Proposed Changes to Clergy Compensation 

Four ways YOU can help direct the future of the diocese

Be one of eight Maine deputies to the 2021 General Convention 

At the 200th Convention of the Diocese of Maine on Saturday, October 26 at USM in Portland, eight new representatives to the 2021 General Convention in Baltimore will be elected. T he General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church that meets every three years. In other words, it's a big deal! 

As a Maine deputy, you get to take part in the major work and decisions of the church nationally and report back to Maine all that you've learned. Working with the diocese, you will share the good news, changes and concerns with all of our congregations. 

Nominate yourself for one of the other open governances offices in the diocese

 

Please prayfully consider whether you may be called to serve in any one of the open leadership positions listed below. Learn more about each by clicking the links:

• Secretary (one-year term)
• Treasurer(one-year term)
• Standing Committee, Clerical Member(three-year term)
• Standing Committee, Lay Member (three-year term)
• General Convention Deputy (4 Clergy; 4 Lay)
• Disciplinary Board, Lay Member (three-year term)
• Provincial Synod, Clerical Deputy (two-year term)
• Provincial Synod, Lay Alternate Deputy (two-year term)

Nominate yourself or nominate someone else (check with them first) by completing the form here by September 9th:

Diocesan Leadership Nomination Form

(use for all positions except Diocesan Council which is listed below )

Fill one of the eight open clergy seats on Diocesan Council

Submit a nomination (yourself or someone else) for the two-year Diocesan Council terms for clergy representatives from each of the diocese's eight areas by September 9th using this form: 

Diocesan Council Nomination Form

Propose a change by submitting a resolution

Resolutions to be considered by 200th Diocesan Convention in October may be submitted until September 9th using the form below.  If you have any questions about resolutions, please contact  John Hennessy : 

Resolution Submission Form

All nominations and resolutions are due September 9th!

Register to attend Diocesan Convention today

Here's the newly released Convention Registration  form. Everyone attending should register. Sign-up deadline is October 4th.

Find links to all of convention forms and materials at:

episcopalmaine.org/convention/maine2019  

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). Questions? Please email deirdregood@mac.com.

Nursery Caregiver Position available

Saint Mary's in Falmouth has an open, paid position for 2.5 hours on Sunday mornings (9:00-11:30), year-round. Experience working with children or in an education setting is preferred. Enthusiasm working with children is required. Email or mail cover letter and resume to admin@smary.org or 43 Foreside Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105. Read full job description here.

Celebrating 200 years as God's People in Maine

The Bicentennial Committee is working to create new hangings, banners, and stoles from no longer used liturgical fabrics that will tie together history of the members of the whole diocese. All of the items will contribute to make our worship spaces, especially the Cross Center, vibrant and joyful, sacred and holy.  

Please dig deeply into your sacristy closets and drawers and find at least one item to send us. Items do not need to be perfect. Particularly welcome will be items from churches which have closed. (We especially need blue fabric.) All items will be treated with respect and blessed for a new use.

It is also our hope that Diocesan quilters, fiber artists, designers and seamstresses will volunteer to help with this project. All ideas will be welcome. Items may be sent to, or dropped off at, Loring House c/o Barbara Martin, 143 State Street, Portland, Maine 04101. Questions or comments can be sent to Rev. Virginia Urbanek ( mainebrat@hotmail.com); Rev. Stephanie Batterman ( sjbatterman@gmail.com) or Rev. Kerry Mansir ( kerrymansir@gmail.com).

Episcopal Peace Fellowship marks 80th anniversary

On Sunday, September 15, Grace Episcopal Church (1100 Washington St.) in Bath is hosting a celebration of Episcopal Peace Fellowship and the coming anniversary of its founding 80 years ago (Armistice Day, 1939). The Executive Director of EPF, Melanie Merkle Atha, is visiting Maine on her tour of the U.S. to highlight local acts of peace and reconciliation and to promote the ongoing work of EPF.

Following the 10:15 service at Grace there will be a reception in the parish hall featuring remarks by Melanie on Episcopal Peace Fellowship with an informal Q&A. Everyone -- EPF-Maine members along with anyone interested in helping to advance peace -- is welcome to come meet Melanie on this special occasion. If you can't attend worship, you are more than welcome to join the reception in Tubbs Hall at 11:30. Download a poster here.

Celebrating Baptism video series and guides now available

Upcoming in Maine and Beyond

• Sunday, August 25 ~ Newcastle, Maine ~ 10:00am during service  St. Andrew's