Diocesan Council

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Last Updated

10-28-23

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, beginning in 2022, are elected to serve a term of three (3) years.  In 2023, the diocese elected clergy representatives for each of the six Areas on Tuesday, October 17 at 7 pm on Zoom. Read about the newly elected clergy reps here.

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

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)
Rev. Douglas Beck (2026)

AURORA BOREALIS

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

THE HEART OF MAINE

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

MIDCOAST

Lucia Elder (2025)
Rev. Lisa Fry (2026)

PRESUMPSCOT

Emma Bond (2025)
Rev. Tim Higgins (2026)

THE SOUTHERN GATEWAY 

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

and

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