May 22,

2015

Volume 17

No. 10

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

The Rev. Kevin Holsapple (center), newly called to serve the congregations of

St. John's, Brownville Junction, and St. Augustine's, Dover-Foxcroft, with parishioners

Barbara Campbell, Janet Kluj, Susan Worcester, and Jane Bennett.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN MAINE

prayers for...

the Rev. Kelly Moughty, who has served the diocese with grace and joy for three years as Associate Rector at St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth and Assistant Rector at St. Peter's, Portland, as she departs this June to begin a new calling as Associate Rector at The Falls Church Episcopal in Virginia. Rev. Kelly departs with the thanks and praise and enjoys all our congratulations and warmest wishes as she and her fiancé Alex Peterson make their July wedding plans.

the Rev. Chuck and Beth Bradshaw, missionaries in the Diocese of Mityana in Uganda. Click here for their latest update.

welcome to...

the Rev. Christopher Szarke, and congratulations to him and the people of

St. Margaret's, Belfast, as they join together in ministry

Don Kerr, new organist and music director at St. Mark's, Waterville. Full story.

in the news...

The Diocese of Maine was awarded a United Thank Offering (UTO) Young Adult Grant (ages 21-30) for Portland Emergent Missional Community; a new congregation. The project, led by The Rev. Maria Andersen (ECLA), will work with un-churched young adults to address their spiritual lives. This is a joint effort between the ELCA Synod and the Diocese of Maine. Each of the nine provinces of The Episcopal Church was awarded one $1250 grant.

St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry has been designated a Jubilee Center of the Episcopal Church! They distribute non-food essentials like bar soap, clothes, and housewares to more than 200+ clients each week. Congratulations to the people from St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland and the other seven local Episcopal congregations who have helped serve the community and make the pantry's ministry a success.

The Right Rev. Chilton R. Knudsen has been appointed assistant bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. Congratulations to her as she begins this fall. Full story.

AROUND THE DIOCESE

Nominate a UTO Province I Representative 2015-2018

The United Thank Offering (UTO) Board is seeking a new Province I UTO Representative to serve a three year term beginning after General Convention this summer. Please read the position description and prayerfully consider serving in or nominating someone else to this ministry of thankfulness to God and Global Mission. Nomination form here. If you have questions, please contact our Diocesan UTO Coordinator, Sherri Dietrich, at ssdietrich@gmail.com.

Prayers to General Convention

Everyone is invited to add your prayers in words and images to The Prayers of the People at the Episcopal Church's 78th General Convention 2015!

Use Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and include the hashtag #prayersof and the hashtag #prayertheme. See the list of prayer themes assigned by day at www.prayersofthepeople.org.

Invite your whole congregation to participate! Download this informational bulletin to help spread the word.

Camp Bishopswood Update

Camp is about 80% full. Register soon to get the week or weeks you want at

www.bishopswood.org. Also consider taking part in one of these upcoming camp events:

Free Weekend at Bishopswood May 29th-31st

Camp Bishopswood provides the housing, meals, and fun. You provide your time and talents to help get Bishopswood ready for another busy season! Please contact Mike Douglass mike@bishopswood.org if you would like to join in for a day, night, or the whole

Open House Weekend June 5th - 7th

Weekend-long open house! A great time for families to come and spend one or two nights and experience camp with their children. The traditional daylong open house begins at 10am with Bishop Steven Lane presiding over worship. Take a tour, swim in beautiful Lake Megunticook, or go for a canoe ride.

June Clergy Events

All clergy are invited to Clergy Day on June 2nd at Christ Church in Gardiner. The topic of the program will be "Continued Discussions on Worship and Liturgy". Register here. Deadline: May 31st.

Bishop Steve also invites active parochial and extra-parochial priests to attend one of two Clergy Gatherings (Falmouth 6/17 and Palmyra 6/19) and retired priests to attend one of two Retired Clergy Luncheons (Brewer 6/4 or South Portland 6/18) this June. Dates and registration information for these events available here. If you have any question about your status, or the registration process, please be in touch with Barbara Martin, bmartin@episcopalmaine.org.

Strategic Mission Support (SMS) application deadline is May 31

The Diocesan Finance Committee reminds congregations wishing to apply for financial support in 2016 that the deadline to submit a Strategic Mission Support application is May 31. If you have questions about the application, visit the SMS webpage or contact your priest.

Diocesan Office Summer Hours

Beginning next Friday, May 29 and ending Friday, September 4, 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.

UP AND COMING IN MAINE AND BEYOND

May

Spirituality in the Second Half of Life: A Contemplative Retreat

Saturday, May 30th 9am-3pm

Retreat on Spirituality in the Second Half of Life to be held May 30th, led by Kathy Tosney and Fred Brancato. Registration at 8:30 am HopeGateWay Methodist Church 509 Forest Avenue, Portland, Maine. Living into the Second Half of Life is a precious gift and offers the opportunity for deeper experiences of who we are in our deepest identity. There will be opportunities for silent reflection, reflection with others who are also on the spiritual journey, and contemplative practices.

Scarborough Community Garden

Dedication Ceremony & Open House

Sunday, May 31st 11am

The Scarborough Community Garden at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church is an exciting new collaborative venture to grow healthy organic produce for the Scarborough Food Pantry and other community nutrition partners. Ribbon-cutting and blessing and dedication of the garden to be held on Sunday, May 31st at St. Nick's. All are welcome. RSVP appreciated 883-9437 or 883-5111 or online at www.ScarboroughCommunityGarden.org.

June

e-Formation Conference
Online June 1st - 3rd, 2015

This annual Episcopal conference with top-notch speakers is affordable and easily accessible. The price is only $79 for three days of participation in a national conference that's happening live at Virginia Theological Seminary. Topics include Managing Volunteers, How to Really Welcome the Stranger, Creating an Intergenerational Church Culture, Basic Social Media for Congregations and many more. It's a conference for ministry in a digital world. Jane Hartwell participated online last year, and reports that the conference was fascinating and useful. Find out more or register by visiting www.eformationvts.org/e-formation-2015-program.

Ordination

Saturday, June 13th

By the grace of God, and with the consent of the people, The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane will ordain Ann Kathlyn O'Sullivan and Abigail Bower Pettee to the Vocational Diaconate on Saturday, the 13th day of June, 2015 at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Portland, Maine.

Frances Perkins Homestead Celebration
June 13th, 2015

The Frances Perkins Homestead was designated a National Historic Landmark by Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. Please join the celebration of this recognition with the Frances Perkins Center on Saturday June 13, 2015 at 11:00am. RSVP to ccash@francesperkinscenter.org.

God's Story/My Story: A Diocesan Retreat for Adults

June 12-14th, 2015 - Register by May 28th

Join us June 12-14 for a weekend on beautiful Lake Megunticook, at Camp Bishopswood near Camden, Maine. Come away for awhile and enjoy a retreat in a natural setting, surrounded by wonderful people. Encounter the great sweep of the biblical story - creation, compassion, forgiveness, freedom, redemption and joy - and look for the echo of God's big story in your own life story. Retreat cost (including 2 nights lodging, meals) is $85. Financial aid is available via the online registration form. Download an information flyer and register at tinyurl.com/AdultRetreat2015.

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