May 16, 2014

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Bishop Lane's sermon at the final worship service at St. Stephen's, Waterboro

and his sermon last Sunday at a joint service of congregations of the southern Kennebec Valley at St. Mark's, Augusta.

Picked up in Vital Practices: the Rev. Shirley Bowen's moving story on the power of belonging at Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center in Biddeford.

In the NNE: Nicholas Smith: "A member of the team: the Committee on Indian Relations."

The Rev. Mary Lee Wile writes about women's prison ministry in Maine in the national deacon newsletter Diakoneo. (scroll to page 3)

Episcopal News Service on the dedication of a Frances Perkins icon at St. Andrew's, Newcastle
Here's a photo album

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Prayers for...

Benjamin Nathan Garren of St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland, and Sheila Ann Seekins of St. Peter's, Rockland, as they prepare to be ordained to the transitional diaconate on Saturday, June 14, at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's. Clergy (white or festive stoles) may gather to vest in the Cathedral lower hall at 10:30 a.m.

The Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori calls for prayer for the people of Sudan and South Sudan. Click here for a message from the PB and prayers for Sunday. Additional information and resources are available here.

The Primates of the Anglican Communion call for prayer and action on behalf of the kidnapped girls in Nigeria.

Congratulations to ...

the people of St. Ann's in Windham as they celebrated breaking ground on their new Christian education space. Click here for a photo album of the event.

Richard Berman and Ed Rea, both members of St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth, as they take on the respective duties of president and treasurer of the Maine Council of Churches. Click here for the MCC's most recent newsletter.

the United Thank Offering upon a bumper ingathering in 2013, up $80,000 to $1,525,407.78 over the previous year. That means more funds to share with dioceses for ministry across the world. The UTO has been very generous to the Diocese of Maine over the past four years with four grants totaling $144,350. Read more here.

Around the Diocese

Wonder no more about how to help: Wish Lists for ministries around the diocese

Thanks to Klara Tammany of the Center for Women's Wisdom in Lewiston for the idea to create set of wish lists for ministries. A new page on the diocesan website let's you learn a bit about each ministry and how to be in touch with leaders. Each ministry lists its on-going needs, where and when to drop-off, how best to offer gift cards, and how volunteers can help. Learn more about how to support seven ministries across the diocese here.

A clarification from Bishop Lane

I want to clarify a bit of misinformation that I've heard is making the rounds. It has to do with cancelling worship services. As the clergy know, I'm not a fan of cancelling worship services for weather unless it's truly unsafe to travel. There is a difference, however, between cancelling a service and MOVING a service. With adequate public notice and signage, a service may move for a picnic or a joint service with another congregation or other event. So, please don't hesitate to move a service for good cause.

Pre-Convention information online

195th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Maine

University of Maine, Presque Isle

October 24-25, 2014

For the first time, all pre-convention information usually sent to churches in May will be offered online at www.tinyurl.com/diome2014.

Look for announcements in the Dio Log as new information is added to the page. Currently all information about making reservations for accommodations and a map locating hotels and UM as well as a link to the delegate certificate is available. Information about nominations, resolutions, and bus service to The County, and Pre-Convention Hearings will be posted soon.

The full convention booklet will be printed and distributed to clergy, delegates, and alternates in September.

Interested in the Youth International Mission Trip in 2015?

Are you interested in international mission for high school teens? Please contact Jane Hartwell at jhartwell@episcopalmaine.org for more information.

Remember the ice storm of 1998?

Episcopal Relief & Development will celebrate its 75th year in 2015. Over 75 weeks beginning in September 2014 it will tell 75 stories of how ER&D has assisted in emergencies and promoted sustainable development in the U.S. and around the world.

In 1998, when still known as the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, it assisted the Diocese of Maine in the unprecedented January ice storm. ER&D would like to tell the story of what happened in Maine as one of the 75 stories that will mark its 75th anniversary.

Was your church assisted? Did you personally benefit from ER&D's support? If so, please be in touch with Heidi Shott at hshott@episcopalmaine.org or call her 772-1953 x126.

