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Maine Conference Newsletter
September 14, 2016
 


2016 Annual Meeting 
Registration is Open

Register Below! 
REGISTER NOW!

2017 BUDGET HEARINGS
 
 


This years Budget Hearings being held across the state in order to preview & discuss the 2017 budget prior to The 2016 Annual Meeting

(we will not be holding a hearing at the Annual Meeting itself)

(Recommended budget information will be available by close of business September 16th)
 

SACO
September 21, 2016 7PM
(Zoom will be available)
First Parish Church
12 Beach Street
Saco, Maine

AUGUSTA
September 25, 2016 2PM
(Zoom will be available)
Maine Conference Center
1 Weston Court, Suite 104
Augusta, ME 04330

BANGOR
September 28, 2016 1PM
Hammond Street Congregational Church
28 High Street
Bangor, ME 04401

AUBURN
October 3, 2016 7PM
(Zoom will be available)
High Street Congregational Church
106 Pleasant Street
Auburn, ME 04210

If you are interested in participating via Zoom Video Conferencing (web based online meeting application.)

Please register and then contact Beth Campbell at

[email protected]
(Once you have received the meeting e-mail Click Here to download application and join meeting) 

 
 
Official Call of the 2016 Annual Meeting
 
The 85th Annual Meeting of the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ (successor to the Congregational Christian Conference of Maine; it being the 105th Anniversary of the Congregational Conference and Missionary Society of Maine; the 191st Anniversary of the State Conference, the 209th Anniversary of the Maine Missionary Society, the 187th Anniversary of the Maine Congregational Ministerial Relief Society, and the 49th Anniversary of the Maine Conference as a Conference of the United Church of Christ), will be held at Gracie Theater, Husson College, Bangor, Maine and will convene at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, October 22, 2016. Items to be voted at this year's meeting will be the:
  • Use of Proceeds from the Sale of the Rockcraft Retreat Center
  • Proposed 2017 Conference Budget
  • 2017 Compensation Guidelines for Clergy
  • Slate of Officers Elect
 
 
Walter (Ted) Ruark, Conference Clerk
Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ


Registration is OPEN!

Transformed!
Renewed!
Alive!

2016 Annual Meeting

 

One Day Only!
October 22, 2016

Location 
Gracie Theater
Husson University
Bangor

Key Note Speaker
Rev. Chris Davies 
Coordinator for Congregational Assessment 
Support and Advancement (CASA)

Clergy and Laity Retreat
October 21, 2016
Hampden Congregational Church
Hampden

Register Here 
 
In the Resource Center!
(Maine UCC Lending Library)
 
For Such a Time as This
by Angie Smith
   Girls need stories that inspire them to be brave daughters of the King - and what better place to look than the Bible? In For Such a Time as This, best-selling author Angie Smith retells 40 remarkable stories of biblical women such as Eve and Esther, Rahab and Rebekah, and Martha and Mary. Angie offers a fascinating look at their lives and then links each story to today's reader by closing with a reminder about God's goodness, a character-building takeaway for girls, and prayer that parents can offer for their daughter.
   Girls will love these vivid stories and the stunning illustrations by Breezy Brookshire, and they will learn memorable lessons such as persevering when doing good, obeying God even when it's difficult, and remembering that God has a plan for their futures - just as God did for these women long ago.

Conference website and the Library cart are now working, or you can send requests to [email protected] or call 1-800-244-0937 or 207-622-3100. Please be aware that once you enter a search item you will be taken to a page that says "Grace Presbytery" in the upper left hand corner. You are in the right place. This is our catalog web host. The Resource Center is the lending library for the Maine Conference.

  
Lamb House Appeal



The First Congregational Church of Cherryfield has received a $5000 matching grant from a community member towards installing a furnace in the Lamb House.  The Lamb House is regional project encompassing ten towns in southwest Washington county to provide a temporary shelter for families that have lost their home due to fire or other natural disaster.  
Please Click Here for Previous ACE Article about Lamb House

We have done extensive renovations on the historic home, but now need to replace the boiler to make it a four season shelter.  Of course, most fires happen in the winter.  

