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

Volume 21, Number 17  ~  September 12, 2019

 

207.772.1953   | www.episcopalmaine.org  

 
Joyous occasion! The people of Trinity, Lewiston and the Rev. Sheila Seekins celebrated their new ministry together last Sunday. Above: from left to right, Bob Hitchcock, Junior Warden; Leslie Bray, Senior Warden; and Rev. Seekins. 
What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
Prayers for...

for our colleagues in the Church and all those affected by Hurricane Dorian. Please consider making a donation to support relief efforts at Episcopal Relief & Development.

for the people of the Aroostook Episcopal Cluster as they prepare to close the  Church of the Advent, Limestone with a final worship service. Everyone is invited to attend on September 29th at 4pm and the diocese is asked to remember the church in prayer that day:  We praise you, O God, for the 147 years of love shared from the Church of the Advent in Limestone, who finish their course of ministry this afternoon. To you be glory and praise for this community in our diocese.

for the Rev. Tim Higgins, rector of St. Ann's, Windham, upon the recent, sudden death of his sister, Katie Costello. Her wake will be held at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Ave. Milton, MA on Sunday, Sept. 22 2-6pm and a funeral mass at St. Agatha's Catholic Church, Milton, MA on Monday, Sept. 23 10:30am with reception to follow.

the  Rev. David Dalzell and the people of  Trinity, Saco, who request your presence at a Celebration of New Ministry on Sunday, October 6th at 3:30pm with a reception to follow at  403 Main Street, Saco.  Bishop Thomas Brown will preside.
Thanksgiving for...

the Midcoast New Mainers Group and our congregations, like the Men's Group of St. Paul's, Brunswick, involved with their welcoming work. One of the many ways the've helped is by collecting bikes to donate to area asylum seekers. Pictured at right is a Congolese family in Bath enjoying their new transportation.
Around the Diocese...
Attend the 200th Convention of the Diocese of Maine

"Dirigo: On Christ the Solid Rock "  
Saturday, October 26, 2019
University of Southern Maine, Portland

Here's the newly released Convention Registration form. Everyone (clergy, delegates, guests, staff) attending should register. Sign-up deadline is October 4th. 

Find links to all available convention information at
episcopalmaine.org/convention/maine2019

Next week, look for all of the "Convention Folder" materials including bios of nominees for open positions, resolutions and budget. The documents will be provided by email and posted on the convention page (link above). 
Does you church have a building use policy?

Does your congregation have a building use policy in place? Over the years, the diocesan office and the diocesan treasurer have been contacted regarding a standard policy for the use of our buildings by non-profit and for profit organizations. We've heard you! Before we formulate any set of guidelines, we'd like to know what already may exist and how those guidelines are working. If your church has a policy, please send it to the treasurer, Dick Rozene ( drozene@gmail.com ). We will collect them and hopefully have mini-summit of interested parties before adopting a workable set of guidelines. Thanks in advance.
New resource for finding offerings of The Episcopal Church


Check out Episcopal Digest, a new quarterly video series to help you plan programs and offerings for the year ahead. The pilot episode of Episcopal Digest features a video guide to the popular Civil Discourse curriculum offered by the Office of Government Relations; Way of Love resources, including upcoming Traveling the Way of Love episodes, Bishop Curry's podcast, and Advent curriculum; and Back-2-School and Ministry Fair resources, including social media templates and flyers. Watch it here: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/episcopal-digest-episode-1
Regional Confirmation at Saint Mary's, Falmouth Nov. 21

All are invited to gather on Thursday, November 21 from 5 to 7pm for a Common Ground Dinner and a celebration at the Lord's Table at 7pm with Bishop Brown. Everyone is welcome to attend either the dinner or the liturgy, or both! Common Ground dinners are community potlucks, so please bring something to share. If there is someone who feels called to be confirmed or received on this night, please be in touch with Episcopal Church of Saint Mary to coordinate ( smary@smary.org / 781-3366).
Trinity Episcopal Church in Saco seeks Music Director

Trinity Episcopal Church in Saco seeks a Music Director. The postion includes serving as accompanist, and directing and leading the choir and praise band. Candidates should be creative, flexible, and comfortable with a variety of music styles, including traditional hymns and contemporary praise music. Necessary skills include the ability to play from chord charts and lead sheets. Please send resume to: trinitychurchsaco@gmail.com
Partners in Welcome 2019 curriculum available

Episcopal Migration Ministries' Pray, Learn, Engage series invites individuals, study groups, and congregations to join EMM's Partners in Welcome to learn about supporting and welcoming our new neighbors through online courses/modules and to participate in a growing online ministry network.

