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The Dio Log
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news & events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine since 1999
Volume 21, Number 14 ~ July 26, 2019
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Everyone is keeping cool and having fun at Camp Bishopswood in Hope, Maine. Learn more about Camp Bishopswood here.
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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
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From the Bishop...
Earlier today the Diocese of Montana elected a bishop. Among the nominees was our colleague, the Reverend Nina Pooley, rector of St. Bartholomew's in Yarmouth. It takes a great deal of courage and energy to be in a public discernment process. Nina has done exceedingly well, and because of her willingness to offer her gifts, all of us in the Diocese of Maine are made more faithful. Please remember Nina and her family, and the people of St. Bartholomew's in your prayers.
Faithfully in Christ,
The Right Reverend Thomas J. Brown
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Maine
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Thanksgiving for...
the congregation of St. Luke's, Wilton and the Reverend Sue Cole, reminding us that church isn't about the building by worshipping and sharing fellowship in a nearby park
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In the News...
Under the direction of Music Director and Choirmaster Harold Stover at the 122-year-old-historic summer chapel, St. Peter's by the Sea Episcopal Church in Cape Neddick (5 35 Shore Road just south of the Cliff House), seven professional choir members will begin their season at the 10 a.m. Eucharist Service each Sunday in July and August. Read more about the musicians here in Seacoast Online and visit their website.
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Wondering where to find resources about Creation Care? Trying to start an Earth Care or Environmental group in your church? Check out the resources on the new diocesan Creation Care web page: episcopalmaine.org/creation-care
The Episcopal Church website's Creation Care section is also a good resource and has an email list that you can join. Both sites will help you to pray, learn, act and connect!
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Please note that Pentecost 8 will only take place on one Sunday this summer - oops! Find the revised Diocesan Cycle of Prayer here.
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Learn about humanitarian ministry in the Holy Land
American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) will host
its first-ever Maine event on Thursday, August 1, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brunswick.
Friends, pilgrims, and Maine supporters of the humanitarian institutions of the Diocese of Jerusalem, such as Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, are invited to join Bishop Thomas Brown, who has led several pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and the Rev. Tom Mousin, who will share information about the upcoming pilgrimage he will lead in January 2020. Read more about that trip here.
AFEDJ Executive Director John Lent will offer a presentation about current conditions in the region and share insights from his recent visits to the ministries AFEDJ supports across the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Gather for Middle Eastern food, fellowship, and a chance to learn more about the work of American Friends and our partners in the Diocese of Jerusalem.
Click here for an invitation to share with your congregation.
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 A Journey to the Holy Land
An 11 Day Pilgrimage Tour, January 18-29, 2020
Register now and join other pilgrims from the Episcopal Church in Maine and St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brookline, Massachusetts to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. The pilgrimage will be under the direction of the Rev. Thomas Mousin, spouse of Bishop Brown, and the Rev. Jeffrey Mello, rector of St. Paul's Church. Together, we will visit the places of Jesus' birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Our experienced personal guide Iyad Qumri, will lead us in exploring ancient places, vibrant markets, and modern museums in a land that is suspended between East and West, past and present. The estimated cost is $4000, which includes all travel, lodging, and meals. The precise amount will be determined by September 1st and won't exceed $4150. See the brochure with more details. Space is limited, so if you wish to register or have questions, contact Tom at [email protected] or 802-380-8913.
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How to speak up and make change happen in our church
Have you ever wondered how decisions are made and positions adopted at the diocesan convention? Do you think the process is too cumbersome or complicated? Do you have an idea you would like to propose to the whole diocese?
Join our Diocesan Convention Resolution Webinar to answer these questions and more for Tuesday, August 13th at 7:00 PM. Brenda Hamilton, Marge Kilkelly and Calvin Sanborn - all seasoned convention delegates - will be facilitating an interactive webinar.
We will do a quick review of the polity of The Episcopal Church and discuss the basics of a diocesan convention resolution. We will demonstrate how to write an effective resolution and discuss theological, biblical and historical grounding language. From there we will address how to anticipate and overcome objections and how to debate resolutions on the convention floor. It will be an extremely informative session that takes the mystery and anxiety out of the process.
To join the webinar:
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 931 573 3562
Resolutions to be considered by 200th Diocesan Convention in October may be submitted until September 9 using the form here:
Share your gifts with the entire diocese!
At the 200th Convention of the Diocese of Maine on Saturday, October 26 at USM in Portland, new leaders will be elected to the following positions:
Please prayfully consider whether you may be called to one of these governance offices. To nominate yourself or someone else, please complete the form below by September 9.
(use for all postions listed above) Two-year Diocesan Council terms for clergy representatives from each of the diocese's eight areas are also open. Please use the form below to submit a nomination. The deadline is September 9.
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Helping Asylum Seekers in Portland
St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry, a Diocesan Jubilee Center serving 200 or more individuals each week, many of whom are immigrants and refugees, needs your prayers as volunteers and staff work to respond to the overwhelming needs of our new neighbors. Consider contributing financial assistance or in-kind donations to help in these efforts. You can find their Amazon Wishlist here. Please ship or drop off essential items (see website and Amazon list for needs and drop-off hours) or mail checks to St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center, 134 Park Street, Portland ME 04101. Reach out to the Rev. Holly Hoffmann at [email protected] or call 772-5434 with any questions.
You also have the power to advocate to change the system that helped create this problem. Do you have ideas? Concerns? Ways to make it better? Contact your legislators on both a federal, state, and local levels! Visit the Maine Episcopal Justice Network page and scroll down for legislators' contact info. |
Upcoming in Maine and Beyond
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Episcopal Peace Fellowship meets September 7 ~ all are welcome!
Episcopal Peace Fellowship is holding its fall meeting on Saturday, September 7, at St Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church in Blue Hill (see poster here). The lunch meeting begins at 11 AM in the parish hall and will conclude by 2 PM. Lunch will be simple potluck fare contributed to by the members. The agenda will include an election of new officers-convener, treasurer, and recorder-which is held every three years (click here for a description of the responsibilities of officers). EPF welcomes anyone interested in its peacemaking mission to join the efforts of a core group of faithful members. For further information, contact co-conveners Diane Paterson ( [email protected]) or Kathy Coughlan ( [email protected]) and visit the Episcopal Peace Fellowship diocesan web page.
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Blue Hill Bach at St. Alban's
Blue Hill Bach, one of Maine's foremost summer music festivals, will present four wonderfully talented solo violinists performing Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," in a special post-season concert at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Cape Elizabeth (885 Shore Road), on Monday, July 29 at 7 p.m. They will be joined by Mark Vogelzang, CEO and president of Maine Public who will narrate the sonnets written to accompany the concertos.
This program is part of Concerts for the Community, a fundraiser to support the health and healing ministries of those in need from Maine to Haiti. Tickets ($30 adults and $10 students) are available at bluehillbach.org, by email at events@stalbansmaine, or by calling 207-799-4014. A dessert reception will follow the concert. FMI contact Sheila Zimmerman at [email protected].
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Save-the-Dates: New England Faith Formation Leaders' Gathering in NH
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