art of Lament in Christian Community, which offers a fresh construction of lament as fundamentally relational. He asks, “If your tears could speak, what would they say?” When sorrow and suffering are voiced in community, solidarity emerges. The art of lament is the act of bringing more of our lived experience into congregational and communal life.

Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center , a Jubilee Center in our diocese, has extended its warming center service into overnight hours when certain weather conditions are met. In partnership with the City of Biddeford and the Diocese, who are funding the endeavor, when the weather moves into life-threatening conditions Seeds of Hope will open from 8:00 pm – 8:00 am. While not a shelter (with beds or cots or place to sleep on the floor), neighbors can put their heads on the table and rest in warmth and peace. Read more in this story from WGME. 
Upcoming events
Around the diocese
Spring Training 2020: You are the light of the world
Episcopalians across the diocese are invited to come together for a day of learning, sharing, and growth! Join us for Spring Training 2020 on Saturday, March 21st at  South Parish Church , 9 Church St., Augusta. 

This year, we are pleased to welcome the  Rev. Jay Sidebotham , director and founder of  RenewalWorks , who will present our lead workshop for everyone to attend. RenewalWorks is a growing movement in the Episcopal Church equipping congregations (and now also individuals) both to assess and grow their spiritual health. Jay will talk about his own experience as a parish priest, and how RenewalWorks can shift the focus of parishes so that we center our common life on discipleship with Jesus Christ and desire for spiritual growth. At its conclusion, there will be time for discussion in smaller, facilitated break-out groups.

After lunch (a fundraiser for Youth Ministry Mission Exchange), you can attend one of six workshops available before we come back together as a group to end the day with Eucharist.

Registration is now open!
Find workshop descriptions and register at  episcopalmaine.org/spring-training .

Saturday, March 21st
South Parish Congregational Church
9 Church Street
Augusta, Maine 

Schedule
8:30   Registration & Morning Refreshments
9:30   Presentation by Jay Sidebotham of RenewalWorks
11:00  RenewalWorks Break-Out Sessions
12:15  Lunch - Youth Ministry Mission Exchange Fundraiser
1:00   Choice of Workshop
2:15   Closing Worship with Bishop Brown

Workshops
Liturgical Renewal in The Episcopal Church 
Congregational Transitions  
Year-Round Stewardship - A Model Program
Artful Prayer
Building Beloved Community with All Ages 
Social Justice and Advocacy Engagement

Please share Spring Training with members of your congregation!
Download a bulletin insert here.
Church Finance Workshops this month
Canon Missioner for Finance and Stewardship, Terry Reimer, will be presenting two Church Finances Workshops for Treasurers and Wardens in February. No registration is required. Bring your own brown bag lunch.

Sat. Feb. 15  - 10 am to 2 pm - St. Patrick's, Brewer (21 Holyoke St.)  
Sat. Feb. 22  - 10 am to 2 pm - Cathedral of St. Luke, Portland (143 State St.)

Topics presented in prior workshops have included:
  • The Diocese as part of the Episcopal Church
  • The Diocese - its governing bodies and relationship to the congregations
  • The Parochial Report
  • The Diocesan Assessment
  • Diocesan Central Payroll Program
  • Employee Compensation and Benefits
  • The Diocesan Insurance Program
  • Congregation Audits
  • Donations and Non-Profit Status

If you have questions or wish to request specific topics be included in the workshops, please contact Cn. Reimer at   treimer@episcopalmaine.org . 
Lent Observances in Maine
Ashes-to-Go
Wed. Feb. 26

Cathedral of St. Luke with Dean Shambaugh:
Monument Square, Portland

St. Luke's, Wilton led by Rev. Sue Cole:
9 - 10 am in downtown Wilton
Noon - 1 pm in downtown Farmington

