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The E-Pistle of Thursday
December 14th, 2023
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A Weekly Reflection
From The Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean
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Dear Friends-
This Sunday is the third Sunday in Advent, which we call Gaudate Sunday. The day takes its common name from the first word in the original Latin text for the introit appointed for the day.
Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus enim prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione et obsecratione cum gratiarum actione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum. Benedixisti Domine terram tuam: avertisti captivitatem Jacob.
The English translation of the text is worth noting: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob." Phillippians 4:4–6; Psalm 85:1.
In the midst of our preparations for the day of our Lord’s coming, we rejoice— we take the time to remember to be joyful, even as we look forward to Christ’s long-anticipated arrival.
I look forward to joyfully welcoming you to church on Sunday!
-George
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Stewardship 2024
We are grateful for everyone in the Cathedral community who has made generous contributions and pledges for 2024.
We also want to extend a special welcome to the 23 households who have made their first pledge to St. Luke's!
If you wish to join in making a financial pledge to support the Cathedral's mission and ministry, please contact the office or pledge online.
Together our pledges will define the resources we will have to devote to our mission in 2024 as a community. We welcome and invite all contributions to support this effort!
Every gift is gratefully received and enriches our lives. Thank you.
With gratitude,
Randi Hogan
Stewardship Chair
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Nominations for Vestry and Convention Delegates
The Cathedral’s Annual Meeting date has been set for February 4, 2024. An
important part of the agenda will be election of the Junior Warden (two-year term),
election of three Vestry members for three-year terms, and election of one Vestry
member for a two-year term. In addition, we will elect five Delegates for Diocesan
Convention, plus alternates.
Our Bylaws specify the Nominations Committee for these positions consist of the
outgoing Warden and Vestry members, plus the Interim Dean. This year’s
Nominations Committee includes: Fred Fowler, Jane Briggs, Catherine Hyde, Linda
Carleton, and George Stevens.
We invite nominees for these positions. You may nominate yourself or someone
else, provided that you seek that person’s permission to serve if elected.
Nominations may be sent to Senior Warden Sam Allen or Interim
Dean, The Rev. George Stevens
If you have questions about what the positions entail, please consult Sam, George, or Acting Junior Warden Fred Fowler.
Please make nominations no later than January 3, 2024. Thank you!
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Join us for Lessons and Carols this Sunday!
Join the Cathedral Choir and Canon for Liturgy & Music, Christian Clough, this Sunday at 4PM for a service Lessons and Carols featuring an evening of music from the Advent and Christmastide Seasons!
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Each Week Saint Luke’s supports vital ministries in our wider community.
Several examples of these ministries include:
- Saint Elizabeth’s, a Diocesan Jubilee Center at Saint Luke's, provides such non-food essentials as soaps, detergent, diapers, coats, boots, and housewares to hundreds of native and new Mainers.
- Our Food Pantry feeds upward of 300 people a week
- Family Promise works to provide housing and support for homeless families in Portland.
- The Haiti Partnership helped to build a school in rural Duny, Haiti and now provides daily lunches for its students, supports two teachers’ salaries and raises funds toward a scholarship fund.
- The Public Policy and Environmental Action Team (PPEAT) gives us an opportunity to support policies that align with Christian values of compassion, equality, and justice.
None of these ministries can exist solely on the allotment from Saint Luke’s budget. They are dependent on all of our support.
Through the Alternative Giving at Christmas program, you have a chance to donate to any or all of them.
When you fill out a form either on paper or online, and return it by December 15, we will mail you gift cards that you can use as stocking stuffers or include with Christmas cards.
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To participate in Alternative Giving for Christmas
1)Complete the form online or submit a physical form.
If you are submitting a physical form, please do so either by mail, bringing it to the cathedral office during business hours, or submit it during the offering on Sunday morning.
The Cathedral's mailing address is: P.O. Box 4141 Portland, ME 04101.
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2) Submit payment
Options include:
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Send a physical check to our mailing address at P.O. Box 4141 Portland, ME 04101. Please note "Alternative Giving" in the memo.
or
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Visit our Realm Giving Page and make a donation to each of the ministries you would like to donate to. The different ministries are listed in the dropdown menu
For convenience links to give to the ministries highlighted in Alternative Giving are also available below:
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Additional Notes
Alternative Giving Forms can also be found at both entrances to the Nave, on our website, and in the Cathedral Office.
If you are unable to pick up a form in person or online, please contact the parish office and we will happily mail one to you.
If you have any questions, please contact Linda Carleton.
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Christmas Flower and Greens Contributions
Each Christmas Season the St. Luke’s Flower Guild welcomes contributions to support the flowers and greens present during Christmas Services at the cathedral.
Gifts are made in memory of and thanksgiving for loved ones. The names of all individuals are noted in the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Bulletins.
We will include all names and submissions until the deadline of Dec. 18th.
To make a Christmas Flowers and Greens Contribution
1)Complete the form online or submit a physical form.
