The Weekly E-Pistle

Thursday, July 25th, 2024

A Reflection from the Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean

Dear Friends-

In preparing for sermons, one of the things I do is read through what ‘the greats’ have said about texts appointed for the week. 

One of my favorites is Phillips Brooks. Brooks was larger than life in many ways (including his physical size). The longtime rector of Trinity in Copley Square, Brooks was also elected the sixth bishop of Massachusetts. He was an ardent abolitionist and his sermon after Abraham Lincoln’s funeral is incredible. Here’s a link to learn more about this sermon if you’re interested. 

Brooks had a way with words and was as eloquent as any. Last week I came across a prayer that offers a bit of a glimpse of his mastery of language.

O God:

Give me strength to live another day;

Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties;

Let me not lose faith in other people;

Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness;

Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them;

Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity;

Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things;

Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth;

Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness;

and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls;

in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

I look forward to seeing you all Sunday!

-George

UPCOMING

Cathedral Pick Up Choir to Sing

This Sunday Morning (July 28) at 10AM Service

Interested in singing at the cathedral this summer? Join the cathedral pick up choir this Sunday!

We will gather in the choir room at 8:45AM to learn a very simply anthem which will be sung at the 10AM liturgy.

Come as you are—ALL ages welcome, no prior singing experience necessary, no robes required, no processions to worry about—to enrich our summer worship. The anthems will be distributed on the day of the services, and will be simple enough to learn in the time allowed, but if you would like to see the music in advance, please send an e-mail to Canon for Liturgy and Music, Christian Clough and he will send you a link to a scan of the music.

Can't make it this week? There is one remaining opportunity to participate this summer on August (25th). Please meet us in the choir room at 8:45AM to participate.

Summer Finale

Sept. 13 - 15

Camp Bishopswood

Registration is now open for Summer Finale at Camp Bishopswood!

Summer Finale has several offerings:

• There is a day-only option on Saturday, Sept. 14.
• 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.

IN MEMORIAM

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eco Tips from the Public Policy

& Environmental Action Team

PPEAT invites you to watch the short film entitled “A Story of Stuff” which addresses the environmental impact of our consumption-crazed culture.  

The film aims to raise awareness about what we are consuming and what becomes of these items when we no longer use or need them. Furthermore, it poses the greater question “Are our consumption habits contributing to environmental degradation and harm to others?”

To watch the film and to access helpful resources, visit the webpage here.

To learn more about PPEAT and to read past meeting minutes, please visit their page on the cathedral website here.

Season of Creation Book Group

Meeting Each Monday at 6:45PM

August 26-September 30

Connect Room at St. Alban's Episcopal Church



885 Shore Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107

Contact Mary Bingham Paul if Interested

The Season of Creation is fast approaching! In September, parishioners from St. Alban’s, St. Luke’s, and St. Peter’s are joining together to form a book group.

The group will start on August 26 and end on September 30, 2024. Proposed meeting times are each Monday from 6:45PM-8:00PM in the Connect Room at St Alban’s. Spaces are limited to 12 people. While in-person is preferable, a hybrid option will be offered.

The book discussion will be led by Mary Brigham Paul, a member of St. Alban’s. 

The group will be reading Sacred Nature: Restoring Our Ancient Bond with the Natural World by Karen Armstrong. 

Please contact Mary Brigham Paul sign up, and please indicate whether you would like to meet in person or on zoom. 

You can purchase the book through Amazon, Nonesuch Books, or wherever you like to purchase your books.

About the Author: Karen Armstrong has written many books on religious affairs, with a specific focus on the history of world religions. To read more about her please visit the webpage here.

About the book: Sacred Nature is “An urgent manifesto and a practical guide on how to rekindle our spiritual bond with nature, drawing on the wisdom of the world’s religious traditions”.  

“Since the beginning of time, humankind has looked upon nature and seen the divine. In the writings of the great thinkers across religions, the natural world inspires everything from fear to awe to tranquil contemplation; God, or however one defined the sublime, was present in everything. Yet today, even as we admire a tree or take in a striking landscape, we rarely see nature as sacred…Karen Armstrong re-sacralizes nature for modern times. Drawing on her vast knowledge of the world’s religious traditions, she vividly describes nature’s central plan in spirituality across the centuries: from the Book of Job to St. Thomas Aquinas, from Lao Tzu to Wordsworth, and from the Stoics to Jainism and beyond…explor(ing) the power of silence and solitude, the nature of personal sacrifice and the need to reconnect with sorrow and compassion—and how greater contact and appreciation for nature can help us in unexpected ways”. Penguin Random House Publishing

RESOURCES FROM THE DIOCESE

& WIDER CHURCH

To read about stories, resources, and events from around the Diocese of Maine, read their newsletter, TheDioLog,by clicking the link here, or by clicking on the Episcopal Maine Shield in the bottom of this email.

