The Dio Log 
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Dio Shield
news and events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine since 1999

Volume 18, Number 10 ~  May 20, 2016


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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine

prayers for...

the Ven. Aaron Perkins, deacon at St. George's, York Harbor, and coordinator of the community of deacons, upon the death of his mother, Cynthia Perkins, on May 11.

in the news...

Camp Bishopswood's septic project makes TV news! 

Camp Bishopswood: $40,000 from its goal.
Camp Bishopswood: Just $40,000 from its goal. Visit www.bishopswood.org to donate.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's interview on the PBS Newshour. Here's a link to the transcript.

Bishop Curry:
Bishop Curry: "We are a better Episcopal Church because we really do try to welcome all."


voices among us...

The most recent newsletter from the Rev. Chuck and Beth Bradshaw, our missionaries in the Diocese of Mityana, Uganda.
Around the Diocese


Didn't register? Join us tomorrow anyway! 
Joining God in the Neighborhood, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Christ Church, Gardiner

Remember to Join God in the Neighborhood this Saturday, May 21, at Christ Church in Gardiner.

This is the debut event of an process we'll be putting lots of energy and hope into over the coming years. There are roles for congregations... individuals... diocesan leaders... clergy... for everyone who wants to go and see what new things God may be up to outside our walls and how we may be called to join in. Many have already said they're coming, but registration is NOT required--so join us! Coffee is on at 9:30, the program begins at 10, and we'll conclude at 3.  All you need is a brown bag lunch, a pen, and a sense of holy adventure.


News from Bishopswood

Join us for Work Day on Saturday, June 4. We need all the help we can get to get camp up and running this summer. We will have projects for everyone or all skill levels. Projects include cleaning up camp and buildings, putting in the docs, building picnic tables, splitting wood, cleaning windows, etc. Please email Mike at mike@bishopswood.org if you plan to attend. 
 

Our Open House Day is Sunday, June 5. Join us at Bishopswood from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to take a tour of camp, meet summer staff and our Board of Directors. This is a great way to check out camp before you arrive, or if you are thinking about camp this summer. Please email Mike at mike@bishopswood.org if you plan to attend.

Registration is open and we have plenty of room. Please join us for a week or multiple weeks to make memories and friends to last a lifetime. Camp is a great place to try new things, meet friends, and leave better than when you arrived. Register at www.bishopswood.org.



Bishops United Against Gun Violence urges Episcopalians to wear orange on June 2
Bishops United Against Gun Violence, a group of more than 60 Episcopal bishops, including Bishop Stephen Lane, invites Episcopalians to consider wearing orange on June 2 as a sign of their commitment to reducing gun violence in their communities.

"Poll after poll demonstrates that some 85 percent of Americans, including large majorities of gun owners and members of the National Rifle Association, favor background checks on all gun purchases, yet Congress won't act," said the Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith of the Diocese of Newark, who convenes Bishops United in collaboration with Bishop Ian T. Douglas of Connecticut and Eugene T. Sutton of Maryland. "We need to take every opportunity to illustrate just how widespread the support for this simple legislation really is."

The Wear Orange movement began in 2013 after Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old high school student, was shot to death on the south side of Chicago just a week after marching in President Obama's second inaugural parade. Her friends asked people to honor Pendleton by wearing orange-the color hunters choose for safety-on her birthday, June 2.

Bishops United is asking Episcopalians to:
  • Have their picture taken in orange garb on June 2 and posted on social media using the hashtags #WearOrange and #Episcopal
  • Follow Episcopalians Against Gun Violence on Facebook.
  • Members of the clergy are invited to consider joining the movement to wear an orange stole on Sunday, June 5.
Currently in Maine, criminal background checks are only required for gun sales at licensed dealers. That means that felons and domestic abusers can easily buy guns anonymously from unlicensed sellers-including at gun shows, from strangers they meet online, and from Uncle Henry's-no background check required, no questions asked.

