News & Events in the Episcopal Diocese of Maine | |
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Volume 26, Number 9
September 12, 2024
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The Ministry of Showing Up
Rev. Peter Jenks reflects on his long tenure in Thomaston
Story and photo by Susan Sherrill Axelrod
When he retires from the Episcopal Church of St. John Baptist in Thomaston on Sept. 29, Rev. Peter Jenks will leave a legacy that spans five bishops and more than three decades. He’s the longest-serving priest in the diocese but says that doesn’t give him seniority or any kind of special status. “It just means I’ve been in one place for a long time,” he says. “I talk about being a long-term pastor, much of that is I've shown up.”
In his office at St. John’s, a somber, haunting portrait by the early twentieth-century French artist George Rouault hangs over a modest desk tucked into a window alcove. How it came to be there is perhaps a metaphor for Jenks’ outlook on faith and his ministry in Thomaston, where he has shown up for 32 years—not just for the church but for the broader region.
Read the full story here.
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Grace Church Bath Celebrates 175th Anniversary | |
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Grace Church in Bath recently celebrated the 175th anniversary of its founding in 1849. Retired Bishop of Maine, Chilton Knudsen, preached at the Sunday service and the parish’s new rector, the Rev. Misty Kiwak Jacobs, celebrated Holy Communion.
Bishop Brown joined the congregation via Zoom to offer his best wishes on the occasion.
After the service, in beautiful sunny weather, parishioners walked and rode a trolley to the Bath location of Grace’s first church building, consecrated in 1853. Prayers were offered and a celebratory social hour followed at the home of Grace parishioners, formerly the home of first senior warden of the parish.
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Oceanside Jazz Concert at St. Peter's by the Sea | |
The 15th Annual Jazz Concert at the historic St. Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church in Cape Neddick drew a large crowd to enjoy music from the 18-piece New Legacy Swing Band. Proceeds from the concert go to the Preservation Fund for the church, which was built in 1897 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. | |
Confirmation Sunday at St. Martin's in the Field, Biddeford Pool | |
In addition to confirmation two members of the congregation, Bishop Brown dedicated the new altar silver, processional cross and Allen organ. | |
Announcements and Updates | |
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Statewide Interfaith Prayer Service will Commemorate Lewiston Anniversary
On Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m., Bishop Brown, along with Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish and Muslim faith leaders, will be leading an interfaith prayer service outdoors in the plaza between the Cross Building and the rear entrance of the State House in Augusta. This service will commemorate the one-year anniversary of the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston. As we gather to remember those lost and offer support to survivors and the community, Bishop Brown along with all other faith leaders will, together, offer a message of hope, healing, and unity. All are welcome to attend as we come together in faith and solidarity.
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Online Events with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry | |
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Sacred Ground Fall Launch
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 1 - 2:30 p.m.
On Zoom
All Episcopalians are invited to join a fall program year launch event for Sacred Ground, the church’s 11-part, film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Join Bishop Curry to hear what makes the program compelling and how the series continues to challenge participants to do the deep work of racial healing, reconciliation, and justice—in their own lives, within their ministries, and in society. Register here.
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Vote Faithfully: Episcopalians Engaging the U.S. Election
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1 p.m.
On Zoom
Bishop Curry will lead this online panel discussion sponsored by the Episcopal Parish Network. It "will offer framing for healthy, faith-based civic engagement from the theoretical to the tangible, including addressing why it is important for Episcopal churches to leverage our resources to help our broader communities vote." Learn more and register here.
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Parish Administrators Meeting
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2 p.m.
On Zoom
PAC is a community of professionals who share knowledge and resources to support the ministry of our congregations and the mission of the church. Membership is open to the parish administrator of each congregation in the diocese, whether paid or volunteer. A “Parish Administrator” is defined as that person who is central to the overall administration of the congregation.
We invite you to join us on Zoom on Sept. 24 for discussion, questions, and sharing. There is a practice of confidentiality within this group. This will be your time, and our discussion will not be shared.
Be in touch with Lauralee or Teresa if you need the Zoom information (previously posted on Basecamp) or if you have any questions. We hope to see you all!
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Spirit Chats
Tuesdays, Oct. 15, 22, 29, and Nov. 5,12, 7 p.m.
