9 August 2022
This newsletter sent to Churches, Priests and Deacons (active), Diocesan Council, Standing Committee and Chancellor, Wardens, Treasurers, Parish Administrators, Jubilee Center and Camp Leadership, Trustees, Summer Chapel Leadership, Diocesan Staff, and Diocesan Convention Delegates

Similar to last year, all diocesan convention-related news and updates
are highlighted in yellow.
Updates and Announcements
Take the Maine Council of Churches Church Safety Survey

The Maine Council of Churches has been working with the Maine office of the U.S. Attorney General, Maine Emergency Management Administration, the Department of Justice, and the Maine office of the FBI to plan helpful forums (offered in several locations around the state) for clergy and lay leaders of Maine's faith communities on issues related to safety planning and prevention of and response to hate incidents and hate crimes against houses of worship.

To be sure these forums are offered in convenient locations throughout the state, and to be sure the content addresses needs identified by the congregations themselves, the group has developed a short questionnaire. Click here to share your location and topic preferences for the forum on church safety.
Clergy Shirts Available!

Do you wear shirts with a size 15 1/2 neck? St. Luke's Cathedral was recently given a dozen slightly used size 15 1/2 tab-style Almy clergy shirts. Interested? They are yours! Contact Dean Shambaugh to claim.
Diocesan Convention
Resolution Learning Session
Tuesday, August 16th
7:00 pm on Zoom
Click here to register


The deadline for submitting a resolution for diocesan convention is fast approaching (September 16th)! 

If you have an idea for a resolution — or want to learn more about the process — mark your calendar for August 16th at 7:00pm. The Resolutions Committee is hosting a learning session and workshop focused on crafting a resolution, the life cycle of a diocesan resolution, and a look back at the impact of previous resolutions passed in the Diocese of Maine.

Who can submit a resolution? You! Resolutions can be submitted by parishioners in good standing, convention delegates, parishes, interim bodies, justice councils, and the Bishop. Resolutions call on the Convention to take specific legislative action, such as amending the Canons, creating/funding/starting a particular initiative, or enacting specific policies and procedures.

To view past convention resolutions and resolution-related resources, those are here on our Episcopal Maine website.
Mark your calendars for Town Hall meetings in September and October!

September is almost here. Get out your pen and paper, or hop on your keyboard and save these dates for important convention-related Town Hall meetings!

It is important to note that Town Hall meetings take the place of pre-Convention hearings.

  • Tuesday, September 27 (intro to convention/area caucus)
  • Tuesday, October 4 (budget, rules of order, resolutions)
  • Tuesday, October 11 (resolutions, consent calendar)
  • Tuesday, October 18 (pre-convention preparation)
  • Tuesday, October 25 (post-convention debrief and thanksgivings)

Are these meetings just for delegates? Nope! All are welcome at these learning opportunities!

All Town Hall meetings will run from 7pm to 8pm (with an optional Q&A at 6:30 for the October meetings) and the link to the meeting will be sent out the Saturday morning before the Tuesday meeting.
Upcoming Events
Philanthropy & Discipleship: Encouraging Stewardship into the 21st Century
Wednesday, August 31st
3:00pm EDT
On Zoom
Offered by the Episcopal Parish Network

With the Baby Boomer Generation aging, the largest transfer of wealth in history is underway. While much of this wealth is passing to family, this generation is also giving to nonprofit and educational institutions. And, each year this giving increases. According to National Philanthropic Trust, in 2021, Americans gave $484.85 billion in philanthropic dollars in 2021 - a 4% increase from 2020. 
 
What many don’t know is that the majority of charitable dollars went to religion (27%). Parishioners want to support mission and ministry. Why is fundraising for our parishes so challenging? Perhaps a shift from traditional stewardship to a focus on philanthropic giving is needed. It might seem an inconsequential shift, but it can help to make fundraising a relationship-enhancing, life-giving opportunity for a church and its congregants. 
 
Join EPN for a discussion of four pillars of fundraising practice that underpin philanthropic giving. The panelists share how, by pursuing invitation, education, community building, and making meaning, parish fundraising becomes a joyful personal growth and discipleship-building process.

Panelists include:
  • Monica Butta - Vice President of Development; Cathedral of St. John the Divine; New York, New York
  • Caroline Marak - Director of Stewardship; St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church; Dallas, Texas

Click here to register.  
From The Episcopal Church
Discerning Missional Leadership Virtual Retreat
12 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time
Mondays: Sept. 12, 19, 26, and Oct. 3

Are you discerning a call or seeking seed grant funding to start a new Episcopal community?
 
The Episcopal Church’s Office of Church Planting is offering an online retreat for those desiring reflection and feedback on whether their gifts align with the unique call to start a new Episcopal community. Learn more.

Registration deadline: Aug. 15

Questions? Email the Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers

The Rev. Michael Barlowe, secretary of the General Convention, invites Episcopalians from across the church to apply for appointment to the various interim bodies created by General Convention. These committees, commissions, and task forces carry out the work of The Episcopal Church between conventions.
 
Applications are due Aug. 12, and initial appointments will be made in September by Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and President of the House of Deputies Julia Ayala Harris. The appointment process for task forces may continue through the fall as additional committees are formed.
  
During the two-year term leading up to the 81st General Convention in 2024, interim bodies will be focused on the priorities defined by General Convention. Joint Standing Commission appointments traditionally last two triennia (shortened by one year due to the delay in the 80th General Convention), while other appointments — including those to interim bodies — often last a single triennium.
 
The application form allows applicants to select areas of interest and identify relevant skills and experience.
 
Please contact the General Convention Office with questions.
Priests and Deacons: Serve on the Anglican Consultative Council as a Clergy Representative
 
The Episcopal Church is seeking nominations for a clergy member to serve a three-meeting, nine-year term on the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC). The representative will be elected at the church’s Executive Council meeting in October. The next ACC meeting is scheduled for February 2023 in Accra, Ghana.   

Requirements: Episcopal Church priest or deacon in good standing; thorough knowledge of the Anglican Communion and The Episcopal Church

What to include: Nominee’s permission to stand for election; one-page explanation of qualifications; digital photo

Where to send nominations: The Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, executive officer of the General Convention.

Deadline to apply: 5 p.m. ET, Sept. 1
Resources
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, August 11th from 11 am - 12 pm.

Click on the "Register Here" button below if you'd like to attend.
Job Openings
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 Rev. Andrew D'Angio White.


Christ Church, Gardiner, is seeking a part-time Music Director (pianist/choirmaster) or (pianist/organist/choirmaster). They are seeking a skilled, dynamic, and enthusiastic music director to support their 10:00 AM principal Sunday services and to provide music on other Holy Days and special occasions. Organ skills are optional. The church has an organist willing to continue playing at services if a qualified music director who does not play the organ is found. Read the full job description and instructions on applying here.

Trinity Church, Castine is seeking a part-time Administrator/Bookkeeper. This position requires a good working knowledge of QuickBooks for non-profits and Office programs such as Publisher, Word and Excel. If you have an interest or know of someone who would be interested, please contact Trinity's Treasurer, Kate Noel.

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

AUGUST
26-28 Summer Finale Weekend

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