APRIL 23, 2009
ST. ANDREW &
EVENTS & NEWS
Sunday, April 26: Holy Eucharist—8:00 & 10:00 a.m.
Scripture: Psalm 4, Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48
Sunday Forum – 9:00 a.m. in the Undercroft: April 26: Dick Dimond, Our Community’s Broad Response to the Problem of Substance Abuse
Weekday Eucharist: Wednesday mornings at 9:30.
Taizé Service: St. Saviour's will host a service on Friday, April 24th at 5:00 pm. All are welcome! "Short chants, repeated again and again, give it a meditative character," "Using just a few words, [the chants] express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality gradually penetrates the whole being." Chanting is just part of a Taizé service. It is usually accompanied by a few readings, and periods of silence in the setting of candles and icons. Taizé was founded by Brother Roger, the son of a Swiss Calvinist pastor.
Aging with Spirit Workshop Day features
The Rev.
Ellsworth "Free Meal" Planning Meeting: Monday, May 4th, 4 p.m.,
A Healing Conference: Held at the
Do You Shop at Shaw’s — A Few Moments Right Now Can Feed Many !!! ~ They are instituting a new neighborhood rewards program to give non-profit groups a chance to earn money. Shop at any Shaw’s store on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and use your registered Shaw’s rewards card with its number. Shaw’s will contribute 1% of all eligible reward card purchases made on those days to whichever designated non-profit organization you choose. You may choose up to four participating organizations to support.
1. You need to register for the program by going on-line to www.shaws.com/neighborhoodrewards
2. Once there you will need to click login or register with your Rewards Card first
3. Than type in your rewards card number and your telephone number (the one you signed up for the rewards card with).
4. You can then choose Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry to receive your support by typing in our name and organization number #49001018490 or typing
5. Then click on the groups you want to support. That’s all there is to it!
6. Shaw’s will then track how much you spend and will send Loaves & Fishes a check quarterly.
7. Reminder: You will need to register every year.
Help needed with Sunday refreshments: Please contact Joan Bromage (244-3227) if you can help Sunday, April 26th with refreshments following both the 8:00 and 10:00 services.
Office Hours: Next week the church office will be open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Letter from
April 20, 2009
To the Ordained and Lay Leaders of the
After considerable reflection I have decided to add my voice to the testimony being offered at the legislative hearing to be held by the Judiciary Committee on April 22, 2009 concerning L.D. 1020, "An Act To End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom." As my presence is required elsewhere that day, Canon Heidi Shott will read the testimony in my stead.
I have decided to submit testimony because I believe the conversations we've had within the Episcopal Church can be of use to our wider community. I think we have something to say beyond simply "yes" or "no." I'm writing to you so that you will know exactly what I am saying and will have this information no matter what is reported in the press. My personal opinions are fairly well known on this matter, and I spoke to you about them during the election process. But I think it's essential that all of us in the diocese continue the conversation ourselves, and that all points of view be honored.
My testimony will be brief and will focus on equal rights and protection under civil law. I acknowledge continuing discussion within the church and affirm that there should be no coercion for anyone to act contrary to conscience or church doctrine.
The written version of the testimony that will be submitted to members of the Judiciary Committee may be found below. (Because of a three minute time limit on oral testimony, a shorter version will be read on Wednesday.) I welcome your response.
If you would like more information about the legislative hearing, please contact Canon Heidi Shott. <mailto:hshott@episcopalmaine.org>
The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane
Bishop of
Testimony Regarding L.D. 1020, "An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom"
Submitted by the
Presented by Cn. Heidi Shott, Canon for Communications and Social Justice, Episcopal
Thank you Senator Bliss, Representative Priest and members of the Judiciary Committee for the opportunity to share this testimony.
I stand in support of the L.D. 1020, "An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom." I write as Bishop of the Episcopal
The Episcopal Church has been engaged in a decades' long conversation about human sexuality and the church. We have some practice in this. I have participated in discussions for more than twenty years and think the outcomes of those conversations may benefit the dialogue we're engaging in today.
The Episcopal Church, long ago, concluded and publicly proclaimed through its own legislative body that gay and lesbian persons are children of God and, by baptism, full members of the church. We have also concluded that sexual orientation, in and of itself, is no bar to holding any office or ministry in the church, as long as the particular requirements of that office or ministry are met. And we have repeatedly affirmed our support for the human and civil rights of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered persons. In many of our congregations, both here in
If we, as Mainers, believe that faithful, lifelong monogamous relationships are among the building blocks of a healthy and stable society, then it is in our interest to extend the rights and obligations of civil marriage to all
The Episcopal Church continues its conversations about doctrine in relation to same sex marriage and the blessing of same sex relationships, and there is yet no consensus. We continue to search for ways to honor the varied viewpoints of all our members and to provide a place of dignity and respect for each of them. Therefore, I also affirm that part of L.D. 1020 that states there will be no effort to compel or coerce any minister to act in a way contrary to his or her belief and conscience. There will certainly never be any requirement in the Episcopal
