Volume 28, Number 3

March 13, 2025

Bishop Brown's Message For Lent

"We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord. What was old is new again, is what I say. And that includes the Great Litany. The world in which Archbishop Thomas Cranmer lived was full of suffering and disaster and war and pain. But that's the same world in which humans have always lived, and that world has also been full of love and compassion and decency and courage, and in every time and place, God is and has been and will be present. May God bless you and keep you. May God make her face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace."

Watch the message in its entirety by clicking the link above.

In a Celebratory Mood for Shrove Tuesday

Churches celebrated Shrove Tuesday on March 4 with traditional pancakes as well as Mardi Gras-themed feasts. Clockwise from top left: Christ Church, Gardiner; St. John, Bangor; Christ Church, Norway; Trinity Church, Portland; and the Parish of St. Andrew and St. John, Southwest Harbor.

Ecumenical Youth Service Corps Builds Connection for Portland-Area Teens



On a Sunday afternoon this past October, thirteen young people from five different worship communities turned out to spend an afternoon with the Youth Service Corps (YSC), drawn by the opportunity to make an impact by helping others. They shopped for warm accessories at Marden’s, followed by a visit to St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center to donate their purchases and help organize other items for the center’s clients.

Now a chartered, ecumenical organization with 10 member congregations and a part-time, paid coordinator, the YSC was born out of the Rev. Peter Swarr’s efforts to form a youth group at Trinity Church in Portland, where he has served as rector since 2020. One of the parents suggested that since high-school students need community service hours to graduate, “why don’t we create some kind of service program where kids can bring their friends?” Swarr reached out to leaders at St. Alban’s in Cape Elizabeth, as well as Williston-Immanuel United Church, and the non-denominational HopeGateWay—both in Portland—to launch a monthly outreach project, where the kids got to decide how to spend the $1,000 budget. Read more here.

Down East Priest Memorializes his Cancer Journey in 'This Changes Everything: A Chronicle of Courage, Hope, and Faith'

"This Changes Everything," is the late Rev. Edward Dufresne’s moving and brave chronicle of his six-year journey with cancer. Dufresne has been a resident of Penobscot and a Lutheran pastor for over 40 years. He also served in Episcopal churches—including at St. Brendan the Navigator in Deer Isle. Dufresne’s journal of daily thoughts and reflections accompanied by his own photography provides readers with inspiring messages and insights into finding hope and joy even in life’s most difficult times. The book is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Read more here. 

A World Unraveling: A Day with Brian McLaren

Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Grand Ballroom, Westin Portland Harborview, Portland 

For 25 years, influential author and activist Brian D. McLaren has navigated the complex interplay between religious faith and contemporary culture in our rapidly changing world. His work incorporates valuable insights from philosophers, poets, scientists, and theologians, addressing pressing themes such as hope, the significance of grieving, and the need for fresh perspectives on thinking, becoming, and belonging during difficult times.

On Saturday, May 3, join Brian for an inspiring conversation on remaining hopeful and finding purpose amid the world’s environmental, economic, political, military, and social crises unraveling our world. Lunch is included. You don’t want to miss this opportunity if you are eager to strengthen your community and uplift your family while discovering the courage and resilience necessary to face the challenges ahead. Learn more and register here. Download a flyer here. 

** Please note that McLaren will also be speaking at the Clergy Conference on Monday, May 5. This registration link is only for the public event on Sat., May 3, and is open to all.

Annual Chrism Eucharist with Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Holy Chrism

All are invited to join us for Chrism Mass on Tuesday, April 8, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at St. Mary the Virgin, 43 Foreside St., Falmouth. The day will include a renewal of ordination vows for clergy and baptismal promises for laity, and the blessing and distribution of holy chrism. Carpooling is encouraged. Learn more and register here.

Lectio Divina

Mondays, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. on Zoom

Have you heard of Lectio Devina? A group organized at Trinity Church, Portland has begun a new practice in this ancient, contemplative way of reading scripture and wishes to welcome new members. The practice has four primary steps: Reading the scripture for the following Sunday to find a word or phrase that stands out; reflecting on the word of God; responding with other members of the group; and resting in silent meditation. Email the Trinity Church office for more information or to be added to the distribution list for the Zoom link.

Prisms of Faith: Moving Beyond Tolerance to Deep Engagement

Sunday, March 16, 3 - 5 p.m.

St. John's, Bangor

St. John’s in Bangor will mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps with a discussion of interfaith relations. Keynote speaker, the Rev. Masud Ibn Syedullah of Hyde Park, NY, will explore ways in which persons of all faiths can relate to others without sacrificing their own most fundamental beliefs. The panel will include clergy from other faith traditions, and there will be time for comments and questions. Refreshments and further conversation will follow the program, which will also be live streamed on St. John's YouTube channel. Learn more here.

