The Dio Log, Vol. 14 No. 7

April 13, 2012

Notable Links

Round Maine with Bishop Lane

Read his sermons from Palm Sunday and the Chrism Eucharist.

+++

Maine Episcopalians and Congregations in the News

Holiness of Passover brings Christians, Jews together at St. Mark's, Augusta

From the Kennebec Journal

+++

NNE - The New Northeast blog

Tracking News, People, Places and Events in the Diocese of Maine

+++

Visit new posts on other Diocese of Maine blogs -

Lisa Meeder Turnbull meditates on "Sitting Shiva" on the Maine Stewards blog.

Resources on the MaineInFormation blog,
"Citizenship"

Save the Date

Maine Walks for Haiti

Join Konbit Sante and many other groups on this third annual walk to raise funds for the people of Haiti on Saturday, May 12, in Portland.

Download a flyer here. Details to follow.

"Journey through a Hard Terrain: Caring and Being Cared for in the Shadows of Alzheimer's"

A day with The Rev. Martin Smith at St. Nicholas, Scarborough, on Saturday, May 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., sponsored by the Committee on the Spirituality of Aging and The Dementia/Alzheimer's Ministry Project.

The Rev. Martin Smith is an author, spiritual director and Senior Associate Rector at St. Columba's Episcopal Church in Washington D.C. In addition to the Scarborough site, participants will gather at St. Francis, Blue Hill, and Good Shepherd, Houlton to watch together. Lunch will be provided at the St. Nicholas site where registration is $10.

For more information, contact Marby Payson at 781-4769 or marbypayson@gmail.com.

Downeast Spiritual Life Conference to be held August 24 and 25 in Ellsworth. Principal speakers include Phyllis Tickle, Richard Rohr, and Andrew Harvey. Learn all about it (and register) at www.downeastspiritual.org

Join our list

A Collect for the Friday in Easter Week

Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayers for...

the Rev. David Illingworth of Portland as he recovers from surgery performed on Wednesday.

Congratulations to...

the Rev. Nancy Moore of St. John's, Brownville Junction, and St. Augustine's, Dover-Foxcroft, who, we hear tell, was the winner of last week's puzzler on NPR's Car Talk.

What's New

The Diocesan Online Calendar is ready for your events

The diocesan online calendar is now glitch-free. Congregations and diocesan committees and groups are encouraged to submit events. Submit your events here or find the link on the right sidebar at www.episcopalmaine.org

To ensure that your entry isn't crazy, it must be approved before it shows up on the calendar. Events will be approved each business day, but those submitted over the weekend will be posted on Monday morning.

Please post your events early and often!

The Anglican Communion needs YOU!

With the news that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, is stepping down, the Crown Nominations Commission (its members advise the Queen) is seeking information from all members of the Anglican Communion about what we believe the priorities of the next ABC should be. Comments may be directed here.

You may read the letter requesting comments by the Anglican Communion's Secretary General Kenneth Kearon here.

Not too late to join in a regional confirmation at the Cathedral

If your congregation would like to participate in the regional confirmation at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke on Sunday, May 6, at 4 p.m., please be in touch with Dean Ben Shambaugh as soon as possible at bshambaugh@cathedralofstluke.org or 772-5434.

Upcoming in Maine

Plucky Bach at the Cathedral

All are cordially invited to attend a concert of music by J.S. Bach on Sunday, April 15, at 3 p.m. performed by two musicians of international acclaim.

Christopher Kachian, guitar, and Timothy Burris, lute, will join together in a concert featuring renditions of two of J.S. Bach's "French Suites," and other works.

Both artists can be seen and heard on youtube.

Tickets at the door are $15 for adults, $10 for students.

Religious Coalition Against Discrimination to host conference in Bangor and Saco

"Make a Joyful Noise: Claiming Our Faith Voices for Marriage Equality," an educational conference to be held on Monday, April 23, in Bangor and repeated on Tuesday, April 24, in Saco, is sponsored by the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination.

The conference will feature skill-building about how people of faith can listen to and talk with other people of faith about marriage, same-sex couples, and their faith values and commitments.

The Bangor conference will be held on Monday, April 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Hammond Street Congregational Church. The Saco conference will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the First Parish Congregational Church. There is a charge for attendance. For more information, visit www.rcadmaine.org.

Last Chance! Treasurer/Wardens Finance Workshop

Do you have questions on how to fill out your parochial reports each year?

Do you wonder how to properly handle priest discretionary funds and designated donations?

Wondering about the New Revolving Loan Program?

Please join Terry Reimer, the Canon for Finance and Stewardship as he presents these topics and others about finances in a church setting. The topics he will cover are the New Audit Program, Parochial Reports, the new Compensation Handbook, Employee Health Benefits, the Diocesan Payroll Program, the Diocesan Revolving Loan Fund, and Diocesan Insurance Program. Terry will also provide ample time for questions and answers. The workshops are open to all who have an interest in church finances. There is no fee and no need to register. Please come and learn!

