Twelve graduates of The Chaplaincy Institute of Maine (ChIME) were ordained as Interfaith ministers on June 4 in a sunlit outdoor ceremony in Saco.
Before 150 guests in the tree-encircled chapel at Ferry Beach Retreat and Conference Center, the ordinands took their first steps toward a ministry of service, according to a news release from Beth Thompson with the institute.
In her opening remarks, Lisa Steele-Maley, executive director and Dean of ChIME, addressed the ordinands directly, noting that they have been “cultivating skill and capacity to bring a compassionate spiritual presence into a world that aches for it. Through each of you, ChIME’s vision of interfaith leadership with integrity, spiritual presence, and prophetic voice comes alive.”
The newly ordained ministers are Jean Adamson of Hampton, Julie Amery, Amesbury, Massachusetts, Ryun Anderson of Freeport, Linda Bruce of York, Tim Dean of South Portland, Tina D’Agostino-Civetta of Kennebunk, Kate Dufort of Eliot, Stacey Knight of Scarborough, Karen McCune Barca of Everett, Massachusetts, Jazz Newhall of Alfred, Katherine Pelletreau of Cumberland, and Dana Watt of Boothbay.
ChIME graduates complete a two- to three-year program of interfaith study that embraces the classroom setting, deep personal exploration, and community service. Students come from all faith backgrounds, traditional and nontraditional, including atheist.
An Interfaith minister is open to the endless spectrum of divine expression, honors all paths, and is willing to serve people of any faith orientation. They may go on to lead weddings, funerals, worship services, and many forms of ritual and ceremony, or they may serve as chaplains in traditional settings such as hospitals and hospice. In an era when increasing numbers of people are moving away from organized religion (and when Maine is recognized as one of the least religious states in the nation), many interfaith ministers are forging innovative paths in a variety of community settings.
This year’s ordinands undertook a range of second-year internships, from the contemplative and introspective to service as chaplains at the Maine Veterans Home, at Strafford County (New Hampshire) Correctional Institution, and at the Cedars, a retirement community that offers the full continuum of care.
ChIME, founded in Portland in 2002, celebrated its 20th ordination this year. ChIME is currently accepting applications for the 2024-25 academic year.
To learn more, visit chimeofmaine.org or contact Lisa Steele-Maley at [email protected].
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