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2) Submit payment
Options include:
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Send a physical check to our mailing address at P.O. Box 4141 Portland, ME 04101. Please note "Christmas Flowers" in the memo.
or
Select one of the two options:
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Additional Notes
Christmas Flowers and Greens Forms can be found at both entrances to the Nave, on our website, and in the Cathedral Office.
If you are unable to pick up a form in person or online, please contact the parish office and we will happily mail one to you.
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Christmas Serving Opportunity
St. Luke's is seeking additional helpers in the Christmas Eve Vigil and the Christmas Day service. Interested in participating in the service?
Please contact Head Verger Eleanor Roberts for more information. All ages are welcome!
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Sacred Ground Opportunity
Looking for an opportunity to learn more about the racial justice through the lens of a film-based dialogue series on race and faith?
The Episcopal Church has an amazing program - Sacred Ground.
To view a Sacred Ground informational video click here.
To learn more about Sacred Ground click here.
There is a group forming for a mid-January kick-off. The group is scheduled to meet on Thursday evenings at 6:30 PM.
Participants from all areas are welcome.
For more information contact the facilitators:
Email Denise Noble - Diocese of Vermont
or
Email Rebecca Grant - Diocese of Maine
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Congregational Assessment Using The Holy Cow!
Church Survey Tool
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Dear Friends,
In the ten weeks since I arrived at the Cathedral of St. Luke, I have learned much about this community of faith. Some of you have been here for generations, others have just arrived, and all of you are committed to deepening your faith through service, worship and prayer.
During this interim period, it is now time for us to learn from your varied experiences and opinions about the readiness for our cathedral to begin a search for our next Dean. On the recommendation of the Rev. Pamela Mott, our search consultant, the vestry has engaged Holy Cow! Consulting for our first step in the process.
The Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT) is an online assessment of a congregation that is completed by members of the church. This tool will provide the Vestry with understanding of the health of our congregation, a sense of where members think the church should head in the future, and a description of the church as a unique body of people. In the coming months there will be many ways to add your voice and thoughts for your hopes for our next clergy leader. This survey allows your vestry to understand how to structure this process and areas of focus during the interim.
Please see the attached link to the survey where you can share your experiences in and priorities for our church. Please do not discuss the survey or your answers with others as this may influence their answers.
If you need a paper copy, please come to the office, or email the cathedral office, and we will provide one for you along with a self-addressed stamped return envelope. We will be collecting responses until Wednesday, December 20.
All answers are strictly anonymous. We have no way of matching any assessment to a particular person, so please feel free to candidly share your perceptions, opinions and experiences. Our next steps in the search process are dependent on your participation and honest answers.
If you have questions, please contact the Rev. George R. Stevens, Interim Dean by email or by telephone in the church office at (207) 772-5434 extension 201.
Many thanks,
The Rev. George R. Stevens
Interim Dean
One important note: If only one member of your family receives this email, it may be tempting to have one person take the survey on behalf of the family. However, please be sure your spouse and all young adults living in your home have an opportunity to complete the survey.
We ask respectively that every person only takes the survey once.
INDIVIDUAL INPUT is key to our gaining insight into overall perceptions and experiences.
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or scan the QR Code Below to Access | |
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Join the Young and the Restless for Their Next Meeting!
On Sunday, December 17th The Young and the Restless have their next meet up at Noon.
The meeting will start out with a town hall format discussion about how we would like to plan out our goals and events for 2024.
We will finish the meeting with our annual white elephant holiday gift exchange event.
If you are interested please contact Eleanor Roberts or Shana Rose for more details. Hope to see you there!
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Eco tips for the holidays from
the Public Policy and Environmental Action Team
With the Season of Advent and the Christmas approaching, here are some tips that will help the Earth:
1. Think green: Buy from local shops or artisans for gifts. This helps the earth in reducing fossil fuel use when items are shipped over distances.
2. Ditch the single use plastic: as plastic is a major source of harm to the earth -it is made from fossil fuels and also does not break down easily.
3.Try to find gifts and decorations made from natural or recycled sources.
4..Give batter-free gifts as discarded batteries are a hazard to the environment.
5.. Gift memories rather than things. For example tickets to an event.,
6.. Connect with nature, perhaps join an Audubon bird walk or bird count event.
7. Choose LED lighting when decorating with lights.
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St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry Feature Video
Members of St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry composed a video highlighting the work of their ministry in support of our neighbors each week.
To watch the video click the link here, or watch below.
To learn more about St. Elizabeth's visit their website here
or visit their page on the St. Luke's website here.
To support St. Elizabeth's visit the give now page on our website, and in the dropdown menu select St. Elizabeth's Contribution.
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St. Elizabeth's Pantry Coat Drive
As we gear up for colder temperatures, St. Elizabeth’s is launching its annual coat and boot drive. Many of our neighbors come from warmer climates and don’t have the necessary clothing for fall and winter in Maine.
