The E-pistle of Sunday, August 27th, 2023
The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
7:30AM in Emmanuel Chapel
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
10:00AM in the Nave & Livestreamed
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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.
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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.
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Sunday Morning Service Participants
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Preacher
The Rev. Anne C. Fowler, Assisting Clergy
Celebrant
The Rev. Christopher Worthley, Assisting Clergy
Assisting
The Rev. Rebecca A. Grant, Deacon
The Rev. Suzanne Roberts M.D., Associate Priest
Music Leader & Organist
Christian M. Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music
Cantor
Curtis Maurand
Quintet
Rachel Keller, soprano;
Ellise Johnson & Shana Rose, alto;
Curtis Maurand, tenor;
Dan Schmalz, bass;
Curtis Maurand, leader;
Connie Schmalz, accompanist
Lector
James Hornor
Prayers Leader
Curtis Maurand
Ushers
Peter Bingham, Melissa Coy, Mary Linneman, Susan McCuller
Head Verger
Eleanor Roberts
Verger
Louisa Radtke-Rowe
Crucifer
Orion Williams
Live Streaming
Jack Swanton, Sam Allen
Contributing Ministries
Acolytes, Vergers, The Flower Guild, The Altar Guild, The Kneeler Guild
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).
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The altar flowers today are offered to the glory of God
& given in loving memory of Jim Messmer.
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Hearing Assistance Devices Available
The Cathedral has new devices for anyone who needs hearing assistance during our worship services. Please ask an usher for help getting started, and let us know how they worked for you. With any additional questions or to give feedback please email Sam Allen or Jack Swanton.
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Thank you in advance for your offering today. You can donate to St. Luke’s through our new and secure “Give and Text” feature. Please TEXT “TEXTCSL” to 73256. Our 2023 Pledge Campaign is ongoing. Pledge materials and information are available here.
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Happening at the Cathedral Today | |
Roots of Jesus Study Group |
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.
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Announcement About Applause after Sermons
Dear Cathedral family, our Senior Warden recently received a letter from Bishop Brown concerning applause after sermons. It says, in part: “Over the past 18 months or so, and especially in the last three months, many in the congregation at the Cathedral have taken to applauding after the sermon… Certainly there are times in the life of a congregation or in the life of our nation or world when a particular sermon resonates powerfully with a congregation, and the result is spontaneous applause, even standing ovations. Moments like that are wonderful and powerful, and not frequent. However, applause as a common custom following the sermon is not appropriate.” Bishop Brown went on to point out that applause after sermons also has the potential to be not welcoming to people who might disagree with what the preacher has said, it is not a normative action during worship, and it might make the preacher uncomfortable.
The best way to express approval or disapproval of a sermon is to communicate directly with the preacher. All of us welcome your feedback, be it positive or negative, and all of us want to maintain an atmosphere of respectful discourse at the Cathedral.
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Thank You for Your Donations to Furnish the
Interim Dean's Apartment
Thank you to all community members who graciously offered donations to help furnish the apartment at Loring House for the Rev. George Stevens.
We appreciate your kindness and assistance as we prepare to welcome The Rev. Steven's to St. Luke's.
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Startup Sunday September 10th
Join us on Sunday, September 10th as we welcome the return of the Cathedral Choir, Sunday School, and as we welcome our new Interim Dean, The Rev. George Stevens!
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Save the Date: Parish Breakfast to Be Held on September 10th!
Join us for a parish breakfast in the Lower Hall from 8:30-9:30AM on September 10th, to celebrate startup-Sunday and to welcome The Rev. George Stevens to
St. Luke’s.
This parish gathering will be a wonderful opportunity for the cathedral community to come together in between the 7:30AM and 10:00AM services.
Name tags will be available to fill out. This will assist The Rev. Stevens as he meets community members.
Please note that gluten free options will be available.
Volunteers are needed to help in several areas:
1) set-up and prep work
2)cooking
3)cleaning
If you are able to help in any of the following areas please email Sarah Dowling
or contact the parish office.
The menu for the breakfast is as follows:
Pancakes, blueberry and plain
Gluten free and vegan, too!