Download a flyer to share with your congregation here.

The Province 1 Christian Formation Network Conversations with Noted Speakers

Thursdays, March 20, May 15, and June 19

7 - 8:30 p.m. on Zoom 

While hosted by the Episcopal churches of New England everyone is welcome to join these sessions. Each includes time for questions and conversation as participants learn from each other new ways of sharing our faith.

March 20 - Becoming Intentionally Intergenerational

May 15 - The Gifts and Possibilities of a Parish [Lending] Library

June 19 - Season of Creation as Congregational Development

Read program descriptions here.

NEW for 2025: Seeking Creation Lent Devotional



Just as spring reminds us that some things must fall away to make room for new life, Lent invites us to do the same. The Diocese of Maine's Creation Care Team shared a new daily devotional from Creation Justice Ministries that runs from Ash Wednesday to Easter using the simple format of Scripture, short reflection, and prayer. Our hope is this resource will help you sweep away the decaying things in your heart and make room for the blooming of love and justice in this world. Download “Seeking Creation Lent 2025 Devotional” here. See all of our Lent resources here. Learn more about the Creation Care Team here. 

Summer Programming at Adelynrood Retreat and Conference Center

A ministry of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross, the historic Adelynrood retreat center is set on 15 bucolic acres in Byfield, MA. Registration is now open for a variety of single and multi-day summer programs, including "Seeing as a Spiritual Practice," "Life Story Writing," and "Rewilding the Spirit." An ideal introduction to Adelynrood is its Annual Open House, Neighborhood Picnic, and Craft Fair on Saturday, May 31, noon - 3 p.m. Learn more here.

Presentations on Conflict in the Holy Land Available Through Episcopal Peace Fellowship 

The Maine Chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship recently hosted a presentation

at Grace Church in Bath, to which the wider community was invited. "The Crisis in Israel and Palestine" featured Southern Maine Community College professor and member of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship's National Executive Council, Rich Pitre, and his colleague Wendy Love, MD, who have both lived and worked in the Middle East. Love and Pitre are eager to share with other congregations in the diocese their unique understanding of the historic conflict at the heart of the tragic war in the Holy Land. For information on inviting these speakers for a presentation at your church, please email Episcopal Peace Fellowship convenor Glenis Elliott.

The Cathedral of St. Luke seeks a parish administrator to provide warm welcome to those who visit the cathedral and ensure the smooth-running operation of the Parish Office. The position requires management experience, knowledge of, and commitment to church ministry, excellent communication skills and the ability to multitask. A bachelor’s degree is preferred and candidates with management experience, especially with ministry, are a plus.This position can be full-time or part-time and includes benefits. Learn more here.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brunswick seeks a part-time (20 hours/week) lead admin staff member to join their team four days a week. This five-hours-per-day role involves interacting with St. Paul's team of clergy, staff, parish leaders, and volunteers who together direct the communications, fiscal administration, and building usage. A successful candidate will have skills in fiscal management, demonstrate attention to detail, effective communication skills, and a capacity for confidentiality. Learn more here. 

St. Ann's Episcopal Church and Faith Lutheran Church in Windham seek a full-time rector to serve both parishes. The churches have been informally collaborating and working together for several years and entered into a formal clergy sharing position just over a year ago. Both churches are deeply rooted in the community, welcoming to all, and involved in several outreach opportunities. The congregations have dedicated long term members and are hoping to grow through faith formation, continued collaboration, and with the help of a compassionate, encouraging, and creative clergy person. Learn more here.

Trinity Episcopal Church in Castine is receiving applications from Episcopal priests for the position of part-time priest in charge. Find more information about Trinity Episcopal Church on their website. Find more information and application instructions in the Ministry Portfolio.

Is your church hiring? Would you like us to share the job description? If so, let us know!

See the full events calendar here.

See the bishop's visitation schedule here. 

• March 13, Lenten Clergy Quiet Day, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Zoom
• April 6, Ordination of Kristen Burkholder, St. Margaret's, Belfast, 4 p.m.
• April 8, Chrism Eucharist at St. Mary's, Falmouth, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• May 4, A World Unraveling: A Day with Brian McLaren, Westin Portland Harborview, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• May 5, Spring Clergy Conference at Cathedral of St. Luke
• May 10, Regional confirmation at St. George's, Sanford
• June 29, Deacon's Day
• Oct. 25, Diocesan Convention, Bangor

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