Sister deacons together at Clergy Day 2023 in Palmyra!

Clergy Formation in Maine is led by our Clergy Formation Committee (formerly Clergy Day Committee). This is a group of presbyters and deacons working to offer opportunities to enrich the ongoing formation, education, collegiality, and spirituality of the Diocese of Maine’s clergy community.

All members serve for three (3) years. The committee meets on the second Thursday of the month at 12:30 pm for 1 hour (currently via Zoom), with subcommittees meeting at other times when needed.

The committee plans and executes four annual events:

  • A clergy retreat of 1-2 days, often in Lent, to sustain and enrich our prayer life and spirituality.
  • Two (2) clergy days, one in the autumn and one in late spring, to worship, learn, and nourish our collegiality.
  • A third clergy day, often led by the bishop, designed to integrate continuing education and spiritual formation with the ministry and strategic mission of the Diocese of Maine and the Episcopal Church.

If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to the Rev. Douglas Beck .

Information from Past Events

As follow-up to his November 16 presentation, the Rev. Dr. Sam Wells has supplied us with his presentation and publications list for distribution among the diocesan clergy.

Annual Events

  • Winter/Spring Clergy Retreat Thursday 22 February 2024, on Zoom on Thursday, February 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event will be led by the Rev. Dr. Mario Conliffe, an Episcopal priest and a licensed professional clinical mental health therapist and supervisor in Maryland.
  • Chrism Mass Tuesday 19 March 2024, St. John, Bangor 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Chrism Mass is usually the Tuesday or Thursday in the 5th Week of Lent and occurs at one of our churches for the renewal of ordination vows for clergy, baptismal promises for laity, the blessing and distribution of Chrism, and lunch. This liturgy is planned by diocesan leaders, in consultation with Bishop Brown. Luncheon to follow. Registration will be open by March 1 and close March 16. Visit the calendar for more info!
  • Clergy Conference Sunday 28 April 2024 to Tuesday 30 April 2024, Schoodic Institute. Registration will be sent in mid-March. —Usually the first week of May, this event is planned by the Clergy Formation Committee. Attendance at clergy conference for those of us with Letters of Agreement is expected. Please look for registration information in your email! Deadline to sign up is April 12.
  • September Clergy Day — Date TBA This Clergy Day, is generally organized by Bishop Brown to kick-off the program year and re-energize us for ministry.
  • Late Autumn Formation Event – 6 October – 8 October 2024 This is generally at least a day-long formation event, planned and led by the Clergy Formation Committee, either in-person or online. Sometimes the focus will be explicitly spiritual and centered on our prayer lives, other times the focus will center on learning and developing practical skills for the practice of ordained ministry. In 2024, we will join clergy in the dioceses of NH, WMA, and VT at an overnight (with the option of single day attendance) retreat to sing, learn paperless worship skills, and have fellowship together with the leadership of Music That Makes Community https://www.musicthatmakescommunity.org/. The dates are October 6 @ 4pm check-in through Oct. 8 lunchtime with the option of attending for just one day on Monday, Oct. 7.  The proposed site is St. Methodios, an Orthodox retreat house in Contoocook, NH, not far off Rte 9 or Interstate 89. Stay tuned for more details!

     

Members

  • The Rev. Andree Appell (2026)
  • The Rev. Douglas Beck, Co-Chair (2024)
  • The Rev. Ted Gaiser (2025)
  • The Rev. Amanda Gerken-Nelson (2026)
  • The Rev. Madeline Murphy (2024)
  • The Rev. H. Roy Partridge (2026)
  • The Rev. Carolyn Rosen (2025)
  • The Rev. Tracy Shaffer (2024)
  • The Rev. George Sheats (2024)
  • The Rev. Peter Swarr (2026)
  • The Rev. Heather Sylvester, Co-Chair (2025)

If you have any questions, please contact Teresa Pinney, Director of Engagement.

*date indicates when term ends