The Dio Log
news & events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine since 1999
Volume 22, Number 11
June 11, 2020
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St. John Baptist in
Thomaston letting the community know they believe
black lives should be valued to the same degree as white lives in chalk outside their doors.
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Bishop Thomas Brown shared this
video statement regarding racial justice and the Episcopal Church in Maine today. Read a transcript of his remarks
here.
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We pray for the eternal rest of
Dorothy Glendinning
, wife of the
Rev. David Glendinning
, a retired priest of the Diocese of Maine, who died on June 3. A Celebration of Life will be held at the
Cathedral of Saint Luke, Portland
at a later date.
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We offer prayers for students graduating, their teachers and their families. The Episcopal Church offers these tools for celebrating graduation, prayers and blessings, service videos, virtual choirs, and scripture,
here.
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Join us in offering prayers for
Rev. George Sheats of
St. Michael's, Auburn upon his ordination to the Transitional Diaconate last week at
St. Mark's, Waterville where he is completing his internship. Congratulations George!
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Please pray for and remember the many who have lost their lives to COVID-19.
Bishop Thomas Brown
and
Dean Ben Shambaugh
joined with people of all faiths to mourn this great loss and ring the Cathedral bells to mark the National Day of Mourning on June 1. Watch their recorded prayers
here
.
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Let us pray for the people of
St. Brendan the Navigator in
Deer Isle and
Pastor Elaine Hewes, new priest-in-charge, as they begin ministry together this month.
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Let us pray for all immigrants and refugees and the ministries that serve them as we approach World Refugee Day on June 20. Consider hosting an online Refugee Sunday incorporating materials included in
Episcopal Migration Ministries
' planning guide below.
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Please join us in offering prayers for
Charles Bradshaw,
Kevin Holsapple, and
Ben Wetherill whose requests for release from ordained ministry of The Episcopal Church have been accepted. We thank them for their time spent in ministry with us.
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After the release of the
statement
condemning President Trump's photo op by New England bishops last week, Public News Service interviewed
Bishop Thomas Brown
who said, "The real concern here is addressing the inequality and the pain that people throughout this land have been trying to say and have been wanting us to address." Read the full story here:
Maine's Episcopal Bishop Decries DC Church Appearance
.
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Bishop Thomas Brown
spoke with the Portland Press Herald regarding his recommendation that churches not gather indoors at this time. "At the end of the day we have to acknowledge that it may not be safe, that we need more time, and that we are actually gathering and worshiping online,” Brown said. Full article here:
Indoor religious services can resume, but many faith communities will wait
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The
Rev. John Nieman
of
St. Margaret's, Belfast
was interviewed in the Village Soup about how congregations are finding ways to worship, connect, and find hope in the face of the pandemic. Read the full article
here
.
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Members of the Sacred Ground group of
St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland,
people studying faith and race through the
Sacred Ground
curriculum of The Episcopal Church, speak out in reaction to the murder of George Floyd
here
.
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More diocese-wide online worship coming this summer
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Prepare for more diocese-wide worship services! Having received tremendous positive response, the diocesan and volunteer team will create a service for the fourth Sunday of each month this summer. Mark your calendars for June 28, July 26 and August 23. Each will be broadcast on Sunday at 10:00 am on our
Facebook
page and
YouTube
channel. Interested in participating? Email
Katie Clark
, Director of Communications.
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Faith in Maine podcast launches series on hope June 15
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Don't miss the launch of the diocese's eight-episode podcast series featuring audio essays by the
Rev. Martin L. Smith
on the concept of hope.The first episode of "Seeking the Gift of Hope" will be available Monday, June 15.
Rev. Smith is well known throughout the Episcopal Church and beyond as writer, retreat leader, spiritual director and teacher, exploring contemporary spirituality. A priest since 1971, he most recently served as the Senior Associate Rector at St Columba’s church in Washington, D.C. He retired from parish ministry in 2012. His widely read books include
Reconciliation: Preparing for Confession in the Episcopal Church
,
A Season for the Spirit
, T
he Word is Very Near You
,
Love Set Free
and
Compass and Stars
and (co-authored with the Rev Julia Gatta)
Go in Peace: the Art of Hearing Confessions.
He has been a regular contributor to Sojourners magazine.
The
Faith in Maine podcast
can be found on any platform where podcasts are found, including iTunes, Spotify, Pocket Casts and more.
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Prepare to vote faithfully in the upcoming elections
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Prepare to
#VoteFaithfully
in the upcoming Maine primary election on July 14. Find resources and order "I'm Episcopalian and I voted" stickers and magnets here
:
Maine Episcopalians Vote
. Have a question about elections and how your church can be involved? Reach out to
John Hennessy
, Director of Advocacy and Networks.
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Learning about Maine's First Peoples
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Last weekend, the
Diocesan Council
engaged in learning more about indigenous ministry in Maine through a presentation by the Committee on Indian Relations about their work. Find the documents used in the presentation and learn more here on
episcopalmaine.org
. Want to get involved? Email
John Dieffenbacher-Krall
.
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News from our congregations
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Many at
Trinity Church in
Lewiston feel called to support their diverse community at this time but can't safely join in marching. They've
discovered another way to continue to offer visible support and prayer for their neighbors.Trinity plans to hold Wednesday noontime prayer vigils for reconciliation in their beautiful Peace Garden with signage, live music - bowl, drums, strings - and prayer ribbons.
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Max
,
Charlie
, and
Jack Beck
, the three very-lively sons of
Jamie and Michael Beck
of
St. Patrick’s, Brewer
are waving to you and directing you to their church's online service! St. Patrick's is grateful for the work of their mom, Jamie, who edits, assembles and close-captions these worship services. Thank you, Beck family!
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Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center
in
Biddeford,
a
Jubilee Center in the Diocese of Maine, has been in continuous operation from the very beginning of the pandemic. They quickly transitioned from serving meals within the facility to serving substantial brown-bag breakfasts and lunchescontact-free at the entrance. They've distributed over 2500 meals to 210 unique individuals! Seeds of Hope is thankful to be located in a such a caring and supportive community. Find out more about their work and donate here:
https://seedsofhope4me.org/.
Please
email
us your photos and news!
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Resources for Living Our Faith
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Compassion Camp: Be Loved, Be Kind, Be You
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Church leaders can lead as much or as little content as they would like online (whether led live via Facebook Live or Zoom or by sending/uploading recorded videos); otherwise, it can be led at home by grown-ups.
The theme is compassion for others, ourselves, and the world. This at-home/virtual VBS is geared toward K-5th graders, and also includes activities specifically for preschool-age children. It could be run as a traditional 5-day VBS program or spread out over a few weeks for a more extended program.Get all of the details, including the Bible stories that will be covered, overall structure, and pricing information, by downloading this
Infoguide
.
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Love God, Love Neighbor: Episcopal Month of Action
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Join
Episcopal Migration Ministries
for "Love God, Love Neighbor: Episcopal Month of Action", a series of webinars to learn and advocate with and on behalf of immigrants, DACA recipients, refugees, and asylum seekers.
Newcomers contribute greatly to U.S. communities, enriching our common life, strengthening the U.S. economy, and bringing joy as they join and reunite with families and friends. As the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement, we are called to advocate with and for our siblings seeking safety and a better life in the United States.
Episcopal Action on Resettlement Week Webinar - June 16, 3:30-5:00 pm
Episcopal Action on Asylum Week Webinar - June 23, 3:30-5:00 pm
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