Since October 28, 2017, the process of discerning the future Bishop of the Diocese of Maine has evolved.  This month, the slate of five finalists  was announced by the Discernment Committee.  By going to the web link: http://bishopquest.episcopalmaine.org/meet-the-candidates/, you can read and listen to each of the candidates as they reflect on their journey and hopes for our Diocese. 

St. Margaret’s, with the other parishes, will be actively involved in meeting and eventually voting for candidates in the next three months. It is a time for us to gather, ask questions of, and reflect on the candidates in January.  We will need to listen to each other’s hopes, concerns and opinions about the candidates.  

During our December 9 Annual meeting Part I, we will vote on a slate of three delegates and three alternates to the Special Convention for Election of the Bishop to be held in Bangor on February 9, snow date, February 23.  Prior to that convention, during the weekend of January 18-20—“Walkabout” presentations of Nominees across the Diocese via face-to-face meetings in Augusta, Portland and Bangor will be an important time for parishioners to gather information and reflect on the candidates in five 45-minute sessions per candidate.  Social media and web posts will also help us to have access to the candidates.  Candidates meet separately with clergy in a special gathering.

Please get involved: you may want to represent St. Margaret’s as a voting delegate, attend a “Walkabout” in person or watch video streaming of these events.  Please speak with a Vestry member if you want to be on the slate for one of our delegate spots.  When we vote in December on special convention delegates at our annual meeting, the three persons with the most votes will be regular delegates. The parishioners with the next three highest votes will be alternates. Each one of those persons should be committed to attending a Walkabout, communicating with fellow parishioners about concerns and questions.  

This is an exciting and critical time for the Diocese of Maine.  Let us approach it with humility and compassion for all. 

God of Grace, we give you thanks for all of the blessings of our common life and ministries as the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, and for our leaders who are guiding us through this season of change. Grant to the Discernment and Transition Committees open hearts, minds, and spirits as they receive the Holy Spirit’s gifts of faith, hope, and love to aid their work. We ask also that you send courage and vision to our next bishop of Maine as she or he discerns your call. In Christ’s name we pray,  Amen.