The Weekly E-Pistle

Thursday, September 12th, 2024

A Reflection from the Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean

Dear Friends-

In this weekend’s Gospel, Jesus journeys with the disciples, stopping just long enough for Jesus to ask them, “Who do people say that I am?” They answer with a list of possibilities. “John the Baptist, Elijah; and one of the prophets. He then turns to them and asks, ‘“But who do you say that I am?”

How would you answer this question? Is Jesus a teacher? A prophet? The second person of the Trinity? A human? A God? Over the course of my journey with Christ, I might have answered the question with any (or all) of these.

The Gospel of Mark (where our Gospel this week comes from) uses the image of a journey to communicate the truth about Jesus. Over their travels together, the disciples (and we) begin to see the destination that Jesus is leading them to. Along the way, they occasionally get lost, sometimes have a clear view and mostly just follow along.

I’m grateful for the way that this Gospel unfolds, as it allows for us, like the disciples to have an evolving relationship with Christ.

I am grateful for our journey together and look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Blessings-

George

UPCOMING

Building and Grounds Work Day

This Saturday, September 14

8AM-1PM

Join the Building and Grounds Committee for our fall work day around the cathedral grounds from 8AM-1PM this Saturday. We look forward to this time of fellowship and service together.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact junior warden, Jamie Cough.

Conflict Transformation

World Café

Parish-Wide Conversation

Sign-Up Available!

Saturday, September 28, 9AM–noon

The Cathedral Nave

RSVP Here

On Saturday, September 28th, from 9A.M. to noon, all parishioners are invited to participate in the fourth and final phase of our conflict transformation work.

Please note that it is not necessary to have participated in Phases 1-3 of the conflict transformation process to attend. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate!

We will gather in the Nave for a parish-wide conversation about our communal life using a “World Café” format.

Please click here to learn more about this type of conversation style.

Conversations will center on questions developed in conjunction with our consultant Susan Czolgosz and will occur in small groups of 6–8 people.

Fellow parishioners have been invited to act as table facilitators, timekeepers, and notetakers.

Light breakfast options and coffee will be provided during this gathering.

An online sign-up registration form to attend is available here.

If you need help signing up, a member of our team will be at coffee hour with the church laptop and would be glad to assist you.

Additional help is also available by contacting parish administrator, Avery Levesque-Schott via email.

With questions please contact The Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean

or Sam Allen, Senior Warden.

Luke's Garden

To Host a Screening of Documentary

1946: The Mistranslation

that Shifted Culture

October 27th at 12PM

in the Chapter Room

Join Luke's Garden, St. Luke's LGBTQ+ group for their next gathering on October 27th following coffee hour, for a screening of 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture.

This impactful documentary is described as the following:

"1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture is a feature documentary that follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946.

It chronicles the discovery of never-before-seen archives at Yale University which unveil astonishing new revelations, and casts significant doubt on any biblical basis for LGBTQIA+ prejudice.

Featuring commentary from prominent scholars as well as opposing pastors, including the personal stories of the film’s creators, 1946 is at once challenging, enlightening, and inspiring. "

Learn more on the webpage here.

The screening is open to all who would like to attend. For more information contact Orion Williams.

Concert for Climate

October 27

2:30PM

Cathedral Nave

Join pianist Sydney Patten alongside musical guests and speakers for the Concert for Climate on October 27th at 2:30PM in the Cathedral Nave.

This is a multimedia event designed to educate, entertain and inspire the audience of all ages to take specific actions to help mitigate climate change. This is a not-for-profit educational and fundraising event. Proceeds will benefit the Maine chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby, and help to bring young people to the annual conference in Washington D.C.

Tickets are available at the link here.

For more information contact the organizer of the concert here.

The Cathedral Choir Presents: Gabriel Faure's Requiem

Sunday, November 3

10AM & 3PM

The Cathedral Nave

For more information contact Christian Clough, Canon for Liturgy and Music

A Presentation on

Charles Fletcher Dole, Liberal Theology, and Reform

by Paul Burlin

Sunday, November 10

Upper Hall

11:30AM

Join us on Sunday, November 10 following the 10AM service, for a presentation by Paul T. Burlin, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of New England, and St. Luke's parishioner, on his recently published book titled Charles Fletcher Dole, Liberal Theology, and Reform.

