News & Events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
Volume 24, Number 23
December 8, 2022
Around The Diocese
Christ the King marks end of diocesan bicentennial celebration
On Christ the King, Sunday, November 20, 2022, the entire diocese observed a moment of dedication and thanksgiving while they blessed their congregation’s set of Bicentennial Chalices and Patens, ceramic sets specially commissioned to commemorate the anniversary.

While the Diocese of Maine celebrated its 200th birthday in the year 2020, the year-long multi-event celebration that had been planned was significantly changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The video above is from the dedication that took place at Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal in Augusta. Click here for a look at other celebrations throughout the diocese.
Observe the days of Advent with diocesan hymn calendar
Thanks to your submissions, the musical Advent calendar is now live, and counting down to Christmas! A new door opens each day, sharing the story of a favorite hymn or carol and providing a link for you to listen.

You can access the calendar directly by clicking here (remember: the door numbers count down to Christmas from 28 to 1!) or you can follow along on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.

Please feel free to share with your church community!
Online book launch with Dr. Catherine Meeks tonight
Dr. Catherine Meeks has written a new book, and we are all invited to attend a virtual book launch tonight (December 8) at 6:30 pm! Join together to celebrate Dr. Meeks' latest publication, The Night is Long but Light Comes in the Morning: Meditations for Racial Healing (Church Publishing, 2022). The event will feature prolific leaders from across the Church as we come together to look inward and reflect on the meaning of social justice and what it means to love one another.

Register for the event here.
Province I Winter Conference: Coming Together in Hope and Healing
Join Episcopalians from across New England on Saturday, December 17 on Zoom for the Province 1 Winter Conference and Budget Meeting. The theme reflects the inspiration experienced seeing new seeds of ministry crop up across New England, and featured speakers at the 12-2:00 pm program session will include provincial grant recipients, leaders whose ministries cross diocesan lines, and Episcopalians taking leaps of faith in their life and work. Looking ahead, Province 1 will be announcing new grants to support Episcopalians across New England in coming together in hope and healing in 2023.

The voting session, from 2:30-4pm, will be for Provincial Conference Delegates and Bishops to meet and vote on the 2023 Province 1 Budget as well as a slate of ordinance revisions.

