Communications, News & Events
Communications
News
Sunday Services
The Sunday service starts at 9:30 AM. Masks are optional. Masks are provided for those who would like to wear them. Click here for further information on protocols to maintain the well-being of our parishioners. Click here for information on each Sunday's service. Daycare service is provided every Sunday through June 8th.
A "Kids' Corner" is available in the back of the sanctuary. Click here for more information on our Youth Program.
The Sunday service starts at 9:30 AM. Masks are optional. Masks are provided for those who would like to wear them. Click here for further information on protocols to maintain the well-being of our parishioners. Click here for information on each Sunday's service. Daycare service is provided every Sunday through June 8th.
A "Kids' Corner" is available in the back of the sanctuary. Click here for more information on our Youth Program.
Adult and Youth Formation
--Weekly Bible Study: Looking for ways to grow more deeply in faith? Our weekly Bible Study meets every Wednesday at 10 AM in the upstairs conference room. We are reading1 Samuel. For the past four years, our Bible Study has been journeying through the Hebrew Bible with the ancient Israelites and we come, now, to Samuel's telling of their history...or was is Samuel who wrote these stories? Click here for more information on this and other Adult Education programming.
--Storyweaving begins for our Youth during Sunday services: This will take place during the Lessons and Sermon portion of the Sunday service. Rev. Amanda will offer a Children's Greeting right after the Collect of the Day and then invite the children to follow the Storyweaving leader to the first classroom.
--Weekly Bible Study: Looking for ways to grow more deeply in faith? Our weekly Bible Study meets every Wednesday at 10 AM in the upstairs conference room. We are reading1 Samuel. For the past four years, our Bible Study has been journeying through the Hebrew Bible with the ancient Israelites and we come, now, to Samuel's telling of their history...or was is Samuel who wrote these stories? Click here for more information on this and other Adult Education programming.
--Storyweaving begins for our Youth during Sunday services: This will take place during the Lessons and Sermon portion of the Sunday service. Rev. Amanda will offer a Children's Greeting right after the Collect of the Day and then invite the children to follow the Storyweaving leader to the first classroom.
Upcoming Events
Outreach in Action: Annual Winter Coats and Boots Drive
We are collecting winter coats during the month of October and boots during the month of November in support of our Outreach partner St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry. This is a very important initiative; many of the neighbors St. E's serves do not own winter wear. Large sizes are especially appreciated. Goodwill is a great resource with special sales every week. Please bring your donations to church and place them in the St E's bin outside or in the Narthex.
Annual Art Show returns October 21st
This year’s 18th annual show will be in-person Oct. 21-24 at St. Bart's. Artists from all over Maine participate in this show; the jurying process strives to curate a unique show of high quality and variety.
Entry fees and sales commissions for 2026 will support five local community nonprofits:
This year’s 18th annual show will be in-person Oct. 21-24 at St. Bart's. Artists from all over Maine participate in this show; the jurying process strives to curate a unique show of high quality and variety.
Entry fees and sales commissions for 2026 will support five local community nonprofits:
- Friendship House in South Portland
- St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center in Portland
- Sea Change Yoga in Portland
- Growing to Give in Brunswick
- Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition
Click here for a full event calendar.
Have an event coming up? Please fill out the program planning event form and send to Katie in the office. Questions? Email Katie.
Recent Events
Blessing of the Animals at special St. Francis of Assisi Sunday service
Rev. Amanda blessed many of our pets at the afternoon Sunday Service October 4th. This is always a fun service. Everyone was well behaved.
Rev. Amanda blessed many of our pets at the afternoon Sunday Service October 4th. This is always a fun service. Everyone was well behaved.
A fun Family Fellowship Night with Campfire and S'mores August 20th
Sponsored by the Fellowship and Youth & Family Ministries of St. Bart's a fun night of campfire, s'mores, games, and great company was had by all on a beautiful evening. This was the second of the series this summer and hopefully will be back next year.
Sponsored by the Fellowship and Youth & Family Ministries of St. Bart's a fun night of campfire, s'mores, games, and great company was had by all on a beautiful evening. This was the second of the series this summer and hopefully will be back next year.