Charles Dole, a long term Unitarian minister and Social Gospel advocate who lived from 1845 to 1927, was born in Maine into what he described as “an ultra-orthodox” Congregational family. As an adult he tacked off to the radical wing of Unitarianism. While his theological perspective was time-bound, Dole might well provide inspiration to any adult who struggled (or struggles) with the religious perspective of their upbring.

To read this text and Paul's other books, please visit the link here.

St. Luke's To Host Service of Holy Eucharist

for Diocesan Convention

Saturday, November 16

11:30 AM

The cathedral will host a service of Holy Eucharist during the 205th Diocesan convention on Saturday, November 16th at 11:30AM.

All are welcome to attend.

Details regarding participating in the liturgy will be published soon. Please stay tuned!

THE SEASON OF CREATION

About the Season of Creation

The Season of Creation, September 1st through October 4th, is celebrated by Christians around the world as a time for renewing, repairing and restoring our relationship to God, one another, and all of creation.

The Season of Creation Celebration Guide for Episcopal Parishes is a curated liturgical resource assembled by the Rev. John Elliott Lein (priest in Maine) and the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas (Creation activist and priest in Massachusetts) from prayers, readings, and liturgies created all over the global Anglican Communion and beyond.

Here at St. Luke’s, we will honor creation in liturgy with several events which you can learn about below. To learn more about the Season of Creation visit the webpage here.

Nature Hike at the Fore River Trail

This Sunday, September 15

1601 Congress Street, Portland

12:15PM

Join members of PPEAT after church this Sunday, September 15 at 12:15PM for a nature hike at the Fore River Trail.

How to get there: If you are driving from the Cathedral, go past Westgate to the next traffic light and take a right onto Frost Street. After that take an immediate left into the parking lot.

Bus service is also available and will drop you off at Frost Street. Dick Farnsworth will greet you.

What to bring: Suggested items to bring include a walking stick, some snacks, good hiking shoes or boots and binoculars if you have them. Bottles of water will be provided.

We will meet at the trailhead at 1601 Congress Street in Portland. There is a parking lot directly across from the trailhead.

If you are interested in participating please contact Dick Farnsworth.

PPEAT Hosts Susanne Lee

September 22

Upper Hall

12:00-1:00PM

Maine Food: Too Good to Waste with Suzanne Lee, Faculty Fellow with Sen. George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, University of Maine.

Did you know that 40% of the food we produce is never eaten, wasting the money, energy and other valuable resources used to produce it?

The results are rising food costs, hunger and nutrition issues, and environmental damage.

The good news is that there are simple and effective food waste actions that can be taken to end this problem.

Join Susanne as she shares these solutions to help reduce food waste in your home and community. She will also highlight Food Rescue , Maine’s food waste research project where her team works with community and business partners to implement these solutions.

In addition, any non-perishable food is also welcomed. Bring donations in their original container and only those with un-expired ‘used by’ dates please. Perishable donations will be delivered later that day to Wayside Food Programs and all non-perishable donations will be distributed via St. Luke’s weekly Food Pantry.

Blessing of the Animals

October 6th

The Labyrinth

9:45AM

On October 6 we will observe the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Please join us at 9:45AM in the labyrinth to the right of the State Street Entrance for the Blessing of the Animals.

All are encouraged to bring their beloved pets to receive a blessing.

If you have a pet who would not be comfortable out in public, please bring a photo of them, and we will bless the image. We also encourage all of our younger members with stuffed animals to bring them along so that they might also receive a blessing.

All are welcome, even if you do not have a pet!

Follow up to Rep. Benjamin Collings' September 8 presentation

Screening of "Rising Tides- Climate Change and the End of Peconic Bay Scallops"

September 20

5:00PM

305 Commercial Street, Portland

The Public Policy and Environmental Action Team thanks the nearly 30 parishioners who attended Rep. Collings' talk.

