News & Events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
Volume 24, Number 21
November 3, 2022
Around The Diocese
Diocesan Convention recordings and results available
Thank you to all who participated, watched, and prayed for the 203rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine on Saturday, October 22! Voters on Zoom elected diocesan leaders and approved the 2023 budget and seven resolutions while rejoicing in being the Body of Christ.
Bishop Brown delivered his convention address on the theme of "Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith". Watch it above or listen to it as a Faith in Maine podcast.
The convention was blessed with two incredible performances by our virtual choir: "All Creation Danced"and "O Wondrous Souls of Light".

Find results here or download this one-page recap with links embedded to the livestream recording, virtual choir hymns, resolutions, and more.

A recording of convention and convention worship can be viewed here on YouTube.
Diocesan bicentennial finale on the Feast of Christ the King
The Diocese of Maine celebrated its 200th birthday in the year 2020. The Bicentennial Committee planned a year-long multi-event celebration, beginning with a kickoff at Diocesan Convention in 2019. There were significant changes to the planned celebrations of the Diocesan Bicentennial because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Christ the King, Sunday, November 20, 2022, the entire diocese will observe a moment of dedication and thanksgiving as they bless their congregation’s set of Bicentennial Chalices and Patens, specially commissioned for our celebration.

The chalice and paten sets were made by ceramic artist Stephanie Rozene. Professor Rozene wrote "I believe that the work is not finished until it is in use and in this, I am honored that the work will be finished by everyone in the Diocese of Maine as they take part in the Eucharist. The colors are reminiscent of those that remind me of Maine, blue waters, green of the pines and white porcelain for the preciousness of each life."

The worship team has put together a special liturgy to use for the dedication along with two hymns recommended for the celebration! You can find those materials here.

Photographs and video of your congregation’s dedication on November 20th are highly encouraged. Please send them to our Dio Log email.
Diocesan Council grant applications due Nov. 10
The Grants Committee of Diocesan Council is now accepting applications for Domestic and International Poverty and the New Initiative Fund grant programs. The deadline for either application is noon on Thursday, November 10. Completed applications should be emailed to Canon Barbara Martin. With regret, late applications cannot be accepted.
Discuss racial reconciliation in New England
Join Episcopalians across New England for a conversation about the Future of Racial Reconciliation in Province 1 on Sunday, November 13, 2022 from 3-5 p.m. on Zoom.

James McKim, Chair and Province 1 Representative of the Executive Council Committee on Anti-Racism & Reconciliation will facilitate a conversation between deputies from the 80th General Convention and the recently retired Bishop Ian Douglas of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Co-Chair of the 80th General Convention Committee on Racial Justice and Reconciliation.

The discussion will center on the priorities and work of this summer’s General Convention regarding racial justice and reconciliation. Interested Episcopalians from all seven dioceses in New England are invited to connect and collaborate.

Click here to register to attend.
News From Our Congregations
"The Harlem Renaissance at 100,” a celebration of the vibrant intellectual, cultural and social period that emerged following World War I, will be held Friday, November 11 as part of St. John’s Episcopal Church’s annual Veterans Day recognition.

"The Harlem Renaissance at 100” will feature the contributions of artists such as Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, Jean Toomer, Zora Neale Hurston, Gwendolyn Bennett, W.E.B. DuBois, Countee Cullen, Cab Calloway, and the Nicholas Brothers.

The event will be held from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at the church’s 225 French Street, Bangor location. Admission is free and open to the public. Those who are unable to attend in person may watch a live stream here.
On Bishop Brown's visit to Christ Church, Gardiner in October, more than a dozen parishioners were confirmed or received into The Episcopal Church. Praise be to God!
St. Luke's Episcopal Church celebrates new rector

WILTON - St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Wilton is pleased to announce that the Rev. John Balicki has joined the church as their new rector. Before becoming an Episcopal priest, Rev. Balicki has been a civil engineer, a regional planner, ...