For more information and to register, click here.
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer available
Please join in praying with the diocese using the 2022-2023 Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. It's available to download here and you can also view the cycle on the calendar at episcopalmaine.org. The Cycle of Prayer is now available as an add-on electronic calendar. Click the link here to add it as an additional Google Calendar. For an iCal link, click here.
News From Our Congregations
Congratulations to the Rev. David Matson who had been serving as priest-in-charge at St. Matthew's in Lisbon Falls. He is now officially their rector! Signatures were put to paper at a meeting at the diocesan office in Portland with Bishop Thomas Brown and the Rev. Cn. Michael Ambler attended by David along with Bob Couture, Senior Warden, Nancy Violette, Junior Warden, and Lee Frazier, Search Committee Chair of St. Matthew's.
Cyndi Magill and Bill Gaynor of the Outreach Committee of Saint Ann’s by the Sea in Kennebunkport presented a check to the Rev. Shirley Bowen from Seeds of Hope in Biddeford to help support their mission of service. Seeds of Hope is all about partnering with local communities and neighbors to find solutions to poverty and to promote personal growth, and the community of Saint Ann’s by the Sea is proud to continue to support the organization.
Many helping hands at St. George's in Sanford put together dozens of hygiene care kits for those in need in their community. Last year, they created 45 and this year, they were able to create 55 kits that will go with blessings to their neighbors -- wherever they are-- be it in transition, unhoused or just could use a little support. 
St. Peter's in Portland will be singing "The starry splendors of the night" at their Sunday mass on December 11. The hymn uses the poem from the Advent Devotional Calendar created by the Revs. Thomas Mousin and Merry Waters set to the tune of Puer Nobis by John R. Clarke. Permission is granted if you wish to use it anytime during Advent. You can download a pdf of the hymn here.
Scenes above are from Bishop Brown's Visitation with St. Anne's in Calais.
Voices Among Us
People of faith and goodwill gathered at the State House on December 7 to raise their voices and pray to advocate for our neighbors experiencing homelessness or soon to be homeless. In towns across Maine, the end of the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, which supports more than 8,600 households, is already having an impact. Many people are receiving eviction notices – 1036 in Lewiston/Auburn, 944 in Bangor, 872 in Portland, 254 in Presque Isle, 224 in Biddeford, 191 in Waterville, 124 in Farmington and 100 in Caribou. Neighbors Need ME, a faith-based movement for hope, housing equity, and home, organized yesterday's prayer vigil and encourages us all to call on the Governor and legislature to help avert this humanitarian crisis and to work on developing a comprehensive plan for emergency housing and statewide coordinated resettlement for neighbors seeking asylum.
Before Thanksgiving, another load of Aroostook County potatoes arrived for distribution to organizations serving families in surrounding areas. Thanks to the work of Jason Briggs and funding from Episcopal Diocese of Maine many hungry were served. Great thanks also to Guerrette Farms in Caribou, Maine Farmers Exchange in Presque Isle, and to VIP Tour & Charter Bus Company for allowing us to distribute them from their garage.
Congratulations and thanksgiving for the ministry of the Very Rev. Ben Shambaugh who on November 1 was appointed to Branch Chief, with oversight of Auxiliary Support Chaplains for the Coast Guard in the northern part of District One (which is New York and New England). ACS Chaplains volunteer in their free time while continuing their full-time civilian ministries (or enjoying their retirement!). If you are interested in ACS chaplaincy, read more here or email "Chaps" Shambaugh.
Prayers
Let us remember in prayer those who lost their lives and their families on the tenth anniversary of Sandy Hook. The Episcopal Peace Fellowship of Maine invites you to "Remember Lives Lost to Gun Violence and Preventing Future Tragedies" at UU Church of Brunswick on December 14 at 6:00 pm. If that is not feasible, please consider holding a small candlelight vigil on the 14th at your church or in your home.
We offer prayers for the life of Chaplain Major David Otis Sivret, 67, who died on November 23. As a priest in Maine, Rev. David Sivret served at St. Matthew's in Hallowell and St. Anne's in Calais. He was an officer in the Army National Guard and served in Iraq with the 133rd Engineer Battalion as the Battalion Chaplain. David's full obituary is available here. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Please pray and give thanks for the Rev. Rebecca Liberty, who concluded her ministry as priest at St. John's in Bangor on November 20, and for the people of St. John's during this next transition.
Prayers of thanksgiving for Lisa Leighton, a layperson at St. Alban's in Cape Elizabeth, who has agreed to serve as chair of the Task Force to Study Loring House. Additonal appointments to the task force from Diocesan Council, the Trustees of Diocesan Funds, the cathedral community, and at-large members will be announced in January.
Let us pray for the repose of the soul of Rev. John Wingert, 79, who died unexpectedly on November 26. John served as an interim priest at St. John's in Bangor for several years beginning in 2006. A funeral service will be held 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 14 at St. John’s in Bangor (225 French Street). His family invites friends to share conversation, memories and refreshments in the undercroft of the church after the service. Read his full obituary here.
Resources
Province I Conversations with Noted Speakers: What is St. Nicholas doing in Advent?
On Thursday, December 15 at 7:00pm, join the Province 1 Formation Network for their Conversations with Noted Speakers series. This installment with speaker Gretchen Mullen Nelson is called "What is St. Nicholas doing in Advent? And how do we restore the dignity and worth he deserves?”

German-born Gertrud Mueller Nelson studied printmaking in Cologne, and attended the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich. An internationally known author, artist, illustrator, and speaker, Nelson feels that living the cycles and seasons of the year is a healthy way to live. Her books are vital to parish, community, and family life. TO DANCE WITH GOD/ Family Ritual and Community Celebration, is a beloved guide. Her other books include A Walk Through Our Church, for children, and a book on the inner truth of fairy tales, Here All Dwell Free, for adults.

Register for this event here.