Download the  Pray, Learn, Engage Curriculum Guide which will instruct you on how to join Partners in Welcome to access the online courses. If you have any issues logging in or navigating the portal, email partnersinwelcome@gmail.com
Recent changes to the diocesan stock donation process

The Diocese of Maine has recently changed the broker we use for receiving stock donations on behalf of congregations or other diocesan organizations. If you are interested in learning more about this, please join a conference call next Tuesday, September 17 at 3:00pm. Email Canon Terry Reimer ( treimer@episcopalmaine.org ) for dial-in information.
Register for  Reading the Gospel of Matthew with Deirdre Good

Reading the Gospel of Matthew with Deirdre Good is a three week Zoom class preparing for Lectionary Readings in Year A (2019-20). Each class will be recorded. The course is free of charge and will run from 6-7pm on Sept 26, Oct 3 & 10, 2019.

Sign up here (even if you've already been in touch with Deirdre). Visit episcopalmaine.org for more info. Questions? Please email deirdregood@mac.com
EPF Pilgrimage toward Racial Reconciliation in Rhode Island Nov. 10-11


Consider participating in this Becoming Beloved Community opportunity in November.  Episcopal Peace Fellowship is celebrating its 80th anniversary in New England with a Pilgrimage toward Racial Reconciliation. This will be a chance to l earn about and experience the history of race relations in New England and faithfully reflect on your convictions. It will begin with  "A Commemoration of Witness" Festival Evensong and Reception on Sunday, November 10, at St Michael's Episcopal Church in Bristol, RI. The Pilgrimage will continue on Monday, November 11 in Providence, RI with the Center for Racial Reconciliation ' s walking tour and opportnities to engage a panel of representatives from racial reconciliation ministries across New England's Province I .
Ukuleles this month at St. Luke's Cathedral

Workshops with Jim D'Ville Sept. 13
On Friday September 13 at 6:30pm,"Play Ukulele by Ear" international ukulele teacher, Jim D'Ville, will be teaching two workshops in the Chapel of St. Luke's Cathedral in Portland The Emotional Value of Chords  at 6:30pm and  Chord Progressions & Circle of 5ths  at 7:30pm. Cost is $20 for one or $35 for both workshops. The event is co-hosted by St. Luke's and Ukuleles Heal The World. 


Casco Bay UkeFest Sept. 21
The 5th annual CascoBay UkeFest will be held on Saturday, September 21 at St. Luke's Cathedral in Portland from 9:00am to 5:00pm.The full day of ukulele music will feature Stuart Fuchs, an internationally recognized performing ukulele artist. Stuart will lead 2 workshops and perform a concert. The fee is $10 for the 2 workshops and $10 for the concert. There's also a free beginner workshop at 9.  Local ukulele groups will perform in the afternoon. An audience strum-along will conclude this fun event.  All proceeds benefit Ukuleles Heal the World.
Informational Webinar for UTO Grant applicants Oct. 15

The United Thank Offering (UTO) has announced the availability of 2020 United Thank Offering Annual Grants. These grants are awarded for projects in The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, each year with a different focus. For 2020, the focus is Bless: Share faith, practice generosity and compassion, and proclaim the Good News of God in Christ with hope and humility.

Application information and forms are available here. The deadline for submitting a grant application is March 6, 2020.

Potential applicants are invited to participate in an informational webinar offered by the UTO board on October 15, 2019 at noon and 8:00pm and again on January 14, 2020 at the same times. Contact the Rev. Canon Heather Melton, hmelton@episcopalchurch.org, with questions.
Moral Injury: Pathways to Recovery Seminar Sept. 19-20

Join us for a two day seminar on Moral Injury and the Pathways to Recovery at The Senator Inn, Augusta on September 19 & 20th. This workshop explores moral injury and promising practices in recovery.  Find more information and register at 
www.voanne.org/WarInside.



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