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news & events in
the Episcopal Diocese of Maine
since 1999
Volume 22, Number 2
~ January 23, 2020
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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
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Prayers for...
the happy group of evangelists from Maine (
pictured above) who experienced the Episcopal Church's
Rooted in Jesus conference in Atlanta this week
the
Rev. Rita Steadman upon the death of her grandfather, Richard Henninger
our friends on pilgrimage in the Holy Land with the Rev. Tom Mousin and the Rev. Jeffrey Mello through January 29
the Rev. Katie Holicky who will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests on Saturday, February 15 (11:00 am) at the Cathedral of Saint Luke, Portland. Clergy red stoles. Reception to follow.
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Thanksgiving for...
the faithful work of our Standing Committee and Commission on Ministry (
shown below at a recent joint meeting)
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Canon Missioner for Finance and Stewardship,
Terry Reimer, will be presenting two Church Finances Workshops for Treasurers and Wardens in February. No registration is required. Bring your own brown bag lunch.
Saturday, February 15
- 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
St. Patrick's, Brewer (21 Holyoke Street)
Saturday, February 22 - 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cathedral of St. Luke, Portland (143 State Street)
Topics presented in prior workshops have included:
- The Diocese as part of the Episcopal Church
- The Diocese - its governing bodies and relationship to the congregations of the Diocese
- The Parochial Report
- The Diocesan Assessment
- Diocesan Central Payroll Program
- Employee Compensation and Benefits
- The Diocesan Insurance Program
- Congregation Audits
- Donations and Non-Profit Status
If you have questions or wish to request specific topics be included in the workshops, please contact
Cn. Reimer at
treimer@episcopalmaine.org.
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Youth Ministry events for your 2020 calendar
Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Maine has a lot in store for 2020! Find details at
www.maineyouth.org or download this
calendar for your parish bulletins. Some highlights include:
REACH Middle School Event, March 20-22 - an opportunity for middle schoolers to make new friends, do some community service, and get in touch with their faith
Called to Serve High School Event, March 27-29 - a chance for high schoolers to meet others on their faith journey, and explore how they're called to serve and called to rest
EYE20, July 6-11 - the international youth event in Washington, DC, where high school age Episcopalians gather from across the globe - all applications due Feb. 1
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Participate in a Faith Based Community Solar Farm
NEXT STEP FOR CONGREGATIONS IN THE CENTRAL MAINE POWER (CMP) SERVICE AREA
Wouldn't it be wonderful to lower your electricity costs, lower your carbon footprint, and provide a powerful witness of your church's commitment to care for creation at the same time? We invite you to join our congregations in doing these things by participating in a Faith Based Community Solar Farm.
Legislation passed in Augusta last summer allowed larger groups to join together to do this in a way which is much more efficient and cost-effective than doing solar installations on our own. In a resolution passed at October's convention, the Diocese of Maine encourages all of our congregations (and our interfaith and ecumenical partners) to join in this effort. The more congregations we get, the greater our savings will be! A timely response, however, is needed to make this happen.
All we need now is a statement from your vestry or bishop's committee that you are willing to take the next step and provide information about your current electrical usage for an RFP, which will be used to provide accurate projections of costs and benefits.
The following is a sample text you can use to signify your intent to participate while also giving you the freedom to withdraw before any specific commitments are made:
We, _________, striving to be careful stewards of God's creation and frugal stewards of our financial resources, hereby signify our desire to purchase our electricity from the proposed Faith Based Community Solar Farm once that project is completed. We reserve the right to withdraw from participation in this project for any reason before signing a future Power Purchase Agreement.
We ask that you bring this resolution to your next Vestry or Bishop's Committee meeting! A copy of this letter, an FAQ sheet and text of the diocesan convention resolution regarding the solar farm project are included in this
packet to download and share with your church. Please contact
John Hennessy, Directory of Advocacy, at 207-772-1953 x126, to answer questions or provide additional material. Please also call him once a resolution has been approved and your congregation is on board!
Thank you in advance for your support of this effort to save costs, put our faith in action, and combat climate change at the same time.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Nathan Ferrell,
The Episcopal Church of St. Mary, Falmouth
The
Very Rev. Dr. Benjamin Shambaugh
, St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland
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Does your congregation have plans for Lent?
Help us compile resources and spread the word about your Lenten practices and prayer opportunities. Book study? Ashes-to-Go?
Please send news and photos to
diolog@episcopalmaine.org.
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Upcoming in Maine and Beyond
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Save-the-date for these diocesan events
Spring Training - March 21
Everyone is invited to Augusta for Spring Training on Saturday, March 21, 10:00 am - 2:30 pm at South Parish Congregational Church. (Snow date March 28) The
Rev. Jay Sidebotham, director of
RenewalWorks will be our keynote speaker. Registration and more information will be available in February.
Presiding Bishop's Visit
- May 2
The
Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry will visit Maine on Saturday, May 2 in Bangor to celebrate the Bicentennial of the Diocese. Venue/location and time to be announced.
201st Annual Convention of the Diocese of Maine - October 17
Our annual convention will take place at the University of Southern Maine's Hannaford Hall on Saturday, October 17.
Bicentennial Evensong - November 1
Our year long celebration of the Bicentennial of the Diocese concludes on Sunday, November 1
with a festive Evensong and diocesan choir at the Cathedral of Saint Luke, Portland.
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Sign up for The Good Steward newsletter
If you don't already, consider subscribing to The Good Steward, the Church Insurance Agency's newsletter.
January's issue includes tips for shifting to a paperless workplace, spiritual fitness, and midwinter maintenance. Sign up
here.
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"Revisiting The Cloud of Unknowing" study group in Kennebunk
The Centering Prayer Ministry at
St. David's, Kennebunk (138 York Street) begins a 9 week, DVD study with the Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault's
Revisiting The Cloud of Unknowing next week. This study will start on Tuesday, January 28 and continue through Tuesday, March 31. Each gathering is from 9:30 to 11:00 am in the library at St. David's and will begin with a 20 minute prayer practice followed by a presentation and reflections. All are welcome! For more information, please contact
Suzanne Robinson at
opraise@his.com.
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Caulfield concert at Trinity, Portland - rescheduled for Jan. 25
Kelly Caufield will perform "The Songs of Harold Arlen" on Saturday, January 25 at 7pm at
Trinity Episcopal Church, 580 Forest Ave., Portland. Tickets available at the door for $15. FMI call 772-7421 or visit
trinitychurchportland.org. This is the third performance of the 2019-2020 Trinity Concert Series.
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Attend one of two 
