The E-Pistle of Thursday

October 5th, 2023

St. Luke's Webpage

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Events

A Weekly Reflection from the Rev. George Stevens, Interim Dean

Dear Friends-

English Theologian and Bishop N.T. Wright has written;

“The whole point of what Jesus was up to was that he was doing close up, in the present, what he was promising long-term in the future. And what he was promising for that future and doing in the present was not saving souls for a disembodied eternity, but rescuing people from the corruption and decay of the way the world presently is so that they could enjoy, already in the present, that renewal of creation which is God's ultimate purpose--and so they could thus become colleagues and partners in that large project.”

I love Bishop Wright’s invitation to participate as ‘colleagues and partners’ in the project of ‘renewal of creation’. What an audacious summons to faithfulness!

See you Sunday,

George

Community Announcements

Minutes from the Lesser Chapter & The Finance Committee

To read the most recent minutes of the Lesser Chapter meeting held on September 20th, please click here.

To read the most recent minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on September 19th, please click here.

To view all past minutes of the Lesser Chapter and Finance Committee meetings, please visit the Vestry Page of our website here.

Holiday Fair Update

The Cathedral’s 2023 Holiday Fair will be held on Saturday, November 11 in conjunction with Portland’s annual State Street Stroll. We have recruited 16 volunteers to date to help make the Fair a success. So far, we have people to help organize and operate these tables: Hand-Made Gifts, Vintage Linens, Nativity and Winter Home items, Live Music, Jewelry, Attic Treasures, Jams and Jellies, Toys & Games, and Hot Beverages and Baked Goods.

We urgently need:

-A coordinating team

-Volunteers who are flexible to assist where most needed on November 11

-Donations of items to help support the Fair in the categories listed above.

Please email Senior Warden Sam Allen to volunteer your time/expertise: smallen@mit.edu

We will be set up to receive donated items for the fair beginning Monday, October 16. More details will be provided in next week’s E-Pistle.

A Proposed Amendment to Article X of the Constitution of Maine

Regarding the Publication of Maine Indian Treaty Obligations

-Written by the Maine Council of Churches

“What do a ballot question about the Maine State Constitution and the work of noted author Margaret Wheatley have in common? Both address the urgent need for us to face reality and step boldly into leadership during the challenging times we're all facing, and for us to do so with generosity, creativity, courage, and grace.

Naming reality, including difficult truths, is what Wheatley considers an essential part of leadership grounded in complicated hope. And restoring what has been omitted in printed versions of our State Constitution--specifically, Section 5 that requires Maine to honor all obligations to the Wabanaki Tribes--is an important step toward naming the reality of some difficult truths in our state's history.”

To learn more about the proposed changes to state legislation see the click here.

Celebration of the ministry of The Rev. Anne Fowler

& the work of former Junior Warden Claire Hammen

to Occur on Sunday October 22nd

On October 22nd, the cathedral community will recognize the ministry of The Rev. Anne C. Fowler at the cathedral during the interim period in clergy leadership.

The Rev. Fowler will be transitioning away from her role as assisting clergy at the cathedral and returning as a parishioner.

Furthermore, the cathedral community will recognize the work of former junior warden, Claire Hammen, for her numerous years of dedicated leadership.

Please join us on October 22nd as we thank both the Rev. Fowler & Claire Hammen for their service to the cathedral.

The Coffee Hour following the 10:00AM service will be held to celebrate the work of both Claire Hammen and the Rev. Fowler.

How Do You Wish to Receive Stewardship Materials?

We will be mailing materials for St. Luke’s 2024 stewardship season in October. This year you may elect to receive all the materials electronically, lowering postage expenses and reducing environmental impact. If you wish to receive the materials electronically instead of by regular mail, email Avery Schott with a simple message to that effect.

Lesser Chapter Adopts Generosity Declaration

St. Luke’s is preparing for our season of stewardship. At its September meeting, the Lesser Chapter reflected together how our resources are meant to help usher in God’s dream for St. Luke’s. After this reflection, we adopted a Generosity Declaration. We encourage everyone to read and reflect on this important message!

To read the full Generosity Declaration, click here.

Seeking Input for the Sunday 5:15 pm Service

We are seeking input from parishioners interested in restarting the Sunday 5:15 pm service in the chapel.

A working group is forming to explore how we might form this service, possibly using lay leadership.

One option is to launch a time limited series of 5:15 services starting in the Sundays following Epiphany, and reassess whether continuing into the new year is feasible.

We are hoping this group will consider options, ask questions and explore ideas together on how to proceed. If you have thoughts or are interested in joining in, please contact Tim Wilkins.

St. Luke's Food Pantry in Need of Contributions

The Food Pantry welcomes your contributions of oil, flour, and dried beans!

These continue to be the most wanted items and and the most difficult for us to keep in stock.

Donations can be dropped off at any service or at the Cathedral's rear entrance. Thank you! Both neighbors and volunteers are grateful for your support!

With any questions please contact Mary Brighthaupt.

