News & Events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
Volume 23, Number 20
October 28, 2021
The 202nd Convention of the Diocese of Maine
The 202nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine convened last Saturday, October 23 to conduct the diocese’s second virtual convention. Voters on Zoom elected diocesan leaders and approved the 2022 budget and ten resolutions and while rejoicing in being the Body of Christ.

Those who joined us on Zoom and YouTube marked the closing of Saints Matthew and Barnabas in Hallowell and celebrated with St. Andrew's in Winthrop as they officially became a parish. Bishop Brown spoke with us about the Lebanon to Lincoln project, and Marc and Ralph Zoorob gave us on update on their experience at Lincoln Academy in this video. Richard Rozene and Douglas Mayer were recognized for their tremendous service in the diocese with the Scribner Award.
Throughout the day, we paused for prayerful and spirit-filled liturgy featuring the participation of the faithful throughout the diocese. It included Bishop Thomas Brown's Convention Address (above). A transcript of the Bishop's Address is available here. You can also listen to it as a podcast on Faith in Maine!
The convention was blessed by incredible musicians sharing their gifts. The virtual choir offerings included "Come and Find the Quiet Center" and "Holy Spirit, Ever Living".

A recording of convention, convention worship, and other past services can be viewed here on YouTube.
BUDGET

Below are two files containing the proposed 2022 Diocesan Budget which was adopted by convention:


ELECTION RESULTS
Treasurer:
Thomas Ward

Secretary:
Karen Perka

Disciplinary Board:
Rev. Shirley Bowen

Provincial Conference:
Ted Fletcher
Trustees of Diocesan Funds:
Rev. Timothy Boggs
Nathaniel Henshaw
Carlos Mello
Nicholas Penfield

Standing Committee:
Rev. Kerry Mansir
Mark Spahr
Click here to download a one-page recap of the 202nd Annual Diocesan Convention.
During convention, we also took a look back over the past year in this video "A Year in the Life of the Diocese of Maine" showing all of the ways that we adapted to the pandemic while still fulfilling our mission and going forth with hope and grace.
Around the Diocese
Maine Faith Formation releases November calendar
Click below to download the November Faith Formation calendar. Please feel free to share this resource with your parish!
Voices Among Us
Gardiner church celebrates 250 years of its worship

GARDINER - For 250 years, people have been coming together to worship on the crest of Church Hill in Gardiner. On Saturday, the members of Christ Church Episcopal marked the anniversary with a service on the site of the original church.

Read more
www.centralmaine.com
Dr. Daniel Summers, pediatrician and member of the diocese, writes to remind us that loving your neighbor as yourself includes vaccination. "If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, please love yourself and your neighbor by doing so as soon as you can. The question of what Jesus would do is often asked. In this case, he would be vaccinated." Read more here.
Before the Diocesan Convention voted to declare St. Andrew's, Winthrop a parish, we heard from their priest-in-charge, the Rev. Susan Berry Taylor and senior warden, Sarah Miller. Read a transcript of their remarks here. (Pictured here Rev. Taylor presiding at St. Andrew's summer drive-in service)
Look who was the deacon at Opening Eucharist of the Executive Council in Baltimore! The Ven. Aaron Perkins, Archdeacon of the Diocese of Maine, serves on Executive Council, an elected body whose duty is to carry out programs and policies adopted by General Convention and to oversee the ministry and mission of The Episcopal Church.
Congratulations to Doug Mayer and Dick Rozene who were both awarded the Scribner Award for their distinguished lay ministry. Learn more about their contributions in the transcript of remarks from The Standing Committee to Diocesan Convention here.
Prayers
Welcome to the Rev. Bill Blaine-Wallace, who joins St. Mark's, Waterville as their Interim Rector. Bill, ordained in 1980, has ministered in parishes, hospices, mental health, and educational settings. Bill's book, When Tears Sing: The Art of Lament in Christian Community, was selected by Spirituality and Practice as one of the 50 best spirituality books of 2020. Bill is a member of the Clergy Formation Committee.
Prayers for the repose of the soul of the Rev. William Henry Murdoch Jr. (Bill) who passed away peacefully on November 15. He was a parishioner at St. Andrew's, Newcastle. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 30th at 2:00 pm at St. Andrew's with Bishop Brown celebrating.
Let us pray for the Rev. Donna Downs and the congregation of Trinity, Castine. She celebrated her last service as their priest-in-charge on Sunday, September 26.
We offer prayers for the clergy in our diocese who have joined together today for a special presentation by the Rev. Cn. Stephanie Spellers.
Resources
Maine youth can take part in 'Dismantling Racism' training
Maine Episcopal Youth is offering Dismantling Racism, a youth antiracism curriculum designed by the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, in collaboration with the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Reconciliation. Recognizing that not all are able to be together in person, and that not everyone can meet consistently online, there will be three tracks offered tracks with dates in November and December. Find more information, the dates, and register here.