Upcoming in Maine and Beyond

Cursillo annual gathering in Augusta

The Annual Meeting of Maine Episcopal Cursillo will be on Saturday, May 17. It will be held at St. Barnabas' Church on Bangor Street in Augusta. In addition to the election of three officers, there will be an Ultreya. Things start at 9:30 a.m. and end by 1 p.m. Coffee, tea, and juice will be available. Please bring your own bag lunch.

Penobscot Cultural Historian James Francis offers a talk at Bangor Library

Join members of the Committee on Indian Relations to learn about the history, necessity and process of the
Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission Wednesday, May 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bangor Library at 145 Harlow Street. Learn more about the important work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on its web site.

Affordable Godly Play training comes to Maine

Join people from churches all over our diocese for a weekend of exploring spirituality of children at Godly Play training on June 27-29. It will also be a spiritual experience for you!

A large, one-time grant from the diocesan New Initiatives Fund enables us to welcome three nationally-known trainers and to reduce the usual $295 fee down to $50 per person.

The three-day training will be located at Saint Mary in Falmouth on Friday, June 27, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Saturday June 28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, June 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For childcare, contact Jenn Davidson before June 5. To arrange for housing or to offer housing, contact Emily Keniston before June 5. Register before June 5 for the $50 rate. Here are links to the registration sites for Core Training and for Advanced Training. (These pages also have more detailed information.) For more on the Godly Play philosophy see this post in the NNE.

Learn from home! e-Formation Seminar at Virginia Theological Seminary offered by webinar

Do you want to learn more about faith formation for a connected, digital world? Are you intrigued by topics like Hybrid Networks for In-person/At-home Small Group Learning; Digital Content for Bible, Theology and Spirituality; Animating Scripture; and Virtual Formation: Web-Based Conferencing and Streaming? Do you want to learn from Episcopal and ecumenical experts like Tim Schenck, Lisa Kimball, John Roberto?

Then sign up to participate remotely in the annual Episcopal e-Formation Conference. Although the conference is physically located at Virginia Theological Seminary on June 2-4, you can participate on-line for $75. Find out more here

Diocesan trainings offered this spring

Diocesan Eucharistic Visitor Training

This new opportunity will combine the nuts and bolts of serving as a Eucharistic Visitor along with the required diocesan Safe Church Training. Completion of an online portion of the training prior to class will be required unless you already hold a recent (post-2011) Safe Church Training certificate. Detailed information about accessing the online portion will be emailed to you after you register.

Diocesan Safe Church Training

Per our diocesan policies and procedures, Safe Church Training is required of all clergy, people in the ordination process, compensated employees, those who regularly work with children, and all Eucharistic Visitors.

The last session until fall will be held on Saturday, June 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Mark's, Augusta. Please register by Tuesday, June 10.

Bishopswood Spring Weekend May 30-June 1

Get outdoors and help support our diocesan camp. The Bishopswood Spring Work Weekend on May 30 - June 1 is a great volunteer opportunity. Find out more here.

Christian Ed Collaboration in June

The next Christian Ed Collaboration meeting will be Monday, June 9 from 10:00 - 12:00. We will share the best of what each church did this year for children and teens, so please bring show-and-tell that you can leave behind for a display. Meet at the Diocesan Office at 143 State Street, Portland or call in at 800-977-8002, code 184756#.

Downeast Spiritual Life Conference: Rebirthing the Divine" With John Philip Newell

July 11 & 12, Maine Maritime Academy, Castine

This year's conference is headlined by one of the world's most prominent teachers of spirituality. In "Rebirthing the Divine," Celtic scholar, peacemaker and poet Rev. Dr. John Philip Newell shares his vision for a reinvigorated

spirituality that celebrates the sacredness of the earth and the oneness of all creation.

A former Warden of the Iona Community in Scotland, he is currently Companion Theologian for the American Spirituality Center of Casa del Sol at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico.

Download a poster and register now at www.downeastspiritual.org.