Linda Carleton Book Discussion Rescheduled

A discussion with Linda Carleton regarding any topics from her recent memoir, "All God, If God There Be" has been rescheduled for Sunday, October 15th from 11:45AM-1:00PM in the Chapter Room.

For more information, contact Linda Carleton.

The St. Luke’s Public Policy

& Environmental Action Team Meeting

Tuesday October 10 from 6-7PM.

All are welcome!

Join us via Zoom

For more information email Sarah Braik

…and especially tenors! Contribute to CSL’s music ministry:

The choir could really use a couple more tenor voices (and others are still welcome, too)! If you fit the bill (or aren’t sure), please drop in on a choir rehearsal (Thursday 7PM or Sunday 8:45AM) and check it out!

Play an instrument or sing? We invite you to share your musical talents with our worshiping community in our praise of God. Or, do you know someone with talents to share? For more information or to discuss your interests, please contact Christian Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music.

St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry -

Looking for Housing for a Volunteer

Bernardo is a loyal volunteer at the Pantry and needs a 1 bedroom or studio apartment, or a room in a house to rent. He speaks very good English and is an asylum seeker from Angola where he taught physics and math.

He is also a petroleum engineer. General Assistance will pay his rent (about $1,200/month) until he gets his work permit and a job.

He is responsible, hard working, and happy to help out with yard work or chores around the house if applicable.

Please contact Anne Jacobs for more information.

Luke’s Garden Meeting to Be Held on October 22nd

This month’s meeting of Luke’s Garden LGBTQIA+ group will be taking place on October 22nd at noon in the Lower Hall. This meeting will consist of planning for next steps for the upcoming year. With any questions please contact Orion Williams

Come to Convocation at the Cathedral on October 21

published by the Episcopal Diocese of Maine

What is Convocation? Convocation is a diocese-wide time to celebrate being “Together: With God, In Call, For Mission”!

The celebration will take place at the Cathedral of St. Luke on Saturday, October 21.

THIS IS FOR THE WHOLE DIOCESE and is not limited to clergy and delegates to convention.

From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. there will be time for fellowship and learning about diocesan ministries while you enjoy morning refreshments. Eucharist will begin at 10:30 a.m., and we expect it will conclude by noon. Find details here.

The Celebratory Eucharist will feature a Diocesan Choir. (You can sign up to sing in the choir here.)

Bishop Brown's sermon will also be his annual convention address and will share highlights from the Diocesan Listening Sessions held in the spring.

Registration is free and open now! To help us plan, please let us know if you are coming, how many people you plan to bring, and if you need childcare by October 15.

In Memoriam

In Memoriam:

The Rev. David Glendinning

July 14, 1936- September 25th, 2023

It is with mournful hearts that we share the news that The Rev. David Glendinning died last week.

The Rev. Glendinning was an active clergy member in the Diocese of Maine in Southwest Harbor and Waterville. He also led the 5:15PM service here at the cathedral in years past.

A service in celebration of life will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Burlington, VT at 4:00PM on October 20th.

May light perpetual shine upon him.

To read The Rev. Glendinning’s full obituary click here.

Last Week's Service

Click the attached links to view last week's Bulletin.

To view the livestream of last Sunday's service, click here.

Listen or watch the sermon preached by the Rev. Christopher Worthley by clicking the corresponding links.

To View past services visit our Youtube Page or visit the archive page on our website to read past bulletins, sermons, and newsletters.

Ongoing Opportunities &

Community Resources

Help the Cathedral With Recycling

As Portland does not pick-up recycling for businesses we are looking for volunteers to take home the paper we gather in blue bins and add them to parishioner's recycling bins at their homes (We do however recycle cardboard and compost both of which have been a very successful campaigns).

If you would like to help please contact Sarah Braik or Tim Wilkins. Thanks for your help.

Access Your Realm Profile

The Cathedral’s new online database, Realm, is a useful tool for parishioners to manage their contact and pledging information.

Realm helps our community by improving our record keeping in a more streamlined fashion.

When joining Realm you can sign-up to be a part of the online directory in the database.

To activate your Realm profile please contact our financial administrator Nina Andersen.

Nina will assist you with the few steps necessary to access your profile.

We look forward to sharing this exciting new technology with you!

Join the Young and The Restless

We are St. Luke’s 20s-30s-year-old ministry. We are an active group at the cathedral which also gets together outside of the church.

Join us as we go hiking, ice skating, play trivia, or just enjoy each other’s company! If you are new to us, welcome! We meet each Tuesday at Maine Beer Company in Freeport, 6-8 PM for Trivia.

Other events happen sporadically throughout the month, however trivia is a wonderful opportunity to meet us if you’re joining us for the first time. Contact Shana Rose to stay up to date with group activities and information.

Join Luke's Garden

LGBTQIA+ Group

Luke's Garden is the cathedral's LGBTQIA+ group which meets every 2nd Sunday of the month following coffee hour.

All are welcome!

For additional information contact Orion Williams

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: 20” x 60”; select your yarn & needles. Coffee & Tea available.