February 6,

2015

Volume 17

No. 3

The Dio Log

news and events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine since 1999

episcopalmaine.org Bishop's blog New Northeast Calendar add your event

Blessings for all! Last Sunday Bishop Lane gathered with the people of St. Philip's, Wiscasset, as they celebrated the Rev. Paul Tunkle joining them in ministry.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN MAINE

Prayers for...

the Rev. Benjamin Nathan Garren, a transitional deacon from St. Luke's Cathedral now serving as a chaplain at the University of Arizona, as he is ordained to the priesthood on February 15, at the University's Campus Christian Center in Tucson.

the Rev. Gail Chandler, deacon at St. David's, Kennebunk, as she undergoes surgery on Monday.

Congratulations to ...

The seven New England dioceses for coming together to win the Super Bowl Challenge over the Diocese of Olympia to raise funds for Episcopal Relief & Development.

Seahawks fans raised $12,918 and Pats fans raised $25,491. Thanks to all who made a donation to support the people from across the world who benefit from the work of ER&D.

in the news...

WGME-13 features Trinity Jubilee Center as Lewiston's only official warming center.

Time to Rethink Everything - a mildly-provocative post from the Center for Healthy Churches.

voices among us...

Read Bishop Lane's recent sermon, preached at his visitation to Trinity Church, Saco, "True Epiphany is Transformative."

Here is an interview at "The Torah" with Don Kraus, a member of St. Giles', Jefferson, and the executive Bible editor at Oxford University Press, on his work as editor of The Jewish Study Bible, both the first edition and the newly-released second edition.

AROUND THE DIOCESE

We all need a little help to practice a Holy Lent

Here are five sources for Lenten devotions and practices.

Subscribe to daily devotions on the notion of time from the Society of St. John the Evangelist at www.ssje.org/time
Lent Madness returns with 32 saints competing for the Golden Halo in daily match-ups in a basketball-style bracket. Sign up for weekday emails featuring bios and fun facts about the saints in each day's contest at www.lentmadness.org.
The Young Adults Service Corps is offering a daily devotion by young writers in the Episcopal Church. Learn more on their blog.
Consider a Lenten Carbon Fast for your family or congregation. Our friends at the Massachusetts United Church of Christ offer 40 ways in 40 days to reduce your carbon footprint. Details here.
Episcopal Relief & Development offers a daily reflection to your inbox, an online booklet, or free print booklets (in packages of 25. Order by Feb. 11 for delivery by Feb. 18). Learn more about their offerings here.

CREDO for Part-Time and Bi-Vocational Priests

From Bishop Lane: The CREDO program of reflection and renewal has proven a great boon for the clergy of The Episcopal Church. There is now a shorter CREDO conference designed specifically for part-time and bi-vocational priests. I want to encourage those of you who may not have thought about attending to do so. If you talk to your colleagues, I know you will discover that CREDO is very worthwhile.

There are still openings for the CREDO conference for part-time/bi-vocational priests to be held for six days beginning September 16, 2015, at Chapel Rock Conference Center in Prescott, Arizona. Enrollment is on first come, first served basis.

If you are interested, contact the CREDO office at 888-274-2828. Scholarship help is available through the Loring Fund and my office.

Maine Episcopalians again take to the streets (and parking lots) with Ashes to Go

The Rev. Suzanne Roberts imposes ashes and offers a blessing at Monument Square last year.

Clergy from at least six congregations, Trinity, St. Peter's, and St. Luke's, Portland; Saint Mary, Falmouth; St. Ann's, Windham; and St. Paul's, Brunswick; as well as Bishop Lane and Canon Michael Ambler, have signed up to brave the weather on Ash Wednesday, February 18, to offer all those interested ashes to go. The idea of taking the imposition of ashes at the beginning of Lent started a number of years ago in Chicago and has migrated to hundreds of locations across the U.S.

Over the past two years, Maine Episcopalians, both clergy and lay, who have participated have blessed many and been blessed by the experience of offering ashes beyond the church walls.

Details are still emerging but ashes to go locations are set for Monument Square and Post Office Park (Middle and Exchange Streets) 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; along Route 1 in Falmouth from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the Windham P.O. parking lot from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and at mid-day on Maine Street in Downtown Brunswick, at 11:30 at Midcoast Hunger Prevention, and at Bowdoin College shortly thereafter.

Details will be published in the NNE and on the Diocese of Maine Facebook page as they are firmed up. If your congregation is interested in participating in your community, please let Heidi Shott know your dates, times, and locations to include in the statewide press release. Email your details to her at hshott@episcopalmaine.org. If you would like tips, sample blessings, and encouragement, please contact the Rev. Larry Weeks at rector@trinitychurchportland.org

ChurchNext at a huge discount!

If ten or more churches register through our diocese now for ChurchNext, each church can obtain a significant discount. For $100, each church will receive access to unlimited online classes for a year, with up to ten people participating at a time (more people can be added at minimal cost). St. Ann's in Windham is definitely joining ...... Are there nine more churches?