Please make a donation to the Lamb House, PO Box 104, Cherryfield, Me 04622.  
For more information check our Facebook page or web site. www.thelambhouse.org

 


Peace, diversity and collaboration mark 9/11 anniversary  
in Northeast Ohio

Written by Connie Larkman

 

 On the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, an Ohio church spearheaded an interfaith day of service designed as a big thank-you to first responders. First Congregational Church of Hudson commemorated the 9/11 anniversary, remembering the fallen of that unforgettable day, by focusing its annual day of service on projects that reached out to police, fire fighters and EMS.
"When the church staff realized our 2016 First Serve date landed on 9/11, we wanted to honor that day in a special way by joining together with other diverse faith communities to serve first responders in love, faith and peace," said Sue Wimer, FCCH's director of Stewardship and Outreach..



Two things excite me about fall:
  1. Dressing up my dog for Halloween.
  2. Watching others sell most of their worldly belongings to fund their pumpkin spice latte addictions.
That's why me stumbling upon this meme was nothing short of a miracle.




 
That pug has style!

Anyway, back to pumpkin spice lattes.

What do they have to do with growing your church's social media?

I'm glad you asked!

If you're trying to establish a large presence on your church's social media, you need to capitalize on opportunities to join "trending" conversations. When everyone is talking about something, and you can find a reasonable way to tie it into your social media presence, you can increase your chances for engagement.

This means you could possibly interact with hundreds of thousands of people just by talking about something they happen to be discussing right now-like the pumpkin spice latte.

Head to Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and  type #pumpkinspice, #psl, or pumpkin spice latte, and you will get hundreds of thousands of results.

Click Here to Read Full Get Social Blog

 
Getting Our BEARINGS 
 
 
 

Looking Back on Bearings: A Retrospective on The Blog's Second Year

September is upon us, which means that  Elizabeth Drescher and Alyssa Lodewick are busy preparing Bearings for its third season of publication. But before we head into the future, it's important to know where we've been. 
 
If you are a new reader who desires insight into what the  The BTS Center's award-winning blog  is about, or if you're a longtime audience member who wishes to revisit some of your favorite posts, we've put together a literary retrospective  for your reading pleasure. It contains a baker's dozen of the most popular pieces published in Bearings last season. Enjoy. read more
 


Desk Calendars Are In!

There are a limited number of
extra calendars left to sell.


 

  
That's right, the Desk Calendar has returned to an 18-month format (July 2016 - December 2017). Shipping in June 2016.

Includes: Complete lectionary readings for every Sunday * special mission offering dates * special observances * Directory of national staff
 
    Please Contact Anne Hodgman at
[email protected]
for more information 
 

First Parish Church, Gorham
We have 50 maroon choir robes to donate with  stoles.   They are used but in good condition.  If anyone is interested, please contact Julie Perrin at [email protected].  Interested parties can pick them up in Gorham, Me.
    
Help Wanted/Classifieds
POSITION OPENING:  
DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
 
 
The Bar Harbor Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is looking for a part-time DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, starting in the fall and averaging 15 hours a week, including Sundays.  We're looking for a person of faith who is devoted to nurturing faith and fellowship in our diverse congregation by coordinating Christian Education programs, from nursery care to Sunday school, from youth groups to programs for adults.  The successful candidate will be an effective communicator (including computer skills, familiarity with social media, and strong interpersonal skills, including skill and enjoyment working with children) who can recruit and support volunteers, ensure our compliance with safe church practices, and is (or will be) First Aid and CPR certified.  In addition to a compelling salary and a fun, collaborative, and creative work environment, the Church offers support and training opportunities, and is open to non-traditional staffing models.  Applicants should send a letter of interest, along with a current resume, to Bar Harbor Congregational Church, 29 Mount Desert St., Bar Harbor, ME  04609, or by email to
[email protected].  Applications will be accepted until August 15 or until the position is filled.

