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The Dio Log
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news & events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine since 1999
Volume 21, Number 12 ~ June 20, 2019
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Farewell from Steve and Gretchen
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As we depart the Diocese of Maine for our new home in Rochester, NY, Gretchen
and I want to offer a final word of thanks for the all the relationships we have shared with you by God's grace. It has been a joy and an honor to be among you and to serve God's mission. It has been the experience of a lifetime, and we thank you.
We want you to know that we deeply appreciate the gifts we have been given: the many cards and letters, the quilt, the new cabin set aside for clergy renewal at Bishopswood, and, especially, the innumerable quiet conversations and warm embraces. We also want to let you know that more than $3000 has been given for the ministry of Bishopswood, and we are honored by that contribution. May God continue to bless you and Thomas, your bishop. We know that you have chosen well and that God has many blessings in store for the Diocese of Maine.
Peace,
+Steve and Gretchen
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What's New in the Episcopal Church in Maine
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Prayers for...
the courage, strength, and resilience of refugees worldwide on this World Refugee Day. Join Episcopalians in our state and across the country in prayer and action in support of our newest neighbors and friends. To read about ways to help the asylum seeking families recently arrived in Portland, including supporting the vital ministries of St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center and St. Luke's Food Pantry in Portland, visit the Maine Episcopal Network for Justice page of episcopalmaine.org. #RefugeesWelcome, #SupportRefugees #WRD19
the Rev. Charles Johnson, who was rector of Christ Church, Gardiner from 1989-1993, and his family and friends, upon his death last week in Irvington, VA at the age of 81. Read his obituary here.
Mr. Richard Conover Henriques (Dick), a former employee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, who passed away on June 7th surrounded by loved ones. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 3 at 11 a.m. at St. Bartholomew's, Yarmouth. Read Dick's obituary here.
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the service of the Rev. Laura Peckham at St. Martin's, Palmyra and the Rev. Kevin Holsapple at St. Augustine's, Dover-Foxcroft and St. John the Baptist, Brownville Junction as they conclude their ministries with their congregations this month.
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the Rev. John Balicki, rector of St Mark's, Waterville, who has accepted Bishop Lane's appointment as chair of a small planning group to oversee the Presiding Bishop's Visit next May during our Bicentennial Celebration. During conversation with the Bicentennial Committee, it became apparent that assigning that responsibility to them in addition to all the other work the Committee they have before them would create an undue burden and hardship. John will be pulling together a separate planning group to determine, in consultation with the PB's Office, the shape and direction of the PB's visit. That group has begun meeting and will be exploring options over the summer. Work will begin in earnest next September, with about nine months available before the PB arrives.
Sophia's House, a "housing first" community program in Lewiston which will provide two years of healing and housing for women who are survivors of prostitution, trafficking, prison, and addiction in conjunction with The Center for Wisdom's Women. They've been awarded a UTO Grant of $39,000 to assist with start up costs and are targeted to open in late 2019.
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From the Bishop...
Retirement of Jane Hartwell as Canon for Formation and Spiritual Growth
After more than 20 years of service to the Diocese of Maine, the great majority of it in Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Jane Hartwell will be retiring from her work as Canon on July 19, 2019.
It is impossible to sum up so many years of service in a few words. Jane was in place and managing a very successful youth ministry when I became bishop in 2008. She stayed faithfully at that task despite the challenges of shrinking budgets and the increasingly complicated calendars of today's youth. She successfully transitioned that ministry from one overseen primarily by paid staff to one led and overseen by volunteers. In the meantime she picked up responsibilities for Christian Formation, Spiritual Development and the care and feeding of numerous networks. Jane has a gift for relationships, and she carefully shepherded networks for youth ministers, Christian educators and church musicians, among others.
Please join me in giving thanks to God for Jane's ministry among us. Please don't hesitate to write or call to share your story with Jane, to tell her of the ways your life has been enriched by her presence.
We wish Jane well in her retirement and know that we will continue to see her at Trinity, Portland, and around the Diocese.
Faithfully,
Bishop Stephen T. Lane
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WATCH Live Saturday & Sunday
The video broadcast will begin that morning at 10:15am using this link:
Video will begin to roll at 10:30am via this link:
TEST Thursday & Friday
Do you want to test your connection before the BIG WEEKEND? Get set up to try it out on today,Thursday, June 20th at 5:30 PM here: Another trial is scheduled for Friday, June 21st at 2:30 PM here:
Don't forget speakers! Connect a powerful speaker(s) so that everyone can hear.Download a pdf containing these links, back-up links and instructions here. This information is also posted on episcopalmaine.org. Please contact John Hennessy if you have any questions.
