Lament with Earth
2024-06-12 19:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Seasonal events honoring the pain of loss through the liturgical year

Wednesdays 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. • Online
“We know and feel in our bones that something primal is amiss. Our extended home is being eroded. It is essential that we stop and recognize these losses…to respond with sorrow, outrage and apology at these places touched by so much loss.” — Francis Weller

So many of us know this truth voiced by Francis Weller. And yet, we have so few opportunities to express our sorrow, fear, sadness and yes, even despair about a future of life in a climate-changed world. It takes courage to touch the places inside ourselves where these truths live — those thoughts and feelings that likely keep many of us up at night, but are too often held inside us, in a space both alone, and lonely.
To create space for these feelings, The BTS Center — together with The Many, an extraordinary group of songwriters, spoken word artists and liturgists — has created Lament with Earth — seasonal events featuring original music, poetry, rituals, images, scripture and videos to reflect different seasons of loss through the liturgical year. These events are interactive, inviting you to pray and sing along. You are invited to bring your own sense of loss and sadness. We lament together, and also share that which has been a balm to our grief, strengthening us for the work we know awaits us.
Dates:
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 • Video recording
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 • Video recording
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
REGISTER

Lessons in Hard History at USM
2024-06-14 18:00 - 20:00 | University of Southern Maine, 88 Bedford Street, Portland, 04101, United States
WHAT: A keynote presentation by Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries of The Ohio State University and Teaching Hard History podcast, followed by a panel conversation with leading voices in the struggle to integrate Black and Indigenous Studies.
WHEN: Friday, June 14, 2024 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
WHERE: Hannaford Hall, University of Southern Maine, Portland
Across the United States, communities are fighting over whether and how to teach Black and Indigenous studies in public schools. This week, leading civil rights historian Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries is coming to Maine to present Lessons in Hard History, a keynote talk addressing America’s preference for nostalgia over truth and the impact on our youth of the nation’s woefully inadequate commitment to teaching about slavery and its legacies.
A panel discussion following the keynote will feature leading voices in the struggle to integrate Wabanaki and African American studies into the K-12 curriculum in Maine, including Speaker Talbot Ross and representatives from the Maine Department of Education, the ACLU of Maine, and Portland Public Schools.

World Refugee Day
2024-06-20

Formation Conversation for the Diocese of Maine
2024-06-20 10:00 - 11:00
“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 we share ideas and updates, bring our 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 Emily Keniston.

Anniversary of Bishop Brown’s Consecration
2024-06-22
Please pray for Bishop Thomas Brown today on the anniversary of his consecration.

Youth Working to End Gun Violence
2024-06-25, 2024-06-26, 2024-06-27
High school students from across the Episcopal Church who are called to be advocates and witnesses against gun violence in their communities. The Episcopal Diocese of Maine will bring a group and youth from other dioceses are invited to join us. 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 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church, June 25-27, 2024. We’ll be at Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville, Kentucky for both lodging and most activities. Questions? Please be in touch with Emily Keniston.
Agenda:

June 25: Community Organizing 101

Foundational tools to advocate with local government and boards for gun violence prevention, with an emphasis on advocating from a faith-based perspective.

June 26: Experience General Convention

Participants will have the opportunity to observe the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, learning about governance and advocacy in the church and welcoming the 28th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.

June 27: BUAGV Public Witness

Continuing organizing training and a lunchtime witness with participants in Bishops United Against Gun Violence, which will center youth voices.