ChurchNext is an online education company that is kind of like the Netflix of Christian formation resources for the Episcopal Church. They offer hundreds of presentations by well-regarded presenters on a host of topics including scripture, liturgy, prayer, family, self-care, church history, theology and more. Equip your small group leaders with great curricula, or learn individually with a blended learning model. Learn more at the ChurchNext website at www.churchnext.tv.

Emily Keniston, formation director at St. Ann's in Windham, and Jane Hartwell hope that there are churches that would like to take advantage of this opportunity. To find out more or to participate, contact Jane Hartwell this week at jhartwell@episcopalmaine.org.

UP AND COMING IN MAINE AND BEYOND

FEBRUARY

Stewardship workshop with Lisa Meeder Turnbull

Diocesan Stewardship Consultant Lisa Meeder Turnbull will lead a session on Monday, February 9, at 7 p.m. She will cover the topic "Strategic Thinking." Join the conversation at episcopalmaine.webex.com.

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Parochial Reports are due on March 2! Take a walk-through with Terry Reimer

Canon for Finance and Stewardship, Terry Reimer, will offer two sessions by WebEx to walk church leaders through the steps to fill out the Parochial Report. Choose either Tuesday, February 10, or Thursday, February 12. Both sessions will begin at 7 p.m. and last one hour, including time for Q&A. Go to episcopalmaine.webex.com shortly before 7 p.m. to be ready for a prompt start.

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Godly Play Storytelling Circle gathers at St. Ann's, Windham, and online

On Wednesday, February 11, all are welcome to gather for a Godly Play session at 6 p.m. at St. Ann's in Windham. Participants may also join from home through WebEx by visiting episcopalmaine.webex.com. Click here for a flyer.

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Celebrate Mardi Gras with jazz and pancakes at St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland

As part of its continuing series, Music in the Cathedral, St. Luke's Cathedral in Portland will

offer a jazz concert featuring blues singer Lorraine Bohland, pianist Terry Foster, and Port City Jazz to celebrate Mardi Gras onTuesday, February 17, at 7 p.m.

The suggested donation for the concert is $10 for adults and $5 for students. Seniors and children under 12 admitted free. A pancake supper will precede the concert in the lower parish hall (Adults, $8; children under 12, $4).

MARCH

Kids in grades 6-8 are invited to the Winter Middle School Event

Registration is now open for the diocesan Winter Middle School Event, which will be held March 6 to 8, from 6:30 p.m. on Friday until 2 p.m. on Sunday at St. Paul's Church in Brunswick. It's a great time for your kids in grades 6 to 8 to be part of something bigger. There'll be discussions, games, swimming, music, activities, youth-led worship, new friends and fun. Fred Fowler, Sherry Sivret and Rev. Nancy Moore will lead. The Sunday Eucharist - open to everyone - will be at 1:00.

Registration is at www.maineyouth.org. Click here for a flyer.

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Episcopal Peace Fellowship - Maine Chapter to meet in Camden
on Saturday, March 7

All are welcome on Saturday, March 7, to the next Episcopal Peace Fellowship meeting at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Camden. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. and continue through a potluck lunch. Members are encouraged to contribute a simple food item.

Discussion of EPF's agenda for 2015 is ongoing as we invite new ideas, effective action, and creative peacemaking efforts. All members are encouraged to come and participate!

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Stewardship workshop with Lisa Meeder Turnbull

Diocesan Stewardship Consultant Lisa Meeder Turnbull will lead a session on Monday, March 9, at 7 p.m. She will cover the topic "Know Your Stuff." Join the conversation at episcopalmaine.webex.com.

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Invite high schoolers to TEC (Teens Encounter Christ)

Registration is now open at www.maineyouth.org for our diocesan Lenten high school event.

Carolyn Gildart, a young adult volunteer from St. Aidan's in Machias, says: "Attending my first Diocesan Youth Event was by far the best decision I made in high school.

Through Diocesan Youth Events I grew closer to God, learned about myself, became interested in the guitar and made many great friends."

TEC is March 20-22 at Trinity Church in Portland. The Rev. Roy Partridge is the priest and teens are coming from all over Maine and New Hampshire. Here's a TEC information flyer.

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Bishop's Book Group on Being Christian

All individuals and groups reading the book Being Christian by Rowan Williams are invited to join the Bishop on either March 25 and 26 (your choice) at 7 p.m. for an online discussion. .

Also, anyone leading a book discussion on this book during Lent is encouraged to contact Jane Hartwell at jhartwell@episcopalmaine.org or Bishop Steve Lane at slane@episcopalmaine.org for support.

Details to follow.

DIOCESAN CALENDAR

Episcopal Diocese of Maine
offices at 143 State Street, Portland 04101

207.772.1953 - 800.244.6062

info@episcopalmaine.org
www.episcopalmaine.org

Strengthening communities of faith for God's mission in congregations across Maine