October 26, 
2015
Volume 
17 
No. 21
 The Dio Log 

news and events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine since 1999
 The Episcopal Church of the Back Cove in Portland: St. Peter's, Trinity, and All Saints got people moving during Evening Prayer at the end of Convention on Friday in USM's Hannaford Hall. They led Convention in singing a song in Arabic that says Jesus shines in our hearts and whenever we are gathered together. Amen!
 
WHAT'S NEW IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN MAINE
 
prayers for...


the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop-Elect, as he is installed as Presiding Bishop at the Washington National Cathedral on Sunday, November 1.

the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, as she competes her nine-year term this week. Read her farewell remarks here.

Bishop Chilton and Michael Knudsen as they move from Bath to their new home in Maryland where Bishop Chilton will begin her ministry as Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Maryland.

thanksgiving for...

the delegates, alternates, clergy and guests of the 196th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Maine who met in Portland on Friday and Saturday. Click on the links for summary of Convention results, a  photo album, and Bishop Stephen T. Lane's Convention address and sermon.


Mr. Joe Delafield, of St. Alban's, Cape Elizabeth, who at the close of Convention marked 22 years as chancellor of the Diocese of Maine. 

Video to come! Check back to the video player on the diocesan home page at www.episcopalmaine.org or our youtube channel at www.youtube.com/episcopalmaine.


congratulations to...

the Diocese of Maine! We received word over the weekend that the Diocese of Maine has been awarded a $30,000 grant to help launch the Maine Episcopal Network for Justice. The MENJ will support and train members of local congregations and offer a sustained presence in Augusta to advocate for public policies that protect our most vulnerable neighbors. Look for more in an upcoming post in the NNE. Join the Network's Facebook group for the latest news and updates.
AROUND THE DIOCESE
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.


Funds available for international development and fighting domestic poverty in Maine

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.


Adult Formation Resource Exchange

Here is an Advent resource to put in your newsletter and bulletin.  Please share your favorite Adult Formation resources with other congregations by sending them to Jane Hartwell at  jhartwell@episcopalmaine.org.

SSJE offers an online Advent spiritual formation resource: 

ADVENT - #AdventWord, a Global Advent Calendar 

Participate in the Anglican Communion's Global Advent Calendar offered by SSJE. During Advent, we anticipate the coming of Christ, an event that awakens our deepest desires and longings. Respond to a daily meditation from SSJE with images and prayers that speak to your heart and be part of a global Advent Calendar that brings us together in communion.
 
Participants are invited to respond with an image of their own on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. The result is a crowd-sourced global advent calendar that creates a sense of worldwide communion and wonder. It is fun to see so many people praying together. Subscribe at anglicancommunion.org/adventword.
UP AND COMING IN MAINE AND BEYOND

November


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.

Follow the news about the event on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/LoveHealsEvent 


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. 
 
Space is filling up!  Contact Emily Keniston emilykeniston@yahoo.com or Jane Hartwell jhartwell@episcopalmaine.org ASAP to coordinate scholarships, rides and roommates. This is a great opportunity! Read more here. 

     
 
Episcopal Diocese of Maine
offices at 143 State Street, Portland  04101
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info@episcopalmaine.org
www.episcopalmaine.org
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