As part of this past Sunday's discussion, Rep. Collings invited us to a September 20 screening of Rising Tides - Climate Change and the End of the Peconic Bay Scallops.

Rising Tides is a documentary film that explores the terrible toll Climate Change is taking on the Atlantic seaboard’s commercial fishing industry, the bay-man, their families and the local economies.

The film highlights the science of climate change and sea rise as well as the culture of misinformation and climate denial that is being funded by Big Oil and Big Coal. Some of the interviews took place in Maine.

The screening will take place at 305 Commercial Street in Portland.

The reception begins at 5 and the film begins at 6:30.

We also told you we would share information about Maine Grid Works, a Maine-based study-action group, focused on making Maine’s public energy systems cleaner, resilient to climate warming, more reliable, and affordable. Their Statement of Purpose: To accelerate Maine's energy transition to a system in alignment with Maine's climate goals.

If you are interested in being on the Maine Grid Works email list or for more information, email them here.

They meet on the first Friday of the month at 4 PM.

Representative Benjamin Collings of Maine House of Representatives, speaks to the St. Luke's community

on September 8.

Photo courtesy of Nancy Mawhinney

ANNOUNCEMENTS

St. Elizabeth’s Coat Drive

As the cold weather approaches, St Elizabeth's is looking for donations of coats and boots (new and gently used) to make available for our neighbors.

Please leave your donations in the blue box in the lower hall, next to the stairs.

Contact Byrd Wood if you have questions.

The St. Luke's Public Policy and Environmental Action Team

Eco-Tips

This fall, The BTS Center is pleased to offer a book study focused on Life After Doom by author Brian D. McLaren.

Over five weeks, led by two skilled facilitators, we will engage with this powerful text together, gaining insight and fortitude with and from one another.

These gatherings will offer a space to ask and hold the difficult questions within a community of care so that we may have the courage to step into our own work in these uncertain times.

All who register for the book study will automatically be registered for an online public event with the author on Wednesday October 30th at 7PM.

For more information visit the BTS Center's webpage here or contact the event organizer via email.

The Healing Team

The Healing Team will be offering prayers of healing during and after communion in All Saints’ Chapel (the small chapel to the left of the communion rail).

Please read below to see which members of our team will be serving during services in September. The remainder of our schedule for September will be published in the coming weeks.

September 15 Elise Magnuson

A Presentation and Conversation

Mild Cognitive Impairment, Dementia, and Healthy Aging

Presented by Steve Belanger, St. Luke's Parishioner

Saturday, September 21

The Community Room on Peaks Island

10:00-11:30AM

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.

Living Peace, Practicing Nonviolence:

The Lessons of Jesus, Gandhi and King for Today

Saturday, September 28

St. Joseph's College, Standish

9AM-3PM

Published by the Episcopal Diocese of Maine

"This day-long workshop with activist Father John Dear is offered by the Maine Council of Churches as part of "a collection of programs designed to help Maine's people of faith lead with love as we prepare for and respond to events as they unfold this election season and beyond." Learn more and register here."

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

St. Luke's Flower Guild

The St. Luke’s Flower Guild welcomes your Altar Flower donations.

There are spaces available for the remainder of the calendar year.

The sign-up chart is posted on the bulletin board outside of the parish office.

With questions please email flower guild co-chairs, Mary Doughty and Kathy Watt

Considering the Creed

Tuesday Evenings in October

6:30-8:00PM

The Chapter Room

Some of us affirm the Nicene Creed each Sunday as a bedrock of our worship; others admit that they say it with their fingers crossed!

As we approach the 1700th anniversary of the Creed, St. Luke’s is offering a five-week class designed to explore our questions about the Creed and what it means to be a creedal church in the modern age.

Each week will be led by different members of the Cathedral staff and retired clergy. Come for one session or many!

Meetings will take place Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:00 in the Chapter Room or via Zoom.

With any questions please Contact Linda Carleton

Week 1, October 1

Introduction to the Nicene Creed and its history and a chance to share our initial thoughts about the creed.