On Zoom
Deepen your connection with God and fellow companions this Autumn through Spirit Chats, an exciting opportunity for small group faith sharing. Have you ever experienced a “God-incident” in your life and wanted to share it but weren’t sure where or with whom? Perhaps this has so spilled over into your daily life, you want to talk about it with others but find it difficult to find the setting. If you feel God has been moving in your life, and you want to hear from others how God is moving in theirs, the Evangelism Task Force—a joint project of the Episcopal dioceses of Maine and New Hampshire—has an opportunity and an invitation for you to share your story during Spirit Chats.
Register here to receive the Zoom link. Reach out with questions to the Rev. Tim Higgins or the Rev. Alanna Van Antwerpen.
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Spiritual Exercises as a Retreat in Everyday Life
Registration is open for the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises as a “Retreat in Everyday Life” offered by the Ignatian Spirituality Partnership of Maine (Ignatian Maine). The retreat begins in October 2024 and runs through June 2025.
At the heart of the retreat is daily prayer. Participants commit to praying daily for about 30 minutes with the retreat materials, attend a virtual Zoom group meeting on the first Wednesday evening of each month, and attend a monthly meeting with a spiritual director/guide either in person or via Zoom. In four stages, referred to as “weeks,” participants will contemplate various aspects of their lives, as well as the life, Passion, and Resurrection of Jesus. Learn more and register here.
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Help Direct the Future of the Diocese
The 205th Convention of the Diocese of Maine in November will elect new diocesan leaders who will take part in the major work and decisions of the church.
Pleaser prayerfully consider whether you may be called to serve in any one of the open leadership positions listed below. Click on the links for each to learn more about the
responsibilities of each role.
Please use the nomination form to nominate yourself (or someone else) by Oct. 7.
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Secretary of the Diocese
Need to elect one; one-year term
Theodore G. Fletcher (current; eligible for re-election)
Secretary of the Diocese
Treasurer of the Diocese
Need to elect one; one-year term
Julian Sheffield (current; eligible for re-election)
Treasurer of the Diocese
Standing Committee
Clergy: Need to elect one; three-year term
The Rev. Kerry Mansir (current; eligible for re-election)
Lay: Need to elect one; three-year term
Mark Spahr (current; eligible for re-election)
Standing Committee
Disciplinary Board Representatives
Clergy: Need to elect one; three-year term
The Rev. Shirley Bowen (current; eligible for re-election)
Clergy: Need to elect one to fill two years of three-year term
The Rev. Nathan Ferrell (no longer eligible; moving to another diocese)
Disciplinary Board
Provincial Conference Deputies
Clergy: Need to elect one; two-year term
Vacant (current The Rev. Lisa Fry, Ex officio as General Convention Deputy)
Lay: Need to elect one; two-year term
Vacant (current John Hennessy, Ex officio as General Convention Deputy)
Province I
General Convention Deputies
Clergy: Need to elect four to serve GC82 (2027)
Lay: Need to elect four to serve GC82 (2027)
General Convention
General Convention Alternate Deputies
Clergy: Need to elect four to serve GC82 (2027)
Lay: Need to elect four to serve GC82 (2027)
General Convention
Trustees of Diocesan Funds
Trustees are elected by Diocesan Convention to four-year terms. Beginning with the 2023 election, Trustees are limited to two consecutive four-year terms. None of the Trustees’ terms will be up in 2024. Your chance to run will happen again in 2025!
Trustees of Diocesan Funds
Diocesan Council
None of the Diocesan Council Representatives’ three-year terms (limited to two consecutive terms) will be ending in 2024. There are clergy and lay reps from each Area. In 2025, we will elect lay reps.
Diocesan Council
Questions about any of the positions or the form? Please reach out to Teresa Pinney.
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From the Digital Archives | |
This 1966 group photo taken in front of the lodge at Camp Bishopswood is one of approximately 200 archival assets that have been imaged, cataloged, and tagged so far by the company HistoryIT to create the diocese's Digital Museum. Are you in this picture? Let us know here! | |
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"Healing Haunted Histories: A Settler Discipleship of Decolonization"
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Healing Haunted Histories explores how the history of genocide against Indigenous peoples continues today in racist and inequitable practices and policies. Join authors Elaine Enns and Ched Myers for this online discussion. Register here.
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"Massacre on the Merrimack: Hannah Duston's Captivity and Revenge in Colonial America"
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Massacre on the Merrimack tells the story of a kidnapped young mother, Hannah Dunston exacting her revenge on her captors. The story attempts to unravel whether Dunston was a warrior avenging the deaths of her infant child and other fellow settlers or an inspiration for Native American genocide. Register here.
