Sunday, October 13th, 2024

The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost



The Altar Flowers arranged for today's services

by the St. Luke's Flower Guild

Holy Eucharist, Rite II

7:30AM in Emmanuel Chapel

Holy Eucharist, Rite II 

10:00AM in the Nave & Livestreamed

Holy Eucharist

5:15PM in Emmanuel Chapel

Welcome to the Cathedral Church of St. Luke



We are a community of faith with ancient worship and modern thought, catholic traditions and progressive theology. We proclaim a Biblical perspective for thinking people, a respect for reason, science, and a diversity of perspective. This empowers compassion and care for both the wider community and one another. Our commitment to welcome and inclusion is central to our mission modeled on the Kingdom of God and proclaimed by Jesus Christ. 

Sunday Morning Service Bulletins

7:30AM Bulletin

10:00AM Bulletin

Livestreaming

Service Participants

Preacher

The Reverend Christopher Worthley, Assisting Clergy

Celebrant

The Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean

Assisting

The Reverend Rebecca Grant, Deacon

Music Leader & Organist

Christian Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music

Verger

Randi Hogan

Crucifer

Liam Coy

Lector

Sallie Smith

Prayers Leader

Julie Rothrock

Ushers

Bob Parshley, Martha Parshley, Melissa Coy, Susan McCuller

Live Streaming

Jack Swanton, Sam Allen

Eucharistic Ministers

Elizabeth Burger, Maggie Gardner

Contributing Ministries

Acolytes, Vergers, The Flower Guild, The Altar Guild, The Kneeler Guild, The Healing Team

Music copyrights granted under OneLicense.net #A-713087. Sources: The Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, Wonder, Love, and Praise, Voices Found, My Heart Sings Out, The Saint Helena Psalter, The Book of Common Prayer,, Enriching our Worship, The Holy Bible (NRSV). 

5:15PM Holy Eucharist

5:15 Service Bulletin

5:15 Hymns and Readings

Service Participants

Celebrant

The Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean

Reflector

Gail Donovan Kesich

First Reader

Claudette Hategekimana

Service Leader

Lin Parsons

Music Leader

Terry Foster, Judd Hume

HAPPENING TODAY

Vote Forward Letter-Writing Party

11:45AM

The Upper Hall

In Romans 13:8-9 Paul exhorts us to love our neighbor and participate in the life of civil society grounded in the commandment to love our neighbor. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry tells us that “It is a Christian's obligation to vote and more than that it is the Church's responsibility to get souls to the polls.” 

To that end following this morning's coffee hour, the St. Luke’s Public Policy and Environmental Action Team is sponsoring a Vote Forward letter-writing party to encourage Americans to go to the polls this November.

We will supply letters and envelopes and you will add your own positive, heartfelt and nonpartisan personal note in the body of the letter. Come and write as few as 5 or as many as 20 letters.

And check out the Episcopal Church’s Vote Faithfully Election Election Engagement Toolkit

Conversations about the World Cafe

After each service today, The Reverend George Stevens will be available to discuss any questions you may have about the World Cafe Executive Summary and Data which was sent on Tuesday 8 October.

In case you missed the letter, you can read it here.

Next Sunday, October 20, the Rev. Pamela Mott, our search consultant, will preach and celebrate at the 7:30 and 10:00 a.m. services. Following the 10:00 service, she’ll guide us through the first steps of our search for a new Dean. Please join us. 

Please click on the buttons below to view the Executive Summary and the data from the World Café. Hard copies of both documents are also available in the parish office.

UPCOMING

A Note From the Cathedral Finance Team

A friendly reminder: Help us finish the year well

As we move through the final months of the year, we want to take a moment to thank you for your ongoing generosity and support.

Your faithful giving allows us to continue the ministry and mission that makes St. Luke’s such a special place.

So far, we’ve received $287,462 toward our $425,000 pledge goal for 2024, and we are relying on the remaining pledged amounts to meet our obligations.

If you have already fulfilled your pledge, we are deeply grateful. For those who still have a balance, we kindly ask that you complete your pledge as soon as you're able.

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference in ensuring we finish the year well.

With questions please email treasurer Randi Hogan.

2025 Budget Preparation Update

A small team met last week to kick off planning for the upcoming budget year; this team included The Rev. George Stevens (Interim Dean), Sam Allen (Senior Warden), Jamie Cough (Junior Warden), John Watson (Finance Committee Chair), and Randi Hogan (Treasurer).

We began by discussing key priorities, needs, and changes coming our way in 2025. As we look ahead to the exciting opportunities for our community, we're committed to crafting a financially responsible budget that makes the most of our collective resources.

We're currently developing a budget process that covers both operating and restricted funds, and we plan to meet with lay and clergy leaders in October to gather input and ideas.

