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 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 reading Judges - the stories of the early days of God's people in God's promised land. Click here for more information on this and other Adult Education programming.
--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 reading Judges - the stories of the early days of God's people in God's promised land. Click here for more information on this and other Adult Education programming.
Upcoming Events
Spring Clean Up on Saturday, April 18th
Please join us on Saturday, April 18th for our spring clean up day, from 8:30 to noon. Volunteers are needed to help us prepare our building and grounds for the change in seasons, and repair winter damage. It’s a great fellowship opportunity, to come together and lighten the load of the work that is needed. Come for any length of time that you are able, and bring work gloves and tools you like to work with - rakes, tarps, clippers, etc. (There are also tools in the shed.). Come for the fun!
Please join us on Saturday, April 18th for our spring clean up day, from 8:30 to noon. Volunteers are needed to help us prepare our building and grounds for the change in seasons, and repair winter damage. It’s a great fellowship opportunity, to come together and lighten the load of the work that is needed. Come for any length of time that you are able, and bring work gloves and tools you like to work with - rakes, tarps, clippers, etc. (There are also tools in the shed.). Come for the fun!
Spring Baroque Concert with Duo Edelen on April 26th
Our Music Director Christina Edelen and bass/cellist Fred Edelen will perform as Duo Edelen for a sublime Spring Baroque Concert. They will be playing on Baroque harpsichord and cello.
Please join us on April 26th at 4 PM at St. Bart's. Not to be missed!
Please join us on April 26th at 4 PM at St. Bart's. Not to be missed!
4th Annual Day of Service planned for Saturday, May 2nd
Please SAVE THE DATE for our 4th Annual St. Bart’s Day of Service! Volunteering will occur in the morning, and then we will gather 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 include Partners for World Health, Maine TransNet, Growing to Give, Furniture Friends, St Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry and Royal River Conservation Trust. If you have any questions, please reach out to Pal Covie. We look forward to having you join this special day with us!
Please SAVE THE DATE for our 4th Annual St. Bart’s Day of Service! Volunteering will occur in the morning, and then we will gather 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 include Partners for World Health, Maine TransNet, Growing to Give, Furniture Friends, St Elizabeth's Essentials Pantry and Royal River Conservation Trust. If you have any questions, please reach out to Pal Covie. We look forward to having you join this special day with us!
Workshop on End-of-Life Planning Friday, May 8th from 5:30 PM to 7 PM
The Fellowship Committee is offering 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 will help us create our End-of-Life Plan and guide us through documents and information that are necessary to complete while we still can. She will bring folders with a wealth of resources to help guide us in this process. She will discuss Advanced Directives, healthcare proxy, burial options, care management and what to share with your family. It is easy to put off this type of planning until it’s too late. Better to have a say in how you want to be cared for by your loved ones than end up in a place you don’t want.
The Fellowship Committee is offering 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 will help us create our End-of-Life Plan and guide us through documents and information that are necessary to complete while we still can. She will bring folders with a wealth of resources to help guide us in this process. She will discuss Advanced Directives, healthcare proxy, burial options, care management and what to share with your family. It is easy to put off this type of planning until it’s too late. Better to have a say in how you want to be cared for by your loved ones than end up in a place you don’t want.
Click here for a full event calendar.
Have an event coming up? Please fill out the program planning event form and send to Teri in the office. Questions? Email Teri.
Recent Events
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!
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.
Lobster Dinners-To-Go Annual Fundraiser 2025 – A record for lobsters and donations!
Our popular Lobster Dinner fundraiser was a huge success. We fulfilled 115 dinners and received additional donations for a total of over $12,000. As always, all funds raised go to NMAP (New Mainers Assistance Program).
Many thanks to Cap'n Jeff Diggins for catching and supplying the lobsters, as well as the Membership Co-chairs and all the volunteers who helped to make this fundraiser run without a hitch. See photos of the fun below.
Our popular Lobster Dinner fundraiser was a huge success. We fulfilled 115 dinners and received additional donations for a total of over $12,000. As always, all funds raised go to NMAP (New Mainers Assistance Program).
Many thanks to Cap'n Jeff Diggins for catching and supplying the lobsters, as well as the Membership Co-chairs and all the volunteers who helped to make this fundraiser run without a hitch. See photos of the fun below.
Annual Fellowship gathering at the Sea Dogs game on June 7th
Despite gloomy weather, St Bart's parishioners always have fun getting together for a Sea Dogs baseball game. This year was particularly special as one of our young members was selected to throw out the first pitch. Go Grayson! It was also the Sea Dog's annual Pride Day.
Despite gloomy weather, St Bart's parishioners always have fun getting together for a Sea Dogs baseball game. This year was particularly special as one of our young members was selected to throw out the first pitch. Go Grayson! It was also the Sea Dog's annual Pride Day.
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.
Great turnout for our Third Annual Day of Service on May 3rd
47 parishioners volunteered at 5 different non-profits and then gathered back at St. Bart’s for a delicious cookout/luncheon. This is a collaborative way of expanding our outreach and generating interest and momentum for serving our communities via local organizations. Click here for more photos of the day.
47 parishioners volunteered at 5 different non-profits and then gathered back at St. Bart’s for a delicious cookout/luncheon. This is a collaborative way of expanding our outreach and generating interest and momentum for serving our communities via local organizations. Click here for more photos of the day.
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.
St. Bart's Pastors gather at memorial service
All five pastors of St. Bart's were in attendance at Peter Chandler's memorial service in February. From the left: Nina Pooley, David Heald, Sukie Curtis, Amanda Gerken-Nelson, and Gil Birney. It brought special meaning in celebrating the life of a very special parishioner.
All five pastors of St. Bart's were in attendance at Peter Chandler's memorial service in February. From the left: Nina Pooley, David Heald, Sukie Curtis, Amanda Gerken-Nelson, and Gil Birney. It brought special meaning in celebrating the life of a very special parishioner.
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