Volume 26, Number 7

July 18, 2024

Learning Lunch for Summer Chapels



On July 2, Bishop Brown and diocesan staff members hosted a well-attended and lively gathering of summer chapel leaders in the garden of the episcopal residence. Guests heard presentations on insurance matters by Lianne Limoli from Church Insurance Agency, Future Planning by Gail Evans from All Saints by-the-Sea, Southport, and Community and Outreach by Carl Sandford of St. Peter's by the Sea, Cape Neddick.

After lunch, attendees participated in roundtable discussions on the presentation topics and other issues related to their ministries. “I felt very positive about the day, said Seth Stewart, a member of the governing committee at All Saints by-the-Sea, Southport. "I most enjoyed meeting other leaders and clergy from the summer chapels; it’s very important to me to have that opportunity.” See more photos here.

The Importance of Summer Chapels with Persis Laverack

Persis Laverack, a longtime member of Church of the Redeemer in Sorrento, shares her views on the importance of providing financial support for summer chapels.

Cathedral Bids Farewell to the Rev. Suzanne Roberts



On June 30, the Rev. Suzanne Roberts celebrated the conclusion of two decades of ministry at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, first as a lay person and then as a priest associate. She will continue to serve the diocese as transition and deployment officer.

Join us in offering prayers of thanksgiving for her long and faithful service.

Bishop Brown visits St. John Baptist in Thomaston



The congregation of St. John Baptist assembled between the distinctive carpenter Gothic-style church and a bed of bright yellow daylilies for the occasion of Bishop Brown's visit on June 30.

Bishop Brown Recaps General Convention

News from the 81st General Convention is widely available from the Episcopal News Service and more information from our deputies and communications team will be forthcoming. In the meantime, the following is the bishop's curated list of key resolutions. All of the resolutions are easily accessible online here. 

• A015, Owning a Commitment to Reparations
• A028, Support fro Freedom to Consider Ethical Issues in Investing
• A035, Establish model policies for Anti-Racism work
• A049, United Methodist Church, toward Full Communion
• A053-A058, several canonical amendments related to Title IV disciplinary process
• A101, Revise Denominational Health Plan pricing
• A110, Clarify distinction between Biblical Israel and Modern Israel
• A121, Authorize Commemoration of Bishop Barbara C. Harris
• A168, Establish the Diocese of the Great Lakes
• A169, Establish the Diocese of Wisconsin
• B010, Revise Title IV process
• C009, Establish Navajoland's autonomy
• D007, Israel-Palestine
• D074, Renouncing the Theology of Slavery by the Reverend James Craik, 11th President of the House of Deputies. nota bene--you will be hearing a GREAT DEAL more about this resolution and its connection to one among us in the Diocese of Maine.

The Episcopal Church Seeks Volunteers for Interim Bodies

Between General Conventions, what The Episcopal Church (TEC) calls interim bodies—the commissions, task forces, and other committees—are charged with following through on church priorities and carrying out governance. TEC is looking for a few hundred Episcopalians to serve on these interim bodies between now and the 82nd General Convention in 2027. Those interested in being appointed to an interim body should submit an application by Aug. 5. Learn more here.

Sunday Forums at Grace Church

July 21 and Aug. 4

1100 Washington St., Bath

Grace Church is hosting the following free and open-to-all forums following the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service.



On July 21, "Trauma and Meeting the Risen One" explores the impact of psychological trauma on self and the community, and reflects on trauma’s relationship to the Resurrection experience. It will be led by Greg Caron, staff psychologist on the PTSD and General Mental Health clinical teams at the VA Medical Center in Togus. 

On Aug. 4, "Our Call to Housing Justice," will be led by the Rev. Carolyn Eklund, retired rector of St. Paul's in Brunswick, who serves on the Brunswick Tedford Housing Board of Directors and volunteers for The Gathering Place, a day shelter in Brunswick. This will be "a deep conversation about housing injustice and the factors causing the housing crisis in our towns." 

Parking is off of Edwards Street.

Summer Finale

Sept. 13 - 15

Camp Bishopswood

Registration is now open for Summer Finale! There is also a day-only option on Saturday, Sept. 14. And back this year after a several-year hiatus is a mini retreat especially for those who do formation work in our diocese on Friday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. As in years past, this will be an opportunity to spend a day in conversation with formation folks, to enjoy delicious food, and imagine ways in which we can collaborate and uplift one another in our formation work. 



