The Dio Log 
    ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
    

news & events in  the Episcopal Diocese of Maine  since 1999

Volume 21, Number 15 ~  August 8, 2019

 

207.772.1953   | www.episcopalmaine.org  




The people of Trinity Chapel in Kennebunk Beach, one of eighteen summer chapels in Maine, pose with Bishop Brown and Esther.
What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
Prayers for...
 
Katie Holicky who will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate by Bishop Thomas Brown on Saturday, August 10th at 5:00pm at Trinity, Portland. Your prayers and presence are requested at 580 Forest Avenue, Portland. Clergy: red stoles. Reception to follow.
 
the Rev. Sheila Seekins and the people of Trinity, Lewiston, who request your presence at a Celebration of New Ministry on Sunday, September 8th at 4:00pm at 247 Bates Street, Lewiston. Bishop Thomas Brown will preside.

the dead, their loved ones, survivors and first responders of the mass shootings in Texas and Ohio last week. May praying this "Litany in the Wake of a Mass Shooting" from Bishops United Against Gun Violence both honor the dead and strengthen our commitment to take action so that our country can be freed from the epidemic of gun violence.
Thanksgiving for...

the Community of Deacons in the Diocese of Maine for their ministry among us. May their time with Bishop Brown this Saturday be blessed.
In the News...

People across the country, including those in Maine, came together to mourn the lives lost in the recent mass shootings. On Sunday,St. George's Episcopal Church in Sanfordgathered the community together to share in prayer for victims of gun violence. (pictured above). You can read the Rev. Lauren Kay's homily for the gathering here and see news coverage at WMTW and WGMEA vigil was also held Monday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Wilton. The Rev. Sue Cole said she hoped the vigil could help unite the community together during this time we often feel divided.(Reported here by WGME)  

Around the Diocese...
Be one of eight Maine deputies to 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. The 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. 

Please prayfully consider whether you may be called to serve in this way or to serve in any one of the open governance offices below. Learn more about the positions by clicking the links:
Nominate yourself, which is perfectly acceptable - many do, or nominate someone else (check with them first) by completing the form below by September 9th:

(use for all postions except Diocesan Council*)

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

All other convention info can be found at:  episcopalmaine.org/convention/maine2019
How to speak up and make change happen in our church


Join our Diocesan Convention Resolution Webinar on Tuesday, August 13th at 7:00 PM. Brenda Hamilton, Marge Kilkelly and Calvin Sanborn - all seasoned convention delegates - will be facilitating an interactive webinar.   After a quick review of the polity of The Episcopal Church and basics of a diocesan convention resolution, the facilitators will demonstrate how to write an effective resolution, how to anticipate and overcome objections, and how to debate resolutions on the convention floor.
 
Join the webinar via Zoom link:
Dial by your location:
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID:
931 573 3562
FMI contact John Hennessy at jhennessy@episcopalmaine.org

Resolutions to be considered by 200th Diocesan Convention in October may be submitted until September 9th using the form here:  Resolution Submission Form

Who's ready for Back-2-School?
 
The Episcopal Church is offering free resources to help you celebrate and prepare for this season of new beginnings in your church, school, or organization

Find digital invitation kits here on the  Evangelism Resources page. Each of the kits include: a customizable poster and postcard; a social media-ready graphic; a Facebook cover image; and a video prayer message from Presiding Bishop Curry which can be embedded on your church's website. 
Episcopal Peace Fellowship meeting & elections

Episcopal Peace Fellowship is holding its fall meeting on Saturday, September 7th, at St Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church in Blue Hill (see poster here). The lunch meeting begins at 11 AM in the parish hall and will conclude by 2 PM. Lunch will be simple potluck fare contributed to by the members. The agenda will include an election of new officers-convener, treasurer, and recorder-which is held every three years (click here for a description of the responsibilities of officers).  EPF welcomes anyone interested in its peacemaking mission to join the efforts of a core group of faithful members. For further information, contact co-conveners Diane Paterson ( dcp@gwi.net ) or Kathy Coughlan ( irishlass@roadrunner.com ).

Visit the Episcopal Peace Fellowship diocesan web page to read the EPF's recent "Statement on another weekend of slaughter".
Ignatian Spirituality Exercises
 
The Ignatian Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life retreat is available in Portland and Kennebunk this academic year. 

This ancient/modern ecumenical retreat provides a series of tools for exploring scripture, making decisions, growing closer in authentic friendship with Jesus, and finding a greater awareness of God working in our lives. Bring all of yourself - your imagination, memories, heart, and intellect. These practices are meant to be engaged with, rather than studied.  

The Portland group will meet from 6:30 - 8:30 on the first Wednesday of every month and also offers individual or group spiritual direction monthly. The Kennebunk group meets weekly.  Both require 1/2 hour of prayer daily, which is the crux of the retreat.  Find out more and apply at  www.IgnatianME.org or  ignatianme@gmail.com.  Or for Kennebunk  ellieflavin@roadrunner.com.  

Celebrating 200 years as God's People in Maine

Did you know that the Diocese of Maine will be celebrating its 200th birthday in the year 2020?!  The Diocesan Bicentennial Committee has planned a year long multi-event celebration, beginning with a kick-off at convention 2019. A highlight of the year will be a service at the Cross Center in Bangor in May 2020 with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preaching.

Joining together our members in our diverse state, as well as a time span of 200 years, is a challenge for the committee. One project underway is to use worn, no longer used, discarded liturgical items such as stoles, altar and pulpit hangings, chasubles, etc. to make to make new hangings, banners, stoles that will tie our history and diversity together and symbolize our new future.  All of the items will contribute to make our worship spaces, especially the Cross Center, vibrant and joyful, sacred and holy.  

We are hoping that all congregations and altar guilds will dig deeply into their 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).
Mid-year updates to the Diocesan Directory

Here are updated versions of the 2019 Diocesan Governance Directory and 2019 Directory of CongregationsThe directory represents the most up-to-date information at the time of publication. If you have any revisions or corrections, please contact Teresa Pinney at tpinney@episcopalmaine.org
Keep Maine Kids Safe Conference

From September 12-14, a FREE conference is being held at First Baptist Church, 360 Canco Rd, Portland to educate in best practices for the prevention of child sexual abuse and policies for response. This is an effort to bring as many organizations and individuals together to share, support and collaborate to end the sexual abuse of children in Maine.
 
Victor Vieth, nationally renown child abuse prevention and response expert with Zero Abuse Project, will present programming which includes a focused effort at building collaboration between the faith and child protective communities (including law enforcement) to bridge gaps in identifying child sexual abuse and to provide wraparound supports to children and families suspecting or experiencing abuse. Register for one, two or all three days. For schedule and session details visit: www.stoptraffickingus.org/events. Register here. Download a bulletin here.

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