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WHAT'S NEW IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN MAINE
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prayers for...
the young people and adult volunteers at gathered this weekend at St. Ann's in Windham for the fall high school retreat, Miqra.
those affected by continuing refugee crisis unfolding across Europe. Here's the latest bulletin from Episcopal Relief & Development on how you can help. Also, participate in a webinar which will cover how congregations can be involved offered by Episcopal Migration Ministries and Episcopal Public Policy on Thursday, October 15, at 8 p.m. Learn more.
Stay-tuned for information about how Maine congregations can assist families being resettled to Maine through Catholic Charities of Maine.
congratulations to...
the people of St. John's, Bangor, as they celebrated their 180th Anniversary last Sunday.
voices among us
Presiding Bishop-Elect Michael Curry talks with the Charlotte Observer about what his vision for The Episcopal Church under his leadership. Read it here.
At left Mark Spahr, General Convention Deputy from St. Patrick's, Brewer, snagged a selfie with the newly-elected PB-Elect at the 75th Anniversary Celebration of Episcopal Relief & Development.
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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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Today, Friday, October 9, is the last day to register here for the 2015 Diocesan Convention. More information to help you and your congregation prepare for Convention is available on our website with new content added regularly.
Please share the Convention webpage with your elected lay delegates and others who may wish to attend Convention workshops.
The Top Ten things you need to know about the budget
Diocesan Treasurer Dick Rozene of St. Ann's, Windham, with Finance Committee Chair the Rev. Nina Pooley of St. Bartholomew's, Yarmouth, serving as "budget translator," walks Convention delegates (and anyone else who might be interested) through the highlights of the proposed 2016 budget.
Missed your area's Pre-Convention Hearing? Try one online!
Tuesday, October 13 Diocesan staff will host an online Convention preview meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13. Staff members will go over the proposed 2016 budget and resolutions to be considered at Convention. If you wish to participate, join the meeting episcopalmaine.webex.com (and follow onscreen instruction) a few minutes before 7:30 p.m
Convention booklet now available
For the first time the Convention booklet will be available for download as a PDF only. No booklets will be printed. Those attending Convention may avail themselves of several options.
- Download and print the entire booklet (53 pages)
- Download and read all separate sections but print only those necessary to participate fully in Convention.
- Download the booklet onto a tablet or laptop that you bring to Convention. - Please note: No power will be supplied during the business session.
Download the Convention booklet or its sections HERE.
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Stewardship: Discerning Our Annual Commitment
As many of our congregations begin the season of annual commitment, consider this: Do you think of your pledge as "giving" or as "sharing"? How would each of these attitudes shape your offering? How might your answer shape your understanding of generosity, mission and ministry, and the work of the church?
If you would like to explore these questions and related stewardship resources, please contact Lisa Meeder Turnbull at mainestewards@yahoo.com. She is always happy to talk with leaders of Maine's congregations about all things stewardship in your congregation and community.
Join congregations across the U.S. in the Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend, December 10-14
 Following the great success of the 2nd annual National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend in March 2014 in nearly 1,000 places of worship in 46 states and the District of Columbia AND nearly 200 congregations participating in December 2014, Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence and the Washington National Cathedral are joining the Newtown Foundation and States United to Prevent Gun Violence in calling Americans across the nation to keep raising our voices for change by pledging to participate in December 2015! www.decembersabbath.org
Join places of worship across the nation, the Washington National Cathedral, the Newtown Foundation and Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, a coalition of more than 50 national denominations (including The Episcopal Church) and faith-based organizations, to remember those who have lost their lives to gunfire, pray for those whose lives have been forever changed because of the loss of a loved one, and to educate one another on proven strategies to reduce gun violence.
A new resource for Maine churches
Canon Terry Reimer shares a new publication out from Church Insurance, Inc., "Safety & Insurance Handbook for Churches." It is the latest and greatest of the "must have" documents for church leaders, containing checklists and fillable forms, etc. (Printing note: It's 101 pages long.)
Regional Confirmation in November
If your congregation is interested in participating in the Regional Confirmation (receptions, reaffirmations, baptisms) at Saint Mary's in Falmouth on Wednesday, November 11, please be in touch with Rev. Nate Ferrell nathanferrell@smary.org at Saint Mary's for additional information, and notify Barbara Martin bmartin@episcopalmaine.org the names and congregation of those being presented.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email Barbara Martin.
Funds available for international development and fighting domestic poverty in Maine
In 2007 Diocesan Convention voted to offer 0.7% of diocesan income each year to support efforts that would work toward the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Over the years grants have been made to train midwives in Haiti, subsidize salaries for teachers at a diocesan school in the Liberia and for pediatric AIDS nurses in South Africa. In recent years the grants have gone to support the work of the Diocese of Jerusalem's Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza and outreach ministries of St. George's Anglican Church in Baghdad.
