The Dio Log
News & Events in the Episcopal
Diocese of Maine since 1999
Volume 22, Number 21
November 5, 2020
|
|
The Rev. Tom Mousin and Rev. Merry Watters are pleased to share with you their 2020 Advent Devotional Calendar! The calendar they created includes daily scripture readings, a suggested devotion, and a poem. Download it here where there is also an option for subscribing to a daily email! Find more resources for Advent on episcopalmaine.org.
|
|
We offer prayers of thanksgiving and welcome the Rev. Thom Rock to the diocese. Thom has been called to serve Church of the Good Shepherd, Rangeley. He is a native New Englander and the author of several books, including Time, Twilight, and Eternity: Finding the Sacred in the Everyday, and A Table in the Wilderness: Forty Days of Forgiveness. Blessings on your ministry together!
|
|
|
|
The Rev. Marguerite Steadman concluded her ministry with the people of St. John's, Bangor with a farewell service on October 25. Let us offer prayers of thanksgiving for Rita and pray for the congregation during this period of transition.
|
|
|
|
Let us pray for the members of Trinity, Portland and their newly called Priest-in-Charge, the Rev. J. Peter Swarr, as they begin ministry together in December. Read more in the congregation's announcement here. Welcome Peter!
|
|
|
|
We give thanks for vital and transformative work of Episcopal Relief & Development. Consider sending someone a Gift of Life from their 2020 catalog this Christmas.
|
|
|
|
Prayers for the Rev. Johanna-Karen Johannson upon her retirement. She leaves her position as Priest-in-Charge at St. Dunstan's, Ellsworth. Her ministry among them will be missed!
|
|
|
|
We offer prayers for all who serve and have served in the armed forces of our country as we honor them on Veteran’s Day. |
|
|
|
Bishop Thomas Brown issued a regathering update to Maine church leaders on Monday, November 2. In the video here, he reminds us all of our mission to slow the spread of the virus and asks churches to suspend indoor, in-person worship until further notice as cases and rate of spread continue to rise in the state "We are all in this together, and are here to support one another."
|
|
"Do not underestimate the power of a dream, a moral principle, eternal verities, virtues and values that lift us up and move us forward. For true and noble ideals and the dream of a promised land have their source in the God who the Bible says is love." Watch Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s sermon video here from Holding on to Hope: A National Service for Healing and Wholeness on November 1. Read the text here.
|
|
The Rev. Dr. Nina Pooley and the Pastoral Care Committee of St. Bartholomew's, Yarmouth have compiled a collection of prayers and psalms into a booklet. The idea for this compilation, "Words of Comfort, for Times of Worry, Distress and Grief", arose as a means to support the community during the pandemic, but it's intended to be a resource for comfort beyond just our current situation. Download or print booklets here.
|
|
The Very Rev. Dr. Ben Shambaugh, Dean of the Cathedral of St. Luke, Portland serves on the board of Preble Street, an organization that works to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty. Read the recent profile of Ben published in their latest edition of Curbside here (page 7).
|
|
Diocesan grants available for poverty initiatives |
|
The Episcopal Diocese of Maine has made funds available to support both international and domestic efforts and ministries that help alleviate poverty. Any Maine congregation or program group may offer a proposal to Diocesan Council for consideration to fund an international or domestic outreach or effort.
How to apply by November 27, 2020:
Diocesan Council will meet on December 12, 2020 to consider proposals for both the domestic and international poverty grant programs. To apply, please submit a letter via email here to Barbara Martin and Bishop Brown outlining your proposal by Friday, November 27, 2020.
In your letter, please include:
- The full name of the organization or congregation submitting the grant request
- The name and contact information for a point person from the organization receiving the funds
- A narrative description that includes the scope of the need, the project description and how it addresses that need
- A brief background of the organization and its mission statement (if available)
|
|
St. John's invites you to a celebration of WWII poetry |
|
On Veterans Day, November 11 at 4:00 pm, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Bangor, invites the community to view an online program in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II. The service will be broadcast on their YouTube channel, St. John's Bangor Streaming.
The remembrance will feature readings of World War II–era and related poems which
will be interspersed with theological, literary, and historical reflections by Dr. Takeo Kawamura, a retired psychiatrist; The Rev. Canon Anne Mallonee, former vicar of Trinity Church Wall Street and St. Paul’s Chapel; Dr. Allen Schaffer, Chief of Psychiatry, Community Health and Counseling Services; and Rabbi Bill Siemers of Congregation Beth Israel in Bangor. The event will also recognize the names of Bangor military personnel who died during the war and feature the music of Lucas Richman, César Franck, and others.
|
|
Join Maine for diocese-wide worship on Nov. 22 |
|
Please join worship online on November 22 with a service compiled by a diocese-wide team that includes music and a sermon from Bishop Brown. Watch the video on our YouTube channel (anytime after 7:30 am) or you can watch the video 'premiere' on Facebook at 10 am.
A full volunteer group is at work on November's video offering, but we are seeking new
readers and musicians for our upcoming services, including the next one on December 27. Would you like to participate? Please reach out to Director of Communications Katie Clark.
Monthly diocese-wide worship will be offered in January, February, and March of 2021, too! Dates to be determined. Find other online offerings from churches throughout the diocese here on episcopalmaine.org.
|
|
Good news from our congregations |
|
That's 2,400 diapers! St. Mark’s, Waterville held its annual diaper drive on October 18 to benefit the Essentials Closet in Waterville. Helpers pictured here from left to right are: Dawn Cates, Joan Sanzenbacher, Jonathan Knock, Caleb Knock, Melinda Corey, Allison Meyers and Robert Hernandez. Thank you for serving your community!
|
|
Eleven of the faithful from Saint Andrew's, Winthrop have been recognized for their dedication in organizing Open Air Eucharists held at the YMCA Camp of Maine this summer using an InfoSpot AM radio transmitter to broadcast to vehicle radios. Those named to "The Order of the Antenna" include Rev. Amma Susan Taylor, Sarah Miller, Lorrie Bradford, Sandy Schultz, Bill Nave, Jim Taylor, Bob Peterson, Ruth Ann Smith, Christine Barden, Ann Dilley, and Jeff Gleason.
|
|
Free lecture series and discussion on race and racism |
|
Consider a personal retreat at The Alcyon Center |
|
Are you looking for time alone to allow for new perspectives to emerge as we head toward Advent? Create space for soul searching with a personal retreat at The Alcyon Center in Seal Cove, Maine this November.
Simple and silent personal retreat includes:
- single room (more on Alcyon's facilities here)
- bring and prepare your own food
- follow your own rhythm
- cost: $250 for four nights (or $80/night)
Reservations are open for the period of November 18 and November 22. Email the office to check availability.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