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2020 Payroll Service Survey for Employees & Treasurers
The Payroll Service of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine pays every other week. In a normal year, there are 26 pays. However, once in every eleven years, there are 27 pays using the every other week pay method. 2020 is such a year. In 2020 there will be 27 pays.
There are two ways to deal with this:
- For salaried employees, the annual compensation amount is divided by 26 and all 27 pays use this amount. This method results in a total compensation amount greater than the employee's salary - the final pay is a one time "additional" pay amounting to roughly 4% greater than the salary. Voluntary employee withholdings such as flexible spending, health savings accounts, employee portion of health insurance premiums, etc. are allocated over the first 26 pays of 2020 and not deducted in the 27th pay. Hourly employees are paid based on hours submitted and experience no impact as a result of the 26 versus 27 pay issue.
- For salaried employees, the annual compensation amount is divided by 27 and all 27 pays use this amount. This method results in a slightly lower compensation amount for each pay. However, the total compensation amount equals the employee's salary. As in above, hourly employees are paid based on hours submitted and experience no impact as a result of the 26 versus 27 pay issue.
Please indicate your method preference here. A section for comments is also provided.
Questions? Please contact: Terry Reimer, Canon Missioner for Finance and Stewardship or Tom Sumner, Assistant for Finance and Insurance.
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Diocesan Convention: Nominations open
Convention will take place on October 26 at USM in Portland. Nominations for the following elected offices in the diocese are now open:
Click the links above for full descriptions of these diocesan offices as well as current office holders.The nomination form for all of the positions above may be found here. Deadline is September 9. Also, nominations for two-year terms for a clergy representative from each of the diocese's eight areas to Diocesan Council are now open. Information about Council and the nomination form may be found here. The deadline for nominations is September 9, too.Resolutions to be considered by Diocesan Convention in October may be submitted until September 9 here. Are you a priest/senior warden who still need to submit your congregation's certificate of delegates for October's convention? It's not too late. Deadline is June 30. Here's the handy form. All other convention info can be found at:
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Schedule at the diocesan office July & August
Beginning July 5 and running through August 30, the bishop and other members of the diocesan staff will schedule appointments and meetings at the diocesan office (Loring House) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only.
Because we are a small staff, we find that on summer Mondays and half-day Fridays - because of vacations, clergy days off, and staff members out of the office for meetings - there would often be only one person in the building. On those days, working staff will be available by phone and email, but it's safer for everyone if the building is closed. That means that our skeleton crew won't be available for drop-ins on Monday and Friday throughout the summer. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, we will, as usual, welcome all visitors! Thanks for understanding.
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Upcoming in Maine and Beyond
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Summer Finale Camp for All Ages - August 22-25
The Diocese of Maine and Camp Bishopswood invite all ages to join us for Summer Finale Camp.
Each day choose from activities like canoeing, paddle boards, campfires, crafts, games, nature walks, and rope courses.
Rev. Susan Murphy will lead us in exploring The Way of Love. And Mike Douglass will lead camp-wide activities. Come and experience a wonderful, meaningful time in this camp community. Register and find out more here.
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The Way of Love Weekly Podcast in June and July with Bishop Michael Curry
"The way of Jesus is the Way of Love. And the Way of Love can change the world," Presiding Bishop Michael Curry says in his new podcast, The Way of Love: with Bishop Michael Curry. These weekly conversations, featuring Bishop Curry along with hosts Kyle Oliver and Sandy Milien, explore living a life committed to living the way of God's unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial and redemptive love.
New episodes air Tuesdays through July 30. Each week in Season One, Bishop Curry introduces one of the seven Way of Love, Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest.
The Way of Love: with Bishop Michael Curry, is available on all podcast apps. Visit the Way of Love podcast webpage to subscribe to the podcast through Apple iTunes, Google Play or Spotify and to sign up for notifications.
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Journey to the Holy Land - January 18-29, 2020
11- Day Pilgrimage Tour
You are invited to join other pilgrims from the Episcopal Church in Maine and St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brookline, MA as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus. The pilgrimage will be under the direction of the Rev. Thomas Mousin, spouse of Bishop-elect Thomas 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. Detailed information will be available soon. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Tom at: [email protected] or 802-380-8913.
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