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.
Hear from UTO Board President Sherri Dietrich who lives and worships in Maine about United Thank Offering and working to cultivate gratitude in our diocese.
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Resources to Help Protect Houses of Worship Follow-up material from the Protecting Houses of Worship forum hosted by the Maine Council of Churches in Westbrook in 2022. This link provides materials and resources from the...
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Dear Friends in Christ, The recent House of Bishops meeting focused on the theological education and formation of presbyters, though what we discussed applies to lay people, deacons, and bishops. It was an excellent meeting,...
