Cherishing the Wondrous Works of God
The 207th Convention of the Diocese of Maine
“Our annual convention gives us the opportunity to come together and, bolstered by our faith in Jesus Christ, cultivate the relationships, policies, and programs that advance our common mission.“
— Bishop Thomas Brown
Saturday, November 7
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Abromson Center, University of Southern Maine, Portland
The Episcopal Diocese of Maine gathers together annually to conduct the business of our diocese and worship together. The clergy of the diocese along with elected lay delegates from each congregation in Maine are the voting body.
We kindly ask that everyone who plans to attend convention, whether lay delegate, clergy person, volunteer, exhibitor, convention staff, or guest, register so that we can be prepared with enough food and lunch seating to welcome you. Registration closed on Nov. 2. Guests can watch the livestream of Convention Eucharist and business on the diocesan YouTube channel.
Agenda
7:30 – 8:45 a.m. – Check-in at Abromson Center; refreshments available
9 a.m. – Convention convenes with Eucharist
10:30 a.m. – Business session
Noon – Lunch with Diocesan Council elections by Area
1 p.m. – Business session
3 p.m. – Afternoon break
5 p.m. – Convention adjourns
Our guest preacher for convention Eucharist was the Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, Bishop of South Carolina. Read her sermon here. The offertory will be donated to Window Dressers.
Thank you to those who provided ministry exhibit tables in the lobby!
Resolutions
What is a diocesan resolution? It’s a proposed action or decision that is to be considered by a legislative body at diocesan convention. The legislative vote is taken only on the substance of the resolution, which follows the word “Resolved” in the working or body of the resolution. Reasons, intentions, and justifications for resolutions may be included in a statement of explanation that follows the resolution in a separate section. This information provides legislative history for future interpretation, but it is not included in the formal resolution.
The deadline to submit policy resolutions was September 25. The Resolutions Committee (see below) ensures that they are clear, in good canonical order, and ready to present.
The following resolutions were adopted on Nov. 7.
2 – The Sarah Braik Memorial Resolution to Prioritize Creation Care (10-9-26)
3 – Declaration of Wabanaki Sovereignty and Encouraging Allies v.2 (11-6-26)
4 – 2027 Minimum Compensation for Priests (10-28-26)
5 – 2027 Minimum Lay Compensation (10-28-26)
6 – Calling for Task Force to Review Diocesan Assessment Formula (10-9-26)
Members of the Resolutions Committee are: Marge Kilkelly, Christ Church, Gardiner, chair; Samuel Allen, Cathedral of St. Luke, Portland; the Rev. Sara Gavit, St. Anne’s, Calais; the Rev. Thomas Mousin, retired; the Rev. Chris Warne, St. Martin’s, Palmyra and St. John the Baptist, Brownville Junction; Betsy York, Aroostook Cluster; Lauralee Raymond, staff liaison; and Gordon Gayer, chancellor.
Election of Diocesan Leaders
We’ll be electing leaders to the following positions. Read about the nominees here.
Secretary (elect 1) – 1-yr term – Elected: Theodore G. Fletcher
Treasurer (elect 1) – 1-yr term – Elected: Julian Sheffield
Standing Committee, Clergy (elect 1) – 3-yr term -Elected: The Rev. Cn. Gwen Fry
Standing Committee, Lay (elect 1) – 3-yr term -Elected: Patricia Buck-Welton
Diocesan Council Clergy Representative (elect 1 from each of 6 areas) – 3-yr term -Elected: The Rev. Douglas Beck, The Rev. Chris Warne, The Rev. George Sheats, The Rev. Kristen Burkholder, The Rev. Peter Swarr, The Rev. Tim Higgins
Disciplinary Board, Clergy (elect 1) – 3-yr term – Elected: The Rev. Greg Baker
Provincial Conference, Clergy (elect 1) – 3-yr term – The Rev. Lynn Rutledge
Provincial Conference, Lay (elect 1) – 3-yr term – Theodore G. Fletcher
2027 Diocesan Budget
ADOPTED DIOCESAN BUDGET FOR2027
Find a line-by-line narrative of the budget for 2027 below.
2027 DIOCESAN BUDGET NARRATIVE
The 2027 Draft Assessment/Episcopate Worksheet for the Diocese of Maine is provided now to help your congregation with 2027 budget planning. The figures are not final—they remain subject to review and will not be official until approved at Convention.
The Diocese of Maine calculates each congregation’s Central Diocesan Fund Assessment using Net Operating Income (NOI) as reported on the Supplemental Financial Report included in your parish’s Parochial Report. The first $10,000 of NOI is assessed at 5 percent and the balance is assessed at 15 percent. The Episcopate assessment is calculated separately at $1.75 per Communicant in Good Standing (CIGS). Learn more via the button below.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR DIOCESAN ASSESSMENT
Members of the Finance Committee are: Julian Sheffield, Treasurer & Chair of the Finance Committee, St. Margaret’s, Belfast; Rev. John Balicki, St. Luke’s, Wilton; Theodore G. Fletcher, St. Andrew and St. John, Southwest Harbor; Rev. Lisa Fry, St. Patrick’s, Brewer; Tom Hancock, St. Dunstan’s, Ellsworth; Audrey Klein-Leach, St. Margaret’s, Belfast; Jeff Mansir, Christ Church, Gardiner; Rev. Matthew Scott , St. Paul’s, Brunswick; Sherri Quint, staff liaison.
Convention Resources
Article
Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley’s Sermon at the 207th Diocesan Convention
Article
Bishop Brown’s Address to the 207th Diocesan Convention
Article
Report of the 207th Annual Diocesan Convention (2026)
Article
Youth at Convention, 2026!
Document
Understanding Your Diocesan Assessment
Article
Ministry Exhibits
A Prayer for Convention
Please pray for the entire convention, your bishop and staff, for all delegates and the decisions they have made, and those who have offered themselves for leadership roles. We thank all for their service and faithfulness.
Prayer for a Church Convention