Register for Summer Finale here, including one-day and overnight options. Register for the Formation Mini-Retreat on Sept. 13 here. See a full description, including FAQs, here.

Convocation 2024

Hope in Small Places: Becoming People of Refugia Faith

Sept. 26-27

Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center, Hallowell

In a climate-changed world, we are drawn toward places where life persists, hope is nurtured, and courage, gratitude, and wonder are ever-present. These are the spaces Convocation 2024 keynote speaker Debra Rienstra celebrates in her book "Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth,"

Drawing upon the biological concept of refugia—little pockets of safety where life persists in times of disaster— she suggests that this is a moment when people of faith are called to be people of spiritual refugia. In-person registration is limited to 100 participants. Learn more and register here.

Tri-Dio Sacred Ground Circles Begin Again This Fall

Are you interested in joining others from the Episcopal Dioceses of Northern New England (and beyond) in a film-based dialogue series on race and faith? The third round of Tri-Dio Sacred Ground dialogue circles will start this fall, and will include others from the wider Episcopal church and other denominations. There will be at least three circles that will meet at different times and on different days. Register here.



View the Sacred Ground Invitational video “We Bless You” by the Union of Black Episcopalians and Sacred Ground staff, and learn more about Sacred Ground here. 

Representatives from each diocese are: Mary Provo of Maine, Betty Lane of New Hampshire, and Franci Vinal Farnsworth of Vermont. 

Season of Creation Celebration Guide

Bishop Brown is one of 42 diocesan bishops to authorize the use of the 2024 edition of Season of Creation: A Celebration Guide for Episcopal Parishes, during this years' Season of Creation—Sept. 1 - Oct. 4.



According to the Episcopal News Service, "developing this resource has been a grassroots effort inspired by the ecumenical Season of Creation movement, a desire for authentic Episcopal liturgical expression, and the awareness that parish leaders often have limited time and energy to prepare and plan services for every season." This rich resource includes prayers, readings, and hymns dedicated to honoring the sacredness of God’s Creation. Find it here. 

HistoryIT Webinar with Bishop Brown on the Creation of The Diocese of Maine’s Digital Museum

A few weeks ago, Bishop Brown sat in conversation with the Founder and CEO of HistoryIT, Kristen Gwinn-Becker, to discuss the Digital Preservation Initiative at the Diocese of Maine. Explore the digital museum here.

Resolutions Now Being Accepted for the 205th Convention of the Diocese of Maine

Resolutions are one way to institute change in diocesan policy. If you are thinking of having an idea considered by the 205th Diocesan Convention on Nov. 16 in Portland, please reach out and let us know!

Contact the resolutions committee chair, The Rev. Tracy Shaffer or Teresa Pinney.

If you are ready to submit, please read through the guidelines, and then complete the resolution form.

Find this form and more information on the convention page of our website.

Open Positions

• St. Alban's in Cape Elizabeth seeks a part-time Minister for Children with gifts to bring pastoral presence and fresh energy and insight to existing and developing programs for the spiritual, biblical, and liturgical formation of its children (ages six months - fourth grade) and their families. Find a detailed job description here. To inquire about or apply for this position, please send a cover letter, current resume, and references to the Rev. Joshua A. Hill by Aug. 15.



Is your church hiring? Would you like us to share the job description? If so, let us know!

See the full events calendar here.

• July & August - Summer Fridays - Loring House closed
• July 23 - Parish Administrators Collaborative (PAC) Meeting on Zoom, 2 p.m.
• July 24 - Special Commission to Study Diocesan Investments (SCSDI) Meeting at Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church, Augusta, 3 p.m.
• Aug. 22 - Budget Summit
• Sept. 14 -15 - Summer Finale at Bishopswood (Sept. 13 for Formation retreat)
• Sept. 21 - Diocesan Council Meeting/Planning Session w/ Trustees and Standing Committee
• Oct. 5 - Music Makes Community Workshop for Lay Leaders (in NH)
• Oct. 6 - 8 - Tri-Dio Clergy Retreat (in NH)
• Nov. 2 - Installation of Presiding Bishop 
• Nov. 7 - Preconvention Meeting on Zoom 5:30 -7 p.m.
• Nov. 12 - Preconvention Meeting on Zoom 7 - 8:30 p.m. 
• Nov. 16 - Diocesan Convention in Portland 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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