 With 2015 marking the conclusion of the MDG's, members of Diocesan Council, at their September 19 meeting, considered whether to continue the practice of sending 0.7%, or $12,000, to support international development. Their answer was "yes." In addition, they agreed to continue to support a new domestic poverty grant process for efforts to fight poverty in Maine. The domestic poverty funds represent 0.3%, or $5,000, bringing giving to fight poverty to a full 1% of diocesan income.
Diocesan Council invites proposals for both programs, international and domestic, for consideration at its December meeting. Please submit a letter of application - describing the program and detail how and for what purpose diocesan funds would be used - to Canon Heidi Shott hshott@episcopalmaine.org by December 1, 2015. Examples of successful past proposal letters are available as a guide. Please be in touch.
On September 25, the United Nations approved a new set of 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development to succeed the MDGs. Learn more about them at www.globalgoals.org
Position open at St. Ann's, Windham
St. Ann's in Windham is in need of a part-time organist/choir director for ten hours per week, Sunday morning 7:30 a.m. to noon for two services, 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Those interested in playing the organ only or serving as both organist and choir director are welcome to inquire. Call the Rev. Tim Higgins at 632-4046 for more.
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UP AND COMING IN MAINE AND BEYOND
October
October Nouwen Seminar at Trinity Episcopal Church, Castine
The Rev. Edward Dufresne and the Rev. Mary Ann Taylor will conduct a five-session seminar on the life and spirituality of Henri Nouwen with a central focus on his book, The Return of the Prodigal Son. The seminar will take place at Trinity, Castine, on the Thursdays of October from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A brief Eucharist in the spirit of Henri Nouwen's liturgical ministry will follow the session, ending at noon. Contact either Mary Ann at maryanntay@aol.com or (207) 233-5037 or Edward at erdufresne@me.com or (508) 496-6911 to register. Seminar participants are asked to obtain their own copy of The Return of the Prodigal Son.
November
The Main(e) way to support Camp Bishopswood
A Bountiful Bean Benefit to help raise money for Camp Bishopswood will be co-sponsored by the Vestries of Grace, Bath, and St. Philip's, Wiscasset, on Saturday, November 7 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Grace, Bath, 1100 Washington Street.
Dinner is $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Reservations are not necessary, but may be made by calling Grace Church at 443-3792 or St. Philip's at 882-7184. The menu includes three kinds of beans including vegetarian beans, casseroles, hot dogs, coleslaw, breads, desserts, and beverages.
LOVE HEALS: A weekend with Becca Stevens and the women of Thistle Farms,
Nov. 12-15
 In November the Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms, a community of women who have survived trafficking, prostitution, and addiction in Nashville, Tennessee, will share this ministry with Mainers. The community includes a two-year residential program and a social enterprise that employs residents and graduates.
With the help from a New Initiatives Grant, the Diocese of Maine's Human Trafficking Ministry Group and other sponsors and partners will host Stevens and women from Thistle Farms at events to be held November 12 through November 15.
Thursday, November 12
Bates College, Lewiston 70 Campus Avenue, Muskie Archives
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Presentation: Burning Desire: Our Longing for Justice and Hope for Healing
Friday, November 13 The Center for Wisdom's Women, Lewiston 97 Blake Street (between Pine & Ash) 10 a.m. - 12 noon Conversations 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Wise and Strong Women Speak: Love Heals Saturday, November 14 St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Brunswick 27 Pleasant Street 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Conference: Love Heals The conference will focus particularly on what the faith community can do to address the issues and needs in New England. Local providers and advocates will be available for conversation, some with resource tables. Online registration in advance is required to attend the conference. There is no registration fee, but generous donations to help defray the costs for the day are encouraged. Lunch will be provided by St. Paul's Church. Sunday, November 15 Trinity Episcopal Church, Lewiston 247 Bates Street (next to Kennedy Park) 10 a.m. Worship and Discussion: Being Doers of the Word in Our Neighborhoods
Download a detailed brochure here or a flyer here.
Godly Play training in York Harbor
St. George's in York Harbor is hosting a Godly Play CORE training November 13th - 17th. This training is open to anyone who is interested in training to become a Godly Play storyteller or who would like to gain an in-depth understanding about the program. Partial scholarships may be available through the Diocese of Maine Wolf Fund. For more information or to register, click here.
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.
December
Faith@Home Workshop for Christian Ed Teachers
Province I is bringing in Wendy Barrie from Vibrant Faith to give a workshop on December 10-12 for Christian Ed teachers from all over New England. Thanks to a big subsidy, the cost is $160 for the full conference or $100 for half.
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