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, and Diocesan Staff |
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Announcements and Updates |
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How Many Lay Delegates Should My Congregation Elect for the 2022 Diocesan Convention?
Your congregation’s lay delegation to the 2022 convention should be identical to 2021 and 2020. We continue to calculate representation based upon your 2019 average Sunday attendance report. If you have questions about what this means for your congregation please contact Canon Barbara Martin,
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Nominations for Executive Council Lay Representative Due February 28
This representative will serve on Executive Council of the General Convention for a term of 5 years. All lay members in good standing of a diocese in Province 1 are invited to consider if they are called to this role in church governance. The election will be held at the Province 1 virtual conference on May 7.
The first step is to submit the Nominees Information Form by Monday, February 28, for submission to the General Convention Office for canonically required background checks.
Finally, fully completed nominations should be submitted to Province 1 Coordinator Will Harron by March 31, 2022. Only nominees who have completed and submitted the above Nominees Information Form and the additional nominee information will be considered.
Nominee information will be distributed to delegates in advance of the Province 1 Conference on May 7.
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Updated Information for Safe Church Training and
Lay Ministry Licensing
We have several updates for you regarding safe church training and the licensing of lay ministers in the Diocese of Maine!
We will introduce the changes here and will then provide regular updates here in the CLL, on the website, and in the latest visitation customary.
>>Town Hall about Safe Church Training - Tonight!
Tonight's Town Hall is focused on giving you and your leaders tools to access the new online portal "Praesidium Academy", and to provide an overview of the program, “Safe Church, Safe communities”. Please share the Zoom link for tonight's Town Hall so that your congregation’s leaders can be successful in accessing the training program.
>>Changes to Lay Licensing in the Diocese of Maine
In 2022, discernment and training, plus licensing of lay ministers (Pastoral Leader, Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, and/or Catechist) will occur within each congregation. This is a departure from our church’s canons and is done to affirm the discernment of each congregation and to free the people of God from burdensome administrative tasks.
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Have You Left Us a Voicemail?
There's a systems issue with the voicemail software at Loring House. The problem has been identified and technical support contacted.
If you've left staff members a message and haven't heard back, try reaching out via cell phone or email. We will let you know when this issue has been resolved. Sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for your patience!
A full staff directory can be found here
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Upcoming Diocese of Maine Events |
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Clergy Retreat: Risk-taking in Christian Ministry
Thursday, March 10
10am - 3pm
On Zoom
Risk-taking is a part of life and an important challenge for those of us in Christian ministry
at this time. What is the nature of risk-taking? Why should we consider taking risks, and when is it appropriate to do so? What kinds of risks might the Spirit be asking us to consider taking in these challenging times? Join us for this one-day retreat for a chance to reflect on these questions and on their implications for y/our ministry in the Church and in the world.
Click here for the detailed agenda
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This clergy retreat will led by Br. David Vryhof, SSJE.
Br. Vryhof is an ordained brother of the Society of St John the Evangelist, a religious order for men in the Episcopal Church, founded in Oxford, England in 1866 and in Boston in 1870. For over thirty years he has been engaged in the Society’s mission of teaching, preaching, offering spiritual direction and leading retreats. Currently, he serves the community as Vocations Brother and as a member of the Community Council. He resides at the Society’s monastery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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Invite Welcome Connect Digital Gathering 2022
Wednesday, February 9
3 - 4:30pm EST
Online
This Digital Gathering will focus on two timely topics:
- How do we Welcome and Connect those who are on our congregation's Digital Front Porch, those whose initial contacts are online and invisible?
- How do we Re-Connect with parishioners who are no longer as active as they were in their pre-pandemic faith communities?
The panelists, made up of both clergy and lay leaders, will discuss creative solutions and ways to address these questions in your congregation.
To learn more and to register, click here.
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Invitation to Joy and Renewal: A Virtual Guided Retreat Day with Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Tuesday, February 15
10 am – 3 pm
Held virtually on Zoom
Sponsored by the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire Clergy Formation Committee
Clergy from New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine are invited to a guided retreat day, with a focus on The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, by Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, and Douglas Carlton Homes. We recommend you read The Book of Joy before the retreat and also welcome you to come and learn as you go if you have not read it.
The day will offer plenty of off-screen time for reflection and self-care as well as teaching time and breakout groups. Click here for the day's agenda.
Click here to register for this virtual event. The Zoom link will be emailed to you after you register.
Please contact Kathy Traynor at the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire if you have questions. |
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Preparing the 2021 Parochial Report - Recording Now Available!
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Calling all priests in charge, wardens, parish administrators, and treasurers! If you missed the live training session last Saturday, the recording is now available.
This 90-minute Zoom session, led by diocesan staff, covered new sections of the 2021 Parochial Report relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic and changes made to the Report in the areas of membership, attendance, and financial reporting. There was a Q&A session at the end to get specific questions answered.
If you'd like to review the 2021 Parochial Report and instruction booklet, they can be found here. |
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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, February 10th from 11am - 12pm 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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St. George’s in York Harbor is hiring a part-time Parish Administrator. The weekly schedule will be developed with the minister. This position is partly office administration, and strong candidates will manage lots of details effectively. Above all, though, the role is about engaging people. Our Parish Administrator (PA) is often the first person contacted when needs arise. And, the PA will also have significant responsibility for congregational communications. We’re excited to work with someone creative and curious about how we can connect people and tell our story through digital engagement. Read the full job description here. To apply, email a cover letter and resume to the Rev. Ryan Mails.
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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The full calendar can be found here
FEBRUARY
15 Diocese of New Hampshire Clergy Retreat (ME Clergy Welcome to Attend)
MARCH
1 Parochial Reports Due
10 Clergy Retreat
MAY
14 Spring Training
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