Lobster Dinner-to-Go Fundraising Event generates over $4,000 for outreach
This annual event raises funds in support of our immigrant community. This year's event took place on August 8th. We had beautiful weather as drivers picked up their dinners and lobster outside the church. We are delighted to report that we raised just over $4,000 in net funds which will be donated to support the immigrant-led nonprofit Sustainable Livelihoods.
Once again we are incredibly grateful to Cap'n Jeff Diggins who supplied and cooked all of the lobsters.
This annual event raises funds in support of our immigrant community. This year's event took place on August 8th. We had beautiful weather as drivers picked up their dinners and lobster outside the church. We are delighted to report that we raised just over $4,000 in net funds which will be donated to support the immigrant-led nonprofit Sustainable Livelihoods.
Once again we are incredibly grateful to Cap'n Jeff Diggins who supplied and cooked all of the lobsters.
New Panels for the Art Show constructed by our talented B&G team and friends
Many thanks go to several St Bart’s folks for constructing brand new panels from scratch to replace the panels we’ve been using for 17 years! This was a huge 3-week long undertaking involving all new materials and more refined construction. Thanks to Ann Donaghy and Nancy Gunzelmann for offering their garage as workspace, along with workers Nancy, Ben Yardley, Joe Michaud, Bill Macleod, Lisa Fitzgibbons, and Tom Hyndman. We are so grateful for their hard work to ensure our next Art Fair will show off all the work on these new and improved frames.
Many thanks go to several St Bart’s folks for constructing brand new panels from scratch to replace the panels we’ve been using for 17 years! This was a huge 3-week long undertaking involving all new materials and more refined construction. Thanks to Ann Donaghy and Nancy Gunzelmann for offering their garage as workspace, along with workers Nancy, Ben Yardley, Joe Michaud, Bill Macleod, Lisa Fitzgibbons, and Tom Hyndman. We are so grateful for their hard work to ensure our next Art Fair will show off all the work on these new and improved frames.
Outreach in Action: St Bart’s participates at Yarmouth June Pride Picnic
Nine St Bart's volunteers were busy helping passersby create buttons in recognition of Pride Month at the Yarmouth Pride Picnic on a sunny Saturday morning. A fun event for all.
Nine St Bart's volunteers were busy helping passersby create buttons in recognition of Pride Month at the Yarmouth Pride Picnic on a sunny Saturday morning. A fun event for all.
Workshop on End-of-Life Planning recording
The Fellowship Committee offered a workshop to create an End-of-Life Plan with Leona Oceania. Leona Oceania is an End-of-Life Doula who has a practice called Die Well Death Education. A great presenter and very engaging, she guided us through documents and information that are necessary to complete while we still can. She brought folders with a wealth of resources to help guide us in this process and discussed Advanced Directives, healthcare proxy, burial options, care management and what to share with your family. Click here to watch a recording of the presentation.
The Fellowship Committee offered a workshop to create an End-of-Life Plan with Leona Oceania. Leona Oceania is an End-of-Life Doula who has a practice called Die Well Death Education. A great presenter and very engaging, she guided us through documents and information that are necessary to complete while we still can. She brought folders with a wealth of resources to help guide us in this process and discussed Advanced Directives, healthcare proxy, burial options, care management and what to share with your family. Click here to watch a recording of the presentation.
4th Annual Day of Service expands volunteerism to 5 nonprofits (CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS)
This year's Annual St. Bart’s Day of Service was well attended as always. Volunteering at 5 nonprofits ocurred in the morning, followed by gathering back at St. Bart’s for a cookout/luncheon together. This is a collaborative way of expanding our outreach and generating interest and momentum for serving our communities via local nonprofits. This year's organizations included Maine TransNet, Growing to Give, Furniture Friends, St Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry and Royal River Conservation Trust. Many thanks go to Pal Covie for organizing the event again this year! See photos below.
This year's Annual St. Bart’s Day of Service was well attended as always. Volunteering at 5 nonprofits ocurred in the morning, followed by gathering back at St. Bart’s for a cookout/luncheon together. This is a collaborative way of expanding our outreach and generating interest and momentum for serving our communities via local nonprofits. This year's organizations included Maine TransNet, Growing to Give, Furniture Friends, St Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry and Royal River Conservation Trust. Many thanks go to Pal Covie for organizing the event again this year! See photos below.
