The E-pistle of Sunday, February 18th, 2024

The First Sunday in Lent

Holy Eucharist, A Penitential Order, Rite I

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. 

Sunday Morning Service Participants

Preacher

The Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean

Celebrant

The Reverend Christopher Worthley, Assisting Clergy

Music Leader & Organist

Christian M. Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music

Lector

Judd Hume

Ushers

Peter Bingham, Stan Kuziel, Bob Parshley, Martha Parshley

Head Verger

Eleanor Roberts

Verger

Randi Hogan

Crucifer

Liam Coy

The Healing Team

Mary Strnad, Judd Hume

Live Streaming

Jack Swanton, Sam Allen

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). 

Happening at the Cathedral Today

The Biblical Study Team

We’re discovering, as we move along through St. Paul’s travels, how Christian doctrine was formed, and collected. Paul’s letters were all written 20 year intervals before St. Mark’s gospel which dates from the early 60’s. Each gospel follows at 20 year intervals. One follows Paul’s travels by reading Luke’s “the Acts of the Apostles,” which surfaced in the late ‘80’s. Paul’s letters were written from the early ‘50’s, up through the late 60’s. This is all of course, the first millennium.

These letters trace the development of Christianity’s doctrine of God, the salvistic role of Jesus, the Anointed One, and how Paul understood what content was to be retained and what of the Tanack was no longer to be prayed or practiced. Join us for this exploration of the “basics” of our Biblical beliefs.

Questions are always invited. We look forward to welcoming you.

With questions contact Bob at (207)-405-8250.

Portland Rossini Club Concert Today:

Richard Roberts Memorial Concert

Join the Portland Rossini club for their next concert today, February 18th, 2024 at 3 p.m.

Pianist Steven Blumenthal, with clarinetist Stephen Schiffman, will perform Carol by Gerald Finzi, as well as the Brahms Sonata No. 1, in F minor

Pianist Christopher Staknys will perform Vivaldi’s Winter from The Four Seasons, with poetry narrated by Audrey Stack, as well as the first movement of Scriabin’s Sonata No. 2 in G-sharp minor

Pianist Sydney Patten will perform works by Rachmaninoff, Ginastera, Patten, and Joplin.

If you would like to purchase tickets or learn more about the Portland Rossini Club visit their website here.

Celebrating Black History Month

at the Cathedral

Celebrating the Works of

African American Composers

We continue our celebration of Black History Month with musical selections throughout today’s liturgy, including the Psalm setting, from Lead Me, Guide Me, an African American Hymnal; and the spiritual “I want Jesus to walk with me”. Biographical information about the composers of these works can be found below.

Kenneth W. Louis (1956-2020), composer of today’s psalm setting, was an influential contributor to the African American music world, particularly recognized for his work in bringing African American musical elements into Roman Catholic worship. A number of his compositions and arrangements have appeared in recent hymnals.

Carl Haywood, DMA, arranged the spiritual “I want Jesus to walk with me”, which we sing during communion today. He is a longtime faculty member at Norfolk (VA) State University. He served as the Service Music Editor for Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal, for which he arranged/composed twenty-nine selections. He is also the leading contributor to Wonder, Love, and Praise. For twenty-six years, he served as organist/choir director at Grace Episcopal Church, Norfolk, and has served on the Liturgical Commission for the Diocese of Southern Virginia, the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music for the Episcopal Church, and as Director of Music for the Union of Black Episcopalians.

Community Announcements

Building and Grounds Committee

Open Meeting on Monday February 19th

Senior Warden, Sam Allen, and Acting Junior Warden, Fred Fowler, invite you to join their efforts to reconstitute an effective Buildings and Grounds effort at the Cathedral. The goal is to build an active group of volunteers who can be available to help plan and execute projects around our campus. 

All interested individuals are encouraged and welcome to attend an open meeting at 5 P.M. on Monday, February 19 both in person in the Upper Hall or on Zoom.

We will discuss and develop a workable plan for managing the Cathedral’s property.  

In the coming months we have identified 3 key goals:

• Identify a team of individuals that would be willing to help out on Work Days (generally one Saturday per month).
• Develop a list of people’s skill sets so that individuals or small groups could be given responsibility for specific tasks.
• Identify a core group willing to serve as members of the Buildings and Grounds committee.

With any questions please email Sam Allen or Fred Fowler

The Dean’s Discretionary Account is Running Low! 

The Dean’s Discretionary Account is used to help those who come to St. Luke’s seeking assistance with bills, rent, utilities, food and other items. 

It receives its funding from the loose plate offering on the first Sunday of the month, gifts given in lieu of payment for weddings and funerals and from generous gifts from parishioners. 

Last year, the account supported more than 50 individuals with more than $10,000 in financial support. 



Unfortunately, the account is low and we’re unable to continue this outreach ministry without your help. 

If you would like to make a contribution to the Discretionary Account please either bring in a physical check to church on Sunday, mail a check to our mailing address of P.O. Box 4141, Portland, ME 04101, or visit our online giving through Realm via the link here. Please select 'Dean's Discretionary Fund' in the dropdown menu.

Thank you very much for your generosity. 

