Dispatches is a monthly update that seeks to keep you advised of news, developments, and resources that support our shared mission across the diocese.

The Birth and Growth of a Prayer Gathering

In December 2022 the Lord placed a vision on the heart of Leah Maina, who is the Patron of Prayer Ministry at Holy Trinity Church in Auburn, to gather intercessors for a dedicated time of prayer. Each year since, a group of faithful people have gathered in Worcester over the first weekend in December to spend time in God’s presence: praying for healing, deliverance, restoration, assurance, and renewed faith.

This annual event that started with just 11 faithful intercessors has not only encouraged the growth of new weekly prayer meetings at Holy Trinity, Auburn, but has also been the driving force behind the establishment of a new rhythm of morning prayer at St. Paul’s, Lawrence.

Leah writes, “our third annual Prayer Gathering was held this past weekend, December 5th-7th Once again, we were hosted by Fr. Len Cowan at The Abbey of the Way, a place that has become a cherished home for our intercessors. Over the course of 40 hours, we were joined by over 30 men, women, young people and children. It was truly ‘an upper room’ encounter and we saw many answers to prayer.

We prayed for 6 year old Victor in Kenya (the nephew of one of our intercessors) who had gone missing for 24 hours. His parents were out of their minds with worry amidst the many abductions of children that have been happening in Kenya recently. At 6.00pm Victor’s aunt heard that the child had been found. Someone had picked him up on the road and taken him to the police station where he was reunited with his parents. What joy there was in the room as we celebrated this moment and cried out to God in thanks for the return of this little boy.

We prayed for a woman who had arrived at the meeting in so much pain that she was unable to walk upstairs. By Saturday she was dancing and singing and even jumping up and down. The pain had gone!

Another lady had bought a blanket to be prayed over in faith and taken home for her 25 year old daughter who for the past two weeks had been using a cane to walk. Her health had deteriorated to the point that she had been unable to get out of bed that morning. We prayed and anointed the blanket with oil. The mother took the blanket home and covered her daughter with it as she slept. On Sunday I had a text from the daughter who informed me that she was walking without a cane. Praise God!”

We give God all the glory for these and many other answered prayers. We thank God for the profound encounters we experienced in His presence as we worshiped and prayed. God truly gave us an open heaven. We are already looking forward to next year’s Prayer Gathering!”

St. Nicholas Festival Dec. 6, 2025

St. Nicholas House, Brookline, NH

Saturday, December 6th, was the feast day of St. Nicholas, yes that St. Nicholas…the good old jolly gift-giving Bishop (not elf) himself. As one might guess, it is a very important day for St. Nicholas House led by the Rev. Brian and Jackie Barry in Brookline, NH. Not only is St. Nicholas the namesake for their wonderful ministry of hospitality and prayer, but his feast day on December 6th is also the anniversary of the commissioning of their ministry by Bishop Andrew. To celebrate, the Barry’s, along with their faithful team members of Dcn. Josh and Rebecca Eipper, thought it would be great to host their first ever St. Nicholas Festival. Fr. Brian and Jackie invited Dandelion Ministries to come up and help put on the festival.

It was quite a wintry day in Brookline with a few inches of snow on the ground, but that made the warm and cozy space of St. Nicholas House’s recently renovated barn (renovated by the Barry’s themselves by the way) all the more welcoming to folks. Fr. Brian and Jackie said they were so blessed to see all sorts of people show up from the different connections God had given them over these 5+ years of ministry in the Brookline area. It was a chance for them to see the fruit of all of God’s faithful work through them there.

The day began with Rebecca Eipper leading everyone in carols with a band of kids (and big kids Josh and Sean) on various stringed instruments. Then Fr. Barry with his brigade of children actors put on a play of the real story of St. Nicholas reminding us all why St. Nicholas was such an inspiration for their ministry of overflowing joy, quiet generosity, and gentle strength. The space was then quickly transformed into a version of St. Nick’s workshop where Kate and some of the St. Nicholas House team led everyone in candle making and Christmas card making. The activities were so engaging that the time flew…some of the guests sat for a couple of hours making things. As is always the case at St. Nicholas House you could always take a break and go feed the goats and chickens too.

Having Dandelion there to help run the arts and crafts time enabled Fr. Brian, Jackie, Dcn. Josh, and Rebecca to spend time with their people…to have conversations and not worry about running everything like they normally do. They had space to connect. We had a feast of soup, pizza, and cookies and closed the day with a communion service giving thanks for the Lord’s faithfulness. It was a joyous day and a blessing to be a part of what God is doing in Brookline.

Barbara Lachance Funeral

On Saturday, December 6, over 130 family, friends and colleagues, including 9 ADNE clergy, gathered for the Celebration and Thanksgiving for the Life of Barbara Lachance in South Windsor, CT. Another 130+ attended online. Canon Ross Kimball led the service and served as chief celebrant at communion. Five other ADNE priests joined him at the altar to con-celebrate. In his warm and fittingly humorous sermon, Rev. Geoff Little reminded us of Barbara’s creativity, her inexhaustible energy for the Gospel, and her love for her Lord Jesus Christ; and proclaimed to all the Good News in Christ. He concluded by urging those who had not previously done so to accept Jesus’ invitation to eternal life in Him. Barbara would have been overjoyed!

Barbara’s death was a big loss to all of us who knew and loved her, but we rejoiced with all of heaven that she is now safely in the presence of her Savior with a wonderfully perfect resurrection body. Please pray for her husband, Gerry, and her two adult children.

United Adoration Creative Retreat

February 6-7 at Rise Church

Do you long for space to create and experiment with expression?

Are you looking for a community of creators to encourage and inspire you?

Want to get out this winter and do something constructive?

A United Adoration retreat is a time set aside to create with our Creator. If you are a musician, singer-songwriter, wordsmith, or visual artist or want to explore artistic expression, join us to engage in the intersection of faith and art. Come prepared to create and rest. During the retreat, there will be time to worship, create, collaborate, and build community. All ages and skill levels are welcome! Meals will be provided. The Retreat runs Friday, February 6th, 5:30-9pm and Saturday, February 7th, 9am-5pm at Rise Church in Portland (1047 Congress St, Portland ME 04102).

sign up here

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We can do so much more in God when we work together.

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December Dispatches