Maple syrup
Scrambled eggs
Blueberry muffins
Sausage links
Vegan sausage links
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Save the Date:
Season of Creation events
Save the date: Season of Creation events
The annual Season of Creation begins September 1. Please mark your calendars for the following events:
- Contemplative Fall Walk at Pleasant Hill Preserve Sunday, September 10th
1:30-3:30pm
“A celebration of trees in fall, this walk balances naturalist knowledge with gratitude and reflection. Learn about the Elm tree that lives next to the Pleasant Hill Preserve parking lot, listen to the whispers of the wisdom of the forest, and practice pausing to appreciate fall wonders. This walk will be led by Nicole Diroff, a Maine Master Naturalist, United Church of Christ minister, and Program Director at The BTS Center, focused on spiritual leadership in a climate-changed world."
Please join us in honoring the Season of Creation out of doors. Families with children age 8 and older are welcome to attend. Please dress for the weather as we will be outside for the entire time. Sunscreen and tick preventatives are recommended. Directions are available here.
Please note: The parking lot is small. Carpooling is recommended.
Contact Sarah Braik if you need a ride or can provide a ride to others.
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Community Harvest Supper Thursday Sept. 21, 5-7PM
(N.B., this is a corrected date and time) (see announcement below)
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Presentation by Curtis Bohlen, Director, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership on the Casco Bay Watershed Sunday Sept. 24, 11:45AM
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Book discussion group facilitated by St. Alban’s, Cape Elizabeth, dates TBD
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Linda Carleton Book Discussion
In response to several requests, Linda Carleton is hosting a discussion of the issues (both personal and theological) raised by her recent memoir, ALL GOD, IF GOD THERE BE on Sunday, September 24 at 11:45 in the Chapter Room. If you’d like to read it, Linda has placed two copies in the Cathedral’s library (or you may buy it from Amazon or Linda directly.
To learn more about resources related to Linda's book please contact her via email.
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St. Luke's Zoom Book Group
Saint Luke’s Monday Zoom Book Group will resume on Monday, September 18 by reading Why Religion Matters by Huston Smith, the author of the classic bestseller The World’s Religions.
In it he delivers a passionate, timely message: the human spirit is being suffocated by the dominant materialistic worldview of our times. Smith champions a society in which religion is once again treasured and authentically practiced as the vital source of human wisdom. The group meets first and third Mondays from 6-7. You can attend by following this link.
For the first meeting we’ll read the the introduction, preface and Chapter 1. For more information, contact Linda Carleton.
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St Elizabeth’s Essentials Drive in September
St E’s serves 280+ neighbors Tuesday mornings from 8:30 to 11 am. Essential items include toilet paper, bars of soap, feminine products, etc. Diapers, tooth paste, blankets, towels and sheets, and pots, pans and cookware are provided monthly.
We are having an Essentials Drive throughout September to help with rising costs and an increasing number of neighbors being served. You can participate by contributing bars of soap, rolls of toilet paper, packages of diapers, donating cash or by writing a check.
All essential items will be blessed during the service on September 24th and then delivered to St Elizabeth’s. Any contribution that you can make is very much appreciated.
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St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry Closed This Tuesday
This week St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry Will be Closed this Tuesday. Thank you for your understanding.
Any questions you may have please email Sarah Borgeson.
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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!
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PPEAT Community Supper
The Public Policy and Environmental Action Team is hosting the first Community Supper of the year on Thursday Sept. 21 from 5-7 PM on the theme of sustainable eating.
Please use this form: https://tinyurl.com/mr2f7pw2 to RSVP by Sept. 7 so we know how much food to prepare.
Please also indicate dietary preferences and if you can volunteer to help with cooking, set up/clean up and or bring side dishes/dessert (apple crisp).
We will have vegan and gluten free lasagna and apple crisp.
During dessert we will show a brief video about Good News Gardens and have a conversation about it. As there is no budget for Community Suppers, you will be asked for $5 at the door to cover our costs, We look forward to seeing you!
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Tuesday 12:10 Service to Resume September 12th
Join us in Emmanuel Chapel as the 12:10 service resumes from its summer break.
