Transition Update

Learn more about your Discernment Committee below.

Anne Sedlack – I found St. Albans a few years ago when I was searching for a spiritual place to land after attending the University of Vermont. I immediately fell in love with the Celtic Eventide service and kept returning and eventually brought my entire family!  Beyond attending the service, I have helped with the High School Youth Group and I was a delegate from St Albans for the last two state-wide Episcopal conventions (including getting to help pick Reverend Brown to be our Bishop!). Outside of the St. Albans community, I live in the East End of Portland, I recently graduated from the University of Maine School of Law, and I am interested in working towards juvenile justice reform.

David Stankiewicz -I am a lifelong churchgoer.  After college, I worked as a high school youth director for five years and attended seminary.  Though ultimately I did not go into professional ministry, a life of faith and the life of the church remain important to me.  I am a poet and an associate professor at Southern Maine Community College, where I teach writing, literature, and ethics.  My wife Sarrah and I have lived in Cape Elizabeth and been members of St. Alban’s for about nine years.  Our love for this warm and vibrant parish has only grown over time.  My term on the vestry ended this past winter.  We most often attend the 9:30 service with our daughters, Renna (7) and Lucy (3).

Lisa Leighton – I was born and raised in Maine. I have a B.A. from Bowdoin College (1993) and a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law (1998).  After graduate school my husband, Chip, and I spent time in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I worked as an editor for legal publisher LexisNexis®.  I now work as one of their independent contractors and write for several of their publications.  We returned to Maine in 2004 when our son Matthew was a year old.  We lived on MDI for 3 years and attended St. John The Divine Episcopal Church in Southwest Harbor, and in 2007 I was received into the Episcopal Church.  We moved to Southern Maine in 2008 after our daughter Laura was born, and began attending St. Alban’s. I’m a member of the hand bell choir, intercessor and usher ministries.  I was a delegate to the 2018 and 2019 Maine Episcopal conventions, which also included the 2019 bishop election convention. I was also a member of the Celebrate St. Alban’s Anew capital campaign committee. I am grateful for the relationships I’ve formed in this wonderful St. Alban’s community.

Peggy Williams – I was born and raised in Washington, DC.  I attended Potomac School, Westover School, Wheaton College and St. Lawrence University. After a few years of “trying on” different occupations in the Northeast I traveled to Anchorage, Alaska in 1979 to help a friend build his house.  I intended to stay for three months … three months that turned into ten years!  I worked there as an activities director at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute. I met Ogden, my husband of 38 years, at a nondenominational church with two thousand members, very different from what I was used to. Ogden and I married and our two children, Hayden and Katherine, were born in Alaska. We moved to Cape Elizabeth in 1989. We attended St. Alban’s because it was within walking distance of our rented home in Oakhurst and because we liked Sam Henderson, the rector at the time. We have been members of St. Alban’s for 31 years, years of on-again off-again attendance which included service as  Sunday School teachers and then directors, ushers, and coordinators for the evening Celtic Service since its inception, and most recently coordinating St. Alban’s Cares, a ministry Anita Samuelson and I started years ago. During my children’s elementary school years I volunteered in the Cape schools and community. Later, I earned a Master’s in Education at USM, operated (with my husband) an online antiquarian bookselling business, attended the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine and subsequently worked for several years at Maine Med as a per diem chaplain. I was raised as an Episcopalian, experimented with different faiths and approaches including lack of faith, and have happily circled back to my spiritual heritage. My favorite activities, by the way, are walking/hiking, cross country skiing, traveling and reading.

Lynne Lovett – I was born in Syracuse, NY and baptized at Trinity Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, NY, my home town.  The church was my family’s rock.  My mother had suffered several losses in her young life: a brother I never knew drowned in Lake Ontario at the age of 3, a still born baby when I was 4, and then 18 months later my father died. Through it all, Mom never lost faith. This week, Tim wrote about the value and goals of youth group. At Trinity Church our Rector, David Smith, lead our youth group of 12 to 14 teens. Tim’s list brought back so many memories of those wonderful Sunday afternoons and I realized that much of who I am now is because of lessons taught in youth group, and at home of course.  I would say David’s goals pretty much matched Tim’s.  He showed us the goodness in ourselves. He wanted us to love others as we loved ourselves, assured us that God loved us, that we all had special gifts to share with others, and the importance of reaching out to others. So 56 years later, after having been Catholic for about 10 years (married one and have three kids baptized Catholic), and then for 13 years or so, the beach was my spiritual refuge (math is not my strong point, so just go with this).  As I was entering my early sixties, I knew something was missing in me; I decided it was time for me to visit St. Alban’s.  As I’ve said many times,  the minute I walked through the door into Bonoff Hall, I knew I was home again. Anita Samuelson met me at the door – what else is there to say, I was hooked.  I felt welcome and warmth all around. Home.

