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Maine Conference Newsletter
October 26, 2016
 

 
It's that time of year again!

The Christmas Fair ACE


Please send me your Holiday Fair Flyers.  
I will start sending out the Christmas ACE  a week or two before the date of the first fair
.

Days until Christmas: 59
 

In the Resource Center!
(Maine UCC Lending Library)
 
Evolution of the Word
by Marcus J. Borg
Everyone knows the New Testament begins with the Gospel of Matthew, but how many know Matthew was actually one of the later books to be written? (It wasn't even the first Gospel!) But Evolution of the Word is not your typical New Testament. Marcus J. Borg, esteemed Bible scholar and bestselling author, shakes up the order of the New Testament as we know it by putting the books in a completely new order-the order in which they were written. By doing so, Evolution of the Word allows us to read these documents in their historical context. For the first time, see how the core ideas of Christianity took shape and developed over time. In this groundbreaking format, Borg reveals how a radical and primitive apocalyptic Jewish faith slowly became more comfortable with the world, less Jewish, and more pre- occupied with maintaining power and control. Evolution of the Word promises to change forever how we think about this historic work.

Conference website and the Library cart are now working, or you can send requests to resourcecenter@maineucc.org 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.

  
Revised and Updated:  Any Body, Every Body, Christ's Body: A Guide for Congregations, Association, and Congregations for Becoming Accessible to All.  
The UCC Disabilities Ministries Board of Directors has recently announced the release of an updated publication "Any Body, Every Body, Christ's Body: A Guide for Congregations, Association, and Congregations for Becoming Accessible to All."  Becoming Accessible to All (A2A) is a response to the growing need for churches to become accessible for all persons with disabilities.  The UCC call to become accessible in all aspects of church life including worship, fellowship, and leadership was made clear when a resolution was adopted at the Twenty-fifth General Synod.  This resolution, "Called to Wholeness in Christ: Becoming a Church Accessible to All," set forth the following activities:

a) Establish Conference level Inclusion Task Forces charged with needs assessment, planning, and education;

b) Join the Accessible Congregations Campaign of the National Organization on Disability.

c) Continue to make improvements in United Church of Christ buildings and facilities to achieve full physical accessibility;

d) Encourage local churches to establish Inclusion Committees and/or Inclusion Coaches to help conduct any accessibility or inclusion evaluation and modify existing curriculum and practices when needed.

e) Seek out and befriend mentors in the disabilities community, keeping in mind the slogan, "Nothing about us without us."

f) Consider ways to invite/include people with disabilities to participate in and lead worship services and other programming. This may involve hiring professional support or acquiring specialized technology.

This new publication provides information and resources that will guide congregations as they answer this call.  It is available at uccdm.org the UCC Disabilities Ministries website.  Questions can be sent to chair@uccdm.org or secretary@uccdm.org or to any of the board members listed on the website.
 
 
 
 


Vision of a just world underscores clearer UCC purpose, mission

Written by
Anthony Moujaes


A vision of a just world for all people will guide and shape the future work of the United Church of Christ. It's a vision that the denomination's General Minister and President and unified Board of Directors are prepared to own as part of a refreshed set of Purpose, Mission and Vision statements.

 
"I can't even begin to express how proud I am of our beloved United Church of Christ for articulating not just a purpose, mission, and vision - but this purpose, mission and vision," said the Rev. John Dorhauer, UCC general minister and president.

 
The UCC purpose statement comes from the Gospel of Matthew: 
To love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves.

 
Mission statement:
United in Spirit and inspired by God's grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.
 
And the vision: 
United in Christ's love, a just world for all.

 

Getting Our BEARINGS 
 


Beyond Prophetic Rhetoric: Jesus and Justice in Practice
 
 
 
"... Preachers speak about mass incarceration, the war on drugs, state sponsored violence, living wages, health care, sex trafficking and more. Raising the consciousness of our churches about these issues is very important work. But is prophetic rhetoric enough?" 
 
This week in Bearings
Jamye Wooten
 compares preachers who muzzle their own prophetic voices for political reasons to "social justice avatars," who may advocate for justice online but neglect to work for equality in non-digital realms.
read more  
Dear Friend,

Hope you are having a productive Fall and you're enjoying all the delicious tastes and vibrant colors of this bountiful harvest season. I wanted to check-in with you in case you are planning any Heifer activities for the holiday season and beyond.

