The E-Pistle of Thursday

May 9th, 2024

Dear Friends-

The Feast of the Ascension is celebrated forty days after Easter. It is always on a Thursday and therefore often slips by without notice, despite it being one of the Church’s principle feast days. 

The Ascension is Jesus’ dramatic exit from earth to join his Father and marks Jesus’ final post resurrection appearance to the disciples. The Acts of the Apostles tells us that this dramatic exit took place on the Mount of Olives about a day’s journey from Jerusalem. In the Ascension, Jesus finishes his earthly work and takes his place at the right hand of the Father. In the fourth century, Augustine of Hippo preached a sermon to the young church about its significance. He says:

“Today our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven; let our hearts ascend with him. Listen to the words of the Apostle: “If you have risen with Christ, set your hearts on the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God; seek the things that are above, not the things that are on earth.” For just as he remained with us even after his ascension, so we too are already in heaven with him, even though what is promised us has not yet been fulfilled in our bodies.....We cannot be in heaven, as he is on earth, by divinity, but in him, we can be there by love.”

See you Sunday! 

    --George

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Summary of Phase I in Conflict Transformational Work

Yesterday, Wednesday May 8th, the Reverend George Stevens and Senior Warden, Sam Allen sent a letter which included a link to the summary of Phase I interviews with Susan Czolgosz.

To read the letter, click here.

A link to the summary is available here.

Copies of both the summary and the letter are available in hard copy form at both entrances of the Nave as well as in the cathedral office.

Discussion of Phase II in Conflict Transformation Work

Last Wednesday 1 May, the Rev’d George Stevens sent out a letter outlining next steps in our conflict-transformation work with Susan Czolgosz of WorkLife Consulting, discussing Phase II, which has two distinct parts: Education and Small Groups.

This week, we will begin our Education sessions with Susan.

Links to sign-up to participate are available here and on hard copies of the letter, available at both entrances of the nave.

If you need help signing up, the church laptop will be available during coffee hour this Sunday, or contact Avery Levesque-Schott, Administrator, who would be glad to assist you. Please contact the office via email or by phone at 207-772-5434 if you need assistance signing up.

The Departure of the Reverend Suzanne Roberts

On Friday, April 26th, the Reverend Suzanne Roberts, Associate Priest, communicated with the congregation that she would be stepping away from her role at the cathedral on June 30th.

To read the communication to the congregation, please click here.

The letter from the Reverend Roberts is available at both entrances of the nave. On the back of the letter the Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean, expresses words of thanks for Suzanne’s service and ministry at St. Luke’s over the last 19 years.

In order to thank Suzanne for her dedicated care to our community, our service on Sunday, June 30 will include a Liturgy of Leave-taking followed by a festive coffee hour reception, in which we will offer our blessings for the next chapter of her ministry.

If you would like to participate in preparations for the celebration please contact the parish office.

Eco-Tips from the

Public Policy and Environmental Action Team

The Farm Bill is an omnibus, multiyear legislation that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policy. Updated every 5 years, the 2023 Farm Bill was extended until fall 2024.

The biggest fight over climate policy this year will be in the Farm Bill.

It’s time to start advocating that the 2024 Farm Bill include policies and practices that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector. We believe that it is no longer acceptable to use taxpayer money to support industrial farming and ranching practices that continue to degrade agricultural land, pollute our waterways, and harm the environment.

We can do better, and the new farm bill can be a great start.

The House and Senate Farm Bill frameworks have been released for comments. The Senate framework contains the climate mitigation guardrails from the Inflation Reduction Act. The House framework deletes the guardrails in Title I Conservation text. The House Agriculture Committee will consider markups during May.

Please call your senators and representatives to urge them to support the Senate recommendations in the new Farm Bill.

• Contact Senator Angus King
• Contact Senator Susan Collins 
• Contact Representative Chellie Pingree

Work on Cathedral Connector Roof

Beginning on Monday 20 May, Horch Roofing will be working on repairs to the connector roof between the offices and upper hallway (weather permitting).

Access to this portion of roof will make the portico entrance unavailable as Horch will have their equipment stationed in this area.

All individuals accessing the building from Park Street will be asked to please use an alternative door directly adjacent to the lower hall and oratory. Proper signage will be displayed to indicate this.

As a result of this project, parking directly near the portico entrance will be reserved for Horch Roofing employees.

The anticipated timeframe of the repairs will be approximately one week.

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding as we make the necessary repairs to the building.

With any questions please contact Fred Fowler at (207)-233-9572.

COMING UP SOON at ST. LUKE’S

Renaissance Voices Concert

7:30PM Friday, May 10th

Join Renaissance Voices under the direction of maestro Harold Stover

(St. Luke's parishioner) for their concert tomorrow evening, May 10th at 7:30PM in the Cathedral Nave.

Musical selections include works by John Dowland, Thomas Morely, Edward Elgar, Selections from the Great American Songbook and more.

To learn more about Renaissance Voices and for information about tickets for this upcoming concert, visit their website here.

Courage, Resilience, & Artistry: Music of the Holocaust

A Public Lecture and Recital

7:00PM Monday, 13 May

Dr. Susan Eischeid, author, professor of Oboe at Valdosta State University, and noted scholar, will discuss her new biography of SS Overseer Maria Mandl and the women’s orchestra of Auschwitz-Birkenau, during a public lecture and recital entitled Courage, Resilience, & Artistry: Music of the Holocaust.

"We see May 13th as an opportunity to gather to reflect on past, present, and all-too-possible future anti-semitism in Maine and across the nation and indeed, the world over. An opportunity to reflect and talk and pray together, made more palpable by the power of music," says Maine composer Sara Lambert Bloom, who taught Eischeid at the Cincinnati Conservatory.