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Formation Conversations Resume for Fall
Third Thursdays, 10 - 11 a.m.
On Zoom
“Formation” is the work of deepening our faith and learning about God, our faith tradition and ourselves throughout the course of our lives. And how we “form” Episcopalians is changing a lot as our churches and communities change! No matter what your connection to forming Christians is, you are welcome at these informal conversations to share ideas and updates, bring questions, and pray for one another. You can come to one, two or all conversations; which are held via Zoom. Questions? Please be in touch with Emily Keniston.
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Give Light: Spiritual Support for Climate Engagement
Sunday, Sept. 28 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Second Congregational Church, Newcastle
All are invited to this interactive, multi-faith workshop led by the Rev. Fred Small, a Unitarian Universalist minister, singer-songwriter, former environmental lawyer, and Minister for Climate Justice at Arlington Street Church, Boston. The purpose of this heart-centered experience is not to examine climate science, policy options, or activist strategies (important as these are) but to reflect upon our emotional and spiritual response to change and challenge.
In addition to Second Congregational Church, it is co-sponsored by St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Newcastle and Midcoast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. There is a workshop fee of $20, though no one will be turned away for inability to pay. To register, email Jill Linzee. Learn more here.
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Save the Date: Come Away Together
Forma and Province I Conference
Jan 27-30, 2025
In 2025, the Province I Faith Formation Network is combining its annual formation conference with Forma to offer the best of both worlds! We will gather with colleagues from across New England onsite at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center for four days--time to meet and connect with our provincial colleagues and afternoons to participate in the Forma workshops and content. Gatherings will be held in the evenings to informally share inspiration and learning. Several grants have been secured to make this conference affordable and accessible to anyone who wants to lean into formation conversations. Registration is not yet open, but please save the dates and email Emily Keniston with questions.
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St Ann’s Episcopal Church in Windham is seeking a part-time interim church choir director (12-13 hours/week) to lead and enhance their musical worship program. The ideal candidate will play the organ and piano and have a general understanding of Episcopal liturgy and tradition, exceptional musical skills, and a passion for nurturing congregational singing and choir performance. As the church is between rectors, they would like all candidates to understand a long term commitment is pending the new rector’s approval. Read the full job description here. Please submit a resume, cover letter, and references to Patty Bruce, Senior Warden, or mail to St Ann’s, PO Box 911, Windham ME 04062 by Oct. 30.
Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church in Augusta is searching for a full-time rector for their parish. View a full job description here. Find complete instructions about applying for this position here. Please direct any additional inquiries to Director of Clergy Deployment and Transition Ministry, the Rev. Suzanne Roberts.
Trinity Episcopal Church in Castine is seeking a part-time priest-in-charge. View a full job description here. Find complete instructions about applying for this position here. Please direct any additional inquiries to the Rev. Suzanne Roberts.
Is your church hiring? Would you like us to share the job description? If so, let us know!
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See the full events calendar here.
- Sept. 1-Oct. 4, Season of Creation
- Sept. 14 -15, Summer Finale at Bishopswood (Sept. 13 for Formation retreat)
- Sept. 21, Diocesan Council Meeting
- Sept. 24, Meeting of Parish Administrators' Collaborative on Zoom 2 p.m.
- Oct. 1, Statewide Interfaith Prayer Service at the State House, Augusta, 10 a.m.
- Oct 5, Music That Makes Community Workshop for Lay Leaders for ME, NH, VT
- Oct. 6, Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Tim Higgins and St. Ann’s, Windham 4 p.m.
- Oct. 6-8, Music That Makes Community Clergy Retreat for ME, NH, and VT
- Oct. 9, Retired Clergy Luncheon at St. Patrick’s, Brewer
- Oct. 10, Retired Clergy Luncheon at St. Bartholomew’s, Yarmouth
- Oct. 14, Indigenous Peoples Day, Diocesan Office Closed
- Oct. 22, Clergy Day at St. Mark's, Waterville, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Nov. 2, Investiture of Presiding Bishop online
- 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.
- Nov. 28-29, Thanksgiving Break, Diocesan Office Closed
- Dec. 7, Diocesan Council Meeting
- Dec. 14, Fostering a Future with Leaders of Color in New England
- Jan. 27-30, 2025 Come Away Together: Forma and Province I Conference
- May 4-6, 2025 Spring Clergy Conference
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