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September 26, 2014

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The Bishop's blog:+++

NNE: The New Northeast

St. Ann's, Windham:
A parish retreat at Bishopswood builds bonds of connection

The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church in Canada, and the ELCA on both sides of the border issued a statement on climate change this week. Read it here.

New England Episcopalians were well represented at the People's Climate March in New York last Sunday. Here's the ENS story.

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What's going on in the Diocese of Maine?

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Prayers for ...

a selfie from their hotel balcony in Taipai
Bishop Stephen and Gretchen Lane
as they return this weekend from their trip to the House of Bishops meeting in Taiwan and a trip to Japan to learn about The Nippon Sei Ko Kai, the Anglican church there. Episcopal News Service has stories here and here. Check out the Bishop's public Twitter feed and lots of photos here

the Rev. Chuck and Beth Bradshaw as they return to serve in the Diocese of Mityana, Uganda, after a visit home. Read their latest prayer letter here.

Congratulations to...


the Rev. Suzanne Cole (Diocese of Albany) and the people of Church of Our Father, Hulls Cove, as she joins them as priest-in-charge beginning October 1.

Fred Fowler of St. Luke's Cathedral in Portland who has been named co-coordinator of the Diocese of Maine Youth Ministry Events & BION for the coming year. (Fred's name was left off by mistake in the last edition.)

Gratitude for...

the service of the Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, for her ministry in that role since 2006. At the close of the House of Bishops meeting in Taiwan earlier this week, she announced that she will not let her name go forward for a second nine-year term. The Joint Nominating Committee is taking nominations until September 30 and will announce a slate in early May. The election by the House of Bishops (with consent by the House of Deputies) will take place at the 78th General Convention, likely on June 27, 2015, in Salt Lake City.  See the Episcopal News Service announcement here.

Seventy-five years of ministry and mission of Episcopal Relief & Development. Over the next year, one way ER&D will celebrate its 75th Anniversary is with 75 stories (in January one story will tell of aid to Maine churches in the aftermath of the 1998 ice storm.) Visit the celebration website at www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/75.

the Rev. Betsey Wilder Deleuse, who has served as deacon at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Portland for 13 years. To mark her retirement, Evensong will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 5 at the Cathedral. All are welcome.

Around the Diocese

Convention registration open until October 1

195th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Maine

University of Maine, Presque Isle
October 24-25, 2014
 
On the Road Together: Taking Time, Watching for God, Showing Mercy 
  
 
Online registration and sign-ups for meals are available on the Convention page at www.tinyurl.com/diome2014 (or click the button above) until October 1.  

A pdf of the Convention booklet is also available on the Convention page. 


Tellers needed for counting ballots

It's that time of year again and we're looking for volunteers to help count ballots at Convention.
 
If you're interested in helping out, please be in touch with diocesan staffer Tom Sumner at 772-1953  ext 138. 
 

Bearings, a new blog from The BTS Center to support and equip church leaders in changing times

The BTS Center, the new incarnation of Bangor Theological Seminary, has just launched a new blog called, "Bearings," at www.thebtscenter.org/bearingsblog,
with the aim to "help equip and support lay and clergy leaders navigating the challenges and opportunities of 21st century ministries."

The transformation of the seminary into The BTS Center is described on its site: "Two hundred years ago, Bangor Theological Seminary came into being on the edge of a beckoning northern frontier. Today, in a time of immense challenge for faith communities as we have known them, we journey toward a new horizon.

"We now enter our third century with a new name, The BTS Center. We are a non-profit charitable organization in the State of Maine, carrying on the historic, chartered educational mission established in 1814, as we adopt new ways to provide resources and experiences for theological education, spiritual formation, and competency for ministry. We are paying particular attention to the needs of adult learners in a digitally-integrated culture, serving in smaller, rural settings."   
   