Tim Hartsfield –  has been part of St. Alban’s since 2011. A 4th generation Florida native, Tim began playing the piano and organ for his hometown church when he was fifteen years old, and church music has been part of his life ever since. Most recently he served as parish musician for 18 years at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Cocoa, Florida. While employed by government/defense contractor Harris Corporation (now L3-Harris) as director of communications for over 34 years, Tim enjoyed stepping in as interim organist at churches throughout Central Florida, including Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational, Christian Science, Lutheran, Jewish, Catholic, Unitarian and Unity churches. He holds a BA degree from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, and a MBA degree from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Tim was actively involved with numerous military organizations while employed by Harris, including the Navy, Army and Air Force. He served as chairman of the 2007 International Military Communications Conference (MILCOM) held in Orlando, and supported other MILCOM conferences throughout the world. Tim and his husband Jody reside on Mount Hope in the Sanford-Springvale area.

Harold Pachios  – grew up In Cape Elizabeth on Oakhurst Road  just a two hundred yards from the rectory . He  joined St. Albans in 1947 as an 11 year-old altar boy. He attended Cape Elizabeth High School (during which time time he was an active member of the St. Alban’s teen group)  , Kent School, an Episcopal school in Kent, CT where he held the student office as Verger of the Chapel , Princeton University, and Georgetown University Law School. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, and then spent several years working in Washington, DC.  Except for the years he was in Washington , Harold has been a communicant at St. Alban’s and friends with many of its priests, including his mentor Father John Gulick who was rector before and during the time the current church building was built. He currently lives in Cape Elizabeth with his wife Claudia , and is a founding partner of the Preti Flaherty law firm.

Jason Burks –  and his wife Amber have attended St. Alban’s since moving to Maine in 2007. During that time, Jason has served as a delegate to Diocesan Convention several times, chaired the Buildings and Grounds committee for nearly five years, and served on the Vestry. He and his wife have been active in youth ministries and were the adult chaperones for the 2018 Youth Pilgrimage to Corrymeela. Before moving to Maine, they resided in Troy, NY, where Jason was a Vestry member, property committee chair, and member of a rector search committee at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Troy.

Jason is a life-long Episcopalian and is excited to participate in the search for the next Rector of St. Alban’s.

Judy Kline – What would you like to know about me?  Hmm.  I’m the wife of a man I love, the mom of a 33 year old young man than I adore, a special education teacher and social worker, retired for 12 years, a mentor and friend for several years to an amazing woman and young mother from Sudan, a social activist with Protect South Portland concerned about the environment, a gardener, and more confident than ever in my life that I am a child of God in no small part because of the amazing experience of being a member of Saint Albans for over 30 years.  I’ve got to know three priests’ strengths, styles and special gifts that made them effective leaders in our church community. I’ve played many roles in the church.  I attended 9:30 service for years and Celtic service, which I love, for the last few years.  Saint Albans has been my church home since we moved to Maine so I feel like we’re part of each other. My experience here has been that members of this church community want to know each other. That personal connection is what gives meaning to our shared time together and teaches us about God’s love for us.  It’s very special to me that I get to be a part of the search committee and the selection of our next priest whom I trust will be another great addition to our community.

Carter Merriam -I have been going to Saint Albans for as long as I can remember and have always been a part of the community. I’m a three season athlete at Cape Elizabeth high school along with leading the outing club, robotics and participating in coding club. I love to spend time outdoors, especially when I go mountain biking or skiing, as those are two of my favorite activities. This summer I’m working at Portland Paddle so hopefully kayaking will become a new passion for me as well.

Phil Walsh – In my personal life, I am fortunate to be a resident of Cape Elizabeth since 2011, together with my wife, Emily Cooke, a partner at Pierce Atwood; three daughters: Liv (11), Lily (9), Ilsa (6); Juno the dog and a brood of chickens. In my professional life, I am the executive director of Maine Initiatives, a foundation based in Portland that works to advance social, economic, and environmental justice in Maine. I also serve as the Vice Chair of the Board of the Maine Philanthropy Center, on the Board of Safe Space Radio, and as Co-Chair of the Immigrant & Refugee Funders Collaborative. Prior to arriving in Maine, I worked for more than 15 years in Central America and Mexico in different roles at the Inter‐American Foundation, The Synergos Institute, and Mercy Corps. I am a graduate of James Madison University and earned a masters degree from Georgetown University.

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June 10, 2020 Update

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May 31st Update

Charge to Discernment Committee from Vestry, May 2020

Communication sent to all the membership on 5/14

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5/7 Update: Click here to view the Town Hall meeting with Canon Michael Ambler that was held on Wednesday, May 6th.

Dear friends,

The calling of a new rector is a uniquely important responsibility for any Vestry. 

Although we did not desire that this duty be part of our terms of Vestry service, we are confident that in prayer with each other, the bishop, the canon, and indeed, the wider church, this Vestry will call a fine new priest to serve God and God’s people at St. Alban‘s! 