Your participation is important to us, so we encourage you to get involved in the process. Please write to Randi Hogan, Treasurer, via email.

Stewardship Campaign 2025

"Walk in Love"

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

-Ephesians 5: 1-2, NRSV

Please continue to stay tuned to the E-pistle in the coming weeks for upcoming communications for our 2025 Stewardship Campaign.

Yesterday, Wednesday, October 9, the wardens of the Lesser Chapter sent a letter to the congregation speaking towards the journey of 'Walking in Love' as part of our 2025 stewardship campaign. You can read their letter here.

Additional Stewardship materials, including our online pledge card and a letter from the Reverend George Stevens is available on our website here.

This year, our stewardship theme, 'Walk in Love' invites us to journey together in faith, unity, and purpose.

Inspired by Ephesians 5:1-2, we are called to imitate God's love in our lives and our community.

As we navigate our path forward, including our ongoing process of conflict transformation, walking in love reminds us that our faith journey is not solitary but shared.

It challenges us to align our actions with our values, to support one another in times of need, and to be open to the transformative power of God's love.

Through our stewardship, we have the opportunity to tangibly express this love - whether through our time, talents, or resources. 

As you reflect on the stewardship theme please use the following questions:

• What are examples of walking in love you have experienced at St. Luke’s?
• What ministry of our congregation is most hopeful or most exciting to you?
• When was a time that the community was there for you?
• How do you experience God’s abundance?

If you are interested in sharing your reflections with the wider congregation in the form of testimonial during an upcoming service, participating in a stewardship video, or sharing your thoughts in writing, please contact the parish office via email.

Help Stuff Envelopes

The Chapter Room

This Wednesday, October 16 at 1PM

If you would like to help stuff stewardship materials, please join us in the Chapter Room on Wednesday, October 16th at 1PM for a mailing party.

Please note the change of meeting space.

Coffee, tea, and pastries will be available! If you are interested in participating please email the parish office.

Luke's Garden

To Host a Screening of Documentary

1946: The Mistranslation

that Shifted Culture

October 27th at 12PM

in the Chapter Room

Join Luke's Garden, St. Luke's LGBTQ+ group for their next gathering on October 27th following coffee hour, for a screening of 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture.

This impactful documentary is described as the following:

"1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture is a feature documentary that follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946.

It chronicles the discovery of never-before-seen archives at Yale University which unveil astonishing new revelations, and casts significant doubt on any biblical basis for LGBTQIA+ prejudice.



Featuring commentary from prominent scholars as well as opposing pastors, including the personal stories of the film’s creators, 1946 is at once challenging, enlightening, and inspiring. "

Learn more on the webpage here.

The screening is open to all who would like to attend. For more information contact Orion Williams.

Concert for Climate

October 27

2:30PM

Cathedral Nave

Join pianist Sydney Patten alongside musical guests and speakers for the Concert for Climate on October 27th at 2:30PM in the Cathedral Nave.

This is a multimedia event designed to educate, entertain and inspire the audience of all ages to take specific actions to help mitigate climate change. This is a not-for-profit educational and fundraising event. Proceeds will benefit the Maine chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby, and help to bring young people to the annual conference in Washington D.C.

Tickets are available at the link here.

For more information contact the organizer of the concert here.

The Cathedral Choir Presents: Gabriel Faure's Requiem



Sunday, November 3

10AM & 3PM

The Cathedral Nave

Holiday Open House and Bazaar

As Part of the State Street Stroll

November 9

9:00AM-1:00PM

The Cathedral Nave

Join us from 9:00AM-1:00PM in the Nave for our Holiday Open House and Bazaar as part of the State Street Stroll.

With questions please contact the co-chairs via email.

Dan McDonald and Catherine Hyde.

A Presentation on

Charles Fletcher Dole, Liberal Theology, and Reform

by Paul Burlin

Sunday, November 10

Upper Hall

11:30AM

Join us on Sunday, November 10 following the 10AM service, for a presentation by Paul T. Burlin, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of New England, and St. Luke's parishioner, on his recently published book titled Charles Fletcher Dole, Liberal Theology, and Reform.

Charles Dole, a long term Unitarian minister and Social Gospel advocate who lived from 1845 to 1927, was born in Maine into what he described as “an ultra-orthodox” Congregational family. As an adult he tacked off to the radical wing of Unitarianism. While his theological perspective was time-bound, Dole might well provide inspiration to any adult who struggled (or struggles) with the religious perspective of their upbring.

To read this text and Paul's other books, please visit the link here.

St. Luke's To Host Service of Holy Eucharist

for Diocesan Convention

Saturday, November 16

11:30 AM

The cathedral will host a service of Holy Eucharist during the 205th Diocesan convention on Saturday, November 16th at 11:30AM.