The background check referendum on the November ballot would close this loophole in Maine by requiring a criminal background check for every gun sale in the state, with reasonable exceptions for family, hunting, and self-defense. The referendum would mirror a billed passed by both legislative Maine House and Senate in 2013 but vetoed by the Governor. Learn more about the initiative at www.responsiblemaine.org.


Church directory crowdsourcing

One of our congregations is looking to publish a new church membership directory and asks for suggestions from Maine churches of companies that have been great to work with...or those to avoid. If your church has published a directory in the past few years and has advice to share with others, please send it along to Heidi Shott at hshott@episcopalmaine.org. Thanks!


Diocese of New Hampshire offers a year-long service opportunity for young adults

The Diocese of New Hampshire has just launched Assisi House in Concord, a program modeled on Episcopal Service Corps and the first in Northern New England. 

The New Hampshire program offers a yearlong internship to young adults, ages 21-29, with housing in a communal setting. The internship will be at a NH nonprofit (some examples of placement sites could include working on refugee resettlement, addiction and drug policy and advocacy, early childhood education, senior home visits). 
 
The interns will receive a small, monthly stipend, in addition to having their living expenses covered, in exchange for 32 hours a week of service. The remaining weekday hours will be for group work such as training and spiritual reflection. Interns do not need to be Episcopalians, however.

Our New Hampshire neighbors ask that if you know of young people, including graduating students or gap year seekers, who would benefit from this program or desire this kind of service-learning opportunity, please refer them to the program website and application:  http://www.escnh.org. 
 
For more information contact Laura Simoes, Assisi House Program Director, at 603-224-1914. 

Upcoming in Maine and Beyond

Jesus Then and Now
a diocesan retreat for adults - June 17 - 19
at Camp Bishopswood in Hope


The Rev. Carolyn Eklund and Jane Hartwell with Thew Elliott as musician will lead this retreat, with a focus on Jesus. They'll use drama, prayer, scripture, history and music to explore the connections between Jesus's life story, our lives and world. 

Besides a content-rich program, there'll be laughter, music, and silence. Hopefully, each participant will grow to know and love Jesus more deeply. Time is set aside to enjoy the beauty of nature, use the new septic system and make friends around the campfire. Many people are already registered and come from 15 congregations and range in age from 20s to 80s. The leaders hope you decide to come, too.
 
Scholarships are available - including full scholarships for all Christian Ed teachers. Please try to register by May 31. For more information, contact Jane Hartwell at jhartwell@episcopalmaine.org. Download an information flyer and register at www.tinyurl.com/AdultRetreat2016.  


Episcopal Peace Fellowship meets Saturday, June 4

EPF - Maine Chapter will meet on Saturday, June 4, at St. John Baptist Church in Thomaston, (200 Main St). The meeting begins at 10 a.m. and will end about 1 p.m. following a simple potluck lunch. On the horizon are several noteworthy events including a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Oct/Nov 2016 (click here for a flyer) and evenings with three artist/activists who have created art in the Palestinian West Bank to foster peace and community. These evenings will be held at St. Paul's, Brunswick, on July 21, and St. Francis, Blue Hill, on July 22. Details to follow.


eFormation Conference - June 6-8

This online conference about ministry in a digital world is a top-notch Episcopal education event for leaders who want to learn skills for ministry and faith formation. Webinar access to the three-day conference, including recordings after the event, is available for $89. Emily Keniston and Jane Hartwell attended by computer last year, and can attest to the quality of the conference and the online access. Here is a list of workshops and a link to registration. FMI, contact jhartwell@episcopalmaine.org.


Regional confirmation on June 19

A regional confirmation will be held at St. George's, York Harbor, on Sunday, June 19, in the afternoon (exact time TBD). If your congregation would like to participate, or you would like additional information, please contact: the Rev. Calvin Sanborn at  csanborn@stgeorgesyorkharbor.org.
Bishop Lane's blog, www.roundmaine.org | The New Northeast blog, newnortheast.me
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