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Ongoing Opportunities & Announcements | |
Availability of the St. Luke’s Community Kitchen
We are completing a 2023-2024 school year calendar (Sept. - June) for the Community Kitchen and Lower Hall. These two calendars when completed will be posted downstairs on the door to the Lower Hall, and the door to the Community Kitchen.
Any St. Luke's parishioner or ministry interested in scheduling time in the Community Kitchen, or the Community Kitchen and Lower Hall should contact Dawn Brennan-Daly.
Dawn will contact you to schedule a brief meeting and training, and place your event, date and time (recurring or one-time) on the Community Kitchen and Lower Hall Google Calendars (part of the cathedral Google calendar.) Scheduling is based on availability.
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A Note of Thanks from the Endowment Committee
We recently received several gifts to the endowment account from the estates of Anne Schink and Andrew Cadot. This is a wonderful way to remember St. Luke’s for posterity and to support our long term financial stability. You can also support the endowment account now with a regular or one time contribution via Realm/Vanco.
If you have any questions or need more information please reach out to Treasurer Tim Wilkins or any member of the Endowment or Finance Committees or anyone on the Vestry.
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Donate to the Dean's Discretionary Fund
With the upcoming arrival of The Rev. George Stevens, our St. Luke's financial team invites you to make a donation to the Dean's discretionary fund if you are able.
This will ensure that the Rev. Stevens has access to a sufficient amount of funds for neighbors needing assistance.
Donations are able to be made online on Realm and by selecting (The Dean's Discretionary Fund) on the drop-down menu or by mail to P.O. Box 4141, Portland, ME 04101.
Thank you!
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The Finance Committee Update
The church finances for 2023 continue to look good (A copy of our July balance sheet and treasurer's report is on the bulletin board in the hallway).
A few positive highlights for 2023 include: 1) Successful software conversion from Church Windows to Realm, 2) We paid off the loan we had with our bank, 3) We are getting over 4% interest from our excess cash in our checking accounts, 4) Rental revenue has improved significantly post Covid and 5) We estimate we will end 2023 with excess cash on hand. Our building expenses for this year have been higher than the last few years but overall we have kept up with repairs and maintenance.
However, 2024 will be a different story. Although we haven’t roughed out the 2024 budget yet, we do expect that it will be a more difficult year financially than 2023 for a variety of reasons which means that our 2024 Stewardship Campaign will be particularly important. At this point, we anticipate we will not have a balanced budget in 2024 but our excess cash should allow us to end 2024 in a positive cash flow position. If you have any questions please contact Tim Wilkins.
July 2023 Balance Sheet
July 2023 Treasurers Report
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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 the second Tuesday of each month at Rising Tide, 6-8 PM in Portland. Other events happen sporadically throughout the month, however second Tuesdays at Rising Tide is a great place 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.
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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
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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.
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!
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Volunteers Needed for This Year's Holiday Fair
Although it is only August, the preparation for the St. Luke’s Holiday Fair has begun! We are pleased to announce that the date of this year’s holiday fair will be Saturday, November 11th in the Cathedral Nave.
If you are interested in volunteering for this year’s fair please contact the parish office.
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St. Luke’s Cathedral Clergy Presence | |
During this time of transition to a new Dean we want to explain to the congregation the ways that St. Luke’s Cathedral is providing a clergy presence. We have assembled a team of clergy who will be responsible for organizing and celebrating worship services. This team consists of the Reverends Suzanne Roberts, Anne Fowler, and Christopher Worthley. They will be assisted from time to time by guest preachers and celebrants. Rev. Fowler and Rev. Roberts are available to any congregants who have need of pastoral care. You may reach Rev. Fowler at (617)548-4783 and Rev. Roberts at (207)749-4166.
The Rev. Christopher Worthley is not available for on-call pastoral care due to full-time employment outside of his ministry, however he is active in care for our neighbors at 75 State Street.
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Weekly Ministries
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The Food Pantry is open from 8 am to 11 am every Thursday.
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Noon prayer is offered every Wednesday via Zoom.
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Compline is offered weekly on Friday from 8-8:30pm on Zoom. For additional details contact Ray Murdoch Curry
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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
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