April 28 - St. John's, Bangor - 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

There will be no break for lunch, although morning beverages will be provided.

Stewardship Workshops in the Comfort of Your Own Home!

The Episcopal Church Foundation has announced four free webinars in April and May.

Basics of Planned Giving

Wednesday, April 18, 8:30 - 10:30 p.m.

You will learn the basics of planned giving, how it differs from annual stewardship and capital campaigns, how your parish can build endowment through life income gifts, and you will have a plan of action by the end of the webinar.

Basics of a Parish Capital Campaign

Thursday, April 26, 6 - 7 p.m.

The webinar will provide a step-by-step understanding of the three phases: Discernment, Feasibility Study, and the Gifting Phase. This time-tested methodology has led hundreds of Episcopal parishes to successful efforts. Learn how to prepare for and execute a campaign for your church.

Legacy Societies and Your Planned Giving Ministry

Wednesday, May 9, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Learn how a legacy society will enhance and empower your congregation's planned giving ministry. Jim Murphy and representatives from parishes with active legacy societies will discuss how legacy societies have made an impact in their congregations.

Spending Rules for Endowments

Wednesday, May 23, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Using proper spending rules with your endowment is key to maintaining confidence and trust with your congregation and a key component of proper endowment management. Participants will learn about policies and practices to protect, manage, and grow your existing endowment.

At the conclusion of each webinar, Lisa Meeder Turnbull will host a conference call for anyone who wishes to discuss the material with others around the diocese and follow up on specific items of interest to Maine congregations. Each call will begin within five minutes of the webinar's conclusion and last no more than one hour.

Webinars require advance registration here.

Conference calls do not require advance registration. At the conclusion of the webinar, phone 1-800-977-8002 and enter Participant Code 038598# to join the call.

Questions? Contact Lisa Meeder Turnbull, Diocesan Stewardship Consultant, at mainestewards@yahoo.com.

St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth hosts "An Evening of Duets" on May 3

A concert featuring vocalist Theresa Thomason and grammy-winning pianist Paul Sullivan will benefit the Preble Street Resource Center and be held at St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 3. Tickets are $25 and are available online at www.stalbansmaine.org.

Click here for a flyer.

Author Robert V. Taylor returns to Maine

The Cathedral of St. Luke's in Portland is delighted to host Robert V. Taylor on Thursday, May 3 at 5:30 p.m. when he will be speaking and signing his new book, "A New Way to be Human; 7 Spiritual Pathways to Becoming Fully Alive."

Click here for a flyer.

Spring meeting of Episcopal Peace Fellowship - Maine Chapter on May 12.

All are invited to gather on Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Luke in Portland. Please bring a lunch item to share. Gretchen
Crawford of St. John, Thomaston, will conduct a workshop on creating Anglican rosaries using olive wood beads from the Holy Land. Proceeds from the sale of rosaries will be
donated to Ahli Anglican Hospital in Gaza City.

Click here for a flyer.

From Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Young Adult Retreat - April 27-29. Pass the word! Emmaus House chaplain Greg Szkarlat, Jane Hartwell and a team of young adults are hosting a retreat for young adults. It's a spiritual weekend for everyone in their 20's and 30's, including recent high school grads who are younger. It begins at 6:30 on Friday and ends Sunday at noon. It will be at the Cathedral in Portland. Download an application and more info here. Or contact Jane Hartwell at youth@episcopalmaine.org.

BION Teen Camp - August 21-25. Apply now for the early-bird price. Here's an application. BION is a five-day camp for teens who have completed grades 6-12. This will be the 13^th summer of this popular camp, which is led by Diocesan Youth Ministries and located at Bishopswood. Because most counselors are volunteers, the early-bird price is $200. Financial aid is also available so that no teen needs to be excluded because of inability to pay. Register soon!

Adult Men for BION Camp -About 70 teen campers usually register for Diocesan Youth Ministries' BION Camp, August 21-25. But we won't be able to accept them all unless there are additional male volunteers, both lay and clergy. Contact Jane Hartwell at youth@episcopalmaine.org.

Nightwatch - April 27-29. We've added an extra car for this trip to New York so there may still be space for high school teens. Contact Jane Hartwell at youth@episcopalmaine.org

Youth Ministries wants feedback - Do you have ideas or suggestions for Diocesan Youth Ministries? We'd like to hear from you now, because we're beginning to plan for next year. Contact Jane Hartwell at youth@episcopalmaine.org or call 800-244-6062 x129.

Emmaus House cookouts. Emmaus House - the intentional Christian community for young adults located next to St. Luke's Cathedral in Portland - invites everyone to cookouts on Sunday, April 22, and Sunday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m. (The May dinner is especially for teenagers. Please bring your Sunday school class.)