All are welcome to attend!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Dioceses of Maine & New Hampshire:

A Call to Prayer and Action for those impacted

by Hurricanes Helene & Milton

As we gather in faith communities in the coming weeks please pray in solidarity with the millions of people impacted by devastation from hurricanes Helene and Milton.

To give in support to the Episcopal Relief & Development, who are helping to respond to those impacted, please visit the link here

Please join us in the prayer below as we offer our support:

O God, our deepest needs cannot be met by ourselves, 

and so we ask you to give us courage as well as the humility to reach out to you and our neighbors in the southeast.

Join our hands and hearts with theirs in grief, and equip us to support and to contribute to their aid.

Finally, in your mercy, embolden us to work together to heal your earth.

We pray this in the power of love, even the same, Jesus Christ. Amen.

St. Elizabeth’s Coat Drive

As the cold weather approaches, St Elizabeth's is looking for donations of coats and boots (new and gently used) to make available for our neighbors. 

Please leave your donations in the blue box in the lower hall, next to the stairs.

Contact Byrd Wood if you have questions.

Eco Tips from St. Luke’s Public Policy

and Environmental Action Team

Plastic-free tips for Halloween

to avoid single use of plastic

Many costumes, decorations and treat containers are made from plastic.

Go plastic-free this Halloween by incorporating some of these ideas: 



1. Make costumes from old cloth or buy some from a thrift store or use ones that friends have used and outgrown. 
2. Carve pumpkins and use Led lights inside or, for a younger child, provide drawing pens to decorate the pumpkin. 
3. After the holiday, scoop out the seeds and roast them for snacks. Consider leaving the pumpkin outside for wildlife after Halloween. 
4. Make scarecrows with old clothes. 
5. Make Halloween “trees” by getting some old branches, planting these in a pot, and decorating these with decorations you would make from construction paper. You can also add LED string lights.

Halloween candy comes in hard-to recycle foil and /or plastic wrappers,

avoid these by doing the following:

1. Buy candle in bulk and put it in small paper bags to hand out to trick or treaters or pick candy that is already packaged in small paper or cardboard containers to give out. 
2. Hand out quarters instead of candy. 
3. Give out small gift certificates to a local ice cream shop. 

These and many other ideas are on the beyond plastics website here.

To read the most recent minutes from the PPEAT meeting held on October 8, 2024, visit their page on the St. Luke's Website here.

Considering the Creed

Tuesday Evenings in October

6:30-8:00PM

The Chapter Room

Some of us affirm the Nicene Creed each Sunday as a bedrock of our worship; others admit that they say it with their fingers crossed!

As we approach the 1700th anniversary of the Creed, St. Luke’s is offering a five-week class designed to explore our questions about the Creed and what it means to be a creedal church in the modern age.

Each week will be led by different members of the Cathedral staff and retired clergy. Come for one session or many!

Meetings will take place Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:00 in the Chapter Room or via Zoom.

With any questions please Contact Linda Carleton

Week 3, October 15

The Birth and Nature of Jesus.

Led by the Rev. George Stevens

Week 4, October 22

“The Comma” which represents the life of Jesus and the Passion, Death and Resurrection.

Led by Linda Carleton

Week 5, October 29

The Holy Spirit and the Church.

Led by Deacon Rebecca Grant

Soul Talk

Every Fourth Tuesday of the Month

10-11:30AM in the Oratory

Soul Talk is an informal coffee and discussion group exploring our faith and experience of God meeting on fourth Tuesdays, 10-11:30 in the Chapter Room.

Our next meeting will be October 22nd.

Come once a month or once in a while!

If you’d like to receive materials prior to each month’s meeting contact Linda Carleton via email.

Preble Street Conference on Homelessness:

Solutions Start with ME

Thursday, October 17th

8AM-5PM

The Holiday Inn by the Bay

88 Spring St, Portland, ME 04101

Homelessness is a crisis and is continuing to escalate throughout Maine. This crisis is driven by a wide range of complex factors including a lack of affordable housing and accessible emergency shelter, minimal shelter funding, an increase in unsheltered individuals, and rising numbers of people needing support for managing substance use disorders and behavioral health issues. 

New effective strategies and systemic changes are needed to meet the growing challenges in Maine. This 2nd Conference, Solutions Start with ME, provides an opportunity to hear from leaders doing similar work in other parts of the country. Through collective action, we hope to have greater impact for the most vulnerable people in our community.  This year’s event will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at the Holiday Inn By the Bay, in Portland, ME.

Join Preble Street, the Atlantic Charitable Fund, and other key stakeholders from throughout the state – state and local government, nonprofits, faith leaders, funders, people with lived experience, and business leaders – to collectively focus on critical solutions for Maine to tackle this growing issue.

To learn more visit the webpage here.

