The Dio Log
news & events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine since 1999
Volume 22, Number 14
July 23, 2020
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Let us pray for the members of the newly formed Convention Planning Team and their work as they prepare for the
201st Convention of the Diocese of Maine
. The team includes:
The Rt. Rev. Thomas Brown
,
The Rev. Claudia Smith
,
Holly Sargent
,
The Rev. Carolyn Eklund
,
The Rev. Sara Gavit
,
Robert Ludwi
g, and
Chancellor Gordon Gayer
(ex officio) joined by staff members
Katie Clark
,
Teresa Pinney
,
John Hennessy
, and
Barbara Martin
.
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We pray for
Jean Cavanaugh
who will be ordained to the Diaconate on August 1 at
St. David's, Kennebunk
. We thank God for her calling and ask that her ministry be blessed.
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We offer prayers for the people of
St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth
and the
Rev. Lynn Carter-Edmands
, new Transition/Interim Rector, as they begin their ministry together. Most recently Lynn served as the Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Southern Ohio. She is married to the
Rev. Frank Edmands
, also an Episcopal priest, who is currently serving this summer at
Trinity Chapel, Kennebunk Beach
.
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Be with us, O God, as we face the great loss of lives to COVID-19. Help us to address the systemic injustices that have made those already marginalized more vulnerable to this virus: immigrants, people of color, the elderly, and those living in poverty.
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Please pray for
Pamela Chabora
of
St. Ann's, Windham
upon her Reception into The Episcopal Church last Sunday. We ask the Holy Spirit to be her guide, guardian, and help.
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The webinar “
Advocacy Tools for Loving Your Neighbor
” was hosted on July 9 by The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church and joined by more than 2,000 participants. Two examples of effective diocesan public policy ministries were highlighted during the webinar by Rebecca Blachly --- one of which was Maine! We offer prayers of thanksgiving for the work of our
Maine Episcopal Network for Justice
and director,
John Hennessy
.
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Sign the Anti-Racism Covenant
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The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson
of the
Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
composed this
Anti-Racism Convenant
, co-sponsored by many bishops in the Episcopal Church, but issued to all people of faith to actively seek equality and justice in our communities.
Bishop Johnson says, “I hope the Church takes it seriously and engages in the covenant. I hope it can help us actually transform the Church into a place where white supremacy and racism have no home.”
Individuals, parishes, groups, dioceses as well as community leaders and businesses are all invited to
add your name
to this convenant as we work to root out racism together. Find anti-racism resources
here
on episcopalmaine.org.
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Listen to six members of the senior choir of
St. Andrew's, Newcastle
sing "If Ye Love Me" by Thomas Tallis. They sang from home alone and the audio and video were edited by
Linda Blanchard
. You can also hear
Sean Fleming
on the organ (1888 Hutchins) playing "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation" here on
YouTube
. We thank them for sharing their gifts.
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Bishop Thomas Brown
was a guest of
WMPG Radio OUT Cast
program's "Queer Spirit" segment which features conversations about queer life and the power of the sacred. Listen to the recorded show
here
.
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The Rev. Rick Cross
of
St. Patrick's, Brewer
reflects on the season of pandemic and the positives emerging despite the terrible loss of life. "During the past couple of years, looking for God in the community beyond the walls of St. Patrick’s wasn’t an obvious assignment from the 'Living Local' program. Now that the physical walls of our congregation have been taken away, the fog may be lifting a bit, revealing the neighborhood." How is your garden growing? Read more here in "
Cross Words by Rick Cross
".
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The Rev. Tamara Torres McGovern
(UCC) of
Arise Portland
, a project working to connect seekers and skeptics for meaning-making, spiritual grounding, and healing. She writes. "We can't create something new unless we can imagine it. And we can't imagine something new if we are too busy to be present." here in "
I am a pandemic parent...
"
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The Maine Council of Churches is offering an opportunity for white people of faith and good will to listen to the voices of people of color. Each week this summer, they will publish a link to a short excerpt from a video, radio broadcast or podcast, along with some biographical information about the speaker. Week #2 features
The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III
of
Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago
here on the
MCC Blog
.
