The E-pistle of Sunday, October 8th, 2023

The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

A Service in Honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day

Holy Eucharist, Rite II

7:30AM in Emmanuel Chapel

Holy Eucharist, Rite II

10:00AM in the Nave & Livestreamed

The Cathedral Church of St. Luke

in the

City of Portland

and the

Episcopal Diocese of Maine

Whoever you are,

and wherever you may be on the journey of the spirit, 

The Episcopal Church welcomes you.

Welcome to St. Luke’s Cathedral



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. 

The altar flowers are given to the glory of god by Jack and Byrd Wood in celebration of the birth of their granddaughter, Cornelia Rose Wood.

Sunday Morning Service Participants

Preacher

The Rev. George Stevens, Interim Dean

Celebrant

The Rev. Suzanne Roberts, Associate Priest

Assisting

The Rev. Rebecca A. Grant, Deacon

The Rev. Anne C. Fowler, Assisting Clergy

Music Leader & Organist

Ray Cornils, Guest Cathedral Musician

Assisting Organist

Randall Mullin

Lector

Mary Linneman

Prayers Leader

Curtis Maurand

Ushers

Peter Bingham, Chester Bishop, Bob Parshley, Martha Parshley

Head Verger

Eleanor Roberts

Crucifer

Liam Coy

Live Streaming

Jack Swanton, Sam Allen

The Healing Team

Mary Strnad, Ruth Roemer



Contributing Ministries

The Cathedral Choir, 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). 

Hearing Assistance Devices Available

St. Luke’s has 10 new headsets for those who need hearing assistance and most people who use them find them very helpful. Each week, five will be out on benches in the nave near our two entrances. The headsets will already be turned on and the volume turned up to about 70%. The only adjustment that may be necessary is for volume which can be raised and lowered using two silver buttons on the front of the unit. After using the devices, please return them to one of the benches near the exits. If you need assistance, please ask one of the ushers. For additional information, please ask Senior Warden Sam Allen.

Happening at the Cathedral Today

Sunday Mornings|8:45-9:45AM

Location: The Chapter Room

Contact: The Rev. Dr. Bob Hanson at 207-405-8250. 

Join us in the Chapter Room from 8:45–9:45 AM on Sunday mornings. Bob Hanson, Biblical scholar, linguist and theologian, leads our group. For more information call Bob at (207) 405- 8250. Activity units are distributed for each session. Assigned readings are from the Biblical books under consideration. The journey is a joyous one.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Help Assemble Stewardship Materials on the 13th of October

On Friday, October 13th at 1:00PM we will be stuffing our stewardship mailing materials in the Upper Hall.

We are looking for volunteers who would be able to assist in making this a smooth process to start our 2024 Stewardship Season.

If you are able to help please contact parish administrator Avery Schott.

Thank you for your help!

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Ongoing Opportunities & Announcements

Coffee Hour

For the time being, Liz Griffin and Gail Kesich are managing the Coffee Hour schedule. If you have any questions or would like to sign up to host, please contact Gail Kesich  or Liz Griffin.

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 every Tuesday at Maine Beer Company in Freeport for Trivia from 6-8.

 Other events happen sporadically throughout the month, however trivia is a great 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

Weekly Ministries

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



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

• Noon prayer is offered every Wednesday via Zoom.



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

• Compline is offered weekly on Friday from 8-8:30pm on Zoom. For additional details contact Ray Murdoch Curry

stlukesportland.org

(207)-772-5434

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