July 11, 2014

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Notable Links

Diocese of Maine on Twitter. Be our 795th follower!

@episcopalmaine

Bishop Steve on Twitter. Be his 612th follower!

@bishop_maine

New on the Bishop's blog: www.roundmaine.org

"Thanksgiving for St. Luke's, Caribou"

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From the New Northeast blog:

Liz Graves of St. Saviour's, Bar Harbor, writes about her experience volunteering at a high school retreat in her post "These Kids Can Pray You Under the Table."

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The Committee on Indian Relations commends to all Episcopalians the 29-part series on Native Americans in Maine, "Unsettled: Triumph and Tragedy in Maine's Indian County" by Colin Woodard currently running in the Portland Press Herald.

Design New England magazine features St. Andrew's, Newcastle, in a wonderful article called, "Gothic Grace" in its July online edition.

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What's going on in the Diocese of Maine?

Visit the online calendar.

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Prayers for...

the team of eight teens and two adults from eight congregations representing the Diocese of Maine
this week at E.Y.E., the Episcopal Youth Event in Philadelphia. This triennial event boasts more than 1,000 highschoolers from Episcopal churches all over the world.

Gretchen Lane as she undergoes a thyroidectomy on Monday, July 14. She will recover at home.

the children and all affected by the humanitarian crisis at the Texas border.

Here is a link to the Presiding Bishop's statement on the humanitarian crisis at the border. On this page there is also an opportunity to directly share the Episcopal Church's testimony to be delivered today at Senate hearings with members of Maine's congressional delegation.

all those attending the Downeast Spiritual Life Conference this weekend at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine.

the funeral of the Rev. John Woolverton will be held at St. Bartholomew's, Yarmouth, on Saturday, July 26, at 11 a.m.

Congratulations to...

to Kirsten Lowell of St. Ann's, Windham, who has been accepted as member of the Episcopal Church's Young Adult Service Corps. In late August Kirsten will head off for a one-year stint as a missionary in the Anglican Diocese of Urugray. Look for more soon in the NNE on Kirsten's trip and to learn how we can support and follow her ministry.

the Rev. Mary Ann Taylor and the people of St. Margaret's, Belfast, as she joins them as transition priest-in-charge beginning September 1.

Around the Diocese

Loring House summer hours

During the months of July and August, the diocesan office in Portland will close at noon each Friday. Monday through Thursday, diocesan staff will keep regular hours between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Bishop Steve Lane is currently on vacation. He will return to the office on Tuesday, July 22.

Maine Stewards is back! And now on Facebook

Are you looking for fresh ideas, best practices, and emerging resources in stewardship? Would you like to share your challenges to learn from others' experiences? If you answered yes, then the Maine Stewards Facebook page is for you! "Like" this page to join a community of clergy and lay leaders exchanging ideas around all things stewardship!

New Initiative Grants for ministry - Round 2

At its May meeting, Diocesan Council approved a second round of New Initiative Grants in 2014.

Have a great idea for a new ministry? Want to collaborate with a local ministry partner to serve your community? Apply for a NIF grant. For more information, an application worksheet, and the link to the online application, visit here or grab the link on the "Featured Stories" box of the diocesan home page at www.episcopalmaine.org.

The deadline for online submission is September 1. Council will vote on new applications at its September meeting. Please direct any questions about the process to Heidi Shott at 207.772.1953 x126 or

hshott@episcopalmaine.org.

2015 budget applications due Monday, July 14

As the diocesan Finance Committee begins its budget building process for 2015, leaders of 13 program groups and committees received an invitation to apply for diocesan funds for the coming year.

While groups that have previously received funding through the diocesan budget were invited, all congregations or diocesan ministries are welcome to
apply at www.surveymonkey.com/s/2015budgetapp.

Now taking Diocesan Council lay representative nominations

At pre-convention hearings in the fall, eight area representatives are elected to a two year term for Diocesan Council. The class of 2014 will be composed of lay members. (The exception is an additional election of a clergy person to fill an unexpired term in Area 3 - Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties.)

Those interested in serving on Council or learning more about what Council does, when and how often it meets are invited to check out the nomination form. Each of the eight areas of the Diocese of Maine will elect a representative at their pre-convention hearing in September or October. Dates/times and locations of pre-convention hearings for each area are TBD.

The deadline for nominations is September 19th. To learn even more about Council (meeting minutes and more) visit the Diocesan Council page.

Biennial Convention Task Force invites you to weigh in on their recommendations

Last winter the Biennial Convention Task Force was charged by Bishop Lane to study and make recommendations about the possibility of moving from an annual convention to a biennial convention. A draft report from the Task Force, two proposed resolutions, and a case for location are now online. The Task Force invites members of the diocese to read and reflect on their recommendations and offer comments, ideas, and suggestions. Find everything here. The link for the documents and comment form is also available in the "Featured Stories" box on the newly designed diocesan home page at www.episcopalmaine.org.

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 will be offered online at www.tinyurl.com/diome2014 (or click the button above).

Look for announcements in the Dio Log as new information is added to the page. Currently all information about nominations, resolutions, making reservations for accommodations and a map locating hotels and UM as well as a link to the delegate certificate is available. Information about meals, 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.

What a great idea -

Episcopalians in Memphis, Tennessee, have a deft touch. (Since 1928, Calvary Episcopal has offered the lunch to the public at its Waffle Shop each weekday during Lent to coincide with its mid-day preaching series.)

Grace-St. Luke's Church has a wonderful website. Though it's professionally designed, one feature is easily replicated by any congregation: an online visitor card. Check it out here. If you'd like to add something like this to your congregation's website, please be in touch with Heidi Shott at

hshott@episcopalmaine.org.

Upcoming in Maine

Interview Day set for October 15

A postulancy interview day, for the Diaconate or Priesthood, has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 15. Any confirmed adult communicant in good standing, who meets the criteria in the Diocese of Maine's application packet, and has been nominated by a Vestry or Bishop's Committee, is invited to apply for an interview with the Commission on Ministry (COM).

Click here for the Commission on Ministry information page and a link to the 2014 Interview Day packet.

Events with Youth Ministries

Summer:

BION Teen Camp - at Bishopswood for grades 6-12 - August 19-23
There's still space at BION Teen Camp! Invite kids who have completed grades 6-12 and who want to have a great summer week. The price is $240. Financial aid is also available so that no teen needs to be excluded because of inability to pay. Find out more here. Register online here.
International Youth Mission to Jalonga - applications available and first meeting later this summer

Fall:

Leadership Prep for Middle School Event - October 17 to 18 - Cathedral
Youth at Convention as regular delegates, Diocesan Youth Reps or ambassadors - Oct.24 to 25
Leadership Prep for Happening - October 31 to November 2 - Christ Church, Gardiner
Fall Middle School Event - November 14 to16 - Cathedral
Happening High School Event - November 21 to 23 - Christ Church, Gardiner

The place to find more information and applications is always www.maineyouth.org