Bishop Brown Recaps General Convention

Published by the Episcopal Diocese of Maine

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.

Tri-Dio Sacred Ground Circles Begin Again This Fall

Published by the Episcopal Diocese of Maine

"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. "

The BTS Center Convocation 2024

Hope in Small Places: Becoming People of Refugia Faith

Sept. 26-27

Maple Hill Farm Inn and Conference Center, Hallowell

Published by the Episcopal Diocese of Maine & The BTS Center

"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."

HistoryIT Webinar with Bishop Brown

on the Creation of The Diocese of Maine’s Digital Museum

Published by the Episcopal Diocese of Maine

"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."

Save the date for Presiding Bishop-elect Rowe’s

installation service

Published by the Episcopal Office of Public Affairs

"As announced at the close of the 81st General Convention, the installation of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe will be a simpler, scaled-down event this fall with a view toward reducing carbon footprint and increasing virtual engagement and participation.

The installation service will take place on Nov. 2 at the Chapel of Christ the Lord in The Episcopal Church Center in New York City with a prelude beginning at 10 a.m. ET and the service starting at 11 a.m. ET. 

There will be an extensive livestream production to support churchwide access and participation.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend virtually."

More information will follow at a later date.

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

Hannaford Supports Our Food Pantry

Once More in July



In May the bag donation program at the Bayside Hannaford raised $742 for St. Luke's Food Pantry!

Now, once again in July, our food pantry was chosen to receive donations from a different store.

Our pantry will receive $1 for each $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag sold throughout July at the South Portland Hannaford on Cottage Road.

Pantry volunteers are proud to have their work acknowledged by our local stores and neighbors!

Parishioner Eleanor Roberts offers a reflection

The Reverend Christopher Worthley, celebrates The Holy Eucharist

The Altar Prepared for Service

Click here to read a reflection offered by parishioner Phyllis Wilkins on July 7

Contribute to St. Luke’s Summer Music Ministry

The Cathedral Choir will be in recess from 9 June through Labor Day, and summer is a great time to make a musical contribution to our worship as a singer or instrumentalist. Help us to keep our music well-supported with your offerings.

Please email Christian Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music.

The Parish Prayer List

Names remain on the prayer list for 3 consecutive weeks unless otherwise requested. If you wish for a name to be added, contact Avery Schott, Parish Administrator via email.

LAST WEEK'S SERVICE

To view last week's bulletin click here.

To view last week's service livestream click here.

To View past services visit our Youtube Page or visit the archive page on our website to read past bulletins, sermons, and newsletters.

Parish Notes

• Cathedral Pick-Up Choir: This Sunday, July 28, meet in the choir room at 8:45AM

• Joyce Walsh Service in Celebration of Life: Wednesday, July 31 at 11:00AM in the cathedral nave. Light Refreshments to Follow in the Upper Hall

• Nancy Beebe Service in Celebration of Life: Saturday, August 3 at 11:00AM in the Cathedral Nave. Light Refreshments to Follow in the Upper Hall

• Baptism for Henry Watson, Grandson of John Watson and Nancy Brain, Sunday August 4, during 10AM Eucharist

• The Reverend Rebecca Grant away August 8-13

Weekly Ministries

• St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center is offered every Tuesday from 8:30 am to 11 am.

• The Food Pantry is open from 8 am to 11 am every Thursday.

• The Tuesday 12:10 Eucharist is offered every week in Emmanuel Chapel in-person and on Zoom.



• Compline is offered weekly on Friday from 8-8:30pm on Zoom.

Click on the Episcopal Maine Logo above to learn about all that is happening in the wider Diocese.

https://episcopalmaine.org/

stlukesportland.org

(207)-772-5434

Email

Physical Address:

143 State Street, Portland, ME 04101

Parking Available at:

134 Park Street, Portland, ME 04101

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 4141, Portland, ME 04101