Another successful diaper drive for St. Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry
St Bart's parishioners donated 3,150 diapers and an additional $570 in cash for our March Diaper Drive. Rev. Amanda blessed the diapers at the Palm Sunday service. St. E's goal is to distribute 100,956 diapers in 2026. Two bundles of 12 diapers are given out on Diaper Day each month. Thanks to all who contributed to this important ministry!
Diplomacy on Ice: Climate science, glaciers, and effecting change on the global level A Talk by Dr. Susana Hancock
St. Bart's Climate Action Committee welcomed Dr. Susana Hancock back to St. Bart's to speak on Sunday, March 8 at 4 pm. Susana, familiar to many at St. Bart's, is an Arctic and glaciers researcher who specializes in science diplomacy and climate policy. Susana shared some of her recent icy adventures (ranging from an attempt to ski to the North Pole to climbing the high-altitude glaciers along the Colombian Equator) and how she brings her research to world leaders and into international decision-making spheres to drive urgency and ambition in global climate action. If you missed this terrific presentation, click here to view the recording.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, sharing in community
Thanks go to the many hands that helped make this annual event fulfilling in so many ways! Also thanks go to the Fellowship Committee Chairs for organizing. We all enjoyed informal fellowship while dining on steaming pancakes and delicious fixings! A fun, family event.
Thanks go to the many hands that helped make this annual event fulfilling in so many ways! Also thanks go to the Fellowship Committee Chairs for organizing. We all enjoyed informal fellowship while dining on steaming pancakes and delicious fixings! A fun, family event.
2025 Christmas Fair, A Day to Remember
As so many know, the Christmas Fair was a great success. The preliminary number for revenue generated has us exceeding our $16,000 goal by several thousand dollars. This means our core nonprofit organizations--Friendship House, St. Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry, and Yarmouth Food Pantry--will receive a year-end gift from our parish family. Many thanks to all who volunteered to make the Fair such a success. We are grateful especially for our Fair Co-Chairs Michele Johns, Pam Waite and Marcia Sharp for their months of preparation.
As so many know, the Christmas Fair was a great success. The preliminary number for revenue generated has us exceeding our $16,000 goal by several thousand dollars. This means our core nonprofit organizations--Friendship House, St. Elizabeth’s Essentials Pantry, and Yarmouth Food Pantry--will receive a year-end gift from our parish family. Many thanks to all who volunteered to make the Fair such a success. We are grateful especially for our Fair Co-Chairs Michele Johns, Pam Waite and Marcia Sharp for their months of preparation.
St. Elizabeth’s Annual Coat and Boot Drive
Many thanks to St Bart's parishioners who donated scores of winter coats and boots for St. Elizabeth's drive. Coats and boots were given out over 4 days due to the incredible outpouring of donations across the Portland area churches. St Bart's volunteers helped to size, organize and distribute the coats and boots. 245 coats were distributed in November and another 208 coats in December. Truly a blessing.
Many thanks to St Bart's parishioners who donated scores of winter coats and boots for St. Elizabeth's drive. Coats and boots were given out over 4 days due to the incredible outpouring of donations across the Portland area churches. St Bart's volunteers helped to size, organize and distribute the coats and boots. 245 coats were distributed in November and another 208 coats in December. Truly a blessing.
Fellowship Event: Our first Friendsgiving Dinner enjoyed by 80 attendees
Sponsored by the Fellowship Committee, parishioners and friends gathered together in community to share a potluck meal on November 21st. Thanks go to the Fellowship Chairs and so many others who turned our sanctuary into a beautiful dining space, as well as all of those who brought food and cleaned up afterwards. A joyful event for which we are grateful.
Sponsored by the Fellowship Committee, parishioners and friends gathered together in community to share a potluck meal on November 21st. Thanks go to the Fellowship Chairs and so many others who turned our sanctuary into a beautiful dining space, as well as all of those who brought food and cleaned up afterwards. A joyful event for which we are grateful.
