BISHOP'S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER for CHRISTMAS 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

A Blessed Christmastide to you all!

At this holy time of the year, I pray that you will grow in the knowledge and awareness of God's love as you welcome the Christ child into your hearts.

Diocesan News

CYCLE OF PRAYER

The new Cycle of Prayer is attached to this newsletter. Please use this in your daily and weekly devotions. Prayer is a vital part of our lives as Christians and I invite your participation in the prayer cycle of our diocese.

ANNUAL GIVING

At this time of year, we receive many requests for financial support. We should all remember that God's church must be our first priority in charitable giving. The support of our churches is an essential way in which we may be assured that God's work is being done. But in addition to our churches, I encourage you to support the various organizations that do God's work in our diocese, national church and the Traditional Anglican Communion. These include:

• THE INTERNATIONAL ANGLICAN FUND. This important organization serves the missionary needs of churches in Africa, India and Central America. The need is always great. Contributions in any amount may be sent to : Erv Lischke, Executive Director, 1760 Red Crow Rd, Victor, Montana 59875.
• YORK MEMORIAL FUND. This ministry provides a variety of supplies to clergy and missions throughout the diocese. Recently, its mission has expanded to include the national church. Monetary contributions may be sent to St. Margaret's Church and designated to this fund care of Loretta Stewart at St. Margaret's Church, P.O. Box 1555, Conway NH 03818. Surplus items may be sent to the same address care of Father Jeff Monroe. mirage@maine.rr.com.
• LOGOS HOUSE OF STUDIES. This program, ably led by its new President, Fr. Jeffrey Monroe, educates men for holy orders. Logos House is expanding its programs and will soon announce the appointment of a Dean of Faculty, Board of Visitors and new academic programs. Please send contributions to: Valerie McCadden, Bursar, Logos House of Theological Studies, c/o 15 Cleft Stone Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.

STAFF CHANGE Fr. Jeff Monroe will leave his position as Director of Communications for the Diocese and the National Church at the end of this year. His replacement will be Bonnie Turner who does an outstanding job as our webmaster. Fr. Monroe, who took on the position in 2004, has already assumed his responsibilities as the new President of Logos House.

EPISCOPAL CONSECRATIONS Save the dates. Episcopal consecrations for Bishop-elect Owen Rhys Williams and James Randal Hiles have now been set. The two bishops-elect will be consecrated following the April meeting of the House of Bishops/Executive Council. The dates are as follows:

April 25. The Consecration of Owen Rhys Williams will be held at Trinity Pro Cathedral in Rochester, New Hampshire in the early evening of April 25.

April 27. The Consecration of James Randall Hiles will be held at St. Paul's Parish on Saturday morning, April 27.

Many details have yet to be worked out, but it is expected that these consecrations will involve bishops from various Anglican jurisdictions. In addition, a series of special events will be held for bishops and members of the Executive Council who plan to attend both consecrations.

BISHOP'S SCHEDULE The annual visitation schedule is not yet complete, but the following dates have been set:

January 6. St. Elizabeth, Tuxedo, NY. Episcopal visit.
February 10. St. Mary of the Angels. Hollywood, CA. Rededication.
February 19-21. St. Patrick, Titusville, FL. Election Synod.
March 10. St. Augustine. Elizabeth, NJ. Episcopal visit.
TBD St. Augustine, Old Orchard Beach, ME Episcopal Visit
April 23. St. Paul's Parish, Brockton, MA. House of Bishops meeting.
April 24-5. St. Paul's Parish, Brockton, MA. Executive Council meeting.
April 25. Trinity Pro Cathedral, Rochester, NH. Episcopal
Consecration. April 27. St. Paul's Parish, Brockton, MA. Episcopal Consecration.
One Last Note:

On December 23rd, the blessed remains of the Right Rev. Bruce Chamberlain and his wife Lois will be moved from St. Paul's Church in Portland Maine, our former pro-cathedral, to the chapel of St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church in Conway, NH. Bishop Chamberlain was the founding rector of St. Margaret's which later served as the first pro-cathedral of the Diocese. A service of formal committal will be planned with his family and his remains and those of his wife will be laid to rest inside the chapel altar at the request of the family. Additional details will follow. Welcome home +Bruce and Lois.

Merry Christmas & all of God's Blessings in 2013.

Your Brother in Christ

+Brian

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