Large and Extra-Large sized coats for both men and women are most needed, but coats and boots of all sizes are welcome. Items should be in clean, good condition.
Monetary donations may also be made for the purchase of new coats and boots for our neighbors.
Financial contributions can be mailed to: St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center PO Box 4036 Portland, ME 04101 or visit here.
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Clarification Regarding Pledging Using Realm
Thank you to all of our community members who have made a pledge gift using Realm.
Treasurer Tim Wilkins and Financial Administrator Nina Andersen wish to clarify the process of setting up a pledge through Realm.
In order for our team to have a record of your pledge for the year please complete and submit a pledge form. This informs us of your total amount to be pledged for the year before using Realm to enter a payment plan in Vanco for your 2024 pledge. We appreciate your understanding and are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Please contact Tim Wilkins or Nina Andersen with any questions you may have.
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Updates from The Diocese
and Wider Church
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An Advent Message of Hope and Inclusion
from Bishop Thomas Brown (2023)
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Last Week's Service
Click the attached link to view last week's Bulletin.
To watch the livestream of last Sunday's service, click here.
Click here to watch the sermon offered by The Reverend Rebecca A. Grant.
To View past services visit our Youtube Page or visit the archive page on our website to read past bulletins, sermons, and newsletters.
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Events in the Wider Community | |
St. Mary Schola presents A Neapolitan Christmas | |
Join St. Mary Schola and Guest Conductor Christian Clough (Canon for Liturgy and Music) as they present a program entitled 'A Neapolitan Christmas' featuring a moteto by Francesco Durante, and six voice setting of the Magnificat by Michael Praetorius.
To learn more about St. Mary Schola and to buy tickets online visit their website here
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The Maine Pops Concert Band Presents
Their Annual Holiday Benefit Concert
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Join the Maine Pops Concert Band for their Holiday Benefit Concert on December 20th at 7:00PM in the Cathedral Nave.
Repertoire will feature beloved old standards and exciting new music.
All proceeds will benefit St. Luke's community outreach efforts.
To learn more about this concert and the Maine Pops Concert Band, visit their website here.
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Ongoing Opportunities &
Community Resources
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Help with Coffee Hour
Coffee Hour needs hosts. It's fun and easy! No commitment required— you can do it once and that's a help. Please check out the schedule and if there is a date you can serve, contact Gail Kesich or Liz Griffin.
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Help the Cathedral With Recycling
As Portland does not pick-up recycling for businesses we are looking for volunteers to take home the paper we gather in blue bins and add them to parishioner's recycling bins at their homes (We do however recycle cardboard and compost both of which have been a very successful campaigns).
If you would like to help please contact Sarah Braik or Tim Wilkins. Thanks for your help.
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Access Your Realm Profile
The Cathedral’s new online database, Realm, is a useful tool for parishioners to manage their contact and pledging information.
Realm helps our community by improving our record keeping in a more streamlined fashion.
When joining Realm you can sign-up to be a part of the online directory in the database.
To activate your Realm profile please contact our financial administrator Nina Andersen.
Nina will assist you with the few steps necessary to access your profile.
We look forward to sharing this exciting new technology with you!
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Join the Young and The Restless
We are St. Luke’s 20s-30s-year-old ministry. We are an active group at the cathedral which also gets together outside of the church.
Join us as we go hiking, ice skating, play trivia, or just enjoy each other’s company! If you are new to us, welcome! We meet each Tuesday at Maine Beer Company in Freeport, 6-8 PM for Trivia.
Other events happen sporadically throughout the month, however trivia is a wonderful opportunity to meet us if you’re joining us for the first time. Contact Shana Rose to stay up to date with group activities and information.
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Join Luke's Garden
LGBTQIA+ Group
Luke's Garden is the cathedral's LGBTQIA+ group which meets every 2nd Sunday of the month following coffee hour.
All are welcome!
For additional information contact Orion Williams
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The Kneeler Guild and
Prayer Shawl Knitters
Tuesday
2:30PM
The Upper Hall.
For additional information contact Jeri Edgar 207-303-8447 or Nancy MaWhinney 207-775-7500
Everyone is welcome, whether you are curious or want to begin. Kneeler kits cost $75, which include directions, yarn, needles & canvas. Novices are welcome; we will teach you as needed. Prayer Shawls: 26-29” by 60”; select your yarn & needles. Coffee & Tea available.
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Weekly Ministries
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The Food Pantry is open from 8 am to 11 am every Thursday.
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The Tuesday 12:10 Eucharist is offered every week in Emmanuel Chapel in-person and on Zoom.
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Noon prayer is offered every Wednesday via Zoom.
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Compline is offered weekly on Friday from 8-8:30pm on Zoom.
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Click on the Episcopal Maine Logo above to learn about all that is happening in the wider Diocese.
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stlukesportland.org
(207)-772-5434
Physical Address:
143 State Street, Portland, ME 04101
Parking Available at:
134 Park Street, Portland, ME 04101
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 4141, Portland, ME 04101
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