Bonhoeffer Presentation and Discussion Sat, 4/28 11AM-3:30 PM

St. Ansgar is honored to host Dr. Clifford Green, Executive Editor of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Complete Works and Professor Emeritus of Theology at Hartford Seminary. His presentation entitled, "Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Worldly Christianity: Beyond Evangelical Conservatism and Liberal Modernism," will bring Bonhoeffer's legacy into today. Even those new to Bonhoeffer will find inspiration in the questions Bonhoeffer asked and the sacrifices he made.


What would Bonhoeffer make of today's moral questions? Stay for lunch (RSVP for your meal at conference2012@saintansgar.org) and a lively panel discussion moderated by Dr. Janet V. Gunn, former chair of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Visiting Professor of English at Birzeit University in Ramallah. Other participants include Dr. Christopher Callaway, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at St. Joseph's College, Dr. Steven Lewis, Academic Dean and Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Bangor Theological Seminary, Michael Messerschmidt, Esq., Partner, Preti Flaherty Law Firm, son of Holocaust survivors, and The Rev. Jill Saxby, Executive Director of the Maine Council of Churches.


The afternoon will end with a reading of one of Bonhoeffer's most well-known works, the poem, "Who am I?" It will be read with accompaniment by James Fry, Music Director at St. Ansgar.

Sun, 4/29's Service to Feature Dr. Clifford Green

St. Ansgar is pleased to announce that Dr. Clifford Green will join our congregation as guest preacher for our regularly scheduled worship on Sun, 4/29, at 10AM. St. Ansgar members and friends, as well as attendees to Friday and Saturday's Bonhoeffer events, are warmly invited to share in the celebration of the Eucharist and in the coffee and conversation afterwards.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is February 22nd. Ashes will be distributed at a 7:00 p.m. celebration of the Eucharist.

We are also providing "Walk-In" ashes from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Simply come to St. Ansgar, say a short prayer of your choosing, and receive your ashes. This would be a great way to receive ashes on your lunch hour!

Ashes are available to people of all denominations, regardless of baptismal status.

Lenten Invitation on YouTube

Follow this link to a Lenten Invitation: http://youtu.be/-tyeu5mE0UY

Interfaith Conference Sat, 2/4 6PM

This Saturday, Feb 4th, our friend, the Rev. Mia Dyson, and her Portland Discernment Group are hosting an interfaith conference at St. Ansgar. Area clergy and lay leaders of churches, synagogues, and mosques will be in attendance. The topic is "The Future of Religious Communities - Will They Be Here For Us?"


The conference will begin with a light supper at 6PM. Then there will be a round table discussion dealing with the challenges faced and signs of hope emerging within area religious communities.  The focus will be on ways to find and promote spiritual growth and renewal. Please join us for this evening of interfaith dialogue and fellowship. 

Registration is not mandatory, but a quick email to conference2012@saintansgar.org will help organizers prepare.

Congratulations to Redeemer Lutheran in Bangor!

  







We are no longer the only ELCA Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation in Maine. Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bangor has joined us. As RIC churches we have endorsed a statement of welcome to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons into the full life and ministry of our congregations. Pastor Bill Barter and a delegation of St. Ansgar members traveled to Bangor this past Sunday to help celebrate. Congratulations to Redeemer on taking this faithful and affirming step!

Light in the Darkness, A Special Evening of Taize Prayer Sun, 12/18 5PM

Amidst the commotion and stresses of the season, let us find repose in receiving the gift of new birth and life. Please join us for a special evening of community worship this Advent featuring chants and prayers originating from the world-reknowned monastery in Taize, France. We will watch and pray together as easily sung melodies and the simple and timeless words of Scripture are interspersed with silence and icon imagery. All are welcome. Come, watch, and pray together Sun, December 18th, at 5PM.