Grace Church, Bath, has vestments to share

Here's a list of vestments that are available for free by contacting the office at Grace Church.
  • 23 adult cottas in various sizes, all in good condition 
  • 12 heavy blue cotton choir robes 
  • 1 gold satin priest's stole
  • 1 black, hooded priest's vestment with red velvet trim

On a first come basis by November 1. To arrange for pick-up, call 443-3792 or email [email protected].

  

  

Start an Education for Ministry group at your church; Mentor training in November


Would your congregation like to start an Education for Ministry group? Education for Ministry (EfM) is an excellent comprehensive adult Christian education seminar from the University of the South School of Theology, sponsored by our Diocese. EfM groups usually have a minimum of six participants who meet weekly with a mentor trained to guide the group's learning. Groups follow the usual academic year, meeting weekly with holidays off.

 

Group mentors may be lay or ordained and should have some experience in religious study. They should have a mature faith and be comfortable being a local administrator and facilitator of adult groups. Those who are interested in starting, or continuing an EfM group, need to be certified and re-certified at yearly training sessions. The Maine Mentor Training event will take place this year on November 6 to 8, at St. Thomas' Church, Camden. To learn more about the EfM Program or about becoming a mentor, contact the diocesan coordinator, the Rev. Rosalee Glass. She will gladly assist you in learning how to start a group in your parish: [email protected] and check out the EfM general website and its mentor page.

 

 

Upcoming in Maine

Blessing of beasts for St. Francis' feast

St. Saviour's to offer public blessing of animals in Bar Harbor

 

St. Saviour's, Bar Harbor, will offer a free public ceremony for the blessing of pets and companion animals on Saturday, October 4, 2 p.m. in Grant Park, at the end of Albert Meadow near the Shore Path in Bar Harbor.

  

In addition to the blessing of pets present, there will also be an opportunity to remember and honor departed pets: please bring a photo or other memento of them.

 

 

Celebrating St. Francis Day at your church?

 

Here's a great resource from the Rev. Stephanie Johnson, Province 1 Environmental Stewardship Missioner.

 

Ten ways to celebrate St. Francis Day outside your church walls. 

 


Story-telling community forum on Saturday, October 4, at St. Paul's, Brunswick


"We paint, we write poetry and we express ourselves out of our desire to bring people together in a way that goes beyond who we are as individuals," so says Ashley Bryan, artist, story-teller, and award-winning creator of children's books who will be the featured presenter at a community story-telling forum on Saturday, October 4. The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Paul's, Brunswick.

The forum will include a presentation from Maine Inside Out, and original theatrical work-in-progress by incarcerated youth from Longcreek Correctional Facility, and African drumming by Resounding Rhythms. For those interested in learning to tell their story, The Telling Room, a non-profit writing center in Portland dedicated to the idea that children and young adults are natural story-tellers, will be among those offering workshops. Other workshops will include puppet or mask-making, African drumming, and reading to children.

Sandwiches will be available for purchase. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations would be helpful but not essential.  For the day's schedule, visit stpaulsmaine.org, To let us know you're coming, please email us at [email protected] or call 626-0738.  

 

 

Choral Evensong at St. John's Bangor on October 5  

 

Choral Evensong will be sung on Sunday, October 5, at 4 p.m., commemorating the 179th anniversary of the founding of St. John's Church. The choirs of St. John's will sing festive music, including Stanford's elegant setting of the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in G with its famous treble solo and Parry's glorious anthem, "I was glad when they said unto me," composed for the Coronation of Edward VII in 1902. Donations will benefit Spruce Run Association and child care is provided. 

 

 

Trinity Church, Portland, to host Lois Lowry for Butterfield Series

 

Lois Lowry, author of many books including The Giver, now out as a major movie and currently in local theaters, will be the speaker for the 2014 Butterfield Series at Trinity Church, Portland, on Wednesday, October 8, at 7 p.m.

 

 

"Every Three Second" to premiere in Maine on October 11

 

The Maine Council of Churches and St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth invite you to the New England premiere of "Every Three Seconds," a powerful new documentary film that chronicles the stories of five ordinary people whose lives became extraordinary when they made the decision to be a part of fighting hunger and poverty.

