Religion in brief PORTLAND: ECUMENICAL LEADER RETIRING

Tom Ewell, executive director of the Maine Council of Churches, will leave the job he has held for nearly 20 years at the end of 2005. Ewell said this week that he plans to promote nonviolence and peace in his ministry as a member of the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers. “My intention,” he said in his resignation letter, “is to work with my wife, Cathy Whitmire, to integrate our Quaker Peace Testimony into the growing national and international movement that opposes war and seeks nonviolent approaches to addressing conflict situations.” Under Ewell’s leadership, the council grew from a small nonprofit to become a widely respected advocate for justice and peace. By concentrating during Ewell’s tenure on community-building and partnering with other organizations to work on issues of common concern, the council increased its presence in the public policy arena and its reputation as an advocate for the poor and vulnerable, said the Rev. Edward Poitras, president of the council’s board of directors. Judy Harrison (BDN)