Read more
dailybulldog.com
There will be a Sacred Songs and Readings Service on Sunday, November 13 at Saint Mary's, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth, exploring the The Lord's Prayer. The genesis of the program was contemplating a beautiful work by Felix Mendelssohn: his sixth organ sonata which is a theme and variations on a hymn that Martin Luther wrote to celebrate the Lord’s Prayer, ‘Our Father, God in heaven above.’ You will hear this wonderful chorale sung just before hearing the Mendelssohn organ piece. Find full program details here. All are welcome to join this celebration of The Lord’s Prayer!
St. Philip's, Wiscasset thanks everyone who participated in their Coffee House Worship. last week and stayed to help St. Philip’s focus on the future using asset mapping while making and sharing “Stone Soup”.
Hello from Frank who supervised the Trunk or Treat at St. Matthew's in Lisbon Falls.
Voices Among Us
The Trustees of Diocesan Funds hosted a virtual gathering on Wednesday, October 19 to share their approach to socially responsible investing (ESG – Environmental, Social, Governance) within the context of their overall investment process. This session gave parishes that invest with the diocese, as well as those who invest funds on their own, greater insight into the function of the trustees. Click here to access the video recording.
The Diocese of New Hampshire invites us to watch the livestream of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's visit on Saturday, November 5. The Presiding Bishop will join Bishop Rob Hirschfeld and the diocese of New Hampshire for a Eucharist and panel discussion that begins at 10:00 am on YouTube.
Dr. Catherine Meeks, Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing and a bright light in teaching about racial healing and justice, spent time with the clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine today, November 3. Dr. Meeks' keynote address on "Racialized Trauma and Healing" was livestreamed. Watch the recording here. Additional resources below:
Meditations for Racial Healing by Catherine Meeks
Prayers
Blessings to the Rev. Lynn Rutledge upon her retirement. We pray for the congregations of St. Aidan's in Machias and Christ Church in Eastport as they say goodbye and face this transition. We pray in thanksgiving for Lynn's ministry!
We offer prayers for all who serve and have served in the armed forces of our country as we honor them on Veteran’s Day.
Let us pray for the Rev. Peggy Day, deacon, who celebrated her final Sunday with St. Patrick's, Brewer on October 30. We join St. Pat's in thanking Peggy for her many years of faithful service.
Let us pray for our communities, leaders, and each other this coming election day

"Almighty God, you have promised to hear what we ask in the name of your Son. Watch over our country now and in the days ahead, guide our leaders and all who will vote, guide them in all knowledge and truth and make your ways known among all people. In the passion of debate give them a quiet spirit; in the complexities of the issues give them courageous hearts. Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
A Collect for Elections from the Episcopal Office of Government Affairs

Join The Episcopal Church for election day prayers online after you vote on Tuesday, November 8 from 8:00pm to midnight here.
Resources
St. Alban's offers end-of-life planning conversation
St. Alban's, Cape ELizabeth invites you to “Living into Death, Dying into Life: Planning for the End of Life”, an event designed to help prepare you for the spiritual journey, the Christian funeral, Advanced Medical Directives, obituary writing, Power of Attorneys, and more.

Join a panel of guides for this important conversation on November 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch served. Suggested donation $20 collected on site. RSVP by calling 207-799-4014 or emailing the church office.
UTO invites you to fill November with intentional gratitude
Make November an intentional gratitude month for you, your family, Sunday School class, or small group.
United Thank Offering offers free online resources to help individuals, families, and groups focus on gratitude throughout November. Materials include:

  • Liturgy booklet
  • November Gratitude Challenge – daily prompts
  • Faith formation lessons and crafts to teach elementary-age children about gratitude
  • Thanksgiving lesson plan created by Native American Student Services at Oklahoma City Schools
  • “Harvest Ceremony: Beyond the Thanksgiving Myth” – study guide created by the National Museum of the American Indian
  • Book recommendations, and more
Prepare for Advent with a new devotional calendar
The Rev. Tom Mousin and Rev. Merry Watters are pleased to share with you their 2022 Advent Devotional Calendar! The calendar they created includes daily scripture readings, a suggested devotion, and a poem. Download it here where there is also an option for subscribing to a daily email.