Saint Mary’s Resolution to Diocesan Convention: A Voice for the Powerless
shared by Deacon Matthew Simpson
In August, the Vestry of Saint Mary’s unanimously agreed to sponsor a resolution along with me to Diocesan Convention. It’s hard to express my pride and gratitude that this parish is being a voice at Diocesan Convention for the most vulnerable in Maine. The resolution reads as follows:
Resolution: Care for Foster Children in the Diocese of Maine
Sponsored by: The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Falmouth
Whereas, the State of Maine has some of the highest reported rates of child abuse and neglect in the United States, and many children enter foster care as a result of neglect, trauma, and abuse;
Whereas, Holy Scripture consistently commands God’s people to care for the orphan, the widow, and the stranger;
Whereas, Our Lord Jesus Christ welcomed children, blessed them, and taught us that in caring for the least among us, we serve Christ Himself;
Be it therefore resolved, that the Episcopal Diocese of Maine acknowledges and laments the suffering of children in foster care and the brokenness of the systems meant to protect them;
Be it further resolved, that from the First Sunday of Advent 2025 through Christ the King Sunday 2026, all diocesan events shall include a specific prayer for children in foster care - either as a petition within the Prayers of the People or as a stand-alone prayer offered during meetings and gatherings;
Be it further resolved, that every parish and worshiping community in the Diocese of Maine be invited and encouraged to prayerfully discern how it may serve and care for children in foster care in its own context-through prayer, volunteerism, mentorship, foster or kinship care support, partnership with local agencies, or legislative advocacy.
Explanation:
Maine continues to face a critical child welfare crisis, with some of the highest rates of child maltreatment and foster care placement in the nation. In fiscal year 2023, the state reported a child maltreatment rate of 15.0 per 1,000 children, nearly double the national average of 7.4–8.1 per 1,000 (Children’s Bureau, 2024). Even more concerning, the repeat maltreatment rate—the percentage of children who experience a second confirmed incident of abuse within a year—stood at 19.6%, significantly higher than the national standard of 9.7%. These figures highlight both the intensity and persistence of risk for children in Maine.
As of September 30, 2023, there were 2,497 children in foster care in Maine, representing a rate of 4.14 per 1,000 children, which is approximately 75% higher than the national entry rate of 2.4 per 1,000 (The Maine Monitor, 2024). Among these children, 768 were waiting to be adopted, and 140 of them were legally free—having had parental rights fully terminated (Children’s Bureau, 2024). Although federal adoption statistics for 2023 are not yet finalized, state reports indicate that approximately 500 children were adopted from foster care in Maine during 2024, showing some improvement in achieving permanency (Maine Morning Star, 2025). These figures underscore the urgent need for continued support, advocacy, and spiritual care for the vulnerable children and families in Maine's foster care system.
In our Holy Scriptures, throughout both the Old and New Testament, God has a particular favor and care for orphans, and commands God’s people to the same care: (Exodus 22:22, Deuteronomy 10:18, Deuteronomy 14:29, Deuteronomy 16:11, Deuteronomy 24:17, Deuteronomy 24:19, Psalm 10:14, Psalm 68:5, Psalm 82:3, Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 22:3, Jeremiah 49:11, Zechariah 7:10, Matthew 18:5, Matthew 25:40, Mark 10:14, Luke 14:13-14, Acts 20:35, 1 Timothy 5:3-8, James 1:27)