The Rt. Rev. Chilton R. Knudsen
Bishop of Maine
Early Summer
2003
Message from
Bishop Chilton Knudsen
Disturb us, Lord, when our dreams have
come true because we dreamed too little,And we have arrived safely because we sailed too close to shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance
of things we possess,We have lost our thirst for the Water of Life
And our yearning for the Bread of Heaven.
Stir us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas where storms will
Wherein losing sight of land we shall see the stars.
We ask you to push outward the horizons of our hope.
And to push us forward into the future,
In strength, courage, hope and love.
We pray that you will take our plans and place upon them the
seal of your peace,
So that they, and we, may give you glory.
All this we ask in the name of Jesus.
—From A Prayer Attributed to Sir Francis Drake
So now, we begin.
In the stirring words of the Resolution presented to us by Diocesan Council
at our Special Convention on May 10th: "God’s people in the Diocese of Maine embark on a bold journey of faith to expand the opportunities for mutual and new ministries." Our Capital Campaign ONE IN CHRIST is underway after years of visioning, studying and discerning together.We are dreaming big dreams:
Proper care for our Archives, the tangible witness of a proud heritage.
An increased endowment to liberate congregational funds for local ministries.
A Clergy Intern program that welcomes our newly ordained to grow in ministry
in our midst.Campus Chaplaincy, nurturing the next generation’s Christian leaders.
Just and appropriate compensation for our clergy in every congregation.
We set ourselves on this course (Phase One of our longer voyage of development),
took our soundings at the depth of 3 million dollars, and slipped our moorings into every corner of our diocese: into lake and river and pond and bay and backyard wading pool and open ocean. And wherever there isn’t a body of water, we’ll portage till we find one. Or drill down till the water flows.Christ our Lord, the risen One, calls us to dare more boldly. And you did
just that on May 10th. God bless us all as we respond to the indescribable generosity of God.With my love in Christ,
+CHILTON