26 July 2022
The Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This newsletter sent to Churches, Priests and Deacons (active), Diocesan Council, Standing Committee and Chancellor, Wardens, Treasurers, Parish Administrators, Jubilee Center and Camp Leadership, Trustees, Summer Chapel Leadership, Diocesan Staff, and Diocesan Convention Delegates

Similar to last year, all diocesan convention-related news and updates
are highlighted in yellow.
Updates and Announcements
15th Lambeth Conference begins Today

Bishop Brown joins bishops from across the globe to explore what it means for the Anglican Communion to be responsive to the needs of a 21st-century world. The Conference has published ten draft ‘Calls’ that will form the backbone of the Conference proceedings. 

As you may be aware, there is a lot of news coming out of Lambeth this year due a call to reaffirm Lambeth Resolution 1.10 (1998) on human sexuality that was included in one of the draft 'Calls' released late last week.

Bishop Brown sent out a letter to the diocese yesterday regarding this, which you can read here. His letter also includes links to statements by other bishops.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry released a statement yesterday saying, "While this situation is rapidly changing, I want to assure all Episcopalians that the House of Bishops will be meeting Wednesday in Canterbury to discern its way forward before the Lambeth Conference begins. For now, I offer this message of love to all my LGBTQ+ siblings: We have worked hard to become a church where, as the old African slaves used to sing, "There is plenty good room, plenty good room," for all of God's children. We are all The Episcopal Church, and we will not compromise who we are, our connections, or our love. We head to this conference with you in our hearts and Jesus' Way of Love as our guide." 

The Lambeth Conference issued an updated statement yesterday, stating in part, "Over recent days we have listened carefully to the responses of bishops to Lambeth Calls: Guidance and Study Documents that was released last week – and especially in relation to the draft Call on Human Dignity. The drafting group for the Call on Human Dignity will be making some revisions to the Call. This will be released as soon as it is available."

We will continue to share updates from the Lambeth Conference here in this newsletter, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Last Call! Due Monday -> Mission Priorities Grant Application for 2023

The Diocesan Finance Committee is preparing a budget for the coming year (2023) and in
order to allocate funds in an appropriate and responsible way to the programs,
committees, and ministries of the diocese, they've established a grant process tied
to Mission Priorities. For more information about the process, including guidelines and
the application, please click here.

Below is a brief overview of the process:
  • Who should apply? Established programs with a proven track record.
  • How do we apply? Download the application form (PDF or Word) and complete it (save your work!). Send the completed application as an email attachment to the Rev. Suzanne Roberts and cc Canon Barbara Martin.
  • Expectations: Those program groups that receive grants will be expected to use their funds in the budget year for which they are granted (2023). Funding will go to active, functioning program groups.
  • Review process: Applications for grants will be reviewed by the Mission Priorities Subcommittee of Diocesan Council and evaluated using the Seven Criteria for Mission.
  • Funding Limitations: In 2023 the diocesan budget is anticipated to include no more than $60,000 total for all Mission Priorities grants. Keep this in mind as you consider the amount of your request for funds.
  • Deadline: 5:00 p.m. on 1 August 2022. Late or incomplete applications will not be
  • accepted
  • Questions: Email the Rev. Suzanne Roberts
Diocesan Convention
Deadline SUNDAY! Certification of Lay Delegates

Lay delegates elected to serve at convention must be certified using the form below by July 31, 2022. This certificate must be prepared and signed by the Rector, Vicar or Priest in Charge, if there is one, or a Warden or Clerk of the Vestry or Bishop’s Committee when there is no Rector, Vicar or Priest in Charge. Once a congregation has submitted their certificate, the church will no longer appear in the dropdown list on the form.

Upcoming Events
Register Now for Ignatian Retreat in Everyday Life
The Ignatian Spirituality Partnership of Maine invites you to practice the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life with a retreat beginning in early October 2022 and running through June 2023. It's for people who live in or near Maine, and there are options that would permit someone to be fully remote.

In this retreat, pray imaginatively with scripture and explore spiritual resources for decision making, growing closer in authentic friendship with Jesus and finding a greater awareness of God working in your life. Meetings will take place from 6:30 - 8:30 pm on the first Wednesday of every month online, and they also offer individual or group spiritual direction monthly (online or in person). It requires you to set aside 3/4 hour for prayer and reflection each day, which is the crux of the retreat.

Find out more and apply at IgnatianME.org or contact Jane Hartwell or the Rev. Holly Hoffmann. Space often fills up, so apply soon.
Project Resource - Happening this Fall! Register Now...
5 consecutive Sundays, September 11 to October 9, 2022
5:00 to 7:00 pm ET, via Zoom

Congregations, program groups, ministries, and committees of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine are invited to participate in "Project Resource" a vibrant new method for transformation in all areas of stewardship. Cohort groups are also encouraged to consider this program.

