The Dio Log
news & events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine since 1999
Volume 22, Number 13
July 9, 2020
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Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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We pray for the repose of the soul of
Harold "Gene" Higgins
, father of the
Rev. Tim Higgins
of
St. Ann's, Windham
who died on June 30, 2020. May God comfort and strengthen family and friends who grieve his death. Read Gene's obituary
here
.
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Let us pray for those who participated in the rites of Confirmation and Reception on June 27 at
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Bridgton
. We rejoice in their faith journey and ask the Holy Spirit to be their guide, guardian, and help:
Erik Christansen
(Confirmation)
Nancy Gilpatrick
(Reception)
Abigail Hughes
(Confirmation)
Vicki Roy
(Confirmation)
Catrina Wilson
(Confirmation)
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Members of the Waterville-Winslow Interfaith Council pray that the renewed "civil rights movement will continue, expand and gain power so that one day soon structural change is realized" in this letter to the editor signed by the council and their chair, the
Rev. John Balicki
of
St. Mark’s, Waterville
,
"
We must have structural change
".
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Listen to the fourth podcast in our series "Seeking the Gift of Hope" entitled "In Hope We Were Saved", a theme explored in Romans 8.
Rev. Martin Smith
explains, "Turmoil makes us feel very inept at prayer. Its hard to find words for all this pain and striving. This makes Paul’s words in Romans 8 so powerful in this moment." Find the podcast at
FaithInMaine.org
or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
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Many of
Maine's summer chapels
are returning to a season of worship, either in-person or online or both.
All Saints by-the-Sea in Southport
gathered virtually this past Sunday. Watch this recording of the service to pray with All Saints' members and "visit" this beautiful seaside church.
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Contribute to the Diocese-Wide Anti-Hunger Initiative
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Join congregations and individuals in the diocese to help feed those in need and assist Maine farmers. This spring, the diocese and several parish partners purchased many pounds of Aroostook County potatoes. These were bought from farmers whose crops would have otherwise spoiled because they were unable to get them to market in the pandemic. They were driven by donated trucks to food pantries throughout the state.
The diocese is now expanding our response to local food insecurity beginning with a second purchase of 30,000 pounds or more of potatoes through the Maine Farmers Exchange. Our immediate goal is to raise $5,000 to purchase our next truckload and make shipping arrangements, and we need your help!
Please consider making a contribution. You can donate by check made out to Episcopal Diocese of Maine with subject line “Food Insecurity Fund” mailed to:
Attn: John Hennessy
Episcopal Diocese of Maine
PO Box 4036
Portland, ME 04101
We also have set up some ways for you to give electronically:
- Mobile app – Download the GivePlus mobile app on the App Store or on Google Play, enter our zip code “04101”, select “Episcopal Diocese of Maine” and give. [Find more instructions for the app here.]
- Visit episcopalmaine.org – Easily enter your donation from our website. Click on the “donate” button on the top of the home page.
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Camp Bishopswood misses you!
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Although they aren't hosting campers in-person,
Camp Bishopswood is offering virtual camp activities! The
schedule for week #2 appears below. Want to get involved?
Email
for details.
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EPF-Maine invites you to explore racism and faith
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Sacred Ground
is a film- and readings-based dialogue program of The Episcopal Church centering on race and grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity.
The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.
Registration and details will be announced soon. Please take this time to prayfully consider if this program calls to you. Questions? Contact
John Hennessy
, Director of Advocacy and Networks.
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Seeking prayer shawls for graduating seniors
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On July 31,
Maine Episcopal Youth
will be honoring their outgoing graduating seniors during an online Compline service. It has become a tradition to wrap the seniors in a prayer shawl, and pray over them as they prepare to enter the world of young adulthood in the church.
We are looking to collect eight prayers shawls to distribute on July 31. If you'd like to donate a shawl for one of our seniors, please email
Rev. Cn. Sara D'Angio White
or call Sara at (585) 749-9125.
Photo courtesy of
St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia
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News from our congregations
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Sharing communion is a sacred and beautiful part of worship...but not easy to do safely during a pandemic. Look at the clever tool
Deacon George Sheats
created to distribute communion wafers without hand-to-hand contact! George’s handiwork was on display last Sunday at
St. Mark's, Waterville's
outdoor service.
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Participants in the Portland Youth Group, a collaborative program which includes youth from four area churches, said goodbye to their leader, the
Rev. Katie Holicky
, with a socially-distanced, outdoor parade. (Photos above.) They wish her all the best on her new ministry at St. Paul's, Brunswick.
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St. Martin's, Palmyra
held service on Sunday, July 5 both in-person and online. Pictured is the Rev. Laura White, Priest in Charge, celebrating. Watch video
here
on Facebook.
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United Thank Offering grant applications available
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The United Thank Offering (UTO) has announced the availability of 2020 UTO Annual Grants. These grants are awarded for projects in The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, each year with a different focus. For 2021, the focus is
Recovering with Love and Gratitude: An Episcopal Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Local Contexts.
The United Thank Offering will accept applications in two categories, Sustaining Ministries and Innovative Ministries, at two different funding levels through two granting cycles. The criteria for each category are different. Applicants must demonstrate concisely how the project directly supports the recovery effort.
Application information and forms are available
here. The deadline for submitting a grant application for the first round is August 14, 2020. The second round deadline is February 26, 2021. Potential applicants are advised to submit their applications to their diocesan staff two weeks before the deadline.
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