St. Ann's, Windham with Rev. Tim Higgins & the Evangelism Team:
Windham Post Office
Lenten Quiet Day
Sat., March 21 from 9 am to noon
Church of Saint Mary, Falmouth
Lenten Study: Christians in Dawnland
St. Luke's, Wilton
Lenten study, led by Mother Sue and parishioner Chris Beach, will be Christians in Dawnland. A five week study focused primarily on the religiosity of Wabanki people of Dawnland during the last four centuries. 
Lenten Retreat: When Tears Sing,The Art of Lament in Christian Community
Sun. March 15 at 10 am
St. Peter's, Bridgton
St. Peter’s, Bridgton will host the Rev. Bill Blaine-Wallace who will preach at the 10 am liturgy and lead a midday retreat using his new book, “ When Tears Sing: The Art of Lament in Christian Community .”
Lenten Retreat: Agents of Peace in a Time of Fear
Feb. 27 & Feb. 28, 6-9 pm; Feb. 29, 9 am - 3 pm
St. Luke's, Portland
As followers of Christ, Jesus calls us to be peacemakers and reconcilers just as he was. This retreat aims to reinforce our trust in, and dedication to the peacemaking work of Christ. Through reflection on scripture, prayer, and times of silence, participants will have opportunities to personally tap into that "peace that surpasses all understanding." Fr. Masud Ibn Syedullah is coming to St. Luke's, Portland to lead this retreat. Masud emphasizes themes of praise of God, peace-making, reconciliation, and respect for all God's creation. Register by contacting the  Rev. Eleanor Prior . 
Unto Dust: Photographing Strangers and Secret Beauty
Thu. Feb. 6 at 7 pm
The BTS Center, 97 India St., Portland, Maine
Fine art photographer Greg Miller will present a lecture and slideshow of his beautiful and haunting "street portraits" taken every Ash Wednesday for the past 22 years on the streets of New York City. This event is co-hosted by the Maine Council of Churches and The BTS Center. Copies of Greg's book,  Unto Dust , will be available for purchase and signing at the reception following his lecture. For more information,  click here .

Do you have more Maine observances to add?
Please share your resources and Lenten practices with others in the diocese. Quiet days and prayer opportunities, book studies, retreats, Ashes-to-Go? Send details, photos and links to  diolog@episcopalmaine.org .
Maine Chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship meets
Sat. March 7 at 10 am
Grace Church, 1100 Washington St, Bath

The Episcopal Peace Fellowship - Maine Chapter is expanding its advocacy portfolio emphasis to include Preventing Gun Violence, Indigenous Ministry, and Racial Reconciliation in addition to the ongoing work with the Palestinian Israel Network. EPF - Maine  is also looking to expand participation across the diocese! The group meets at Grace Church in Bath and will be offering video conferencing options like Zoom to encourage others to join in their advocacy work.
EPPN offers new election engagement resource
Getting souls to the polls isn’t just about casting our own vote, but about working together so we all can vote and vote faithfully. We can empower every voice in our congregations in this work.

“It is a Christian obligation to vote, and more than that, it is the church’s responsibility to help get souls to the polls.” -Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

Check out the Episcopal Public Policy Network's 2020 Vote Faithfully Election Engagement Toolkit  to learn how you can help encourage voting in your community!
Resources for Lent
Living Well Through Lent 2020
Practicing Courage With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind

Designed for use as an individual reflection or for group study,  this Living Compass resource is a daily devotional  that provides a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of Lent, an experience that will help prepare us for the true meaning of Easter. Available in both print and electronic editions  here . We offer a free downloadable Facilitator Guide for group use. To learn more or to order, visit:  https://www.livingcompass.org/lent
2020 Lenten Meditations
Support ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE

To help your congregation prepare for the Lenten journey, we encourage you to order  2020 Lenten Meditations  books. In support of Episcopal Relief & Development’s  One Thousand Days of Love  campaign, the 2020 book of Lenten Meditations was created in collaboration with  Grow Christians , a ministry of  Forward Movement  and focus on the spiritual lives of children and how they can inform the prayers and meditations of all Christians. The devotionals are available from Forward Movement for free, only a minimal fee will be charged for shipping and handling. To place orders, you can also call Forward Movement at 1.800.543.1813. We recommend that materials be ordered by February 7th to ensure they will arrive in time for Ash Wednesday FMI:  https://www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/church-campaigns/lent/
Lent Madness 2020
An offering of Forward Movement

Lent Madness, the Lenten activity that allows you to get to know some amazing people who have come before us in the faith, begins Thursday, February 27th. Thirty-two saints are placed in a tournament style single-elimination bracket. Download the bracket, sign up for email updates and learn more by visiting  https://www.lentmadness.org/ .

For more resources, visit: https://episcopalchurch.org/lenten-resources   
In our congregations
St. Paul's, Brunswick seeks full-time assistant rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Brunswick seeks a full time assistant rector for children and youth for a three-year fellowship. St. Paul’s is excited to be living into a radical welcome for all and looks to re-imagine our engagement with children and youth. The position includes development of Church school, youth and parent programs, engagement with the Diocese of Maine Christian Formation programs as well as celebrating the Eucharist, preaching and pastoral care. Download the full job description here .
Episcopal Diocese of Maine
143 State Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 772-1953