Led by the Rev. George Stevens, Bob Hanson, and Linda Carleton

Week 2, October 8

God, the Father.

Led by the Rev. Christopher Worthley

Week 3, October 15

The Birth and Nature of Jesus.

Led by the Rev. George Stevens

Week 4, October 22

“The Comma” which represents the life of Jesus and the Passion, Death and Resurrection.

Led by Linda Carleton

Week 5, October 29

The Holy Spirit and the Church.

Led by Deacon Rebecca Grant

Soul Talk

Every Fourth Tuesday of the Month

10-11:30AM in the Oratory

Soul Talk is an informal coffee and discussion group exploring our faith and experience of God meeting on fourth Tuesdays, 10-11:30 in the Oratory.

Our first meeting will be September 24th talking about Gifts of the Spirit.

Come once a month or once in a while!

If you’d like to receive materials prior to each month’s meeting contact Linda Carleton via email.

Sunday 5:15PM Service of Holy Eucharist

The 5:15PM Service is a lay-lead worship service of Holy Eucharist and meditation which gathers each Sunday in Emmanuel Chapel. Each week we welcome a member of the clergy to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

The service invites all in attendance into a space of quiet and stillness with music, scripture, and reflections.

With questions about the service please contact Liz Parsons.

We look forward to welcoming you to future services. Please join us!

Contribute to St. Luke’s Summer Music Ministry

The Cathedral Choir is on 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.

Access Your Realm Profile

The Cathedral’s online database, Realm, is a useful tool for parishioners to manage their contact and pledging information.

Realm helps our community by improving our record keeping in a more streamlined fashion.

When joining Realm you can sign-up to be a part of the online directory in the database.

To activate your Realm profile please contact our financial administrator Nina Andersen.

Nina will assist you with the few steps necessary to access your profile.

We look forward to sharing this exciting new technology with you!

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour - Please join us after the service for a time of fellowship in the upper hall through the doors to the left of the altar. All are welcome.

Interested in hosting? It is an important part of our parish life and provides us with a time for connection. Hosting is fun and easy, it requires bringing in a baked good and brewing coffee the Sunday of your choosing. Please consider signing up, a lot of gratitude comes with the job. Thank you!

Check the hosting schedule by visiting the link here.

Please email Meredith Cough with your date.

Join the Young and The Restless

We are St. Luke’s 20s-30s-year-old ministry. We are an active group at the cathedral which also gets together outside of the church.

Join us as we go hiking, ice skating, play trivia, or just enjoy each other’s company! If you are new to us, welcome! We meet each Tuesday at Maine Beer Company in Freeport, 6-8 PM for Trivia.

Other events happen sporadically throughout the month, however trivia is a wonderful opportunity to meet us if you’re joining us for the first time. Contact Shana Rose to stay up to date with group activities and information.

The Kneeler Guild and

Prayer Shawl Knitters

Tuesday

2:30PM

The Upper Hall

For additional information contact Jeri Edgar 207-303-8447 or Nancy Mawhinney 207-775-7500

Everyone is welcome, whether you are curious or want to begin. Kneeler kits cost $75, which include directions, yarn, needles & canvas. Novices are welcome; we will teach you as needed. Prayer Shawls: 26-29” by 60”; select your yarn & needles. Coffee & Tea available.

The Biblical Study Group

The Biblical Study Group meets in the Oratory at 8:30AM.

The topic for our sessions is the search for the one and only God, Elohim or Adonai, within ourselves.

This topic asks us to reflect on several large questions. How is this possible? When did we begin our search? Why do we know so little about this concept? God invites us to call him “father.” Who then is our mother? What other divine presences do we need to meet? What then is our relationship to the Christ figure?

We will further discuss the concept of the Imago Dei. This is the icon or banner of the all powerful and creative maker of all universes, all space and time, and of us, humankind, as being “very good.”

Join us for our study of the search of becoming “who we were meant to be.”

We are led by Bob Hanson, retired university professor, Episcopal priest, author, peace activist, and Jungian analyst. With questions, contact Bob at (207)-245-2695.

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.