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Around the Diocese
Spring Training 2016 on April 9 in Brunswick:
Choose from among 20 workshops
On Saturday, April 9, gather with Bishop Steve Lane and Episcopalians from across the diocese for a day of learning, sharing, and growth at St. Paul's in Brunswick.
A church leader? A clergy person? Someone interested in spiritual growth or community outreach?
With 20 workshops to choose from, you'll find what you're looking for. Light breakfast and drinks provided; please bring your own bag lunch.
Details about the day and full workshop descriptions are here. Space is limited, so please register to attend soon.
Beware of email "phishing expeditions" in Maine churches
Earlier this week we became aware of three instances of an email sent under a legitimate church or diocesan email address under an alias. (A report is just in from the Diocese of Nebraska of similar attempts.)
The language in all three was identical, asking for information related to an immediate wire transfer. Please take caution in responding to any email that seems unlikely or suspicious.
Thanks and update from St. Luke's Cathedral
In the fall of 2015, St. Luke's embarked on a $1.5 million capital campaign to raise funds to repair the cathedral's east wall and rose window after engineers determined that the wall and window were in danger of collapsing. The campaign funds will support these and additional improvements to the building that will include the installation of much needed new bathrooms, addressing fire code and mold issues within the building, increasing meeting space, updating the kitchen, and improving the rear entrance to be more welcoming and less confusing to visitors. The extent of these improvements and repairs will depend on the amount of dollars raised and the costs of repairing the east wall and rose window. In an effort to give beyond ourselves, the vestry voted to give 10% of the total dollars raised to Camp Bishopswood, which is in desperate need of a new septic system.
We are pleased to announce that, to date, pledges to the campaign total $1,192,667 and gifts collected to immediately support the construction project total $322,207. Work will begin on the east wall and rose window this spring and will conclude in the fall. Work on Camp Bishopswood's septic system is currently underway so that facilities will be ready for summer camp.
St. Luke's is most grateful to everyone who has contributed to the campaign. It is not too late to support your cathedral and Camp Bishopswood! To make a contribution, please send a gift labeled "Living Stones Campaign" to St. Luke's Cathedral at 143 State Street, Portland 04101. To learn more about the campaign, please visit www.stlukesportland.org.
Grace for Creation curriculum now available online
In 2011, the Episcopal Church House of Bishops issued a pastoral letter on the environment. In response, a five-week study course titled "A Life of Grace for the Whole World" has been created and is now available for download at www.graceforcreation.org.
The curriculum follows the five sections of the Bishops' letter:
- A Time for Repentance and Renewal (Confessional)
- A Time for Grace for the Whole World (Sacramental)
- A Time for Justice and Sustainability (Prophetic)
- A Time to Renew Ancient Practices (Holiness)
- A Time to Commit and Act (Behavioral)
Good Friday offering for the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East
On Good Friday, offerings are invited from across The Episcopal Church to support the four dioceses of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Funds are used to promote peace and mutual understanding through pastoral care, health care and educational programs throughout the region. To learn more about our Church's work in the Middle East, please visit www.episcopalchurch.org/goodfridayoffering. Visit this page for posters, bulletin inserts, other resources, and instructions about how to share your offering.
The Presiding Bishop Michael Curry offers this invitation, "Our journey during Lent always leads us to Jerusalem...Our journey as Episcopalians also includes remembering our sister and brother Christians in the Holy Land who maintain the faith which we hold so dear. The political, social and spiritual challenges are well known. Their witness is an inspiration.
"As you know, each year, every bishop and congregation is encouraged by the Presiding Bishop to participate in the Good Friday Offering. This tradition is decades old and is an important statement of our solidarity with the members of the four dioceses of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. We have a Gospel imperative to be sure they know they are not forgotten behind the headlines or because of the distractions in our own lives."
St. Ann's, Windham, starts gofundme page for scholarships for children in Haiti
St. Ann's, Windham, is partnered with St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Treille, Haiti. Over the last three years there has been a drought in Haiti which has affected the farmers in Treille. This has impacted parents ability to pay for their child's school tuition, uniforms, and school supplies.
St. Ann's is raising money to provide scholarships for students in Treille whose families have been impacted by the drought. We hope to raise $8,000 to provide financial support to these families in need.
Please consider supporting us in this ministry by praying for the community of Treille and by offering financial support by donating to the scholarship fund at www.gofundme.com.
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