Diocesan Council

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Last Updated

10-14-24

What is Diocesan Council?

Diocesan Council is a decision-making body of the Diocese of Maine that is comprised of two elected members (one clergy; one lay person) from each of the diocesan Areas.  The Bishop, who presides, is also a voting member.  The Bishop may also appoint at-large members to help make it a more representative body. The Chair of the Diocesan Council Finance Committee is also a full member.

In September 11, 2021, Diocesan Council voted to adopt the new proposed area structure by the Task Force formed and charged to “examine the current Area structure and make recommendations to Diocesan Council for updates and adaptations to the current configuration”. Click here to view a map and list of areas or see the list below.

What does Diocesan Council do and how often does it do it?

Since the most representative expression of the Diocese of Maine meets only once a year at Diocesan Convention to make decisions about elected offices, the annual budget and resolutions, Diocesan Council serves as “the convention between conventions.”  It generally meets four times a year.  In September, they consider and approve a draft budget for the upcoming year for Convention to vote on in October.  It may also form task force and study groups to do the work of the Diocese.  It makes mid-year budget adjustments and evaluates proposals for new ministry initiatives. Members are elected to serve a term of three (3) years

Electing Lay Area Representatives in 2025

Nomination Form
More info TBA.

Areas of the Diocese

Acadie

  • St. Saviour’s, Bar Harbor
  • St. Francis, Blue Hill
  • St. Patrick’s, Brewer
  • St. Anne’s, Calais
  • Trinity Church, Castine
  • St. Brendan’s, Deer Isle
  • Christ Church, Eastport
  • St. Dunstan’s, Ellsworth
  • Church of Our Father, Hull’s Cove
  • St. Aidan’s, Machias
  • St. Mary/St. Jude, Northeast Harbor
  • St. Andrew & St. John, Southwest Harbor

 Aurora Borealis

  • St. John the Baptist, Brownville
  • St. Augustine’s, Dover-Foxcroft
  • St. Paul’s, Fort Fairfield
  • Good Shepherd, Houlton
  • St. Andrew’s, Millinocket
  • St. James, Old Town
  • St. Martin’s, Palmyra
  • St. John’s, Presque Isle
  • Good Shepherd, Rangeley
  • St. Barnabas’, Rumford
  • All Saints’, Skowhegan
  • St. Luke’s, Wilton
  • St. Thomas’, Winn

The Heart of Maine

  • St. Michael’s, Auburn
  • Emmanuel, Augusta
  • St. John’s, Bangor
  • St. Peter’s, Bridgton
  • Christ Church, Gardiner
  • St. Giles’, Jefferson
  • Trinity, Lewiston
  • St. Matthew’s, Lisbon Falls
  • Christ Church, Norway
  • St. Mark’s, Waterville
  • St. Andrew’s, Winthrop

 Midcoast

  • Grace Church, Bath
  • St. Margaret’s, Belfast
  • St. Columba’s, Boothbay
  • St. Paul’s, Brunswick
  • St. Thomas’, Camden
  • St. Andrew’s, Newcastle
  • St. Peter’s, Rockland
  • St. John the Baptist, Thomaston
  • St. Phillip’s, Wiscasset

Presumpscot

  • Saint Mary’s, Falmouth
  • Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Portland
  • St. Peter’s, Portland
  • Trinity Church, Portland
  • St. Ann’s, Windham
  • St. Bartholomew’s, Yarmouth

The Southern Gateway

  • St. Alban’s, Cape Elizabeth
  • St. David’s, Kennebunk
  • Trinity, Saco
  • St. George’s, Sanford
  • St. Nicholas, Scarborough
  • St George’s, York Harbor

2025 Meeting Schedule

  • Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to Noon on Zoom
  • Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Dunstan’s in Ellsworth
  • Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to Noon on Zoom
  • Saturday, October 25, 2025 HOLD for Diocesan Convention
  • Thursday, December 11, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. on Zoom

Statement approved by the Diocesan Council on 12 December 2022

Diocesan resources will support programs and ministry efforts that:

  • embody our baptismal promise to seek and serve Christ in others, respecting the dignity of every human being,
  • have energetic leadership with experience and passion for their ministry,
  • have program evaluation processes in place and an articulated plan to achieve sustainability and/or have significant or lasting impact,
  • are willing to share personnel, resources, and best practices with the Diocese,
  • demonstrate innovative thinking, transparency, equity, fairness, and collaboration.

Council Members

ACADIE

Theodore G. Fletcher (2025)
The Rev. Douglas Beck (2026)

AURORA BOREALIS

Ben Barr (2025)
The Rev. Thom Rock (2026)

THE HEART OF MAINE

Matt Bear-Fowler (2025)
The Rev. George Sheats (2026)

MIDCOAST

Lucia Elder (2025)
The Rev. Benjamin Cooke (2026)

PRESUMPSCOT

Emma Bond (2025)
The Rev. Matthew Simpson (2026)

THE SOUTHERN GATEWAY 

Julie Littlefield (2025)
The Rev. Lauren Kay (2026)

and

The Rt. Rev. Thomas Brown (Bishop)
The Rev. Lynn Rutledge (2025; Appointed)
Julian Sheffield (Ex Officio; Treasurer)
The Rev. Lael Sorensen (Ex Officio; Finance Chair)