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.
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Dear Friends in Christ -
Last Monday I wrote to the clergy of the diocese with a few takeaways from the Lambeth Conference. You can read them here. Today, I’m expanding on things.
With the 15th Lambeth Conference in the books, I want to share three things:
1) I am happy that I went, and happy with what happened there
2) I am thankful, almost immeasurably for you
3) I am changed
First, the happiness. It was productive and fun. Maybe a bit like summer camp: intense relationships created and continued, inspiring worship offered to God, as well as moments of feeling as if I were on top of a spiritual mountain.
Second, the gratitude. A few days before the conference began it felt as if the sky was falling: a resolution from the 1998 Lambeth Conference which condemned the Episcopal Church’s inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people (and us ourselves) was slipped into the “Call on Human Dignity.” Then, almost as egregious, was the decision for bishops to vote on each Call. In the end, neither threat materialized, or if it did, it evaporated. I was not surprised by the 1998 resolution coming up, but somehow the addition of the voting devices galvanized me to work for change.
We can thank social media, I think, for influencing the Archbishop of Canterbury and his team to change course. The Lambeth Conference has no business voting on anything, at any time! For one thing, it comprises only bishops (and spouses). The voice and leadership of lay people is a major principle of Anglicanism, and while our churches make decisions in legislative assemblies, the Lambeth Conference should never be a legislative body. Instead, it ought to focus on friendship. Any outcomes of the Conference ought to ignite mission (e.g. linked dioceses, action for justice, nurtured faith, worship of God). I’m thankful that the dreaded resolution went away, along with the terrible voting devices.
My thanks go beyond those particular matters toward you, the clergy and lay people of this great diocese. I’m thankful for your prayers for Tom and me; we felt them. Your emails and texts, especially when it looked as if it was gonna go off the rails, buoyed us. It’s important to me that everybody in Maine know that we’re known! For one thing, lots of Anglicans have been to Maine. I couldn’t help but feel proud when a person from Zambia or the Philippines said, “Yes, you once had a woman as your bishop, yes?” Or, when a bishop from the South Sudan, who did not know me (I wasn’t wearing a name badge), said, ‘Yes, Maine. There is a relationship with Haiti there, and they have a gay bishop.” The point is you are known and valued and seen, and my thanks and respect for you overflows.
Third, why do I feel changed, as in transformed and renewed? This will take time to answer, and even more, to integrate. I couldn’t help but think and pray differently because in my Bible study group five of the group were Black, and only two were from so-called developed countries; it felt like “diversity” in a way that I’ve never known. But the sense of being changed goes way beyond what happened in my small group. I witnessed a community of faith come together, sometimes in disagreement, sometimes in agreement, and who stayed together precisely because we figured out that all of us had something to teach, and all of us had something to learn.
In 2006, Caroline Chartres edited the book, Why I am Still an Anglican (Continuum Press, London). It’s an English take on things—the contributors are all Brits—and it’s a book to which I return from time to time. One of the essays is from a priest who worked at St. Paul’s Cathedral, and who quotes a former Dean of St. Paul’s, William Inge, who once said, “Don’t imagine you’re thinking when you are simply rearranging your prejudices.” Friends, the Lambeth Conference was an occasion for me, and I believe many others, to think and pray in ways that prevented me/us from simply rearranging my prejudices; I hope its effect is lifelong.
In Christ,
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Updates and Announcements |
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Website Downtime for Dio Maine & New Hampshire Hosting Plan
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TONIGHT: Resolution Learning Session
Tuesday, August 16th
7:00 pm on Zoom
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.
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How to Find Diocesan Convention Information
Are you a clergy or lay delegate, or an interested Episcopalian and you're not sure quite where to look for diocesan convention information?
We are here to help!
- First, right now you're in the right place, as convention information will always be sent out in this Clergy and Lay Leaders (CLL) email newsletter. Just look for the yellow areas of the newsletter for convention-related information.
- We have an all-in-one-place diocesan convention webpage where you can scroll through to find the information you need.
- If you'd rather subscribe to updates, all of the updates we send out in these enewsletters also are placed on our website's blog. Again, it's the same information, we're just giving you a number of ways to find it.
- If you know you saw information in a past newsletter but didn't save it, never fear, we have a page on the website that lists all convention communications that have gone out.
Finally, for all clergy and lay delegates, an "all you need to know" email will arrive in your inbox closer to convention time.
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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
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Participate in Sacred Ground this Fall
If you or your church has not yet participated in Sacred Ground, here is an upcoming opportunity! Join others from around the Episcopal Dioceses of Northern New England in discussing race and racism in our nation. Sacred Ground dialogue circles will start in Fall '22. The intro meeting will be held in early September. Email Franci Farnsworth of Vermont if you are interested in joining in these Zoom conversations. Representatives from each Diocese are Franci Farnsworth of Vermont, Betty Lane of New Hampshire, and the Rev. Katie Holicky of Maine.
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From The Episcopal Church |
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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.
The application deadline has been extended to this Friday, August 19, 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.
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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
Deadline to apply: 5 p.m. ET, Sept. 1
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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 18th from 11 am - 12 pm, and will be led by Teresa Pinney, Assistant Director of Communications.
Click on the "Register Here" button below if you'd like to attend.
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Love making music to glorify God and inspire worshippers? St. Philip's in Wiscasset is looking for a Music Director to play organ/piano and direct its choir. If interested, send your resume to the Rev. Tom Junkert or call 218-205-0420. The job description can be viewed here.
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 the Rev. Andrew D'Angio White.
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.
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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
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