Feb. 3, 2026
You are a spectacular church! Thank you for all the ways you’re praying, giving, feeding, demonstrating, and loving our neighbors. You often hear me say “God has already given us everything we need,” and while I lament the unjust treatment of our neighbors, I celebrate with you God’s amazing grace, which gives us the will to uphold dignity and compassion.
Your financial contributions have so far totaled $18,000, and I want to tell you what we’re doing with your generous gifts. First, three people from Diocesan Council are advising me—Sam Allen of the cathedral; Thom Rock of Good Shepherd in Rangeley, and our treasurer, Julian Sheffield. The council endorsed our decision to use the money to support immigrant families who are part of our congregations, and then to support congregations who are on the ground responding and partnering, and finally to the organizations—including immigrant-led ministry partners—who are marshaling people and resources. The need remains for food, legal defense, and rent relief…we will support organizations who provide these services. If you haven’t yet made a gift please do so today by using the link here.
On the same page, you’ll find links for liturgical resources appropriate for this moment, plus a link to the video and accompanying letter from me and 153 bishops from across The Episcopal Church, which calls for action and asks the question: “Whose dignity matters?” (Answer: Everyone’s!”) We are lifting one another up, following St. Paul’s words to “be encouraged!”
In addition to our diocese’s rapid response, there are hundreds of people quietly banding together to accompany those who have been, and still are, in harm’s way.
The work will be with us for a while, including changing the policies which permitted the government’s actions. Our conscience and faith are guiding forces, and we’ll continue to reject fear-based rhetoric, while using our moral, communal, and civic power to replace fear with compassion, violence with justice, and power with accountability.
You are the church called to be the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, and I praise God for your witness and faith. Thank you.
Last Sunday I was with St. Mary’s in Falmouth, and in our discussion about this crisis, a lay person reminded me of a beautiful prayer in our Prayer Book, which we prayed together to conclude our time. I commend it to you (p. 826), entitled “For the Oppressed”—
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.