The lecture and recital will take place this coming Monday at 7:00PM in the cathedral nave and will be open and free to the public. 

The recital will feature the following musicians:

Christian M. Clough, baritone, Susan Story Frank, soprano, James Kennerley, piano, and Kathleen, McNerney, oboe. 

To learn more about Dr. Eischeid’s work visit her website

To read notes written by Sara Lambert Bloom, an organizer of the event, please click here.

Award Winning Documentary

"The Philadelphia Eleven" Coming to Portland

7:00PM Tuesday, May 14th

The Nickelodeon Theatre

published by The Episcopal Diocese of Maine

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of women’s ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church, the compelling new documentary "The Philadelphia Eleven" will have a limited theatrical release in 11 selected cities—including Portland!

The screening this coming Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Nickelodeon 6 will feature a post-screening conversation with five noteworthy Maine women priests: the Rev. Merrill Bittner, one of the Philadelphia 11; the Rev. Sukie Curtis, the first woman ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Mississippi; the Rev. Cn. Nancy Moore of Christ Church, Norway; the Rev. Dr. Vicki Lovely Smith of St. Martin's, Palmyra; and the Rev. Portia Royall Hirschman, a parishioner of St. Mary's Falmouth and a supply priest.

We hope you will join us for this exciting event, and that you will share this information with your family, and friends!

Read about the panelists and get assistance with buying tickets here.

The Public Policy

and Environmental Action

Team Meeting

6:00PM Tuesday, May 14th

PPEAT will meet Tuesday May 14 from 6-7 PM. 

All are welcome. Join us via Zoom. 

 For more information email Ruth Roemer. 

Looking at our Rose Window through Mandala Eyes

11:30AM Sunday, May 19th

When: May 19th

Where: Cathedral Nave

Time: 11:30AM -12:30PM

After Church on May 19th join Linda Carleton for a discussion about how our rose window evokes the twelve stages of the Mandala Great Round and of the Christian life. Bring your coffee and your eagerness to engage in fruitful discussion!

Contact Linda Carleton with any questions you may have.

Soul Talk

10:00AM Tuesday, May 28th

Soul Talk is a monthly conversation about our spirituality and relationship with God.

Join us 10:00-11:30AM the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Oratory

(lower level at the far east end of the building.)

Our first meeting will be Tuesday 28 May.

The topic this month will be “SOUL— What might it be and how do we experience it?”

Feel free to just drop in, but if you’d like to receive short readings, videos, and/or art work beforehand, contact Linda Carleton to get on the list.

St. Luke’s Food Pantry Fundraiser Bags



St. Luke’s Food Pantry will receive $1 for each $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag sold in May at the Bayside Hannaford at 295 Forest Avenue, Portland. Donations of the bags themselves would also be gratefully received. Thanks to our ever-generous supporters; you allow our work to continue.

The Healing Team Schedule

The Healing Team members offer prayers of healing in the small chapel, to the right of the communion rail, during and after communion through the end of the postlude.

The following team members will be serving on the following Sundays:

May 12, 2024    Peter Carleton, Sara Schmalz

May 19, 2024    Betsey Deleuse, Mary Strnad

May 26, 2024    Judd Hume, Elise Magnuson



June 2, 2024.    Betsey Deuleuse, Oscar Mokeme

A Highlight From Last Week

at St. Luke's

The Kneeler Guild Hosts A Festive

Coffee Hour Following Sunday Morning Service

Photos Courtesy of Nancy Mawhinney

Last Week's Service

To view last week's bulletin click here.

To view last week's evensong bulletin 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.

Resources from the Diocese &

the Wider Church

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

Formation Conversations with Emily Keniston

Thursday, May 16, 10-11 a.m.

published by The Episcopal Diocese of Maine

“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 where participants share ideas and updates, bring questions, and pray for one another. You can come to one, two or all conversations; they are held via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month from 10-11 am. Questions? Please be in touch with Director of Faith Formation Emily Keniston.

Youth Called to Join Bishops United Against Gun Violence at General Convention

June 25-27

published by The Episcopal Diocese of Maine



"High school students who are called to be advocates and witnesses against gun violence are invited to join the Episcopal Diocese of Maine at the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Louisville, KY. Youth will learn from experienced community organizers in the gun violence prevention movement, spend time with participants in Bishops United Against Gun Violence, and experience the convention. Lodging and most activities will be at Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville. The deadline to register is May 8. Those interested in participating, are urged to contact Director of Faith Formation, Emily Keniston, as soon as possible. All registration materials must be received by May 8."

Ongoing Opportunities &

Community Resources

The Biblical Study Group

Summer Learning Resources

The Biblical Study Group will be on vacation until 1 September.

When we resume, we will meet Sundays 8:00-10:00AM.

Our ongoing theme is discovering the nature and meaning of “being created in the image of God.” To stimulate spiritual growth over the summer months, we invite you to read the following recommended resources:

1) God: A Biography by Jack Miles. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, The New York Times calls this text “a tour de force.” Published by Vintage Books, Random House Publishing, New York, 1996

2) Jung’s Thoughts on God: Religious Depths of the Psyche by Donald Dyer, PH.D. Published by Nicholas Hays, 2000 P.O. Box 2039, York Beach, ME 03910.

“It is only through the psyche that we can establish that God acts upon you.”

3) Jung’s May of the Soul: An Introduction and In Support of Jung’s Extensive and Intensive Thought by Murray Stein.

Published by Open Court Publishing Co., P.O. Box 300, Peru, Illinois 61354. To order call 1-800-815-2280.

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