The Bishop of Maine affirms Rev. Amanda as Episcopal Priest and presides over Baptism
On October 26th, the Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Brown celebrated the Baptism of Iris Covie, and the Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows and Declaration of Conformity of Rev. Amanda. We were so fortunate to have Bishop Brown with us to officiate and celebrate on this very special Sunday. Some photos of the joyful day below.
On October 26th, the Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Brown celebrated the Baptism of Iris Covie, and the Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows and Declaration of Conformity of Rev. Amanda. We were so fortunate to have Bishop Brown with us to officiate and celebrate on this very special Sunday. Some photos of the joyful day below.
17th Yarmouth Art Festival brings in record number of entries and sales!
The in-person phase of the 17th annual Yarmouth Art Festival wrapped up with 88 pieces sold, a record for this event. Thanks to the many volunteers, artists and art lovers who participated. Jurors selected 169 pieces by 140 artists. Submissions totaled 698, a new record, presenting a challenge to the jury to choose from a great many quality pieces. Portland Press Herald staff writer Sophie Burchell wrote a very nice piece about opening day, interviewing artists and art lovers on the scene.
The total net funds raised were $16,000 and will support the following local community nonprofits: Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine, Equality Maine, and New Mainers Assistance Program.
The in-person phase of the 17th annual Yarmouth Art Festival wrapped up with 88 pieces sold, a record for this event. Thanks to the many volunteers, artists and art lovers who participated. Jurors selected 169 pieces by 140 artists. Submissions totaled 698, a new record, presenting a challenge to the jury to choose from a great many quality pieces. Portland Press Herald staff writer Sophie Burchell wrote a very nice piece about opening day, interviewing artists and art lovers on the scene.
The total net funds raised were $16,000 and will support the following local community nonprofits: Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine, Equality Maine, and New Mainers Assistance Program.
New Member Sunday held October 19th
Rev. Amanda welcomed 12 new members and their children during the Sunday morning service.
It is not a requirement to participate in our New Member Service or the ministries of St Bart's to become a member of our church. Membership status, though, signifies a commitment to the vitality and sustainability of our ministries through thoughtful engagement, participation in decision-making, and contributions of time, talents, and treasure.
Rev. Amanda welcomed 12 new members and their children during the Sunday morning service.
It is not a requirement to participate in our New Member Service or the ministries of St Bart's to become a member of our church. Membership status, though, signifies a commitment to the vitality and sustainability of our ministries through thoughtful engagement, participation in decision-making, and contributions of time, talents, and treasure.
Episcopal Clergy and Lay People Fight Anti-Trans Legislation at the State House
The Episcopal Church has taken an unequivocal position in support of trans, non-binary, and two-spirit people. The Diocese of Maine is on record having opposed eight of the bills in the legislature. On the day of the public hearing, May 8, 2025, many clergy and people of faith from our churches were on hand to offer their support for the transgender community in Maine, including our Rector Amanda. None of the anti-trans bills passed.
Photo left (l to r): the Rev. Lauren Kay, the Rev. Gwen Fry, and the Rev. Amanda Gerken-Nelson.
Photo left (l to r): the Rev. Lauren Kay, the Rev. Gwen Fry, and the Rev. Amanda Gerken-Nelson.
Supporting the Maine Civil Rights Act
Many St. Bart's members were among the several hundred people who turned out on a cold Maine Sunday morning to support LGBTQIA+ students, neighbors and friends, the Maine Principals Association, and Governor Mills for standing up for state law: the Maine Civil Rights Act.
Many St. Bart's members were among the several hundred people who turned out on a cold Maine Sunday morning to support LGBTQIA+ students, neighbors and friends, the Maine Principals Association, and Governor Mills for standing up for state law: the Maine Civil Rights Act.
Outreach opportunities discussion group
Many St Bart's parishioners gathered after the Sunday church service to hear from the Founder of In Her Presence, a Portland-based non-profit organization supporting immigrant women and families. Language acquisition, career counseling and job placement, and promoting community connections are some of the initiatives this group undertakes. John Hennessy, Director of Public Policy for the Diocese, joined in the discussion to share Episcopal Church initiatives in support of the immigrant community.
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