Join Us for the Inaugural

St. Luke’s Chili Cook Off on Friday March 22nd

Join us for our first ever St. Luke’s Chili Cook Off on Friday, March 22nd in the lower hall. This event will be a time of fun, food, community, and friendly competition to support the pantries operating out of the cathedral who support our neighbors.

Families and children are welcome and encouraged to attend! We will have board games, coloring, and cornhole available beginning at 5:30PM in the Upper Hall. Dinner will be available beginning at 6:00PM in the lower hall.

We need volunteers to make this event run smoothly and successfully! A sign-up sheet is available electronically here or on the bulletin board outside of the office. 

The event is open to all. We encourage and welcome donations for the following groups:



St. Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers sizes 3-5

St. Luke’s Food Pantry: canned tomatoes, canned tomato soup, flour, cornmeal, dried white beans, pinto beans

cooking oil, pasta

Greater Portland Family Promise: Diapers of all sizes, additional items TBD

A general suggested offering to support the cost of the event $5 is also welcome, but not mandatory to attend. 

With questions about volunteering, please contact parish administrator, Avery Levesque-Schott by email or by phone at 207-772-5434, to learn more about how you can help!

St. Elizabeth’s Pantry Toothpaste & Toothbrush Drive

Since February is National Children's Dental Health Month, we are asking for donations of toothpaste and toothbrushes for St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry to distribute to the more than 300 neighbors who visit St E's every Tuesday morning.

Please leave your donations in the box in the lower hall, next to the stairs. Contact Byrd Wood if you have questions.

The Healing Team Schedule

The Healing Team will be offering prayers during communion on the following Sundays:



February 18 Mary Strnad, Judd Hume

February 25 Betsey Deleuse, Peter Carleton

March 3 Oscar Mokeme, Mary Strnad

If you have any questions, please contact any member of the healing team.

You may also contact Judd Hume by email or by phone at (207) 773 - 5611.

Looking For Individuals to serve as Treasurer,

Junior Warden, and Clerk

In the upcoming months the cathedral is looking for individuals interested in serving in the positions of treasurer, junior warden, and clerk for the vestry.

If you are interested in serving in any of these positions please email The Rev. George Stevens or Senior Warden Sam Allen.

Exploring Senior Spirituality

This class will be an opportunity to explore the subject of our changing spiritual experiences as we journey through the final chapters of our lives. Using tools such as journaling and discussion we will explore topics including mortality, forgiveness and regret, legacies, preserving our stories, and meaning in life.

We will meet on Tuesday afternoons from 1-2:30pm, a total of seven classes spread out over 9 weeks. Class size will be limited to 10 people.

For more information or to register please contact Rev. Suzanne Roberts.

Eco-Tips from the

Public Policy &

Environmental Action Team

Last year at the behest of the Diocesan Climate Justice Council the Cathedral of St. Luke appointed the Public Policy and Environmental Action Team as its Earth Keeper, with Sarah Braik as point person. The Earth Keeper was tasked with working with the parish to develop a Covenant to Care of Creation. Click HERE to view St. Luke's Covenant.

As part of our goal of sharing sustainability resources with the parish, we would like to make available a Lenten resource developed by the Rev. Dr. Mary Jane O'Connor Ropp, Earth Keeper for St. David's in Kennebunk. WALKING WITH SUFFERING CREATION: A Meditative Experience in Eight Days is a series of meditations that take 1 1/2 to 2 hours to complete. They can be done one at a time, at your own pace. We hope you will incorporate them into your Lenten practice.

Looking for Volunteers to Serve as Eucharistic Ministers

The Cathedral is seeking volunteers to serve as Eucharistic Ministers.

Have you ever felt a pull to be part of what happens in the course of our worship services?

If so, consider serving as a Eucharistic Minister (chalice bearer) during the worship services.

Training will be provided along with an alb. If you're interested or have questions, please contact Deacon Rebecca either in person or via email.

Coffee & Conversation

Each Wednesday at 1 PM in the upper parish hall, join Deacon Rebecca Grant for an informal gathering - coffee and conversations.

There’s no book to read, no service commitment, simply an opportunity to gather and talk about what's happening in our lives. You could also help coach the deacon into retirement from her professional life! 

We’re planning this for a season - weekly opportunities where you can attend one, attend all, drop-in as it works for you. Bring your lunch, if you'd like. Topics range from “what's happening in your life” to “what brings you joy” and more.

You can email Rebecca or call at 207-441-7155.

Events in the Wider Community

Ongoing Opportunities & Announcements

Coffee Hour

Please join us after the service for a time of fellowship in the upper hall through the doors to the left of the altar. Thank you to everyone that hosted a coffee hour in 2023. It is an important part of our parish life and provides us with a time for connection. 

Thank you to Liz Griffin and Gail Kesich for taking over the scheduling/organizing these past six months, I am so grateful. Hosting is fun and easy, it requires bringing in a baked good and brewing coffee the Sunday of your choosing. Please consider signing up, a lot of gratitude comes with the job. 

Thank you,

Meredith Cough.

Interested in hosting? Check this schedule by visiting the link here.  

Please email Meredith Cough with your date - <meredith.cough@gmail.com>

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. 

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