183rd Annual Convention
Election Results are in
October 25-26, 2002
Bangor Civic Center
click on the office to see the results

Secretary of Convention
Treasurer of the Diocese
Standing Committee
Diocesan Council
General Convention Alternates (Lay and Clerical)
Ecclesiastical Trial Court
Provincial Synod

THE VEN. THOMAS BENSON (ELECTED)
CONGREGATION: St. John’s, Bangor
NOMINATED BY: The Rector and Vestry at St. John’s, Bangor
BIOGRAPHY: Convention Secretary for the past seven years and previously an assistant secretary for eight years. Tom has been an active member of St. John’s for forty-six years where he was ordained a deacon on June 3, 1978. He has served the Bishop and the Diocese as the Episcopal chaplain at the local Bangor hospitals for twenty-four years. Tom has also served as a staff chaplain at Eastern Maine Medical Center for three and a half years. He serves on the Chaplain’s Advisory Board at EMMC; the Bangor City Nursing Facility Advisory Board for nine years and is currently serving a three year term on the Board of Trustees of the newly formed Bangor Nursing and Rehab Center; he is the Archdeacon for the Pastoral Support of the Deacons of the Diocese and Chaplain for the Retired Clergy, Spouses and Survivors of the Diocese.

Responsibilities:  In addition to the canonical responsibilities, the Secretary oversees the registration of delegates to convention and reports to convention that a quorum is present.  The Secretary also reports on action by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, as required.  Most of the work is done by the staff at the diocesan office.

Time Commitment:  1 to 1 1/2 days per year (generally either in Portland or Bangor)

Cost:  Travel, room and meals at diocesan convention held each year.  May be reimbursed, if necessary.

NEED TO ELECT:  One person for a one year term.

(The position of the Treasurer of the Diocese requires familiarity with diocesan financial operations and nominees should have experience in the management of diocesan financial affairs.)

 Responsibilities:  Advisor to Finance Committee.   Overseer of all financial operations, including:  accounting procedures, adequate income, expenditures in line with current budget and anticipated income.   Provides guidance for staff member who handles day-to-day financial operations.

Time Commitment: Equivalent of five days each year

Cost:  Travel expenses reimbursed by the diocese, if requested.

NEED TO ELECT:  One person for one year term

The Rev. Holly Lyman Antolini (ELECTED)
CONGREGATION: St. Peter’s, Rockland
NOMINATED BY: The Rev. Nancy L. Moore, St. Augustine’s, Dover-Foxcroft, Isabel Polk, St. Peter’s, Rockland, the Rev. Susan J. Latimer, St. Mark’s Waterville, Emily and Larry Rotch, St. John’s, Thomaston, the Rev. Lawrence M. Estey, St. Brendan the Navigator, Stonington, the Rev. Kyle T. Grennen, Church of the Good Shepherd, Rangeley, Mary Alice Bird, St. Peter’s, Rockland, the Rev. Barbara L. Barth, St. Michael’s, Auburn, Marty Rogers, St. Peter’s, Rockland, the Rev. Michael Ambler, Grace Church, Bath, the Rev. Paige Blair, St. George’s York Harbor, Siri Beckman, St. Brendan’s Stonington, the Rev. Violetta L. Otis, Trinity, Lewiston, the Rev. Myrick T. Cross, St. Francis, Blue Hill, the Rev. Virginia Marie Rincon, St. Elizabeth’s, Portland, Barbara and Paul Nelson, St. Mark’s Waterville

BIOGRAPHY: Currently director of the contemplative environmental youth ministry, "the small voice ministry at pin point farm," on her family farm in Cushing, Maine, Holly has in the past been interim priest at St. Peter’s Rockland and St. Mark’s, Waterville and vicar of St. Brendan’s, Stonington. She is currently completing her first term on the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Maine, is a mentor with Maine’s Fresh Start new-clergy program, and has been elected to serve as clerical deputy from Maine to her third General Convention in 2003. At both previous General Conventions, she has served on the Music and Liturgy Committee. She also works with the Deacon Formation Program Advisory Group and the Committee on Indian Relations of the Diocese of Maine. She grows a sizable organic vegetable garden as a part of the small voice ministry, and keeps the Benedictine Daily Office in the prayer house on the farm’s river edge. Holly has two daughters, Tina, a Hampshire College junior, and Tessa, a senior in high school.