 

The film screening, followed by a discussion with director Daniel Karslake, will take place Saturday, October 11, at 7 p.m. at the Portland Museum of Art auditorium.

 

Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance, (limit of 3 per household, please). To reserve your tickets, click here or call St. Albans at 207-799-4014.

 

For more information about the event, the director and to view a 3-minute trailer of the movie, click here.

 

 

Fall Regional Confirmation Opportunities

 

Sunday, November 9, 2014 at St. Mary's, Falmouth.  FMI or to participate, please be in touch with Rev. Nathan Ferrell: [email protected].

Thursday, November 13, 2014 at St. Martin's, Palmyra.  FMI or to participate, please be in touch with Rev. Laura Peckham: [email protected]

Sunday, May 3, 2015 at The Cathedral Church of St. Luke.  FMI or to participate, please be in touch with The Very Rev. Ben Shambaugh: [email protected]

 

If your congregation would like to host a Regional Confirmation in 2015, please be in touch with Barbara Martin: [email protected]

 

 

Preconvention Hearings rev up this week!

All delegates, alternates, clergy, and interested members are encouraged to attend. The proposed 2015 diocesan budget, resolutions to come before Convention, and elections for area representatives to Diocesan Council are the topics covered.

 

Area 2 - Sunday, September 28,  4-6 p.m., St. Dunstan's, Ellsworth

Area 3 - Wednesday, October 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m., St. John's, Bangor

Area 4- Tuesday, September 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Christ Church, Norway

Area 5 - Wednesday, October 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m., St. Mark's, Waterville

Area 6 - Sunday, September 28, 4-6 p.m., St. John Baptist, Thomaston

Area 7 - Monday, September 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m., St. Mary the Virgin, Falmouth

Area 8 - Sunday, September 28, 4:30-6:30 p.m., St. David's, Kennebunk  

 

Too far to travel? Missed the hearing in your area?

"Attend" a Virtual Preconvention Hearing by participating in a WebEx webinar on Wednesday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. Because there are only 23 individual slots, please be in touch with Heidi Shott at [email protected] if you would like an email invitation link.

 

 

Gather with the Christian Ed Collaboration group

The next Christian Ed Collaboration meeting will be Thursday, October 16, from 10 a.m. to noon. Everyone interested in Christian formation for children and teens is invited. The Bishop will be with us for the last part of the meeting. We'll meet at the Diocesan Office, 143 State Street in Portland.  You can also join us by web conferencing. Here's the link to WebEx or, if you don't have a web cam, you may connect by phone at 650-479-3208 (a toll call) - the meeting number is 284 890 957. If you have trouble connecting, call Jane Hartwell at 776-0460. For more info, email Emily Keniston or Jane Hartwell.  


Kids in grades 6-8 are invited to the Diocesan Youth Event at the Cathedral

Register now for the Fall Middle School Event, which will be held November 14-16, from 6:30 p.m. on Friday until 2 p.m. on Sunday at St. Luke's Cathedral in Portland. It's a great time for your kids in grades 6-8 to be part of something bigger. The underlying theme will be God's unconditional love. There'll be discussions, games, swimming, music, activities, youth-led worship, new friends and fun. Fred Fowler, Sherry Sivret and Rev. Kelly Moughty lead this incredible event. Kids will also have time with Bishop Steve Lane, too. The Sunday Eucharist - open to everyone - will be at 1:00. Here's a Fall Middle School Event flyer.  Registration is at www.maineyouth.org.


Happening is for high school teens

Although the name "Happening" is used by many dioceses, Maine's Happening weekends are unique. Each year, teens and adults plan something new. This year the leadership teens will also be coached by Rev. Craig Hacker, Kim Wallace and Rev. Kit Wang. It's too soon to know what theme the teens will choose. Happening weekend is November 21-23 at Christ Church in Gardiner. Here's a Happening flyer - please distribute it to teens, hang it on your bulletin board, and put it in your newsletter. Register at www.maineyouth.org.