Update June 16, 2025: The Maine legislature has defeated all eight of the anti-transgender bills! The Episcopal Church has taken an unequivocal and strong position in support of trans, non-binary, and two-spirit people. We have...
A letter to our fellow Americans. We, the undersigned bishops of The Episcopal Church, write today out of grief, righteous anger, and steadfast hope. What happened a week ago in Minnesota and is happening in...
The Office of Government Relations is tasked with representing official Episcopal Church policies voted on and passed by General Convention or Executive Council, the legislative and governing bodies of the Church. Below is a list...
From the Archives… November 4, 2015 Maine Episcopal Network for Justice: How did we get here? by Heidi Shott, Former Canon for Communication and Advocacy, Episcopal Diocese of Maine Last week at our 196th annual...
A communicant in good standing, may be licensed by the Bishop to serve as Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, or Eucharistic Visitor. Requirements and guidelines for the selection, training, continuing education, and deployment of lay ministers, and the duration of licenses shall be established by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry.
Online filing for the 2025 Parochial Report for all Episcopal Church congregations opened on Jan. 5, 2026 and closed Mar. 1, 2026. Parishes no longer have access to the online form and must complete and...
The Gem and West Parish Congregational Church are screening the film, The Philadelphia Eleven, as part of the Faith & Film series, and to welcome the Rev. Merrill Bittne to lead a short Q&A following the film. The...
Find new and updated Lent resources to help individuals, small groups, and congregations prepare for Easter including meditations, devotions, prayer, curriculum, sermons, and more.
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.
The Very Rev. Dr. Benjamin Shambaugh, Dean of St. Luke’s Cathedral will complete 18 years of service to the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, the City of Portland, and the state and Episcopal Diocese of...