Mr. Peter Bickford (ELECTED)
CONGREGATION Christ Church, Norway
NOMINATED BY: The Wardens, Vestry and Rector, Christ Church Norway
BIOGRAPHY: Peter asked us to take this action, as he wants to continue his work on the Standing Committee, and we support and encourage his work and know how capable and conscientious he is. Peter is running for re-election to the Standing Committee. During his first term he attended monthly meetings and served as the committee’s liaison to several task force groups. They include the Task Force on Assessment Review, the Maine Development Group for Local Ordination, and the Capital Campaign Advisory Group. He has also served on Diocesan Council for nine years, including three years as Chair of the Finance Committee. At the local level, Peter is a regular member of Christ Church, Norway, and has served on the vestry in various positions, including senior warden for over twenty years. He is currently enjoying his retirement with his wife Mary.

Responsibilities: Include but not restricted to giving consents for election of Bishops and new dioceses; review and approve building plans and loans by congregations; review applications for ordination; additional responsibilities listed in Canon 13 above.

Time Commitment:  Usually once a month meeting in Portland, but special meetings may be called.

Cost:  Travel reimbursement provided by diocese, if requested.

NEED TO ELECT: One (1) Clerical and one (1) lay member for three (3) year term each

Mrs. Anne McHugh (ELECTED)
CONGREGATION: St. Anne’s, Calais
NOMINATED BY: The Vestry of St. Anne’s, Calais
BIOGRAPHY: Mrs. McHugh is a very active member of St. Anne’s Congregation and the Diocese. She serves on the altar, is a member of the choir, and is the treasurer as well as a vestry member at St. Anne’s. She is a strong voice on the vestry and does an outstanding job as treasurer. Anne is always willing to do whatever needs to be done for the betterment of the parish. Anne and her husband open their home and on several occasions have provided lodging and meals for visiting clergy. Anne’s willingness to work for the good of the church and her energy and enthusiasm make here a great choice for service on the Diocesan Council.

Responsibilities: The Diocesan Council carries out the business of the diocsese between conventions.  It prepares the annual budget for the next year for presentation to convention;  a great way to experience the whole diocesan picture.

Time Commitment: Approximately three Saturday meetings (generally January, April and September) held at churches throughout the diocese annually.

Cost: Mileage can be reimbursed through the diocese; $5.00 donation for lunch at meetings.

NEED TO ELECT: Three (3) members for two (2) year terms.

Lay Alternates ELECTED from nominations from the Convention Floor (with the exception of Anderson):
Dr. Susan Partridge, St. Ann's, Windham
Ms. Beverly Breau, St. Martin's, Palmyra
Sr. Cyndy Anderson, St. Ann's, Windham
Ms. Sheila Seekins, St. Peter's, Rockland

Responsibilities: Represent the diocese at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church  where policy for the Episcopal Church is set.  Approve national church budget.  General Convention will meet from July 30 to August 8, 2003, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The first alternate (nominee with the most votes) in both lay and clerical orders will accompany the Diocese of Maine delegation to General Convention.   If he or she is unable to serve, other alternates will be called to serve in turn.

Time Commitment: Some pre- and post-convention meetings held within the diocese and Province and attendance at the General Convention in Minneapolis.

Cost:  Convention expenses paid by the diocese

NEED TO ELECT:  Four (4) clerical and four (4) lay alternates

Sr. Cyndy Anderson, WSHS
CONGRGATION St. Ann’s, Windham
NOMINATED BY: The Rev. Jeffrey Ferguson and the Rev. Roy Partridge
BIOGRAPHY: Sr. Cyndy has a wide and consuming interest in the actions, thoughts, and trends of the Episcopal Church not only in the parish and diocese, but in the various provinces of our church. When Executive Council met in Portland some years ago she attended all open sessions. She asks questions, raises concerns, reads and listens carefully and intently. Through the internet she is attune to the works, worries and joys of the Anglican Communion also. Sr. Cyndy is thoughtful and articulate. (She was one of two persons to nominate Chilton Knudsen to be our bishop.) Sr. Cyndy is a Lay Sister in the Episcopal Community of the Worker Sisters of the Holy Spirit and has been a life professed member for more than 20 years. Sr. Cyndy has just completed EFM mentor training. She was an originator of the AIDS Task Force, has served on Diocesan Council and as delegate to Maine Council of Churches. At St. Ann’s she is a Lector and a Delegate to Convention among other things. She was employed for many years as a CNA in a nursing home until leaving to go to college. Her college work was in psychology and social work with religious background.

LAY MEMBERS
ELECTED from nominations from the Convention Floor:
Dr. Harold Brown, St. Patrick's, Brewer
Ms. Cynthia Widdows, Cathedral of St. Luke, Portland

Responsibilities:  To serve if a presentament is filed by the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Maine.

NEED TO ELECT: One (1) lay delegate and on (1) clerical alternate for  a two (2) year term each. 

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