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Director of Communications,
Katie Clark
, provided Digital Ushers Training last week to help our churches continue to offer online worship services. The priest can't do everything! Watch a recording of the meeting and find the presentation document
here
.
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Worship online with the diocese this Sunday
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Join us for a diocese-wide service for this Sunday, including music and a sermon from Bishop Brown! A video will be broadcast on our
YouTube channel
at 8:00 am and on
Facebook
at 10:00 am. Clergy and lay leaders will be provided with a downloadable video file on Friday, July 24 to use as they wish.
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Hunger Initiative helps feed York County
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On Tuesday, the
Diocesan Hunger Initiative
distributed over 25,000 pounds of free Maine-sourced food!
Bishop Brown
was joined by a dozen other volunteers (
Jason Briggs
of
Trinity, Saco
pictured here) and legislators from York County to get boxes of food into the cars of those in need.
"We need to be engaged in any possible way that connects us neighbor to neighbor, and as people feel insecure about food, anything we can do to share resources that we have so we are distributing it and sharing it gives us a sense of hope and momentum towards a better future,"
Bishop Thomas James Brown
told
News Center Maine
(video above).
Thanks to everyone who contributed and volunteered! We should have an opportunity to partner with the USDA Farm to Families Food Box Program again soon in another location designated by the USDA. Stay tuned!
You gave give electronically in a few ways:
- Mobile app – Download the GivePlus mobile app on the App Store or on Google Play, enter our zip code “04101”, select “Episcopal Diocese of Maine” and give. [Find more instructions for the app here.]
- Visit episcopalmaine.org – Easily enter your donation from our website. Click on the “donate” button on the top of the home page.
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Diocese provides updated reopening guidelines
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Updated reopening guidelines from the Episcopal Diocese of Maine are now available.
Guidelines for Life Together
are meant to help guide discussions in congregations as each discerns their way forward.
The document provides the names of some people in the diocese with experience in a variety of areas, available and open to offering support:
Brenda Hamilton
of the Standing Committee,
Margaret Reimer
of
St. Peter’s Church, Bridgton
,
The
Rev. Dr. Suzanne Roberts
of the
Cathedral Church of Saint Luke, Portland
, and
Thomas Stone
of
St. Peter’s Church, Bridgton
.
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News from our congregations
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Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church, Augusta
held two outdoor worship services on July 12.
Pastor Suzanne Colburn
sends thanks to all who helped accomplish all the work to make these services happen! The Worship Committee was thrilled that 37 people signed up to come to the one service planned, and they knew, given the lack of shade and the heat and humidity, that two smaller services to accommodate all the safety precautions would be needed. Emmanuel hopes to hold outdoor services again: one Sunday in August and one Sunday in September
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Before Frannie's Mini Donuts in Sanford's friends and family pre-opening event last week,
Rev. Lauren Kay
of
St. George's, Sanford
blessed the new venture, its workers, and its owners, Ayn and Jeff Hanselmann.
The blessing was a brief liturgy written for the event with holy water administered by whisk aspersion.
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Becoming Beloved Community NOW gathers for action
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Racial justice and healing leaders across The Episcopal Church will gather to build community, craft strategy and equip each other for action during a series of “
Becoming Beloved Community NOW
” online gatherings at 4:00-6:00 pm on July 28-30.
The sessions will feature presentations and panels, along with breakout groups for practitioners and leaders to meet and share with each other. “Everyone who attends should leave with a path to action and deeper relationships with people doing similar work,”
Rev. Edwin Johnson
, who chairs the advisory group,
said. “Through prophetic action, we can turn a moment of pain into a moment of progress.”
Becoming Beloved Community NOW is open to the public. Register
here
to attend one, two or all three gatherings.
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Listen to episode 6 of Faith in Maine podcast series
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Click below to listen to episode 6 in the "Seeking the Gift of Hope" series. Look for a new episode Monday!
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