Season of Creation Begins Thursday

“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the Earth, and their words to the end of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4)

The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, the Episcopal Diocese of Maine joins our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical Christian family in prayer and action for our common home.The season starts on 1 September with the World Day of Prayer for Creation, and it ends on 4 October with the Feast of St.Francis of Assisi. The Climate Justice Council shared this letter last week welcoming us to prepare for the Season and pointing us toward these resources.  

Find these and more on the Creation Care page of our website. 

Finding Diocesan Convention Information 

Where should you look for diocesan convention information?

Besides always sending convention information out in this Clergy and Lay Leaders (CLL) email newsletter (look for the yellow areas), we have an all-in-one place diocesan convention webpage here:

episcopalmaine.org/convention

Scroll through to find the information you need.

If you'd rather subscribe to updates, all of the same info sent out in these enewsletters is also placed on our website's blog.

Afraid you missed something in a past newsletter? This page on the website lists all convention communications that have gone out.

Finally, for all clergy and lay delegates, an "all you need to know" email will arrive in your inbox closer to convention time.

Sign Up for the Virtual Choir! 

The Virtual Choir is returning to Diocesan Convention this year! To lend your voice, sign up here. The final selections of the two hymns are still being made, but we can tell you that they will be familiar, well-loved tunes with fresh, new lyrics, and the arrangements will allow for melody singing as well as part singing and a descant. 

Take Action on Climate Justice

2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27)

November 6-18

Apply to be a member of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's delegation to the 2022 U.N. climate change conference (COP27)

Who? All Episcopalians over 18 are invited to apply--particularly members of Black and Indigenous communities, people of color, LGBTQ+ Episcopalians, Episcopalians from communities on the frontline of climate change, and Episcopalians with disabilities

Where? In person in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, or online in virtual meetings

When? Nov. 6-18; applications due Sept. 1

Learn more here.

St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center hosts COVID-19 Clinic

Tuesday, September 6

8:45 - 11:00 am

134 Park Street, Portland

St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center is hosting a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Tuesday, September 6 at its Essentials Pantry.  Anyone is welcome to receive a vaccine or booster at the clinic, including children, and there will be translators in attendance to answer questions for those who don't speak English.

Join a Public Conversation with Carter Heywood

Wednesday, September 21

4:00 - 5:30 pm

Online

The Maine Council of Churches and The BTS Center have invited world-renowned theologian and Episcopal priest, Rev. Dr. Carter Heyward (one of the “Philadelphia 11” women ordained in 1974, two years before the Episcopal Church authorized ordination of women) to lead us in a conversation about her upcoming book, The 7 Deadly Sins of Christian Nationalism: A Call to Action (Rowman & Littlefield, September 2022). Rev. Dr. Heyward will address the rise of white Christian nationalism and offer perspectives for moving forward with hope and action.

Bangor Theological Seminary Professor Emeritus of Christian Ethics, Rev. Dr. Marvin Ellison, will facilitate the online event on September 21 at 4:00 pm. Register here.

Download a flyer here.

Compline with Episcopal Peace Fellowship

Tuesdays in September

8:30 pm

Online

Please join members of the Maine chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF) who will be leading EPF-National Compline at 8:30pm via Zoom on Tuesdays in September. Open to all and they hope you will join them!

Click here to join on Zoom.

Meeting ID: 817 7614 5441

Passcode: 863435

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, September 1st from 11 am - 12 pm, and will be led by Teresa Pinney, Assistant Director of Communications.

Click on the "Register Here" button below if you'd like to attend.

St. Bart’s in Yarmouth is seeking an organized, energetic, and creative part-time Youth Religious Education Leader to coordinate their youth ministry program. The leader will work 12-16 hours/week during the school calendar year with a salary ranging from $14,000-18,000 based on qualifications and experience. Click here for the complete job description. Please use this email address to apply.

Christ Church in Gardiner has an opening for a part-time, salaried Children and Youth Ministries Coordinator. The Children and Youth Ministries Coordinator is responsible for overseeing and implementing spiritual formation for children, youth, and their families. This is a salaried staff position for approximately 10 hours per week for 10 months a year. Read the full job description here. Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2022. Please include in the application: a current resume, 3 references with contact information, and a letter of interest for this position and email to the Rev. Kerry Mansir.

Love making music to glorify God and inspire worshippers? St. Philip's in Wiscasset is looking for a Music Director to play organ/piano and direct its choir. If interested, send your resume to the Rev. Tom Junkert or call 218-205-0420. The job description can be viewed here.

There is a part-time Sexton position now open at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Camden. 10 hours per week includes: cleaning, event set-up, maintenance, additional hours for outside work. $15 an hour. Flexible hours. For more information, or to apply, please email the Rev. Lisa Fry.

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 the Rev. Andrew D'Angio White.

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.

Save these dates below! For the full events calendar, click here.

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