I write to you from the General Theological Seminary in New York City, where I am attending the last of three week-long courses in the College for Bishops. This program is humorously titled "Baby Bishop’s School", as the expectation is that new bishops will complete the three courses within the first couple of years of their ministry. The courses are titled: BISHOP AS PASTOR, BISHOP AS THEOLOGIAN and BISHOP AS APOSTLE (I cite them in the order in which I took them; they are each offered once per year and can be taken in any sequence). When next you see me, I will be no longer a baby bishop, but now perhaps a toddler.

Each intensive week-long session includes daily Bible study and worship, lectures by resource people, case studies, small group sharing, a fair amount of reading, an historical exploration of the evolution of the episcopate, and the grace-filled presence of a retired (or seasoned) bishop who shares some very personal reflections. This week, our seasoned bishop is Vincent Warner, Bishop of Olympia and sometime Archdeacon of the Diocese of Maine. I bring you love and greetings from +Vince. We baby bishops also find time for fun, and have explored the West Side of New York City rather extensively. Ask me for restaurant recommendations...

Those of us attending are all still finding our way within this challenging and wonderful ministry. And because many of us have been together at more than one session, there has been time for deep trust to build and for a spirit of collegiality to root itself within us. I am reminded, over and over, that the building of community is the foundational work of all ministry. It is the first work Jesus did as he began his ministry, calling the Twelve to share with him the reality of the Gospel. We are not ministers (of whatever order of ministry) in isolation, we are branches of the Vine; apart from our union with one another in the Vine who is Christ, we can do nothing.

There are many ways in which this building of community has been happening in Maine over the past year. I rejoice to share with you a few examples:

- The communities of people who serve on diocesan commissions and committees have been strengthened by the hard work of so many of you...your willingness to show up for gatherings even when that means lengthy travel and personal sacrifice for you. Each one of you has made a contribution. Thank you.

- The community of those whose ministry is rooted at Loring House has been deepening ever since I first moved here. As we have undergone various transitions, that community has built on a strong past and is ready for the new future God is unfolding.

- In a number of places, community has been growing amongst churches in regional groupings. The churches on Mount Desert Island have been sharing more and more in worship and fellowship. Churches in the Mid-Coast (particularly in Boothbay, Newcastle, Jefferson and Wiscasset) are continuing to develop shared ministry, especially for youth. More plans are afoot in other places (Does your congregation need ideas? Call me.)

- Many congregations are sharing in outreach programs, not only with other Episcopal congregations, but also within the ecumenical community.

- Many congregations are taking a prayerful look at the quality of their community life...at the way they worship and how they serve the communities in which they are situated...how they discern God’s call for their future and see to the Christian nurture of every member.

- Clergy Days, held monthly, have been a time of deeper collegiality for the clergy as they have wrestled together with issues facing today’s church.

- Our e-mail and other connections have been expanded, so that we now have an extensive network for the sharing and gathering of news.

- The Long Range Planning and Evaluation Committee is leading us all in reflecting on our interdependence and in shaping our future, beginning from each congregation and moving outwards.

In all of these areas mentioned above, there is ample room for more participation, new faces, and enormous creativity. If you have a gift to offer, an opinion to voice, a question to ask, or a celebration to share, let us know. We are the branches, and the fruit we are called to bear is none other than the Good News which transforms the world. It’s a profound time to be a Christian, and to be a member of the community which is the Diocese of Maine. And, toddler-bishop that I am, I give thanks every day for the sap of the Spirit which flows within our inter-connected branches. Flow, Spirit, flow.

In Christ our Vine, with love and gratitude,