Did you know that Americans spend $465 billion a year on holiday gifts? Just imagine how much a difference we could make in fighting hunger and poverty this holiday season if just a fraction of this money went to purchasing training and livestock that helped families become self-reliant! Heifer's Living Gift Market  is a fun and meaningful way to promote alternative gift giving, reduce holiday waste and help change the world. Organizing a Living Gift Market with your congregation can be a fun gift fair with displays for each animal or may be as simple as setting up a table with Heifer gift catalogs and honor cards after services or during coffee hour. You can download our free Leaders Guide, or order a printed Leaders Kit and other resources, here (click on "See Additional Resources" for more). Also, depending on location and availability, a Heifer representative may be available to staff a table or speak to your group. Please email me if you are interested in hosting a Heifer representative this holiday season.
Also, did you know that we recently redesigned one of our most popular Faith Community programs, Fill the Ark ? It's one of our most popular resources for Advent as an alternative to a Living Gift Market (or for Lent, if you're already thinking ahead!)  If you're interested in receiving a sample copy, please email info@heifer.org and we'll put one in the mail to you right away!

Will you join us this holiday season to promote alternative giving? I would love to hear from you and learn more about your upcoming activities. You can reach me at my email below, or by simply replying to this email. I wish you a blessed and peaceful holiday season!

Yours for a Better World,

Liz
Liz Ellis 
Community Engagement Coordinator

216 Wachusett St., Rutland | MA 01543 | United States
T: 508.886.6259 | M: 508.471.7418 | F: 508.886.6729 
Liz.Ellis@heifer.org
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Blog | LinkedIn
................................................................................. 
GIVEHEIFER.ORG  
 


I know, I know. The presidential election is making you feel something like this:



 


Yes, that's me as the Crying Jordan meme. Yes, that's how I feel about the election too.

If you must endure the political banter until the beginning of November, you might as well know how to utilize it for your church's social media.

Although churches can't explicitly endorse candidates, there are plenty of other ways to turn the election into more likes and shares on your church's social media accounts.

Let's turn that crying Jordan frown upside down, shall we?

Here are three suggestions for using the election to boost your church's social media.
1.    Post articles, memes, and videos related to reoccurring themes or topics in the election.
"Locker room banter."
"A basket of deplorables."
"Nasty woman" and "bad hombres."

You may not be able to endorse candidates, but you can find ways to comment about their campaign rhetoric, especially when it trends. Pay attention to what overarching themes arise because of a specific speech or ad, and use it as an opportunity to blog, tweet, or post about something that promotes your church's viewpoint surrounding the issue.

For example, if a certain debate brings passionate responses about equal pay and your church has advocated for that issue, make it known on social media!

As I've said in other Get Socials, you can't run your pages as if they exist in a vacuum. Find ways to join engaging conversations instead of constantly trying to create the conversation. It makes less work and attracts more followers for you.
2.    Promote faith-centered reasons to vote.
If you aren't comfortable addressing issues raised by the political candidates, share social media posts about faith-inspired reasons to vote. Use quotes from historical or pop culture figures about voting, and turn them into a social media graphics to share. Share voting information for your state and tag local groups that might want to share the graphic. Film a first-time voter from your church and let them share why they are excited to vote.

People won't always agree on policy differences, but most people will share posts encouraging others to vote.
3.    Use hashtags related to the presidential race for punchy posts and copy.
If your church is on Twitter or Instagram, you're missing a huge opportunity if you don't find ways to use the hashtags associated with high profile moments during the presidential election. Your church's accounts can't include hashtags endorsing a candidate (no #ImWithHer or #MakeAmericaGreat), but they can use election hashtags that a wider audience has a chance of seeing. (#Debate, #Election2016, etc.)    
If we're going to be bombarded with election updates and news until the election, we might as well grab some social media followers along the way!

Welp, that's all folks!

(I was thinking there might be an obvious link between this Porky Pig phrase, Porky Pig being in Space Jam, Michael Jordan starring in Space Jam, and the crying Jordan meme from the beginning of this post. But this written explanation probably means it wasn't that obvious...)

Catch me on Twitter or shoot me an email if you have some social media questions you'd like answered in a future newsletter!

Happy "the election is almost over" season,

Marcha�

5 Helpful Links    
4 Big Social Media Lessons We've Already Learned From Election 2016 

Churches, Public Policy, and Elections

 Dos and Don'ts in an election season 

 Guidelines for Congregations on Political Action 

 More and more people get their news via social media. Is that good or bad? 
 
 
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
office@barharborucc.org.  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 info@foresidechurch.org 
 
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
  • Number of weeks per month is negotiable
  • Salary based on ability and experience
  • Submit a letter of interest, resume and contact information for 3 references electronically to oldsouthhallowell@gmail.com 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

 
 
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.

In This Issue
 
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Beth Campbell
Maine Conference UCC
207-622-3100