Nightingale Fall Festival

October 17 from 4PM-7PM



144 State Street, Portland, ME 04101

RESOURCES FROM THE DIOCESE

&

THE WIDER CHURCH

To read about stories, resources, and events from around the Diocese of Maine, read their newsletter, The DioLog, by clicking the link here, or by clicking on the Episcopal Maine Shield in the bottom of this email. Please note that events highlighted below are only a small portion of all resources available.

A Service of Remembrance, Lamentation, Hope,

and Re-dedication



Friday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.

Trinity Episcopal Church and Commons, Lewiston

As the community of Lewiston-Auburn marks one year since last year's horrific mass shooting, Trinity Episcopal Church and Commons will open its doors for a solemn service of remembrance, lamentation, hope, and re-dedication. All are invited and welcome to offer prayers and honor those whose lives were lost. The labyrinth will be open to the public following the service. Find more information here.

Congregations wishing to hold their own commemorations may use "A Litany in the Aftermath of Gun Violence," by Ninth Bishop of Maine Stephen T. Lane

Spirit Chats

Tuesdays, Oct. 15, 22, 29, and Nov. 5,12, 7 p.m.

On Zoom

Published by the Episcopal Diocese of Maine

"Deepen your connection with God and fellow companions this Autumn through Spirit Chats, an exciting opportunity for small group faith sharing.  Have you ever experienced a “God-incident” in your life and wanted to share it but weren’t sure where or with whom? Perhaps this has so spilled over into your daily life, you want to talk about it with others but find it difficult to find the setting. If you feel God has been moving in your life, and you want to hear from others how God is moving in theirs, the Evangelism Task Force—a joint project of the Episcopal dioceses of Maine and New Hampshire—has an opportunity and an invitation for you to share your story during Spirit Chats."

Register here to receive the Zoom link. Reach out with questions to the Rev. Tim Higgins or the Rev. Alanna Van Antwerpen.

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

The Biblical Study Group

The Biblical Study Group meets in the Chapter Room at 8:30AM.

The topic for our sessions is the search for the one and only God, Elohim or Adonai, within ourselves.  

Join us for our study of the search of becoming “who we were meant to be.” 

We are led by Bob Hanson, retired university professor, Episcopal priest, author, peace activist, and Jungian analyst. With questions, contact Bob at (207)-245-2695. 

Sing With the Cathedral Choir

The Cathedral Choir is welcoming new members! We hope you’ll join us for fun, learning, fellowship, and the joy of music-making in community.

Previous singing experience is not required. Short-term commitments are possible.

Rehearsals most Thursdays 7-9PM, singing most Sunday 10AM liturgies & for several additional services throughout the year.

If you are interested in joining, please contact Christian Clough.

St. Luke's Flower Guild

There are still openings on the altar flower schedule until the end of the calendar year if you would like to sign up to give flowers in memory of someone or to acknowledge an occasion such as an anniversary. 

If you are interested, please see the sign-up chart posted on the bulletin board outside of the parish office. Once you have signed up, please bring or send a monetary donation (a 75$ gift is customary) to the office along with the information to be included in the Sunday service bulletin.

If you have questions about the process please contact the parish office at (207)-772-5434 or contact flower guild co-chairs, Mary Doughty and Kathy Watt.

Sunday 5:15PM Service of Holy Eucharist

The 5:15PM Service is a lay-lead worship service of Holy Eucharist and meditation which gathers each Sunday in Emmanuel Chapel. Each week we welcome a member of the clergy to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

The service invites all in attendance into a space of quiet and stillness, with music, scripture, and reflections.

We look forward to welcoming you to future services. Please join us!

The Kneeler Guild and

Prayer Shawl Knitters

Tuesday

2:30PM

The Upper Hall.

For additional information contact Jeri Edgar 207-303-8447 or Nancy Mawhinney 207-775-7500

Everyone is welcome, whether you are curious or want to begin. Kneeler kits cost $75, which include directions, yarn, needles & canvas. Novices are welcome; we will teach you as needed. Prayer Shawls: 26-29” by 60”; select your yarn & needles. Coffee & Tea available.

Weekly Ministries

• St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center is offered every Tuesday from 8:30 am to 11 am.



• The Food Pantry is open from 8 am to 11 am every Thursday.

• The Tuesday 12:10 Eucharist is offered every week in Emmanuel Chapel in-person and on Zoom.

• Contemplative prayer meets each week on Zoom on Thursday at 4:30PM

• Noon Zoom meets on Thursday afternoons at 12:00PM on Zoom



• Compline is offered weekly on Friday from 8-8:30pm on Zoom.

Click on the logo above to learn about all that is happening in the wider Diocese.

https://episcopalmaine.org

stlukesportland.org

(207)-772-5434

Email

Physical Address:

143 State Street, Portland, ME 04101

Parking Available at:

134 Park Street, Portland, ME 04101

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 4141, Portland, ME 04101