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 p.m. 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.
The Diocesan Clergy Formation Committee is now seeking three clergy nominations to serve for three years beginning in January 2025. Successful committee members are those committed to actively sharing and following through on responsibilities and are equally skilled at working together and individually. The Rev. Heather Sylvester and the Rev. Douglas Beck welcome your questions and nominations on behalf of the CFC by Fri., Dec. 6, 2024
Annual Events
- Winter/Spring Clergy Retreat — This event is usual held on Zoom. In 2024, it was 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 — 8 April 2025, 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.
- Clergy Conference — 4 May – 6 May 2025 —Usually the first week of May, this event is planned by the Clergy Formation Committee. Attendance at clergy conference for those with Letters of Agreement is expected.
- Fall Clergy Day — 22 October 2024 This Clergy Day is organized by Bishop Brown to kick-off the program year and re-energize us for ministry. It will take place at St. Mark’s, Waterville. More details TBA.
- 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 joined clergy in the dioceses of NH 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 in Moultonborough, NH.
- 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