 

Organist/Accompanist/
Choir Director 
 
The Foreside Community Church, United Church of Christ in Falmouth, Maine seeks to hire one or two talented music professionals to direct and expand our music programs.  we are an Open and Affirming congregation of about
200 which values music as a key element of our worship experience, and enjoys a variety of musical forms and styles.
We are searching for individuals with strong musical skills and experience in the church environment who bring creativity, a desire to collaborate, communication and leadership skills, and an energentic and engaging personality.  We are open to considering someone who desires an Organist/Choir Director position, as well as considering dividing the role and hiring an Organist/Accompanist and a separate Choir Director.
For more details on the job(s) and more information on our church, please visite www.foresidechurch.org and our Facebook page.  Interested candidates can submit questions and send a resume and references via email to the Music Search Committee at [email protected] 
 
ORGANIST and/or CHOIR DIRECTOR
 
Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell,
tel. 207.622.1220,
http://oldsouthhallowell.org/
  • Positions available as soon as suitable candidate is found
  • Salary based on ability and experience
  • Submit a letter of interest, resume and contact information for 3 references electronically to [email protected] or via USPS to Music Search Committee, PO Box 508, Hallowell, ME 04347.
  • Applications close when a suitable candidate is found
  • Job description available on website
  • Hook and Hastings tracker pipe organ with 13 ranks
 
Office Administrator Needed 
Christ Church, 
Kennebunk Maine

Christ Church, Kennebunk, Maine is a Federated Church affiliated with both United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church.   The successful candidate will oversee our Church Office, be responsible for all aspects of its operation, including welcoming, assisting visitors, church members and coordinating tasks with Church Committees and Officers. It will be necessary for this person to possess excellent organizational, problem-solving and interpersonal skills, be self-motivated, and equally adept at working both independently and collaboratively. This person will have effective computer and website management skills, as well as proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, including Excel and Publisher, and possess the ability to learn new programs as necessary. Basic bookkeeping tasks are also incorporated into the position, which includes managing Payroll. The ideal candidate will possess some experience in all of the above areas and will be comfortable working in a key position within a progressive faith-based community church environment. 
 
Particulars 
Part time: 15 hours per week
Salary: TBD
Reports to: Pastor

Please send resumes to
Christ Church
PO Box 87
Kennebunk, ME 04043
Or
 
 
 
Phippsburg Congregational Church, UCC
10 Church Lane, Phippsburg, Maine
An Open & Affirming Church

 

HELP WANTED:
 
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
 
8 hours per week, flexible scheduling / parent's hours

The Union Church of South Bristol is Looking for an
Organist/Choir Director 
 
The Union Church of South Bristol is looking to hire an Organist/Choir Director to start in the beginning of September.
For more information please contact Linda Brunner, Music Committee Chairperson at 207-563-3915
 
Christian Education Coordinator and Teacher

First Congregational Church of Wiscasset, UCC in Wiscasset, Maine seeks a creative and dynamic out-going, capable person with a background in the Christian faith, to serve as its Christian Education Coordinator and Teacher. The applicant should relate well with children of all ages and be able to develop and implement educational programs with the pastor and Christian Education Committee for youth and beyond that teach and model the teachings of Christ.

Contact: Submit resume, cover letter
and 3 recommendations to:

Sarah Joyce and Mary McKinney,
Chairs of the Christian Education Committee
First Congregational Church of Wiscasset
PO Box 350
Wiscasset, ME 04578.

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In This Issue
 

NCCP Statement on the Government Response to Illegal Drugs

Sept. 8, 2016

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), a fellowship of ten member churches and nine associate members, expresses its concern over the conduct of the campaign against illegal drugs.
While we recognize the buoyed hopes of the people under the new Government brought about by the commitment of the President to eradicate corruption, reform the bureaucracy, pursue peace talks and many others, the killings of alleged drug pushers must stop. We recognize how illegal drug use has wasted the lives of so many and threaten the lives of many more. Yet, we are gravely concerned that the continuing killings shake our confidence in the ability of the government to uphold basic human rights and legal processes which are hallmarks of our Constitution. At times, the President affirms these tenets. At times the President refers to them as obstacles.

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Beth Campbell
Maine Conference UCC
207-622-3100