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tag/Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs
Blog Post
Upcoming Formation Events of Note for 2025
Dear folks in Maine committed to the work of formation, Happy New Year and joyful Christmastide greetings to all of you. I’m writing to be sure you know about some upcoming formation events and opportunities,...
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Staff to Contact by Topic
Please don’t hesitate to be in touch with diocesan staff with any questions, concerns, or requests. Reach any of us by phone by dialing 207-772-1953 and then “2” for a staff directory of extensions. Not...
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Visitations from Bishop Brown
Episcopal Visitations are required by Canon III every three years. In the Diocese of Maine, episcopal visitations are scheduled in rotation about once every 28-30 months. Other celebrations, special services/ mission leadership or pastoral care visits may be scheduled 'in between' official visitations by either the Priest in Charge/Sr. Warden or the Bishop.Episcopal Visitations are required by Canon III every three years. In the Diocese of Maine, episcopal visitations are scheduled in rotation about once every 28-30 months. Other celebrations, special services/ mission leadership or pastoral care visits may be scheduled 'in between' official visitations by either the Priest in Charge/Sr. Warden or the Bishop. You will be provided with visitation forms (available below) ahead of Bishop Brown's visit. Please complete these to help you to prepare for your time together. Here are few highlights: A visitation consists of four parts—a pre-visitation conversation, worship and congregational conversation, vestry/leadership meeting, and time with the clergy person. Please consider scheduling the vestry meeting to a weekday, about 90 minutes, either before or after the visitation. We'll find the time that’s most convenient for you and your leadership. The clergy-bishop time need not occur on Sunday, and when the visitation is online, we’ll likely have to use Zoom for this part. The Bishop's preference, whenever it’s safe and possible, is to have a meal together. Forms to read and complete before Bishop's visit: Bishop's Visitation Customary Notes for Vestry Visits Notes about Confirmation Visitation Planning Worksheet Visitation Schedule Please contact Lauralee Raymond, Executive Assistant to Bishop Brown will any questions.
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Diocesan Payroll Program
The Diocesan Central Payroll Program was created to serve our congregations by providing an economical payroll service process. For the fee of $104 annually per employee, we prepare all direct deposits, file quarterly 941 reports, deposit payroll taxes and prepare W-2s at year-end. Basically, if all of your employees are on this program, you simply send money to the diocese twice a month and you have no other payroll responsibilities.
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Faith-Based Advocacy Series 2023
Maine Council of Churches Invites You to Participate in a Faith-Based Advocacy Series in 2023 Designed to inspire and equip people of faith to advocate for policies and people that align with their deepest beliefs...
Blog Post
Having ‘Bridged the Gap,’ George Cooper Finally Gets to Retire
by Susan Sherrill Axelrod It’s not unusual for the career paths followed by Episcopal clergy to have taken a number of turns—sometimes sharp ones—before ending up at the church. For the Rev. George Cooper, who...
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Celebrating the Anniversary of the Ordination of Women – July 2024
Read a message from Bishop Brown here. Monday, July 29—the feast of St. Mary and St. Martha—was the actual date on which three retired Episcopal bishops ordained 11 women priests at the Church of the...
Blog Post
Collecting Signatures for the Safe Schools, Safe Communities Initiative
You may have signed a petition for the Safe Schools, Safe Communities Initiative at your polling place on Election Day. While 60,000 signatures were gathered that day, more are still needed, and you can help...
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LGBTQIA+ Resources from the Maine Council of Churches
The Maine Council of Churches (MCC) held open town halls, “Here We Are. Send Us!” on during the first quarter of 2025 to discuss ways Maine’s communities of faith can be prepared to respond...