Your officers approach this exciting challenge in confidence that the strengths of our past will serve us well for the years ahead. With you, we have a common posture as faithful, non-anxious leaders, and together we will meet the task with grace and God’s help.

And our first steps are upon us already! 

We are writing to propose a plan for creating and commissioning a St. Alban’s Discernment Committee, to be charged to present a priestly candidate for Vestry approval and calling as our new rector. 

We have met three times with diocesan Canon Michael Ambler and propose the following plan for this our first step, the calling of a faith-filled, balanced and able Discernment Committee. We ask for your support of this approach and will call for Vestry approval of the plan at our March 10th meeting. 

We have discussed this schedule/approach with Tim, our experienced rector and with St. Alban’s member Gordon Gayer, our former senior warden and chair of the two most recent (and successful!) St. Alban’s Discernment Committees. Gordon is also now Chancellor to the Diocese of Maine and possesses a fine appreciation for the duties of the Vestry and the needs and polity of the church.

A guiding principle we share is the same one we use in our well-regarded parish process for Vestry and Delegate nominations. That is that the entire parish be involved as much as possible in an open and timely way in the nominations process, with enough time given for all to pray and for nominees to consent.    

First, we propose some key dates:

• Tuesday, March 10th, Vestry meeting at 6:30. Call-in with Canon Ambler.
• Wednesday, March 11th officers and Fr. Tim meet with staff.
• Sunday, March 15th Fr. Tim will make his retirement announcement 

in-person and by emailed letter to the parish and the wider church.

• Sunday, March 22nd Canon Michael Ambler will preach morning and evening at St. Alban’s and meet with parishioners for in-depth informational sessions.
• 4.14.20: At our vestry meeting we will review samples of vestry charges to discernment committees.
• Tuesday, May 12th Vestry to meet to discuss and approve Discernment Committee charge for the Committee’s work, as well as a nomination form.
• Wednesday 5.13.20, a parish-wide call for nominations of individuals to serve on the Discernment Committee will be made. 
• Sunday 5.31.20, Nominations to the Discernment Committee close.
• Week of 6.1.20: Vestry officers will meet to develop a Discernment Team slate with alternates.
• 6.9.20 Vestry votes to finalize Discernment Committee Membership.
• Sunday 6.14.20, St. Alban’s Discernment Committee commissioned.

Having reviewed the diocesan guide, which is written for parishes of all sizes and conditions, and noting its flexibility, we propose for St. Alban’s:

1. That a warm invitation to the whole parish be prepared and made ready for distribution, asking for nominations to the Discernment Committee. This invitation is to be well publicized and will include a clear description of the likely demands of Discernment Committee service. 
2. That nominations open 5.13.20 and be closed on Sunday 5.31.20. 
3. That nominations be called for from the active membership of the parish, and include persons of all ages, genders and experience from among those who are participating in the regular worship and active ministry of St. Alban’s. That nominations be called for from former Vestry members and past leaders of parish life, as well as new leaders and members.
4. That all valid nominations include confirmation of the nominee’s willingness to serve.
5. Anticipating many nominations, that the officers receive and review the entire pool of nominations and prepare a recommendation to the Vestry of a slate of candidates (and alternates) to comprise the St. Alban’s Discernment Committee, including chair or co-chairs.
6. That the officers keep the nominations received in the strictest confidence.
7. That the Vestry meet on May12th to review, refine, finalize and approve their charge.
8. That in order to draw the nominations broadly: ordained persons, parish staff, close family of other Discernment Committee members, and current Vestry members not be considered for nomination.
9. That should a current Vestry member desire and consent to serve on the Discernment Committee and is appointed, he/she resign the Vestry position.

• Item 9 seems wise to us, and is OK’d by Canon Michael, for four reasons.

1. The Vestry will have ultimate responsibility to approve or disapprove the rector recommendation of the Discernment Committee. Since we will have a broad pool of candidates, we want to avoid putting ourselves unnecessarily in a conflicted or awkward position of having reviewed as a Discernment Committee member the many priestly candidates, including the one proposed. 
2. Our 2020 Vestry is faced with unique responsibilities to implement the goals of Celebrate St. Alban’s Anew, our vestry-created and managed campaign. We will be busy! This will be demanding, and we do not see how we could reasonably serve on both the 2020 Vestry and the Discernment Committee.
3. We want the entire St. Alban’s community to have the chance to serve on the Discernment Committee, and we will propose a broad slate form the many nominations expected. The Vestry will make the ultimate choice of rector, so we want a diverse and open Discernment Committee pool. (Note we received some 53 nominations of 29 individuals to serve on the 2020 Vestry.) 
4. We were told by Canon Michael that the guide’s suggestion that Vestry members serve on Discernment Committees is to accommodate those smaller parishes which do not necessarily enjoy our breadth of leadership options.  We’ll have many strong candidates from the non-vestry pool. 

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Update from Junior and Senior Wardens:

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4/1/2020 :Update from Senior Warden:

Dear Friends: