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Around the Diocese...
Here's the brief video tribute to
St. Barnabas', Augusta, that was
shared at Convention. St. Barnabas and St. Matthew's, Hallowell,
have
become the Episcopal Church of Saints Matthew and Barnabas
after
two years of sharing worship, ministry, and life together.
New Initiative Fund grant applications now accepted
Now in its ninth year, the Diocese of Maine New Initiative Fund grant program is designed to help congregations and groups fund exciting and creative new ministries in their communities.
At its June meeting in Millinocket, Diocesan Council voted to regularize the deadlines going forward. From 2018 on, the deadline for Round 1 applications will be January 1 and the deadline for Round 2 applications will be July 1. Applications for both rounds will be considered at Council's next regularly scheduled meeting.
For more details and links to the online application and application worksheet, please visit the
New Initiative Fund page of the diocesan website.
Sunday, December 17 marks the fifth December Sabbath
Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence is again joining the Newtown Foundation and States United to Prevent Gun Violence in calling people across the nation to raise voices for change by pledging to participate in the December Sabbath. It is held in mid-December each year to remember the anniversary of the shootings at Sandy Hook on December 14, 2012.
On Sunday, December 17 join a coalition of more than 50 national denominations 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.
Churches may also use the litany written in 2015 by our own Bishop Stephen T. Lane. The prayers have since been used by dozens of churches across the country. Follow the link for a printable version of Bishop Lane's
Litany for Gun Violence Prevention.
Episcopal Church Foundation's top ten Advent Resources for 2017
EFC's Vital Practices blog lists, in one convenient location, its favorite
free Advent resources.
Offerings include calendars and devotions; Advent wreaths and activities; St. Nicholas Day; and preparing for Christmas visitors at your church.
Already thinking about Lent?
Our Lutheran friends at the publishing house, Augsburg Fortress, have sent a trial copy of a small, daily Lenten devotional called, "you are the way."
It is a gem. The pocket-sized version is breakfast table ready! Large-print and ebook editions are also available.
Quantity discounts are available at checkout.
Your congregation is invited to join the next cohort of RenewalWorks.
RenewalWorks, a ministry of Forward Movement, offers a clearly-delineated and supported process to refocus and rejuvenate congregations by increasing spiritual growth and helping people to grow in love of God and neighbor. An online inventory taken by your parishioners, helps them explore their individual beliefs and practices,how their faith is at work in the world, and the church's role in all of that. The inventory is followed by coaching and workshops in which a team reflects on where the congregation has been, where it is, and where it feels called to go.
Please register by mid-December for the January cohort. The diocese will pay one-half of the fee.
St. John's, Bangor, and Trinity Church, Portland, both used RenewalWorks last year and rave about it. For more information, contact RenewalWorks Coordinator Jay Sidebotham at [email protected] or visit www.renewalworks.org.
Adult Formation Resources Exchange
In response to the requests of many clergy and parishioners for a simple way to find out what's working in adult formation in other churches, the next several editions of The Dio Log will introduce some resources recommended by Maine clergy and formation leaders. More information about each one may be found on the Adult Formation Resources Exchange web page.
Food for the Soul is a Bible study for elders dealing with memory loss and is led by Nadine Timberlake of St. Mary's in Falmouth...Read more at the link, scroll to "Ideas for Anytime."
www.buildfaith.org contains a wealth of resources for kids and adults. Sponsored by Virginia Theological Seminary, its motto is
Equip. Teach. Form: Resources for Disciples of All Ages.
There's also a specific section of Advent resources, including...
Living Well Through Advent 2017: "Practicing Wonder with All your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind" is a booklet of daily meditations available in bulk from Living Compass for $1 each.
Episcopal Relief & Development Launches $760,000 Holiday Matching Gift Challenge
At Diocesan Convention in October, Bishop Lane asked congregations to consider a Thanksgiving ingathering for Episcopal Relief & Development, considering the tremendous need of people across the world.
What a timely request! Starting now through the end of December, ER&D supporters have the opportunity to double donations by participating in a holiday match.
A group of extremely generous donors will match all donations dollar-for-dollar up to $760,000 until December 31.
Donations made to any ER&D fund before year-end are eligible for matching, including contributions online, over the phone, by mail or through
Gifts for Life
, the organization's alternative giving catalog. For new and existing monthly donors, any scheduled contributions will also be matched.
Click here to donate online or call 1.855.312.4325. Gifts may also be mailed to Episcopal Relief & Development, P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.
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