"Project Resource teaches culture and systems change around financial development in the worldwide Episcopal Church. Project Resource provides teaching, focus, and adaptable resources to equip clergy and lay leaders to develop their year-round annual stewardship campaigns and to plan, ask for, and receive major gifts."  

To find out more, or to register, please click here.

In order to make this worthwhile program accessible to interested groups, educational grants are available through the Wolf and Loring Funds, to cover all but the first $100 of the cost of participation. For more information about obtaining funding to participate (1 clergy person and 2 lay leaders, minimum per team), please email Canon Barbara Martin.
The BTS Center's Summer Arts Series
featuring Halcyon String Quartet and the artwork of Jill Pelto
Tuesday, July 26 & Thursday, July 28

The BTS Center presents their third annual Summer Arts Series — Listening to the World’s Edge. During this two-part series, they will engage the music of the Halcyon String Quartet and the artwork of Jill Pelto to surface questions about what it means to live an adaptable life in a climate-changed world. The series consists of:

  • An online Pre-Concert Panel Discussion on Tuesday, July 26 and
  • An In-Person Concert with Halcyon String Quartet at Williston-Immanuel United Church on Thursday, July 28

Everyone who reserves tickets for the concert will automatically receive access to the online Pre-Concert Panel Discussion. For those who are not local, registration for the online Pre-Concert Panel Discussion only is also available. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit thebtscenter.org or email BTS. 
Resources
Communications Office Hours

Are you interested in a working session regarding technology, social media, or how to communicate your message?

These are all topics for discussion at CommsChat - aka Communications Office Hours. The discussion each week is guided by the questions of those who attend. This is a non-mandatory, come-if-you'd-like open discussion session.

This week's CommsChat is on Thursday, July 28th from 11 am - 12 pm.

Click on the "Register Here" button below if you'd like to attend.
This Fall, all six "Fundamentals of Faith" courses will be available from Pathways for Baptismal Living at Bexley Seabury Seminary, giving flexible, affordable, access to the experience and wisdom of seasoned instructors and other members of their learning communities. These courses can be taken separately or in series. 

Once registered, you will join a learning community for 4-8 weeks, depending on the course. Together you will engage 3-4 hours/week of reading, watching videos, and interacting with peers and your instructor in online text-based discussions that you can schedule to do when you want (asynchronous) each week as well as through live conversations via Zoom (synchronous). Click here or on the image above to learn more.
Job Openings
St. George’s, York Harbor is hiring a part-time communications-focused Administrative Assistant. Use your creative gifts to help them connect people and build community through print and digital media.They are excited to work with someone creative and curious about how to build greater connections in the community and tell their story through digital engagement. Click here for a full job description. To apply, email a cover letter and resume to the Rev. Ryan Mails.

St. David's in Kennebunk is seeking an experienced, technically-minded individual to contract to run their audio and video system to livestream and prerecord their worship services and other events. For more information, and to apply, please email Rev. Andrew D'Angio White.


Christ Church, Gardiner, is seeking a part-time Music Director (pianist/choirmaster) or (pianist/organist/choirmaster). They are seeking a skilled, dynamic, and enthusiastic music director to support their 10:00 AM principal Sunday services and to provide music on other Holy Days and special occasions. Organ skills are optional. The church has an organist willing to continue playing at services if a qualified music director who does not play the organ is found. Read the full job description and instructions on applying here.

Trinity Church, Castine is seeking a part-time Administrator/Bookkeeper. This position requires a good working knowledge of QuickBooks for non-profits and Office programs such as Publisher, Word and Excel. If you have an interest or know of someone who would be interested, please contact Trinity's Treasurer, Kate Noel.

Is your church hiring? Would you like us to share out the job description in the CLL (this email), the Dio Log, and/or the diocesan LinkedIn page? If so, let us know!

As a reminder, churches that are in the search process for a new clergyperson are listed on the diocesan website here.
Diocesan Event Calendar
Save these dates below! For the full events calendar, click here.

JULY
26 – 8 August The Lambeth Conference
31 Pool Party & Farewell to Grads
31 Certificate of Delegates Due

AUGUST
1 Mission Priorities Grant Application Deadline
26-28 Summer Finale Weekend

SEPTEMBER
16 Nominations and Resolutions Due
27 Clergy Day with the Bishop, Christ Church Gardiner
27 Town Hall: Intro to Convention / Area Caucus

OCTOBER
4 Town Hall: Budget, Rules of Order, Resolutions
11Town Hall: Resolutions, Consent Calendar
18 Town Hall: Pre-Convention
19 Diocesan Convention Registration Deadline
22 Diocesan Convention
25 Town Hall: Convention Debrief and Thanksgivings for the Town Hall Program