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WHAT'S NEW IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN MAINE
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prayers for...
all those affected by the strife and war in Syria that has resulted in the current refugee crisis in Syria.
On this 14th year after 9/11, here is a collect from the Diocese of New York's Proper for September 11.
O Almighty God, who brings good out of evil and turns even the wrath of your children towards your promised peace: Hear our prayers this day as we remember those of many nations and differing faiths whose lives were cut short by the fierce flames of anger and hatred. Hasten the time when the menace of war shall be removed. Cleanse both us and those perceived to be our enemies of all hatred and distrust. Pour out the spirit of peace on all the rulers of our world that we may be brought through strife to the lasting peace of the kingdom of your Son; Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. the family of Audrey H. Kennison, who died on Sunday, September 6. Audrey was the wife of the Rev. William Kennison, a long-time priest of this diocese. A service will be held on Saturday, September 12, at 2 p.m. at St. John Baptist, Thomaston. Her obituary may be found here.
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 The 196th Convention of the Diocese of Maine
"We are God's Dwelling: Rooted in Scripture and Nurtured by Grace"
October 23 - 24, 2015
Portland
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Registration for all those who will attend the 2015 Diocesan Convention is now open. More information to help you and your congregation prepare for Convention is available on our website with new content added regularly. Please share this page with your elected lay delegates and check back often.
Join the Convention Choir
Anyone who would like to participate in this year's Convention Choir is invited to register here. To participate, you must register before arriving at Convention.
Rehearsals will be held at St. Luke's Cathedral in Portland and additional information will be sent via email after you register.
The Convention Choir will sing at Convention Eucharist, 1 p.m. Saturday, October 24, at the Cathedral.
EXHIBITS (DEADLINE SEPT. 28 OR UNTIL SPACE IS FILLED)
Nominations for Diocesan Youth Reps to Convention due Sept. 18: 
Do you know someone who is either in high school or a young adult (up to age 20) who would like to be part of your delegation to Diocesan Convention? Eight young people will be selected to assist their congregations as Diocesan Youth Reps. They have voice but not vote. Your congregation would be responsible for preparing the teen beforehand and mentoring them during Convention. Our diocese will supervise the group of teens between meetings and provide all meals. Click here for information about this and other youth opportunities at Convention. Click here for the simple on-line nomination form. For more info, contact Jane Hartwell at jhartwell@episcopalmaine.org.
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Bishops Speak Out: Stop the Violence and Hate, a monthly web conference
 Join Bishop Lane and other New England bishops in a series of monthly web conferences sponsored by the Province of New England's Cultural Competency and Multicultural Awareness Task Force. The Third Tuesday web conference series will launch on Tuesday, September 15, at 7:30 pm.
Along with Bishop Lane, Bishops Robert Hirschfeld (NH), Thomas Ely (VT), Douglas Fisher (W MA), Alan Gates (MA), Nicholas Knisely (RI), and Laura Ahrens (CT) will share their awareness of how race and racism are present in their dioceses and offer hopes for how we can work together to stop the violence and hate.
Future topics in the series will include conversations with Heidi Kim, the Episcopal Church's Missioner for Racial Reconciliation; Deacon Janice Grinnell introducing the Diocese of Rhode Island's Center for Reconciliation; the Rev. Bill Kondrath leading a discussion of the Role of Feeling in Racial Justice Work, and James McKim introducing New Hampshire's Diversity Dinners.
To learn more about the series and how to participate, click here.
Learn about
new stewardship tools and the power of small-church ministry
'Tis the Season!
What a great time of year this is in our congregations...
Blessing of the backpacks? Check!
Rally Day? Check!
Sunday School registration, program kick-off, committees re-forming?
Check, check, and check!
Next up---Stewardship!
All across the diocese, as we "do church" in our many setting and circumstances, our stewardship conversations have become richer and more creative. Generosity is being celebrated in its many forms and new ways of talking about money and time are emerging.
In that spirit, Lisa Meeder Turnbull has brought together some wonderful new tools for congregations, with a particular emphasis on the power of small-church ministry.
Lisa is available by phone or video chat and is happy to spend time with you as you plan your upcoming stewardship cycle. Just drop her a note at mainestewards@yahoo.com to set up a time that is convenient for you!
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UP AND COMING IN MAINE AND BEYOND
September
EPF-Maine meeting on September 12th
The Maine Chapter of Episcopal Peace Fellowship will hold its next meeting on September 12, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Thomaston. The meeting begins in the parish hall at 10 a.m. and will run through lunch (please bring a food item to share). On the agenda will be a discussion of the resolutions EPF-Maine has submitted to Diocesan Convention to be held on October 23-24. We will consider ways to carry out future work projected by the resolution. Anyone interested in attending is most welcome, along with members new and old. If you have questions, please contact EPF Convener Gretchen Crawford at gcrawford16@yahoo.com.
October
Miqra, the new diocesan high school event
It will be hosted at St. Ann's in Windham on the Columbus Day long weekend. Teen staff and adults meet on Friday, October 9. The event is from October 10 to 12, Saturday afternoon to Monday (Columbus Day).
Like all high school events, there'll be depth, laughter, music, new friends and fun. Download a flyer here and register at www.maineyouth.org.
November
Fall Middle School Event iCathedral on November 20-22 
It's a great time for your kids in grades 6-8 to make new friends, explore faith and have fun. There'll be discussions, games, swimming, music, activities, and a wonderful team of teenage and adult leaders. The leadership prep is October 30-31. The underlying theme is God's unconditional love. Come and join us! Download a flyer here. Find info and registration at www.maineyouth.org.
Fall Regional Clergy Gatherings
Bishop Lane invites Maine's clergy to one of three regional clergy gatherings. Learn more and sign-up here.
Fall Regional Confirmation
Wednesday, November 11
Regional Confirmation to be held on November 11th at St. Mary's, Falmouth.
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