The Dio Log
News & Events in the Episcopal
Diocese of Maine since 1999
Volume 22, Number 24
December 17, 2020
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Christ Church, Gardiner and the Rev. Kerry Mansir gathered outdoors on the Second Sunday of Advent. A little snow made for a beautiful (chilly!) worship.
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A group of Episcopal churches on Mount Desert Island, St. Saviour's, Bar Harbor, Church of Our Father, Hulls Cove, and St. Andrew's and St. John's, Southwest Harbor, have jointly called the Rev. Holly Hoffmann to serve as their priest. We pray that their ministry together may be blessed.
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The Rev. Dr. Nina Pooley has announced that after 14 years at St. Bartholomew's, Yarmouth, she has accepted the call to be the rector at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Pittsfield, MA. Her last Sunday will be January 3. Please offer prayers of thanksgiving for her service to the diocese and St. Bart's over the years. May God bless Nina and her family in this move and in this new work.
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We pray that God be close to those who are brokenhearted and comfort those grieving this holiday season. |
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Let us pray for the Rev. Douglas Beck who has accepted a call to serve as priest-in-charge at St. Augustine's, Dover-Foxcroft. Welcome!
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We offer prayers for the new Executive Committee of Diocesan Council for the 2020-2021 year. The Rev. Cn. Nancy Moore, Vice-Chair, the Rev. Lael Sorensen, Chair of Finance and Tom Ward, At-Large. We give thanksgiving for their ministry and service to the diocese.
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“Joy to the world! The Lord is come. In your hearts, in your homes, in your lives, prepare him room,” Presiding Bishop Michael Curry says in his "Christmas Message 2020".
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Clergy of the diocese are sharing short Advent messages with us this season! Watch for messages throughout the season on our Facebook page and each Monday on the Faith in Maine podcast. Find the podcast on any standard players (iTunes, Stitcher, PocketCasts, etc.) or use the dial-in option to listen to the most recent podcast. Dial 207-223-6402.
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The Maine Council of Churches partnered with Rev. Dr. Marvin Ellison to produce a video featuring faith leaders from across our state that calls on congregations and all persons to "Stay Safe Faithfully" by wearing face masks and practicing social distancing when in public, and refraining from attending in-person worship services. The video features short, personal reflections from religious leaders around the state, including Bishop Thomas Brown.
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The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians offer this virtual carol for you to watch, listen, and enjoy or use in your church services. ALCM thanks all those who participated and grants permission to use this recording of "Angels We Have Heard on High" arranged by Anne Krentz Organ at all times and in all places. Find more information, multiple download options, and links here at alcm.org.
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Two parishioners of St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland are responding to God's call by working as public servants. This past week, Portland’s mayor, Kate Lewis, and South Portland’s new mayor, Misha Pride, were both inaugurated with invocations offered by the Dean, The Very Rev. Ben Shambaugh.
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Read the last Maine Episcopal Public Policy Network update of 2020 here. Sign up today to receive future newsletters directly to your inbox.
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Celebrate resilience and hope as we enter into the new year with members of the Midcoast Interfaith Alliance, including Rev. Abby Pettee, deacon at St. Thomas, Camden and MaineHealth chaplain, for an online service on December 31 at 7:30 pm. To attend this service, please register online here. Read more in the Village Soup.
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Worship with the diocese on Sunday, December 27 |
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Join worship online with the diocese on Sunday, December 27! Watch the service compiled by a diocese-wide team that includes music and a sermon from Bishop Thomas Brown on our YouTube channel, anytime after 7:30 am, or watch the video 'premiere' on our Facebook page at 10 am.
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Suicide Prevention course offered by Episcopal Church |
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The General Convention of The Episcopal Church adopted resolution 2018-C014, which recognized that "clergy and adults who work with youth are often on the frontlines of suicide prevention" and resolves suicide prevention education, using evidence-based trainings, should be made available.
The Department of Faith Formation has responded by developing this Mental Health First Aid and Suicide Prevention page and is now offering Suicide Prevention training. Five registrations per diocese are available for this training, offered as an introductory course, designed to train individuals 13 years of age and older to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to help and support. It requires no formal training or prior experience.
Find registration here. The deadline to register and complete the course is January 31, 2021. If you have any questions, please email Wendy Johnson, Officer for Programs and Events for the Department of Faith Formation.
If you are in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, help is available: 800-273-8255.
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Participate in a conversation about race on January 17 |
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Have you been in a book club or reading a book about anti-racism? Have you been participating in Sacred Ground, Becoming Beloved Community, or wanting to have more space to discuss racial justice? Or are you still wondering about what all of this means for you?
Join members of our Racial Justice Council Sunday, January 17 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm for a Zoom conversation about our experiences with race. Wherever you are on your journey with this topic which is central to being the Church that we are called to be, the council hopes you will join them. All are welcome. Bring an open mind and open heart. Join with this Zoom link.
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News from our congregations |
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St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland will release a video of a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service with Bishop Thomas Brown preaching. The service features a wide variety of participation by St Luke’s members. This pre-recorded service will be available for viewing beginning at 5:00 pm on Christmas Eve on YouTube. Consider subscribing to the Cathedral's channel! Bulletin to be available at stlukesportland.org.
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St. Patrick's, Brewer asked their church members to share photos of what brings them joy this Christmas. For Kate and Peg, it's music and grandchildren. View the photo album here: "What Brings You Joy"
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Mike Herlihy, member of the Trinity Church, York Harbor choir, shared Amare Cantare's (of which he is a participant) "virtual choir" version of the Martin Shaw arrangement of "Coventry Carol" for all to enjoy this holiday season.
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St. Andrew's, Newcastle donated 45 pairs of mittens made by members of St. Andrew’s to keep cold children’s hands warm this season.
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A special "Service of Advent Lessons and Carols" was filmed and edited by the Rev. Peter Jenks, of St. John Baptist, Thomaston. Peter gathered the clergy of the area together to do the readings, while St. John Baptist's music director, Tony Antolini, assembled Down East Singers (which he directs), people from Bowdoin College (where he teaches), and a few members from St. John's to provide the music. Enjoy!
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Let us share news about your church, ministries, and parishioners!
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Get your season ticket to the National Cathedral |
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Get your free Christmas Season Pass today! Join a wondrous Christmas season at The National Cathedral from home. Offerings include an Advent Gospel Service, Lessons and Carols Service, and a Christmas Day Organ Recital! Sign up with your email address, and they'll deliver every Christmas concert and service directly to your inbox! Register here.
Visit the diocesan web calendar for Advent and Christmas offerings and services from churches in Maine and find Advent resources here.
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EPF offers preaching series for Advent & Epiphany |
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Two words -- justice and peace -- are foundational to the work of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship. These biblical concepts spoke in their day and to their audience about the transformative power of God to create justice and peace.
Find video sermons from prominent preachers from around the Church during this Holy Season on the Episcopal Peace Fellowship’s website available to all of the parishes of the Episcopal Church.
Here's the upcoming schedule: Rev. Will Mebane (Falmouth, MA) (Advent 4); Melanie Merkle Atha (EPF Executive Director) (Feast of the Epiphany); Rev. Lauren Stanley (Sudan) (First Sunday of Epiphany); Rt. Rev. Jonathan Folts (Diocese of South Dakota) (Second Sunday of Epiphany); Chaska Moore (North Dakota) (Third Sunday of Epiphany); Rev. Stan Runnels (Kansas City, MO) (Fourth Sunday of Epiphany); and Rev. Dr. John Floberg (Standing Rock) (Last Sunday of Epiphany). Questions? Email Melanie Atha.
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