Bishop Mariann Budde

Courage is Contagious

October 8, 2026 7:00 pm
Merrill Auditorium
Portland, Maine

All seats $56 (includes service fee)/ proceeds to benefit Maine Council of Churches

Her sermon during the 2025 inauguration lasted only minutes. But Bishop Mariann Budde’s example of bravery in speaking truth to power endures. “Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”

The backlash against her was immediate and vicious because in a culture of contempt where compassion has become a partisan issue, speaking out for mercy comes at a cost. The Right Rev. Budde (Ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington DC) believes it’s a cost worth paying and she has shown us all what courage looks like.

Her keynote address on October 8, “Courage Is Contagious,” will explore how we can all learn to be brave. All proceeds from ticket sales and donations will benefit the Maine Council of Churches, a coalition of Protestant denominations that speaks with a prophetic voice of faith in the public square and connects people within and beyond the church to help build a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world.

Bishop Budde’s sermons have been published in books and journals, and she has authored several books, including How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith, adapted into a young adult book, We Can Be Brave, and a picture book for children, I Can Learn to Be Brave.

If this ticket price poses a hardship for you, please contact us at 207-772-1918.

Tickets available through PortTIX, the trusted box office for Maine Council of Churches Fundraising Event at Merrill Auditorium.
Phone: 207-842-0800
Online: www.porttix.com
In person: 400 Congress Street, Suite A, Portland, ME 04101

Sponsors

Special thanks to our Sponsors, First Parish Church UCC, Thrivent Financial, Episcopal Diocese of Maine, and the Foresight Fund for helping to make this event possible.